tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75718524880831130892024-03-19T00:38:27.808-07:00War, Peace, Tolerance and Our SoldiersCarolyn Howard-Johnson's grandson served two tours in Iraq. Her husband is a retired Army officer who served in the 1960s Berlin call up. She writes poetry, fiction and essays that explore the subjects of war, peace and tolerance. She sees a relationship between the three. This is where she gets to nag and rag about making things better in the US and beyond by the simple means of fostering more acceptance in our hearts for our neighbors -- locally as well as globally.Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-84499538664318522812013-05-29T13:48:00.000-07:002013-05-29T13:48:33.077-07:00Peace, Tolerance, The Boston Marathon and Healing Bruce Edwin, editor of the Hollywood Sentinel, gave my friend Guadalesa permission to let me reprint his piece about her efforts on behalf of peace with her efforts. I believe that lack of tolerance (acceptance) is at the root of most if not all of the world's problems including the lost lives and health of so many of our troops and others killed in war and it's one of the reasons for this blog.<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Guadulesa is a former staff member of the art gallery and gift store chain my husband and I founded and owned for nearly a decade and still lives near me in Southern California. She</span><span style="font-size: small;"> is an artist with heart. She was then and is now. I felt I wanted to honor her in some small way for her efforts to promote peace with her art. (I keyed that section in red to help you find it.) Please take time to scroll down to see a sample of her work and to see the section in Edwin's article on peace.</span></h1>
<h1>
Award Winning Artist Guadulesa Pays Tribute to Boston Marathon Victims</h1>
By <a href="http://newsblaze.com/writer/ente.html" rel="author">The Hollywood Sentinel</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/103807829962622037053/posts" rel="author" target="_new"><img height="16" src="http://www.google.com/images/icons/ui/gprofile_button-16.png" width="16" /></a> <br />
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While people are still dying as a result of the Boston Marathon Bombing; news sources reported yesterday that the FBI shot a witness who they state attacked them during questioning- some are not only trying to help put the pieces back together, but they are doing much more, including fundraising for the survivors of the bombing.<br />
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<b>Boston Marathon Victims Get Tribute Unveiled by Award Winning Artist Guadulesa</b><br />
One such big hearted Bostonian- Guadulesa, is a rising new leader of American female abstract artists, who spends her time between Southern California, and her hometown. The award winning fine artist from Boston; Guadulesa has made a tribute to the victims with her latest work of art. Guadulesa has become known for abstract or loosely figurative works of art, which reflect spontaneity, strong rhythm, texture and color blends. Images may be seen on her website at:<br />
<a href="http://www.guadulesa.biz/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">www.guadulesa.biz</a><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://newsblaze.com/photo/20130526/Boston_Art_jpg"><img alt="Boston_Art" border="0" src="http://newsblaze.com/pix/2013/0526/pix/Boston_Art.230.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>The Boston Marathon Bombing</b><br />
As it did many, the Boston bombing greatly affected Guadulesa. On April 15th, 2013, at 2:49pm Eastern, two pressure cooker bombs were detonated approximately 13 seconds apart, near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.<br />
<br />
Three people died, with a reported 264 persons injured. Guadulesa, states, "I was actually in the hospital visiting with my daughter-in-law, so I was a little worried about her. when news of the bombing aired, we were all so shocked."<br />
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<b>Remembering the Victims who Died</b><br />
The new art work created by Guadulesa abstractly represents the three victims, with respect to the memory of them. The three victims who died in the Boston Marathon Bombing were all spectators of the marathon. They were;<br />
-Lu Lingzi<br />
-Krystle Marie Campbell, and<br />
-Martin William Richard<br />
Lu Lingzi was a 23 year old Boston University graduate student from Shenyang, Liaoning, China. She was killed by the first bomb.<br />
Krystle Marie Campbell, 29, was a restaurant manager from Medford, Massachusetts, she was also killed by the first bomb.<br />
Martin William Richard, an 8 year old boy from Boston, had his life ended by the second bomb seconds after the first explosion.<br />
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<b>Remembering the Victims who Lost Arms and Legs</b><br />
While a little boy, and two young women died, and 14 people had to have their arms or legs cut off due to massive injury from the bombings, some individuals revoltingly have actually expressed more compassion and love for the two perpetrators- one dead, than the real victims. And yet, many still suffer to this day, with painful, physical recovery, as well as the psychological pain of trying to begin a new life without arms or legs, and the traumatic stress of feeling their life still in danger-and they still need our help.<br />
<br />
<b>Guadulesa Creates Tribute to Boston Bombing Victims</b><br />
Artist Guadulesa, being from Boston, decided to do something about it to try help. She states, "I just could not believe that anyone would choose such an event, which people regard as international, to inflict such misery onto families and multi-national athletes. It made me remember 9 / 11 and the effect that had on us, because one of the flights had flown out of Boston's Logan International Airport. I urgently wanted to do something to help."<br />
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<b>The Painting; Boston Survivors' Tribute</b><br />
With that in mind, the artist went to work on the creation of a new art work, titled 'Boston Survivors' Tribute' pictured here. She intends to find a donor to purchase the work, and donate it to the Boston Medical Center, where many of the Boston bombing victims are being treated. Further, 10% of the funds donated will also be given to the One Fund Boston organization, which is the City of Boston's official non profit funding organization -partly established by the Mayor of Boston, to help victims of the bombing.<br />
<br />
The Hollywood Sentinel sat down to discuss with Guadulesa a bit about her background, as well as the nature of the art work dedicated to the Boston Marathon Bombing victims. An excerpt of that exclusive interview is as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>Exclusive Interview with Boston Artist Guadulesa</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> You have lived in Boston, do you have friends or family near where this tragic event of the bombing occurred?<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> Yes, I do - many friends, in fact. I used to live about four miles from the site of the bombing.<br />
<b>The Boston Marathon- Crime Scene</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> Wow. When was the last time you ever walked in this specific area?<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> I was there a year ago. Thank goodness my ninety five year old Godmother has moved to the suburbs. I would have been extremely upset. Recently, I arrived in Boston for my art exhibition there, ten days after the bombing. While I was there I was tempted to go the site, but something stopped me. I felt that it was still a crime scene, and it was dreadful to think of what happened there. I stayed away.<br />
<b>Boston Marathon Bombing- Conspiracy Theories</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> Some have talked about conspiracy theories regarding the bombing. Do you give credence to any of these or do you believe that what the mainstream news has reported is what it is?<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> As life goes, mainstream news can report only what they are given. We can always speculate, but sometimes it takes many years for the truth to be unearthed. Some group sent around an e-mail, which denied a lot of the evidence, and I just deleted it right away. It was such an insult to those who were injured and to families who lost their loved ones. The human mind can be very devious.<br />
<b>Boston- The Reputation</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> In my view, I think of Boston as being known as a tough, but smart city. I think of Cambridge and MIT for example. Tell me about this perception please; the toughness and the scholarly view of the city and what that means to you.<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> I always tell people that Boston has a reputation for being an academic city, but it's very much a blue-collar town. Native Bostonians have a grit to their manner, no matter the socio-economic class. We're a small city, so we rub shoulders with each other along the way. You develop strong survival instincts. I do a lot of walking in Boston. In certain neighborhoods, I automatically put on my street persona, on guard- not afraid, just aware. Bostonians are ready to be friendly and warm, or cold and distant, depending on the situation. We know how to judge (circumstances).<br />
<b>The Boston Art Scene</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> That's interesting. What is the art scene like in Boston, how is it now, and what area of the city is it focused in?<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> Boston used to be very conservative, but I think collectors have broadened their interests. The art scene used to be centered in Back Bay - Newbury Street - and Beacon Hill. Then it spread to the South End, as galleries were priced out of those areas. I used to live in the South End at the Piano Factory, Boston's oldest artist residence. Since the '90's, Mayor Menino has promoted the Arts and Artists for the contribution they make to the city's image and economy. I was a member of the Mayor's Boston Cultural Council from 1997 to 2003. There are Open Studio events in many neighborhoods now. Middle class Bostonians have become strong collectors and add to the vibrancy of the arts.<br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel: </b>What message do you have to tell the survivors and the victims' families who have lost loved ones?<br />
<b>Time Heals</b><br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> I know that the memories will last for a long time, and they may never be erased. I hope that Bostonians, as we have done in the past, will pull together and lend emotional support to the victims. The survivors are, of course, victims also. Why them, why our city, why that time and place? Answers can never be sufficient for those most deeply affected. As we are told, time heals. I would tell them to allow that healing - physical and emotional - to take place, no matter how long it takes. We all need to feel whole.<br />
<b>Artists Bringing Peace</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> Exactly. In your view, how can artists help bring <span style="color: red;">peace?</span><br />
<b>Guadulesa: </b>Already, a close artist friend of mine participated in a Cambridge Peace March. People are reaching out to offer comfort. There are concerts and other special events, which are raising money for the survivors. I believe that the contributions will help survivors realize that we want to help to ease their pain. Knowing that strangers are reaching out to help has to bring some peace of mind. We really want to ease their hearts. Artists can work together to generate love and peace. The strong intention of love can bring peace to those who open their hearts to it. That may seem esoteric, but we have seen it work.<br />
<b>Messages Within the Painting; Boston Survivors' Tribute</b><br />
<b>The Hollywood Sentinel:</b> Sure. What is this art work you have created about exactly, and what do you want viewers to take away from it after viewing it?<br />
<b>Guadulesa:</b> I am an abstract artist, so the painting re-creates the energy experienced during the bombing, without being too literal. Sometimes I work with collage to directly refer to a particular event, but this time, I chose not to include too many details. I feel that the survivors will hold those details for too long as it is. They don't need to be reminded. I have included a skyline, three focal points in honor of those who lost their lives, a running shoe, and a broken finish line. I want the viewers to feel the shock of being in the midst of that terrible moment.<br />
<b>How to Support the Work; Boston Survivors' Tribute</b><br />
For more information on Guadulesa, visit her website at:<br />
<a href="http://www.guadulesa.biz/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">www.guadulesa.biz</a><br />
To inquire about being a donor for 'Boston Survivors' Tribute' pictured here, or for commission works or other purchases of existing inventory, contact the studio of the artist at the above website, or e-mail: guadulesa222@yahoo.com<br />
You may make a donation directly to the One Fund Boston at <a href="http://https//secure.onefundboston.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">https://secure.onefundboston.org/</a><br />
The contents of this article are copyright (c).2013, The Hollywood Sentinel, All rights reserved. Rights are granted for partial or complete re-print by established newspapers, magazines, and online publications or blogs. The office of Bruce Edwin and affiliates, and Guadulesa do not endorse any advertising that may appear on or in connection with this story.<br />
<br />
<i>With thanks to Bruce Edwin, editor of The Hollywood Sentinel and President of Starpower Management, the celebrity model and talent firm. Contact Bruce at <a href="http://thehollywoodsentinel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">TheHollywoodSentinel.com</a>.</i><br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-72016392777723491732013-05-27T11:33:00.000-07:002013-05-27T11:33:42.654-07:00Memorial Day: Remembering My Own Who Served
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bought my veteran husband a stars-and-stripe pinwheel at
the 99 cent store to thank him for the time he put into the reserves and on
call up for the Berlin crisis—the crisis that didn't turn into war. There are
many vets like him who were willing to fight and their willingness was the
reason we had no war. Our family has very few vets—it's a family of mostly
women who lived before women were equals in the war efforts (though I know many
were, in fact, very equal!). So today I'm remembering my uncle Jim Heatly,
Navy, deceased; Douglas Howard, now in his 90s, Army, Pacific Theater; Robert
W. McElroy, Air Force, a pilot who volunteered for WWII before conscription,
deceased; my grandson @Travis Lamoureaux, father of one and one on the way, who
served in the all volunteer Army in Iraq--twice; and, of course, @Lance
Johnson, my dear husband who volunteered again right after 9/11 and was turned
away because only young soldiers were needed or wanted—a big mistake in my
opinion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-79235172072350533102012-11-11T13:59:00.002-08:002012-11-11T13:59:17.877-08:00Pride and Service to Country on this Day for VeteransI apologize for my inactivity on this blog of late. My grandson is home again--safe--and has given us a new great grandchild. Life has been busy. But today, in celebration of this day, I thought I'd drop by with a guest post from Lance Johnson, author of <a href="http://amzn.to/ForeignersAmericaUS"><em>What Foreigners Need To Know About America from A To Z</em>.</a> He is a real patriot of the kind that should get more attention. Not the kind who think there is something unpatriotic about any criticism of the US, but the kind who values that everyone can be critical and, in fact, are sometimes critical because we love this country so much. Here is his offering to celebrate the day. <br />
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<h2>
Pride and Service to Country</h2>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>By Lance Johnson, author of What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A to Z</strong><br />
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<br />
I am most proud of the thirty years I spent as a private and an officer in the National Guard, Army Reserves, and on active duty. Today, those serving in the armed forces are viewed by most as heroes, unlike five decades ago when, as a young 2nd Lt. just out of graduate school, my life was disrupted when I was called to active duty during Kennedy’s Berlin Activation. Assigned to a combat engineer unit in Vernal, Utah, before we were transferred to Ft. Lewis, Washington, I was walking outside the Vernal armory in my uniform and was made fun of by two ten year olds. It hurt, because I was giving up a year of my life for my country for them. But that was part of the culture back then, and it only intensified a few years later when the Vietnam War tore America apart and changed the face of Veteran’s Holiday, resulting in fewer military parades and ceremonies. Even ROTC programs were dropped from many colleges in the ensuing years. But recent wars have brought back the holiday’s popularity as a tribute to those serving and those who have fallen. It took three decades for the ’Nam pain to subside and a Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be built in D.C. with the names of 58,000 Americans killed in that senseless war.<br />
<br /> My recent book “What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z” talks about the futility of the war. Here’s a quote: “Vietnam War – There is not a better example of the tragic consequences of cultural misconceptions than the Vietnam War in the late 1960s and early 70s that bitterly divided Americans. The American movie, The Fog of War (2003), won an Academy Award for Best Documentary. In the film, Robert McNamara, the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the war and the architect of its buildup, meets with his North Vietnamese counterpart and they admit they misinterpreted each other’s motives. They concluded that the U.S. mistakenly viewed the North’s invasion of South Vietnam as a communist move to conquer all of Southeast Asia. We called this the Domino Theory in which country after country would fall like tumbling dominoes to the communists. His counterpart said it was nothing but a civil war, something the U.S. had gone through a hundred years prior. The war is yet another painful reminder of the consequences of not understanding each other’s culture. Perhaps your country has reminders of its misunderstandings, too.” <br />
I visited Vietnam 12 years ago and was overwhelmed seeing hoards of people missing limbs and living and working in bullet ridden hovels, troubling reminders of the war. 40,000 had been killed by land mines since the war ended. However, they were most friendly toward Americans. As they simply explained it, the war was over. It finally is in America, too. Peace, and a big thank you to those in uniform today, especially young 2nd Lieutenants embarking on life’s journey who might be derided for serving their country. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
~Johnson's <a href="http://amz.to/ForeignersAmericaUS"><em>What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z </em></a>is available on Amazon worldwide and is now also available as an e-book from Kindle. <br />
----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.<span style="background-color: yellow;">howtodoitfrugally.com</span>/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-61319293968879941412012-05-22T11:29:00.001-07:002012-05-22T11:29:24.730-07:00Bobby Darin and His Song of PeaceIt's been awhile since I popped in. Thought you might love this from when Bobby Darin looked like a baby. And though I wasn't a baby at that time, I don't remember this song of peace. My writing friend David Reel sent it to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ1ohsissjE&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ1ohsissjE&feature=related</a><br />
<br />
---<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-35823493156230490442011-06-16T14:42:00.000-07:002011-06-16T14:42:14.929-07:00Ruminations on Fathers Fitting for Vets According to Reviewer<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=144997774X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>This a review of a blog for fathers, many of whom are today's soldiers or vets. I therefore thought it suitable for this blog.<br />
<div><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRoman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman;"></span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;"></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; display: none; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #005388;">Visit Amazon's Carolyn Howard-</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.5pt; font-weight: normal;"></span>Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball have woven their <b>Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions (Volume 1)</b> on March 22, 2010, together like sisters of the same mind when it comes to the men in their lives. Carolyn begins her medley of childhood memories beginning with “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">All the sound in the world sucked to a waving wailing note as I perch on my father’s knee.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later giftedly pondering, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The things I didn’t know about my father, his coming and goings, the fearing he would not return. One day, only a dawn or decade ago, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">he didn’t.” </span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Then, then!” writes Carolyn, “Decades of dread (conflicts?) with names we remember and some we don't. Bosnia, Kosovo, First (!) Gulf War, Korean, Bay of Pigs, Rwanda,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Afghanistan, the Berlin Crisis for god's sake. More than 300 of them, words </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">like the bass beat of drums. Vietnam when those troops who did come home </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">couldn't walk or wouldn't talk. I tell my grandson, then only 12, how we who remember the grunt of that war see it differently from those who marched in the Double W Wars, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">wars when we wanted to be there.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Carolyn Howard-Johnson's grandson served two tours in Iraq. Her husband is a retired Army officer who served in the 1960s Berlin call up. I can hear the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">sober sounds of the National Anthem in the background of all her poetry, with the throat voice of Uncle Sam warning, “I want him. He’s mine. You can’t have him!” All wives and little girls cry.</span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Magdalena pulls metaphors out of the air with, “Y</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">ou recede a little more. I reach for you over thought waves little girl’s hand hung in the air your absence, finally, matches reality to imagination trying to get truth from pretty metaphors that can’t touch your flesh still young somewhere while the precious science you drank like fine wine grinds your atoms to dust.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Carolyn Howard Johnson and Magdalena Ball have written a wonderful little memoir celebrating Father’s Day and all their sacrifices as girls and women growing up in the 50’s and together they swam through a remembered past. I recommend this little gem and I give it Five Stars for Amazon. Happy Father’s Day to all…wives, children and our husbands who take care of our very basic needs while we write poetry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">~Reviewed by Joyce White</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sculpting the Heart Book Reviews</span></div></div><br />
<div align="left" style="float: left; padding: 5px;"> <div><img src="http://freado.s3.amazonaws.com/cdn/book/signature/8628/328e5d4c166bb340b314d457a208dc83.gif" /> </div></div><br />
<div align="left" style="height: 100px; padding: 5px;"><b><a href="http://www.freado.com/users/2673/Joyce-White" target="_blank" title="http://www.freado.com/users/2673/Joyce-White">Joyce White</a></b><br />
Author<br />
<a href="http://www.freado.com/book/8628/sculpting-the-heart-with-art-therapy" target="_blank" title="http://www.freado.com/book/8628/sculpting-the-heart-with-art-therapy">Sculpting the Heart with Art Therapy</a><br />
Read Now - <a href="http://bit.ly/d1jGLN" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/d1jGLN">http://bit.ly/d1jGLN</a><br />
Twitter - <a href="http://twitter.com/wjoycewhite" target="_blank" title="http://twitter.com/wjoycewhite">@wjoycewhite</a> </div><br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-9390470598197852502010-12-15T15:58:00.000-08:002010-12-15T15:58:46.366-08:00A Little Holiday Love Goes a Long, Long WayXEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL <br />
<br />
If you go to this web site, <a href="http://www.letssaythanks.com/">http://www.letssaythanks.com/</a> you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. <br />
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second. <br />
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. <br />
<br />
This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's. <br />
<br />
Thanks for taking to time to support our military!<br />
<br />
And, if you click on this Amazon widget to support Eric Dinyer and Andrews McMeel's efforts to help Fischer House, that would be wonderful, too. <br />
<span> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0740755641&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><br />
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<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:<script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script><script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-40583268983979991172010-08-09T08:34:00.001-07:002010-08-09T08:34:37.136-07:00One of Military Writers Society of America's gold medal winners appears on <a href="http://www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/">The New Book Review </a>blog today. I thought subscribers and visitors to War Peace Tolerance might want to look at that blog for reading suggestions; you'll find many books on military subjects there. You can use the blog search function for keywords or look in the index under Nonfiction: Military. <br />
<br />
Here is the link:<br />
<a href="http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2010/08/military-memoir-is-military-writers.html">http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2010/08/military-memoir-is-military-writers.html</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/"><br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:<script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script><script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-9579420813529049632010-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:002010-07-19T14:08:14.714-07:00On Palin, Organized Thought, Words, and ToleranceThose of you who visit regularly may have noticed that the word "tolerance" is in the title of this blog. Mostly the "soldiers" part gets my attention here because "tolerance" usually gets even more political that our military. Still, I can't resist this one. It touches on my love of clear concise writing which requires using words well to achieve that--and on my love of tolerance.<br />
<br />
I'm also keen on the connection between organized thought and clear concise writing. That usually takes more time than my blogs allowed. Some great author once said that it takes a first draft to know what it is you want to say. <br />
<br />
I didn't have time for a second draft of this blog post, so I'm just going to stop here, give you the link, and let you rip into this with comments. (-: Here it is. Ta da!!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l/36712;www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/76355/palin-takes-islam-and-the-english-language-the-same-time">http://www.facebook.com/l/36712;www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/76355/palin-takes-islam-and-the-english-language-the-same-time<br />
</a><br />
<br />
Speaking of that second draft I didn't write, those interested in improving their writing may be (notice I didn't writer "maybe") interested in my booklet <i>The Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1450507654&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></i>.<br />
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Blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-8515173362577883922010-07-18T20:36:00.000-07:002010-07-18T20:36:32.660-07:00Gene Simmons and Troops Having Some Spirited Fun!You've gotta just love this youthful enthusiasm. A peek at the military in a setting not about war but about music, about people being people together. Let me know what you think.<br />
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Blogger Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-659280813473203492010-06-21T14:53:00.000-07:002010-06-21T14:53:55.158-07:00Author of Quiet Fury Books Encourages Book Donations to Troops<b>Below you will find a message sent to me by a fellow author who--obviously--is interested in the welfare of our troops, regardless of political beliefs. </b><br />
<br />
I'd love to share a post from my blog with your <i>War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers</i> readers. <b>Storm Williams</b>, the founder<br />
of <b>Books For Soldiers</b>, graciously took time from her busy schedule to answer questions about her organization. Books For Soldiers helps get <br />
books (gently used or new) out to the men and women serving in the <br />
military.<br />
<br />
Storm told me that she started shipping books into the war zone <br />
because of a CNN report she heard that said, "...once the soldiers <br />
were deployed, they were faced with massive downtime and were <br />
restricted to their base..." Initially on her own, Storm went on to <br />
say that, "Within a few weeks, I ran out of books. I then began <br />
guilting friends and family members began donating their paperback <br />
books..."<br />
<br />
I don't think most people realize how monotonous the downtime can get <br />
for these men and women. Books are a wonderful distraction!<br />
<br />
Storm is an inspiration, proving that one person can, in fact, make a <br />
difference. Participating in Books For Soldiers is a great way to show <br />
our military men and women that we haven't forgotten about them.<br />
<br />
You can read my interview with Storm and learn more about Books For <br />
Soldiers on my blog: <a href="http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/?p=1290">http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/?p=1290</a><br />
<br />
<b>PS: If you can't think of a book to send (or it's easier to just click and send!) consider buying a used copy of <i>Support Our Troops<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0740755641&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></i>, a book I wrote the foreword for with Eric Dinyer. Proceeds go to benefit Fisher House! See the widget in this post. The book design includes a car magnet as part of the cover!</b> <br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-28768578266640183712010-06-16T19:28:00.000-07:002010-06-16T19:28:45.355-07:00An Artist from My Home State of Utah and HER SoldiersMy friend <b>May Lattanzio </b>is at it again. She sent a link to ths video to me. She knows I'm from Utah but she had no way of knowing how many connections this video touched on for me. The artist is so like my Aunt Hazel (also childless), recently deceased. The crowing rooster so like the ones that woke me on my grandma's farm in Hollday, Utah, when I was a child. And the soldiers so like my grandson, now home safely.<br />
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<br />
----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-57409777217787607632010-05-08T11:39:00.000-07:002010-05-08T11:39:19.837-07:00New Help for PTSD<i>Time</i> magazine chose <b>Edna Foa</b>as one of its 100 most influential people this week for her work is combatting PTSD, the disorder that plagues our veterans.<br />
<br />
Though, as <i>Time</i> describes it, her technique strongly resembles cognitive therapy--at least to this layman--apparently it works for many and, just in case some <i>War Peace Tolerance </i>readers suffer from or know someone who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I thought I'd tell you about it. <br />
<br />
Her therapy is called prolonged exposure or PE. It works by searching out the thoughts and situations that PTSD sufferers find most stressful and then gently exposing sufferers to them. First they summon up their worst mememories. Next they are exposed to places or circumstances similar to what they remember. By facing the memories head on, they are stripped of their power. Time reports that the therapy works quickly. often within twelve sessions.<br />
<br />
And, best of all, the US Military is utilizing Foa's methods. <br />
<br />
My feeling is that sufferers will want to at least explore the possibilities. Many sufferers have tried everything else that is available and are desperate for something that can make a difference in their lives. Ask at the Department of Veterans Affairs. PE is being put into use now and may be available for the needs of loved ones sooner rather than later. <br />
<br />
<br />
---Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-32558350483688806222010-05-02T01:52:00.000-07:002010-05-02T01:52:00.220-07:00Pollution Outrage<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0787121738&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>I don't get outraged too often anymore. Not for lack of things I could get outraged about. Quite the opposite. There is so much that I make a real effort to keep my serenity. However, this is something I think we might get in at least a really big snit about and write some letters. Reported by <b>Dan Rather</b>, it holds credence. Pollution of this sort is unconscionable and hurts not only our soldiers but the countries our military works in and the planet as a whole. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/something-in-the-air_b_552863.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/something-in-the-air_b_552863.html</a><br />
<br />
Thanks to my constant friend and resource May Lattanzio for this link. <br />
<br />
-----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-87805931025193749062010-04-29T02:01:00.000-07:002010-04-29T02:01:01.085-07:00Great Reading for Those Interested in the MilitaryI belong to <a href="http://www.militarywriters.com">Military Writers Society of America</a>.<br />
<br />
So why would subscribers and readers of this blog care about an organization for writers? <br />
<br />
Because if you're interested in the subjects I cover in this blog, you may very well want to support this society that supports veterans who write about military-related matters, veterans who write about anything else (and writers of every ilk, for that matter!) and through them, readers who want to find the best of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry related to the military.<br />
<br />
Those who are interested in this organization and what they do--and how their bookstore can help you find great writing--go to my <a href="http://www.sharingwithwritersandreaders.blogspot.com">Sharing with Writers and Readers blog </a>today. Details abound. (-:<br />
<br />
----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script><br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-82845818413167373902010-04-28T15:16:00.000-07:002010-04-28T15:16:11.675-07:00Effortless, Inexpensive Way to Contribute to Soldiers<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0740755641&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> This comes from my writing and photography friend who is always searching the Web, May Lattanzio. It seemed to me to be a very-nearly effortless and inexpensive way to help a soldier in harm's way. Go to: http://www.anysoldier.com/<br />
<a href="http://www.anysoldier.com/"></a><br />
<br />
I've also added this to the permanent list on this blog of ways to do something more productive than send sentimental photos around the Web. <br />
<br />
You might also consider the gift book complete with a fun flag-colored car magnet in the Amazon link in this post. Proceeds from it got to Fisher House. <br />
<br />
----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-29305277019826287532010-04-14T15:03:00.000-07:002010-04-14T15:03:25.937-07:00Outrage, the Press and USBecause I had never heard of this outrage, I' don't even know what to think. Huffington Post isn't unreliable, but I'd like to see something in the New York Times or on 60 Minutes as verification. Still, I think it important enough to pass on to people. The muckraking press and our outrage is what keeps our government free. Thanks to May Lattanzio for sending the link.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-kors/when-the-army-uses-enhanc_b_536727.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-kors/when-the-army-uses-enhanc_b_536727.html</a><br />
<br />
----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
</script><br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-32272673274330005402010-04-11T08:33:00.000-07:002010-04-11T08:33:56.116-07:00Military, Health Care and TriCare<b>I am a fortunate recipient of TriCare health insurance so I was glad to see this information from General Gordon R. Sullivan, President, AUSA. Thanks, too, to my friend and author D.H.Brown, board member of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).</b> <br />
<br />
<b>How Does Health Care Reform Affect Military TriCare Subscribers?<br />
</b><br />
<br />
"Well, folks, the question in the title is on everyone’s mind, so I asked our AUSA government affairs staff to put together a Q and A to help allay<br />
any fears that TRICARE is going to be negatively affected by the civilian<br />
health care reform legislation.<br />
<br />
Before we get to the Q and A, I want to give a BIG AUSA tip of the hat to<br />
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., for introducing<br />
legislation which explicitly states that TRICARE and non-appropriated fund<br />
(NAF) health plans meet all of the health care requirements for individual<br />
health insurance. This technical correction will ensure TRICARE<br />
beneficiaries don’t suffer any inadvertent penalties under the language of<br />
civilian health care reform legislation passed by the House recently.<br />
<br />
"While beneficiaries of these programs will already meet the minimum<br />
requirements for individual health insurance and will not be required to<br />
purchase additional coverage, H.R. 4887, The TRICARE Affirmation Act,<br />
provides clarification by changing the tax code to state it in law. The<br />
bill was approved in the House by a vote of 403 to 0.<br />
<br />
Member of the legislature Skelton assures us that...'In the health care bill currently under consideration in Congress, TRICARE and the Non-Appropriated Fund health plans, the programs that providehealth care for these individuals, will meet the minimum requirements forindividual health insurance coverage, and no TRICARE or NAF health plan beneficiary will be required to purchase additional coverage beyond what they already have.<br />
<br />
"'However, to reassure our military service members and their families and<br />
make it perfectly clear that they will not be negatively affected by this<br />
legislation, my bill, H.R. 4887, explicitly states in law that these health<br />
plans meet the minimum requirements for individual health insurance.'"<br />
<br />
<br />
In addition to the legislation, Skelton, along with Reps. Bob Filner,<br />
Chairman, Committee on Veterans Affairs; George Miller, Chairman, Committee<br />
on Education and Labor; Sander Levin, Chairman, Committee on Ways and<br />
Means; and Henry Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a<br />
letter to the Committee on Rules advising that they reviewed the health<br />
care reform bills to assess the impact of the bills on the health care<br />
provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans<br />
Affairs.<br />
<br />
The letter stated, “Our reviews of H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872 lead us to<br />
believe that the intent of the bills was never to undermine or change the<br />
Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs operation of their<br />
health care programs or interfere with the care that our service members<br />
receive under TRICARE. However, we commit to look into this issue further<br />
to ensure that no unintended consequences may arise and to take any<br />
legislative action that may be necessary.”<br />
<br />
So there you have it This is just a start. One important thing to<br />
remember is that most of the changes that will occur in civilian health<br />
care are years away. If at some point it is discovered that inadvertently<br />
something in the bill would have an adverse impact on military or veteran<br />
health care, there is plenty of time to enact legislation that will fix it<br />
– and that is what your Association is here for – to advocate for<br />
legislation that helps soldiers and their families.<br />
<br />
Your part in all this is to maintain your membership – only with a large<br />
membership can AUSA speak loudly in numbers that resonate on Capitol Hill.<br />
Keep the faith, troops – AUSA is here to help you. Now here are the Q and<br />
A’s.<br />
<br />
Q1. Will the new legislation transfer TRICARE into another government<br />
health care program?<br />
<br />
A1. No. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act leaves TRICARE<br />
under the sole authority of the Defense Department and the Secretary of<br />
Defense, and TRICARE is governed by an independent set of statutes. “For<br />
the Department of Defense, and specifically for our 9.6 million TRICARE<br />
beneficiaries, this law will not affect the TRICARE benefit. Eligibility,<br />
covered benefits, co-payments and all other features of our TRICARE program<br />
remain in place” - Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Dr.<br />
Charles Rice<br />
<br />
Q2. What does deeming TRICARE as “qualifying coverage” mean?<br />
<br />
A2. It ensures that TRICARE beneficiaries will not be impacted by the new<br />
legislation’s requirement that people without qualifying coverage will have<br />
to pay a financial penalty. Just to make it clear, the House unanimously<br />
passed separate legislation on March 20, deeming TRICARE as “qualifying<br />
coverage” under the new law. On the Senate side, S. 3148 and S. 3162 have<br />
just been introduced to deem TRICARE "qualifying coverage". Also, Defense<br />
Secretary Robert Gates issued a statement asserting that health reform<br />
“won’t have a negative effect on TRICARE.”<br />
<br />
Q3. Is TRICARE for Life (TFL) considered “qualifying coverage” under the<br />
new law?<br />
<br />
A3. Yes, TFL is deemed qualifying coverage under the legislation already<br />
passed by both the House and Senate.<br />
<br />
Q4. Can I expect my TRICARE enrollment fee, premiums, deductibles or<br />
co-pays to go up because of this legislation?<br />
<br />
A4. There is nothing in the legislation that would change any TRICARE<br />
fees.<br />
<br />
Q5. The new health care bill allows adult children to stay on their<br />
parent’s healthcare plan until age 26 if their employers don’t offer<br />
insurance. Will TRICARE adopt this policy?<br />
<br />
A5. Many beneficiaries with dependent children are very interested on how<br />
the Act will impact their children age 26 and younger. TRICARE’s current<br />
age limits - 21, or age 23, if the dependent is in a full-time school<br />
program - are set by statute, so separate legislation would be required to<br />
change them. If changes are made to the statue governing TRICARE, then,<br />
like any other legislative initiative, time will be required for TRICARE to<br />
implement the changes. Until that time, the benefit remains unaffected by<br />
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.<br />
<br />
To that point, Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. has introduced H.R. 4923, the<br />
TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act, a bill that would increase the<br />
maximum age to 26 at which our troops and military retirees are allowed to<br />
provide health coverage to their dependent children.<br />
<br />
Q6. I understand Medicare is cut $500 billion under the new law. Won’t<br />
that have to cut payments to doctors and threaten TFL?<br />
<br />
A6 It’s true that the new law reduces Medicare spending by about that<br />
much, but most of those changes are relatively less painful ones that<br />
probably won’t affect TRICARE or TFL beneficiaries much.<br />
<br />
They include $118 billion from eliminating the extra subsidy to the<br />
Medicare Advantage HMO program (which was sold to Congress as a cost-saver,<br />
but actually costs 14 percent more per person than Standard Medicare),<br />
cutting about $150 billion from non-rural hospitals (which the hospital<br />
associations say they can handle because expanding insurance coverage to<br />
most Americans will mean they won’t have to eat the cost of serving the<br />
uninsured), and cutting back abuses in medical equipment (under current<br />
systems, Medicare will buy you a wheelchair you may only need a few months,<br />
or allow a company to rent you one for life for a permanent condition).<br />
<br />
<br />
-----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0740755641&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
tweetmeme_url = 'http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com';
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-18492574685149509092010-03-24T17:47:00.000-07:002010-03-24T17:47:48.125-07:00Gifts for Injured Troops for Easter<b>I am posting this for any who might be so inclined to do something special for our troops at Easter. I somehow don't think the organization will mind my using their entire letter.</b><br />
<br />
Dear Patriotic American,<br />
<br />
Many troops who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan severely burned, blinded or paralyzed are struggling just to feed their families. These brave men and women have made painful sacrifices for us (and our families).<br />
<br />
And since you support patriotic causes, I wanted you to know about something special you can do for them in return this Easter.<br />
<br />
The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has just launched an Emergency Easter Meal Project. Our goal is to deliver $60 to hundreds of severely wounded troops so they can put Easter dinner on the table. Can I count on your financial support? <br />
Please say yes.<br />
<br />
My name is Major General John K. Singlaub, U.S. Army (Ret.), and I served our nation in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Now I am working with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, which provides emergency financial aid for troops who have been severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.<br />
<br />
Our generous supporters have already responded with emergency financial aid to more than 11,000 requests from America’s disabled GIs, and provided them with more than $22 million in emergency financial aid and other support services.<br />
<br />
Please join our generous, patriotic family of supporters by making a special donation right now to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes. <br />
<br />
When America’s disabled GIs return home, out of the blue they are blindsided by another disaster – a disaster they never expected and couldn’t possibly plan for. A disaster most Americans don’t even know is happening.<br />
<br />
The wounded GI’s disability check takes six months . . . nine months . . . even a year to arrive. He is wounded so badly he can’t take care of himself, so his wife quits her job to take care of him. Suddenly he is facing a financial catastrophe and has nowhere to turn.<br />
<br />
You, and me, and other patriotic Americans must be there for them. Because they were there for us. <br />
<br />
The Coalition's Emergency Easter Meal Project was created to help disabled troops like:<br />
<br />
Blair William Didion Sr., who told us he sometimes relies on “food from public pantries” after suffering spinal fractures from a roadside bomb in Iraq. <br />
Retired Army Sgt. Joshua Johnson of Colorado, who was injured in Iraq. After receiving emergency financial aid from Coalition supporters like you, Joshua wrote, “We were not going to be able to buy groceries for the month. The gratitude that my family and I have for the help you provided is hard to put into words.”<br />
<br />
And Paul Thurman, whose wife had to resort to selling her blood plasma to buy food after he was injured in Iraq.<br />
<br />
Emergency Easter donations can help the Coalition rescue our wounded heroes from having to get their Easter dinner from a public pantry, or (God forbid) from having to sell their blood plasma to buy groceries. <br />
The severely wounded serviceman or woman who receives help might even live in your neighborhood, attend your church or shop at your grocery store. Or perhaps their parents do. So please send as <a href="https://www.saluteheroesproject.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=21&custom_1=CHP7NECL&custom_3=E032P">generous an Easter gift </a>as you can afford.<br />
<br />
As you can imagine, the wives and mothers of our troops who have been blinded, badly burned or maybe even paralyzed are suffering as well. So instead of cooking Easter dinner at home, some families may decide to “give Mom a break,” and use their $60 to take her out to a restaurant on Easter Sunday.<br />
<br />
That way they can enjoy Easter weekend with their family – just like you and I will. <br />
<br />
Bear in mind: The Easter Season is the perfect time to thank these disabled heroes for the painful sacrifices they’ve made. After all, these brave men and women went to war to protect our freedom. Now many will never be able to see, or hear, or use their arms or legs again after being hit by a roadside bomb.<br />
<br />
You and I can’t heal their physical injuries or make them whole again. (No one can.) <br />
<br />
But helping to put Easter dinner on their table will let them know their fellow Americans appreciate the painful sacrifice they made for our country. <br />
<br />
Finally, I’d like to show you what a difference your kindness can make. Kristi P. is a young servicewoman who suffered a devastating injury in Iraq. After receiving emergency financial aid from Coalition supporters like you, Kristi wrote back to say,<br />
<br />
“Your gift brought tears of Thanksgiving to my eyes. . . . It felt like God was smiling upon me and reminding me what I gave really did matter.”<br />
<br />
Please make the most generous Easter donation you can afford right now. And let me be the first to wish you and your family a Happy Easter.<br />
<br />
With respect and gratitude,<br />
<br />
Major General John K. Singlaub <br />
U.S. Army (Ret.)<br />
<br />
P.S. As I mentioned, some of our GIs have resorted to getting their food from public pantries, and others are selling their blood plasma to feed their children. <br />
<br />
To help them the Coalition has just launched an Emergency Easter Meal Project. Our goal is to deliver $60 to as many severely wounded troops as possible so they can put Easter dinner on the table.<br />
<br />
Remember, Easter is the perfect time to let a wounded hero know their fellow Americans understand the painful sacrifices they have made and are wishing their family well this Easter Season. Thank you for your generosity and your patriotism. <br />
<br />
<br />
-----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-75143563832443132462010-03-12T20:40:00.000-08:002010-03-12T20:40:17.636-08:00Military's Fisher House Tops Obama's Donation ListShort and sweet here. <br />
<br />
LA Times reports that <b>President Obama </b>will be giving the 1.4 million he recived for winning the <b>Nobel Peace Prize </b>to charity and that <b>Fisher House</b>, the Ronald McDonald-type care facility for families of wounded and sick military, is at the top of his list with $250,000.00<br />
------<br />
<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-50076925612220332332010-03-10T15:58:00.000-08:002010-03-10T15:58:08.924-08:00Something Less Serious--a St. Paddy's Blog TourYvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services <a href="http://writersinthesky.com">http://writersinthesky.com</a>, has put together a blog chain for St. Patrick’s Day March 11 through 17 and this blog is participating in the fun event. I thought there might be some War Peace Tolerance subscribers that are unfamiliar with blog chains, plus, it is the time of year to drink some green beer (or milk) and have a little fun. Plus, you might find some good reading among the participants!<br />
<br />
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You may be wondering, "What is a Blog Chain?" A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of every person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on one post they find interesting. When you leave a comment on the other eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your own blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.<br />
<br />
So, here is Yvonne's blog chain. Have fun!<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br />
Who's Blogging?<br />
<br />
Below is from Yvonne Perry, giving the line up of blogs we'll be visiting. These bloggers will also be stopping by here.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to play with us and get in some great reading this week, simply visit each blog and leave a comment along with the URL to your own blog. You may also want to follow these people on Twitter. <br />
<br />
Just like her book, Blast Off!, Allison Maslan's blog is about self-empowerment in body mind and spirit. Learn how to make the changes you want in business, career, relationships, and your body when you visit <a href="http://www.myblastoff.com/blog">http://www.myblastoff.com/blog</a>. Be sure to follow Allison on Twitter: @AllisonMaslan<br />
<br />
After much debate about which of my blogs to feature in this blog chain, I've decided to introduce you to my book, More Than Meets the Eye. Learn about the process of death and dying, find green burial info, consider activity in the afterlife, and talk about spirit communication at <a href="http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/">http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/</a>. You'll recognize my constant tweeting as @writersinthesky.<br />
<br />
On Writer's Journey is a blog owned by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz. Visit her at <a href="http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/">http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/</a> to read author interviews, book reviews, and all things writing related. She is so generous that she reviewed two of my books and interviewed me twice! Penny is @pennyehrenkranz on Twitter.<br />
<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a long-time networking friend of mine. She and I have done multiple joint venture projects like this blog chain. She has several blogs, but we have chosen http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com/ to honor our soldiers during this blog chain. Carolyn is on Twitter as @frugalbookpromo.<br />
<br />
After 15 years of working in the industry as an ASE-certified automobile technician, my son, Robert McCurley, has started his own Nashville business, Wheel Fix It Mobile Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. His rates are much lower than the cost of taking a car to the shop; plus, he comes to your location! Find auto care tips and information about how to contact him for a local repair when you visit his blog at <a href="http://wheelfixit.blogspot.com/">http://wheelfixit.blogspot.com/</a>. Follow @WheelFixItNow on Twitter.<br />
<br />
Tisha Morris is a new WITS client and I am thrilled to be helping her promote her new book, 27 Things to FengShui Your Home. Her blog <a href="http://www.mindbodyom.com/">http://www.mindbodyom.com/</a> has some great tips for declutter your life, home, and workspace. I've been cleaning like a fiend ever since I got hold of her book! She's on Twitter as @mindbodyom.<br />
<br />
If you are looking for something to do outdoors or some new place to go for vacation, you'll love Loretta Leda's blog <a href="http://www.newoutdooradventures.blogspot.com">http://www.newoutdooradventures.blogspot.com</a>. Follow her on Twitter: @FloridaSpaGirls.<br />
<br />
Schall Adams is a new girlfriend and networking partner I found when working on Allison Maslan's Amazon book launch. Schall's blog <a href="http://www.mygirlfriendmentors.com/blog ">http://www.mygirlfriendmentors.com/blog </a>is all about women empowering women to live happy, successful, passionate lives! Schall is @SchallAdams on Twitter.<br />
<br />
Another WITS client, networker, and dear friend has joined this blog chain. Janet Riehl and I were virtual friends for years before we met in person when she came to Nashville for a recording session with my son-in-law, Scott Kidd. When you visit her blog, <a href="http://www.riehlife.com">http://www.riehlife.com</a>, you may read about the audio book they created! You'll want to follow Janet on Twitter as @Riehlife.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bethtrissel.blogspot.com/">http://bethtrissel.blogspot.com/</a> Historical and light paranormal romance author. Gardening with a focus on herbs, heirloom plants and old Southern recipes. Please follow Beth Tissel on Twitter: @BethTrissel.<br />
<br />
Denise DeMaras is a women's health coach, artist, and writer whose medicine is change. She helps women process emotions, reduce stress, and increase creativity, to make changes or cope with them. She is a board-certified nutrition consultant, Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor, Chapman University Certified Art for Healing Instructor, Columbia University Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I love her fabulous blog at <a href="http://blog.denisedemaras.com/">http://blog.denisedemaras.com/</a> ! Follow Denise on Twitter: @ddemaras.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/">http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/</a> is about folklore and family stories, mythology and more. Follow Folkheart Press on Twitter: @Folkheartpress.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/">http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/</a> features the musings of Dennis S Martin: poet, playwright and novelist from Baltimore, Maryland. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dsmartin49.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://leedesign2.blogspot.com/">http://leedesign2.blogspot.com/</a> Tips on Mac computers and graphic design. Follow Jessica Galbraith on Twitter: @leedesign.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/">http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/</a> This blog is all about writing tips for writers and teachers of writing. Each week I will address one aspect of writing. Occasionally, I will post tips about no-fee contests and calls for submissions by publishers. Follow Nancy Kelly Allen on Twitter: @NancyKellyAllen.<br />
<br />
The book publicist, Scott Lorenz, is president of Westwind Communications, a public republic relations and marketing firm with a special knack for working with authors and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Scott is a regular contributor to WITS Newsletter. <a href="http://thebookpublicist.blogspot.com/">http://thebookpublicist.blogspot.com/</a>. Follow Scott on Twitter: @aBookPublicist.<br />
<br />
Tom Vancel is a retired pharmacist and now does dentistry in third-world countries to help less-fortunate children. Read his blog about his adventures at <a href="http://tomvancel.blogspot.com/">http://tomvancel.blogspot.com/</a> .<br />
<br />
Long-time WITS client Linda Ballou is about to introduce another book. Find out more about her first book, Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey, when you visit her blog: <a href="http://wwwlindaballouauthor.blogspot.com/">http://wwwlindaballouauthor.blogspot.com/</a>. Follow Linda on Twitter: @LindaBallou.<br />
<br />
Happy networking, everyone.<br />
<br />
Yvonne Perry,<br />
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services<br />
http://writersinthesky.com<br />
<br />
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-----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-12609209288120687192010-03-08T15:25:00.001-08:002010-03-10T15:47:16.103-08:00I belong to <a href="http://www.militarywriters.com">Military Writers Society of America</a>.<br />
<br />
So why would subscribers and readers of this blog care? <br />
<br />
Because if you're interested in the subjects I cover in this blog, you may very well want to support this society that supports veterans who write about military-related matters, veterans who write about anything else (and writers of every ilk, for that matter!) and through them, readers who want to find the best of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry related to the military.<br />
<br />
Here's what MWSA does for writers. They offer:<br />
<br />
~An opportunity to have your book posted on www.militarywriters.com <br />
Opportunity for a review.<br />
~ All books that are reviewed are also scored and considered for annual awards. <br />
~A newsletter that promotes good reading about military-related topics. And it's entertaining!<br />
~an opportunity to earn MWSA Bucks that can be used at the annual MWSA Buckaroo Auction <br />
~An annual Conference and Awards Banquet<br />
~Online writers' workshops<br />
~Introductions to bloggers and radio hosts. Read that lots of networking opportunities! <br />
~Scenes from award-winning books may be selected to be converted to a script that is performed at a theater for the public as kick off for Annual Conference. <br />
~Regional events<br />
~Discounts with third parties who support the military and writers.<br />
~An opportunity to get to know and network with other authors--especially those with military background, veterans, and historians. <br />
~An opportunity to participate in the growth and operation of the organization.<br />
~Awards that are real, tangible medals, which also offer authors and their publicist opportunities to promote their work. <br />
~An opportunity to perform at Open Mic at the annual Conference.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-48647549801913130402010-02-17T17:45:00.000-08:002010-02-17T17:45:20.036-08:00Freebies for Troops via Smashwords<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1449546056&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;" align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>As many of you know, my grandson is back now from two tours of duty in Iraq and is now stationed (very luckily) near Monterrey, CA. Thus, the plight of our troops is a subject near and dear to my heart. My poetry writing partner <b>Magdalena Ball </b>and I are giving away e-copies of chapbook of unconventional love poetry Cherished Pulse to 'our' troops overseas as part of Operation e-book drop. They will get an e-mail with a coupon code for a free copy at Smashbooks.<br />
<br />
We would love to have you have a copy, too. Partly to see how the program works. Partly to share our poetry with you. The coupon code to use to get it free is ZF39H (not case sensitive).You will enter the code prior to completing your checkout.<br />
<br />
Expires: February 28, 2010<br />
<br />
You may want to do something similar for the troops with your books. More about Op Ebook Drop is here: <br />
<a href="http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html ">http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html </a><br />
<br />
And they have a Facebook group here: <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420</a> <br />
<br />
If you prefer to send a real copy of <i>Cherished Pulse </i>to someone, that is easy, too. It is only $6.95 on Amazon, certainly a doable gift. And it is really beautiful with Vicki Thomas’s artwork. Go to <a href="http://www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse">www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse</a>.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-55687561607804821442010-02-07T01:39:00.000-08:002010-02-07T01:39:00.191-08:00Kristen Tsetsi Releases Deployment Story That Strikes Chord for Military<b>I recently found today's guest blogger through one of my other blogs, <a href="http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com">The New Book Review. <br />
</a> I felt her book had something important to say to those who are left behind when one partner is deployed, so I invited her to provide visitors with a couple excerpts from it. I hope you'll pass this link to those you know who might benefit from it. She says, </b><br />
<br />
When my husband left for Iraq in 2003, it was my first experience with a deployment, and it was not a good one. I was skilled at imagining the worst: being shot down, being kidnapped and held captive, dying. I imagined his funeral, what it would be like to see his casket lowered. There were days I couldn't stand to look at pictures of him because it was too much torture to be able to see, but not see, not touch, the real him. It was too easy to imagine I would never get the chance to see or touch him again.<br />
<br />
I can say things like that all day long to people who have never waited for a loved one to survive a war, and they still won't really understand the experience. Two-minute clips on the news don't convey the complexity of the wait. They can't. It takes something the length of a novel, something not afraid to reveal the intimate and honest - and not always yellow-ribbon pretty - thoughts and emotions of those fearing every day that TODAY might be the day the bad news comes.<br />
<br />
That was why I wrote <i>Homefront<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0615139906&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;" align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></i>, semi-autobiographical fiction, or “true fiction,” about waiting through a deployment as told from the unsentimental and no-holds-barred point of view of a young woman whose love deploys to Iraq.<br />
<br />
Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien writes in his war novel "The Things They Carried": "Story-truth is sometimes truer than happening-truth." I didn't write <i>Homefront</i> as nonfiction because my personal story wasn't unique; but the larger story of waiting is. I also think personal nonfiction has a tendency to exclude the reader, to say to them, "This is MY story. Mine." I don't want readers excluded from a story like this - I want them fully submerged. Because it is fiction, readers will enjoy the characters and their individual conflicts while, at the same time, vicariously experiencing a deployment through the eyes of the protagonist.<br />
<br />
I was asked to choose a scene from <i>Homefront</i> that illustrates some of the challenges of waiting, but because there are so many, I chose two. The first conveys the difficulty of the psychological isolation, and how fine the line can be between those who "get" it and those who can't. The other is an example of how ridiculous and infuriating - but at the same time, necessary - the news media can be. Here they are:<br />
<br />
EXCERPT FROM HOMEFRONT<br />
<br />
Across town there is a party. A strange house filled with strangers, secret smiles and private jokes. No phone—not mine—to wait for, and watching TV would be considered poor form. I put on a different pair of jeans, clean and smelling of a fabric softener, and brush my hair and draw on a layer of lipstick. I look in the mirror and wipe it off, but it stains, in a nice way, I suppose; like my lips, if lips could be, are flushed. I turn on the TV to watch a little, just a little, with an equally little drink, and not a strong one. Not too strong. I bring it to the living room and sit down, and on the screen a sun as perfect and white as a hole punched from paper balances atop the sharp point of a mountaintop.<br />
<br />
“Another morning here,” says a man’s voice from behind the image, “and another day for things to go extraordinarily well, or to go horribly, horribly wrong. With each sunrise there is new promise, but that can be a promise of something good or, as we know too well, Janie and Tom, it can be an omen. Yes. A promise of another kind, of something terrible to come.” A red filter covers the sun in blood. “After last night, we could sure use a good day. An intense battle raging for five hours, both in the air and on the ground, losing a reported twenty-five soldiers and marines, and killing approximately one hundred of theirs. And, as you know, Janie and Tom, that’s the highest death count we’ve had on our side in one day since the start of the war.” Janie says they’ll get back to him after these messages, but his voice carries on in my head: Your soldier—that’s right, yours!—could be one of the dead. Tune in at six to find out if you’re today’s winner of an elegant trumpeted service and a brand new, gen-you-ine American flag courtesy of the American Honor Guard! <br />
<br />
I wonder if they have a board marked up with tally lines, “their side” and “our side,” each soldier a Roman numeral one. Jake. I. William. I.<br />
<br />
I. I. I. I. I. I.<br />
I. I. I. I. I. I.<br />
I. I. I. I. I. I. I.<br />
I. I. I. I. I. I.<br />
<br />
Jackasses.<br />
<br />
SECOND EXCERPT<br />
<br />
She is one of them, one of the others. The man she cares about is here, safe with her. She can’t understand about dusk, the sun’s evil teasing. The time of evening too far from sleep and an ‘x’ across another day, but too close to darkness and the hollow air of no conversation that amplifies the TV sounds of over-acted dialogue and rehearsed applause. Denise doesn’t know the taunting, subtle fade that cues the lighting of yellow windows, the drawing of curtains to hide people living normal lives, eating dinner, yelling top floor to bottom about who wants milk and where are the scissors. She would have little to say about time spent staring out the window at shapeless clouds and cracked sidewalks and meticulously trimmed shrubs, all of it so cheerful and commonplace while over the rooftops and trees and a plane-ride away, “everyday” is mission planning and mortar fire and grass is something they might find<br />
tucked in the fold of a letter.<br />
<br />
BIOGRAPHY<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kristentsetsi.com">Kristen Tsetsi </a> is an award-winning fiction writer and a former reporter. Her novel <i>Homefront</i> - available for Kindle and in paperback - was inspired by her husband's 2003 deployment to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and is highly praised by soldiers and those who love them for its raw, intimate, and accurate depiction of waiting through a war deployment.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-42291959920081528242010-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:002010-01-19T10:22:14.153-08:00Free Valentine Reading for Our Troops<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=howtodoitfrug-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1449546056&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;" align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
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As many of you know, my grandson is back now from two tours of duty in Iraq and is now stationed (very luckily) near Monterrey, CA. Thus, the plight of our troops is a subject near and dear to my heart. My poetry writing partner <b>Magdalena Ball </b>and I are giving away e-copies of our chapbook of unconventional love poetry <i>Cherished Pulse </i>to 'our' troops overseas as part of Operation e-book drop. We hope it will help them celebrate our holiday of love and express our love to them.<br />
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Troops will get an e-mail with a coupon code for a free copy at Smashbooks. We would love to have you have a copy, too. Partly to see how the program works. Partly to share our poetry with you. The coupon code is <b>ZF39H</b> (not case sensitive).<br />
Customers enter the code prior to completing their checkout.<br />
Expires: February 28, 2010 <br />
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If you are an author, you may do something similar. More about Op Ebook Drop is here: <br />
<a href="http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html ">http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html </a><br />
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And Smashwords has a Facebook group here: <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420 ">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420 </a><br />
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If you prefer to send a real copy to someone, that is easy, too. It is only $6.95 on Amazon, certainly a doable gift. (The Amazon Link is in this post.) It makes a really beautiful gift with Vicki Thomas’s artwork and you can make it even prettier by tying a slender satin ribbon in the book's crease as a bookmark. Go to <a href="www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse"></a>. <br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7571852488083113089.post-89823473924471913642010-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:002010-01-15T11:48:04.832-08:00Here's a Couple Ways for Poets and Other Writers to Help and Celebrate The Spirit of Haiti<b>This just came to me from Lillian Cauldwell. She is sponsoring a way for authors, poets and other artists to contribute spiritually and financially to Haiti:<br />
</b><br />
On Saturday, January 16, <b>Lillian Cauldwell </b>is sponsoring a Mixed Media event at PIVTR LIVE airwaves to raise monies for the Haitian children.<br />
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Programming runs from 2 to 4 p.m. est . Spots are 10 minutes!!<br />
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Please reserve a spot to recite poetry, read a short-short story, sing a song or sing-along with me, tell jokes, share a thought or opinion to help raise monies for these kids who are hungry, in need of medical care, clothing, water and the basic necessities especially if they're parnets are missing or died.<br />
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All proceeds go to Mission Socorro. (More on how Mission Socorro will use the proceeds below).<br />
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Contact Info: Lillian Cauldwell; 734-827-9407; lillian.cauldwell@gmail.com<br />
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"Creator" Cauldwell<br />
Voices of the People - United We Roar!<br />
734-332-5902<br />
<a href="http://internetvoicesradio.com">http://internetvoicesradio.com</a><br />
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This is information on the organization to which Mission Socorro sends its donations for the Haitian children.<br />
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Bethany International is responding to the tragedy in Haiti in several ways. We will send our first relief team to Haiti in six weeks. Two more teams will follow. We welcome you to join one of these teams. <br />
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What to Do?<br />
Bethany now oversees a ministry called Short-Term Evangelical Missions (STEM). STEM has sent 115 teams to Haiti over its 20-year history. In light of this, we believe we have a very good awareness of where the teams can go and what they can do once they are in Haiti. <br />
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You can learn more about the teams here: <a href="http://www.stemintl.org/trips/opportunities/teams/locations/haiti_restoration ">http://www.stemintl.org/trips/opportunities/teams/locations/haiti_restoration </a><br />
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No Gift Too Small<br />
A second way to become involved is through a financial gift. Team members, while they raise their own support for the trip, will need materials and supplies. This will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. You can make an online gift today toward this relief effort. To do this, go to<br />
<a href="https://secure.bethanyinternational.org/donate/index.php">https://secure.bethanyinternational.org/donate/index.php</a>. Gifts to the Haiti Relief Initiative are the last option.<br />
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Bethany International<br />
6820 Auto Club Road, Suite M, Bloomington, MN 55438<br />
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<b>If you are interested in donating to an organization likely to get out immediate relief, you can also easily donate to one of my favorites, The <a href="https://re.clintonfoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=3869">Clinton Foundation</a>. </b><br />
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for <strong>Eric Dinyer's </strong>book of patriotic quotations, <em>Support Our Troops</em>, published by <strong>Andrews McMeel</strong>. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit <strong>Fisher House</strong>. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/</a>. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at <a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm">http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm</a>. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: <script type="text/javascript">
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.com0