Storms of Life

I am in midst of another storm in life. Life has seemed to be stressful lately. I see my elderly parents, well into their 80’s now, as fragile and immortal ‘beings’ on this planet. A once strong and empowered mother, is now the victim of her age and senility. My six-foot father shows his age physically with a deteriorated and weaker body. It makes me wonder what will happen when they both pass this earth.

I became a stronger person when I divorced many years ago. I learned to be independent and work for a living. I earned a doctorate degree and obtained a well-earned retirement by age 52. Maybe bragging on myself, but I have accomplished some things I feel I wouldn’t have done if still married. I had all the comforts of home then and a husband that could financially support me. I wanted more and my own identity for some reason.

At times, I just want to cry. It wouldn’t solve the problem, but would make me feel a hell of a lot better. Over the past couple of months, our mother hasn’t been feeling good. We know the difference. Scared that she has suffered another stroke, my sister tried to get her into the car this morning to take her to her doctor. My mother would not budge. I am waiting on the doctor to call back to see the next step.

It is terrible to see your aging parents medically ill. My beloved mother, who is normally a bright and positive person, is now determined to stay away from doctors and the hospital at all costs. I feel helpless that I can not help her – physically that is. She has gone to medical clinics and doctors who say her medicine is okay and she is cleared of infection. I am really concerned of her refusal to seek medical help at this time.

In the midst of this storm, I am getting medical tests of my own this week. There is far too much pollen in the air, which hinders breathing. Doctors are not sure why I am short of breath, but I believe it has something to do with the high pollen count at this time of year. Georgia is probably the worst state to live in during springtime if one suffers from seasonal allergies. I am one of those people.

Hope everyone has a good week with lots of sunshine and warmth. Spring is definitely here now!

A Rainy Easter

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Blogging

It is a rainy and cloudy Easter Sunday. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. The grounds are wet, yet a day to celebrate the holiday. Hopefully, it will wash some of this pollen away. Yesterday, the book sale went well and smooth. There was slight rain in the late afternoon, but overall a good day. I enjoyed my uncle’s company. He is always one to make me feel better, like my own father. My uncle has an impressive history of writing, artworks, dancing, musical and multi-talented in many areas. Thanks to David, the store clerk, that made me laugh and smile yesterday.

Truthfully, I felt at odds yesterday. I had called a close relative (I refer to her) yesterday morning to get help for my aging father. He is a little overwhelmed at this time as my mother is physically ill right now. An all too real conclusion that one’s parents don’t live forever. We, as human beings, are all aging and will pass this earth someday. We are not eternal and our bodies are not made to live forever. We are not machines; our bodies just weren’t designed for that.

I felt like I was being challenged yesterday. Instead of trying to help my parents, I felt I was thrown under a bus (not literally). This relative said hurtful and mean things, as she has done before in the past. It really started a few months ago when my parents had a flat tire on their car. It was stupid, an accident, and could have been avoided, but the sparks have escalated. After a few minutes of talking about our mother, the conversation led to I have a “book that wouldn’t sell.” Ouch! I have written several books so I don’t know which one she is referring to. The other thing was coming away with a very negative feeling. I have always tried to stay positive, even in more challenging times.

I want to tell her (as well as others) that you didn’t kill my spirit. I have felt all my life that people have tried to kill my spirit – happiness that is. Well, it didn’t work. I felt bad for her when I left home, but my heart told me differently. Something inside told me it was going to be okay and I did nothing wrong. I had this book sale scheduled for two weeks and posted in the local newspaper. I wanted to tell her to go jump in the lake yesterday, but I didn’t. Instead, I told her I was hanging up the phone. She says things that she doesn’t know what she is talking about. But more than that, it is none of her business.

You can’t go through life feeling so negative about things all the time. It will drive you crazy and miserable. I always felt she to be a sweet and loving person. I didn’t feel that way yesterday; quite the opposite. I didn’t feel her Christian love either. I didn’t feel support from her and actually felt rejected. I guess it did hurt my feelings. She needs to understand something. Life has its ups and downs. Learning how to cope with those extremes is the tool to happiness. There will always be stressful moments for everyone in life. The real test is not putting oneself in those situations in the first place.

I think if we are doing our best in life, that is the key to restoration in our hearts. Always strive to be happy in life. A high school student told me that one time. Learn to reach for God’s peace and love. Smile, even though you don’t feel like smiling. If stressed, seek guidance through His word. Don’t preach to others, but live through Him. In other words, practice what you preach. If I don’t feel or see it in you, how can I believe you?  Remember, sometimes you can’t take back what you say. A lesson learned many years ago. If you are learning with experience, than you have done well.

As far as my writing, I put my frustrations and challenges into my writing. It is therapy for me in so many ways. I write for enjoyment, not for the money or how many books I sell. It should always be for the enjoyment and fun, otherwise it becomes a chore. We are always presented with challenges in life. Mine seem to be medical and physical. I have always had medical challenges in life. I have become disabled over the past five to six years through autoimmune complications, but I do not let it get me down. Instead, I write rather than sit in self-pity.

The other lesson is not to cross me or you will be written about. (just kidding) Seriously, yesterday I was very angry and pissed off, but today I am okay. I am a bit overly sensitive due to my background. Stay cool everyone and have a blessed Easter Sunday.

 

 

 

Happy Easter

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Authors, Blogging, Social Media, Writing

With the latest publication last week, I feel like I have just given birth. I don’t mean to be funny, but it seemed that this book had more interruptions than with previous ones. I felt pushed for time, as if I had bitten off more than I could physically take. That is not good when writing should be for enjoyment, not a chore. With on-going medical treatments and tests, it was a wonder I got through at all. I think the physical fatigue is contributed to writing this book, plus the weather change. I admit there are other conditions, however, mentally my mind feels like taking a break right now from writing.

Looking through some of my genealogy, it is going take much effort and expense to locate the exact names and dates of distant relatives coming from Europe in the 1700’s. My mother supplied a good deal of information about the relatives living in this country five generations back. If I hadn’t promised my mother, I wouldn’t even consider writing an historical book of the family line. Maybe I should have listened to my aunt and wrote children’s books instead. Chuckle.

Anyway, hoping this Easter Sunday is a good one for everyone. It is suppose to rain, however, it helps with all the accumulated pollen on the ground. I will be at a book sale with my uncle tomorrow. He is a well-known artist and writer in the North Georgia area. That is where I got my interest in writing. Also, my mother is an historical researcher. Writing abilities are on both sides of the family. Peace, love and comfort to all for a Happy Easter.

Online Websites

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All the technical errors of images on Amazon and Barnes & Noble were happening because the newest book was just published last week. It seems they were all computer glitches that straightened out eventually. After calls and emails to the publishers last week, I think the problem is finally fixed. In addition, Shattered Dreams is now available at my website, along with all my books, at http://www.elizabethaphilips.com.

Today brought rain this afternoon, washing all this pollen away. Enjoy the weekend and Easter Sunday. May it be a beautiful day everywhere. Have a good one!

 

Fixed At Last

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The technical problem online at Amazon is now fixed. Also, Shattered Dreams is available at Barnes & Noble online. The newest book should be added to my author website at http://www.elizabethaphilips.com within a few days for availability. I’m waiting on the publishers to get back in touch with me. You can also click left side widget at image, which takes you directly to Amazon.

Everyone, have a great weekend. I will be relaxing my little brain and watching some of British episodes, which I love. Chuckle. Peace, love and joy to all.

 

 

New Book Available Online

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Shattered Dreams is available online at Amazon today, but be warned, there are technical issues. The publishers are aware of this issue and it should be fixed very soon. It is available in hardcover, e-book, as well as paperback. To order directly, please call AuthorHouse Publishers, Inc.

History Has Its Flaws

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Blogging, History, Writers

@ Copyright Anne R. Murray – The Main Focus. This material can not be reproduced or copied in anyway or fashion.

After almost two years of promising my elderly mother that I would someday write a book about our family history, that someday has come. Initially, I had planned to combine several short stories into one book. After minimum research already, I come away with What have I gotten myself into? History gives a good piece of information, but it also contains written errors. Looking online at ancestry archives last night, I found flaws, according to details given by my mother and maternal grandmother.

I found that our family is derived from the largest family in America. All my family lineage comes from European descent. Part of my descendants are from Scotland. Notice I said part. Part of my family lineage is from England and another line is from Ireland. I am a mixture of all three families, like many other families in America. I am a descendant of the Hairston Clan. Originally coming to America in the mid-1700’s, they settled here in Pennsylvania from Europe. They settled into nine plantations over the Southern region: Virginia, North Carolina and Mississippi. One descendant of the Hairston family moved to Oklahoma in the 1800’s.

The research articles recorded a history rich in agriculture, plantations, cotton fields, livestock and slavery. That last part hurts. I am not African-American, but I am ashamed to say my descendants owned slaves to work their land. They were the wealthy landowners and prominent business owners. At one time, there were a total population of about 5,500 slaves recorded on all nine plantations. The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White by author Henry Wiencek, featured on CBS News, described the reunion and kinship of both black and white members. The Hairston reunion organized in August, 1931, in North Carolina. The Hairston Clan was founded many years later to bring solidarity to family unity and kinship.

Though history may conflict with today’s standards, it is history no less. I believe embracing the past in unity, brings about healing for what our descendants did or did not do. We all have a past, no matter what we abhor or detest. One detail I do know. You can not undo history – it is a part of where we came from and our roots.

 

Book Published Today!

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I just got word this afternoon from the publishers that my sixth book is published today. Whoopie! Really, I’m tooting my own horn, but hey. Shattered Dreams will be printed within 7 days. Once I get my copy, the book should be going to the sites. Please keep checking on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bookstores online next week. You can also order from AuthorHouse Publishers online or by phone. For a look at all my books, please go to my author website at http://www.elizabethaphilips.com or view in my widget on blog.

New Book at Final Check Before Printers!

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I’m very excited today. The publishers called and said my new book, Shattered Dreams, is in final review before it goes to printers. That means, it is being checked for printer readiness and final review for content.

This makes me happy. I feel like I did when I published my very first book. This is my baby and I delivered it. Chuckle. I felt like I had given birth to a new creation then. Please toast with me to another book bit the dust today! 🙂

If you like lots of adventure, excitement packed with suspense and mystery, this is the novel for you – the readers! Something for everyone in mind. There is also the mysterious Egyptian pyramids, vampire-like dreams and danger. A brief history of the pyramids and the Nile River is given. Please see About the Book page for more detail on the book.

I hope everyone has a good week with lots of wonderful sunshine and beautiful clear skies. Our weather has turned a little cooler, but that is okay. Warm days are an indication of a long hot summer ahead. Many blessings as life’s journey continues!

 

 

Book Reviewing Finished

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Blogging, Media, Social Media

I finished reviewing my newest book today and just sent off to the publishers. One thing I noticed. The chapters are shortened for easy reading, but the book is longer than my previous books. I am really tired right now, as I worked all day and night on it. I’m taking a little time off to breathe – normally, that is. I have a headache and not much will relieve it.

My next book is something I have not yet ventured on before. It will be a historical book on the Old South. Glimpses of the Past, in all its wonder. Hey, I’m a Southern gal, born and reared, and proud of it. I’m presenting several short stories and the length will be shorter, believe me.

By the way, the publisher just called and said that she received all the revisions. They will be ready on Monday. Yeah! For all, have a good weekend and enjoy the weather. Get outside and take a walk or go to the park.