The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum – Part II

Angela2 Comments

So I promised to let you know the thing that moved me the most on my whole vacation. There were so many things that were emotional for me, including seeing Lincoln’s Tomb, and touring the replica of his Funeral train. But I have to say the museum has some of the best, most realistic displays I have ever seen. And when I walked around the corner after seeing a sign for the Ford Theater, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. I literally had to take a minute and compose myself, take a couple deep breaths, and tell myself I could get through this.

You would not expect something about a person you never met, and an event that happened 150 years ago, could personally affect you. It certainly did for me.

It seems innocent enough
It seems innocent enough
The realistic details on not only the settings but on the people is unbelievable. This is what I saw immediately after walking past the sign, and I lost my breath.
The realistic details on not only the settings but on the people is unbelievable. This is what I saw immediately after walking past the sign, and I lost my breath.

President and Mrs. Lincoln; Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were their guests.

President and Mrs. Lincoln; Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were their guests.
President and Mrs. Lincoln; Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were their guests.
It only takes a second for everything to change.
It only takes a second for everything to change.
President Lincoln lying in State.
President Lincoln lying in State.

The Lincoln Museum and Library

AngelaLeave a comment

Another wonderful day in Springfield. Being a research library, there was not much to see 😦 The museum, however, was amazing!

I was so emotionally moved by the displays here, it is definitely something everyone should experience once in their lives. It will be more than once for me, because I will be back!

Tomorrow, a post about what moved me the most in this museum.

Some of the amazing displays:

Abe courting Mary Todd
Abe courting Mary Todd
One of many debates
One of many debates
Mary being helped getting ready for an event
Mary being helped getting ready for an event
Saying goodbye to your child
Saying goodbye to your child
A Mother's love; a Mother's sorrow :-(
A Mother’s love; a Mother’s sorrow 😦

Chill Run – Russell Brooks

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This was a fast-paced read, with a lot of twists and turns. This is the second book I have read by Russell Brooks, and this one had a completely different feel to it. The whole style of writing seemed different than “The Demeter Code”, and it was spot-on for this story.

Chill Run Image

When Eddie has no one who believes in him and his dream of becoming a published author, his two friends convince him to try a publicity stunt to end all publicity stunts. Everyone knows it is a lot easier to sell your first novel when people have heard of you.

Eddie should have stuck to writing, and hired someone to get his name out to the public. What seemed like a harmless stunt turned into an unsuspecting, albeit sketchy, Governor being murdered. And the bodies seemed to pile up from there. With next to nobody believing in his innocent, Eddie and his friends begin a journey to clear all of their names. They manage to uncover corruption of the deepest kind while they are at it, while learning what they are truly made of.

I liked this story a lot, and highly recommend it. It has action, suspense, romance, and a couple laugh-out-loud moments as well.

To learn more a bout Russell and his stories, be sure to visit his website at: http://russellparkway.com  

One Step At A Time To Getting My Business Going

Angela3 Comments

It seems to be taking me forever, but I have to say, the sunshine in Michigan has helped my motivation. It did go from 70 degrees during the week to snowing the next week, but I think it will be warming up for good now.

And I apologize for the blog post you all got alerts to about “When Parenthood is Not a Horror Story.” That was supposed to post to my blog, parenthoodandotherhorrorstories.com My internet connection has been well beyond shady for the past several weeks, and it is nearly impossible to do anything online.

I have my LLC license in place and filed with the State of Michigan, and found a great logo building website and created my logo. I will be changing the blog a bit in order to have a static first page, but for those of you who follow me, your alerts will take you directly to the blog.

Next up is finding a great theme to use to change this up, and hopefully nothing too difficult to maneuver while I continue to look for a better internet provider.

I should have another book review up tomorrow for a great book I finished a couple days ago, and I am reading another story and should be finished with that one in short order as well.

I am heading to Illinois Thursday morning to be a part of “The Lincoln Funeral Train”, so be prepared for a ridiculous amount of pictures and all things Abraham Lincoln very soon!

May your stories bring you smiles!

When Parenthood is Not a Horror Story

Angela2 Comments

What a weekend I have had. One daughter going to her first prom, and my oldest graduating from college. I feel like my heart will burst out of my chest!

The struggles I have went through, the heartbreak, the fear, and the not knowing how I would do it. And this is how I do it.

Jessica GVSU Graduation 4-25-2015 022

I could not be more proud of my oldest; she is beautiful, and will definitely change the world. We have loved each other, she was my only person for so long, that she really is still my “only person.” She gets me. And more than that; I hope she knows I get her.

Jessica GVSU Graduation 4-25-2015 058

I have a couple days of work, as I try to get everything packed up and ready to go for our trip to Illinois. More to come!

Day One of my Crazy Busy Weekend!

Angela6 Comments

Daughter #2 has her prom tonight, and I know she is going to have a great time!

Kendall Junior Prom 4-24-2015 022

Daughter #1 is graduating from college tomorrow; Grand Valley State University, anyone? So another busy day.

And daughter #3 was supposed to be getting confirmed at our church on Sunday, but that seemed to have fell through (much of the fault is mine and my daughter’s), but the lack of communication has me really, REALLY upset.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library 1

So, as I get through this weekend, and then 2 and a 1/2 days of work next week, I am packing up 3 of my 4 girls, and heading to the land of Lincoln! So beyond excited to get to be a part of the Lincoln Funeral Train, and I will definitely be keeping you all updated. (If it bores you, just ignore me for a few days!)

I have 2 dinner tickets for next Saturday night to meet the man who has been building this train for several years, and be one of the first people to actually go inside the train!

Abraham Lincoln Funeral Train 2015 map-from-brochure

Why I Will Not Review Your Book

Angela22 Comments

It really is nothing personal, and I do not turn down the opportunity to read a new story very often, but sometimes I do. And then the author takes it personally. Like I did not feel their story was worthy of my time, or I felt the description was so bad that I could not even stand the thought of opening it.

That is not the case. 99% of the time it is because they have written a book on a subject that I have no knowledge of, and my lack of knowledge is not going to allow me to write a fair review. I will get to that other 1% in a minute. But if you have written a book about birds of South America, or Buddhism, or aliens, you do not want me writing a review. Do I have anything against the birds of South America, or Buddhists, or aliens? Nope. None of the previously mentioned have ever done anything to me. But I do not know anything about them. So no; I do not generally read science fiction. There are some Sci-Fi stories that I have read, but the story was also steeped in other information that allowed me to get lost in it, and enjoy the story the way the author surely hoped I would.

It has nothing to do with the story, or the author, or the quality of their writing. It’s not you, it’s me…

Now; about that other 1%. I have read a couple completely unbearable books in the past year, and most of you know that I really do not try to say bad things about writers, or their stories. If I can’t say anything nice, I prefer to keep my mouth shut. But once I tell you that I will not be reading and reviewing your book, you should probably just leave it be. It is the unfortunate author who feels the need to blow up my email account and say unkind things that is likely to get an honest, horrible review of their book posted for the whole-wide-web to find and read.

Those of you whom I have been in contact with, whose stories I have purchased or you sent to me, and have not seen a review yet; I have not forgotten. And I will get it done. Sometimes life just happens to get in the way of my free time. Many do not realize that I have a full-time 45+ hours-a-week job, am the single parent to 4 daughters (3 still at home), and go to college when it strikes my fancy. I also have a couple other pans in the fire that need my attention from time-to-time.

I want, and appreciate, the gentle nudges you send me to ask about your review. Please continue to do so. I love to read. It is my one escape that allows me to relax, unwind, de-stress, and forget about my 17 year old driving my car all over town, my 23 year old stressing over paying for college classes, my 13 year old video chatting with 16 year old boys 3000 miles away, and my 10 year old who has no more responsibilities than to feed her guinea pig, yet gets mad at me because I forgot to do it for her.

I am grateful for my patient and understanding authors and followers, and it really is my goal to help promote and encourage as many of you as I am able to. Your stories truly do bring me joy, happiness, and adventure, and without them, I cannot even begin to imagine how much more difficult I would be for others to have to deal with!

So please keep writing, so I can keep reading!

The Demeter Code – Russell Brooks

Angela1 Comment

This was my first read of a Russell Brooks novel, and I have already started on the second of 4 of his books that I purchased.

The demeter Code

The Demeter Code is a fast-paced book, with lots of action and details. You definitely need to devote all of your attention to the story while you are reading it, as there are numerous characters involved, and the action moves from one set of people to another. I do not mention this because I found it to be a problem, I simply mention it because you probably do not want to read this with the television being on next to you, kids running in and out (welcome to my home!), or anything else that could likely divert your attention from the storyline.

Do you have concerns about the quality of the food you eat, the chemicals added to it, or the various GMO’s used virtually everywhere? If you do, this story is one you will want to read.

Do you like lots of action, plus detailed weapons and scientific information? Then this story is for you as well.

Do you have an interest in travel, and other countries? What about politics and government? If so, this story will capture and keep your interest as well.

I try to not give away any spoilers, or too much about a storyline in any of my reviews. The same holds true for this review. I will say that it is focused on Dr. Nita Parris, Ridley Fox, and a host of other secondary characters that round out the storyline and plot nicely. There seems to be a ticking time bomb that will bring devastation to the world like nothing ever seen before. It is up to Dr. Parris and Ridley to figure out who is involved, and put a stop to the plan before it is too late; too late for everyone.

You can find this story as well as Russell’s other novels on Amazon.

The Illustrated Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis

Angela3 Comments

Screwtape Letters Cover Image

A C.S. Lewis story I had not read before, this satirical novel was brilliant, and definitely timely for me personally. The 31 chapters are each an individual letter from Screwtape, a senior devil, to Wormwood, a junior devil whose job it is to keep his “patient”, a newly converted Christian man, from getting too deep into things with the Enemy; aka God. I won’t give away how it ends, and what happens to the patient, but I can easily highly recommend this book!

Screwtape Letters chapter 1

Mr. Lewis certainly touched on many aspects of the human condition, and what brings them closer to God, as well as moves them further from God. A few excerpts that I found still fitting today:

“…he can be induced to live, as I have known many humans to live, for quite long periods, two parallel lives; he will not only appear to be, but actually be, a different man in each of the circles he frequents” (C.S. Lewis, pg 59).

Screwtape Letters chapter 20

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts” (pg 72).

“They will find out in the end, never fear, to whom their time, their souls, and their bodies really belong – certainly not to them – whatever happens” (pg 128).

Have you read this already? I would love to hear what you thought of it!

All excerpts from The Illustrated Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis (1961). Illustrated by Papas. New York: Harper One Publishers.