Richly Blessed - Forks Trip Update

I've been richly blessed this week. Monday I got a call from the Forks Motel. They had a cancellation for SMD weekend, was I interested? Three queen beds and kitchen. Cost is $10 more a night than the room in Port Angeles, so....yes! Reservation confirmed for Thursday to Monday. Now to find people to share it with. 

Talked with one person here in California....still a maybe. Hope she can join me for the whole trip. Need to send message to one of ones on the FiF roommie list. 

On Tuesday I found info on an old employer retirement account that indicated it was still open. I thought I had closed it earlier this year. So called them and faxed paperwork this morning to close out the account and get cash into bank account. That will cover the trip and new camera. Also donated to a couple of Kickstarter projects. 

Really feel the trip is coming together well and is meant to be. I'm not even being my usual down side person and waiting for 'other shoe to drop'. Staying here and enjoying the time. Praise the Lord! for the attitude shift. Want to get another project stage 1 done and then go look for digital SLR.

Excited!

Review of An Unexpected Woman by Sandi Layne

This was a very delightful read. The cover picture really fits the story. The two main characters, Shelley and Mark, laugh a lot together and with other characters – Semper Gumby and TDH. They have their serious moments too, but joy in life is the prevailing feeling. They are both people of faith and that faith is shown in the way they invite the Lord into their daily lives. There are prayers in their hearts and minds as they go about their work a day lives. This is how so many people of faith that I know go about their lives and it is great to read a novel that shows that aspect. It is also great to read a modern romance novel where the characters keep to a higher standard in their relationship. They do run into a bump in the road of romance and it points out how Mark was a bit unbalanced in his faith at least in one aspect of his life – relies too much, too far on the Lord forgetting how we need to do all that we can to prepare and rely on the Lord for the rest. It is then that Mark realizes who Shelley is to him.  The final sexy scene is the best! Well worth the price of the book.

With Faith in the Lord Going to Forks Washington for Stephenie Meyer Day

The end of June I started thinking, praying, and looking into going this year to Forks Washington for Stephenie Meyer Day 12-15 September. Things started coming together, Sunday at church I got a really clear answer to prayer about it….good to go. There are actually two things going on this year. Forever in Forks (FiF) is having their annual big weekend there 13-15 September. They change location and weekend every year. A nice idea so one may have a chance to not travel so far. The City of Forks has Stephenie Meyer Day (SMD) around Bella’s birthday of 13 September. They have their first activity on Thursday 12 September and end on Saturday the 14^th. Web sites for FiF, SMD, Project Thank You and Forks Washington are at bottom.

Forever in Forks announced back in March the dates and motel arrangements, so you know by now all rooms are taken in Forks. I did call and ask to make sure and checked motel reservation on-line sites for availability. So picked a place in Port Angeles and made reservations. FiF has a ‘looking for roomie’ tab. Sent some messages out…replies came back with roommates already found. So room will be bigger expense than would like, but…still going. One person is still a remote possibility. One of my usual pre-readers is a possible travel companion.

I am planning on two weeks total. Plan to take long slow drive along the coast as much as possible. Taking cameras and will likely stop lots to take pictures. Pre-reader suggested looking for agates at one place…sounds fun and different. I’ve never been rock hunting that I remember. So my pre-reader, if she can make it, would join me for the travels not just SMD and Twilight sites. I’ve told her I’m flexible on plans to be shorter for her part if need to be for the trip to fit her schedule. It would be fun to have a travel companion for any part of the trip.

Meeting people is one reason for deciding to go whole hog and get the full FiF package deal. A number of meals are included, so think it will be worth it. I’ve not actually read about any past SMD events for how many people are there. Figure lots. The FiF seems like it might be a little more controlled and limited number of people at one time. Big crowds tend to put me into shy observe mode. I want to meet and talk to people who are fans of Twilight and Stephenie Meyer, not observe them. Even with fewer people I’ll still likely need to get out of my usual reserve self. ‘Party Abby’ will need to be there.

One reason for going this year is the 10 year anniversary of Ms Meyer’s dream that became Twilight. It seems the perfect time to go. It has only been 3.5 years since I first read the books and discovered fan sites and fan fiction. My interest in Twilight isn’t waning, but I am reallocating time spent on Twilight and spending more time on other interests. Being forced into early retirement from my primary profession, I have the free time if not a lot of money to go this year.

Having a good digital camera would be really nice for the trip to download daily and see how doing as go along. It would also save money on processing film and printing pictures. My little compact point-n-shoot digital doesn’t always give me the picture I want or the one I think I’m taking – my eye focus is the part of the problem, looks good on the screen, but full size on computer not good at all. The camera auto-focus isn’t focusing on what I want it to or think it is focused on. I am starting to think it is time to upgrade to digital SLR where I can really see and make sure focus on what I want.

In an effort to clean out condo / downsize collectibles and help finance this trip and camera upgrade I will be selling some of my collectible items – Star Trek movie poster set in silver, large Enterprise model, several Christmas ornaments. 

There are lots of reason I should not be going on this trip and other things I should be doing and other things I should be spending money on – lack of funds in general due to forced early retirement, family history project for nieces and nephews, cleaning out house, learning about alternative health options especially essential oils and building doTerra business. There is one reason to go – it just feels like the right thing to do, spiritually and temporally. Maybe that is one of things to get out of Twilight: sometimes it does not matter what you should do, more important is what feels right to do. With faith in the Lord, I am proceeding with this trip.

http://www.foreverinforks.com/

http://stepheniemeyerday.com/

http://stepheniemeyerday.com/#!/?page_id=915   Project Thank You

http://forkswa.com/

Reasons for negativity around homosexual marriages

This was prompted by a friend on Facebook asking why the negatively around homosexual marriages. I posted the numbered comments in the comments under her post. Earlier in the day I had posted the other three items as my status. This all after the Supreme Court said DOMA and California Prop 8 were unconstitutional today. 

Under my friend's status: First let me make it clear I am for the same and equal rights for homosexual couples as heterosexual couples have. This issue would best be solved by changing the word ‘marriage’ in all legal documents to ‘civil union’. Current marriages would be grandfathered in and all new ones would have to have a civil union and then have the religious marriage. The negativity around homosexual marriage is 

1. a belief that marriage is a sacred union ordained of our Heavenly Father to be between man and woman only. Marriage is a religious ceremony, a religious covenant between man, woman and our Heavenly Father.

2. sexual intimacy is only proper between married couples.

3. assumption made that homosexual couples that are married will be engaging in sexual intimate activity and that behavior is wrong.

4. with homosexual marriage legally sanctioned we are being forced to accept a behavior that is wrong to be ok. ie white is now black and black is now white.

5. concern of what some homosexual activists will do to a church that believes a homosexual marriage is wrong and refuses to perform said marriage. Do not doubt that it will happen. Making homosexual marriage legal is an infringement on religious freedom.

6. if this was an issue of only same and equal rights, then they should have been fighting for a change in language from ‘marriage’ to ‘civil unions’. Forcing acceptance of a wrong behavior is a part and a goodly part of the issue.

Please see The Family Proclamation   http://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

My status posts, first one:

So what happens when a gay activist couple decided to sue a church for not performing their marriage because the church believes it is a sin? And do not doubt for a minute that there is a couple out there right now that will do that. This is and will be an infringement on religious freedom.
It still seems to me that the best solution is to strike marriage from all laws and replace with civil unions that everyone has to get. Leave marriage to be a sacred religious union. That would give everyone the same legal right.
There is nothing wrong with being any sexual orientation. But our Heavenly Father has made it clear that marriage is a sacred union between man and woman and that sexual intimacy is only proper within the bounds of marriage. It is the behaviour not the being that is wrong.
I know there are those that will disagree with me. So be it.

Second one:

If the same sex marriage issue was about legal rights, then they should have been working to change the language to civil union in place of marriage. It is my recollection that at least one European country uses civil unions for legal definition and then the couple can get married in a religious ceremony. To me this issue or at least a goodly portion of it is about forcing those of us who believe homosexual behaviour to be wrong to accept it as right -- ie that white is black and black is white. I don't try to change other people's beliefs. I wish other people would not try to change mine.

Third one:

A couple of links about family and same sex attraction.

http://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation
http://www.mormonsandgays.org/

Bella should be with Edward

Bella should be with Edward, no ifs ands or buts about it.

A recent exchange of emails with LJ Summers (links at end) got me thinking about just why do I have such a strong reaction to Bella being with a member of the wolf pack. I thought about this as I went about daily tasks and came to a couple of conclusions.

To me the pack is a bunch of male chauvinist shape shifters. They need to protect and take care of their people and especially their imprint if they have one. The other tribe members are mortal humans and need protection from supernatural beings that only they can provide. It is as if the other tribal members are victims or possible victims already and need protection and taking care of. Now, fortunately their legends apparently instill some sense of duty, burden, humility and ground them so they are not arrogant and acting all superior to rest of tribe. 

The imprinting compulsion seems to be tied to mates for making better wolves or at least continue the gene. They don’t like the fact that there is a female shape shifter able to take care of herself and others. However grounded they may be, it does seem to me that their mentality is ‘keep their mates pregnant and barefoot and in the kitchen’. To me that is part of the reason why Rebecca and Rachel Black left, with only Rebecca being totally successful.

The idea of thinking of others as possible victims is one thing that bothers me in regards to Bella staying human and a mate of a pack member. She is so much stronger than that, not physically but inside. Would a mere human go to a sadistic vampire to try to save her mother? No. But Bella does. She has the strength to face James, even terrified as she becomes she still faces him. If Bella stays human with Edward or a pack member, physically she would need to be protected. She would be stuck being a victim, needing to be rescued at times from her own clumsiness or supernatural beings. That is degrading her strength. If with a pack member, she would be limited by staying on the reservation or in Forks. She would not be able to become all that she is capable of. That is so wrong!

Bella with Jacob has some additional problems for me. He is two years younger than her, no matter that he looks older once starts shifting. He manipulates her. He physically attacked her. They really don’t have much in common. He really is a better friend than anything more.

Is my perception of the pack accurate or fair? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it is how I see them from just the original books. Am I giving fan fiction stories with Bella staying human and with a pack member a fair chance? Likely I am not, but I’ve not been able to get around my strong feelings for a strong Bella to read much more than a few one-shots like LJ Summers’ Do You Remember? There are enough other fan fiction stories to keep me busy reading.

She deserves to be a supernatural being herself. With her ‘silent mind’ she was meant for Edward. With her inner strength she was meant to be a vampire with the physical strength to match. No, she won’t grow and change, but she will learn and experience a lot more as a vampire. She will find a way to make use of that knowledge. I personally think she’ll have all of the Cullens out of school and working more often than not.

LJ Summers has written a number of fan fiction stories. She has a series under Imprinting: the Mating Imperative. She kindly responded to some questions I had about the series after telling her I won’t read them. I’ve read a number of her other stories. We already agree to disagree about this issue. Those exchange of emails is what got me started thinking about my strong aversion to Bella with a wolf shape shifter. She helped keep my mind busy the other day. Thanks for that and by extension worked up enough to post on my blog again. Here are the links for her fan fiction profile and the first story of the Imprinting series and the other story mentioned. A warning that bittersweet is her favorite flavor and some ironic twists and endings really fit bittersweet.

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1965916/LJ-Summers

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5208316/1/The-Hardest-Part

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5351456/1/Do-You-Remember

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Movie experience

I went to see the TWS marathon starting at noon on Thursday 15 November 2012. The line started forming about 9am. I got there closer to 10am. Chatted with folks standing or sitting around in the line. Had my picture taken in front of the BD2 stand up display in the theatre lobby. I wore my Twilight Mom workout slacks, TWM necklace, silver wolf earrings and BD1 T-shirt and silk thermals to keep warm - really glad I did, they were needed.

They started letting us into theatre about 1045hr. We got pink wrist bands and a nice lanyard as we went in. The lanyard had a placard with TWS Marathon BD2 15 Nov 2012 on one side and small images of all the movie posters on the other. Nice. I found a seat in very back row in corner next to projection outcrop, so could stand up if necessary during film. They did not check bags to confiscate outside food.

The same “First Look” was shown before each movie – boring after the first time.

Shown before each film was a short clip of Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone and Elizabeth Reaser talking about their Twilight experiences associated with each film. Nikki was really intense, Jackson really laid back, Liz the ‘interviewer’.

There was about 15 minutes between end of credits and start of “First Look” which gave us about 30 minutes between films.

I had a good time, chatting with neighbors off/on between films and just enjoying the films again. It was nice to see all on the big screen for one last time. There was about 45 minutes between BD1 and BD 2 – previews before BD2 started at 2200hrs which did not include The Host, did include The Hobbit and Mortal Instruments.

If you have not yet seen the movie and want to remain spoiler free, read no further. If you have seen it and really enjoyed and liked it and don’t want even a sprinkle of rain on your happy parade, read no further. I have already been hit up side of head figuratively for sharing why I have a different opinion when it wasn’t wanted. I hope my apology for that sharing will be accepted. From the comments that I’ve read on Twilight Lexicon about the movie, my opinion is a very small minority opinion.

Details about the movie and comparison to the book, some good, some not so good. My general disappointment level is decreasing as time passes. Posted today, Monday 19 Nov, on Fanfiction.net is a story that gives an acceptable explanation for movie/book reconciliation that has further decreased my disappointment level  by Camilla10 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8716970/1/Seeing-the-Wolves.

BD2 movie was good. I enjoyed it overall. The special effects were good; young Renesmee maybe was a little strange. Bella’s first hunt was terrific. The difference between book and movie is acceptable for better visual effect. Her meeting Renesmee the first time was good. The differences between book and movie again are acceptable for the visual effect – her dragging Jacob out by neck almost better than book.

The trip to cottage and vampire sex was well done.

The scene where Jacob reveals his secret to Charlie was ok. Why have the wolf snarling as appear? Yes, anger is the emotion that triggers the shape shifting, but Jacob was suppose to be very controlled. Eventually they did have the Jacob-wolf lay down at Charlie’s feet.

The scene teaching Bella to appear more human like was good. Edward remarked about Bella feeling like hot poker iron down her throat to Jacob. I don’t recall seeing his remorse at putting Belle in pain with Charlie’s visit. Then Charlie’s visit – Big mistake in movie was having everyone abandon Bella while visit with Charlie alone. Gross over confidence in her control. If her thirst had overcome her, no one would have gotten to her in time. Alice would not have had warning to help prevent disaster. In a Twilight Lexicon review it is stated that she couldn’t think of things missing from book to movie. How could she not remember how painful and how nervous Bella was and how supportive her Cullen family was by staying there during her visit with Charlie? Instead they discount her nervousness and show their support by leaving her alone like Edward did in New Moon? Would it have been so difficult to have had Edward at least stay with her?

This scene threw me out of the ‘suspend disbelief for movie’ mode and brought back all the skepticism I had about this movie and the battle scene resolution, still to come. For those that have only seen the movies, this is likely not a big deal as Bella’s concern about seeing Charlie was not expressed in movie.

The arm wrestling scene was good. Missed Renesmee being there and laughing. Bella seeing herself in sun first time was ok. Would have liked it to been closer to book with her holding Renesmee and standing next to Edward as he sparkles too – missed that smoldering gaze between them. 

It took Bella a while after Alice and Jasper left to find the second message Alice left specifically for her. The J Jenks scene was good and the difference was acceptable.

I did not like Edward, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee going to Alaska.  No explanation was given as to why they left to get the Denali clan. Who was home to welcome other visitors and nomads? Scene was well done, just could have been done at the Cullen home to be closer to book and even make sense within context of movie.

Benjamin making water dance was nice. You could tell that there was some tension already between Amun and Benjamin. Showing Zafrina’s power was good. Kate’s showing Garrett her power was great. Alister’s comments were well placed.

Our first look of the Romanians was different from book and kind of fun. It could have happened as that scene in movie takes place before they show up in book. Vlad and Stef were part of the great comedic relief in the movie. Jacob was also part of comedic relief with some really good snarky lines.

Loved the ‘Redcoats are coming. Redcoats are coming’ line from Garrett.

Liked the Romanians saying the Volturi will not give up.

The way they get Charlie out of the area was nice and maybe better than the book.

The scene where Bella lowers her shield to Edward did not take place until Springtime in the movie, kind of a too long delay. It was very nicely done as a tribute to all the films. Seeing all the movies together noticed it was also done while Bella burned. Taking place in the meadow was a nice way to bring back to beginning and the dream that started it all.

Now for the Cullen / Volturi confrontation. The cover of BD is a chess board with a red pawn and white queen – representing Bella’s journey. The cover and then Alice using the Merchant of Venice book as note paper foreshadow the fact that the confrontation is going to be between two mind readers and likely more courtroom drama than physical battle. Yes, there is a statement from Edward about how the battle would have gone if there had been a physical battle in the post confrontation wrap up, so the battle in the movie is not out of line with the book.

I was very disappointed in the book to movie reconciliation that TwilightLexicon had reported fit and was satisfactory. Those comments raised my hopes up that it would be ok. It wasn’t. My expectation had farther to fall after being raised, making the disappointment greater. In New Moon movie Alice states that she can’t see the wolves. Yet in BD2 the battle is her vision that she shares with Aro. The battle shows the wolves fighting and Jacob taking off with Renesmee, who she can’t see either though that is not stated in the movies that I recall. Jacob even fights and destroys a vampire chasing him with Renesmee on his back.  All this is Alice’s vision. NO! NO! NO!  Did everyone conveniently forget that Alice cannot see the wolves and Renesmee? Only saving grace was after the Bella / Charlie alone scene I was already out of the ‘suspend disbelief for movie’ mode.

If they had only shown the vampire on vampire fights, that would have been acceptable for Alice’s vision. If they had shown the battle as someone’s nightmare or fearful thoughts, that would have been acceptable. If I can come up with those ideas, how is it that the much more creative people involved in making the movie couldn’t? If they did, then why did they not go that route instead of the very wrong Alice vision? Easy and convenient and less expensive?  Why could SM, BC, or MR not have provided Camilla's acceptable explanation as part of the movie?  Thank you Camilla!

Characters die in her vision on both sides. Volturi – all the big wigs. Cullens - one gasp surprise starts it all and lots after. It was well done. Just the wrong reconciliation!

Bella’s shield effect was nicely done, but it was not played as the important factor that it was in the book C/V confrontation resolution. Instead it was Alice’s vision that saves the day and gives Aro reason to retreat, Alice becomes the queen not Bella. So not right! And Alice in the movie knows it…I’d like to wipe the smug smile off of her face at the end – and I like the Alice character and Ashley Greene playing her.

Overall I enjoyed it. Overall I liked it. Still I am very disappointed in it. The parts that are wrong are big parts of the book saga and an important part of Bella’s journey. Maybe they are not so important or maybe they fit and make sense for someone that has not read the books. I know that books are not going to translate to movie well. I accept that and all the changes made in the previous TWS movies. For me these two scenes are too big and too important to the overall saga; and could have been done to fit the book more closely without lot of effort.

It could have been worse. The battle could have been real and there could have been real character death during that or some other time. But it could have been better so easily. For me the movies ended on a flat note, not a satisfactory note at all.

In seeing all the movies together, I was reminded there was a fight in NM movie that  wasn’t in the book, the fight in Eclipse movie between Edward and Victoria went way different than what was in the book, there was a fight in BD1 that wasn’t in the book. Why all those fight scenes? To satisfy Hollywood box office needs? At least they were not a major part of movie and did not change Bella’s journey as the battle being Alice’s vision did in BD2.

As stated earlier, my level of disappointment is decreasing as time passes. I think that with these major changes this second part will remain my least favorite of the movies. It would be nice to get an answer from Stephenie Meyer and / or Bill Condon as to why they went with Alice’s vision.

The actual ending of the movie and the credits were a wonderful way to wrap up the TWS movies. 

BD 2 Climax / Ending Controversy

Breaking Dawn Part 2 Movie is getting closer, less than 50 days as I write this. We've seen the trailers and some stills and heard/read interviews with the actors, director, author, screenwriter. There are two issues that have generated some buzz.  The climax confrontation with the Volturi and the ending of the movie. 

In the trailers it looks like there is an actual battle between the Cullen side and the Volturi guard. This did not happen in the book. Some people wanted a physical battle in the book and felt let down by how it played out as a mind game / court room drama. It still amazes me that people expected something different with the 'battle' between two mind readers and a chess board on the cover. So what happens in the movie? A big change from the book? 

We've been told that Ms Meyer approved the changed ending. And therein lies the key - ending, not climax. I admit it took a couple of readings of the interviews for that difference to sink in. Before it did I did submit some not nice comments, that were not posted by a couple of web sites. Thank you for that. 

It has been suggested that the battle is a vision of Alice. But there are wolves in it and Alice can't see the wolves. It has been suggested that it is a dream or nightmare of someone. That could be Renesmee or one of the wolves, most likely Jacob or possible but less likely a 'day dream' of a vampire. 

It hasn't been suggested that I've read, but another possibility occurs to me - it could be campfire 'story telling'. We have stills of the Cullens and friends around a campfire waiting for the Volturi to arrive and likely telling stories and / or planning strategy. Bill Condon could have chosen to have that presented visually along with a voice over talking about it.

One of the things missing from the 'battle' in the trailers is Bella's gift of shielding. That did not manifest itself fully until the actual confrontation. So no one dreaming or talking about the 'battle' beforehand would have that information to put into the action. That was another piece that calmed my fears about the 'big change' from the book. I am still concerned, but hoping that one of these two possibilities is how it is handled. 

That brings us to the part that Ms Meyer has approved of - the ending. The book ends with Bella lifting her shield so that Edward can read her thoughts and she goes through some highlights of their time together. A nice montage from the earlier movies would be a good way to present this. But it has been said that the ending is expanded, an added scene. Hints lead to possibility of some future scenes of Renesmee and Jacob; maybe what Bella and Edward think may happen or what Jacob hopes will happen. That was done briefly when Jacob imprinted on Renesmee in BD P1. That would leave things open for a possible next installment being R&J's story. This does not bother me. Don't forget to stay through the credits for whatever scene is presented there. 

I have decided to at least find out where and when and how much the marathon will be locally. Tickets go on sell in couple of days. Twilight Lexicon will be having their Breaking Dawn P2 event in Tennessee. There are so far two web sites doing 'win tickets to premiere', I've entered both, info and links on TL. There are special edition of magazines coming out. A new BDP2 movie cover of paperback is out. The other licensee's will be providing lots of other TWS and BDP2 items to buy. Things to look forward to while we wait for the movie release date. Things to do while waiting -- read fan fiction, reread the books, watch the DVD extras or watch the movies if not going to the marathon. Until then we are at 48 days and counting.   

Ads on site

The ads now found at the top and bottom of page are not my doing. I am not making any money from people clicking on them. They are being placed by Blogger. I am not happy with the content of some of the ads. There may not be much I can do about them. The Blogger is 'free' of monetary exchange on my part, but these ads may be the new cost of this blogging service. I am going to see if I might be able to select the type of ads placed. I hope no one is more offended by them than I am. 

My AU part of Breaking Dawn

I was reviewing Breaking Dawn preparing for the movie release on 16 November. Ms Meyer has Edward being rather quiet during Bella's transformation. I don't think so. He would have been through his own change and the others and had an idea that talking might help distract to however a small degree the person being changed. 

I think he would have music playing all the time in the background. Debussy, his own compositions, other soft calming, romantic works. Certainly Bella's Lullaby would have been part of the music and he'd be humming the work in progress for Renesmee. 

He would have read to her from her favorite books. He would have talked to her about their time together, maybe working backwards from Isle Esme.  Their school friends could have been a topic of his talking and definitely her parents. All this to maybe help her remember her human time better.

The other family members would have come up and visited and talked as well. Renesmee would have been brought to Edward and just the three of them at times.  

Bella may not have heard any of it consciously, but maybe it would have helped both to retain some memories and as a distraction.  Distraction not only for her but also for Edward. Calming music might have helped him too.

Almost back

I do have a new computer. I am working on getting it set up and getting use to MS Office 2010 and Windows 7 versus the old version that is on the old computer. So maybe another couple of weeks before regular posts again. I know there are so many of you missing me, just hang in there. 

computer problems

My computer is seriously ill. I am looking for new one. In the meantime too much trouble to post regularly and I have so much to say about bunches of stuff which will be outdated by time get new computer. I will be back eventually.  

Author: Debbie Macomber

It is time to get away from science fiction and show some diversity in my reading.  This week my author to highlight is Debbie Macomber. She writes romances and some non-fiction. I was introduced to her through a 2009 Hallmark Christmas film, Mrs Miracle. It was nice, not too sweet, but maybe a bit predictable; strong moral values displayed, some real life humor and enjoyable. There have been two more Hallmark films, Call Me Mrs Mircle and Trading Christmas. Her non-fiction includes cookbooks and knitting books and some inspirational books. She also has a couple of children’s books. More information can be found on her web site http://www.debbiemacomber.com/

After the movie, I decided to check the author’s other stories and see what the books were like. She has written a few dozens books, grouped in seven series. I have only read a few. A number of the books are two stories together; my older paperbacks have fewer pages than current ones, so I figure, these are shorter and older stories put together to make a current size paperback. In bringing them back into print some stories are edited with updated technology added.

The books that I’ve read are generally like the movie that introduced me to Ms Macomber. They are enjoyable reads. The characters have good strong moral values. The circumstances varies – single and looking, single not looking and stumble over, widow/widower, children or not. Some of the series do take place in the same area. There are others that are in different locations around the world, as well. There are perhaps some life lessons that you can take from some of the stories, but you are not hit over the head repeatedly with any message. Ms Macomber has a nice touch of real life humor.

My favourites are stories with three somewhat mischievous angels. The first I read was a combination of two stories into one book currently – Angels at Christmas. The situations get a little out of hand for the angels and they have to kind of scramble to fix things.

Ms Macomber’s stories are gentle heartwarming romances. They are G rated. It is so nice to know I won’t have to filter any vulgar language or skip paragraphs or pages of sex. There can be some passionate kissing, but generally that is a far as it goes. If it does go further, you need to imagine your own details. The character’s thoughts may indicate a desire for more, but doesn’t happen often. I highly recommend the good clean fun reading that she delivers.

Story Recommendation: TWS from Alice by Nostalgicmiss

Alice and Bella are best friends. This recommendation is dedicated to my best friend, CJ. She prereads most of my posts here. She comments on them too. We have been supportive of each other for long time now -- hopefully in a well balanced way. 

I came across these three Alice’s point of view stories, by Nostalgicmiss, awhile ago and just recently finished reading them. They were written before the book Breaking Dawn was released back in 2008.  She posted a chapter nearly on a daily basis. There are missing scenes galore. The characters are canon. The rating is T and all are complete.

The Twilight version, Through the Eyes of Alice Cullen, was Nostalgicmiss’ first fan fiction. The other stories right after that. She did not have a beta and her grammar is not good in spots – especially the various verb tenses for sit and stand. There are more than a few typos. She mentions this in her profile, so I read being forewarned. In spite of the errors, I found the time spent reading enjoyable. Reading the series from another character’s point of view is a nice way to go through the series without reading the original again.

Nostalgicmiss has some more recent work that is M rated and I likely won’t read them. There is one more T rated story about Nessie that I am currently reading and she mentions finding a beta. I am looking forward to less errors in that story and see how she does with more original material.

Hopefully you can look past the errors and read the stories from best friend Alice.

Thank you, CJ for all your support and being my best friend.

Author’s FFn profile : http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1544699/Nostalgicmiss

This is the Twilight story through Alice's Eyes

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4188861/1/Through_the_Eyes_of_Alice_Cullen

Alice's Version of New Moon, her voyage of Self Discovery and the vision that changed everything.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4256119/1/Darkest_Night

Eclipse through Alice's Eyes. Alice's soon-to-be-sister and best friend is finally joining the family in every way, what on earth could get in the way?

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4305601/1/The_Dark_Side_of_Light

Story Recommendation: Guarding Edward by Katmom

Mystery recommendations continue, this one by author earlier this week.  Guarding Edward has won several awards as noted below. Guarding Edward has more than one mystery.  Edward has a mysterious stalker for the first part and meets Bella as a body guard service.  He recognizes Bella even though never met her before this assignment. Then there is a second stalker. The second one they know is coming and preparations are made to deal with that.

The tension builds nicely as look for the first stalker and what may be happening between Edward and Bella.  There is a sweet interlude with just Bella and Edward. That is interrupted by cousins, before returning to Seattle area and finding out someone else is now after him.

  

Awards for Guarding Edward :

Guarding Edward was Runner Up in the Cute category at the Mystic Awards!

Guarding Edward was the Fan Fiction of the Month....August 2009 at Twilghters Anonymous!

http://forum.twilightersanonymous.com/fan-fiction/

Guarding Edward has won Best Supernatural Award

at the Silent Tear Awards!

http://silent-tear-awards.webs.com/

Indie TwiFic Awards, Guarding Edward was nominated for:

Best Alternate Universe WIP and Most Original Story Line WIP

I didn't win, but  I was in the top 10 out of 94 and top ten out of 114 in the final round...that amazes me!

Guarding Edward by Katmom

A stalker is trying to get close to 24 y/o Human Edward Masen, a concert pianist. He hires Elite Guardians to keep him safe and to find out who is hunting him. Bella Cullen is the owner/operator of the company and she's a 110 y/o Vampire. AU/Canon couples Rated T with 50 Chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4823993/1/Guarding_Edward

Author: Katmom

Katmom has 21 fan fiction stories for Twilight and Dragonriders of Pern on her Fanfiction.net profile. They are a mix of T and M rated stories. There is a mix of one chapter and multi chapter stories. Some are canon; some are very much in a different universe. Some are really just for fun -- beware of your sugar tolerance. There is one Pern story and one almost a crossover between Pern and Twilight.

Katmom writes happy ever after (HEA) and low angst stories. I’ve read all but four. Two of the stories I did read I do not like.  Both are well written. In one, the freedom to choose, was taken away from the characters, at least that is how I look at it. The other is just way too dark for my taste, unusual for Katmom.

She has a pet peeve list of spelling and misused words on her profile that needs a wide distribution to every new writer. She has written some stories from visual cues and has links to those on her profile. Six stories have won or placed for awards in the fandom community.

Stories with awards: Couple in the Woods, EAC: The Journal of Edward Cullen, Emeralds to Rubies, Fairies in Forks, The Gift of the Knife, and Guarding Edward

For fun: Fairies in Forks and Who Needs a Fairy Godmother?

Pern related: Dragon Stones and K’din Bronze Meertanth’s Rider

Five of my Favorites: Dragon Stones, EAC: The Journal of Edward Cullen, Emeralds to Rubies, Guarding Edward, and Letters from Esme

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1774644/katmom

Story Recommendations: Cullen and Holmes by persephonesfolly

To continue on with Twilight mysteries, there are three stories with Carlisle Cullen and Sherlock Holmes by persephonesfolly. These are not strictly canon as Carlisle came to America well before Holmes' time, but Carlisle is within canon character.  There is a bonus mystery with Carlisle and Edward working alone.  All four stories are rated T and are multiple chapters. The first one is on both R&T and FFn. In December 2011 another of her stories was  recommended, Christmas in Ashland. She has written some other enjoyable stories that you can find on her profile. Today is mystery day. I love mysteries and having my favorite vampires working with Sherlock Holmes is a real treat. Hope you enjoy too.  Comments are appreciated by the author on the individual stories and by me at the bottom.  

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/854398/persephonesfolly http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewuser.php?uid=6389


Dr Cullen, I Presume?
When a patient goes missing, what's a vampiric doctor to do?  Consult the celebrated detective Sherlock Holmes, of course. 
Rated PG13 / T with 4 chapters

http://www.ramblingsandthoughts.com/twilight/viewstory.php?sid=1182
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5598412/1/Dr_Cullen_I_presume

A Mystery in Windermere
In all my years among the undead, I've never met anyone quite like Sherlock Holmes. When he called for my assistance in a perplexing case of murder, how could I refuse? 
Rated PG13 / T with 5 chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5846985/1/A_Mystery_In_Windermere

A Chicago Story
Chicago 1912, a city rife with crime and secret societies, and Dr. Carlisle Cullen finds himself caught up in one of them.
Rated PG13 / T with 10 Chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6255987/1/A_Chicago_Story

Death and the Vampire
School life has its challenges, especially for a vampire like Edward, but throw a serial killer in the mix, and academia turns deadly.
Rated PG13 / T with 14 Chapters

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7880894/1/Death_And_The_Vampire

It is getting harder to read the HTML code to get spacing, text colour correct and no background white on text. Your patience while I learn this aspect is appreciated. 

Authors: Dr Isaac Asimov and Sir Arthur C Clarke

More classic science fiction authors this week. For details use your search engine of choice. Wikipedia links are at bottom. I’m not sure when I started reading either one. Both Asimov and Clarke write non-fiction as well as fiction. Their science fiction tends to be more science based. I’ve enjoyed stories from both, but I have never been a consistent reader of either. It has been a long time since I read a story or novel by either one. I have enjoyed their short stories more than their novels.

I’ve only read the first two books of the Clarke’s 2001 series. Enjoyed the first book and the movie based on it. I don’t really remember anything about the second book. Same happened with the Rama series. There are a couple of short story collections out that I’ve read and enjoyed. He has written a number of other novels that I haven’t yet read. A major novel that I did read was Childhood’s End. I read that novel while on a remote duty station assignment. That was the wrong place to read that novel. I needed people, lots of people, to be around at the end of that book and there weren’t a lot of people available. Few of the people around read a lot of science fiction. The end was very unsettling to me and no one around to talk with about it added to being unsettled about the story.

The one stand out short story, for me, from Clarke, is The Star. This one has a nice twist at the end.  The Sentinel is the short story that 2001: a Space Odyssey is based on. Against the Fall of Night and the expanded revision The City and the Stars were both enjoyable to read and also had interesting twist on things.

I know I read the Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy Series, original ones only. The middle one was not all that good as I recall. Interesting concept ‘psych history’ that was proposed in the books. Also read a few of the robot books/stories. I read more of his short stories in science fiction and mysteries.  He wrote a lot of popular science books. He had a way of explaining things so non-science people could understand the concepts. He also wrote a series about the Bible and some annotated works on classic novels.

He liked puns and twists at the end of his short stories and would usually have the end be a sentence or two on the last page. The one stand out short story, for  me, is Nightfall.  It won a few awards with good reason. It has a bit of a twist at the end. No details, no spoilers, go find it and read it. It is well worth the effort.

While stationed at McGuire AFB in NJ, I attended a lecture by Dr Asimov for Library Week. The title of the talk was “Escape to Reality”.  He repudiated the idea that reading science fiction was to escape. As I recall, the talk was both entertaining and enlightening. Unfortunately, I was too intimidated to take any books with me to get signed or a camera. I did hang around and listen in while he chatted with other attendees after the lecture and signed books. He was very nice to all those that wanted books signed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov http://www.asimovonline.com/   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke

Story Recommendation: Morning

Morning by Carson Dyle is an interesting story. The time frame for the main story is after Breaking Dawn. It is canon. Bella meets a stranger and the next time she sees Edward she screams in terror. What happened, who is this stranger, how did it happen??? The middle section is a look back at Edward's rebellious years. We get those years in well researched details. It is overly long, in my opinion. There are three pay offs for that look back. Only one is really worth the length and time invested, in my opinion, and deals with the mystery.  The mystery did keep me turning pages for an overnight reading session. Overall it was a good read.

Morning by Carson Dyle

What might life be like for the Cullens after the events of Breaking Dawn? So many possibilities. This is one.

Rated T with 35 Chapters
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6165839/1/Morning

4 July Memories

I have an author post and a story recommendation post nearly ready. Instead of working on either of those I want to write and share my 4 July memories. This is not being preread, all mistakes are mine. Please let me know and I will update with corrections. 


My father was stationed at Scott AFB, Illinois when I was in kindergarten through second grade. We lived in a small town close by. There was a park with a log cabin community center between where we lived and the school. That was where the town celebrated the summer holidays. We had a parade for 4 July - decorated cars, little red wagons, baby prams, bicycles, what ever else came to mind. There was a military unit from the base and boy scouts. Seems about half the population was in the parade while the rest watched.
 
I got roped into being in the parade one year. A neighbor girl and I decorated a pram. We tried to dress up a pet - I can't remember if it was a dog or a cat - and have it in the pram. The pet was not going along with it at all. So being younger and smaller of the two of us, I was the "lucky one" to get costumed as a baby all in red/white/blue outfit. I was not thrilled at this at all either, just couldn't move as fast and slippery as the pets could to get away. At least I was pushed along the parade route rather than walking and pushing the pram. We had a change of clothes for me at the end of parade, so I wasn't embarrassed walking around as a baby. 


As a family we would have a BBQ and make ice cream - usually blueberry or strawberry flavoured. I'd help hand crank it even as a child, just not for very long. I'd sneak some rock salt and suck on it. We did this every year until I went away to college. 


I was stationed at Vandenberg AFB for 4 July 1976. The closest city was small city / large town size. Very community minded with celebrations. There were fireworks planned for the HS stadium. There is a big problem with Northern California coastal areas - fog. It does help keep us cooler in summer, but can make lousy viewing of fireworks. And that 4 July we were very well covered with fog. It was still fun, just hanging out with friends from Church, eating too much, watch what we could of fireworks. 


While growing up I don't remember doing much in way of family fireworks, just the sparklers. Those were fun and colourful. We'd hold on to them and wave them all around - being very careful to keep good distance between us.


Currently at Church we have a flag raising and pancake breakfast for 4 July. Nice company, but the pancakes are always cold by time get to eat. The bacon and sausage are warm. It is the brethren that do the cooking for this. Kind of fun watching them in the kitchen and grill. We have had competitions of table decorations. The children sometimes have a parade of decorated bikes, wagons. It is a neat way to start the day.


There is a regional science fiction convention - WesterCon - around 4 July holiday. I've gone a few times - Phoenix, Mesa, Las Vegas and the local ones. Fun watching the local fireworks with bunches of people. I would see relatives when went to Phoenix and Mesa. 

Those are my personal memories of 4 July celebrations. I invite you to share some memories in the comments. I hope everyone has had a safe, fun and enjoyable 4 July 2012. Take care. aw

Story Recommendation: Soul Regret

This is not the story I planned on presenting today.  I just came across this yesterday. It is a sad tale, which I generally try to avoid. This may express how any single person may feel at times. I do not believe there is only one soul mate that is meant for each of us. I believe there are different possibilities for each of us, which one we meet depends on what path each chooses. I believe we will only meet one of the possible soul mates at a time - to prevent confusion and conflict. There is no guarantee that we will meet our soul mate. I believe we can be happy meeting, loving and marrying someone who is not a soul mate or be happy and live a fulfilling life never being married. I believe in an afterlife and all things will be taken care of during our mortal life or in the eternities. The story holds for Bella and Edward and other romantic literature couples, but in real life we have more options than just one. Think about what Alice does in Openhome's Singularity.


Soul Regret by Smittenwhenbitten
If Edward had known Bella would turn his quiet life upside down and inside out as she did, what would have happened to Bella if no one could convince him to stay around and they never met? Would her soul still yearn for mate?
Rated K, one chapter, complete

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6280433/1/Soul_Regret


The author has written two other Twilight stories around Charlie. Both are good. This one just struck me and I had something to say about it.