Friday, June 1, 2018

Friends?

Thought for the day:  Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... it has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which gives value to survival. [C.S. Lewis]

[image from Morguefile]
When I was a young girl, a framed piece of embroidery hung on my bedroom wall, and it was comprised of a big sprawling tree, two people standing under it, and the words, Friendship is a sheltering tree.

And that's true, isn't it? Friends pull together and help shelter each other from the many storms in life, while doubling our joys and halving our sorrows. It may not be one big thing that binds us together, but rather, a million little things over the course of time.

 A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart. [author unknown]

Looking back, I've been blessed with many wonderful friends, but since I started blogging, my concept of friendship has changed in ways I never would've thought possible. Now, some of the men and women I think of as friends... as people I genuinely care about... are people I've never actually met face-to-face. And probably never will.

YOU are very likely one of them.

Today, I was planning to do a blog post about something super cool Smarticus and I did on our anniversary, but my conscience pushed me in a different direction. While he and I were celebrating our 49th anniversary, another blogging author was grieving the death of her husband. I know who Lee is, but she probably doesn't know me from Adam, but still... I felt compelled to do something. 

So I'm going to do what many other bloggers and members of the IWSG have done. I'm going to tell you about her latest book, which was released just two days before her husband died. Needless to say, she can't bear the burden of promoting her book right now, but we, her fellow bloggers and writers, can. This can be our one little thing to show her we care. Our chance to be her sheltering tree.

Perhaps you'd like to mention her new book on your blog? Or some of her many other books? Maybe purchase one or two...? It may not be much, but it's... something.

Her books may be called juvenile fiction, but then... so are the Harry Potter books. I believe this is the third book of a trilogy, so I'm gonna have to start with book one. Care to join me?


Pete’s stuck in medieval England!

Pete and his friend Weasel thought they’d closed the Time Lock. But a young page from medieval times, Peter of Bramwell, goes missing. His absence during a critical moment will forever alter history unless he’s found.

There’s only one solution - fledgling wizard Pete must take the page’s place. Accompanied by Weasel and Fanon, Pete’s alligator familiar, they travel to 1173 England.

But what if the page remains lost - will Pete know what to do when the critical moment arrives? Toss in a grumpy Fanon, the duke’s curious niece, a talking horse, and the Circle of Stones and Pete realizes he’s in over his young wizard head yet again...


Release date – May 15, 2018
Juvenile Fiction - Fantasy & Magic/Boys & Men
$13.95 Print ISBN 9781939844460
$3.99 EBook ISBN 9781939844477

C. Lee McKenzie has a background in Linguistics and Inter-Cultural Communication, but these days her greatest passion is writing for young readers. When she’s not writing she’s hiking or traveling or practicing yoga or asking a lot questions about things she still doesn’t understand.

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Seeing's as how this is June first, the window has closed for entries to receive an autographed copy of my new book Explosive Beginnings. I will announce the winner on next Wednesday's IWSG post. Good luck!

                                     Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

                                     Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.  [Maya Angelou]

55 comments:

  1. That's very kind of you to promote the book on your blog, I am sure the writer will appreciate gestures like this at such a sad time for her. The book looks great! I have your book on my blog today!
    Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

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    1. Just downloaded her book to my Kindle.

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    2. It's hard to know what to do in the face of such a terrible loss. I hope the support of her fellow bloggers will help a little.

      Thank you. :)

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  2. Thank you. Lee has become very dear to me (a friend I may never meet) and I featured her on my blog to promote this book the day before her husband died. I have yet to read this one, but have loved everything else of hers I have read. And have reread several of them. Several times.

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    1. I'm glad you agree with the concept of dear friends we may never meet. (It probably sounds very strange to non-bloggers.)

      For you to say how much you've loved Lee's books is saying a lot. Quite an endorsement. :)

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  3. I heard about what C. Lee's been going through, and it's absolutely tragic. How sweet of you to help promote her latest book!

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    1. Yeah, it is tragic. We all have to face it some day, but it's never easy. My heart breaks for her.

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  4. So sorry to hear of Lee's bereavement. The book sounds interesting.

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    1. The book does sound interesting, and Sue's a fan of Lee's other books, so that means a lot.

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  5. That was such a tragedy. I'm sure Lee has appreciated everyone helping her.
    Since relationship and friendship is something God wants from us, I'd say it is really darned important.

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    1. Yeah, you're right. Relationships and friendships ARE darned important.

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  6. You are a rainbow. What a nice post in the spirit of blog world. And yes...friendship comes in all ways, sizes, and distances. A big blog hug to all. Take care, my friend (not said lightly)

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    1. I've been called a lot of things, but never a rainbow. Thanks. :)

      And a big blog hug back atcha.

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  7. So kind of you to promote your friend's book. My sympathies to her for her loss. Friendship has become something much different for me too because of blogging.

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    1. Isn't it something? Who'd a thunk we could care so much about people we've only met via the internet...?

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  8. People enter our lives in so many ways today and our world becomes larger. Lee is going through a very difficult time and she has the support of people she has never met in person but who have grown to care and embrace her. May the kindness of blogging world give her comfort.

    You are a special and compassionate person, Susan, and we are all enriched by your friendship.

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    1. True. It's a changing world. I don't know why I was so surprised about the possibility of making friends though blogging. In the amateur radio world, we make friends all over the world who we only "know" via radio waves. Blogging isn't all that much different.

      I hope her fellow bloggers give her some comfort.

      Thank you. And the same sentiments right back at you.

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  9. Friends are indeed very special. You are a good friend to have and I'm sure that your post today will be very appreciated by your friend Lee. I've friends I've never met and over the years have come to stick with me through the good and the bad and I value them all so much.

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    1. Talk about the pot calling the kettle... :) No doubt, you are a good friend to anyone and everyone who ever crosses your path.

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  10. Thank you so much for featuring Lee's book.

    Friends are more than precious.

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  11. What a splendid, out-of-the-box gesture you've exhibited! Thanks for setting the bar, Susan.
    Years ago, if someone to tell my best friends are those I've never met, I'd be over here making a twisty face.

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    1. That would've been me years ago, too. Funny how things worked out, isn't it?

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  12. Hi, Susan.
    At first, when I started reading, I thought that Oscar Wilde was the author of the sentence ... don't know why...
    It's funny, but when I read some definitions about driendship, I get to the conclusion that never in mt whole life have I had a friend... I think these definitions are too passionate. What I've learned is that friends many times fail. More than they prevail.

    Hugs!

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    1. Hi, Ana. You're right. It does sound a lot like something Wilde would've said.

      I'm so sorry to hear that. Everyone needs to have at least one true friend who always prevails. I hope you find yours soon. Hugs back atcha.

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  13. I, too, have many internet friends I've never met. I consider you one of them. I'm off to order Lee's book!!

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    1. The feeling is mutual. :)

      Good girl! Thank you. Have a super weekend.

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  14. Count Me In Too !
    I consider you a friend and so enjoy reading your blog. This book sounds like something I would like to read. Off to Amazon.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Awesome! I think of you (and your pets...) as friends, too.

      Cheers back atcha.

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  15. Yep, the blog world is sure a different take on friendship indeed. Never thought it would be when I started. Lee sure knows how to turn out a great book. Awful about her husband indeed.

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    1. I never thought it would be, either... but I should've known better. People who blog already have at least ONE thing in common. :)

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  16. What a very thoughtful and selfless post. Losing someone whom we loved and was an integral part of our lives is completely devastating. My thoughts and prayers are with Lee.

    I do hope that in the near future you'll share your 49th anniversary adventures with us (or at least the ones that you dare to make public....).

    I also hope that in the near future I will find the time to change this stupid profile photo that I've been using. I look even worse in sepia than I do in color.....

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    1. Oh yeah, I'll definitely share pics of our anniversary adventure. (It involved a dragon!)

      I like the golden glow in your profile pic. Makes you look kinda angelic. :)

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    2. Now that's a kind and positive observation. In truth, I haven't had an angelic glow since I was three....

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    3. Yes, you have. You just don't see it.

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  17. It's true, I have also made connections online with people I never expect to meet face to face. And that is tragic news about Lee's husband. Your post made me realize Lee had dropped off my radar since she moved her blog. Now added her back in to my feed.

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    1. It's funny how our connections with other bloggers have and ebb and flow to them. When we don't hear from someone for a while, it's always such a treat to re-connect. I'm glad you've got Lee back in your feed again.

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  18. Isn't the Internet a funny little place? You can make so many deep connections, without ever meeting in person (or meeting in person, as we did!).

    How nice of you to promote your friend's book!

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    1. Yeah, the internet is definitely a funny little place, and I'm still really happy that we were able to meet in person. That was such fun!

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  19. Susan, you're a stabilizer --what I've always looked for in a friend. World makes more sense with you in it.

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    1. Dude. What a nice thing to say. You brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. :)

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  20. Greetings Susan. True friendship is something to treasure. You did your blogging friend 'Lee' proud by promoting her new novel, which sounds like a good read. Blessings to you.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew.

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    1. Greetings, Andrew. For sure. I think our connections with other people are our most valuable treasures.

      Blessings back atcha.

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  21. It's so nice of you to promote your friends book. I'm sorry to hear of her loss.

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  22. I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss. It is so good of you to promote her book. You're a true friend.

    Greetings from London.

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  23. Good idea to promote the book. I tweeted it.

    Love,
    Janie

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  24. A kind thing for you to do for Lee at this difficult time.

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    1. Thanks. From what I've heard about her, she's kindness personified.

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  25. Hi Susan - I'm slightly horrified to see I haven't commented - life is not easy around here. Equally getting news about Lee's husband just knocks one too - thankfully we've 'talked' - as you and others say ... we do become friends - albeit we live in a world others can't seem to get a grip of!

    Thanks for this excellent empathetic post ... I feel for all who have traumatic events happening in their lives - so difficult to cope with and overcome ... all the best - Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. I'm equally horrified to see I never responded to this comment. Now that I no longer receive blogger comments via email, (for whatever reason)it's harder to keep track of comments on earlier posts. Sorry about that!

      I'm sorry to hear things are going swimmingly for you in your new digs, but I know you'll rise to the top. Empathetic people like you always do. :)

      Cheers!

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  26. Congratulations on your 49th anniversary, Susan! I'm so sorry to hear about Lee's husband. It was so thoughtful of you to take this time to promote her new book. I believe I also met Lee shortly after I started blogging. I'll try to connect with her again soon.

    Julie

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    1. Thanks, sweetie. Sorry it took me so long to see this comment. Like I told Hilary, Blogger no longer sends comments to me via email, so comments on older posts are more likely to fall through the cracks.

      By the way, YOU are definitely one of those people I'd classify as a friend I haven't met face-to-face. Yet. :)

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