tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87015057471028386902024-02-06T21:57:12.297-05:00Just Sayin'Thoughts and opinions I can't keep to myself. Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.comBlogger510125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-62438114026022908342022-09-13T16:56:00.002-04:002022-09-13T16:56:19.422-04:00Us vs Them<p>When folks ask about my historical novels, I explain the stories' premises and my motivation for writing them. Given half a chance, I'll also mention my take-away lesson about the Nazi era: when a country is divided into Us vs Them, that country and its citizens are in trouble. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpAfeGiZ-Hl4UBZQSGcD9ZbXPGhmcEV5-x4sZFUlOj8Vr5nTA_ve72xa91RYu-7QMgMkqbakYNt12W0U7jM5lq9qhyCl6GdaA84eSOHVcV3hGCjrCJ-ektVcW2vhMW0Bzd0n4PCSkqGLrTxF6FaP8efibXoywZVCcbh7GRZ7ITNHvIW6b6LZsIkP026w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="516" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpAfeGiZ-Hl4UBZQSGcD9ZbXPGhmcEV5-x4sZFUlOj8Vr5nTA_ve72xa91RYu-7QMgMkqbakYNt12W0U7jM5lq9qhyCl6GdaA84eSOHVcV3hGCjrCJ-ektVcW2vhMW0Bzd0n4PCSkqGLrTxF6FaP8efibXoywZVCcbh7GRZ7ITNHvIW6b6LZsIkP026w" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>At a community event where I sold books last weekend, I said this during a number of conversations with potential customers. Several people nodded and said, 'I see that division in our country, in our whole world, right now.' </p><p>Two particular individuals leaned across my table and expounded on their thoughts. They raised their voices in anger, not at me but at the amount of division within our country. One placed the full blame for this division on Republicans. The other placed the blame squarely on the Democrats. </p><p>What happened to our ability to disagree respectfully? Why must we assign blame for every problem, every challenge our nation faces? Of course, we never turn those accusing fingers toward ourselves, toward our own behaviors and attitudes. We always blame the other guy. The other party. The ones who think/speak/act/believe differently than we do. Our problems, both local and national, are their fault.</p><p>We are increasingly a society divided into Us vs. Them. </p><p>Please, politicians, candidates, and citizens alike, stop the divisive rhetoric. Stop emphasizing our differences and blaming the other party for the problems we all face. </p><p>Instead, use your energy, your words, your incredible resources to unite people. Bring folks with differing points of view together to work on solutions. Raise the bar of our national behavior by respecting opinions that differ from your own or those of your party. </p><p>History clearly shows where Us vs Them talk leads. Let's not go there. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi480RfJxdivMltugM9mGFXlZ-_bsvVU-Q813Qx42JPcxAJ8vCWpgqNBlcwABkiBkcIjS8_vrG6R_ptHfc1c5ItrPwWgdStyz54aDeeFlBf2Mih7Ty-5KMfm_7USUQbWE87oD_wt5JYU-kgv4nGjHOLr-6daefJ_9D21hZzHRvPxWtsr6Rp1i2LYk6TFw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi480RfJxdivMltugM9mGFXlZ-_bsvVU-Q813Qx42JPcxAJ8vCWpgqNBlcwABkiBkcIjS8_vrG6R_ptHfc1c5ItrPwWgdStyz54aDeeFlBf2Mih7Ty-5KMfm_7USUQbWE87oD_wt5JYU-kgv4nGjHOLr-6daefJ_9D21hZzHRvPxWtsr6Rp1i2LYk6TFw" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-78264920176071899262021-11-30T16:54:00.000-05:002021-11-30T16:54:35.384-05:00Critiquing a critique group<p>Over a year ago, I stepped away from a local <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI </a>critique group I'd been part of for several years. There was nothing 'wrong' with the group or its members. They're all talented writers, working hard on their craft and focused on getting their WIPs in shape and ready for submission. But they were all working on picture books. I was working on a middle-grade novel.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8Dk-2NxCQFHlONlCxEI-Qek7pW94BKx6aS-K2oMthULhOahJPa2ahfCEh_VsQhVP2KZ78yVPYEK2ygj3R52pWjtQV5alYyUcxg_wVB425KPJS0JjbOD1xyNicSqVSHXUSKZmtdwvWtx/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8Dk-2NxCQFHlONlCxEI-Qek7pW94BKx6aS-K2oMthULhOahJPa2ahfCEh_VsQhVP2KZ78yVPYEK2ygj3R52pWjtQV5alYyUcxg_wVB425KPJS0JjbOD1xyNicSqVSHXUSKZmtdwvWtx/w203-h150/image.png" width="203" /></a></div><p></p><p>So I set about creating a critique group focused on writing middle-grade novels. A month later, five of us, all avid readers and writers of literature for that age group, met virtually for the first time. After initial technical problems, we settled into a rhythm of monthly manuscript submissions and online critique of our middle-grade WIPs. The group seemed to be going well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kqFCIAbJ2rnegg7PaOlDYGYoDqm9pMp7s1UHnPnTD2JbgycxYpbVV6H0982Be3SVDwLuodTndM_kkwt6Vmv9ceBN-KxS662GNTeF7DO4Mn4gEkPdws-AI2WLQHF7R8elxIh_H3lEFatK/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="612" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kqFCIAbJ2rnegg7PaOlDYGYoDqm9pMp7s1UHnPnTD2JbgycxYpbVV6H0982Be3SVDwLuodTndM_kkwt6Vmv9ceBN-KxS662GNTeF7DO4Mn4gEkPdws-AI2WLQHF7R8elxIh_H3lEFatK/w184-h147/image.png" width="184" /></a></div>Six months later, one member withdrew. She found getting feedback early in the writing process derailed her vision for the piece. We all understood and wished her well. <p></p><p>Last month, another member withdrew. Multiple demands in his work and personal life left him with little extra time and energy. Again, we all understood and wished him well. <br /></p><p>So the three of us who remain will decide the group's future. We've all been at this long enough to know that groups like this are malleable. They morph into what is needed by its members and are reshaped as members come and go. The three of us can tweak our guidelines and procedures or we can tear them up and start over. We can keep the group at just three members, or we can add another one or two. In any case, I look forward to the process of redefining ourselves and am excited about our future. </p><p><br /></p>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-18108595415364729862021-11-19T14:54:00.002-05:002021-11-19T16:21:35.211-05:00The unexpected benefits of audiobooks<p>This year, my challenge on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>was to read 50 books. I've surpassed that, mostly because I've added audiobooks to my reading experience in the last few years. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt0pfvy4NLkYt6cLzVLaTAiGWcmW3iC9S-CRAN1M6bnkDB-sC8nIBy1OJ5apXVopv3fnMxo6CYzP38aJ9nCFDHhb-dEUsmsXa3caHK7FC4jemEgZq2DaJxY3eRf0ehvPSc3pKpXdx7_Az/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1000" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt0pfvy4NLkYt6cLzVLaTAiGWcmW3iC9S-CRAN1M6bnkDB-sC8nIBy1OJ5apXVopv3fnMxo6CYzP38aJ9nCFDHhb-dEUsmsXa3caHK7FC4jemEgZq2DaJxY3eRf0ehvPSc3pKpXdx7_Az/w162-h175/image.png" width="162" /></a></div><p>Listening to audiobooks allows me to expand not only the number of books I enjoy but also the places in which I enjoy them. I listen to books while driving, exercising, cooking, or when I'm out for a good long walk. Time passes quickly when someone is telling me a story, and that's exactly how I perceive a well narrated audiobook.</p><p>My <a href="https://lancasterlibraries.org/" target="_blank">library system'</a>s <a href="https://lancasterlibraries.overdrive.com/lancasterlibraries-manheimtownship/content" target="_blank">Overdrive </a>and <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank">Libby </a>accounts give me access to thousands of great titles to download and enjoy for free. Courtesy of a friend, I've recently added <a href="https://www.audible.com/" target="_blank">Audible</a> to my audiobook source list. The number of stories I can listen to boggles my mind. </p><p>When I read books in print or ebook, I have a (guilty!) tendency to skim past wordy descriptions and long unbroken blocks of text. An audiobook doesn't let the reader do that. The narrator progresses through the text word by word, paragraph by paragraph, even parts I would have chosen to skim.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJIJ87kM3eC8bFSa9gm2oHq_6f-5CIwKT1RwME3qF8j6su9wrMp8esBRjupcUFpFZXAIa6RX7YGLr4y9-P8wLAYHbN4m90HQjZq6UUNLafwTm4UiJdI8XOQFXk9CA7KZMzZjgV30AflpR/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJIJ87kM3eC8bFSa9gm2oHq_6f-5CIwKT1RwME3qF8j6su9wrMp8esBRjupcUFpFZXAIa6RX7YGLr4y9-P8wLAYHbN4m90HQjZq6UUNLafwTm4UiJdI8XOQFXk9CA7KZMzZjgV30AflpR/w183-h122/image.png" width="183" /></a></div><p></p><p>And guess what? I've learned that those wordy sections are (usually) there for a reason. They add to the setting, reveal a bit of character, or define the underlying reason for a conflict. Just what this girl needed to slow down her mind and enjoy the journey through the story. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y_wQ0KOaPzlZa-oGP_vY63L40mXO_3n71oNkZyzZ9uGp2oRs6n7PFETXy9imEJ-U40dpdjzeXMludFAeiPkat06eDOJVqoKKKYzBE-UcFX4rdKBc0qZhqlIaDfPlskR28BzGbrXnoEDO/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y_wQ0KOaPzlZa-oGP_vY63L40mXO_3n71oNkZyzZ9uGp2oRs6n7PFETXy9imEJ-U40dpdjzeXMludFAeiPkat06eDOJVqoKKKYzBE-UcFX4rdKBc0qZhqlIaDfPlskR28BzGbrXnoEDO/w185-h123/image.png" width="185" /></a></div>That said, I don't I have a favorite format for reading. I still love bookstore browsing and reading a hard copy I can hold in my hands. I also love my Kindle for its lightweight convenience and portability. But now about half of the books I read per year are ones I've accessed as audiobooks. I've found it to be a great option with its own benefit to me as a reader.<p></p><p>How about you? Do you listen to audiobooks? </p><p><br /></p>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-89412777269022043352021-11-13T13:47:00.002-05:002021-11-13T13:47:13.537-05:00Book trailers that can't be ads <p>I made these book trailers using the free site <a href="http://FlexClip.">FlexClip.</a> Each took me less than one hour to make. </p><p>My idea had been to use the trailers in ads on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=booktok&t=1636828028912" target="_blank">TikTok,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeannemoranauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, Google Ads, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jeannemoran.author/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Because of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F7QM95G" target="_blank">the swastikas on the novels' covers </a>and the fact that the word 'Nazi' appears in the ads' description, my ads were rejected out of hand. I appealed, explaining that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KGHFQLH" target="_blank">the novels are historical </a>and are not pushing a neo-nazi agenda. I told them my books are <a href="https://jeannemoran.weebly.com/research-photos.html" target="_blank">well-researched,</a> have been <a href="https://jeannemoran.weebly.com/events-and-school-visits.html" target="_blank">used in schools and book clubs</a>, and are 'clean reads' for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mikey-Swamp-Monster-Jeanne-Moran-ebook/dp/B01LJJOZIS" target="_blank">young readers.</a> </p><p>It didn't matter. The computer algorithm labeled the ads as containing 'hate speech.' The humans I spoke with said they couldn't do anything to change that label.</p><p>So I'll share them here in the hopes that you'll enjoy them and share them too! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U_8mBVQtF_A" width="320" youtube-src-id="U_8mBVQtF_A"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bg98FwUqMek" width="320" youtube-src-id="bg98FwUqMek"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXIKmXEOD5Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="nXIKmXEOD5Y"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-83933402059489513832020-12-28T12:05:00.003-05:002020-12-29T04:22:07.148-05:00What I remembered<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk7g-XMw4BDJov6ZtX_To1IlPfacVwen8nwmQlN13xLQnqTv438roPHo7wVf3ZAApP89b8fExcbE7Yyt83aL_8ro2obYURHEy7WVi0U638JRAfYbC-SIgLm8Tbjw3QVOM3XAINJJJ0wnw/s2048/IMG_6004.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk7g-XMw4BDJov6ZtX_To1IlPfacVwen8nwmQlN13xLQnqTv438roPHo7wVf3ZAApP89b8fExcbE7Yyt83aL_8ro2obYURHEy7WVi0U638JRAfYbC-SIgLm8Tbjw3QVOM3XAINJJJ0wnw/s320/IMG_6004.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the start of each <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">year, I make a list of goals, both personal ones and goals related to my writing. This morning, I opened my '2020 goals' document and could have cried. So many of the goals involved face-to-face connection, travel, and new experiences. Of course, after early March, none of that happened. </span></span><p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="5pm7l" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Instead of lamenting what might have been, I am taking time today to reflect on what I gained during the 'pandemic pause.' Without the trappings of the external world: </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ I remembered that fresh air and sunshine are essential for my mental health. Time spent outdoors, listening to birdsong or children playing, soaking in nature’s palette and the silhouette of branches against the sky, the texture and scent of garden dirt --- ah, peace. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ I remembered that I am okay with the status quo for a little while, but even during a shutdown, I need to shake things up. I tried new recipes, updated our kitchen, connected with new writing partners, adopted a cat, and learned to play the harmonica (badly.) </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bbrF6dMOXh8wTKLiSn-rSkUzOVQ96_th7NOJxhFNFrmg68QuYW9n0GYQiDSuoSUOWg6LxCBf1nbbGF5PNwlIkdip7TI-_1jOMMkkC71rR6Ul-9kklktIg-SwcbdFtNg5sO1c28PdIAP1/s1365/IMG_E6125.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bbrF6dMOXh8wTKLiSn-rSkUzOVQ96_th7NOJxhFNFrmg68QuYW9n0GYQiDSuoSUOWg6LxCBf1nbbGF5PNwlIkdip7TI-_1jOMMkkC71rR6Ul-9kklktIg-SwcbdFtNg5sO1c28PdIAP1/s320/IMG_E6125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ I remembered that I can keep some level of physical fitness without going to the gym. Hand weights, calisthenics, and Pilates can keep up my strength. Long yoga-style stretches can maintain my mobility, and brisk walks on hills can keep me in decent aerobic shape. Bonus points when those walks were with a friend who made me smile! </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~I remembered the importance of connection, even when phone, text, and virtual connections had to suffice. This pandemic would have been far more devastating without technology. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ I remembered the joy of simple things-- a scented candle, a picture drawn by one of my grandkids, </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the glorious colors of hydrangeas, </span><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;">watching TV with my husband beside a cozy fire. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, and I can't forget the joy of finding Clorox wipes and toilet paper! 😁</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Many of the goals on my 2020 list will carry over to 2021. Best wishes to all as we close (slam?) the door on 2020 and embrace a hopefully healthy and happy new year. <br /><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9m09-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-2779061254394105652020-07-09T06:53:00.000-04:002020-07-09T06:55:20.612-04:00There's only UsIf I learned anything from researching and writing <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KY43Q5L?ref_=dbs_r_series&storeType=ebooks">two novels set in Nazi Germany</a>, it's this: dividing people into Us and Them leads to disaster for everyone. <u>Everyone.</u> <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtERrzv_k-pM_jhhYxgIfp6YYpET1kzWyDKc-5nPHa_aXQXyY4uQTUlFZNQk80AaocM8P6zPeqHnueLj2VIl__Gou7TnWKeVzAMi2QvqYmg1ygmsGEn6Zl3x_E1hrZwk_YUA-A_hKwGRvd/s259/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtERrzv_k-pM_jhhYxgIfp6YYpET1kzWyDKc-5nPHa_aXQXyY4uQTUlFZNQk80AaocM8P6zPeqHnueLj2VIl__Gou7TnWKeVzAMi2QvqYmg1ygmsGEn6Zl3x_E1hrZwk_YUA-A_hKwGRvd/s0/download.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From our perspective 80+ years after the Nazi regime, it's easy for us to see how <a href="https://www.theemotionmachine.com/the-us-vs-them-mentality-how-group-thinking-can-irrationally-divide-us/">labeling people</a>, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/duenablomstrom1/2019/02/06/why-a-culture-of-us-vs-them-is-deadly/#4755bd4f7520">grouping folks into categories</a> based on a set of criteria, set up the horror that was the Nazi era. The question is, do we see <a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html">similar attitudes i</a>n the world today? </div><div><br /></div><div>Do we see it in our country?</div><div><br /></div><div>In our cities and towns?</div><div><br /></div><div>In our own backyard?</div><div><br /></div><div>And the ultimate question: Do we see similar attitudes in our own hearts?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ87lweSzdJKcYBBzbAwM_dGYnd6pSl4C3_dfNCM-fljNV91ZmdKvk28QVduyrzx-yMutpJ46kmH2Ur1hSMHTxqxS9lbiydMme8mijFmjOSB758sBCqugECPhzVbQKApXKadVPujoGwDi/s233/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="216" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ87lweSzdJKcYBBzbAwM_dGYnd6pSl4C3_dfNCM-fljNV91ZmdKvk28QVduyrzx-yMutpJ46kmH2Ur1hSMHTxqxS9lbiydMme8mijFmjOSB758sBCqugECPhzVbQKApXKadVPujoGwDi/w216-h233/images+%25281%2529.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I confess. I am tired of the rhetoric. I am tired of American-born vs immigrant, Democrat vs Republican, black vs white, the privileged vs the poor. I am tired of the labels and categories that divide us. I am tired of the human tendency to paint people with a broad brush based on some criteria or other. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have seen historical proof of where labels can take us. I don't want to go there. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will do the only thing I can do. I will control ME. Today. Right here, right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will attend to the attitudes in my own heart. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will address my own tendency to categorize people and their actions as good or bad based on some predetermined criteria. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will speak out against injustice regardless of which 'side' causes that injustice. </div><div><br /></div><div>And when I fail, because I will, I will try to do better. </div><div><br /></div><div>How about you? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-37517398263822490692020-06-06T14:04:00.001-04:002020-06-06T14:04:27.822-04:00Remembering D-Day, 76 years later<font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">Given the current painful state of affairs in America, it would be easy to overlook a historical anniversary, even an important one that helped shape the world as we know it. And yet the anniversary of D-Day is a great time to examine what we as Americans stand for. </font><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpUfsTuqw-nJif8FlFkOEVk4647vi9gN9w9TarNQV1q0ljhktdx5Jq9t3az6WKz8oBsaHlqyUrBcqlOPHrE6H7Ao2Kl-wGzQT0PyP8ziYFz-P9lEB1_5thyKFdv5bFFXE_3xPxDSx45RF/s980/dd_starstripes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font color="#3367d6"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="980" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpUfsTuqw-nJif8FlFkOEVk4647vi9gN9w9TarNQV1q0ljhktdx5Jq9t3az6WKz8oBsaHlqyUrBcqlOPHrE6H7Ao2Kl-wGzQT0PyP8ziYFz-P9lEB1_5thyKFdv5bFFXE_3xPxDSx45RF/s320/dd_starstripes.jpg" width="320" /></font></a></div><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">Before we start, let's not forget what the Nazis believed: their superior race should dominate while all others should be subservient. Their crazed leadership pushed that agenda through systematic brainwashing, using force, brutality, and sheer terror to ride herd over the sanctity of life. A nation's sovereignty and its citizens individual liberties were irrelevant to them. </font></div><div><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">By 1944, the Nazi regime's borders had expanded through most of Europe, and France had fallen. Britain stood alone as the last European holdout against Nazi occupation. Only the English Channel and a strong RAF stood between England and Hitler's forces. </font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font color="#3367d6"><br /></font></div></div><div><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">General Eisenhower and the other Allied commanders knew they couldn't let England fall to the Nazis. So on June 6, 1944 over 160K Allied troops landed along a stretch of coastline in the Normandy region of France. Their purpose: to push against the heavily-fortified German forces and regain France. </font></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">Over 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft were involved in delivering and supporting the soldiers as they began the push inland along 50 miles of coastline. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded, many in that first wave. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRDmN2SMvPnViWUEmUQwJjHDyd0m9nKgWovbLlpLgb9hs9ibLZec390h3VJ1Dm46POHXV_GUK7Y2iUdHWfkNVfsCKfq3kp-19Fu2cahan283kwBKZ4XyRcYS0Ka8ZE00TZlhCdpQcV9Mt/s276/download+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRDmN2SMvPnViWUEmUQwJjHDyd0m9nKgWovbLlpLgb9hs9ibLZec390h3VJ1Dm46POHXV_GUK7Y2iUdHWfkNVfsCKfq3kp-19Fu2cahan283kwBKZ4XyRcYS0Ka8ZE00TZlhCdpQcV9Mt/" /></a></div></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">As we know now, the end result of this incredible effort was the ultimate defeat of Hitler and his regime. Of course, the soldiers involved couldn't know that at the time. </font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6" face="trebuchet" size="4">All they knew was that they were fighting against an evil that held one type of person as dominant over another. They were fighting to ensure that the people of Europe would have what we Americans purport to believe: that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable rights. </font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><font color="#3367d6"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfB5oJgunT1YndY16e-3YVi2Upl0P8z735NTlLeVRb5eey-T74OUPoFbsfMgMlW-HEcMI2y9lrZHLQBN9__fneOGW5gnlVYZGdgLqFBlVi0FuWRkIq_wOb59NZvGTRL9eU-zQkvjVmjtZ/s268/download.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfB5oJgunT1YndY16e-3YVi2Upl0P8z735NTlLeVRb5eey-T74OUPoFbsfMgMlW-HEcMI2y9lrZHLQBN9__fneOGW5gnlVYZGdgLqFBlVi0FuWRkIq_wOb59NZvGTRL9eU-zQkvjVmjtZ/" /></a></div><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><font color="#3367d6">Yep, this is a good time to remind us of what the writers of the Declaration of Independence said are 'self-evident.' We are indeed all created equal. </font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font size="2" style="color: #393b30; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif;"> </font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="color: #393b30; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-90038244472698547532020-05-23T11:02:00.000-04:002020-05-23T11:03:21.448-04:00I'm back! Let's get creative! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWlOvpuvi0UGXEjA0Z4uFNpfh4mWrAUAlNCQzSjUBk8FzG7emn_QDrRuRV4MM1lJ8Lk0bSzkA7HHJXWeuVSVWwCNaIM-QcA0QU_KiJBuVMWrEeHFDi2skD09nB-rnhta9uLSZk3mU4QN-/s1600/Prompt+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWlOvpuvi0UGXEjA0Z4uFNpfh4mWrAUAlNCQzSjUBk8FzG7emn_QDrRuRV4MM1lJ8Lk0bSzkA7HHJXWeuVSVWwCNaIM-QcA0QU_KiJBuVMWrEeHFDi2skD09nB-rnhta9uLSZk3mU4QN-/s320/Prompt+example.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s a fun activity to get your creative juices
flowing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fold a sheet of paper into three columns. Label the
first column ‘Character,’ the second column ‘Setting,’ and the last ‘Thing.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, as I did in the example, brainstorm! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Make a list of characters,
where they’d typically be found, and an object that might be near them. In my
example, I placed an executive in her office with a paperclip nearby, and a
fairy in the woodlands with a magic wand. Sounds ordinary, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now for the fun. Cut the three columns apart. Slide
the columns up or down to make new character/setting/thing arrangements, as I
did in my examples. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_qmtBe5ebAxhxgg-gXpRIhEGdRmuvI-Mw2892YKF6uBmlC4erlHYv2HajxZ6RVMppMkwupelN383w31aNj-zK4lRec7avW8FI0yzp-FwLLPI0_647EgDJrt5Co66-Nlu4VVAWu6KTTDO/s1600/Combo+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="569" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_qmtBe5ebAxhxgg-gXpRIhEGdRmuvI-Mw2892YKF6uBmlC4erlHYv2HajxZ6RVMppMkwupelN383w31aNj-zK4lRec7avW8FI0yzp-FwLLPI0_647EgDJrt5Co66-Nlu4VVAWu6KTTDO/s320/Combo+%25231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some arrangements will make sense and others will be
absurd. That’s okay! It’s an exercise in creativity. Choose one combination of
character/setting/thing and write a scene that contains all three.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LQFWm_M2oFQVol1blrsQhuRjBRoyfJF79iOVW32umEuOE1FP-srOPZySS2l7UwAf2nwEazuJ4L_KerurcMa2ihPV9QjugzNDpj5O6f-eLi3ZF1sBasvxmu9VF9t_raL5wC0Cs1lTPB6H/s1600/Combo+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LQFWm_M2oFQVol1blrsQhuRjBRoyfJF79iOVW32umEuOE1FP-srOPZySS2l7UwAf2nwEazuJ4L_KerurcMa2ihPV9QjugzNDpj5O6f-eLi3ZF1sBasvxmu9VF9t_raL5wC0Cs1lTPB6H/s320/Combo+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ll leave you now so I can go think—what would place an
executive at a garbage dumpster with a pitchfork? Sounds like a murder mystery
to me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why would a fairy carry a sword in ancient Egypt? Hmm… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have fun! </span></div>
<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-19816852866923758362019-05-20T09:55:00.001-04:002019-05-20T09:55:41.591-04:00Episode 8, Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last of my series called 'Why I wrote novels set in Nazi Germany.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a0a0a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a0a0a; white-space: pre-wrap;">This episode highlights Nazi aggression toward people of Jewish heritage and the resulting international effort to rescue vulnerable children.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0a0a0a; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-37703771418237892732019-03-29T08:55:00.001-04:002019-03-29T08:55:42.514-04:00Episode 7, propagandaThe Nazis didn't corner the market on biased information, but they utilized it in every facet of German life to foster their own aims. Watch and learn. And share this with others.<br />
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-47087505795403798842019-03-07T11:49:00.003-05:002019-03-07T11:49:55.738-05:00Episode 6, the Nuremberg Rally This episode of my video series focuses on the powerful propaganda feast called the Nuremberg Rally. Archival stills and video footage are included, so sit back and learn lots in less than 5 minutes!<br />
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-1637444123616902052019-02-24T07:13:00.001-05:002019-02-24T07:13:39.183-05:00Fifth in the video series is up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This episode focuses on treatment of the Romany (Romani) people and the seldom-discussed Lebensborn project. If you thought you knew enough about the Nazi era, think again. </div>
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-74124372589373327382019-02-12T06:19:00.003-05:002019-02-12T06:19:48.545-05:00Goodreads giveaway and a fourth videoEnter on Goodreads for a chance to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/288928-the-path-divided">win one of 100 Kindle copies</a> of <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42966172-the-path-divided">The Path Divided</a>, </i>the 'must-read' conclusion of the story that began in<i> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18641605-risking-exposure">Risking Exposure</a></i><i>!</i><br />
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The fourth in my <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FubRWUBD0JY0%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR03cK-ytUEIGel-2n_ePxT2UoDlMF1jJo0bVDdvQFLsa-f3u63l5SREGCk&h=AT0BkN3yPGX9gsETVG3mO4DtviQ0C-tKuxsblGaPC1P_OFccOkBYHn88oCOckwsAr3IXRYFwZQgfBxAO5DNRI5taS9SNfqUJPyof_-uskpjncxHfW9OtQbvLnyYOsi81UU8eBTuKTP-m6Y4IpOi7SyGKJvkRhinPpLhIAW3MfTpU5I4W4-PfEM4g04ZJJxzvRSfsfvmvvuIV-a9Jh43RkCi6gPziaHKGEKVS93JvNTQBkskiTAtPaFjrwGB4TYzJ7egRI4isCBs1DNXIiWmCDiT5ucQZ1NUo3Ji3XFSyzsvtjGeDtM38Ged1zPVdA71rW4-lkWe5XJVxqlj7FKfxSDvbn7mM78br_jx6rzEIphaUEUbTHRy7oPMiKPG-QCHiVwH_IZKyNq87vh8qS1C4J_uKBrulxJARDXq63dp4IzDuQNonCJgbJCTFSaR1aiOVDWQS7Db31CHgNcO8l0SF9dCLvK5l3jMpoo-hp8lhJy8dHOjIzRiRHCNOZtXZyPSYqGlp0gEcBGS71v-ZnSOv9MiMBG7u3B8NEU1CA28mk4T5miSNgzjlYsRoHIolLlO9KQm-bHX6sNcTzu4u8_gUvhUArd9wL1TI3mumVxLhp0aaSKXpdp7LUYBtmZMPcUK5t4ecC0LX0rAfPLZRqtk">'Why I wrote novels set in Nazi Germany' </a>video series is live on YouTube. Or you can watch it here: <br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ubRWUBD0JY0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ubRWUBD0JY0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-29509115540610036632019-02-05T08:52:00.002-05:002019-02-05T08:52:48.381-05:00Giveaway and a 5-star review!<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20id=%22goodreadsGiveawayWidget288928%22%3E%3C!--%20Show%20static%20html%20as%20a%20placeholder%20in%20case%20js%20is%20not%20enabled%20--%3E%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22goodreadsGiveawayWidget%22%20style=%22max-width:%20350px;%20margin:%2010px%20auto;%20padding:%2010px%2015px;%20border:%202px%20solid%20#EBE8D5;%20border-radius:%2010px;%22%3E%20%20%20%3Cstyle%3E%20%20%20%20%20.goodreadsGiveawayWidget%20{%20color:%20#555;%20font-family:%20georgia,%20serif;%20font-weight:%20normal;%20text-align:%20left;%20font-size:%2014px;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20font-style:%20normal;%20background:%20white;%20}%20%20%20%20%20.goodreadsGiveawayWidget%20p%20{%20margin:%200%200%20.5em%20!important;%20padding:%200;%20}%20%20%20%20%20.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink%20{%20%20%20%20%20%20%20display:%20inline-block;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color:%20#181818;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20background-color:%20#F6F6EE;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20border:%201px%20solid%20#9D8A78;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20border-radius:%203px;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20font-family:%20%22Helvetica%20Neue%22,%20Helvetica,%20Arial,%20sans-serif;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20font-weight:%20bold;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20text-decoration:%20none;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20outline:%20none;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20font-size:%2013px;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20padding:%208px%2012px;%20%20%20%20%20}%20%20%20%20%20.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover%20{%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color:%20#181818;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20background-color:%20#F7F2ED;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20border:%201px%20solid%20#AFAFAF;%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20text-decoration:%20none;%20%20%20%20%20}%20%20%20%3C/style%3E%20%20%20%3Ch2%20style=%22margin:%200%200%2010px%20!important;%20padding:%200%20!important;%20font-style:%20italic;%20font-size:%2020px;%20line-height:%2020px;%20font-weight:%20normal;%20text-align:%20center;%20color:%20#555;%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3Ca%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com%22%20target=%22_new%22%20rel=%22nofollow%22%3EGoodreads%3C/a%3E%20Book%20Giveaway%20%20%20%3C/h2%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20style=%22float:%20left;%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ca%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43345653%22%3E%3Cimg%20alt=%22The%20Path%20Divided%20by%20Jeanne%20Moran%22%20title=%22The%20Path%20Divided%20by%20Jeanne%20Moran%22%20width=%22100%22%20src=%22https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1545713011l/43345653.jpg%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3C/div%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20style=%22margin:%200%200%200%20110px%20!important;%20padding:%200%200%200%200%20!important;%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ch3%20style=%22margin:%200;%20padding:%200;%20font-size:%2016px;%20line-height:%2020px;%20font-weight:%20normal;%20font-style:%20normal;%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ca%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43345653%22%3EThe%20Path%20Divided%3C/a%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C/h3%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ch4%20style=%22margin:%200%200%2010px;%20padding:%200;%20font-style:%20normal;%20font-weight:%20normal;%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20by%20%3Ca%20style=%22text-decoration:%20none;%22%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7273836.Jeanne_Moran%22%3EJeanne%20Moran%3C/a%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C/h4%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22giveaway_details%22%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Giveaway%20ends%20February%2028,%202019.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C/p%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cp%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20See%20the%20%3Ca%20style=%22text-decoration:%20none;%22%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/288928%22%3Egiveaway%20details%3C/a%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20at%20Goodreads.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C/p%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3C/div%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3C/div%3E%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20style=%22clear:%20both;%22%3E%3C/div%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Ca%20class=%22goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink%22%20rel=%22nofollow%22%20href=%22https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_kindle_giveaway/288928%22%3EEnter%20Giveaway%3C/a%3E%20%20%3C/div%3E%20%3C/div%3E%3Cscript%20src=%22https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/288928%22%20type=%22text/javascript%22%20charset=%22utf-8%22%3E%3C/script%3E">Enter for your chance to win</a> one of 100 Kindle copies of <i>The Path Divided.</i><br />
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Plus, a 5-star review from <a href="https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-path-divided">Reader's Favorite</a>! A thrill for this writer's heart.<br />
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The second book in the Risking Exposure series, A Path Divided is the story of a young girl caught between love and loyalty in Nazi Germany. Renate Muller is fourteen and a member of Hitler’s Youth. At first, she’s dazzled by the opulent rallies and impassioned speeches of the Fuhrer, but then the Party begins targeting her crippled friend, Sophie, and she learns they were responsible for the death of her father. A picture frame with magical properties given to her by a Romani woman shows Renate the paths that she could choose. Will she save her friend and risk the enmity of her devout Nazi brother? Or will she remain loyal to her family and country and turn her back on those who need her? <br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;" />A Path Divided by Jeanne Moran is beautifully written with a captivating story line and sympathetic characters. She takes us back to a very dark time in human history and tells the story of a mostly forgotten group of people: the German children pressed into service and called Hitler’s Youth. Alternating between past and present, between Renate’s point of view and that of her now elderly brother, Moran tells both their stories in a way that humanizes each of them. The vivid descriptions and realistic manner in which the story is told make this a touching, albeit emotionally difficult read. There were few happy endings in Nazi Germany. But stories like this are important. Some things must not be forgotten. A Path Divided is a must-read for people of all ages.</div>
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Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-11254437986246715722019-01-22T10:49:00.001-05:002019-01-22T10:49:07.542-05:00Why I wrote novels set in Nazi Germany, #3This video digs a bit more into the T4 pogrom and Nazi propaganda.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VQAe4J55z0o/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VQAe4J55z0o?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-19775068914385960602019-01-06T16:14:00.002-05:002019-01-06T16:15:31.602-05:00Video #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Rxq6AP2NPcg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rxq6AP2NPcg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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...and there will be more...Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-80036624350901889962018-12-30T06:48:00.001-05:002018-12-30T06:51:13.100-05:00Beginning a video series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jVOjwN6Vp-qM3eum0ms3QdBztNMeH1ufBbRCM1MKkQrkO61lTO9fAoAcY5aa8fbVEmx2oONCw_q8Y8-MaIrwngOUCcfb5qAnXRIiyVEpluFCByag_2_WLSRLK8jyhPai7546erdVEc0t/s1600/Novels+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jVOjwN6Vp-qM3eum0ms3QdBztNMeH1ufBbRCM1MKkQrkO61lTO9fAoAcY5aa8fbVEmx2oONCw_q8Y8-MaIrwngOUCcfb5qAnXRIiyVEpluFCByag_2_WLSRLK8jyhPai7546erdVEc0t/s320/Novels+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the first of what I hope will be a series of videos (available here and on <a href="https://youtu.be/ng-xSf-dmco">YouTube</a>) explaining why 'a nice lady' would write novels set in Nazi Germany. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-89412395609330112982018-12-14T05:37:00.005-05:002018-12-14T05:37:40.696-05:00Taking a holiday breakAs holiday prep cranks up, this blog will be on hiatus for a few weeks.<br />
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Blog readership has declined dramatically in the last couple of years. In January, I'll reexamine whether or not this one should return and in what capacity.<br />
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In the meantime, contact me: authorjeannemoran@gmail.com. Happy Holidays, everyone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ipLpWLpicgMhT52eq7cYkmRf0m5x6N4wPCM6gydcF_ipqmGhnS5rcKZwSyXwxZCH8AJA5i231o8iDnSLKmQ8TTieP-UYVNVkPBgsizker11dBeGng625aHBR-rw5jCfAtNs6P6xVu88e/s1600/happy-holidays-e1450460665353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="985" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ipLpWLpicgMhT52eq7cYkmRf0m5x6N4wPCM6gydcF_ipqmGhnS5rcKZwSyXwxZCH8AJA5i231o8iDnSLKmQ8TTieP-UYVNVkPBgsizker11dBeGng625aHBR-rw5jCfAtNs6P6xVu88e/s320/happy-holidays-e1450460665353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-38545492058467680432018-12-07T07:32:00.000-05:002018-12-07T07:32:17.898-05:009-year-old convinces town council to lift an archaic law banning snowballs<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the last 98 years, <a href="https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/9-year-old-dane-bests-bid-to-end-severances-ban-on-snowball-fights-pushed-onto-the-national-stage/">Severance, Colorado</a> has had an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/05/us/snowball-fight-colorado-ban-repeal.html">ordinance against throwing missiles </a>of any type at trees, buildings, property, or people. According to <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/severance-colorado-overturns-snowball-ban/">Kyle Rietkerk,</a> assistant to the Severance town administrator, snowballs qualify as missiles. </span>Lots of kids have complained about the <a href="https://people.com/human-interest/dane-best-snowball-fight-law-colorado/">snowball ban </a>over the years, and the town leaders have always told them the truth: the power to change the law is in your hands. No one has taken on the task. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until now. This winter, <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/12/05/dane-best-9-year-old-colorado-boy-gets-town-toss-snowball-fight-ban">nine-year-old Dane Best</a> learned about the ordinance when he threw snowballs at his little brother. He decided to do something about it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZWeFHX6PEvSPX_sV3X-TBiQ34CXH9S7yW6_O6E8Ivu5W75gEyhYDjkwBedjabYpXyFESr1Wgfc92x4O-vj-lieUKKbLYqpIdsKF7sxwDoyj2FvjZ7K7LtHOF9u6XxM34HG78FMFEHxbQ/s1600/DtiVwzFU8AA7nGC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZWeFHX6PEvSPX_sV3X-TBiQ34CXH9S7yW6_O6E8Ivu5W75gEyhYDjkwBedjabYpXyFESr1Wgfc92x4O-vj-lieUKKbLYqpIdsKF7sxwDoyj2FvjZ7K7LtHOF9u6XxM34HG78FMFEHxbQ/s320/DtiVwzFU8AA7nGC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dane <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1l9kTHVYDg">gathered signatures from classmates </a>and encouraged them to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/snowball-fights-now-legal-colorado-town-after-9-year-old-n943581">write letters to the city council</a>. He and his family researched the laws in Severance, and learned how to go through the process of getting them changed. Then earlier this week, Dane made his presentation. After the board clarified some of their own questions with the young activist, the s<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/04/673282587/snowball-ban-overturned-in-colorado-town-after-request-from-boy-9">nowball ban was officially lifted</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Celebration broke out. With <a href="https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/12/03/dane-best-changing-illegal-snowballs-law/">TV cameras rolling</a>, Dane had the honor of throwing the first legal snowball in Severance in nearly a century. He also threw the second, at his younger brother Dax. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_UmQ-Th_d1gXKo6XCVw7iwvk8UPdY4poLtnXDsnUCoedzCtgkiGXOT09llInNUzTN-rbaGc0hWZO6fp5ikVNcW5tkbU5JaT-lX0TipUJDOnSkotQJF4qwdBNSw0SJcuVQmhcjfx8wqpZ/s1600/merlin_147701637_bc5aa740-0649-48a1-a64e-a0008ec83590-jumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_UmQ-Th_d1gXKo6XCVw7iwvk8UPdY4poLtnXDsnUCoedzCtgkiGXOT09llInNUzTN-rbaGc0hWZO6fp5ikVNcW5tkbU5JaT-lX0TipUJDOnSkotQJF4qwdBNSw0SJcuVQmhcjfx8wqpZ/s320/merlin_147701637_bc5aa740-0649-48a1-a64e-a0008ec83590-jumbo.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-40389738462797796922018-12-04T07:35:00.004-05:002018-12-04T07:39:03.570-05:00First responders have each other's back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzo1nQoJux-tzuCxNPsnZ7nOQMutEyc8fbuhERF8V6R5Wmq9rkL17qcsbAidlaI2R9rDhpVMTQNZIqmVsUVdPGYcrla4myg_XsbcpliXBSUtkEmzRBGkPr7sNg52llbAfaccco2fQ6av5/s1600/trailer-donated-768x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzo1nQoJux-tzuCxNPsnZ7nOQMutEyc8fbuhERF8V6R5Wmq9rkL17qcsbAidlaI2R9rDhpVMTQNZIqmVsUVdPGYcrla4myg_XsbcpliXBSUtkEmzRBGkPr7sNg52llbAfaccco2fQ6av5/s320/trailer-donated-768x576.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.inspiremore.com/cops-drive-900-miles-to-deliver-camper/">Troy Hill</a>'s place of employment was getting rid of a fully-stocked trailer that was no longer needed. The boss' wife had suggested the trailer be donated to someone who lost their home in California's recent <a href="https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3114/Strangers-Donate-Trailer-To-Family-Who-Lost-Home-In-Camp-Fire">Camp Fire</a>, and the boss wanted Troy's help tracking down the right person.<br />
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Frustrated by his inability to tell a real need from a scam, Hill suggested they contact a first responder. He called the <a href="https://kmph.com/news/local/trailer-donated-to-family-of-butte-county-sheriffs-deputy-who-lost-home-in-camp-fire">sheriff's department</a> in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KMPHFOX26/posts/heartwarming-a-business-in-california-donated-a-trailer-to-a-butte-county-sherif/10158150540764012/">Butte County, California</a>, and within hours was connected with a young officer who had lost everything in the fire. Hill and his boss knew this officer, his wife, and their two children were indeed the family to receive this gift.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgathHe2r9h4k9fsAfhfekrz9aIs1Y3QC8GaaBBAYFsdmtlymNchNJkI6YrQU2nuTYusVKKYhQMjIF65mg75FNIf6gByzWZjHfejgwPcFFU0akSRCcu3uTthuVSrpewZo4XTUhhPOQ6QuS2/s1600/family-rv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="462" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgathHe2r9h4k9fsAfhfekrz9aIs1Y3QC8GaaBBAYFsdmtlymNchNJkI6YrQU2nuTYusVKKYhQMjIF65mg75FNIf6gByzWZjHfejgwPcFFU0akSRCcu3uTthuVSrpewZo4XTUhhPOQ6QuS2/s320/family-rv.jpg" width="234" /></a>All they had to do now was transport the trailer 450 miles to the <a href="https://www.faithpot.com/strangers-donates-rv-family-camp-fire/">homeless family.</a> Again within hours of Hill's plea for help, two off-duty officers volunteered to drive with him (900 round trip in one very long day.) A local business donated their <a href="http://ninemonthclub.com/strangers-donate-trailer-to-family-who-lost-home-in-camp-fire/">heavy-duty truck </a>to carry the load, and friends showed up with bags of toys for the family's children.<br />
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-90972145281919487492018-11-30T07:20:00.000-05:002018-11-30T07:20:44.317-05:00Stranded in an airport for 7 months, refugee finds a home thanks to a Canadian stranger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/stranded-in-airport-for-7-months-syrian-man-hassan-al-kontar-is-granted-asylum-in-canada-1954286">Hassan Al Kontar </a>was stuck. A member of a targeted religious minority, the 37-year-old had <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/11/27/after-living-an-airport-seven-months-syrian-man-is-granted-asylum-canada/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fbd6f5ae1eb1">fled his native Syria</a> and worked in the United Arab Emirates for several years. When his work permit expired and Syria was still inhospitable to him, he scrambled to find a country that would issue him a visa. <br /><br />As a Malaysian travel visa was about to expire in March, he readied to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/26/hassan-al-kontar-syrian-refugee-stranded-airport-asylum-canada-vancouver">board a flight to Ecuador.</a> The flight was delayed, and by the time it was ready, that travel visa had expired. There he was at the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syrian-man-stranded-malaysia-airport-eight-months-granted-asylum-canada-n940651">Kuala Lumpur airport,</a> terrified to return to his native Syria, unable to find a country that would accept him. <br /><br />He needed to do something. He created videos of his plight and tweeted them to thousands of followers. He <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43735717">washed in the airport bathrooms</a>, slept under stairwells, and ate whatever leftover airline food generous employees offered him. He crocheted, watered airport plants, and hoped for a savior.<br /><br />Thousands of miles away in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/26/hassan-al-kontar-syrian-refugee-stranded-airport-asylum-canada-vancouver">Whistler</a> in the Canadian province of <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/syrian-refugee-stuck-malaysia-arrives-vancouver-1.4921926">British Columbia</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/27/671180852/after-months-stuck-living-in-airport-syrian-finds-refuge-half-a-world-away">Laurie Cooper</a> was touched by Al Kontar's story. A media relations consultant living in a log cabin, Cooper volunteers with charitable nonprofits and rallied others to the man's cause. They raised over $20,000 to <a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/after-living-in-airport-for-7-months-refugee-lands-in-canada/">sponsor him</a>, secured him a full-time job offer, and identified close relatives living in Canada. All that effort and leg work for a perfect stranger. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P6fHbzD_FW6AjzUqKZjGPkwAQbitLcyDI48mnjVXJguHRJj2ga8IjcH_KZr0R3p_xac0jDa3cTf2Em1BBjAwQC30NRWHxiMYwhMZigXRwHCNidU-x_XzlrD6-EzkdUuOh0wp2WjTI16K/s1600/npr-18331168738039---11-27-18_slide-0faedcc473045d3f720760a280c4e9b093c6fe9f-s800-c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P6fHbzD_FW6AjzUqKZjGPkwAQbitLcyDI48mnjVXJguHRJj2ga8IjcH_KZr0R3p_xac0jDa3cTf2Em1BBjAwQC30NRWHxiMYwhMZigXRwHCNidU-x_XzlrD6-EzkdUuOh0wp2WjTI16K/s400/npr-18331168738039---11-27-18_slide-0faedcc473045d3f720760a280c4e9b093c6fe9f-s800-c85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Despite a number of complications, including Al Kontar's arrest and detention for loitering without a boarding pass, Cooper and friends persevered. Al Kontar was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/26/hassan-al-kontar-syrian-refugee-stranded-airport-asylum-canada-vancouver">granted asylum in Canada</a>. His saviors were present to greet the thin, unshaven, incredibly grateful man when he arrived in Vancouver this week. <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 28px;">
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Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-5613852643939028052018-11-27T07:44:00.002-05:002018-11-27T07:44:29.372-05:00A sixth-grader's thank you kept this serviceman going - and now they've met<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iaMZx3V7cJ8M8v1z5hIS-BOvOfTApUsYa7E8WXroBNFAzTulQl8y_-ZLRDPV8USovjGHi8tVL1kdOybkVflzKNSSltj-wOwjiby_eocyigiVbjxOoA_GYVmFyWAie24lo5VZonn9CbOt/s1600/xzqm9-vietnam-vet-letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="700" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iaMZx3V7cJ8M8v1z5hIS-BOvOfTApUsYa7E8WXroBNFAzTulQl8y_-ZLRDPV8USovjGHi8tVL1kdOybkVflzKNSSltj-wOwjiby_eocyigiVbjxOoA_GYVmFyWAie24lo5VZonn9CbOt/s320/xzqm9-vietnam-vet-letter.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the <a href="https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3095/Soldier-Says-A-Stranger-039-s-Christmas-Card-Got-Him-Through-Vietnam-He-Just-Met-The-Sender">Vietnam War</a>, <a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/48-years-after-reading-the-christmas-card-that-got-him-through-the-vietnam-war-he-finally-got-to-meet-the-sender/">John Metzler</a> was a 23-year-old helicopter gunner. He knew that the US was divided on our involvement in the war, and that each day might be his last. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On <a href="https://theweek.com/speedreads/809264/veteran-meets-stranger-whose-christmas-card-lifted-spirits-during-vietnam-war">Christmas Day 1970</a>, Metzler got a card from a sixth-grader he didn't know. In part, it read, <span style="background-color: white;">"Dear Serviceman, I want to give my sincere thanks for going over to war to fight for us. The class hopes you will be able to come home." It was signed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KLBKNews/posts/john-metzler-keeps-the-letter-he-said-got-him-through-the-vietnam-war-tucked-beh/2177683342244882/">"DonnaCaye."</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even though the card wasn't addressed directly to him, Metzler took the girl's thanks personally. Knowing that <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/11/the-letter-from-a-stranger-that-helped-a-soldier-through-the-vietnam-war.html">someone had thanked him </a>for what he was doing made a huge difference in his ability to cope with the stresses of his tour. He kept the note through his tour of duty and brought it home with him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For over 40 years, the young girl's words have lived behind a photo of Metzler as a young soldier. Recently, he asked family members to try to find DonnaCaye. They told him they tried, but were not successful.</span></span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c7VgcMyVsR4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c7VgcMyVsR4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In truth, they did find her. They flew her from Florida to meet the serviceman at a <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/418198-veteran-meets-stranger-who-sent-him-christmas-card-during">veteran's event </a>near his Idaho home. You can watch their touching interaction as captured by CBS News. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-5757288465539137302018-11-20T17:13:00.000-05:002018-11-20T17:13:07.164-05:00Finally!With a good print copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1728729157">The Path Divided</a> in my hands, I can now say - it's done! The kindle version debuted at the #1 spot in its category, which just blows me away. I know many readers waited for the print version to meet my approval, so hopefully they'll all get the word that it's good to go.<br />
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Now the marketing and search for reviewers begins in earnest. Fingers crossed, this blog will return to its standard format next week. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGQtJN1evs6Y9c-12VnEpWxdVBaG8KU_Qqv_xjfyJu3R7eQS3mYm1_CGWq-jwF3nMK7FBReRYDyQ0pEwysWzJ7-Fl0vYchwq8tEYSsx2lfYiYZEwiT2TjwAaMk5U-OQHU5r07ws2TkqAX/s1600/IMG_3512.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGQtJN1evs6Y9c-12VnEpWxdVBaG8KU_Qqv_xjfyJu3R7eQS3mYm1_CGWq-jwF3nMK7FBReRYDyQ0pEwysWzJ7-Fl0vYchwq8tEYSsx2lfYiYZEwiT2TjwAaMk5U-OQHU5r07ws2TkqAX/s640/IMG_3512.PNG" width="358" /></a></div>
Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-55763248687191257712018-11-16T13:09:00.000-05:002018-11-16T13:09:22.996-05:00Lessons in patienceI can patiently wait for certain things to happen in their own time - plants to flower, children to grow, Christmas to come. Other things, not so much with the patience. Traffic gridlock. Injustice. Sweet-talking politicians.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjOSCrmQ25cA53P4RPTbP6T6PYosn9AvQ7agAGTQVhtohNgJ0swMYz_kD4bOjMLnNIY2lQR9_xtLoS3oM4HhJHapztCxGsJfhpWfYaeC7DGrb6FkLUIr10AXow9t3u2mlT0A2IYqg0AZv/s1600/TPD%252C+final+cover+tiff.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjOSCrmQ25cA53P4RPTbP6T6PYosn9AvQ7agAGTQVhtohNgJ0swMYz_kD4bOjMLnNIY2lQR9_xtLoS3oM4HhJHapztCxGsJfhpWfYaeC7DGrb6FkLUIr10AXow9t3u2mlT0A2IYqg0AZv/s320/TPD%252C+final+cover+tiff.tif" width="212" /></a><br />
And computers.<br />
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When the little spinning thing I call the wheel of death tells me to wait while something loads, I ask it - Now what are you doing? Why are you taking so long? Yes, I really say that as my husband will verify.<br />
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So imagine my frustration in trying to get the print version of T<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KGHFQLH">he Path Divided </a>uploaded and ready to go. Inconsistent directions, file errors, and worst of all, a beautiful cover which, when seen on Amazon's thumbnail, looks as if it was covered in fog.<br />
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I'm trying hard to be patient as I work to correct these problems and get this project out into the world. I want to share what I've learned with readers, to take their hearts away from people who did wrong and focus on those who try to do what's right. That's what I try to do with all my writing.<br />
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Here's hoping I have the patience to make this work!<br />
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<br />Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701505747102838690.post-76159644292227108862018-11-13T07:19:00.000-05:002018-11-13T07:19:20.142-05:00New release!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The conclusion of the story I began in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Risking-Exposure-Jeanne-Moran-ebook/dp/B00F7QM95G">Risking Exposure</a></i> will be released this Thursday, November 15th! Historical events included are the Nuremberg Rally, Kristallnacht, and the Kindertransport, all seen through the eyes of my teenage characters.<br />
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This amazing cover was created by <a href="http://michaeljprausch.com/">Michael Rausch</a>.Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189348909598343019noreply@blogger.com0