Linda Naseem's Blog, page 3
April 20, 2017
Denver
I spoke at Metropolitan State University in Denver last Tuesday. The class was "Intro to Human Services" --all the students are planning to be either substance abuse counselors or involved in management of non-profits.
Lovely class.
On my way home I saw a snow-covered Pike's Peak most of the way, even though the temperature in Denver was 78 (F).
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Colorado:
I live about an hour's drive (depending on traffic) south of Denver.
Denver is called the "Mile-High City" because it is the distance of a mile above sea-level.
My home, Colorado Springs, is almost a thousand feet higher in altitude than Denver.
Colorado has 52 mountains that are over 14,000 feet high (between 4,000 and 5,000 meters if you use the metric system).
Pikes' Peak is one of those. Colorado Springs nestles at the foot of this gorgeous mountain, where the rolling plains meet the Rockies.
I hope someday you will get the chance to see these mountains. I love them--they are my anchor, my roots, my inspiration.
Lovely class.
On my way home I saw a snow-covered Pike's Peak most of the way, even though the temperature in Denver was 78 (F).
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Colorado:
I live about an hour's drive (depending on traffic) south of Denver.
Denver is called the "Mile-High City" because it is the distance of a mile above sea-level.
My home, Colorado Springs, is almost a thousand feet higher in altitude than Denver.
Colorado has 52 mountains that are over 14,000 feet high (between 4,000 and 5,000 meters if you use the metric system).
Pikes' Peak is one of those. Colorado Springs nestles at the foot of this gorgeous mountain, where the rolling plains meet the Rockies.
I hope someday you will get the chance to see these mountains. I love them--they are my anchor, my roots, my inspiration.
April 7, 2017
Trip to Phoenix
My trip to Phoenix was great! I took my oldest grandson along to help with the driving, and we spent the first night on the Navajo Nation. I have a good friend there that we visited and yes, she weaves and makes jewelry--so I came home with new earrings and bracelet.
Phoenix was lovely--if you've never been to Arizona, it is an amazing state. The north has pine forests and snow. Phoenix, in the southern half of the state, is in a desert filled with saguaro cacti, and in March it is in the 70's & 80's. (Don't go to Phoenix in August---you'll roast).
I spoke at Arizona State in Phoenix and have been asked to return in the fall, so that was cool.
Our trip home included driving through the Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Parks. My grandson got a pendant with a piece of petrified wood that is more than 200 million years old.
We left Phoenix a little after 7 am & got home at 2 am that night. Would've been shorter without the time spent in the state parks, but not bad.
My next speaking engagement will be at Metropolitan State University in Denver on April 18. That's only an hour's drive from my home.
Phoenix was lovely--if you've never been to Arizona, it is an amazing state. The north has pine forests and snow. Phoenix, in the southern half of the state, is in a desert filled with saguaro cacti, and in March it is in the 70's & 80's. (Don't go to Phoenix in August---you'll roast).
I spoke at Arizona State in Phoenix and have been asked to return in the fall, so that was cool.
Our trip home included driving through the Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Parks. My grandson got a pendant with a piece of petrified wood that is more than 200 million years old.
We left Phoenix a little after 7 am & got home at 2 am that night. Would've been shorter without the time spent in the state parks, but not bad.
My next speaking engagement will be at Metropolitan State University in Denver on April 18. That's only an hour's drive from my home.
March 25, 2017
Phoenix
I am on my way to speak at Arizona State in Phoenix next week. I will be speaking to an Exercise & Wellness class on Substance Abuse & Addictive Behaviors. The Dr. wants me to talk about my own experiences, which I wrote into NOTHING (along with other peoples' experiences), and I had hoped that I would be done with that. So it will be interesting. i have had dreams about my ex again, but not the nightmares that i had when i was with him. Now they are "I pity him" dreams.
I will also be speaking to parents at the Tempe Baha'i Information Center about creating families that protect kids from substance abuse -- since our whole advertising world encourages the use of substances to solve problems rather than working them out. (Pharmaceutical companies won't make money if everyone finds ways to solve their problems without the use of drugs--and it is an easy jump from a prescribed or OTC med to an illegal one.)
And on the way i will be visiting a friend who lives on the Navajo Nation--i am so excited!
I will also be speaking to parents at the Tempe Baha'i Information Center about creating families that protect kids from substance abuse -- since our whole advertising world encourages the use of substances to solve problems rather than working them out. (Pharmaceutical companies won't make money if everyone finds ways to solve their problems without the use of drugs--and it is an easy jump from a prescribed or OTC med to an illegal one.)
And on the way i will be visiting a friend who lives on the Navajo Nation--i am so excited!
February 8, 2017
what writers do
Thanks to everyone who signed up for my giveaway. i am always amazed at the number of people who do.
So---what do writers do when they aren't writing?
I like to try out new recipes. i really don't like to cook but i like to eat, i collect recipes & when i have time, try them. I found out a few years ago that my dad's people were Croatian (he told us they were Austrian), so i got a Croatian cookbook and try one every now and then. the latest was called "eggplant & zucchini moussaka"--eggplant & zucchini layered with ground beef & covered with a lot of sour cream and baked. Tasted pretty good.
So---what do writers do when they aren't writing?
I like to try out new recipes. i really don't like to cook but i like to eat, i collect recipes & when i have time, try them. I found out a few years ago that my dad's people were Croatian (he told us they were Austrian), so i got a Croatian cookbook and try one every now and then. the latest was called "eggplant & zucchini moussaka"--eggplant & zucchini layered with ground beef & covered with a lot of sour cream and baked. Tasted pretty good.
January 27, 2017
Selling books
I will be selling NOTHING at the 43rd Psychotherapy Associates Winter Symposium in Colorado Springs, Jan 29 - Feb1. At the Hotel Elegante on South Circle Drive.
If you happen to be in the area drop by & say hi!
If you happen to be in the area drop by & say hi!
January 7, 2017
Goodreads giveaway
If you aren't already aware of it, I have a giveaway going on now on Goodreads. 10 copies of NOTHING (signed).
It will end on February 2.
It will end on February 2.
December 31, 2016
A New Year's Meditation
(I cut this out of a newspaper years ago, and have it framed on my wall)
"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' and he replied 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God - that shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."
(author unknown)
My New Year's wish for all of you is that you find that Hand that will guide you through the unknown, and help yu find joy.
"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' and he replied 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God - that shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."
(author unknown)
My New Year's wish for all of you is that you find that Hand that will guide you through the unknown, and help yu find joy.
November 22, 2016
I spoke in Ohio
Last Friday I spoke to the Chemical Dependency students at Stark State College of Technology in Canton, Ohio -- my dad's home town.
The program was arranged by Ms. Shirley Stroud Riddle, their instructor, and included press releases in the local newspaper, book sales, and a microphone to use in the auditorium (which seated 90). i was pleased to discover that, even though my voice is the peep of a gnat and not the screech of an eagle, everyone could hear me without the mike.
I also presented a copy of NOTHING to the Stark County Public Library, and met with my friend Caroline Caskey, historian, who has just published a book called HISTORY OF THE FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN'S HOME, which is the orphanage outside of Canton where my father lived from the age of 5 until he was 12.
i would include pictures of these people but, being the non-tech person that i am, i can't figure out how to add them (sad face) !!!!!
The program was arranged by Ms. Shirley Stroud Riddle, their instructor, and included press releases in the local newspaper, book sales, and a microphone to use in the auditorium (which seated 90). i was pleased to discover that, even though my voice is the peep of a gnat and not the screech of an eagle, everyone could hear me without the mike.
I also presented a copy of NOTHING to the Stark County Public Library, and met with my friend Caroline Caskey, historian, who has just published a book called HISTORY OF THE FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN'S HOME, which is the orphanage outside of Canton where my father lived from the age of 5 until he was 12.
i would include pictures of these people but, being the non-tech person that i am, i can't figure out how to add them (sad face) !!!!!
October 11, 2016
Kindle sale
The Kindle version of NOTHING is on sale through the 16th for 99 cents (regular price $2.99).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF9Q6XS
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF9Q6XS
September 18, 2016
Sheridan College
Just wanted to share how great the class was. An hour and forty minutes of discussion: i asked questions & the students asked questions, really good questions like "what do you mean you were mourning someone who was still alive as if they were dead?" (p.12) What do you think? Is a functioning body all that is needed to be alive? Is the human heart a physical thing or is it possibly, like the poets say, the seat of love? and when one is incapable of love....?
The instructor made NOTHING required reading for her addictions studies students and she is now going to also have her Social Problems students read it.
Pretty cool, huh!
By the way, for those of you who have never been to Wyoming---it is miles and miles and miles of windswept plains, rock formations in many different colors, wide wide blue sky. I love it. Maybe my next place to live, who knows.
Nothing
The instructor made NOTHING required reading for her addictions studies students and she is now going to also have her Social Problems students read it.
Pretty cool, huh!
By the way, for those of you who have never been to Wyoming---it is miles and miles and miles of windswept plains, rock formations in many different colors, wide wide blue sky. I love it. Maybe my next place to live, who knows.
Nothing
