Kristen L. Jackson's Blog, page 5

Movie Magic...Holiday Style

In my family, a big part of the holiday season involves watching Christmas movies. The entire month of December is filled with them. These movies represent the holiday season, and are an essential tradition that has been followed faithfully every year since I was a kid.Some of the best lines we quote all year long come from our favorites. My oldest son remembers all the lines from every movie he's ever seen, and zings out one-liners faster than you can say, "Merry Christmas!"In honor of this tradition, I thought I'd make a compilation of movie pictures and quotes borrowed from a few of our favorites. Here's to a little movie magic...holiday style!Go get some hot chocolate, your fuzzy slippers, and a bucket of buttery popcorn. Sit back and enjoy the show!Some of Our Favorites![image error]Merry Christmas, everyone! In the hustle and bustle of the season, make sure you take the time to stop and enjoy your family traditions with your family!*With special thanks to Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, It's a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, Shrek the Halls, Home Alone, Elf, While You Were Sleeping, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle All the Way, The Nativity Story, Christmas With the Kranks, The Polar Express, The Year Without a Santa Claus, A Christmas CarolKristen L JacksonAuthor of KEEPER OF THE WATCH, release date 2/1/18Pre-orders Available Now At:http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/keeperofthewatchAmazon.comBN.comFind me on:Facebook @kristenjacksonauthorTwitter @KLJacksonAuthorInstagram @krisjack504Good Reads Kristen L. JacksonTumblr Kristen Jackson Authorhttps://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthorkristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.com

Happy Birthday To My Son!

Happy Birthday, Jordan!Today's the day. My first-born child turns 27 today. Twenty-seven! How can it be possible that a child of mine is approaching 30?I remember my Mom saying things like "Time flies" and "It seems like only yesterday," but I never truly understood. Until now.It really does seem like only yesterday that Jordan was toddling around carrying Brio Thomas the Tank Engine trains everywhere he went. He could tell you the name of every character in the show, and build the most amazing tracks with the wooden pieces. His tiny pterodactyl 'Petri' went with him everywhere he went, and we tucked him in each night along with his favorite Simba stuffed animal, and he said his prayers. I remember he had the most adorable voice, and if I close my eyes, I can hear it now. Sniffle-sniffle.Today, he turns 27. He's a responsible adult, and an automotive technician. Now he builds real engines. One long-ago Christmas, Santa brought him a toy engine. The rest is history. Back then, he was the light of our lives. Today, he and his brother still are.Some things never change.Some BackgroundMy husband and I married young. We were only 19 and 20 years old ourselves when we tied the knot, and Jordan arrived in the same year, making us the youngest parents in my son's class. We like to say we grew up with him, which in a lot of ways is accurate. It wasn't always easy, and we learned a lot along the way. Together. That's the most important thing. Despite being first-time parents battling the ignorance of youth, I like to think we did more than okay. When I look at our sons, I know we did. That's not to say that we didn't make any mistakes; everyone does. But those mistakes were always based in love.Jordan taught us as much as we taught him. We learned what it means to put another's needs before our own. We learned what it means to truly love someone, so much that it brings tears to your eyes. We learned what it means to be a parent, and a friend. We learned to be a family.We Love YouFrom the moment he was born, Jordan was an easy child. He laughed early, smiled a lot, and found contentment in the smallest of things. He helped us name his brother, Jeremy, and also named the cat, Casper, after the then newly-released Casper movie.He's always been creative, and when he set his mind to do something, he did it. His patience when involved in whatever claimed the title of his current interest at the time was endless, and that's something that's still true today.Today, we are proud to call this grown-up man our son. He is everything those two kids dreamed of for him, and so much more. Whether cheering for the Eagles and Flyers, or just hanging out to watch a movie, we cherish this blessing that entered our lives on December 2nd, 1990, and wouldn't change a moment of our lives together. Happy Birthday, Jordan! We love you!Kristen L Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCH coming 2/1/18Available for Pre-order at:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: Kristen Jackson AuthorGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.com

I Need a Christmas Miracle! Eight Tips For Christmas Shopping Success

Christmas is exactly one month away, and I'm nowhere near ready. My mom has been wrapping gifts for the past month, and I've barely started my shopping. The inevitable panic is beginning to set in.Coming up with the perfect gift idea gets harder each year. When my boys were young, it was easy. As preschoolers, whatever train or dinosaur toy caught their eye was all that was needed. As they grew, so did their interests. Gaming, Jurassic Park, Pokemon, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings...all sure-fire ways to their hearts. One year, we went on a surprise trip to Disney World on December 26th! What can compare to Disney under the tree, I ask you?Now that my sons are legally grown adults, it's become harder. Gift cards? Money? Clothing? Help!Boys, I need ideas! Holiday gift shopping can be the most stressful time of the year. (Yes, yes, it's also the most wonderful time of the year, but come on. You know what I mean.)So here are a few tips to help your shopping go smoothly. Eight Tips for Christmas Shopping Success1. Make A List.Check it not twice, but a thousand times. If you know exactly what you're looking for, it will make your life a whole lot easier. Get in, get out. That's my motto.Whenever you can...2. Shop Online!Lots of places offer free shipping, so take advantage of it. Just make sure to order with plenty of time for it to arrive before the end of the month.But, if you have to go out into the shopping world...3. DON'T SHOP ON WEEKENDS IN DECEMBEREspecially at malls. I know this from personal experience. Go on a weekday evening after work or if possible, on a weekday morning. Hordes are not quite as big at those times, and you'll save yourself time spent standing in line, both inside the store and out. (It can feel like you've jumped right into an episode of 'The Walking Dead'!)I once got caught in traffic trying to leave the mall parking lot for two hours!4. Keep A Bottle Of Advil In Your Possession At All Times.It's not a matter of if you'll need it, it's when you'll need it. Best to be prepared.5. Stay Caffeinated.Very important. You'll need all your wits about you when you enter the retail environment.6. Be Prepared For EVERYTHING!If you're braced for the worst-case scenario, things won't seem as bad in comparison. Unless the worst happens, in which case you should...7. Take Deep BreathsDeep breathing can help your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal in super-stressful situations.But if you're beyond the point where intentional breathing can help...8. Go Home!There's always tomorrow. You don't have to get all your Christmas shopping done at once. Unless, of course, you waited until December 24th to go shopping. If that's the case...I don't have any words of wisdom to get you through. You'll just have to suck it up, and SHOP!Of course, I'm in trouble, because I'm stuck back at #1. Sigh.Hey family, I really need suggestions!To the rest of you, get out there and shop. I wish you luck in your journey to prepare for the biggest holiday of the year. Only four more shopping weeks until the big day. Get ready, get set...shop! And good luck!Kristen L JacksonAuthor of KEEPER OF THE WATCH, release date 2/1/18Now Available for Pre-order at:http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/keeperofthewatchAmazonBarnes & NobleFind me on:Facebook @kristenjacksonauthorTwitter @KLJacksonAuthorInstagram @krisjack504Good Reads Kristen L. JacksonTumblr Kristen Jackson Authorhttps://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthorkristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.com

Beneath the Waves - Take a Sneak Peek at Chapter Two of My Current (Unfinished) Work In Progress!

Dear Readers,In honor of reaching my weekend goal of 60,000 words in the novel I'm currently working on, I'd like to share Chapter 2 of BENEATH THE WAVES in its entirety. Since this is an unfinished novel, it has not been edited. I shared Chapter 1 when I reached 20,000 words a few months ago. (That excerpt can be found on my Facebook author page: Kristen Jackson Author.)The story begins with the introduction of several separate characters, so in this chapter you will meet completely new characters. I hope you enjoy it!KristenChapter 2Nauset Beach, Orleans, Massachusetts     Maggie Lee Johnson walked at a leisurely pace, bare feet leaving footprints in their wake on the sand. She loved the feel of the cool, damp sand against her feet, and stopped to push her painted pink toes deeper into the gritty softness. Wiggling them, she reveled in the feel of it. Face raised to the sea breeze, the wind tickled her skin, and she sighed contentedly. After a few moments, she wandered on.     Shielding her eyes, she looked out over the churning waters as a feeling of utter peacefulness washed over her. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.     In the hush of sunrise, her husband of 28 years lay sleeping in the homey cottage they had rented for the week. Maggie had always been an early riser, and since this was the last day of their much anticipated vacation, she did not want to miss a thing. She breathed deep of the salty air, and continued on her stroll.     As she ambled along, she once again gazed out across the horizon, and watched in pure amazement as a dolphin leaped out of the water. She stopped and clapped her hands, unthinkingly mimicking a child-like reaction that one of her students might have. A giggle escaped her, and she immediately searched for her camera without taking her eyes off the place she had spotted the animal. Oh no! I forgot my camera. Again.     She sighed and shook her head. She always forgot her camera, and she had left her phone back in the cottage as well. Her husband, Mike, would never believe her without pictures to prove the sighting, or at least that’s what he would say … Maggie Lee smiled as she predicted his anticipated teasing.     “Did you see that? A dolphin!” Pointing, Maggie Lee jumped up and down as the words tumbled out of her mouth in excitement.     A couple walking hand in hand stopped to look out to sea in the direction she had indicated, shading their eyes from the rising sun glaring off the water.     “Are you sure? Sometimes the waves look a lot like sea creatures.” The man shrugged his shoulders, and they continued on their way.     “Wait! Right there … keep watching that spot. They usually travel in pods, so there can’t be just one…there!” Maggie Lee clapped again as another fin broke the surface of the water.      She couldn’t wait to share this experience with her students back home in Brockton, MA, after school resumed in, let’s see, exactly 36 days. It will fit perfectly with my unit on mammals.     She loved having summers off, but she was always ready to begin a new school year after a summer away. After so many days off, boredom inevitably set in and she was eager for the challenges that came with a new school year. Maggie Lee was a person of action. Laziness was not in her blood.     Though she was 55 years old, she did not look forward to retirement as most people her age did. On the contrary, she dreaded it. Maggie Lee was a teacher. Her job defined her. She had not been blessed with children of her own, and she did not know what direction her life would take when she no longer had her students to dedicate her life to.     Snapping herself back to the present, oblivious to how long she stood in that spot, she watched the dolphin pod traveling parallel to the beach until they disappeared from view. Even then she continued to watch the horizon, just in case they decided to return. Once again, she lifted her face to the ocean breeze as it ruffled her shoulder-length, curly, once natural but now dyed-blond hair, and the feel of the sand under her bare feet.     “There you are.” Mike’s arms wound around her midsection from behind, as he kissed her cheek and rested his head on top of hers, whiskers catching her hair.     A laugh escaped. “You’re awake.” Her eyes sparkled up at him.     Nodding, he paused to look out and ponder the ocean waves as his wife did. To Maggie, his arms personified his inner strength and his total acceptance of her for who she was, and she sighed and leaned back into him.     Reaching down to place her arms on top of his, she gave a gentle squeeze. Loving the feel of him against her, she told him about the dolphin pod, blue eyes glowing with excitement as she shared the news.     “They were beautiful, Mike. I wish you could have seen them with me.”     As she’d known he would, he joked, “Are you sure it wasn’t a sea gull, or a piece of driftwood floating on the waves? Or even a cardboard box? There’s a lot of litter in the ocean these days.”     She playfully punched him in the arm. “I know what I saw. It was a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waves.”     “Hey, I saw a sign about a Whale and Dolphin tour at the marina. How about we go book that tour before we leave? Then we’ll be sure to see real dolphins today. Maybe some whales, too. The brochure boasts this is one of the best places to view whales in the world.” He looked down to wink at her. “What do you think?” Her heart picked up its beat when he smiled, even after all these years.     “I love that idea! Sounds like a plan. I just want to walk a bit further to see if I can find more seashells for school. Walk with me?”     “Coffee. I need coffee. I’ll go back and sit on the balcony with my coffee while you finish your walk, and I’ll call the marina to book our tour.” Reaching out, he placed her cell phone in her hand. “You forgot this. Enjoy your walk.” Giving her another peck on the cheek, he stumbled back in the direction of the rented house.     “I’ll meet you there in 30 minutes.” She smiled as the sun glinted off Mike’s smooth head.     For a moment she saw him as he’d been when they had first met, with a full head of curly, strawberry blond hair. Though she’d loved his curls, she thought he was even more handsome now.     Like all marraiges, theirs had had its ups and downs, but they’d always survived life’s many challenges together. The biggest of which was their childlessness. They had never blamed each other, and eventually had accepted that they were just not meant to be parents.     Heaven knew, she couldn’t live without him. She thanked God for bringing Mike into her life every day. If teaching defined her, Mike completed her. He was her true other half. The corners of her mouth lifted. Hopeless romantic.     Dreamily walking along, she spied a huge slipper shell up ahead. She hoped it was intact. This would be an amazing discovery! I’ll take it to school to show my students, and then I’ll take it home. I know just where I can put it … on the end table in the living room, right next to my pottery class vase. Picking up her pace, she practically jogged to reach the shell.     As she bent to remove the shell from the seaweed surrounding it, something mometarily blinded her. She held up her hand to sheild her eyes from the bright glint of the sun reflecting off of something to the left of the shell.     Slipper momentarily forgotten, she picked up the small object in wonder. She ran her thumb over the cool surface in awe, and knew she had stumbled right into some kind of mystery. She had never seen anything like the shiny trinket she now held in the palm of her hand. It looked …otherworldly.     She looked around to see if an early morning beach walker like herself had dropped it, but saw no one nearby.     I’ll take it back to the cottage and ask around.     Forgetting the slipper shell completely, she turned back the way she’d come and began walking at a brisk pace, clutching her discovery in her hand as if she would never let it go. Kristen Jackson is the author of KEEPER OF THE WATCH, Release date 2/1/18, which is available for pre-order now through:AmazonBlack Rose WritingYou can find me on:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorTwitter:  @KLJacksonAuthorGood Reads: Kristen JacksonInstagram:  @krisjack504Tumblr:  Kristen Jackson AuthorYahoo:  kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.com

Living A Thankful Life

"Gratitude is the inner feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." -Henry Van DykeHere it is. The end of November.That time of year when we are reminded to give thanks for our many blessings. And, of course, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.I am thankful for my family, my home, my health.I'm truly thankful to live in a country of freedom, despite our many differences.I give thanks that I live comfortably; knowing the water will run, heat will keep us warm, and food will always be on the table.I know others have it far worse than I do, and I'm humbled.Despite knowing how lucky I've been, I still find that sometimes, for whatever reason, it seems easier to focus on the negatives.I struggle with celebrating yet another holiday without my dad, and I think about how much I miss him and wish he was here.I think of my grandmother, who is still here- but isn't- because dementia has taken huge chunks of her away from us. I get angry because my husband was forced into a job-change, causing him to leave the place of employment and co-workers he loved. I feel frustration because there aren't enough hours in a week to devote to writing my current work in progress. It sometimes seems as if I'll never finish!The list could go on, as I'm sure it could for everyone. This year, I've decided to dig a little deeper. To take a look at the bigger picture.I know the things I'm thankful for. I truly am blessed.And I'm going to search out the positives within the negatives. Instead of focusing on another holiday without dad, I'm going to take time to remember how lucky we were to have him for all the years he was with us, and revel in the memories. And I will celebrate that Mom is still with us.I'll hug my grandmother, glad she's still here and that I can give her back all the love and comfort she has always given me. This role-reversal has taught me a lot about patience and what it truly means to love.I'm giving thanks that my husband is employed, even if it's not where he thought he'd be. He's always taken good care of my sons and I, and this surprise job change could end up being a blessing in disguise. Less hours and a more flexible schedule gives us more family time. Together. That's what really matters. I will be happy for every smidgeon of progress I make in my writing, ever grateful that I've found at this stage of my life something I love to do so much that I miss it when I can't spend time on it. I know I'll finish the novel, because the story won't let me rest if I don't!I am thankful, for so many things. When I find myself drifting toward the negatives, I will pull myself back to all of the countless positives in my life. I hope you all have a positively festive Thanksgiving day, spent with the most important people in your life.And when the potatoes burn, the gravy spills, and the kids are screaming...Remind yourself to find the good hiding within the bad, and enjoy your day!Happy Thanksgiving!Kristen L JacksonAuthor of KEEPER OF THE WATCH, release date 2/1/18http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/keeperofthewatch Find me on:Facebook @kristenjacksonauthorTwitter @KLJacksonAuthorInstagram @krisjack504Good Reads Kristen L. JacksonTumblr Kristen Jackson Authorhttps://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthorkristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.com

Why Are Dog Owners So Happy?

Okay, Dog-lovers! You know this has happened to you:Early morning, keys in hand, you're ready to leave for work and you spot your dog's droopy eyes silently begging you not to go. All you want to do is stay home with your canine friend...But you're relatively sure that your boss won't accept "I'm sorry, my dog doesn't want me to come to work today" as a valid reason to call off work. Non-dog owners would argue that dogs are messy, expensive, and a lot of work. And they would be right on all counts.But in my opinion, and everyone in my family would agree, the benefits we gain by having a dog (or dogs) in our lives far outweigh any negatives. My DogsRight now, I have three dogs. And I'm not talking about small lap-dogs.No, I have three, barrel-chested, jowl flapping, slobber-makers covered in long, shaggy hair. They average approximately 150 lbs. each-- yes I did say each. It's like having three small horses as roommates. Koda, a Bernese mountain dog. Sophie, my Newfoundland. And 'baby' Chewie, a Saint Bernese (Bernese mountain dog/Saint Bernard mix.) It's comical, really. In my tiny, semi-detached house, with four adult humans and three giant dogs, there's not much room to walk when all three canines are stretched out on the floor.Cooking is like a dance because, if I'm in the kitchen, they're in the kitchen. And I wouldn't want it any other way.Step to the left, lift your leg, twist and...spin! The amount of hair they shed each year could knit blankets for everyone in the state of Pennsylvania! Sometimes, hairballs the size of baseballs can be spotted in the corners of my living room.And yes. Large-breed dogs like to eat. A lot.Benefits of Being a Dog OwnerBut it's all worth it! It doesn't matter if I've been gone for five minutes or five hours. The ecstatic greeting is always the same. Happy feet, tails wagging, a leaning 'hug'...pure joy. No matter what kind of day I've had, the sight of those three never fails to put a smile on my face.I don't need a therapist, a pill, or even alcohol. I've got something better. Unconditional love. Times three.I'll happily get up at 5 am on the weekends, brush their undercoat out, bathe them, fill their water dish a hundred times each day, and wipe the slobber off the walls. Because they give back so much to me.Koda sits next to me every morning as I drink my morning coffee, and lays up against me on the weekends while I'm writing. Just knowing he's there inspires me.Sophie lets you know she loves you by placing her paw on you. She's much more reserved than the boys, but that only makes you appreciate her small gestures of affection even more. And Chewie gives the best hugs! Each night, he sits next to me on the couch and lays his head on top of mine. What a feeling, being so loved by such a gentle soul.Dogs...Good For Your Health?And the benefits don't stop at mental health.Recent research shows that dogs can actually be good for your physical health. "Ongoing research is showing that the health benefits of owning a dog are undeniable. Dog owners have lower blood pressure and healthier cholesterol levels, and a lower risk of heart disease, than non-owners." - Get Healthy, Get a Dog; Harvard Health Publishing Dogs can also be great ice-breakers on the social front. Anytime I walk my dogs, I end up in a conversation, usually with someone I've never met before. And fellow dog-owners seem like long-lost friends as you happily share dog stories. (I like to call it Dog-Nation!)And let's not forget the added benefit of taking walks. Exercise that's good for both you and your dog.Proud Dog OwnerMy dogs are a part of my family. It's as simple as that.They give something back to each member of my family. We all love them as much as they love us.In the words of one of my favorite authors, “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”—Dean Koontz (author, Whispers)I am, and will always be, a dog-lover. Life without dogs seems unimaginable and empty.So, please don't judge me by the nose-prints on my front window, or the claw marks on my door.Judge me by the amount of love inside.“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” —Josh Billings

If Adults Followed Children's Rules...

"The future of the world is in my classroom today." -Richard Cohen I work with preschool children every day. I'm a teacher. At my school, we work hard to help shape our students into polite, functioning members of society. Social skills begin to develop at a very young age. Much younger than most people think. In a weekly class (and every day in the classroom), we strive to teach 3, 4, and 5-year old children the social skills necessary to succeed...not just in a preschool classroom, but for the rest of their lives.Believe it or not, it can be done! Every day, with just a little guidance, I hear children saying things like: "May I have that when you're done?" and the response, "Yes, you can have it when I'm done." Or, "I didn't like it when you called me that." "I'm sorry, I won't do it again." Children can be taught these things from a very young age. Of course, I also talk the children through all kinds of negative situations...from grabbing, to hitting, to yelling...but that is a necessary part of the learning process. They'll never learn if they don't fail sometimes. I'd like to think the lessons we teach will remain with them for the rest of their lives. At least that is my hope. The other day, while I was guiding two of my 3-year olds through sharing a toy that they both wanted, I flashed back to two adults I had witnessed yelling at each other at the grocery store over a parking space. You can picture the scene: Curse words, loud voices, lots of gawkers. If it had been my students, I would have said, "Use your talking voice" and "Be kind. Being mean doesn't solve anything." Of course, I didn't say any of those things. I kept walking and went into the store to do some last-minute shopping. And I was reasonably sure that if I had intervened, the problem would not have been solved quite as easily as a preschool dispute. But it got me thinking.Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if all of us followed the same rules of common courtesy that we teach our young children? *Use a quiet talking voice.If you use a calm, friendly voice, others will (most likely) respond to you in the same way. Yelling creates a bigger problem. And more yelling.*If you want something, ask for it.Chances are, you will get what you want, if not immediately, then after just a bit of a wait. And if not, come up with an alternative plan. *Don't call each other names.It can be upsetting, and besides, it isn't respectful. Name-calling only makes the situation worse, and makes people feel bad. *Let others know what your intentions are.If you are about to do something that will affect others, let them know what you intend to do and why you're doing it. People of all ages can be very understanding if they know 'why' you are doing what you're doing.*Listen to others.If your friend has something to say, it must be important, at least to him or her. The best of friends take the time to listen to each other. Listening is an important social skill! *Take a deep breath.Step back if you're feeling strong emotions like anger, excitement, sadness, etc. You can solve a problem when you are in control of your own actions, and deep breathing is a good technique for keeping your urges in check. Walk away if you feel like you're about to lose control, and come back when you can be rational. We've all (even adults) felt like hitting someone...but even though the urge is there we need to know how to control our feelings so we don't follow through on the urge.Keep in mind, children follow our lead. They are always watching; always learning. Always imitating.We learn just as much from them as they'll ever learn from us. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if we all looked for the good instead of the bad in others?"The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do They're really saying I love you...And I think to myself what a wonderful worldYes I think to myself what a wonderful world" -Song Lyrics by Loius Armstrong

Letter To My Characters...

A Note to All My Past/Present/Future Characters,You came from nothing. Just a small spark born of my imagination. You were nameless, faceless, soul-less. One day you didn't exist, and the next day was your birthday. I took you under my wing and gave you life. A name. A family. A past. I gave you everything. Even your thoughts were first mine.I decided what you would look like. How tall or short, thin or fat, blond or dark you would appear. Your personality emerged from my words, and with each stroke of the keyboard, you became more and more real to me. As we got to know each other, you began to guide me. Yes, my fingers typed the words. But it was you. You who made the decisions. Along the way, you began to think for yourself. Sometimes, I had no idea how you would react to a situation until it happened. YOU took on the role of writer, and I was proud of you. Each and every one. The story, after all, is not about what I would do. It's about what you would do.You gave me more than I ever gave you. You gave me purpose and determination to complete your story. I obsessed about getting the words down, so your tale would be complete. Agonized over writing every detail, so you would be heard. An enormous sense of accomplishment and elation overwhelmed me as I typed the last word. And even when it was finished, you lived on.Some of you, I cheered for. Others, I defeated. And some; yes some, I mourned. I want to thank you. All of you. For showing me what I'm made of. For giving me the strength to fight for you, and showing me that giving up is not even a tiny possibility. You gave me inner confidence. And ultimately, I thank you for allowing me to share you, and your story, with others. Some of you may never know anyone except me, and that's okay. Others may get to know many. At least that is my hope for you. Through it all, we have grown together into the people we are today, and we are now a part of each other. Forever.Thank you. Thank you for...being.With much love, pride, and gratitude,Your Friend and Creator.  Your Author.-Kristen L. Jackson,

Forget Road Rage, What About Road...Rudeness?

"Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?" -George CarlinLast week, on my way to work, I had an epiphany.A car sped up to my left preparing to pass me, when I realized that without my conscious consent, my foot pushed harder on the gas. As soon as I realized what I was doing, I eased up, checked my speed, and took a deep breath.Why had I done that? It's my job as a fellow driver to make it easier for others on the road if I can, right? It was a knee-jerk reaction, but it happens all the time. And not only to me. I've seen others do the same. Is it possible we are all guilty of some form of road rudeness? Why Are There So Many Rude Drivers?Why? Do we really have a desire to race the car next to us? Blood lust to always be 'number one'? Is it a personal insult that another driver would dare to get in the lead? As we mumble to ourselves about all of the other drivers on the road, maybe we need to take a moment to check our own rearview mirror, and a closer look at things all of us have done while on the street.And it's not just passing. How about when someone tries to merge onto the road right in front of you? Right in front of you. Do you brake to let them in...or speed up? Do you get over to the left lane to allow more cars to enter the highway? Or do you lay on the horn?And remember the last time someone wanted to re-enter the road in front of you from a parking lot? Did you let them out (if possible), or accelerate? Because, after all, you have to be somewhere important, and the driver of the car behind you will most likely let them out. Their lives couldn't possibly be as busy or stressful as yours or mine.Are The Rules Different On Foot?I like to think of myself as a courteous person. My parents raised me to respect others, be polite, and obey the rules. I say 'please', 'thank you', and 'excuse me'. I hold the door for the person behind me, and offer help to strangers in need. Most of us do. So why, then, is it different when we get behind the wheel? All of the common courtesies we extend to others in person just seem to disappear while trucking down the road. Remember, despite my upbringing, my first instinct was to speed up. Does that make me a bad person?No. It makes me human, with all of the flaws and emotions that go along with that title. Are we perfect? No, and we shouldn't try to be. We do these things without ever being aware that we're doing them. Well, most of us, anyway.And I truly believe that we don't make a decision to be mean or unhelpful. It's a split second, knee-jerk reaction most of us are completely unaware of doing. We're busy. We're tired. And we just need to get where we're going. It's a hectic world we live in. So here it is. My epiphany. It's simple, really. Nothing we haven't heard before. We live by these words each and every day. We just need to apply them to driving, and be aware of decisions we make on the road and how others would perceive those decisions. The Golden Rule...Of DrivingYou remember the Golden Rule, right? "Do to others what you want them to do to you."The next time my foot is on the gas, I'm going to try to live by these words by asking myself these questions:Would I want someone to speed up so I can't pass?  Do I want someone to switch lanes if possible so I can merge more safely onto the highway?Would I like someone to let me out when trying to re-enter the road after grocery shopping, running an errand, getting home from a long day of work?If everyone keeps the same moral compass on the road as they do in their daily face-to-face encounters, maybe the road will be a safer place for everyone.And if not safer, then at least there will be a lot less angry drivers on the road. I'm going to try. I hope you will, too. *Oh, and don't be afraid to raise your hand in thanks to the next driver who extends these same courtesies to you. We thank people for help given all the time. Gratitude is appreciated on the road, too. Good luck, and keep on moving on. Be safe, everyone!"Your purpose while driving is not to arrive at your destination safely or quickly. Your purpose when driving is...to improve your personality on he road." -Martin Amos

Please Judge A Book By Its Cover!

Okay. I know, I know. It's just a cover, right? Just a bunch of words strung together with a picture in the background. A blend of colors that catches a reader's eye. Or doesn't. No big deal.We see our share of them everyday. Online. At the grocery store. Hardcover or paperback. Large or small print. E-books. Adult books, young adult books, children's books. In every genre imaginable. They're everywhere. With the amount of authors emerging these days, what makes me think my book is any different than the multitude of books released daily? The answer is...I know it's different. To me, anyway. And hopefully to others as well.My fingers typed every word, sometimes flying over the keyboard, other times lagging. Each character, from the protagonist to the token bystander, came from my mind. Every decision they made came from my imagination. The setting, a made-up place.I researched. Asked questions. And concocted everything from weapons to new modes of transportation. So I know my book is different...because it's mine.Some Background...My Dad passed away unexpectedly three years ago. It was a shock to all of us, and we mourned. We still do.When he was gone almost a year, an idea came to me. He is the inspiration for this novel, and that is why the book will be dedicated to him. I only regret that he never knew. I've always liked to wear a watch, you see. I have a need to know what time it is at all hours of the day. Even when I'm on vacation. I inherited this trait from my Dad. I'm a lot like him. So I thought...hmm, maybe I could write a book about a watch. The idea consumed me until one day I just sat down and started typing. I agonized over every word, poured over the manuscript so many times I lost count. Changing this. Tweaking that. Getting lost in the story...maybe as an escape from the grief that was a constant shadow over my entire family. I'll never know. But I know Dad was with me as I wrote. Judge My Book By Its CoverI can't know what will truly speak to my readers. Not really.So it's okay if you judge my book by its cover. You have my blessing. Just remember, it's more than just words and a picture. It represents the story. Everything on it was put there for a reason. The lightning bolts, the ocean background, the colors, the font...all chosen very carefully to represent not only the story, but my journey. A trek that has taken over two years to complete. The book cover represents so much more than anyone will ever know. I hope you enjoy it. I do. It makes me smile every time I look at it. And my Dad would love it, too. This one's for you, Dad.Release Date: February 1st, 2018Black Rose Writing “You can’t judge a book by its binding.” -African Journal American Speech (1944)