Colleen K. MacFarlane's Blog, page 4
July 9, 2025
Life Lessons from Lucy the Schnauzer
Children need a lift, too! When they ask for attention, give it to them. There are right and wrong was for your little ones to ask for attention. Carve out special 1:1 time with them daily to read.
Author of: Life Lessons from Lucy the Schnauzer. Eleven lessons in this richly illustrated book to talk to your child about.
LIFE LESSONS FROM LUCY THE SCHNAUZER, will become their favorite bedtime read.
Available on Amazon.
Author of: Life Lessons from Lucy the Schnauzer. Eleven lessons in this richly illustrated book to talk to your child about.
LIFE LESSONS FROM LUCY THE SCHNAUZER, will become their favorite bedtime read.
Available on Amazon.
July 6, 2025
Listen to Your Heart
Historical fiction fans Genealogy enthusiasts - embark on your journey today. Begin with yourself, add in a few ancestors and see where it takes you.
Try http://FamilySearch.org, Ancestry, National Genealogical Society or subscribe to Family Tree Magazine (author not affiliated).
I've written LISTEN TO YOUR HEART (Amazon) as a result of contributions provided to me that knew my 2nd great aunt way back in early 1900s, newspaper articles, obituaries, death certificates, and oral histories.
Inspiring and educational. 1866 immigrant, Rosa Kerker, and her family arrived in Castle Garden, NYC, from Switzerland. Read about their struggles, talents, tragedies, pandemics, harsh winters, and much more.
Try http://FamilySearch.org, Ancestry, National Genealogical Society or subscribe to Family Tree Magazine (author not affiliated).
I've written LISTEN TO YOUR HEART (Amazon) as a result of contributions provided to me that knew my 2nd great aunt way back in early 1900s, newspaper articles, obituaries, death certificates, and oral histories.
Inspiring and educational. 1866 immigrant, Rosa Kerker, and her family arrived in Castle Garden, NYC, from Switzerland. Read about their struggles, talents, tragedies, pandemics, harsh winters, and much more.
July 2, 2025
FATAL FUNDS
Individual investor? Want to learn more?
Try: FATAL FUNDS, a financial thriller about three women in 2024 who decided that this is their year to delve into their investment records, a step they'd all entrusted to their financial planner.
Tired of feeling ignorant, Elaina and her two friends form their own investment club. They learn tons in a short amount of time, not the least of which includes their growing mistrust of their planner, Mr. Blackburn.
Learn along with these three remarkable women about key investment terms, such as: Fee structures, asset allocation, cybersecurity, financial infidelity, all is not what a picture perfect image is what it's cracked up to be, agency watchdogs and how to file a complaint, questions to ask your financial planner, and your rights.
In other words, FATAL FUNDS, is about what can go wrong if you don't pay attention to your money.
Try: FATAL FUNDS, a financial thriller about three women in 2024 who decided that this is their year to delve into their investment records, a step they'd all entrusted to their financial planner.
Tired of feeling ignorant, Elaina and her two friends form their own investment club. They learn tons in a short amount of time, not the least of which includes their growing mistrust of their planner, Mr. Blackburn.
Learn along with these three remarkable women about key investment terms, such as: Fee structures, asset allocation, cybersecurity, financial infidelity, all is not what a picture perfect image is what it's cracked up to be, agency watchdogs and how to file a complaint, questions to ask your financial planner, and your rights.
In other words, FATAL FUNDS, is about what can go wrong if you don't pay attention to your money.
June 29, 2025
Listen to Your Heart
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART - Historical Fiction beginning in 1866 America. An engaging novel chronicling the life of Rosa Kerker who arrived in Castle Garden, NYC from Switzerland.
The vast majority of places, events & timelines are true and accurate. Character's voices were altered with the goal of capturing historical events to fit Rosa's story as seen through the eyes of this courageous and determined young woman.
Pictures following each chapter are authentic photos of items or characters held in possession of the author. Documents/newspaper articles were found through newspaper research.
Rosa, her parents, and her siblings faced numerous hurdles on their way to success. One sister faced tragedy , and the others dealt with pandemics, harsh winters, and heartache before becoming recognized as as a notable family in Minnesota.
The vast majority of places, events & timelines are true and accurate. Character's voices were altered with the goal of capturing historical events to fit Rosa's story as seen through the eyes of this courageous and determined young woman.
Pictures following each chapter are authentic photos of items or characters held in possession of the author. Documents/newspaper articles were found through newspaper research.
Rosa, her parents, and her siblings faced numerous hurdles on their way to success. One sister faced tragedy , and the others dealt with pandemics, harsh winters, and heartache before becoming recognized as as a notable family in Minnesota.
June 25, 2025
Listen to Your Heart
Genealogy Fun Fact for today! The 1950 U.S. Census, released in 2022, offers genealogists new opportunities due to its digitization and initial AI-powered name indexing, along with special sample questions. This marks the first time the census was released during a pandemic and the first time AI was used for handwriting recognition in indexing.
A great resource & quick read to learn more:
https://archives.gov/research/census/...
AUTHOR OF: LISTEN TO YOUR HEART. HISTORICAL FICTION IN AMERICA - 1870S - 1940S. SELLING ON AMAZON IN PAPERBACK & KINDLE, by Colleen Kerker MacFarlane
True story of Rosa Kerker, her family, and the obstacles they faced in Minnesota and events that changed the trajectory of their lives, both tragedies and successes.
A great resource & quick read to learn more:
https://archives.gov/research/census/...
AUTHOR OF: LISTEN TO YOUR HEART. HISTORICAL FICTION IN AMERICA - 1870S - 1940S. SELLING ON AMAZON IN PAPERBACK & KINDLE, by Colleen Kerker MacFarlane
True story of Rosa Kerker, her family, and the obstacles they faced in Minnesota and events that changed the trajectory of their lives, both tragedies and successes.
June 23, 2025
FATAL FUNDS
Why Fatal Funds, the Novel?
Fatal Funds was written as the result of my personal interactions with financial planners. The villain in my book reflects a composite of several planners whom I have met, know nor been a client of.
--I’ve become an advocate on behalf of investors.
--The messages in FATAL FUNDS? Buyer Beware; Importance of conducting your own due diligence, even regarding financial planner recommendations.
--Avoid free dinners, where you’ll hear three famous words: YOU NEED ME, implying that investing is simply too complicated for the average investor to understand or implement.
This week, check author website for full Power Point on investing. Check under the 'newsletter' tab for free download.
Please buy from Amazon and provide review, too.
Fatal Funds was written as the result of my personal interactions with financial planners. The villain in my book reflects a composite of several planners whom I have met, know nor been a client of.
--I’ve become an advocate on behalf of investors.
--The messages in FATAL FUNDS? Buyer Beware; Importance of conducting your own due diligence, even regarding financial planner recommendations.
--Avoid free dinners, where you’ll hear three famous words: YOU NEED ME, implying that investing is simply too complicated for the average investor to understand or implement.
This week, check author website for full Power Point on investing. Check under the 'newsletter' tab for free download.
Please buy from Amazon and provide review, too.
June 17, 2025
Listen to Your Heart
Did your ancestor prescribe or receive a 'whiskey script'? It's estimated that doctors & pharmacists may have earned $40M from legal liquor prescriptions between 1921-1930. Walgreens profited greatly due to the sale of legal whiskey via prescriptions, increasing its number of stores tenfold during prohibition.
Prescriptions were written on official U.S. Treasury Department forms.
I love to read about America's history. My maternal genealogy research resulted in a novel about my 2nd great aunt, Rosa Kerker, Swiss immigrant in 1866.
A memorable and inspiring life - GREAT read for women of all ages and Catholics in particular.
Prescriptions were written on official U.S. Treasury Department forms.
I love to read about America's history. My maternal genealogy research resulted in a novel about my 2nd great aunt, Rosa Kerker, Swiss immigrant in 1866.
A memorable and inspiring life - GREAT read for women of all ages and Catholics in particular.
June 16, 2025
Listen to Your Heart
Genealogy tip: Be organized, document your source as soon as you find it, and make phone calls. If a librarian does not help you on your initial call, wait one week and call back. You may get a different person with helpful ideas.
Never give up nor lose sight of your goal. Author of: Listen to Your Heart - Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback.
Swiss immigrants who begin their new lives in Chaska Minnesota. Written by 2nd grand niece of Rosa Kerker, protagonist, who overcame obstacles to live an exemplary life.
Never give up nor lose sight of your goal. Author of: Listen to Your Heart - Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback.
Swiss immigrants who begin their new lives in Chaska Minnesota. Written by 2nd grand niece of Rosa Kerker, protagonist, who overcame obstacles to live an exemplary life.
June 15, 2025
FATAL FUNDS
Fatal Funds - an educational read in a compelling story. Geared to teach key investment terms through examples.
Filled with resources, financial planner agreements and requirements, bibliography, cybersecurity, and financial infidelity.
Mr. Blackburn, financial planner with a meticulously manufactured image, is secretly fighting personal demons.
Learn along with Elaina, his client, the pitfalls of not paying attention to your investments. While Elaina is out of work because of a mysterious illness, she devotes her time to examining her financial statements. What she learns is both helpful and shocking.
Filled with resources, financial planner agreements and requirements, bibliography, cybersecurity, and financial infidelity.
Mr. Blackburn, financial planner with a meticulously manufactured image, is secretly fighting personal demons.
Learn along with Elaina, his client, the pitfalls of not paying attention to your investments. While Elaina is out of work because of a mysterious illness, she devotes her time to examining her financial statements. What she learns is both helpful and shocking.
June 9, 2025
Ivy's Epilepsy
Ivy's Epilepsy - for teens living with epilepsy.
A book about hope and support.
73 pages of information about epilepsy, friendship, facts, charts, references, nutrition, sleep, meditation, and much more.
Read how Ivy manages peer pressure and learn how she talks about her epilepsy and does not allow epilepsy to define her.
Enthusiastically endorsed by the Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, made into law in 1990.
Available on Amazon.
A book about hope and support.
73 pages of information about epilepsy, friendship, facts, charts, references, nutrition, sleep, meditation, and much more.
Read how Ivy manages peer pressure and learn how she talks about her epilepsy and does not allow epilepsy to define her.
Enthusiastically endorsed by the Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, made into law in 1990.
Available on Amazon.
