Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 51
July 1, 2017
Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale
Smashwords is holding its annual July Summer/Winter Sale. You can find many ebooks for free or 25%, 50%, or 75% off their regular prices.
Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr., regularly $2.99 as an ebook, is free during the sale. Obviously, I’m biased, but if you enjoy humor and heroic stories, I believe you will enjoy these anecdotes and memories about my late husband.
Several of my ebooks, including a romance novel, a romance novelette, and several short, how-to books, are always free at Smashwords. Visit my Smashwords author page for a complete listing.
June 27, 2017
PTSD Awareness Day
June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day.
Although I had heard of PTSD and had an idea of what it was, I didn’t really understand much about it until I started working with Dr. Harry Croft on the book I Always Sit with My Back to the Wall: Managing Traumatic Stress and Combat PTSD. I realized that PTSD affects every one of us, even if we don’t think we know anyone with the disorder. The coworker always spoiling for a fight, the unfriendly neighbor, and the person at church who is always sad and withdrawn may be suffering with PTSD. Recognizing the symptoms will help you understand why they act as they do and perhaps help them lead them to help.
If you or someone you know is affected by PTSD, Dr. Croft’s book will be a great help.
The video below provides a lot of information in a way that is entertaining and easy to understand.
June 11, 2017
Happy Birthday to My Blog
If my memory is correct, I started a website about 1999 when I published my first novel. The Wayback Machine first archived my site in early 2001. But for several years, updating the site anytime I wanted to announce anything new was a major endeavor. Through the years, I used programs from Publisher to Dreamweaver to create, maintain, and update my site.
Then eleven years ago, on June 11, 2006, I added a blog to my website. My web hosting package included an installer for various website add-ons, including WordPress. So I added WordPress to my existing site. A couple of years later, I moved the entire site to WordPress and here I have stayed.
If you check out the Series page, you’ll find series on editing, freelance writing, self-publishing, memoirs, and more.
Look through the archive by category to find posts ranging from Advent and Lent devotionals to causes I believe in to writing and publishing advice. With more than 2000 posts, I hope you’ll find something of value.
In the height of the popularity of blogging, many people came to the blog and left comments, and I made a lot of friends. Today most of that activity has moved to social media sites rather than individual blogs. That’s why all my posts are connected to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.
Thank you to the faithful readers who have been with me for a long time. I can’t say from the beginning, because I don’t think anyone discovered me for several months. I also appreciate everyone who has found me recently through social media. I hope to be blogging for many more years.
May 30, 2017
Fifty Years
Fifty years ago, on May 31, 1967, my father escorted me down an improvised aisle on the back porch of my parents’ home to marry the man of my dreams.
I’ve shared many memories of our courtship and marriage through the years on my blog. Maybe I love romance novels so much because I’ve been blessed to experience such a great love.
Jack and met on my twentieth birthday when I started a summer job in the office where he worked. He proposed at the end of the summer, and we were married the following spring. The only reason we didn’t marry sooner was that I was finishing my last year of college. We wrote each other every day, and I even wrote love poems–the only time in my life I’ve ever written poetry.
He cared for me after a stroke, and at the end of his life when he had dementia, I was his caregiver. We still had precious moments together, as I recounted in an anniversary post.
Throughout his life, he was a colorful character. I shared my own memories and stories from friends and family members in a short book, Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr. Obviously, I’m just a wee bit biased, but I think you’ll find Jack Stories fascinating.
Today, I miss Jack terribly, but I thank God that we shared our lives from our wedding day until death parted us.
May 28, 2017
Memorial Day 2017
Never forget
Ever honor
the heroes who have given their lives for our country.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer
May 27, 2017
Booksigning Saturday, June 3, 2017
You are invited to join me at Dead Tree Books in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, June 3, 2017, 1-3 PM. I will be signing copies of my romantic mystery novel, Dream or Destiny.
Be sure to look around the store. They have tons of bargain-priced used books. If you’re a bibliophile, you’re sure to find some treasures you can’t pass up!
For the address and teaser about the book, download the signing flyer.
May 21, 2017
Military Appreciation Month 2017
May is Military Appreciation Month. I thank all those who are on active duty now and all those who have served in the past.
America is the land of the free because of the brave. This phrase may be a cliche because it is oft-repeated, but nonetheless it is true.
Thank you to every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of this country—whatever branch of service. Your service is appreciated and never taken for granted.
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; and bless all those who have served in the past; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Image: © Depositphotos.com/daughter
May 19, 2017
Writers Worth Month 2017
Lori Widmer at Words on the Page has deemed May as Writers Worth Month. Lori is on a crusade for writers to recognize their own worth and to stop writing for content mills that pay little or nothing.
She started off the month with a listing of 101 (New) Free Freelance Writer Resources. Although some of the resources are writing-related, most will be useful for freelancers of all kinds.
I recommend you check out all the Writers Worth posts from both Lori and guest posters. You’ll find useful information and encouragement.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/DimaGavrish
May 11, 2017
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2017
May 12 is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
Fibromyalgia has a variety of symptoms, and not everyone with the disorder exhibits the same symptoms. Also, the symptoms come and go and vary in intensity, so a person with fibromyalgia can go quickly from feeling okay to having extreme pain, excessive fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms.
Now fibromyalgia is well-recognized, but when I was diagnosed more than thirty-five years ago, many people, including a significant percentage of doctors, thought it was all in the patient’s head.
I have written about my experience with the disorder in previous posts for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, beginning in 2012. You can learn more about fibromyalgia from the National Fibromyalgia Association.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/edesignua
May 10, 2017
American Stroke Month 2017
May is National Stroke Month.
You can find a great deal of information by typing “stroke” into the search box in my blog to read previous articles I have written.
The story of my own experience with stroke can be found in the following posts:
National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Beginning
National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – The Next Three Days
National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Aftermath
Watch the video below to learn more about the symptoms of stroke and what to do if you observe them.
