Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 26

Music Mantra Monday: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

I know what some of you are thinking. This song is waaaay out of my usual musical tastes. Yes, and no. I am a strong supporter of all kinds of music, as long as the message of the song isn't hurtful, racist or targeting others personally.

Metallica has been around for a long time. When I told my second eldest that I used to listen to them when I was younger, her jaw almost hit the floor. I have always been a Beatles fan but I was really into punk, grunge and some metal that fell somewhere in b...

Mama's Muse ~ The Confessions of A Supermom to Other Supermoms

Here's a 'shout out' to all my fellow 'Supermoms' out there. And, yes, you are a Supermom whether you have one child or, like me, four or more. It isn't how many kids you have that makes you a Supermom. It's what you deal with on top of mom responsibilities, and how you deal with it all, that gives you the title.

Hey, I'm not perfect by any means. I have four children: an ornery 14-year old who seems to have developed tunnel-vision to how she acts/reacts effects the rest of us; a twelve-year o...

Saturday Writing Prompt ~ Mountains

Well, it would seem that I accidentally switched our writing prompt day with our sharing day. OOPS!! Oh well, things will go back to normal next week.

I think my three favorite nature thing are forests, waterfalls and mountains. All three are mysterious, yet calming. I have always felt calmness from the sound of water. To this day, if I've had  really tough time, I find somewhere where there is moving water of some kind, sit beside it and just close my eyes and drift away. When I was youn...

Food For Thought Friday ~ Tea Time! Top Healthiest Teas to Add to Your Health Plan

Since starting my overall 'get back to health' journey, I have done a lot of daily research to figure out different foods, meals and liquids to get my body back to, or close to, the state I was in before I got sick.

Aside from the food and meal changes, I've added one thing to my diet that I didn't really practice much: Tea.

When I was young, my grandmother and I would have our High Tea together all the time (she was Welsh). She liked hers a lot stronger than I did, and her favorite was Earl Gr...

Awesome People Doing Awesome Things - Meet Illustrator Claudia Marie Lenart

I am so happy about today's interview. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing and blurbing a wonderful book called, " Prince Preemie ". The author, Jewel Kats, wrote the book inspired by her nephew who was a preemie.
I love books that give a communication tool for others to help raise awareness and understanding for children and family living with special needs.
Sadly, Ms. Kats passed away before we had a chance to invite her on the blog, but her extremely talented illustrator, C...

Writing Prompt Wednesday ~ A Snippet From Blackbird Flies

Well, I can't believe that it has been six years since my first YA book, Blackbird Flies , was first released. Although it is a shorter, fast-paced novella, it seemed to have touched the hearts of many with the issues it tackles (death of a parent, suicide, drug abuse). The main character, Payton, is surrounded by chaos and struggle but rather than giving in to it, he turns to a more positive place through his music.

I am very proud of this book and am so grateful to Stephanie Taylor and all th...

Talk About It Tuesday: Are Your Kids Doing Too Much?

We all want our kids to participate in some sort of extracurricular activity. As long as they choose something that they are interested in and brings out the best in them, it's wonderful. But there is such a thing as over doing it, and kids end up suffering after awhile.

As you all know, I have four kids. My youngest is in gymnastics and Jiu Jitzu. My son's entire world is hockey. The second oldest takes guitar and Jiu Jitzu and my oldest also takes guitar and has a part-time job. In addition...

Music Mantra Monday: Phil Collins ~ "In The Air Tonight"

I have always been a huge Phil Collins fan. Aside the fact that he's an awesome drummer and singer, he is just an all around nice person. The messages in his songs are subtle, but hit you deep.

Originally, this song stemmed from the story of one person drowning, while another saw it happening but didn't save the other person. As with all songs, it can be interpreted from many different angles.

For me, I first heard this song when I was going through a very rough time when I was a teen (oh GEEZ!...

Mama's Muse: Best Mama In the World?

My young son is one of the most beautiful-hearted human beings I know. Whatever I do for him, no matter how small, he always says, "Thank you for _____, Mama. You are the best Mama in the world."

Kind of a huge title to live up to and, quite frankly, I'm not sure that I deserve it. When I ask him why he thinks so he responds with, "Because you take care of us and feed us and make sure we have a house and everything we need."

Yes. He does have me in tears at least once a day. He's my sensitive l...

Writing Sample Saturday: Short Story for Cup of Comfort about Alzheimer's

Happy Saturday! Well, as happy as it can be considering the fact that it was a warm, sunny Spring-like day yesterday, then we woke up to a mini snowstorm this morning. Mother Nature needs to make up her mind and stop teasing us!

Anyways, today is writing sample day and I wanted to share a story close to my heart. I wrote this award-winning story for Cup of Comfort several years ago, but have never let anyone else read it. I mean, of course anyone who read the book it was included in would have...