Kai Strand's Blog, page 62

My Daily Grateful - Family

Today's Daily Grateful is family. I am grateful for both my immediate and my extended family.
-For parents who provided me with a secure and loving upbringing even after their divorce. Who have always believed in me. Whose support I never question. Mom, I miss you more than I can say.
-For my sisters who I know beyond all doubt will always do whatever it takes for me, my husband and my kids, if need be. Who make me laugh, a lot. Who aren't ashamed to join me in a good sob-fest. Who make me...

My Daily Grateful - Friends

If you've been reading my daily grateful posts, and you are a friend of mine, you've probably got your hand on your hip, toe is a-tapping and you're saying, "Hey what about me!?"
Well, with only today and tomorrow left of grateful posts, I've saved the best for last. Today my friends take center stage. I shout, I exalt, I'm as obnoxious as can be about how thankful I am for each and every one of you.
Dicitionary.com defines friend as: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or...

My Daily Grateful - Faith

As a young adult, trying to figure out how to deal with ever increasing pressure and stress, my mother said to me, "Just hand your troubles up to God." My eyebrow arched, my lip curled and I said, "Huh?" She explained that when you feel your troubles are too much for you to deal with, hand them up to God. He will sort them out and hand them back as he sees fit. When you are ready and capable. He doesn't solve them for you, but lightens your load so that you are better equipped to solve them...

My Daily Grateful - Dreams

Some people don't have the capacity to dream. Perhaps they are lacking imagination, life experience or confidence. Regardless, they make their way through life living from one event to the next never striving for much more.
I dream practically every night. I daydream. I sometimes spend far too much time in my dreamland. But I'm so thankful for the ability to dream. To hope. To set goals. To imagine a life with more of the things I love.
I'm an equal opportunity dreamer. I dream for my...

Three Times A Charm with Jeanette Larson

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.
This week I am pleased to welcome author, Jeanette Larson. Jeanette, tell us about yourself.
Growing up I lived in many places but as an adult I settled in Texas. I still love to travel and have visited many countries and most of the states. I studied anthropology at the University of New Mexico, which was not the best degree for getting a job but ...

My Daily Grateful - BOOK CONTRACTS

Today I am so very, very grateful for and terrifically excited about book contracts. Because I recently SIGNED ONE!!!
I am thrilled to announce that I've sold my middle grade novel, SAVE THE LEMMINGS! to Featherweight Press. A publisher of children's and young adult fiction.
When Natalie's Texty-Talky invention makes her an overnight sensation, the media digs until they find a way to smear her goody-goody image. When her best friends start believing what they read, Natalie's sunny spirit is...

My Daily Grateful - Hair

This may seem random, but hopefully you will understand why I consider this important enough to mention by the time I'm finished.
When I was young I had long hair. My mom used to put it in pigtails and tie a different color yarn bow around each one. The fat yarn that made strong bows. The colors always coordinated with my outfit. Then I got to "that" age where I didn't care to take care of my hair. That age lasts a long, long time and I had short hair all those years. People would mistake me...

Jan Britland presents Rodger Dodger Dog

World of Ink virtual book tour stops into Strands of Thought this week to introduce us to picture book author, Jan Britland.  Let's learn more about Jan.
Jan Britland is an author and artist. She lives in Punta Gorda, Florida with her husband Bill. They have a bulldog named Madison, a parrot named Lola, three red-eared slider turtles named Sparky, Luigi and hale. And last but not least Goldie a pond fish. All of whom are portrayed in her stories. When she is not writing Children's books, she...

My Daily Grateful - Mother Nature

Grand Tetons, WYI'm a bit of a Mother Nature junkie and I'm blessed to live in an area of this beautiful country where I can satisfy my craving for fresh air and beauty whenever the spirit moves me.
In all honesty, I prefer to explore Mama Nat spring through fall, but even winter holds enticing situations for me. I walk a lot for exercise. My favorite conditions to walk in, by far, is when it is 32 degrees outside and snowing. The temperature is cool enough to lure you into pushing yourself h...

My Daily Grateful - Freedom

picture by Nancy BurtonI am fiercely patriotic. I love our country and democracy. Silly things stoke my patriotism. Like, how our youth gather at midnight movies, such a display of passion and security. Black Friday. Even though I never participate, I love that it epitomizes our free trade economy. Big things flare my loyalty. September 11th. Well, there's nothing bigger than that.
I have America The Beautiful and The Star Spangled Banner on my ipod. We fly the flag every day of the year...