Java Davis's Blog, page 21
August 17, 2015
Metal Giveaway on GoodReads.com
Here is the link to the giveaway of Metal, my latest book. Four books will be given out, the winners chosen by the GoodReads site.
This giveaway is only available to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Sorry to those of you who don’t live in North America.
Metal: A Treasure Hunt, was recently awarded a 5-star review and medallion from the Reader’s Favorite website, for which I am grateful. Look for the medallion on the latest cover.
August 14, 2015
Just Sharing
http://theroadtripwriter.com/just-sha...
Just Sharing
My latest book, Metal, has been given 5 stars from Reader’s Favorite, which entitles the cover to sport their 5-Star Medallion. I’ve updated the cover, including the Large Print cover, as seen here below. And here’s the link to the Reader’s Favorite page:
It’s my website, and I can boast a bit if I want to! But I wanted to share, too!
August 10, 2015
Relative Road Trip
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Relative Road Trip
We took a quick weekend road trip to see my husband’s mother this past weekend. I hate to see her stuck at home like a prisoner, waiting for people to come to her. She was always the one to visit shut-ins, teach classes, do Bible studies, etc. She was well-known and loved in her community, but just this month, she lost one of her oldest friends, and also a niece. I try my best not just to visit, but to bring a small amount of happiness when we go. I bake her cookies or scones. I bring her a small present. I spend time talking to her. She recognizes and appreciates my efforts.
I wish, I wish, I hope. I wish we lived closer. I wish there was more I could do. I hope there will be someone to do these things for me in the not-to-distant future.
August 7, 2015
Heard about HARO?
An interesting site that might garner you some publicity, if you need some, is “Help A Reporter Out,” colloquially known as HARO. The site sends out daily emails full of enquiries for assistance in the composition of an article. If you have expertise that can help someone in need, you send a general reply back to HARO and they forward it to the writer. Chances are, you will hear back from said reporter, and you will have made a connection. Insist that he or she use your name and your website, and you’ve managed some free publicity.
I was included in an online business article on ebusiness failures and lessons learned. Yeah, it sucks to be me sometimes.
For a while, I got tired of being bombarded by them every day, and I unsubscribed, but it really only takes a minute to review their list of queries, and the rare opportunity for renown is still there, lurking. I’m back on their email blast list.
I can only hope that this has helped some of you. Please pass this info on to anyone you know who might be willing to Help A Reporter Out.
August 4, 2015
Blog Post: Two Glass Stones
http://theroadtripwriter.com/two-glas...
Two Glass Stones
It is a Jewish custom to leave stones on grave markers as a sign that someone has been visiting.
I had a hard childhood, full of mental illness, violence and alcohol. I left at 17. It’s not such an unusual story, but what’s interesting is that the rage is gone, the urge for revenge is gone, the hate is gone, it’s all gone, and my life is good right now.
But since they died, there was one last obligation to fulfill, and that was to leave stones at their interment site, which is at a crematory monolith an hour and a half away from here. So today, I took a road trip of purpose. I brought two stones made of etched glass; one says “sympathy” and the other says “integrity.” I only have sympathy for the life they were forced to lead due to their demons, and I grew up to be a person of integrity, despite their weak and wicked attempts to be parents. They’ve been dead for years, and I didn’t feel their presences at the plaque, so I just dropped off the two glass stones and left.
I was more worried about the large crew of prisoners who were at the site doing landscaping — with TOOLS!
Monolith of Ashes, Military Cemetery
August 2, 2015
Recipe: Fresh Carrot and Pineapple Muffins
http://theroadtripwriter.com/recipe-f...
Recipe: Fresh Carrot and Pineapple Muffins
It’s time for another recipe. I grew a batch of carrots this year and thought that muffins would be nice. I found this recipe on the internet, so I can’t take credit for it, but I definitely want to share. I pureed my carrots with a large, drained can of crushed pineapple.
1 cup sugar
2⁄3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tspn vanilla
1-1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tspns baking powder
1 tspn baking soda
1 tspn cinnamon
1⁄4 tspn salt
1 cup grated carrot (I pureed mine)
1 cup drained crushed pineapple
DIRECTIONS:
Stir together sugar and oil.
Stir in the eggs until well combined.
Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Stir into sugar mixture just until combined.
Stir in carrots and pineapple just until combined.
Spoon into greased muffin tin, filling to top.
Bake in a preheated 375 dgrF oven for 20 mins. or until done.
Cool in pan for 5-10 mins., then remove to a rack to finish cooling.
Yield: 14 muffins.
