Eve Gaal's Blog, page 13

Intangible Greetings

Choosing Laughter
The days are shorter and the air cooler now.There, at the top of the hill, is our warm, comfortable home. A place we nurse wounds,shed tears,laugh if we can. Sheltered from rain,we read books,write stories and play board games.We’ve grown to appreciate the way the birds sing.
We’re grateful hospitals send us home,because we’ve known young peoplesent to hospice. Yeah, young ones.Believe it. And fresh faces who passed while sleeping. It happens. They looked healthy....We might complain on a sofa asking for a tea.Flowers entertain our aching bones. Trees sway near the window,the dogs make a fuss,visiting grand kids giggle on the stairs.
Someday,there’s the promise of a better place.I’m bundled up imagining it.Cozier,filled with love, and those traveling before us.Higher, much, much higher, with expansive panoramic views.No tears,or pain.We won’t need doctors anymoreprobably not even tea,              and complaining will be a thing of the past.
              Until that time--              each time I drive              or walk up that little hill--               my heart fills with immense anticipation,              bubbling with appreciation,               for stucco walls,              a tile roof.             Where I can cry if I feel like crying,              or choose to laugh.              Where I can be thankful,             for another cool day--             in Autumn.

Eve Gaal Copyright 2017

Top 10 Canine Truths Proving It's the Heart and Not the Brains

Yesterday I saw another one of those videos where the dog helps around the house and seems to be able to do everything. Of course, most of these short films are created to make us laugh, but this particular clip was about a service dog that held the shopping basket and ran up and down aisles in a supermarket. This brainy dog could do it all. Made me think of my little mutts, who can’t do anything, except shed hair, make a mess and bark. So the more I thought about it, the more I realized how important they are and all the various things they do to make me happy.
1.       Good Security No one had better come within twenty-five feet of our property, even though the houses in our neighborhood are standing about twenty feet apart.
2.       Mail Alert SystemIt’s like a sophisticated App you can download for your Smartphone. Want to know when the mail arrives? Ask Pinky and Fiona because they will let you know! In fact, they will let the entire neighborhood know. 3.       ComfortIf I’m tired or sick, they like to snuggle. If I’m angry, they’re on my side. If I’m crying, they will lick my tears away. This alone is worth the price of admission.
4.       LaughterI love comedies, variety shows and most comedians. I even have a good friend who does stand up. But these two fur-babies, Pinky and Fiona, can make me double over in laughter just from a silly expression. Most of the time, they crack me up.
5.       Exercise There are several types of exercises associated with Fiona and Pinky. Generally, there’s a daily walk for Pinky. Fiona doesn’t obey anyone so I have to go chasing her around the house or the backyard if I want to find her. There’s also exercise obtained by cleaning up the mistakes. As inside dogs, they get confused about optimal places for doing their duty. I think all this confusion adds a couple of years to my life. Which is a good thing, right? Sometimes I dream of being that sedentary writer who can focus on her manuscript instead of the aroma coming from the hallway.


6.       The Economy Indisputable proof:
See the big heart?With pets, it’s hard to save money but spending it helps the local economy. Not only is there some sort of foreign collusion in the dog-toy business but the kind-hearted vets dish it out with a smile. Plus there’s that city license, puppy pads, snacks, leashes, sweaters etc. When a Chihuahua can chew through a fifteen-dollar toy in one day, you know there’s something wrong with this world. Recently, Fiona had a bout of stomach flu and we took her to the Emergency Pet Hospital. Six hundred dollars later, they sent us home with a fancy X-ray and said she’d be fine. I’m proud to say, both dogs are a boost to U.S. capitalism and sadly, cheaper toys are not an option.


7.      Listening       One major problem with the world is listening. Almost everyone has an opinion. Even the nicest folks go around telling other people what they think without listening to their friends. There are enough people in the world to trade in friends for new ones if they don’t agree. It’s like people who dump their dogs at the animal shelter when they move.  I have high school and college friends who have left me behind for new friends because I may not have immediately rushed to agree with their political viewpoints. Makes me sad but at least Pinky listens to everything I say. Fiona may not always listen to me but she hears me. Her ears move like antenna trying to find meaning in my words that her tiny little mind cannot process but her heart tells her to keep still and keep listening because her mommy loves her very much.

8.       Foot WarmersThere’s nothing better than reading a book and having two very cute friends keeping your toes warm. The downside is that they too are relaxed—leading to not-so-adorable emanations--commonly referred to as Chihuahua farts.
9.       Crumb CatchersForget the vacuum. I have built in little sniffers who find every fallen morsel.
10.  LoveThere are few places in the world to find unconditional love, that’s why I recommend the Animal Shelter. Both of our pups were rescues and every once in a while, with tails wagging, they come and place a paw on my chest, and look me straight in the eye. That’s when I feel the overwhelming thank you and the love. Of course, it might also mean, give us a snack or we’ll piss in your bathroom, but honestly, I feel the gratefulness.  

Understandably, those clever videos with the smart dogs make my dogs look like dummies, but these two cuties have underappreciated talents and are sweet enough for me.
Do you have super intelligent dogs or lovable dogs like mine? 

Sharing November Surprises

First:I was delighted to find out a poem of mine had been accepted by Poetry for All. The publisher selects one poem for a chapbook that features one sole poet. They then create artwork around the poem and distribute them like gold doubloons or scattered seeds. My little booklet is #1371 and here’s what it looks like:     The inside not only has my poem but a
lovely illustrated overleaf created especially for this poem.Perhaps my poem will travel across the country in a warm overcoat and then turn up later in another person’s beach bag. While I’m going to distribute them at book signings, I imagine the publisher will be sharing them too. Let me know if you ever come across my poem, Ear Buds. If you order a signed copy of Penniless Hearts or The Fifth Commandment from me directly, I'd be happy to add a copy of the adorable poetry book. But there's no reprinting. When they are gone, they'll be gone to travel the world. Anyway, either email me or reach me through My Website.

The Back Cover




























Secondly:Most of my online followers have already read the latest, Fall edition of our Guild’s magazine but if you missed my story, Home Banner Cafe then here’s the link. This month, Straitjackets Magazine has something for everyone including: poetry, suspense, mystery and even my little romance. I've attended many different writing groups in my life but the extraordinary members of The Diamond Valley Writer's Guild keep shocking me, surprising me but most of all, impressing me at every turn. It's an understatement to say I'm proud to be a member. 


Lastly:
Hey, it’s November! The month of thankfulness, when even small things like a published poem and a story in an online magazine can mean so much. Writing is a way of sharing my heart with friends and those who follow this blog. Of course, there are the big things such as health, friends, family and God, that I hope none of us ever take for granted.
Sadly, I used to work so hard that I shamefully forgot to be grateful and learned my lessons the hard way. Take a lesson from my past and cherish those around you. But first, take time to care for your own feelings, your own health and even your own physical and intangible hearts.   
Is there something small but meaningful, that you are especially thankful for this season?

Call Your Friends!

 A friend I haven’t spoken to for over seven years called me the other day and said he wanted to thank me. Thank me? I scratched my head and listened with a grateful heart.
“Eve,” he said. “I enjoyed working with you more than anyone else. Thank you.” And even though I wasn’t his manager or supervisor, he called to voice honest appreciation by telling me the work we did together had been fun and interesting. As we spoke, he told me about how he had suffered five strokes and part of his body had become paralyzed. His speech slightly slurred, my heart wanted to reach through the phone to embrace him. Such a talented individual—never a bad word about anyone—a fount of positive energy—he had taken on my enormous workload with a smile. If anyone should be thanking anyone, I should be thanking him.In case you're too young to remember-
-phones used to look like this.Do you have people in your life—perhaps among your FB friends who would love to hear your voice? Maybe you have thought about calling them but the busyness of life got in the way? Maybe now that you’re older, you have the courage to call or private message them, simply to thank them for being your friend. In most instances, you will probably make their day. Are you afraid to hear about the knee surgeries, the hernias and the hip replacements? You can respond to the surprises with kindness and prayers and they, I’m sure, will be thankful. The passage of time changes everyone but friendship can be eternal. It’s a flame that begins like a bonfire leaping high with excitement, burning like warm embers and unless occasionally stoked or prodded, can fade like smoke into the night.  

Seven, Five-Star Book Suggestions That Will Keep You Reading Past Your Bedtime

Three of these books made me laugh. Some of them made me laugh so hard I cried, and the rest of them were profoundly intriguing, providing valuable and memorable entertainment. Do you like fantasy? Mystery? Had a hard day and want to chuckle like you’ve never chuckled before? Take a look at my reviews and then hop on over to Amazon to order any of these in print or in eBook format. 


Wrath of Rhonda: One Cruise and So Much TroubleArch Font

         Somehow, Jerry Slider manages to sweet talk everyone in this book, even Rhonda the title character, who seems to despise everyone, forgives no one, is pathologically self-absorbed and cranky to a fault. Helen, Jerry’s wife tells him she doesn’t want to go on a cruise and suggests he should go with her friend Rhonda. The problems stemming from this outrageous suggestion commence in the beginning, setting the tone for this entertaining book. Imagine going on a romantic thirty-day luxury cruise from San Diego to the South Sea Islands with this unfortunate, insecure woman. Jerry however, is a desperate, determined man with some vague ideas on how to keep the peace. Some of those far-fetched notions will have you crying tears as if you were slicing onions. Whether Jerry is searching high and low for Rhonda’s future boyfriend or enjoying the panoramic vistas of Bora Bora, the author makes sure to lure you in with excellent descriptions and hilarious gags. In fact, there’s a bit about the thermostat that had me in stitches.
Anyone who has read my book, Penniless Hearts, will also enjoy this comedic adventure, which tours much more than the Hawaiian Islands but continues on to the Society Islands. The vivid details recounting lush volcanic reefs and lagoons are sensational, as are those of the sea spray onto the deck at night, even the scent of freshly baked French bread. I enjoyed the chauvinistic male viewpoint, which by the way, doesn’t go as far as misogyny because it is funny and in many cases probably true. The author hilariously criticizes women’s fashion, bathroom clutter and even makeup better than a standup comedian. When Jerry goes snorkeling, he finds out that the biggest shark encounter he’ll have is with the woman sharing his cabin. Will Jerry be able to use his negotiating skills to keep Rhonda from erupting like a volcano? Will diplomacy work? Read Wrath of Rhonda and find out!

Whatever Became of Sin?Barbara Roman




The character of Harvard educated attorney Michael Warren, returns to a town that fills him with horrid memories, where he faces the most lecherous, evil men willing to do anything for profit. This is the unexpected bottom-feeding political underbelly of the otherwise happy town of New Orleans, Louisiana. A place that at one time, had an upscale housing development where he once lived with his wife Elaine and young daughter, Dominique. This time, Michael meets the beautiful temptress, Dr. Celia Stone who is smart, seductive and not as honest as she appears.
Near the very end of the book, the riverboat captain asks Michael what it will serve for him to re-open Pandora’s Box, but by this time, it’s too late. The box filled with treachery has spilled openly out into the Mississippi in “a plot so heinous that the devil would most certainly warm up a special place in Hell for him,” referring to Hardin Westwick, a ruthless developer who pays off the right men to get his way. Roman’s book however contains so much more than just a juicy scandal. Filled with sex, betrayal and the shameful racist behavior that makes mature men talk passionately about their pure bloodlines and how to maintain them, even resorting to calculated, perverse plans that include murder. The author uses names and phrases familiar to life in the South, to pull you into a Bayou shack, even cleverly displaying the colors, sights and sounds, even the smell of cooking to make you feel you are closing in on danger. There are so many intriguing moments that will have you turning pages faster to find out what happens, not to mention, there are shocking and unexpected surprises. If you like captivating and exciting stories, you’ll love Whatever Became of Sin?

  Show of Hands: A NovelAndrew McCarten

If Show of Hands were on America’s Got Talent, I can imagine Mel B’s enthusiastic, “Oh My God, I loaved it,” response and a smug Simon smiling from ear to ear. McCarten nails the stereotypical, slimy dealer with this story about a promotion at a car dealership. It’s the type of whacky public relations brouhaha I used to dream up for new car dealers while I worked in advertising; may heaven help my repentant soul. McCarten delves deep into our subconscious to lay out a story with incredibly interesting characters and enough twists to keep us guessing and laughing at the same time. The hilarious and clever moments won’t disappoint, may actually inspire and may even keep you awake. You’ll read until you feel akin to the stubborn contestants in this modern day battle, all of whom are riding into a dark figurative valley for a chance at winning a new car. You’ll keep one hand on the cover while you’re turning pages, because you’ll want to find out what happens to Walter, Betsy, Tom and Jess. Keep your hands on the book at all times and be rewarded with mind-blowing scenes involving Matt, Tayshawn and the two characters with the most to lose—Nat and Terry Hatch. Trust me on this one. You’ll love it!

The Misery Manifesto: A Self-Help Parody for the Self-AbsorbedBarb Best
When I reached the end of this book I tried to rework Barb Best’s Misery Manifesto using my own name, and came up with: “Brace before you fall--Always stand tall--Let no one see you weak--show them your gall.” Miserable, huh? Trust me--her version is much better. Anyway, I looked at my Medic Alert bracelet and it didn’t say anything about being a flake or a liar so here I am reviewing a fabulously hilarious book. “Let’s face it,” she writes, “Life is one long dusty Via Dolorosa.” From that point, I knew I was in for a true ode to misery. The talented author weaves stories and creates lists about things that make us miserable. Things many of us can relate to such as: attempts at being vegan, spandex, computers, smartphones, travel, pets, reality television, self-checkouts, moms who hover and more. Her shocking and satire-laced advice should be reason enough for mature readers to pick up this e-book and the smiles will make everyone pick it up again again, just in case they missed something. Did she really suggest private meetings with college professors with a lucrative goal in mind? What was that about goats? Does the word budget really come from Pig Latin and does it really mean “stop spending money on fun stuff?” If you’re looking to tickle your funny bone, then look no further. Maybe thaw out a piece of fruitcake, get comfortable and “outsource your worrying.”

Blood SisterKenna McKinnon

I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry after finishing this enjoyable crime-mystery, because it deals with the serious difficulties of mental illness. Kenna McKinnon uses her special perspective to portray the boundaries of sanity in a light-hearted manner. The author uses her main character Annie, as a way to shed light on the voices, medications and visions accompanying schizophrenia, thus educating readers while being entertaining at the same time. My favorite parts were the clever metaphors, similes and allegorical comparisons throughout the novel, pulling the reader down into a rabbit hole, into a work of true creativity.
After her father took up with a woman from Curacao and her mother passed away, Annie ended up alone and on the streets of Serendipity Island. After getting in and out of trouble, she finally receives medication and a job working undercover for the Justice Department. This time the case is a double murder and everyone’s a suspect, especially her Sudanese boyfriend Samir and his cousin Pepsi. But those awful, distracting voices make her doubt everything, until they hire a special investigator called Mark. That’s when she calls Tess the Avon representative with Attention Deficit Disorder for some coral colored lipstick. Annie’s working hard on the case but she has a newfound interest in her clothing and looks, which help develop confidence while dealing with condescending people who have known her for a long time. With Viking blood coursing through her veins, she knows she’s strong and faces all her fears. Will she crack the case? Read Blood Sister and find out.
Lines such as “You’re crazy as a rabbit with its ears caught in a sewing machine,” or “The sergeant was grinning like a dog eating cat turds,” had me laughing aloud.
This talented author not only pulled me into her story, but also into the scariest place of all: her mind. In other words, it’s a great book and I recommend it.


The SeasidersA.J. Griffths-Jones

Thank you A.J. Griffith-Jones for taking me back, albeit virtually, to a lovely memory of a short visit to The Queen’s Hotel in Portsmouth, England. Though my stay was in the midst of a frosty winter, I still managed to walk along the shore savoring the views of the Isle of Wight. The Seasiders transports readers to a fictional beach hotel called The Sandybank Guest House where families and single travelers go to unwind while enjoying the hospitality of Grace and Dick Thomas. The rapport between the husband and wife landlords is stellar. He’s off for a pint and she needs help because it’s Thursday and the beautician Maureen is waiting to style Grace’s hair at the salon. There’s a plot device used here I rarely see, where the reader is pulled along a somewhat mundane daily routine only to end up in a whirlpool. The characters are charming and the language artistic and brilliant. The author uses words like twaddle and phrases such as “Jolly smart cravat too,” or chiller and cold store instead of refrigerator. Delightfully British in a Fawlty Towers meets Rosemary and Thyme sort of way. There are fantastic characters with side issues such as Elliot Moss, Hilda Price and Oscar Renfrew that I still haven’t figured out. But I don’t want to spoil anything by giving away too much, because there are subtle clues all the way through that I never picked up while enjoying the creative narrative, which eventually led gullible me over an unexpected cliff. When I had finished reading this novel, it reminded me of the short cartoon called Bambi meets Godzilla where Bambi is out walking on a lovely spring day, enjoying the flowers and the butterflies. A classic piece of music by Grieg is playing in the background to draw us further into a false sense of security. That’s when Godzilla shows up to flatten Bambi and the audience is completely flabbergasted. If you like surprises, you’ll love reading The Seasiders.
Vines: A Gripping TaleSuzanne Y. Saunders

We’ve seen the Potter movies and of course fell in love with every Disney princess, but move over J.K. Rowling because Suzanne Y. Saunders is coming to town and if any DreamWorks producer is looking for something new, I would highly recommend “Vines: A Gripping Tale”. I can almost envision the gnarly, oozing vines on a billboard in Hollywood on Sunset and Vine! What a great marketing idea. But this story is no superficial little fairy tale. In fact, I see blockbuster written all over it. It’s a well-constructed piece of art complete with fairies, a sorcerer and supernatural intruders. There are damsels in distress, a handsome young blacksmith’s apprentice called Lance and a fascinating, original plot.
Saunders uses delightful and well-researched words to make the dialogue seem old without bogging readers down with ancient syntax. Painting the colors, the sounds and the smells of the Forbidden Forest, the author pulls us into deep dark woodland filled with dangerous vines. Hidden among the twisted and overgrown branches is a mysterious cavern with many life-threatening traps. With clever twists, you’ll come across the lying Vera who uses potions to stay beautiful and the evil Manix. You’ll meet the nobleman Terrence who owns a special protective sword and other wonderful, enchanting characters such as Milly, old man Bailey and Rennick.
“Rats and bats,” once you start reading you won’t be able to stop because Saunders casts a spell that will take you through the woods, leaving you breathless and wanting more!

Tasty Recycling

This week, my blog is highlighting two seafood dishescreated from recipes found in this old cookbook, I picked up at a used book sale, for a pittance. 

To my delight, everything I’ve made from this book is super easy and tastes great. One of the things I like about this cookbook is that the ingredients used in most of the recipes are items I would normally have in my pantry or in my freezer. All I have to do is supplement what I have with a trip for some fresh produce and Voila--dinner is served.  If you're looking for healthy dishes that don't require tons of work and strange ingredients, then you'll like these recipes.  
First, I made the Tuna Bean Salad and I have to say with a modicum of hubris, that I think my version turned out better than the one they pictured in the book.
Bean Salad With Tuna--Professional Picture Bean Salad With Tuna--photo by me.
Don't you think this one looks better?

A week later, I tried the Shrimp Creole and again, I think my version was tastier than the one pictured in the cookbook. Rather than retype the recipes, I took some photos and hope you’ll try them and enjoy them as much as we did. 



Proof, that gourmet cooking might be possible by taking a gamble on old books at a library or even a thrift store.
(In my humble opinion: between fast food, Big Pharma and those celebrity chefs, there's a conspiracy to make us eat unhealthy foods or we have to pay through the nose for the good stuff at fancy restaurants. Trust me, I love trying new things at restaurants, but cooking our own delicious meals some of the time, might help keep all of us off expensive and dangerous medications.) 

Bon Appetit. 

Eve's Humble Apple

Summer is over? Whaaatttt? I can’t believe it. My favorite season is gone--just like that-- vaporizing into a humid weather report about hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. Humidity is nothing in the big scope of things. Right?


I am so grateful that my cup 'runneth' over. Big time. Take a look at this apple of ours. The first and only apple on our fledgling apple tree from this garden, where we’ve lived since 2014, and while it's about the size of a golf ball, that little green apple reminds me, someone with the perilous name Eve, to be humble. To be thankful for the small things, such as apples.  It’s a magical touch of heavenly sweetness that grew in our corner of paradise. All by itself. All alone without other apples around to keep it company. Not enough for pie and not even big enough where I might tempt my husband to take a bite out of the minuscule morsel in order to find out if it is tart. Or filled with secret mysterious knowledge? Or worms? I can observe it and simply contemplate the reasons it came into my life. 



Remember this song? Maybe I'm supposed to remember this song because my mother liked it so much.
Hope you and your family are safe this season and always.

Meet Me at the Hemet Book Fair!

Original art contributed by Vicki Allen-Hitt

The Book Fair will be held on Saturday, September 23, from 9 am to 1 pm. It will be held at the Diamond Valley Arts Council, 123 North Harvard Street, Hemet CA 92543. There’s parking on the back (west) side of the building as well as on Harvard Street (in front of the building and across the street in a public parking lot just east of the DVAC.) 

I"ll be signing copies of Penniless Hearts, The Fifth Commandment and Theories of Her-An Anthology that contains three of my poems. My newest story Texting at the Gate is now available in a new fairy-tale collection titled, Once Upon a Broken Dream. I hope to be able to acquire a few copies from our publisher so I can display them at the book fair too.
That's me on the right. I'm saying Aloha to everyone
  at the Feldheym library, Meet the Author Event  in August.
Sharing my table is the super-talented,
 delightfully charming author, Suzanne Saunders.

I'm very excited about this event because it's my first Book Fair with the Diamond Valley Writer's Guild and it's much closer to home than the signing in August. Oh and before I forget, you can read one of my stories--The Dream in the summer issue of our Guild's magazine by clicking here: www.straitjackets.org

Hope to see you on the 23rd of September!Free Admission!

My Creativia Publishing Family-Great Entertainment!

Growing up, among my family members, we had the sportsman, the dancing/sculptress, the comedian, the glamorous one and the singing poet. We all had our strengths and entertaining each other seemed to be one of our highest priorities. Long before reality television, we had backyard carnivals and weekend comedy shows. Sometimes we’d invite the neighborhood and other times we enjoyed creating smiles within the confines of our family. Usually I would sing. On the Fourth of July, I sang the Star Spangled Banner. At Christmas, my sister would dance like a Sugar-Plum Fairy and my brother told jokes or did John Wayne impersonations. Dad enjoyed a New Year Waltz, spinning Mom around and around until she was dizzy from too much Strauss. When we we were all tired from performing, we sat down to play Monopoly until at least one of us fell asleep on our fake pile of pink money.
So much has changed in the world today that families don’t have time to look up from their smartphones. After all, money isn’t pink and it isn’t easy to earn. Everyone wants to get behind the wheel of his or her own car instead of sharing a ride. Life is about self-fulfillment instead of togetherness. It’s about me instead of us--with them being the enemy. It’s really sad. I remember popping the popcorn for our neighborhood festival. We had games and offered Kool-Aid for a nickel.

Today, I’m more of a storyteller than a singing poet. Nostalgia graces my memories and I’m working on my second large novel, Penniless Souls which is a sequel to Penniless Hearts. I also wrote a short, faith-based fantasy titled, The Fifth Commandment about a young girl who wished for different parents, thus breaking the fifth commandment about honoring your parents. Right now, I’m glad to be part of the Creativia Publishing family. Recently, Creativia published an anthology titled, Once Upon a Broken Dream. Judging from the varied stories, I imagine there’s a comedian, a sportsman, a dancer or two among our talented members. Every author with a story in this anthology also has their own books and I'm sure you'll agree they are wonderful writers.
 I submitted a short faith-based story called Texting at the Gate. Please let me know if you like it. You can check it out here: 
Once Upon a Broken Dream

Peaceful Perspectives

Do you prefer original ideas from a famous author?"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The practical sound of science? "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." - Albert Einstein

Or...  Do you find hope and strength in faith? 
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - Mother Teresa