C.N. Bring's Blog: The Celia Kelly Series, page 3
July 23, 2014
Weekly Stay Strong Tip: Preventing Illness Naturally with Cinnamon
Cinnamomum cassia oil has been shown to kill certain strains of E. coli bacteria.
Seeking ways to prevent some of the most serious foodborne illnesses caused by pathogenic bacteria, two Washington State University scientists have found promise in an ancient but common cooking spice: cinnamon.
Recent findings published in Food Control journal online suggest Cinnamomum cassia oil can work effectively as a natural antibacterial agent in the food industry. The study results add to a body of knowledge that will help improve food safety and reduce or eliminate cases of food poisoning and related deaths.
In the study, the essential oil killed several strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), known as “non-O157 STEC.” The study looked at the top six strains of non-O157 STEC, says co-author Lina Sheng, a graduate student in the School of Food Science.
The cinnamon cassia oil is effective in low concentrations, she said – about 10 drops diluted in a liter of water killed the bacteria within 24 hours.
Rising health concerns about chemical additives have strengthened demand for natural food additives, said co-author Meijun Zhu, an assistant professor in the School of Food Science.
“Our focus is on exploring plant-derived natural food bioactive compounds as antimicrobials to control foodborne pathogens, in order to ensure safety of fresh produce,” she says.
Sheng says about 110,000 cases of illness are caused annually by non-O157 STEC.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service has a “zero tolerance” policy for the CDC’s top six non-O157 STECs in raw ground beef and trimmings, indicating any raw non-intact beef products containing these pathogens will be considered adulterated. This has led Zhu and Sheng to include the beef industry in the large-scale application of their findings on cinnamon.
“The oil can be incorporated into films and coatings for packaging both meat and fresh produce,” Sheng says. “It can also be added into the washing step of meat, fruits or vegetables to eliminate microorganisms.”
Cassia cinnamon is produced primarily in Indonesia and has a stronger smell than the other common cinnamon variety, Ceylon.
In addition to Cinnamomum cassia oil, Sheng plans to take a look at another natural source to kill bacteria. She and her coworkers will study the potential of dandelions to inhibit bacteria related to bovine mastitis, an infection in the mammary glands of dairy cows.
The article, “Inhibitory effect of Cinnamomum cassia oil on non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,” will be published in the print version of Food Control in December 2014.
Source: Washington State University
Filed under: Strong Men, Strong Women, Thriller Books, True Story, Weekly Stay Strong Tip Tagged: Cinnamomum, Health, Health Foods, Strong Woman, Weekly Strong Tip
July 22, 2014
HOW CAN WE SERVE?
Here is a guest post I did for Candace Cameron Bure’s blog Practically Speaking in 2013. I think serving is one of the best ways God teaches us strength.How Can I Serve?
June 10th, 2013 by Candace Cameron Bure / Guest Post
Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, giving thanks and remembrance to all who’ve served us through our military. Let us not forgot that service continues each and every day and comes in many different forms. Today’s guest post is by author CN Bring.
Enjoy! -Candace
Do you ever feel like you wish you could do more to be a positive influence in the world? Chaos seems to be more prevalent every day. Sometimes it’s easier to lock ourselves away in our own world and shut out the mayhem. How can we make a difference when everything seems to be a mess?
Many of us get up in the morning, get the kids ready for the day and head off to work, school or errands. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the laundry list of busy work and only 24 hours in the day. What if that was all stripped away? What if you were called up to drop everything and leave everyone behind? Military service provides a certain clarity on when it comes to priorities and family values. We should all use this same “what if” logic in everyday decision-making and social interaction.
I write military mysteries and I also have a page on my website called CN Salutes where I interview those who serve and have served our country. I find myself in awe of every selfless story. Soldiers leave everything to protect all that we stand for as “One nation under God”. While soldiers are over there they have families here serving on the home front. Those families sacrifice being with their loved one. They share their family with the entire nation. That’s service! I am proud to say I have family who have served and currently serve in the military. One thing you learn in the military is to always put others first. I have been blessed by their example and this is what I’ve learned.
The truth is everyone has a responsibility to serve. Whether it’s an older neighbor who needs help with groceries, or helping in your child’s class room, to teaching Sunday School. These are just a few ways we can all make a difference. There are small wars here at home that communities must band together and fight to make the world a better place.
We all have gifts given by God that make each of us unique and necessary to the world around us. There are many ways we can be an example to our peers and minister to others daily. When you feel compelled to help fill a need, you are being driven to serve. It’s your responsibility. Serving others is what gives us purpose and direction.
My responsibility began when I accepted Jesus in my heart at the age of eight at Vacation Bible School and began my relationship with God. I chose to serve Him and live my life as an example of His love. Later I was called to serve once again when I began to share my life with my husband, and with him, be an example to our four children. Today I believe I am called to serve as an example of faith through my work in The Celia Kelly Series, because deep inside of everyone there is a hero.
You may think that your life is mundane and there is nothing you can do. No matter what your job or what walk of life you come from, it is your responsibility to serve others in some way and make a difference. We are connected to too many people to be completely self-involved. Always remember this: EVERYONE IS WATCHING! When someone looks at you, do they see an example of honor and compassion? Do they see a person of service?
Serve by making a difference one life at a time! You can be somebody’s hero!
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” –Mother Teresa
To learn more about CN Bring and her military novels, check out her website or click on the photo to purchase her books.
July 21, 2014
FLORAL IN DETAIL
Photo by Kacie Quesenberry
Photo by Kacie Quesenberry
Photo by Kacie Quesenberry
OUR FAMILY WEDDING TABLES IN DETAIL
The logs were cut (by Glen Bring) and a hole was bored out in the center for a paper cup with floral foam so the flowers could be arranged and kept fresh with water. For the moss on the tables that also had flowers, the stems were stuck into a plastic bag (under moss) holding wet floral foam to keep them fresh for the entire evening. Vicki Moore created the arrangement which consisted of moss, Pianese, white roses and greens.
My job was the table runners. The table runners are 12 inch burlap, surged on edges with 6 inch lace sewed down the middle. A simple clean design. The time and work put forth by all was worth it!
Filed under: Strong Women, Thriller Books, True Story Tagged: Dave Coulier, Family, Melissa Bring Coulier, Wedding
July 16, 2014
WEEKLY STAY STRONG TIP: THE BEST HOSPITALS
1. Mayo Clinic
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Honor Roll Points: 29
Highest rankings: Diabetes & Endocrinology (#1); Ear, Nose & Throat (#1); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#1); Geriatrics (#1); Gynecology (#1); Nephrology (#1); Neurology & Neurosurgery (#1); Pulmonology (#1).
Honor Roll rank last year: 3
2. Massachusetts General Hospital
Location: Boston
Honor Roll Points: 28
Highest rankings: Psychiatry (#1), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#3), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#3).
Honor Roll rank last year: 2
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital
Location: Baltimore
Honor Roll Points: 26
Highest rankings: Rheumatology (#1); Ear, Nose & Throat (#2); Neurology & Neurosurgery (#3), Urology (#3); Ophthalmology (#3); Psychiatry (#3).
Honor Roll rank last year: 1
4. Cleveland Clinic
Location: Cleveland
Honor Roll Points: 26
Highest rankings: Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#1), Urology (#1), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#2), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#2), Nephrology (#2), Rheumatology (#2).
Honor Roll rank last year: 4
5. UCLA Medical Center
Location: Los Angeles
Honor Roll Points: 23
Highest rankings: Geriatrics (#3), Urology (#4), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#5), Ophthalmology (#5).
Honor Roll rank last year: 5
6. New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell
Location: New York
Honor Roll Points: 22
Highest rankings: Psychiatry (#2), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#2), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#3), Rheumatology (#3), Nephrology (#3).
Honor Roll rank last year: 7 (tie with UCSF Medical Center)
7. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
Location: Philadelphia
Honor Roll Points: 19
Highest rankings: Ear, Nose & Throat (#3); Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#7); Pulmonology (#7).
Honor Roll rank last year: 11
8. UCSF Medical Center
Location: San Francisco
Honor Roll Points: 17
Highest rankings: Nephrology (#4), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#5), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#5).
Honor Roll rank last year: 7 (tie with New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell)
9. Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Location: Boston
Honor Roll Points: 15
Highest rankings: Gynecology (#2), Cancer (#4), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#5), Nephrology (#5), Rheumatology (#5).
Honor Roll rank last year: 9
10. Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Location: Chicago
Honor Roll Points: 13
Highest rankings: Diabetes & Endocrinology (#8), Urology (#9), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#10).
Honor Roll rank last year: 6
11. University of Washington Medical Center
Location: Seattle
Honor Roll Points: 12
Highest rankings: Rehabilitation (#4), Cancer (#6), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#10).
Honor Roll rank last year: Was not on Honor Roll.
12. (tie) Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Honor Roll Points: 11
Highest rankings: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#6), Orthopedics (#7), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#8).
Honor Roll rank last year: 13
12. (tie) UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Location: Pittsburgh
Honor Roll Points: 11
Highest rankings: Ear, Nose & Throat (#7); Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#7); Rheumatology (#9).
Honor Roll rank last year: 10
Filed under: Mystery, Strong Men, Strong Women, Thriller Books, True Story, Weekly Stay Strong Tip Tagged: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mayo Clinic, New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Strong Men, Strong Woman, Thriller books, UCLA Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Weekly Strong Tip
July 14, 2014
WEDDING BLISS IN AMAZING DETAIL
Dave Coulier and Melissa Bring’s July 2 wedding at a Montana ranch was casual, unpretentious and loaded with style, which also sums up their incredible wedding cake.
The six-tiered confection featured four layers of chocolate cake with salted caramel filling, as well as two vanilla layers with a raspberry reduction. Guests loved it so much, says the bride, “there wasn’t much left!”
It’s hard to believe the cake came together just four days before the wedding. When the bride’s mom, Cindy, realized that she was too caught up in last-minute chores to bake the cake as she’d planned, a longtime friend and Montana neighbor, Melody Mount, stepped in. And, though it was her first time doing such a large-scale dessert, Mount was undeterred, even when the bride had an unusual request.
“She wanted a ‘naked’ cake,” says Mount. “I never heard of that so I had to look it up.” She soon discovered what “naked” meant: The sides of the cake are left bare — no frosting or fondant — so that the color, texture and fillings are exposed for a more natural look.
But the great detail that my daughter Melissa Bring Coulier put into her day didn’t stop with the request of a naked cake. She put careful detail into their special day. We had a wonderful time with our family and closest friends! The flowers were done by Vicki Moore, family member and friend and I made the table runners.
Filed under: Thriller Books Tagged: Dave Coulier, Family, Melissa Bring Coulier, Naked Cake, People Magazine
July 8, 2014
WINNER OF THE DIANE & DAVID MUNSON GIVEAWAY
Frances Nelson of Helena Montana is the winner of The Diane/David Munson Giveaway. Her choice was Confirming Justice. Enjoy!
June 10, 2014
STRONG WOMAN FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR DIANE MUNSON
Today I am honored to introduce Diane Munson, a former attorney for more than thirty years. Diane’s husband David Munson is a former Special Agent for NCIS and the DEA. As a result, they have lived in various “undisclosed” parts of the country. Presently they also partner as authors for a series of Christian suspense novels. Her journey is inspiring as she shares with us how career and faith go hand in hand.
What do you do for a living? In my years as an attorney, I have served in the U.S. Department of Justice as an official in the areas of legal reform and then as the director of the national Juvenile Justice program for President Reagan. Also I have been a Federal Prosecutor in Washington D.C. For many years I had my own legal firm where I specialized in family law and mediation. All of these experiences led me to write Christian suspense novels with David.
Together, we have written 8 family friendly thrillers based on our careers in law and law enforcement, which we call “factional fiction,” It is a blessing to travel the country engaging readers, and speaking at book events, churches, and libraries. We also put on “mystery” dinners. Because attendees help us solve a mystery of our creation, we all have loads of fun. For more information about the mystery events and each novel, see our website at: www.dianeanddavidmunson.com
What was your training and education? In college, I completed a double major in Political Science and Legal Administration. After earning a B.S. degree, I graduated from law school. Since then, I became a certified mediator through Peacemaker Ministries. I attend writing conferences, and take creative writing and other classes to build our writing career.
What is your idea of strength? To me, strength is first God-given. It is having faith Jesus Christ will pull us through no matter what hill we climb or what valley we descend. Life throws many curves, some of which put us down for the count. I have learned through this journey that when I am weak, God is strong, which is why I say true inner strength comes from God. In living day to day, I strive to fulfill what the Bible exhorts us to do in Micah 6:8—to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It is not always easy, yet I have hope tomorrow will bring a better day.
Who inspired you as you were growing up? My grandmother’s strong faith in Jesus grew despite difficult circumstances in her life. She emigrated with her parents from the Netherlands, and survived my grandfather’s injury in the war and the death of her child. She pursued a career when it was unusual for women to do so; as she needed to provide for my mother. Though Grandma never learned to drive, she took me and my sister on the bus for shopping trips. She listened to Biblical teaching on the radio, prayed with us and for us, and showed us the love of Jesus. My Mother also inspires me. After my father died young, Mom returned to work and raised us five kids. She loved books of all kinds and had many for us to delve into. She encouraged us to check out books from the local library when there was no money for other types of enjoyment. Though Mom endured hardship, she praises the Lord for helping her. Also, a woman lawyer taught me the value of working hard, doing so with grace and inner strength. From these three women, I learned to navigate life’s diverging roads.
Does your faith play a part in who you are and what you do? The faith I have in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is the essence of who I am. The love He shows me every day, through His death and resurrection, drives our writing to be excellent and praiseworthy. I sing in choir at my church, and the wonderful songs we sing, brings out worship to God in new ways. I enjoy reading the Bible and learning about God’s character. Spending more time alone with my Heavenly Father is something I strive for in this next year. I endeavor to better understand what it means to love and trust God with ALL my heart, and to love others in this same way.
What was the most difficult struggle you had to overcome along the way? My father died when I was young. Mom labored to provide for us and there was no money for any extras. I studied hard in high school, which helped me earn scholarships. It was a challenge working my way through college and law school. During one year, I worked 2 jobs in law school. Even then, I mostly lived on lettuce, carrots, and a taco twice a week that I bought for a dollar. This is nothing compared to what many endure, but it was hard to study when I was hungry. During this time a professor committed suicide. It was a dark, dark, winter that year. Then I had a car accident on the way to a job interview. I went in an ambulance to the hospital, but thankfully, wasn’t seriously injured. After this, I began to seek out God more faithfully as He protected me and kept bringing strong Christians into my path.
Did you ever want to give up? What kept you going? I saw others giving up, and yet an inner voice told me that I was made to serve God, and He would help me to overcome. Mom and my siblings were always there for me too. Their love helped me see God had a plan for me no matter the low period. One summer I met my friend Denise, whose great love for Jesus spills out from her smile, her acts in inviting me over for meals, and laughing with me about silly things. It this time, I turned my entire life and future over to Jesus, which changed me from the inside out. His light lives within me and I want to share that light with my life.
What has been the most rewarding experience in your life/and or career? Why? Two situations stand out. Working as a Federal Prosecutor was a valuable experience. I weighed the evidence, and decided if charges should be brought. Besides taking the evidence to Grand Juries, I also tried serious cases. In this setting, I helped bring about justice for those who were victimized by crimes. Secondly, as a private attorney, I represented abused and neglected children. In one troubling case, I advocated for a new approach in the law, resulting in abused children not being automatically reunited with an abusive parent. It was rewarding to think I helped other children have a better chance of healing from their pain.
These experiences led to our writing faith-filled thrillers. My husband and I fictionalize our experiences in hopes of encouraging readers in difficult situations. For example, in Facing Justice, we tell about the Grand Jury so readers can see behind the scenes. And Hero’s Ransom reveals some aspects of my child custody cases. Despite the headlines, good people are working diligently to see justice is served and there is hope in Jesus.
Who is one of the strongest women you know today and why? My sister Michele and I were always close to each other growing up. We have forged an even closer relationship through the fiery trials of life. She is in the medical field, using her talents to heal the sick. Life brings her challenges and she faces them with the love of Jesus. We build each other up in our faith, pray for one another and our families, and she digs deep to lift me up from the pit. I can count on her and trust her completely. She is a tremendous blessing!
What is your advice to other women out there who are facing adversity on their own personal journey? Jesus cares about you. Tell Him about your troubles. He will listen and act on your behalf. You have love to give and being a giver can help take your mind off your troubles. I had a client once who was going through a painful divorce. This client began reading to the blind, which helped give her a new purpose in life. Winston Churchill, who fought the Germans in WWII, famously once said, “Never, never, never give up.” God Almighty, who made the Heavens and Earth, is your “Daddy”. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for you. May His light and love shine in your hearts today.
GIVEAWAY: Win A FREE copy of your choice of the three novels below by entering your choice in the comment section. A drawing will decide the winner.
CONFIRMING JUSTICE
In Confirming Justice, Federal Judge Dwight Pendergast presides over a bribery case involving the son of a cabinet secretary. Suddenly the key prosecution witness disappears. When FBI agent Griffin Topping is brought in to locate the witness he soon finds his life in peril. Meantime, across town in the White House, the President is about to nominate Judge Pendergast to fill a Supreme Court vacancy.
In a race against time Agent Topping risks everything to save the case while opponents of the nomination attempt to expose deeply held family secrets concerning the judge.
Featuring a mix of plot twists, legal intrigue and fast-paced suspense, Confirming Justice is sure to be a popular and satisfying read for those wanting a realistic portrayal of what can go on behind the scenes at the center of power.
FACING JUSTICE
n Facing Justice, Federal Agent Eva Montanna’s twin sister died at the Pentagon on 9/11. Eva dedicates her career to avenge her death while investigating Email Jubayl, a member of Eva’s church and CEO of Helpers International, who is accused of using his aid organization to funnel money to El Samoud, head of the Armed Revolutionary Cause, and successor to Al Qaeda. Family relationships are tested in this fast-paced, true-to-life legal thriller about the men and women who are racing to defuse the ticking time bomb of international terrorism.
HERO’S RANSOM
CIA Agent Bo Rider (The Camelot Conspiracy) and Federal Agents Eva Montanna and Griff Topping (Facing Justice, Confirming Justice, The Camelot Conspiracy) return in Hero’s Ransom, the Munsons’ fourth family-friendly adventure. When archeologist Amber Worthing uncovers a two-thousand-year-old mummy and witnesses a secret rocket launch at a Chinese missile base, she is arrested for espionage. Her imprisonment sparks a custody battle between grandparents over her young son, Lucas. Caught between sinister world powers, Amber’s faith is tested in ways she never dreamed possible. Danger escalates as Bo races to stop China’s killer satellite from destroying America, and with Eva and Griff’s help, to rescue Amber using an unexpected ransom.
The Newest Release:
STOLEN LEGACY
Stolen Legacy, by Diane and David Munson, tells the daunting tale of Germany invading Holland, and the heroes who dare to resist by hiding Jews. Federal agent Eva Montanna stops protecting America long enough to visit her grandfather’s farm and help write a memoir of his dangerous time under Nazi control. Eva is shocked to uncover a plot to harm Grandpa Marty. Memories are tested as secrets from Marty’s time in the Dutch resistance and later service in the Monuments Men of the U.S. Army fuel this betrayal. The Munsons’ eighth thriller unveils priceless relics and a stolen legacy, forever changing Eva’s life and her faith.
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June 3, 2014
8 SECRETS OF A HAPPY FAMILY
My husband and I with our grandsons in Japan.
I came across this article and thought it was worth sharing! Its all about the everyday….
Create Traditions
Whether it’s making pancakes for dinner on Sunday nights or ending every car trip by saying “Home again, home again, jiggity-jog,” unique family rituals strengthen ties like nothing else.
“Traditions give children a sense of identity and belonging,” says Richard Eyre, coauthor of The Happy Family: Restoring the 11 Essential Elements That Make Families Work. “They may seem insignificant to adults, but kids hang on to them.”
The Eyres have celebrated family birthdays in special ways since their children were small. “Because mine is in autumn, we always rake a big pile of leaves and jump in them,” says Eyre. The year three of his nine children, now ages 16 to 30, left home, he opened the mail on his birthday to find three separate envelopes, each with a leaf inside. “It was each child’s way of saying ‘I’m still part of the family,'” he says.
The Friday-night tradition in the Pritz household, in Glenside, PA, includes two pizzas, a movie in the living room, and everyone — Mom, Dad, and their four kids, ages 2 to 7½ — on the floor in pajamas. “It’s a simple ritual, but we look forward to it all week. I grew up going to Friday-night drive-in movies with my family,” says mom Denise. “I hope my kids remember our movie nights as happily as I remember the drive-in.”
Rally ‘Round the Table
Families who chow together bond better than those who eat at separate times and spaces. Sitting around the table — or even just grating carrots in the kitchen — encourages kids and parents to relax and share what’s on their mind (keep the TV off!). The benefits of this quality mealtime are long-lasting: Kids from families who dine together frequently are 31 percent less likely to smoke, drink, or do drugs later on as teenagers, according to a study of 2,000 youngsters by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
If your schedule doesn’t allow for family dinners as often as you’d like, consider bonding over breakfast. The Geddes family of New York City manages to have dinner together a few nights a week, but they make sure to sit down to eat every morning. “Sure, it can be hectic,” says Jennifer Geddes, mother of two girls, ages 18 months and 4 years, “but we count on that time together before we go our separate ways.”
Get Into the Game
“Playing together builds strong bonds and warm memories — you’re in effect saying ‘We have a great time together,'” says Nick Stinnett, Ph.D., professor of human development at the University of Alabama and author of Fantastic Families: 6 Proven Steps to Building a Strong Family. In his 25-year study, which tracked 14,000 families nationwide, he found the happiest families spent time playing board and card games together.
On her family’s weekly Game Night, “we spread out puzzles and games like Candy Land and Go Fish on the floor,” says Chris Crytzer, mom of a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old in Pittsburgh. “Everyone gets a chance to talk, we’re all laughing, and the kids have to cooperate and take turns. There’s a real peace that comes when everyone’s clicking. I always think, ‘This is what a family is supposed to be.'”
Clean Up as a Clan
Who knew that excavating the garage together could yield more than ten-year-old paint cans? Doing chores as a family can be a major bliss booster. You work, you talk, you get closer. “Children might grumble when they’re helping wash dishes or sort laundry, but these things create a sense of achievement and connection,” says Stinnett. Even running everyday errands with your child, whether walking the dog or going to the gas station, can provide short but sweet bonding time.
Enhance One Another’s Ego
If you want to build team spirit, encourage your family to be cheerleaders. In a survey of 150 families conducted by Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, those who seemed most content — and had the most fun together — also expressed their support most often. They exchanged compliments in public and private and generally rooted for one another. “When parents went to their kids’ sporting events, for instance, they took the younger siblings along instead of leaving them with a sitter,” says Rutgers‘s Susan Newman, Ph.D. “The message is ‘We’re here for one another.'”
You can foster this kind of alliance just by keeping everyone up-to-date on one another’s lives, says Michele Borba, author of Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues That Teach Kids to Do the Right Thing. The more your kids know about their siblings’ schedules, the easier it is for them to say, “Good luck on your test” or “Don’t worry. I was scared on the first day of school too.”
Nurture a Spiritual Side
Whether or not they follow an organized religion, happy families tend to spend time reflecting on gratitude and blessings. Doing that out loud in the evenings with sons Nic, 8, and Zak, 5, is the most rewarding part of Sue Lewis’s day. “The kids are totally spontaneous, and it’s always interesting to see what’s on their mind,” says the Grand Rapids, MN, mom. “They offer thanks for something good that happened at school or ask for blessings for other family members who are having a hard time. We learn so much about one another after sharing our concerns out loud. I think it keeps us all close.”
Hand Out the Hugs
Anyone who’s ever had a massage or been comforted by an embrace knows what a powerful force touch can be. “Strong families show a lot of physical affection,” says Stinnett. “Touch communicates — and nurtures — connection. Even a simple pat on the back at a difficult moment can strengthen the bond.” And don’t underestimate the power of silly displays of affection, like rubbing noses or trading butterfly kisses. In my house, it’s the Great Big Good Morning Hug: My kids, 4-year-old A.J. and 6-year-old Mathilda, refuse to budge from bed until they get one.
Look for Laughter
You don’t have to learn new knock-knock jokes. “Humor isn’t about consciously trying to be funny,” says Eyre. “It’s really about creating a light, ‘life is good’ atmosphere at home.” Some of the most irritating moments — three cups of spilled juice in a row, crayons melted on car upholstery — can become your family’s funniest, most cherished stories in years to come. The other day, A.J. and Mathilda ended up covered in finger paint during a playdate at a friend’s house. I had a choice:
I could get upset (their new clothes got drenched in blue and green paint) or I could joke about how they were walking works of art. That night, we all went home laughing.
Charlotte Latvala is the author of Baby’s First Year Workbook and The Expectant Mother’s Workbook.
©Parenting
May 27, 2014
FIND YOUR CALLING!
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service and working hard.” — Oprah Winfrey
May 18, 2014
STRONG WOMAN ANNIE GLENN
John and Annie Glenn
I received this forwarded to me in an email and I found it to be such an inspiration I wanted to share it in my Strong Woman Series!
For half a century, the world has applauded John Glenn as a heart-stirring American hero. He lifted the nation’s spirits when, as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, he was blasted alone into orbit around the Earth; the enduring affection for him is so powerful that even now people find themselves misting up at the sight of his face or the sound of his voice. But for all these years, Glenn has had a hero of his own, someone who he has seen display endless courage of a different kind: Annie Glenn.
They have been married for 68 years. He is 90; she turned 92 on Friday. This weekend there has been news coverage of the 50th anniversary of Glenn’s flight into orbit. We are being reminded that, half a century down the line, he remains America ‘s unforgettable hero. Because the heroism he most cherishes is of a sort that is seldom cheered. It belongs to the person he has known longer than he has known anyone else in the world.
John Glenn and Annie Castor first knew each other when — literally — they shared a playpen. In New Concord , Ohio , his parents and hers were friends. When the families got together, their children played. John — the future Marine fighter pilot, the future test-pilot ace, the future astronaut — was pure gold from the start. He would end up having what it took to rise to the absolute pinnacle of American regard during the space race; imagine what it meant to be the young John Glenn in the small confines of New Concord.
Three-sport varsity athlete, most admired boy in town, Mr. Everything. Annie Castor was bright, was caring, was talented, was generous of spirit. But she could talk only with the most excruciating of difficulty. It haunted her. Her stuttering was categorized as an “85%” disability — 85% of the time, she could not manage to make words come out. When she tried to recite a poem in elementary school, she was laughed at. She was not able to speak on the telephone. She could not have a regular conversation with a friend.
And John Glenn loved her. Even as a boy he was wise enough to understand that people who could not see past her stutter were missing out on knowing a rare and wonderful girl. They married on April 6, 1943. As a military wife, she found that life as she and John moved around the country could be quite hurtful. She has written: “I can remember some very painful experiences — especially the ridicule.”
In department stores, she would wander unfamiliar aisles trying to find the right section, embarrassed to attempt to ask the salesclerks for help. In taxis, she would have to write requests to the driver, because she couldn’t speak the destination out loud. In restaurants, she would point to the items on the menu.
A fine musician, Annie, in every community where she and John moved, would play the organ in church as a way to make new friends. She and John had two children; she has written: “Can you imagine living in the modern world and being afraid to use the telephone? ‘Hello’ used to be so hard for me to say. I worried that my children would be injured and need a doctor. Could I somehow find the words to get the information across on the phone?”
John, as a Marine aviator, flew 59 combat missions in World War II and 90 during the Korean War. Every time he was deployed, he and Annie said
goodbye the same way. His last words to her before leaving were:
“I’m just going down to the corner store to get a pack of gum.”
And, with just the two of them there, she was able to always reply:
“Don’t be long.”
On that February day in 1962 when the world held its breath and the Atlas rocket was about to propel him toward space, those were their words, once again. And in 1998, when, at 77, he went back to space aboard the shuttle Discovery, it was an understandably tense time for them. What if something happened to end their life together? She knew what he would say to her before boarding the shuttle. He did — and this time he gave her a present to hold onto: A pack of gum.
She carried it in a pocket next to her heart until he was safely home. Many times in her life she attempted various treatments to cure her stutter. None worked. But in 1973, she found a doctor in Virginia who ran an intensive program she and John hoped would help her. She traveled there to enroll and to give it her best effort. The miracle she and John had always waited for at last, as miracles will do, arrived. At age 53, she was able to talk fluidly, and not in brief, anxiety-ridden, agonizing bursts.
John has said that on the first day he heard her speak to him with confidence and clarity, he dropped to his knees to offer a prayer of gratitude.
He has written: “I saw Annie’s perseverance and strength through the years and it just made me admire her and love her even more.”
He has heard roaring ovations in countries around the globe for his own valor, but his awe is reserved for Annie, and what she accomplished: “I don’t know if I would have had the courage.” Her voice is so clear and steady now that she regularly gives public talks. If you are lucky enough to know the Glenns, the sight and sound of them bantering and joking with each other and playfully finishing each others’ sentences is something that warms you and makes you thankful just to be in the same room.
Monday will be the anniversary of the Mercury space shot, and once again people will remember, and will speak of the heroism of Glenn the
astronaut. But if you ever find yourself at an event where the Glenns are appearing, and you want to see someone so brimming with pride and love that you may feel your own tears start to well up, wait until the moment that Annie stands to say a few words to the audience. And as she begins, take a look at her husband’s eyes.
