M.L. Rowland's Blog, page 9

So There I Was…

With this post’s decidedly UNholiday nature, I was going to wait until after Christmas to post. But considering that the majority of the nation is experiencing monster storms, I chose to post it today.

While clearing out the storage shelves in our laundry room (yikes!), I was sorting out some old towels for the local animal shelter and was reminded of a discovery I made a few years back.

I was out for a winter’s drive in my pick-up truck with my adult niece, Kate, creeping (around fifteen miles per hour in low-range) down the middle of a steep snow-packed mountain road, when the truck began sliding sideways. In less time than it takes to tell, the front and rear right tires slipped down into the drainage ditch paralleling the road.

Even in four wheel drive, there was no way to simply drive out of the ditch, about two or so feet deep. I tried everything. Slowly pressing down on the gas. Driving forward. Backing up. Digging a trench in the snow (with a shovel I keep in the back). Placing boards, sticks, dirt and duff in front of and in back of the tires for traction.

All to no avail. We were stuck. But good.

It was quite late in the afternoon, the shadows were lengthening and it was already cold–in the twenties with the temperature dropping fast.

I wasn’t worried though, determined rather, and annoyed at the thought of possibly having to be rescued. (There’s nothing more ignominious than a searcher have to be RESCUED!)

Although there was no cell phone coverage where we were, we could access a cell tower within a mile or so down the road of our location. Plus there was a house another mile or two beyond that. But, as cold as it was, I knew it was best to stay with the truck. There were plenty of survival supplies piled behind the front seats–blankets, sleeping bags, water, food, candles, flashlight and batteries, matches. But most important, I had filed a flight plan with my husband before leaving the house–he knew exactly where we had gone, as well as when we should return and when to come looking for us (two distinctly different things).

Still, NOT wanting to have to be rescued, I tried the last thing I had in the truck bed–some old towels. I laid them out in front of the tires, accelerated slowly and, slick as you please, drove right out of the ditch. Apparently, the nap of towels provided enough traction on both sides to both grip and stay in place on the snow and for the tires to grab.

I was so surprised. And thankful.

No embarrassing rescuing required!

Since then, I always keep a few towels in my vehicle.

Because one NEVER knows!

Happy Winter!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Together we can change the world.

Today more than ever before, these words are true.

The internet, cell phones, social media and all the other technological advances that are occurring in leaps and bounds have tied the global community together in unprecedented ways.

To all Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and members of every other faith, in the true spirit of Christmas, let’s use our amazing technological capabilities to saturate the world with these ideas:

Kindness.

Generosity.

Equality.

Compassion.

Responsibility.

Unity.

Encouragement.

Action.

Humility.

Forgiveness.

Strength.

Freedom.

Truth.

Conscience.

Integrity.

Tolerance.

Stewardship.

Justice.

Hope.

Peace.

Love.

Imagine what a difference we can make if we work together.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my family, my friends, my community, my country, my world.

Together…We Can Change the World

Share:

Kindness. Generosity. Equality. Compassion. Responsibility. Stewardship. Unity. Action. Humility. Forgiveness. Understanding. Freedom. Conscience. Integrity. Tolerance. Truth. Justice. Hope.

Peace.

Love.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my family, my friends, my community, my country, my world.

Scatter the Darkness

“Lord Almighty, come and scatter the darkness of our hearts by the light of your presence.”

The Book of Common Prayer

 

Scatter the Darkness

“Murder on the Horizon,” Take 1

Just turned in 1st draft of “Murder on the Horizon,” 3rd book in my Search and Rescue series featuring Gracie Kinkaid. Check out 1st 2 books in the series: “Zero-Degree Murder” and “Murder Off the Beaten Path.” Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

Last-minute Holiday Gifts!

E-versions of “Zero-Degree Murder” and “Murder Off the Beaten Path” make terrific last-minute gifts for readers on your holiday list.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com for Nook readers

http://www.amazon.com for Kindle readers

Happy reading

and

Happy holidays!

Who Needs the Internet?

Not everyone on the planet.

Certainly not someone whose basic human needs aren’t being met.

Does Mark Zuckerberg really think someone without access to clean water gives a rat’s patootie about whether they’re connected or not?

Does he really think someone without enough food for her children cares ONE IOTA about whether she can access the Internet?

REALLY?!?

Respectfully, Mr. Zuckerberg, instead of bringing Internet access to every person in the world, how about focusing instead on bringing adequate food to every person in the world?

Or access to clean water?

Or basic healthcare?

Or electricity?

Really!

A Nobody’s Plea to Mark Zuckerberg

Who am I?

No great brain with no great financial wealth. A writer of sorts with a little bit of passion (some might call it a big mouth).

In other words, in the big scheme of things, a Nobody.

On a mission to change Mark Zuckerberg’s mind.

Mr. Zuckerberg has a great brain by pretty much everyone’s standards. And let’s just say he can pay the rent. In Time magazine’s recent cover article, Mr. Zuckerberg expressed his goal of bringing Internet access to every person on the planet.

My first reaction was “Really?” (Actually it was WTF? but I can’t really write that–this is a G-rated blog.)

The depiction of him in “Social Network” aside, Mr. Zuckerberg seems like a pretty nice guy. And, again, he’s a bit of a brainiac.

But I can’t for the life of me figure out why such a nice, smart man thinks bringing the Internet to everyone is such a grand idea, grander, more urgent or important than, say, making sure every person has FOOD to eat. Or clean WATER to drink. Or access to the most basic HEALTH CARE or SANITATION. Or even ELECTRICITY

Mr. Zuckerberg, with all due respect, I know the Internet is your thing, but PLEASE RECONSIDER and take on the problem of providing food, clean water, basic health care, sanitation and electricity to every person on earth. THESE (along with climate change and wildlife conservation and a host of other issues) are the real and urgent global problems that need real solutions requiring real brains and real money to solve.

Once these are solved, THEN if you’re still interested, you can take on global Internet access.

PLEASE!

Millions of lives depend on it.

Sincerely,

A Nobody

Who Needs the Internet?

Does Mark Z. really think a woman without enough food to feed her children care’s a rat’s patootie about whether she’s connected or not? Really?