Good Living 123

In celebrating World Kindness Day, we are all fully aware of the ugliness in the “big picture.” But this day is an opportunity to apply a little tenderness in our homes, schools, or workplaces. The 2023 theme is “Be Kind Wherever Possible.” Let’s all try to breathe a little life back into the art of consideration. Encourage someone. Make someone smile or laugh. When we think a pleasant thought about someone, share it out loud. Or driving? Yeah, let’s give someone else a break, even if they are being a road hog. Today is just one day in which we can all make a kindness difference in our world.

Today I feel grateful for a great many things. I think I will choose to mention the 6 wonderful weeks of fall foliage that we have enjoyed. Now, as I look across our meadow, I still see glimpsed of the glory. The radiant reds are mellowing to burgundy, while the oranges soften into russet, and the yellows mellow into gold. Leaves have started falling here in the North Carolina foothills, but it’s been a glorious autumn, indeed.

Happy 248^th Birthday to the Marines! On November 10, 1775, the US Marine Corps was officially established by the 2^nd Continental Congress to strengthen naval forces during the Revolutionary War. Recruitment headquarters immediately opened in a popular spot… the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia.

Official funding did not follow until 1798, when President John Adams approved a bill placing the organization under the Secretary of the Navy. The premier elite fighting force in the world continues to this day. To all who serve and who have served, we thank you for your service and sacrifices over so many years.

Destiny of Daring: Never Forget has been blessed with another wonderful 5-star review! This comes from Mr. N at N.N. Light’s Book Heaven.

“This is the book that was needed to complete the story of this Armenian family’s past, present and future. Another important book that puts light on one of the most forgotten genocides of the 20th century. The world needs to stand up and demand Turkey once and for all admits their crimes against Armenia in World War One.

“This story fills in the last part that was missing. The story of Cassie’s other relatives who survived and managed to get through their own horrific stories. If this was a fictional book, it might seem unbelievable. That this is a true story simply makes Emine and Toros story amazing.

“While this book isn’t as long as the first two, it carries a large weight with it. Many in this decade of this century will not believe that just over 100 years ago there were actual alleged humans who had harems. The despicable nature of the behavior of Turks in 1915 is offensive to the core.

“The book is a well written piece that brings the story together. It is important that a person reads all three books. This book is important enough to read on its own first. Powerful, heart wrenching and raw…this book brings a dark page of history to light. A very well-done book as part of a very well-done series.

My Rating: 5 stars

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/destiny-of-daring-never-forget-br?fbclid=IwAR3K5sT-nChXuIyqIwpP0Nhpg2dltkd-vAsQl3FETPad5PmJvEh_l_IeGBw

Photo by Craig Manners

Following the 50-day military conflict in 2014 between Israel and Hamas, Professor Alan Johnson delivered a powerful speech entitled, “Six Myths About Hamas” to give the audience some historical context. He is a senior research fellow at the Britain Israel Communications and Research Center and Editor of its publication, “Fathom.”

Following the October 7, 2023 deadly Hamas attacks on civilians in Israel, the unedited transcript of that speech was printed in “Fathom.” It has since been picked up and reprinted (with some edits for historical clarity) by The Free Press in the US.

With so much information and misinformation fanning flames, I like to research and learn for factual understanding and perspective. I invite you to read either or both for both enlightenment and clarity.

Fathom:   https://fathomjournal.org/archive-six-myths-about-hamas-2014/?highlight=Six%20Myths

Free Press:   https://www.thefp.com/p/six-myths-about-hamas

When we open unknown doors, are we ready for what we may find on the other side? How do we bring harmony out of absolute chaos? Can we forgive after heinous atrocities?

Questions we may find ourselves asking today, interestingly ride in the underlying themes in Book 3, “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget.” As it launches today in both paperback and digital formats, I shake my head as I recognize that very little in our human progress has changed in 100 years.

A 5-star Goodreads review by Anthony Avina clearly notes the “shocking connection to the modern-day horrors of the Middle East.”

In the trilogy’s finale, I finish the telling of the Armenian saga through my own family’s story at the hands of the waning Ottoman Empire. After families were ripped apart and usually massacred, glimmers of hope and resilience flickered into full light. Stories of hope and survival can overpower hatred and evil.

In the end, prejudice, bigotry, distrust, and hatred must be overcome… so much like today. If you do choose to read a copy of “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget” please do try to leave a review on any site, from Amazon to Goodreads. The chance for hope and love to prevail always needs a boost.

Image by John Hain

I cannot help but note that one reprisal begets another… forevermore. The US warns Iran and its proxies to not assault us or else suffer the consequences. But Syria does anyway. Then they are angered that the US responds, as promised. So, they fire more rockets at us in reprisal for our reprisal.

This is the sort of escalation that keeps feuds and hatred going for hundreds of years. Even when one terrorist regime is stopped, the next generation grows up to start it all over again.

Hatred and violence never make a positive combination and never will!

Though a plethora of personal life issues had me running wayyyyy behind in finishing the 3^rd book in my Destiny historical fiction trilogy, I was still able to zip a few advance copies out to some reviewers. I am beyond humbled at the unanimously positive responses. Five Stars are landing across the board for “Destiny of Daring: Never Forget” ahead of the November 1^st release. Here’s a bit from Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. (I added a couple of her comments to the book’s cover.)

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Masterfully written!

I am a big fan of Cathy Burnham Martin and this trilogy. I couldn’t wait to read the last iteration, hoping it could be more. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. I recommend reading the book from the beginning, including the Dedication, Foreword, and the list of characters. I also hope that you have read the first two books in this trilogy, although they can be read standalone. The reader will get the full picture of the family dynamic and the Armenian culture. I know I learned a lot. Meet the Gulumian Family. Cassie is the granddaughter of Hrant and Marjorie, and she has a gift. There are horrors in their past, how Armenians were treated in their own homeland, and suddenly, without having given her details to the tortures, Cassie dreams of her family’s past, and tells them the stories. Cassie shares stories of Armenians by writing their story, and some would have never known about their family lives had she not written their stories. And that’s just the beginning of this magnificently written historical tale, with all the hints of truth. The story is endearing and heartbreaking. An embraceable story. An emotional rollercoaster. Un-put-downable! What an inspirational title. Bring the tissues, and don’t put it down until the end. Destiny of Daring is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.

There is no decent nor acceptable rationalization or justification for terrorism. Period.

Such acts are cowardly efforts to inflict pain and suffering among innocent people who are not responsible for the perpetrators’ anger, issues, or complaints. And yet, these are the deliberately inhumane actions of radical groups who are angry because negotiations failed to get them what they wanted.

Unlike when the Ottoman attempted to annihilate the Armenians or the Nazis tried to obliterate the Jews, we now have social media, so all filters are removed. Cell phone videos reveal sickening images and videos coming out of Israel that reveal a complete lack of human decency, to say the very least. And yet, as appalled as most people are after observing or learning of the multitude of heinous Hamas crimes against families, women, and children in Israel, I still found myself wanting to understand how so many otherwise seemingly sane people in the United States could possibly be attending rallies and cheering for Hamas.

History and society often clash, but it helped my perspective to read one particular article. This is the link to “Israel and Palestine: Where Should History Begin and Should It Matter.”

Most Read of 2021: “Israel” and “Palestine”: Where Should History Begin, and Should it Matter?

And yet, I still contend that it is nothing less than viscious for any leadership to encourage terrorism and utterly barbaric behavior against innocent people. We humans are desperately slow to evolve.

‘Tis beautiful to turn the page to a clean sheet of paper. Reset. Realign. Restart. Redo. Just breathe.

Vermont, the Green Mountain State, was the 14^th state, joining the U.S. on March 4, 1791 as the first state following the 13^th original colonies. On November 25, 1858, Vermont became one of the first states to abolish slavery.

At 160 miles long and 80 miles wide, people consider Vermont to be a small state, but it is the 2^nd largest state in New England, behind Maine. It is the 2^nd smallest state in population, just behind Wyoming. Vermont is big on raising cows and is home to nearly half of all New England dairy farms. And it has the nation’s highest human to cattle ratios, coming in at 0.41 humans to every cow.

With all those dairy farms, it is little wonder that Vermont is known for some of the nation’s finest cheeses. Also, Vermont is home to the famed Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (founded in 1981). Ben & Jerry’s donates ice cream waste to local farmers, who feed it to their hogs. (Reportedly, the hogs like all flavors except Mint Oreo.)

(You just knew I would have to talk food!)If you have a sweet tooth, you likely already know that Vermont is the nation’s largest producer of maple syrup, producing more than 500,000 gallons each year.

And here are a couple of little-known facts about Vermont. To preserve the scenic beauty, the Green Mountain State is one of just 4 that forbid billboard advertising (along with Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine). Norwich University, the oldest private military college in the U.S. calls Vermont home. Vermont has the least violent crimes out of all 50 states. Until 1996, Vermont was the only state without a Wal-Mart, and Montpelier remains the only state capital without a McDonald’s. Vermont-born U.S. President Calvin Coolidge is the only President born on the 4^th of July.

Some of the National or World “Days” are fun… some are informative… some are downright silly. But “You Matter to Me Day” matters more than many. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it can be easy to take our loved ones for granted. In a blink it can be too late to un-ring some stupid bell, perhaps one that never should have been rung in the first place. Remember to bond with loved ones daily. A simple “I love you” can help someone who is struggling to feel less taken for granted. Remind someone today that they matter… deeply. I love YOU!

Ahhh… religious freedom is not just for non-Christians. Remember that separation of church and state was introduced so that the government could no longer restrict voting to strictly white males of the royal governor’s same religion in that colony. It also means that the government cannot mandate prayer in school; nor can the govt forbid it… well, not legally anyway.