Tagged With A Happy Meme!

Jacquelyn and "Surviving Serendipity"

Pooh and "The Missing Locket"

Jacquelyn Sylvan , author of Surviving Serendipity, just tagged me with "What are six things that make me happy." Only six?? Are you kidding me? Okay, here goes:

1. My husband bringing me a steamy cup of cappuccino in the morning. (I say "it's love." He says, "self defense.")

2. Laughing with friends until we cry.

3. writing

4. Chocolate (and more chocolate)

5. The view from my desk

6. Watching the Superbowl. Go Steelers!


Now, for the fun part! Tag! You're it!

Diana Black

Janet Muirhead Hill

Morgan Mandel

Mayra Calvani

A Day For the Ages

Tuskeegee Airmen

Not Schnauzers...but close!

Okay, so these aren't Schnauzers and they're not even close to Schnauzers. I'm sure Schnauzers are wonderful dogs. My cousin has had cute little Schnauzers for years and wouldn't have anything else.

But, Schnauzers aside, I'm here to pay honor to my friend, Cynthia. There will be (many, many years from now!) a special place in heaven for her.

She rescues Golden Retrievers. I've lost count how many, but have heard extensively about 5 of them in just the past couple of years.

She and her husband rescued Chance when he was about 7 and quickly decided to adopt him. Their vet said he'd probably live another year or two. He's 15. All you researchers...looking for the answer to longevity? Go live with Cynthia.

Not to say she hasn't had her heartaches. She called a few months ago having just left the vet's office after having her latest "baby" Bassinger, put to sleep. He had an inoperable condition and was suffering. Too much for even Cynthia's healing touch.

It was just a few months later that she was empathizing with me over the loss of our 16-year-old adopted Molly. Our sweet little girl we found at the Miami Animal Shelter many years ago.

If you're looking for some insightful summation to this post. Not gonna get it. It's just my way of giving Cynthia her "due." Although she gets it every day with the tailwagging, joyful expressions from not only Chance, but Bailey and Sadie, too.

So, here's to you, my dear friend. You're an angel to dog lovers (and dogs!) everywhere.

Adopt A Golden - Atlanta

Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta

Inspiration

In these tough times, it's hard to get inspired about anything.

I found inspiration today, however, in the story I read on Yahoo News about a letter that our President-Elect, Barack Obama, wrote to his young girls, Malia, age 10 and Sasha, age 7.

He began the letter by saying that he entered the race for the White House "because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."

"When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me -- about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world," Obama said in the letter published in Parade magazine, a weekend newspaper color supplement.

"I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfilment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."

The inclusive, creative tone of our new president gives me so much hope for our young people. He gets it. He truly gets it.

Mary Cunningham Books

Despereaux - The Tale of Great Writing!

I wanted to begin this post with a favorite passage from Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Award Winning book, but there were too many. How could I possibly pick one...or two...or twenty!

Besides, you already know the story...scrawny, big-eared mouse gets rejected by his family, falls in love with a princess, sent to a dungeon amid an overwhelming love for Princess Pea. Villaneous rats, "death by soup," a silly, reactionary king, blah, blah, blah. So, I won't go into that.

I do want to mention my only problem with this book. I became so enthralled with the writing, I had to remind myself of the story. About two-thirds through, I began to make comparisons to...dare I say it? Oh, why not? To Kill A Mockingbird. There. Call me crazy, but that's how the perfectly-tuned voice of DiCamillo struck me.

Despereaux is not only a great book for young readers, a great book for parents/grandparents to read to young ones, if you're an author, or planning to be one, read this book and study the ease, the wit, the charm and the total connection with the reader.

Mary Cunningham Books

See all of Kate DiCamillo's books!