Thursday, February 25, 2010

Grandmothers' Necklace

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Grandmothers' Necklace was launched!

In her blog Hilda Young writes:
As a member of the Petawawa Grannies I attended the first two launches of Patricia Elfords anthology "Grandmothers' Necklace". It was a fun experience. More than 60 people crowded into the Rotary room at the Petawawa library to hear readings from most of the writers in Eastern Ontario who contributed to the book. It was a great beginning as many books were sold. On Monday 22nd there was another launch in Deep River at The Bean House coffee shop which was also well attended. Copies are available for purchase in Petawawa at Coates engraving 3584 Petawawa Bld 687-1064. cost $20. All profits will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign.

Copied by permission of Hilda Young from http://hildaleapsforward.blogspot.com

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
GRANDMOTHERS' NECKLACE LAUNCH

In her blog Hilda Young writes:
WATCH FOR A LAUNCH NEAR YOU!

GRANDMOTHERS’ NECKLACE
is an anthology created in honour of grandmothers. Over 60 professional, and some gifted non-professional, writers and poets of varied backgrounds from across Canada, the United States and Ireland. Joyous and wistful, hilarious and serious, the collection is too rich to be scanned all at once. Appreciate it a few gems at a time.
Through Patricia Anne Elford, one of the Petawawa Grannies , the Editor and Compiler, ALL profits go to Grandmothers to Grandmothers, a branch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, www.stephenlewisfoundation.org , to assist the grandmothers of Africa, aged anywhere from their 40’s to their 80’s who have lost their adult children and are raising their grandchildren, alone, under unbelievably impoverished circumstances. These children were orphaned due to the death of their parents from AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses.

GRANDMOTHERS’ NECKLACE ISBN 978-1-5542-468-6 Essence Pub., Epic imprint, 200 pp $20.00 Cdn, incl. taxes
Can be bought on-line now, in many stores later.

Copied by permission of Hilda Young from http://hildaleapsforward.blogspot.com

A note from Heather:
As one of the author’s in this book, I hope to take part in a launch very soon in the Barrie and/or Toronto area of Ontario. In the book I share my poem, "My First Grandchild."

Monday, February 01, 2010

The Problem of Multiplying Snails

I never realized snails would become a terrible problem for me. It started when I wanted a plant in my 20-gallon tank. Taking a leaf from the 10-gallon tank, my husband found an identical plant at the fish store. Shortly after I had planted it, I noticed a snail.

Within a couple of weeks these creatures had infested the tank. My children insisted I needed to clean the tank thoroughly and start over with new rocks. I preferred searching for snails daily and then disposing of them. It did not work. The more I caught; the more I discovered.

When the tank began to leak, I knew I must buy a new one. If I was going to start over, I figured I should buy rocks as well. It would be silly to transport my problem from one tank to another. Instead of buying a plant, I took a clipping from the 10-gallon tank and planted it in the new tank. Why did I not do that in the first place? Perhaps God wanted me to learn an important lesson.

Thinking how quickly the snails multiplied reminded me of yeast. Every bread maker knows that given time a little yeast will work its way through the dough and make it rise. In the Bible, God uses yeast as an example of the spread of good and evil.

Jesus told a parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33, NIV).
Another time Jesus said, “How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:11, NIV). Then the disciples understood that Jesus was warning them about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In the first example yeast represented the multiplication of good whereas in the latter it symbolized evil.

I doubt I shall ever forget this episode with the snails. Whenever I remember, I shall pray that my life will influence others for good and not evil.

www.tale2k.com