An Act of Kindness for a Fellow Writer In today’s (Sunday, Aug. 29) Las Vegas Sun, there is an article “The New Homeless: My Story by Roger Jacobs.” I was so touched as I read Roger’s account of his road to homelessness. He is fifty-one, lives in Las Vegas, is an award-winning writer, and is about to become homeless.
We, as a writing group, cannot possibly fix all of his problems. But, we, as a writing group, could help Roger Jacobs. I challenge each writer in our group to reach into the kindness of their soul for a fellow writer ~ to put the words of their pages into action.
There is a video report on Roger with more photos at lasvegassun.com that is certainly worth five-minutes of your time. Contributions are welcomed at a special account for Roger Jacobs at any U.S. Bank branch. I would like to suggest that besides your contribution and name, you leave a message to him as to what writer’s group you represent.
Read the article, watch the video, search your heart ~ let’s all support a fellow writer in his time of need. Let’s show Roger and Las Vegas that our stories have wings and that our words are written with grace.
Kathie Harrington
Las Vegas Writer’s Group
Henderson’s Writer’s Group
Las Vegas Romance Writers
I love to play this.
I was off my wall and havin’ a ball. I was at a famous resort on the Las Vegas Strip ~ but where? Can you guess? You bet I was there. I played right along on this loud, funny instrument. Who knows where I was ~ if you want another clue you’ll need to check me out On the Road With Humpty Dumpty.
My hometown of IOWA FALLS, IA announced a 2009 graduation rate of 93.88 percent. Clark County ~ Las Vegas ~ has a rate slightly over 50 percent. There is work to be done at a time when cuts are being made. We need YOUR thoughts, Las Vegans ~ what can we do?
I realize there are differences between IA and NV but we all have young minds to mold and a future that depends on our youth.
Are there more parents who love and care for there children in IA ~ I don’t think so.
Are children brighter in IA ~ I don’t think so.
Are there better teachers in IA ~ I don’t think so.
Are there higher educational expectations in IA ~ maybe.
Are there fewer distractions in IA ~ for sure.
My children are grown, but I continue to share an interest in the quality of young people we educate throughout our country and particularily in my city of Las Vegas, NV. Money, thrown at all aspects of education is not the entire solution, although it helps. Quality education comes from the effort of the entire community to take the time and energy to raise our young people in all aspects of their lives.
Step up when you can.
Find a place to volunteer.
Listen.
Do something good today.
I joined Romance Writers of America today AND I joined our local Las Vegas Romance Writers Group, Cactus Rose, yesterday. I’m excited about writing more in the romance genre. Let me share some of the popularity of Romance Fiction (RF):
1. RF generated $1.37 billion in sales in 2008
2. 7311 new romance titles were released in 2008
3. In 2008, romance was the top category on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers
Weekly best-seller lists.
4. RF was predicted to be equally as robust for 2009.
Well, there you go. I have had one short piece of RF published by The White Rose Press of which I’m very proud. Shilo combined my interest and knowledge of autism with my love of writing. This is the story of two young adults with autism who fall in love. It is a Christian Romance. You’d love it and it is available for only $2.00 on line. at The White Rose Press.
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- Blaze collected 609 blankets and coats for the homeless in Las Vegas
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- Tim preparing socks at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, 11-25-09
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My Kindness Challenge was a success and over 450 pair of mens, womens, and childrens socks were gifted at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving dinner on 11-25-09. Seventy-two stocking hats were also given out.
I would like to thank all of those who assisted in collecting these and in helping tie each pair of socks with beautiful ribbons. Each pair carried the message; You are a part of God’s plan. Walk in His grace.
A seven-year-old boy, Blaze Trumble, had over 600 blankets and coats that he and his family had collected for the homeless. This was Blaze’s second year of donating his time and effort toward doing this wonderful work for other people. I can’t help but stop and think that if only a few other young people would follow Blaze’s example of humanitarianism, what a wonderful world this would be. Blaze has his own website at www.blazeswish.com. I might add, 11-25-09, was his 7th birthday!
Humpty Dumpty on a Mountain of Socks
A fellow speech/language therapist, Jill Gertz, joined in my Kindness Challenge and today, 10-29-09, presented me with 157 pair of mens, womens, childrens socks! NOW ISN’T THAT WONDERFUL! She collected them at her private speech practice as well as from her Sunday School Class.
The socks will be gifted along with stocking hats, stuffed animals, and more at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving Dinner on Wed., November 25th. THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE. You know how to get in touch with me. Just DO IT!
The world is a generous place ~ and those who can, need to give.
Here is the latest in my Kindness Challenge of socks, etc. that will be gifted to the men, women, children, in our Las Vegas Valley after they enjoy their Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 25 at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. My husband, Tim, and I have been collecting socks over the past year and we have given many away through the Central Christian Church pantry as the need arises ~ however, we have many left to give and Thanksgiving is the time we have set as our Kindness Challenge for 2009 becomes a reality.
Many of the men who come to the Rescue Mission are Veterans who happen to be homeless. That seems like an oxymoron to me. It should NOT be so ~ but it is. Socks for these men and their families are important but even more critical is the message we send as we gift them with a simple pair of socks. Perhaps the ribbons and card placed on each and every pair of adult socks says it all: “You are part of God’s plan. Walk in His grace.”
To those of you who have contributed, thank you. To those of you who want to be a part of this Kindness Challenge there is still time. Get in touch with me ~ you know how.
Here are my latest stats: (everything is NEW)
Mens 246
Womens 82
Childrens 81
Boys (older) 12
Adult stocking hats 46
children’s stocking
hats 12
women’s caps 14
stuffed animals 20
bubbles 12 very large bottles
All of my friends love to give socks!
A
Kindness Challenge Update ~ my special speech therapy friend Jill and members of her Sunday School class have collected 150 pair of girls and boys socks for my Kindness Challenge. These, plus over 400 other pairs are being tied with ribbon and a prayer verse. They will be handed out at the LV Mission on Thanksgiving Day during their annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner. We have gathered men’s, women’s, children’s socks, stocking caps, stuffed animals, and sundries.
We’d love to have YOU be a part. Respond back on this site, through my E mail, on Facebook or by phone at 702-435-8748. Don’t wait ~ you’ll feel great!
Another great writing tip is to join local writer’s groups. This is beneficial for many reasons: it gives you a networking with other local writers, it keeps you motivated, it can give you access to agents, publishers, editors, and it has shown me a whole new group of friends. I have connected with a small critique group. This is new for me and I think I’m going to like it. We exchange one chapter per week and critique each other’s work. I’m also going to start reading Fireflies at one of the writer’s groups that has a forum set for that purpose. This will give me more critiquing opportunities ~ I need to be a good listener here and not become defensive.
So join local writer’s groups, get to know people in your own community, and be willing to listen to what they have to say about your work. It will pay off and you will be a better and more inspired writer for it.
Now from Fireflies ~
Stephen was solemn and Audrey sensed something deep and very sad in his voice. It went far beyond the image of a hog swirling in the Iowa River on either side of the dam. She knew there was a shadow lurking in the corners of his soul and because of what Doug had said at the Princess, Audrey was sure it had to do with Vietnam.
Close but no cigar
A pharmacist would have been a very handy person to have as a mission specialist on any Apollo mission, at least that’s what My Tim thought back in the days of the Apollo space era. Perhaps everyone wanted to be an astronaut after the flurry of the moon landing on July 20, 1969. Imagine 40 years ago. Maybe everyone wanted to be an astronaut in the late ’60′s and early ’70′s but not everyone applied to be an astronaut. My husband, Tim, a pharmacist, DID!
Applying to be an astronaut is not an easy task. Attaining the paperwork, filling it out, getting it notarized, medical checkups and clearance, background checks, finger prints, and sheriff cards, financial statements, references, etc., etc., etc. were all part of the packet. Tim pursued it with zest and dreams sprinkled with stardust and soon became a full fledged astronaut in waiting.
During the years of waiting our family visited: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., NASA, Johnson Space Center Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, and any rocket or space site between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
When Tim Harrington, R.PH. turned 55 years of age, he received a letter from NASA that they regretted informing him that his applicaiton for admission into the astronaut program was not longer applicable. It was not a sad day for Tim or our family, however, it was a proud day. Tim was our Astronaut Pharmacist. He didn’t have to go to the moon to prove his value here on earth. He didn’t have to plant a flag in rock or conduct experiments in floating labs.
Tim served his country in the United States Air Force and he flies a flag on every holiday in the front of our home. He saved the lives of many by filling their prescriptions and consulting with their medical concerns. He distributes food at a food bank at our church pantry and he serves meals to the homeless on holidays. Tim buys school supplies for children who would not outwise have them and anytime he gets the chance he speaks about space and the men and women who pioneered it.
The ones who were lucky to go to the stars and see them up close. The ones who went faster and further than any other people on earth.
I say to my Astronaut Pharmacist, yes, those men and women who were selected to be astronauts did go further and fast and they saw the stars up closer but they are no nearer to the honor of a man than my Tim.
