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Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 1:12 PM
December 21, 2020
CHRISTMAS, 2020 BY LINDA M. PENN
What are you giving your kids and grandkids this Christmas? More tech
devices? Or, if by chance, if they are sick of looking at computers and
doing on-line learning this year, maybe, you are giving them, oh my
gosh, BOARD GAMES????
I saw a segment on TV the other day about how the founders of
Fisher-Price Toys started their toy business many years ago. It showed
people today actually purchasing toys that have been around since, oh,
here we go again, when my kids were little and there were no tech
gadgets.
How about the gift of ourselves? More enjoyable time with family in
our own households? More Zoom and Face Time meetings with extended
family and friends?
Yes, this Christmas will come and go. It will be different and we will
survive! I love a couple of songs that are popular now (on my Sirius
Pulse channel radio anyway). One is called “Survivin” and the other one
is “Bang.” They don’t necessarily pertain to Covid, but I am taking
them that way and thinking about surviving this pandemic and then bang,
moving on! I promise you, these songs do not have negative or shady
meanings. Well, at least I don’t see any underlying meanings!!!!
Fortunately or unfortunately, however, you see it…this year may not be
the hustle and bustle of finding that wonderful gift in a store, but,
ordering online and hoping the package deliverers will be able to keep
up.
So,
let’s all stop, take a deep breath, and find things for which to be
thankful – Jesus, being the most important; vaccines for Covid; family
and friends; health workers; etc., etc., The list could go on and on if
you just think about it.
Please
don’t be sad this Christmas because you can’t celebrate and take part
in those Christmas traditions as normal. Look forward to this Christmas
with a renewed vigor to show kindness this New Year of 2021!
COPYRIGHT 2020 LINDA M. PENN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Posted on Friday, April 10, 2020 11:15 AM
April 9, 2020
JOY – ARE YOU FINDING ANY YET?
By
Linda M. Penn
Several people have asked when I was
going to write some more positive words in view of our current time, so
here goes:
I have been watching virtual
interviews on Kelly and Ryan’s TV show every weekday morning. In their
interviews, someone always mentions “thankfulness” in this time of the
Coronavirus.
Aren’t we supposed to be thankful looking for the joy in all things according to Bible verses? So…
1)
What am I gaining from this Coronavirus experience each day?
2)
Am I learning anything from this time?
3)
Can I really say I am thankful for this Coronavirus? (Now that is a really tough question, right?)
These are questions I have each day and I admit some days are easier than others.
I saw and heard the
anxiousness in Kelly’s face and voice the other day as she discussed her
kids not wanting to hug her and her wanting to hug her parents. Yes,
we really are all in this thing together!
Often, I hear the
“experts” discuss what times might be like when we get out from this
isolation. I can only hope and pray that indeed people will keep up the
looking for the joy each day and be thankful somehow
for the experiences during this time.
Oh, I see it is almost
5:00 p.m. I have to go watch Governor Andy give his daily update on
TV. Yes, something for which to be thankful! His encouragement each
day of “we will get through this together” is so
uplifting.
Keep smiling. Praise the Lord, He is alive!
Linda
March 31, 2020
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Saturday, March 21, 2020 5:15 PM
March 21, 2020
OPPORTUNITIES
By
Linda M. Penn
As I was sitting at my desk wondering
how I was going to survive with no live sports on TV until, well, who
knows when, I noticed a cardinal outside my window. Next thing I saw, a
blue jay. Wow! Such beauty! (OPPORTUNITY
# 1 Notice the birds)
As the birds were
merrily scurrying around the yard, a Bible verse came to mind about how
God takes care of the birds, so He will take care of us. I found the
verse in Matthew 6:26. Check it out before you go
scurrying around to the stores in search of toilet paper! (OPPORTUNITY
# 2 Read the Bible)
I looked out the back
window and there was our Eagles Landing Condos’ usual family of geese
squawking like crazy. I say “our usual family of geese” because every
Spring, these is a goose who sits on a nest of
eggs under the same sycamore tree by the pond. Another faithful goose
(presumably the male) stands guard. We always know when another “family
of geese” tries to invade because of the loud shrieks. Wow! Amazing
nature! (OPPORTUNITY # 3 Listen to nature
at work)
The local library is
closed, so I located a book I had ordered online several months ago that
I was intending to read. After the first couple of pages, I was hooked
and am enjoying relaxing time with a book.
Plus, this book contains a lot of history about the Native Americans in
Oklahoma. (OPPORTUNITY #4 Read and learn)
Most of the residents
where I live are considered in the “elderly” category (although we
certainly do not think of ourselves as such) and we are not supposed to
go out of our homes now. Really – this is hard
for us! We, the “seniors,” have been told previously we need
companionship, we need to be out and about volunteering, congregating
for exercise, meeting for coffee, and NOT sitting at home. Guess what?
I got a call from a friend, and another call from a
deacon at church, and have gotten several emails from my exercise class
instructor. Okay, next thing on my agenda, is to call or email some
family and friends. (OPPORTUNITY # 5 Reconnect with people)
Anyone who knows me
well, understands how I like to remain positive in taxing situations,
and I admit this virus pandemic has made me search for the positives. I
believe, however, if we look for the positives
and opportunities right in front of us, we can maintain some sense of
well-being. Satan is not going to fill us with anxiety if we
continually kick that fear out of our minds each day. I am clinging to
this verse from 2 Corinthians 5:7 – WE WALK BY FAITH,
NOT BY SIGHT! (OPPORTUNITY # 6 Pray and rely on God)
Keep smiling, Linda
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Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 3:16 PM
March 25, 2019 AUTHORS – WHAT DO THEY DO ALL DAY? By Linda M. Penn
“So, you are retired and write books? It must be nice to relax at home and just write.”
“Tell me, does an author just sit around all day and write?”
“Wow, that’s great! You write for kids and adults? Are you laughing all the way to the bank?”
These are comments I have heard from well-meaning people since I retired and began writing children’s books and now a book for Baby Boomers. Any of you out there who are authors? I would guess you don’t spend your time writing all day and unless you are in the realm of authors such as J. K. Rowling, John Grisham, or Stephen King, you are not laughing your way to the bank.
Let’s recall – after about a year of researching on line, checking out and reading library books, personal interviews, and weekly planning meetings with co-writer, Frank J. Feger,we actually began writing the new book . I think back to one day at our favorite Panera Bread when we had books, maps, and brochures about Mobile and other places along the Intracoastal Waterway to Destin. Another customer asked if we were planning a trip? We jokingly replied we were going to write a book! After the revising of the writing, we had numerous communications with our illustrator, Melissa Quinio, and our editor and layout designer, Misty Baker. Guess what just arrived in a UPS shipment about a week ago! Our latest children’s chapter book and fifth in the Clayton River Adventure series, entitled: “Clayton’s River Adventure Mobile to Destin.”
So, now we can relax and the books just start selling themselves? NO! It doesn’t work that way. For Frank and I, the real work now begins and we try to recover some of our monetary investment in the book. Marketing now begins. Frank and I really enjoy meeting potential customers at Book Signings and we have gotten great ideas for future books. We spend lots of time emailing and calling potential customers also. We order promotional materials like posters and book marks too in order to gain sales.
It may sound like I am griping. Not really, I enjoy this hobby of being an author. However, the next time someone says, “ Must be nice to just sit around writing all day!” I might be tempted to go into a rant. Can’t do that, though, they might buy a book!
COPYRIGHT 2019 LINDA M. PENN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Linda M. Penn: Posted on Friday, December 21, 2018 12:07 AM
December 20, 2018
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING THIS CHRISTMAS? By Linda M. Penn
Are you giving your kids new tablets, computers, or phones? Lucky them! Well…maybe, maybe not.
Questions:
Is the device something the child needs or something wanted because it is the latest version?
Will the device enable the child to have access to accurate research for school projects?
Will the device be a means to communicate with you in case of an
emergency or maybe a friendly hello call to Grandma or Grandpa?
Will the device be used to talk by text with friends or use on social
outlets? Will the comments be positive or a form of bullying?
I will stop the list of questions – I am sure you get the point. Will the device be used positively or negatively?
I recently read an article about the number of kids who turn to their
devices as their preferred social outlet versus actual person-to-person
contact. The article also gave statistics about rising rates of
depression in youth. I am not trying to make the argument that
technology is the underlying reason for youth depression, but it
probably shows it is time to seriously consider the value of more
personal contact and less screen time.
Let’s all
question ourselves: When was the last time we used the phone to
actually make a real phone call to Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, or a friend
instead of an impersonal comment on a social outlet?
Come on, let’s all give a special present this Christmas! OURSELVES –
in the form of real conversation with family and friends!
COPYRIGHT 2018 LINDA M. PENN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.
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Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2018 4:27 PM
September 22, 2018
RESPECT, COURTESY - ARE THOSE BAD WORDS NOW? by Linda M. Penn
I heard recently about a young man, a 5
grader, who was punished at school for saying “yes, Ma’am,” to his
teacher. This incident has been turning over and over in my mind for
several weeks now and I
just had to voice my ideas. I decided to research about the history of
the words, “Ma’am” and “Sir.” “Ma’am” goes back to the 1300’s when it
was the word, “Madame,” meaning a respectful way to address a woman.
“Sir” dates from the 1200’s when the word,”Sire”
was used, meaning a respectful way of addressing a man, especially one
in authority.
So…if the words began as forms of
courtesy to others, how did we get to the point of having a student
punished for using the word, “Ma’am?”
Not knowing the reasoning or history
of the teacher involved, it is difficult for me to speculate on how this
incident should affect teachers and students going forward. Do
teachers, parents, and any authority figures expect
to be treated with respect or is it old-school to expect courtesy from
our young people? Do students have a conflicting view of how to treat
adults, not knowing if they will respond positively or negatively to the
youngsters’ eagerness to say kind things?
Do others have differing views of “Ma’am?”
Yes, I know you might be thinking,
“the lady writing this Blog must be a narrow-minded, old lady.” Go
ahead, think that if you want, but I really appreciated it when a
student said to me, “yes, Ma’am,” during my 25+ years
of public school teaching.
The above incident is to me, just
another example, of how common courtesy is slipping away from our
society as a whole. Have we not figured out that kids need respectful
adults after which to model behaviors? I cannot help
but wonder what the young man thinks about trying to use common
courtesy as he grows up. Will he keep following his parents leading and
try to use respectful words to authority figures or will he be hardened
to never use them again?
As adults, it seems obvious to me
that we need to do a better job modeling courtesy to our young people if
we want a society that holds each other up, rather than tears each
other down.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” ( goodreads.com) The Bible says in Luke 6:31, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat
you.”
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Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2018 8:53 PM
May 3, 2018
KIOSKS AND LONELY PEOPLE
By
Linda M. Penn
Raise your hand if you use the self-checkout kiosks at the grocery store and avoid the person-to-person contact when checking out?
So…
how much more quickly did the kiosk person finish shopping before me
since I chose a real live person to scan the purchases and bag them?
Three to four minutes time saved – WOW, THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT, RIGHT?
Yes, she gets to sit in the car rider pickup line at school and she is five cars in front of me! Oh, no!
On
the other hand, I was able to talk to one of my favorite checkers,
Catherine, and found out she sold a painting – “Congratulations!” I told
her. I could tell she was really excited over the prospect of selling
another piece of art.
What
about that ATM machine located just outside the front door to my bank?
Oh, that ATM transaction will take a lot less time than if you go
inside, you say? Well, I waited in the car while my husband chose
person-to-person contact and went inside. At the same time, I saw
another gentleman walk up to
the ATM machine. He left to go to his car about three or four minutes
before my husband returned. WOW, THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT, RIGHT? Yes,
he gets in the local restaurant and is waiting to be seated when my
husband and I walk in. Oh, no! He’ll get his table and food before us!
On the other hand, when my husband got in the car at the bank, he shared the news that one of our favorite bank tellers,
Carol, has her house up for sale and intends to move in a condo down
our street. He shared what he told her, “That’s cool, you’ll love the
neighborhood.”
Ok,
just one more kiosk story! Have you tried the kiosk where you can
place your food order instead of ordering using that perceived
old-fashioned person-to-person contact at the counter? My local
favorite fast food restaurant recently closed for several months for
renovation. Upon my first visit back, I saw the newly installed
ordering kiosks, but instead of choosing that perceived time-saving
kiosk, I chose person-to-person contact with my favorite clerk,
George. “Hi, glad to see you are back at work now,” I told him and he
grinned ear to ear. “Oh, yes!” he enthusiastically answered. Well,
what do you think happened? The kiosk user and I received our orders at
the SAME TIME!
Contrast
these experiences with a news report I saw recently about the high
percentage of adults, particularly young adults, who admitted to feeling
lonely more than 50% of the time. Just wondering, are those kiosk
users complaining of being lonely? WOW! Not me! I love that person-to-person contact! TRY IT! YOU’LL LOVE IT!
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Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 7:15 PM
February 20, 2018
ARE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES DYING?
By
Linda M. Penn
SAD NEWS - Our local bookstore in Lagrange, KAREN’S BOOK BARN, has
closed. So sorry to hear about another bookstore closing its doors.
These stores are so important to communities and leave a lot of people
searching for a place to connect with local authors.
If
you visit an independent bookstore that is still operating, please try
to support it and give the owners some words of encouragement. Want to
thank all those customers who supported Frank and me and Karen’s Book
Barn over the last several years. Our books are still available at
CARMICHAEL'S, Frankfort Avenue and Bardstown Road, in LOUISVILLE, as
well as online at Amazon.
Check out the latest Clayton
River Adventure chapter book for ages 7-11, Clayton’s River Adventure
Louisville to Paducah, at the website: www.lindampenn.com.
COPYRIGHT 2018 LINDA M. PENN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.lindampenn.com lindampenn@gmail.com
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Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 4:36 PM
November 15, 2017
A NEW BABY ARRIVES!
BY
Linda M. Penn
Nothing quite like a new baby – for my co-writer, Frank, and I, there’s nothing quite like a new BOOK!
The shipment of our fourth Clayton River Adventure series book, “Clayton’sRiver Adventure Louisville to Paducah,”
just got delivered! Now, all those tedious writing sessions while
“camping out” one morning a week at Panera Bread Louisville Oxmoor seem
well worth it! Hard to explain just how exciting it is to see our ideas
actually out there in print. This book was prompted by the requests of
teachers that Frank and I met from the western KY area at the KY
Teachers of English and Language Arts Conference two years ago.
Special thanks to the other team
members – Melissa Quinio, illustrator, and Marie Billings, editor and
layout designer, and the other people who helped us along the way. Be
sure and see the Acknowledgements page in the front matter when you read
the book. As usual, the back matter of the book contains references,
nautical language, and ideas for teachers and parents to use with the
book.
So…just be prepared! Frank or I will be out there on the Book Signing trail soon. The book cover and summary are also on the website. Book is available on Amazon and through IngramSpark.
Many thanks to family, friends, and
supporters, particularly, the independent book stores, libraries, and
schools that we have made connections with in the last several years.
God Bless and Happy Reading,
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LINDA M. PENN: Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 11:58 AM
September 1, 2016
MOVING ON!
By
Linda M. Penn
All good things come to an end…at least
an end to things as we know them now! I hope reading my Blogs has been
a good thing for you, however, I am suspending writing my monthly Blog
as of this date.
I began a Blog in June, 2012 to give a
helping hand to teachers and parents, providing reading and writing
ideas to use with their kids. Here we are 60+ Blogs later and just not
sure what else I can suggest to you! Thanks
for your comments along the way. Please continue to email me with any
questions or concerns.
The other writing projects will
continue. I am currently involved in two projects – another Clayton’s
River Adventure children’s chapter book with my cousin, Frank J. Feger,
and my first attempt at writing a book targeted to
adults with my friend, Sara. Also, other projects are rumbling around
in my head, including a “BOMB,” a
Book of My Blogs.
Signing off for now with the Blogs but
will continue to email a monthly Newsletter, my attempt to keep
followers advised of what is happening in my life as an author! If you
are not on my monthly email Newsletter list and would
like to be, please let me know at:
lindampenn@gmail.com
God Bless and Happy Reading,
Linda
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