Aunt Ruth Does Do Run Run

The latest Aunt Ruth grammar adventure is here! Visit www.AuntRuthGrammar.com or follow this link: Aunt Ruth Does Do Run Run

Aunt Ruth, the Superlative Super Relative

Aunt Ruth rides again, but this time she's on a different horse. I've started up a new blog -- you can find it at www.auntruthgrammar.com -- for grammar and things Aunt Ruthish. I've written a couple of things thus far, including the following:

Aunt Ruth, the Superlative Super Relative

Hope you enjoy it!
Regards,
nutuba (Joel)

Coming Soon -- The BedBug Who Wouldn't Bite

Prolific online writer Melody Rhodes (aka Athlyn Green) has a book coming out soon, The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite, and it would be the perfect gift for kids, parents (who want happy kids), and grandparents (who love reading to happy kids).

The book comes with a furry bedbug for children to play with and to love. This bedbug does not bite!

Visit The Bedbug Blog for more information and the latest status.

I have long enjoyed the author's writing on Triond and other freelance writing forums. You can find some of her work at her Triond site. Check it out!

Eastern Fence Lizard

This past weekend I was playing with the chain saw, slicing up some logs that a local tree removal company had given us for free (they removed a neighbor's tree and we volunteered to take the wood off their hands), when I encountered this Eastern Fence Lizard.

The body was between 4 and 5 inches long. He was patient as I ran inside the house to retrieve the camera, and he posed for quite a while. It was nearly dark by this time, so it took a number of photo attempts to get the focus just right.

These pics were taken with my Nikon Coolpix (4 MP) that I've had for about 3.5 years. It continues to be a durable camera and I've been delighted with the quality of shots I can get from it.

It's the Game

Not the Goal but the Game,
Not the Victory but the Action,
In the Deed the Glory

So say the words etched on Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. So say the words etched in the minds of Nebraska fans world wide. If you search, you can find article after article that describes the general behavior of Nebraska fans, the "greatest football fans in the nation," and the encouragement that these fans give to opponents before, during, and after the game, even a game in which the opponent defeats the Huskers. Of course the Huskers want to win, and usually they do. But the thing they understand is that the process is as (or more) important than the final outcome. It's how you grow; it's how you develop the character that can turn you into a better person in the long run.

Anyway, the Homeschool Football League in North Carolina is based on the principle of taking these young boys and young men and encouraging their growth and development as Christian men and leaders. It is stated up front in the HFL web site that football is the means, the vehicle, and not the end result.

And that is why, in the game that our Youth Warriors had last night against the Youth Panthers of Greensboro, boys on both sides of the ball were knocking each other down, then picking each other up and saying, "Good job, nice play, great try," and then knocking each other down again.

There were no negative comments directed by players on either side to *anybody*: not to refs, not to opposing players, not to the coaches, not to parents, not to anybody. The parents on the sidelines are encouraging the players -- on both sides -- and building the players up. There is no showboating when a TD is scored. The player hands the ball to the ref and runs back to the huddle or to the sideline. There's no dancing, no massive celebration, no anything like that.

The teams pray together before the game, and we pray together after the game. We also say supportive, encouraging words to each other after the game.

Now, if you think for one moment that the HFL games are not fiercely competitive, you've got another thing coming. These boys work hard in practice; we do everything we can so that we play at the very best of our ability.

But the leadership in the HFL understands something that is lost on the leaders, coaches, and parents involved in most other leagues. Winning is not the end goal.

Using the practices and games to teach and instill confidence, leadership, encouragement, team-play, sportsmanship -- and all based on Christian principles -- is what it's about.

Don't we need more of that today?

Goodness Gracious

So I'll have to tell you this ... the self publishing journey was delightfully intense! I had to focus, focus, and then focus even more. I suppose the focus was self inflicted. I wanted the book to be perfect, and so I had numerous proof-readers / editors go through it, and I read through it forward and backwards (and upside down).

I'll make no claims to its perfection. It seems that even toward the final days before submitting the manuscript, I'd find an occasional missing quotation mark. But I do think it's in good shape.

When I began online freelance writing last winter, my blog writing slowed down; and then when I got serious about getting a book out the door, my online freelance writing slowed down. I'm still in book writing mode ... and have several things in progress.

I'm writing a juvenile historical fiction work about a boy who travels with his family via covered wagon from eastern Iowa to western Nebraska, based on letters and notes from my great grandfather (who was the boy). It's fascinating ... doing some research to get the right historical perspective. Actually, I was on the 3rd edition of the manuscript/draft when I decided that I may want to expand this into a trilogy ... and now I'm almost two-thirds done.

I'm writing a book on faith and chronic illness, how God provides the peace and joy that can't come from any other way.

I'm written (and need to edit) a collection of short stories / memoirs of growing up (some of those stories were originally posted on this blog).

I'm writing a book of short story fiction ... mostly humorous.

I've got a sci fi novel collection of short stories (or perhaps it'll migrate to a novel) started.

And I've even started a romance fiction piece (light on the romance, heavy on the fiction) that may turn into a mystery / adventure thing.

Don't look for those any time soon, but ... you never know.

Meanwhile, back to writing.
This is fun!

Coming Soon -- I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head

Well folks, I've been away from online writing for a while as I've been focusing on the completion of the book, I Laid an Egg on Aunt Ruth's Head: Conquering English and Its Ruthless Ways.

Wow, these is a lot of work involved in getting a book together! I knew that, of course, but I guess until one actually goes through the process it's not as obvious as it would seem (at least for me).

One local artist friend did the cover artwork, and it turned out beautifully. Another local artist friend did the interior artwork, and that is wonderful as well. I had many proof-readers and editors and commenters ... and I've read through it so many times that my eyes are spinning.

This has been an enjoyable and educational journey for me.

I am publishing this through AuthorHouse, and I've got to tell you that I am thoroughly happy and impressed with the quality of service I am receiving from them. They have been delightful and wonderful to work with every step of the way. Communication has been excellent -- the folks at AuthorHouse are consistently responsive, professional, upbeat, and courteous.

I'll send out information on how to order the book shortly. The bottom line is that it will be available in three weeks or thereabouts.

Thanks, AuthorHouse, for a great experience!

Stay tuned for a different kind of grammar book ... if you like being entertained while you learn, or if you like learning while being entertained, or if you just want to be entertained, this book is for you.