Trotting with the Turkeys

Hello folks,

The holidays are here. As most of you do not know, I am an advocate for the annual Turkey Trot. Whether it is a 5K, a 10K, or whatever, getting in some exercise is always beneficial; especially when large consumptions of food are waiting to get eaten, enjoyed, and digested. The race is typically low-key and fun, but in some cities the race can grow quite large in the number of participants, so be prepared to maneuver around people along your path. It's great energy to participate in an event with people sharing a common interest and goal; running and walking is a great way to begin the holiday season.

Over this year's Thanksgiving holiday, I participated in my local Turkey Trot. Here in Long Beach, California, I ran a 10k race before I sat down to a lovely meal with family and friends. I had a great time. The path was a flat 3.1 miles out along the coastline, and then a turn-around with another 3.1 miles headed back along the same path. It was a gorgeous day, and there were well over 4,000 participants at the event. Afterwards, I felt accomplished and ready to restore all those lost calories! The holiday season may bring a lot of food, stress, emotion, and apprehension to our lives, and participating in a local run or walk for charity can greatly attribute to better health around the holiday season. Exercise can help keep things in balance; allowing you to spend some time working on you. So, if you see a local event in your area, I urge you to participate. If you don't see anything offered in your community, then maybe think about putting on your own event. Creating community involvement around better health is a positive force in the environment. Let's all work towards positivity, not just over the holidays, but over all the days. Take care, everyone! Cheers!

The Sequel is Here!

Readers, Writers, and Dreamers!

Hi :0)

Have you ever wondered why some families become members of the aristocracy? Does the universe choose them? Whatever happened to Constantinople? The Hunter and the Queen series welcomes these questions into its story.

I finished the II book in the Hunter and Queen series, Transcendence. Book II  is the sequel to Resurgence. Transcendence is not as long as the first book, but there is more action compared to the first book in the series. The first book provides a backstory for the journey.

In book II, you will learn more about Hadrian and the dark lords; and you will travel deeper into a world of fantasy, love, darkness, mystery, and history. Transcendence is a short novel that creates a bridge from the Order of the Hunters and the dark lords to the sky world and the sky beings. I will take a few weeks off before I begin writing the third book in the series. I do hope you enjoy the story, and please come back to learn more about the developments in the Hunter and the Queen series. To those people who have traveled with me during this process, thank you for your support, guidance, and information. Now, +Random House Books, +Simon & Schuster, and +HarperTeen, I am ready to submit, yet again, a work of fiction to your magnificent literary agents. I know I'm at the bottom of your slush piles. I know I need to secure a literary agent. I know I need to find a professional editor that doesn't charge a price equal to my monthly mortgage, but we all can dream! Time to celebrate with popcorn, extra butter! Cheers!

Honey, do you have some cinnamon and nutmeg?

Hey great people,

I have a confession. I like DIY face masks. Sure, I have purchased brand name masks, +Dermalogica gentle cream exfoliant, and I still do to this day; however, there is something special about a good DIY mask that perks up my lackluster skin.

Using natural ingredients to make a face mask is easy, efficient, and fun. I regularly alternate between store bought products and nature's choice, aka Virginia's batch, to save money. Honestly, this mask is one of my favorite facial masks of all time. I have tried oatmeal, avocado, clay, lemon and salt, but this mask reigns victorious compared to all those other natural masks. Honey has moisturizing properties that help aid sensitive skin. Honey also helps to remedy certain skin issues such as acne, enlarged pores, eczema, and rosacea. Cinnamon helps kill bacteria and prevent infections, so its antimicrobial properties can benefit your skin. Nutmeg is known to help achieve smoother and healthier skin; in addition, the spice can further help remove acne marks. The beauty mask can help your skin combat dryness, redness, enlarged pores, and acne.

Without further introduction, I introduce to you the Honey, Cinnamon and Nutmeg mask of beauty.

                                                          1 teaspoon Honey
                                                          1 teaspoon Cinnamon
                                                          1 teaspoon Nutmeg


I discovered this awesome little recipe via barefoot blonde, and I am eternally grateful for my find and for her post. Although this mask works great on my skin, it may not work for you; however, I urge you to try it yourself.

Mix all the ingredients together. You should have a chocolate colored paste. You do not want the paste to have too much honey, so make sure the mask is not too runny. If it is, then you want to add more cinnamon and nutmeg to firm up the paste. When the mask is firm, you are ready to smear the gooey mixture all over your face. Make sure your face and hands are clean before applying the mask. Smear the entire paste over your face. Do not put the mixture on your eyes or lips; the paste may aggravate these sensitive areas. Once you have covered your entire face with the mask, then leave on for at least 20-minutes. I typically leave my mask on for 30-minutes.

 





Some people have reported a tingly feeling. If the mask is uncomfortable for you, then rinse off immediately. I do feel a slight tingle when I use this mask, but I tell myself it's the cinnamon killing off all my face bacteria! So, I just suck it up and ride out the tingle. Once you have rinsed off the mask, then you will immediately see and feel the wonderful effects of the DIY facial. Your skin will feel smooth, refreshed, moisturized, and you will have a glow that lasts for days.

Right after rinsing the mask

The next morning

 

So, this is the recipe for the best DIY face mask. I use this mask at least once per month. I hope you like the recipe as much as I do; drop me a line and let me know your experience. I'd like to hear from you! Live, love, read, and laugh! Cheers!

 

 

 







My nasty, dirty little secret.......Cuticle chewing!!

Hello folks,

I have neglected my blog. I have developed a site that only highlights my books and my writing process. I didn't mean for this to happen, but it did, and I am making changes. So, as I begin to add diversity to my blog, I will continue to sprinkle my own book blurbs throughout the site (like here, Resurgence and Transcendence ). Now, let's talk about cuticle chewing! (When I make changes, I start huge!)  ;0)

 

A few people ask if I develop characters based upon people in my life. I have to say, no; however, I do compile a lot of different personality traits, quirks, and behaviors from the people I meet or have befriended. With that said, I have, however, provided the main character in my books, Jolán Vajnbirg, with a nasty little habit of chewing her cuticles (However, when she transforms she stops her habit, hehe). 

 

Her bad habit is a very real and habitual habit in my own life. I have managed to scale back my chewing, dare I say even close to kicking the habit, but I do have relapses. Yes, sometimes I chewed my cuticles until they bled, but not any more! I have successfully managed to minimize my chewing to the point where I go days, and sometimes even a week, without a single nibble! I will share what tricks I have used, but it takes persistence and willpower to stop cuticle chewing. It's a bad habit that often stems from nerves or even anxiety. I developed my habit at a very young age, and I am still trying to break the chewing cycle!! Often my cuticles get dry, and instead of grabbing cuticle clippers, lotion, or cuticle oil, well, I chew the dry skin. I know, sexy. I'll share something even a little more disgusting with you, I often laugh and tell people, 'My skin is so dry it tastes like jerky!' I tend to joke about the things that make me insecure.

 

Cuticle chewing is definitely not fashionable. I, however, am using fashion to curb my finger noshing. I have committed to painting my nails, and I usually use bright colors. When my cuticles feel dry, I typically would rip off the dead skin with my teeth. This is a very gross and sometimes painful process. However, when my nails are painted with bright colors, the colors often send a "don't chew" message to my brain. Instead of instantly putting my fingers into my mouth to chew, I will see the color on my fingernails, stop, think, and grab some cuticle oil. Once I add the oil, the jerky-like texture is gone and so is my desire to munch on my fingers. Keeping my nails and cuticles hydrated has really helped. Also, the extra care I take with my hands and fingers provides pause when I want to chew. Why would I want to chew on my skin when my nails look so pretty?

 

That's my remedy but, like I  said, I still have relapses. Some habits are harder to break than other habits, and some people have a worse time with their habit than other people. I would often chew until my cuticles needed Band-Aids, but I never got infections. Some people still chew despite the infections their habit brings to their life. I know fingernail painting seems like a superficial approach, but it has helped distract my attention away from chewing my cuticles. It may not work for you. If your cuticle chewing habit is causing sickness or other maladies, I urge you to seek the care of a medical professional. Cuticle chewing does have a psychological association; whether it's nerves, anxiety, anticipation, or boredom, you are the master of your own habit and you are able to quit all things terrible. We can do this! You have to want to quit, but let's go! Cuticle chewers of the world unite! :0)

 

 

 

 

Dreaming of You

Hello Readers, Writers, Thinkers and Wishers,

Happy Equinox! Enjoy a  Book Trailer for The Hunters and the Queen. I am winding down Transcendence, and the book is nearly complete. I had a few time snags, but I can see the finish line. As always, I'd like to hear from you.


"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." 

Cheers!

A Book Excerpt from The Gypsy Hunter

Hey Readers!
I am getting excited because the second book in the Hunter and Queen series is almost complete! Yippee! Yippee! I have included another excerpt from the book for you to enjoy (pre-edit before publication). The Gypsy is morphing, but she still has time to stop the process. Please enjoy this book excerpt about Sadeiq, the Gypsy.

 

The Gypsy’s Dark Lord

     Her eyes darted around the restaurant. The bamboo divides cluttered the dining area, but she didn’t care. She was hungry and starting to morph. She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of tuna; she liked this chef because he always prepared his cuts within seconds of the kill, if he didn’t already cut the meat while the fish was still alive. The gypsy dusted her sashimi with freshly harvested smelt roe; she then placed the bite into her mouth and chewed the fish flesh until it liquefied on her tongue. The Gypsy tried to enjoy her meal, but she felt nervous. She smelled darkness in the air.

     Sadeiq, the gypsy hunter, sat at the sushi bar. As she quietly chewed her raw fish, her eyes rolled back in the sockets and the whites of her eyes were exposed. Her head dropped back and her mouth opened wide. The chewed fish remains were displayed on her tongue. She stayed in this demonic looking state for several seconds, no one took notice. The sushi chef witnessed her do this before, and he assumed she was possessed; but by what he did not know. After several minutes, Sadeiq regained her composure and finished chewing her food. She swallowed, and she nervously looked at the chef and faintly smiled. She was morphing into a hunter, and she wants to stop the process. She still has time, but she must find the elements; she must find Jolán.

     Sadeiq feels a need to leave England. She wants to go to Asia for a few weeks. She can’t track down Jolán, but she feels she may have luck finding her in Asia. Sadeiq decides to book a train ticket and leave England on the next available trip. She pays for her food, and she thanks the chef for his service. As she leaves the restaurant, she thinks of her finances. Sadeiq has a lot of money, but her soul was what she cared about securing. Her soul had no price, but the Order had a contract to claim her life. Sadeiq made a bad decision, a haste decision, and she hoped she could correct her mistake and save herself from becoming a hunter. Although her train ride to Asia won’t take her to Jolán, unbeknownst to her, but the trip might bring her closer to the elements. She still has some time left, she has time to save herself from turning into a hunter for eternity.

     Within an hour of leaving the sushi bar, Sadeiq arrived at the train station. She purchased a few items, and she had a change of clothes for her trip. She knows she can purchase additional items along her journey, but she prefers to travel light. As her trip to Asia necessitates several days of travel, Sadeiq decides to reserve a sleeping cabin on the train. The Trans-Siberian Railroad traveled along beautiful landscape, but it is a very lengthy ride. Sadeiq wants her privacy.

     After her ticket was purchased, she immediately boarded the train and walked towards her cabin. Since she only had a small carry-on, she was easily checked and escorted towards the boarding area. As Sadeiq walked towards her reserved area of the train, she had another eerie feeling. She felt someone watching her; she turned around but nothing looked unusual. She continued towards her sleeper cabin. Before she reached her quarters, a tall man with grey tinged skin, black hair and aquamarine colored eyes exited the cabin directly next to where Sadeiq was booked. He surprised her, and she moved back a step as he closed his cabin door. He noticed her, and he released a sinister smile. Sadeiq lowered her eyes and stepped aside. As the man walked by, she kept her focus on the ground and quickly made her way to her room. Once inside her cabin, she put her bag on the small chair tucked under the cabin table. She sat on the bed and took a deep breath. She wanted a drink of alcohol, but she knew she couldn’t have one because she had to stay focused. The gypsy didn’t want any attention, she only wanted to stay human.

     The train left London and was headed to Russia. It would take nearly 48-hours before Sadeiq would arrive in Moscow. From Moscow she would head towards Asia. She had packed a few puzzles and a few books, so she could pass her time while in her cabin. She didn’t want to socialize while on her journey, she knew her morphing state only alarmed the unaware and alerted the aware to her identity. Sadeiq wanted to stay as below the radar from society as possible. She didn’t want to turn into a hunter.

     As the train glided over the railways, she took notice of all the beautiful trees, waterways, and green pastures on her ride. She knew her trip was on its way towards Amsterdam, and she looked forward to the 45-minute delay in the city. Sadeiq wanted to pick up some smokes; she was grateful she could still smoke. She had to stay under the radar about most everything else, but, she thought, at least there was still smoking to enjoy. She stayed in her cabin, and she watched the afternoon slowly turn to evening. She had a few hours until she arrived in Amsterdam, she decided to take a nap. She didn’t lock her cabin door.

     As Sadeiq rested on her mattress, she drifted away as the train sped over the smooth tracks of the railway. She felt the electricity in the air, and she felt the speed of the moving vessel. Although she felt rested, she didn’t feel completely safe. She never felt absolutely protected.

     Sadeiq fell asleep in her room. Her minimal belongings were still neatly packed in her travel bag. She enjoyed a deep sleep for a couple hours before her cabin door handle turned open. Once the door was open, her cabin neighbor with the aquamarine eyes entered the room. He wanted to smell her cabin, he wanted to identify her and seek her destination. He smelled her before, and he knew the smell.

     She slept quietly in her bed; her slumber was deep. Sadeiq did not know anyone had entered her room. The man roamed around the small cabin, and he kept his eyes on the gypsy. He knew what she was, and he was going to confirm his suspicion. The man walked up to the bed; he placed his hands on the wooden rails. He leaned closer and smelled her breath, he smelled her skin. Yes, he thought, he knew exactly what she was and he was excited.

     The gypsy began to stir in her bed; she tossed and turned before she opened her eyes. Her first vision was of the man standing over her bed. He immediately grabbed her hand and held it tight to his chest. Sadeiq didn’t feel a heartbeat. He grabbed her, leaned over, and forced his tongue in her mouth. She squirmed and moaned, but he read her thoughts. He could see her visions. Sadeiq tried to push the man off her, but then she relaxed and let his tongue take control. She knew he was a hunter; Sadeiq was aware he was a very important member of the Order. She received glimpses of his memories, but he blocked many images from her view. His power was stronger. Sadeiq was not fully developed; and she doesn’t want to ever transform into a hunter.

     After several long minutes, the man stopped and pulled away from Sadeiq. When he stepped away from the bed, he had some information; and he knew the gypsy was aware of the elements.
     Sadeiq looked over at the image of the tall man in the shadow, and she said, "Rupik. That’s what you want me to call you? That is your name?"
     She hated her telepathy, she knew it was part of becoming a hunter. She was nervous. A fully developed hunter had found her on her journey. She was anxious because she felt her journey put her on the radar of the aware.
     Rupik leaned in close to Sadeiq and he said, "I am watching you, gypsy. I know you have a final destination that collides with your contractual path with the Order. You can’t hide from the hunters, you can trust my words."
     He then licked her face and walked out of her room. He locked her door before he made his exit. Sadeiq felt nervous. She started to shake. Her eyes rolled back and the whites of her eyes were exposed. Her mouth was wide open, her head was completely leaned back, and she started to gently shake…..

     After several moments, Sadeiq returned to a lucid state. She needed a smoke. She couldn’t wait to get to the next stop. As she looked out of her window, she noticed the landscape had turned bleak. The pastures were dry and dead. The skies looked black, and the air was filled with smoke. Her horrors were too close for comfort. The gypsy knew she had to stay focused. Time is of the essence.

The Gypsy Hunter is Coming Soon!!

Hello Readers,

The second book in the Element series, The Gypsy Hunter, is almost finished. If you have not checked out the first book, The Hunters and the Queen, then you can purchase your copy for $0.99 cents on Amazon. The Gypsy Hunter has a release date during late summer 2013. Thank you for your support! I have attached chapter one from the Gypsy Hunter for you to read. Cheers!

The Gypsy Hunter

The Element Series

Book II

 

“She is not fully developed; we can stop her before she reaches full development. We cannot let the other elements regain their strength. We are the rulers, and we have worked too hard to lose this battle! Once we find her, then we must kill her. The other ones will follow her death. This world is ours. The Queen can be destroyed again.”

 ~Hadrian

Rushing Water

    

     Jolán looked down the waterfall towards the bottom. She watched the water circulate in the water pool gathered at the base of the falls. She knew she could jump off the cliff. She knew she would make it to the bottom unharmed, but something prevented her from jumping. There was a voice in the back of her mind that told her to wait. She raised her arms like an eagle and she then bent her knees, but she quickly dropped her arms to her side and stood straight. She leaned forward a little more and took another look into the pool of water swirling around at the base of the waterfall. Jolán knew she could jump, but today was not the day.

     The sun was setting behind the tallest tree in the forest. The air was cool and the birds were resting above Jolán, the birds were perched along several tree branches. The birds watched her, and Jolán knew they were her friends.

     Although it was still winter in Turkey, it was unseasonably warm; but not warm enough for Jolán to go swimming. After a few minutes staring at the rushing water, she heard a voice.

    From inside her cottage she heard Colemund say, “Jolán, what are you doing? I’m almost finished making dinner, so come inside. I want to see you.”

     Colemund loved his beloved Jolán. There was nothing in life that made either Jolán or Colemund happier than being together with each other. Jolán took one last look at the pool of water gathered beneath the waterfall, then, she ran quickly inside to meet her love.

     As soon as she entered the cottage, Colemund noticed her flushed cheeks, her porcelain skin, her blonde dreadlocks, and her bright green eyes. Her body was tall, lean, and athletic. Jolán looked animalistic and more beautiful than she had looked in the last few weeks. Colemund couldn’t help but briefly stare at his beauty.

     After a few moments, he returned his attention to the task at hand. He had prepared two glasses of white wine for the couple to drink before dinner. Colemund handed one glass of wine to Jolán, as he looked into her eyes and said, “It’s nice to have you back inside, Jole.”

     Jolán took her glass, stepped a little closer to Colemund and gave him a nice kiss on his cheek. As she backed away from her love, she kept her eyes focused on Colemund and said, “Being with you is my favorite place, Cole. You know I’m never too far away.”

     Colemund liked when Jolán said such things to him. Colemund then grabbed his wine glass. As he placed a kitchen towel on the counter, the couple then raised their glasses in a unison toast and simultaneously said, “To us.”

     As their wine glasses clinked, the couple enjoyed a hearty drink from their glass.

     Colemund returned to the stove to toss the wok of vegetables and the sesame seeds. Dinner was almost ready. As Colemund grabbed a handful of spices to throw on the food, Jolán walked to the enclosed patio located off the side of the kitchen. The enclosed patio was spacious and modern. There was a medium-sized eating table, dinner chairs, and additional recliner chairs placed throughout the patio room. The hardwood floors were the color of burnt sienna; and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided a perfect opportunity to dine with nature. The perimeter of the room was highlighted by windows. Colemund and Jolán always admired the natural beauty of their outside surroundings. The forest encompassed their cottage.

     Colemund always managed to have a bouquet of fresh plants or flowers displayed in the middle of the eating table. When he traveled down to the local marketplace, he always stopped at a flower cart to purchase local bouquets. She really liked Colemund’s approachable disposition, and she thought herself lucky for finding her prince charming, or, rather, she felt lucky because the sky world chose him for her.

     Jolán sat down in one of the soft chairs that surrounded the eating table, and she looked outside. The dusk of the evening was settled, and the night crept close behind the sunset. She took another drink from her glass of wine and watched Colemund in the kitchen. As she looked in the kitchen, she watched his natural prowess. He was tall, athletic, handsome, kind, trustworthy, composed, and he dearly loved Jolán. As she watched Colemund move about in the kitchen, Jolán thought the sky world had created and sealed her fate with her lover; and she was thankful for the decision of the sky world.

     Once the vegetables were cooked to Colemund’s satisfaction, he removed the wok from the stovetop burner. As he placed the hot wok on a trivet located on the center bar, he looked up and noticed Jolán watching him cook. He loved Jolán, and he couldn’t help but smile at her.

     Once Colemund had their two dinner plates ready, he immediately dished out a nice portion of rice on to each plate, then, he spooned out a healthy portion of veggies on to each plate. As he placed the wok in the kitchen sink, he grabbed his glass of wine and took another hearty drink. The wine went down smooth, and he felt the warm sensation from the spirit warm his body. He left the dinner plates sitting on the kitchen bar, and he walked in to the patio room to see Jolán.

     As soon as Colemund reached the table, Jolán stood up from her chair and gave Colemund another kiss on his cheek. As Colemund held his glass in one hand, he took his other arm and wrapped it around Jolán’s waist. The two shared a loving embrace, and Jolán looked up at Colemund and met his eyes and said, “I love you.”

 

     Colemund was happy. As Jolán stayed in his arms, he looked at her and replied, “I love you more.”

 

     Jolán smiled, waited, and then said with a grin, “I’m hungry, let’s eat.” Jolán then went in to the kitchen and grabbed silverware, napkins, and the two plates of food. Colemund followed right behind his love; he grabbed the bottle of wine from the refrigerator. The couple met back at the table and sat down to enjoy their evening dinner in their cottage home.

     As the couple ate their meal, Jolán enjoyed the clean and satisfying taste of her food. Colemund always prepared the most nourishing meals for Jolán; he learned how to cook from his family’s housemaid, Nicole. Nicole worked in the royal house of the Van Oranje-Nassau family. She always enjoyed Colemund’s interest in her work. The royal family often allowed Colemund to visit the kitchen while he was a young boy.

      During Colemund’s adolescence, Nicole began showing him various culinary dishes to prepare. Colemund developed quite the penchant for cooking, which served him well while he was often away for long periods of time during archaeological digs; and the luxury of homemade cooking was not at his beckon call.

     As Jolán and Colemund ate their dinner, Jolán took a moment from eating and looked at Colemund and said, “Dinner is delicious, Cole. I always love what you prepare for us.”

 

     Colemund was pleased to hear Jolán’s compliment, and he took his glass of wine and raised it in the air and said, “To our love.”

 

     Jolán joined in on his toast, and the couple enjoyed the last drink of wine from their glasses, then, Colemund poured a hearty amount of wine into each glass. Food always tasted better with wine.

     After Colemund finished pouring, he looked at Jolán and asked, “Are you ready to see Crispus? I know your brother is concerned about your well-being and he is anxious to see you, Jole.”

 

     Jolán dearly loved her brother, Crispus. She knew Crispus was somewhat prepared for the changes that occurred over the recent weeks; however, Jolán also knew seeing such changes, as opposed to hearing about such changes, warranted an adjustment period. Jolán wondered how long Crispus would take to adjust to her new appearance, to her new title, and to her new responsibility.

 

     As Jolán took another sip from her glass, she looked at Colemund and replied, “Yes. I am anxious to see him too. I hope he is able to process all of the information.”

     Colemund knew Crispus would adjust to the current situation. Colemund looked at his love and said, “Crispus is an intelligent and strong man. His utmost concern is your safety, your mental strength, and your physical well-being. He is going to be pleased with your developments. When he arrives, I’m having a trusted chauffeur escort him here from the airport. I am also having another car delivered for his personal use. I am looking forward to his visit too, Jole.”

     As Jolán continued eating her food, she was nearly finished with her plate, but she was still hungry. She was grateful Colemund was in her life. As she took her last bite of food, Colemund looked at her and asked, “Are you still hungry?” He smiled at her for a moment, and then he said, “Go get more food. I need you strong.”

 

     Jolán smiled, she licked her fork, and she went to the kitchen to get another plateful of food. Jolán was hungry.

~~~~~~Thank you for reading~~~~~~~~