Review is in.

Remnant's first review on Amazon:

By skydreamer

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was not sure if I would like this but hey, free is free! I was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly realized I was 35% through the book. This got me caught up in it right away and I was unable to put it down. When I first started reading it and discovered the main character was like only 13 or 14 I thought for sure I would not like it. But I found myself fascinated. So I read on and watched this girl become an adult. She learned how to survive even though there was no hope. She had faith when there seemed to be no point. This girl knew nothing about life, yet she learned to live. A very touching story! I am going to get my 14 year old daughter to read this. This story is about a young girl learning how to survive, to hope, to have faith in the unknown, to love, and to truly live!

The book is free today.  Last day of the free promotion.  Get it at:  Amazon.com

Books and writing, Writing and running....

Yesterday, when I returned home from seeing Les Miserables (one of my all time favorite books) there was a big box at my front door.  Inside was....

Colleen Wait's books

I looked over the contents for a moment and thought, wow, I wrote those.  It was a very surreal moment.  I may never be #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list or sell millions upon millions of copies, however, as my husband so aptly put it, "Very few people have written even one book. You have accomplished much."   He says the same thing about my running.  

He's right.  I may never win.  I may never be rich and famous, however, I have put myself out there.  I have run the race. I put my heart into words, opened myself up to judgements and criticisms, rankings and place. 

It's odd.  Until now, I have never compared my running to my writing. I'm not the best at what I do, however, I work hard, train hard, do my very best.  Whether or not I win the race or the readers love my writing isn't all that important.  I love what I do.  I love to run and I love to write.  Once, I told someone that I wished there could be a mind-controlled tape recorder so I could do both at the same time.

Another similarity is how I commune with God.  On my runs, long or short, I pray.  It's our time and I covet that time with Him.  Sometimes, it's what motivates me to get out the door.  When I write, I often use the scriptures and I will spend hours reading and studying to get what I think fits the story.  Before I write anything, I pray.  What does God want me to write? Even now, I stop to pray, what do You want me to say? My hope, my prayer, is that someone will be reached for God through my writing.  If I publish 20 books and one person comes to Christ through my writing, then I have done what God has instructed me to do, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.''  Mark 16:15. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says it well:  
²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

It is my prayer, dear reader, that you will also read this and be inspired to run to get the prize.

Happy New Year

Be Blessed

Rainy days and Son days.

One of my favorite things to do when my son is on leave is "photography day".  We both love photography, playing with the camera settings and learning new techniques.  Today, it was rainy and windy so he pulls out one of his photography magazines, we flip through the pages of ideas, then we set to finding props and the result is below:

New Book Release

My 9th book, Remnant, is now available on Amazon Kindle.

What is a Picture Worth?

I have often pondered the thought process of the first person who drew a picture. That person probably wanted to convey a thought, document a moment in time, or tell a story.  Pictures were the precursor to the written word with mankind transitioning from cave paintings, to hieroglyphs, to various forms of the alphabet.

Throughout it all, pictures remains. Why?  Well, we still use them for the same reasons.  They often say more than words and often speak it better.  

love and relaxation

Personally, I use photography to document my family. I can watch my children grow up all over again. Pictures capture moments in time with our family so that we can remember them when they are gone.  

a wedding

Trip to Israel

Four generations (minus the 2nd)

Grown up. The two on the right are the same people!

Skype!

My pictures also capture events in our lives such as birthdays, holidays, and my various races.

Happy Birthday!

Half marathon #4

Most commonly, pictures are used every day to promote and sell products.

Coming soon!

Need an editor?

My favorite thing, however, is to take random pictures that either tell a story or bring to life things in the world that we might not otherwise take note of.  

Do you know where your soul will go?

Twig art, 2 inches tall.

Twig art

I'm a little tree frog

Art class project

Running trail

Looking for mischief

Here's a writing challenge.   Take five to seven of the above photographs and turn them into a short story, 500 words or less.  Post it here in the comments section.  (If it does not fit, e-mail me and I'll create a post.)

Cyber Monday

Hello online shoppers!  It's Cyber Monday.  Are your fingers ready to shop? Is an e-reader on your shopping list?  The recipient will be doubly surprised if they unwrap their gift to find it pre-loaded with e-books.  My books are only $1.99 through Christmas on Smashwords.  Prefer paperback?   Shop Amazon.

Running on the Road

I learned something this week-end.  Runners do not take vacations from running. We might take a break to recuperate from a race or recover from an injury.  However, we or at least I do not take vacations from running. 

Take this Thanksgiving, for instance.  My husband, daughter, and I drove 13 hours to Beaumont, Texas to visit my family.  Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...

We arrived Wednesday evening, ate dinner, took a walk.  Thursday morning, I go for a run with my mom on her bike to keep me from getting lost.  Friday morning, we drove out to see some property my late-grandfather had purchased when I was a child.  What do I do?  I go for a run.  My reasoning is, well I HAVE to, I have a race in a week!  

Running in a new location was a lot of fun.  Watching the scenery go by made the miles seem to fly by and, as a bonus, I ran faster. For once, I didn't use my headphones and I was able to hear the birds chirping loudly in the trees. At times it was deafening and absolutely amazing.  Did you know the squirrels in the woods here are twice the size as Florida squirrels? Family and running, it's in my blood and I don't ever want to forget that trip. My grandmother is well over 90 years old and you know what, I would have run all the way to Texas just to  see her!  Now I am home, tired and....it's time to go run.  

Arthur and Verna Weishampel

Ripple and revolve

Last night in my Bible study class, this quote was shared by our minister:  "A world that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached...by a church where everything remains the same."   

I tried to find the author of the quote but to no avail(addendum: Brad Powell).  Do you believe it?  I do. 

Merriam-Webster defines the type of revolution I'm speaking of as this:

a : a sudden, radical, or complete change

b : a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation

d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm revolution

>

e : a changeover in use or preference especially in technology revolution> revolution>

The world is constantly changing whether we want it to or not.  It cannot be stopped.  Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church as this:   

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  44All the believes were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.   And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Does "the church" look like this today?  Do you break bread in the home of believers daily? I don't.  Do you sell your possessions? Do you and your fellow "church" have everything in common?  I don't.  Are unbelievers walking in the door and becoming Christians DAILY?  Not where I worship.

Why not? What happened?  The world changed, people haven't. We are all sinners who gravitate towards sin. We become complacent.  Business (busy-ness) takes over. God gradually becomes second, then third, then only on Sunday morning, if that.  

So, what do we do about it? Do you even care? Take the quote above and change it to read:

A church that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a people where everything remains the same.

A family that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a mother/father/parent where everything remains the same.

A community that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a citizen where everything remains the same.

A lost sinner that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by ME where everything remains the same.

Do you care that your neighbor is lost, hurting, family in shambles, kids in trouble, divorce emminent?  What about your co-worker or your brother?  You'd better.  Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15  "Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation."  Matthew records this, spoken by Jesus:  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (Matthew 28: 17-20)

So, what does this mean for you and me?  Do we have to sell everything and move to Africa or Honduras?  No, not necessarily.  My family is in this world. My city is in the world.  My workplace is in the world.  You and I have our own circles of influence.  Your immediate family, your neighbors, your co-workers, school friends, etc. 

Think about every action you take, every word you speak as a tiny ripple in a big ocean.  Every person you come into contact you touch in some way.  Will it be positive or negative?  I challenge you to make a revolutionary change within yourself to make great waves that will impact the world for Jesus. 

A few steps to make ripples courtesy of Cary Hadley:
*  Surrender to the spirit
*  Lordship is Jesus
*  Accountability
*  Share with others
*  Prayer
*  Study the Bible, come to our Wednesday night class
*  Training.  Need it? Want it? Ask!!!

PS:  Butterflies do not change the world.  Jesus, through you and me, does!

Christmas Sale

www.smashwords.com

Today is the last day to take advantage of my 25% discount. 

Go to: www.colleenwaitedits.com for all the details!

Finally fall

I live in Florida.  That means if you blink you will miss fall.  It is October 21th and fall is finally here.  The temperature is below 80, for a few hours, the wind is blowing softly, and I don't sweat 3 gallons when I go for a run.  October is my favorite month here in Florida.  Everyone is so excited that it has cooled down and pumpkins are everywhere!!  

Unfortunately, I'm the only one in my family who likes pumpkin.  Well, maybe that's not so bad because I get to eat all the pumpkin recipes I whip up.  Here's one of my favorites:

Super duper moist pumpkin bread:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 natural applesauce
1 3/4 to 1 cup Agave syrup
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 cups (one 15-oz can) pumpkin puree
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional)
2/3  cups unsweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray. Mix wet ingredients followed by dry.  Bake 1 hour 15 minutes (if tops begin to brown before time, cover with foil).  Remove from oven. Leave foil on tightly for 10 minutes.  Transfer to plate to cool.  Enjoy.  

Want it a little sweeter?  Add 1 cup chocolate chips. 

Pumpkin bread

Update

Hello readers.  I haven't forgotten about the conclusion to "Happy Daisy for President".

I have been busy with book revisions.  Thus far, "Black Purple Sky"  has been revised on Smashwords, Kindle Amazon, and Create Space paperback.  "Captured"  is also now revised and re-published on Smashwords.  More to come.....

 

In My Head , Happy Daisy part 3

(This is a continuation of a short story, a dream really.  It's far fetched, not meant to have any basis in reality. After all, it was a dream).

The ballot was opened, revealing all of the names of the candidates for President, Senate, and all of the other seats open for re-election.  The author of the Happy Daisy blog was relieved to not see any familiar names.  In the write-in space, a name was written in.  The ballot was turned in, then the author went home, read a book, then went to bed.  A loud whirring noise and a ringing doorbell interrupted a nice dream.

"Are you Daisy Bell?" asked the police officer.

"Yes."  Daisy looked around.  There was a mob of police, reporters and spectators outside in front of her home and up and down the street.  "What is going on?"

"May we come in?  We'll explain inside."  The officer pointed to three men dressed in black suits.

"I guess."  Daisy led the men into her living room and offered them a seat.

"First," stated the officer, "I need some identification.  A driver's license, Social Security Card, and your birth certificate if you happen to have it."

"Okay.  But can you tell me what is going on? Why are all those people outside?"

"Did you vote yesterday, ma'am?" asked one of the suits.

"Yes."

"Did you watch the results?"

"No."

"Are you aware of the write in campaign."

"Vaguely."  Daisy's heart dropped into her stomach.  She was in trouble for her blog. She handed the documents to the officer.

"She's qualified,"  he stated.

"Qualified for what?"

"Ma'am," began the suit, "ninety percent of Americans voted in this election.  That's never happened.  Of those 90%, 85% of them voted for a write in.  They all voted for the same write in. That write in won in every state.  That write in was you?"

"Excuse me?"  Daisy dropped into a chair.  "I voted.  I wrote in a name, but not my own.  Wait, you're saying that my, name,  Daisy Bell, was the write-in?"

"No ma'am, not exactly.  Happy Daisy was the write in.  The electorate agreed.  Happy Daisy was traced to your blog and ultimately to you.  You won the election."

"That's not possible!" exclaimed Daisy.  "Is that even legal?"

"Write-ins are legal ma'am.  Since you are Happy Daisy, then you have been nominated as President of the United States, if you accept."

"You are Happy Daisy, are you not ma'am?" asked the officer.

"Well, yes.  But are you sure they meant me? I mean there could be someone else."

"No ma'am. You are it."

"Oh wow.  That's just incredible.  You know, I wrote that blog, not as a joke, but to get people to pay attention to the candidates.  To make an informed decision.  I'm not sure I succeeded."

"Ma'am," began the officer.  "I read your blog.  I voted for you.  I was well informed."

"Seriously?"  Daisy could not believe her ears or her eyes.  She looked out the window and saw people with signs saying 'I voted for Daisy'.  The onlookers were chanting her name.  "So what now?"

"You need to make a statement to the press," stated the officer.  "You should get dressed first."

"No, they've waited long enough," answered Daisy.  "They voted for me, well, this is me." Daisy opened her front door.  The crowd erupted into cheers.  The press rushed towards her with cameras and microphones aimed in her direction.  She raised her hand to wave and the roars became silence.  "Hello everyone.  My name is Daisy Bell and I accept the position you have elected me to."

The press began firing questions at her.  "What will be your first move?"  "Who is your cabinet?"  "What makes you think you can be President?"  "Was election fraud involved?"

....What do you think Daisy will do next?  What do you think she should do?

In My Head, Happy Daisy part 2

Mr. Thompson walked into the diner with his laptop at lunchtime.  He needed to get a little work done away from the office.  As he sat in his booth, he noticed the TV.

"Good grief, not another smutty political add," he grumbled.

"I know," agreed the waiter.  "I work here.  I have to see those idiotic adds all day long.  I have no idea what any of these guys are for.  All they say is, 'that guy did that terrible thing', and that horrid lady will take away your kids education'.   I'm so sick of it all."

The waiter took Mr. Thompson's order, pointed to the TV, then marched away to the kitchen in a huff.  Upon opening his laptop, Mr. Thompson's e-mail beeped.

"Mail from the wife.  Now what?"  he said to himself.  "'Did you see the blog?  My friends can't stop talking about it.  Look at all the comments.'  What comments?" Mr. Thompson opened the blog.   "Holy cow, she's getting a ton of traffic!" he said to himself, but outloud.

"What kind of traffic?"  asked the waiter who had returned with the soda.

"This blog my wife sent me.  It's by Happy Daisy.  She's suggesting we not vote for anyone on the ballot but instead write in a commoner."

"I think that's a great idea," agreed the waiter.  "I wasn't planning on voting because I don't like any of these people.  The people in office now don't listen to what we want. They are so  out of touch."

"Listen to this -  Miffed in Michigan says, 'I'm sick and tired of my taxes being raised, gas prices going up, being laid off and my house is being foreclosed on.  Mr. President blames the former president for messing up the economy and says if we give him four more years he'll fix it.  Well, that's exactly what he said four years ago.  If he couldn't then I wouldn't be in this mess.  Then the other guy says he can create 4 million new jobs but won't give any details.  He has no experience in the real world.  He's been a politician all his life, spoon fed.  No idea what I am dealing with.'   Then this lady says,  'If only the people running for office would listen to us, really listen to the people then maybe, maybe our country would get out of the toilet.'"

"Oh I like this one," joined in the waiter,  "'Can anyone tell me why it's okay for our sitting President to ignore the constitution?  The guy should be in jail.'  Who is this Happy Daisy?  We should put them on the ballot.  What's that web site?  I want to send this to my friends."

Two days later, the author of Happy Daisy blog turns on the news.   

"In breaking news, there is a viral email circulating that a new political party has formed.  It is the Happy Daisy party.  We have learned that due to extreme dissatisfaction with the incumbent and the opposing candidate that a write in will be on the ballot.  No word as to who the write in is or who is underwriting the ticket.  In other but related news, the incumbent rally in Iowa was canceled due to lack of interest.  In Missouri, the opposing candidate arrived at his rally and only a handful of people were there to greet him. Who is Happy Daisy?"

Dear Blog Readers;

I'm at a loss of words.  I'm happy to have sparked conversation and encouraged everyone to really look into who these candidates are.   Dig deep.  Don't vote for someone unless you know all the details of who they are. Chosing a write-in is a good idea.  Chose wisely.  Chose someone with real life experience.  Someone with values.  Someone who will listen to the people.  After all, the President of this country works for you!  We deserve better.  This country is not a dictatorship nor a monarchy.  Read your constitution.  Study it.  Power to the people!

To those who have asked, I'm a middle class worker, a Bible-believing Christian.  I've never known wealth, never held any office, not even student body council in school.  I'm just an average person like you. I believe in adhering to the Constitution of these United States as set forth by our forefathers.

The US Constitution - read it, readers.

Sincerely, 

Happy Daisy

... to be continued

In My Head 2 .4

It has been quite a while since I have written an "In My Head" post.  If you are unfamiliar, let me briefly fill you in.  These are far-fetched dreams that I have had.  They are really weird, so I remember them and write them down.  This one is titled,  "Happy Daisy for President".

Enjoy:

Dear Reader, I'm so sick of all these political ads.  I just want to throw my shoe at the TV every single time one comes on.  Thank goodness for my DVR.  I can pause then fast forward until my show comes back on.  Then, there is all the junk that I get in the mail every day and the endless phone calls.  Can we just take a deep breath together and scream?! 

Every single politician is a fraud.  Every. Single. One.  Now, I'm no expert.  I didn't major in political science or anything like that.  I'm just a simple working stiff trying to earn a living to pay the bills.  What bugs me is that these yahoos who are trying to get elected have no real clear vision of what they can do for us.  All they tell us is how bad the other guy is.  If I were to believe everything I see and hear.... you know, it's no wonder the rest of the world hates us.  When was the last time someone stood up and said, I am Joe Smith and this is what I believe in and this is what I think will help turn our economy around and create jobs and this is how we will achieve world peace.  And then... when Joe Smith is elected that is exactly what happens.   

But no... As soon as Joe Smith gets elected, Mr. Sourpuss loser digs up all kinds of dirt on our new leader and then the next four years is spent battling the court system.  Meanwhile, Mr. Joe Smith does a 180 and says, well, I did say and promise all those things but it isn't realistically possible.

So, my dear reader, lets protest.  Shall we buck the system and not elect anyone who is on the ballot?  I say we vote for a write-in.  Someone with absolutely no political background whatsoever.  Lets vote for a real commoner, a blue-collar worker.  Someone who understands my problems and yours.  Lastly, lets vote for someone who will abide by the Constitution and the ideals of our forefathers.

Sincerely, 

Happy Daisy

The next day....

"Hey you guys," said Bill.  "Did you see this blog?"  Bill took a sip of his coffee then reads the post to his co-workers.

"That's hysterical," says John.  "I agree with most of that but..."

"But what? You don't think the common man could be President?" asked Bill.

"Theoretically," stated Steven, "all of us are qualified, according to the rules."

"What are you guys arguing about?" asked Mr. Thompson.  He walked into the break room and put his hands on his hips.

"Not arguing, Sir," stated Bill.  "We were discussing this blog post by Happy Daisy."

"Oh, yeah.  My wife saw that this morning and read it to me.  I thinks it's brilliant.  Happy Daisy for President!"

.... to be continued.

Oatmeal Banana Bread

When I was a little girl, my mother always held onto the "rotten" bananas and made banana bread.  As an adult, I do the same thing.  I buy a bunch of bananas and the leftovers either go into banana pancakes or banana bread.  Every time I make it, I tweak the recipe just a little.  This time, I think I finally have a winner!  I'll let you be the judge.  I'm calling this "banana bread", however, there's a lot more in it than just the bananas.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup Agave
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups mashed bananas (3 to 4)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp ground cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 cup each:  raisins, shredded unsweetened coconut, chopped almonds

Process:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Lightly beat the eggs, add the remaining wet ingredients, stir well.  Add dry ingredients.  
Spray 9 x 5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray (or two 8 x 3.5 aluminum pans).
Pour mix into pan(s).

Bake 50 to 60 minutes, cover out of oven with foil for 5 minutes.  (for smaller pans 35 minutes plus cover for 5).
Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then out of pan until cooled.  I like to eat it warm!

Oatmeal banana bread with lots of yummies inside.