Weblog

Saturday, 01 September 2007

  • Make a Child Smile Project (MACS)

    I wanted to tell you all about a wonderful project.

    Make a child smile was founded in May of 1998, by Alexandra Bakker.  The Make A Child Smile Organization, also known as MACS, has been a source of support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Emotional support is provided by creating the opportunity for people to visit the MACS website and learn about the children and their illnesses. 

    Each month, new children are featured. A picture and biography describing the child and information about their family is published on the website. Hundreds of 'net surfers, schools, service organizations, girls/boys scouts and church groups use the MACS website as a philanthropic project where they can send cards, letters and small gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail.

    In December of 2000, MACS was granted tax-exempt status so that it could expand its mission to include fundraising efforts in order to provide financial assistance to qualifying families for help with medical, funeral expenses or other costs associated with the child's illness.

    Their Mission
    To provide emotional and financial support to families whose children suffer from chronic or life-threatening illnesses and also give those who visit the MACS website the opportunity to participate by sending mail to the children.

    (from MACS website)

    Each month 3 children are featured. You are always free to decide each month whethor or not you will participate, and whether or not you will send mail to 1, 2 or all 3 featured children. Last month I chose to send an ATC to each of the featured children (an ATC is an artist trading card - think the cards we used to get in bubble gum packaages; their size 2.5 x 3.5 inches and can be hand drawn or collage with stickers, etc.).

    During the last few months of my mother's life, I remember fondly, how thrilled and happy she was to receive 'angels of hope' each day in the mail.  Even though she was in excessive amounts of pain, each package raised her spirits and brought joy to her soul.  I know first hand just how precious and delightful a gift how much light the simple gift of a card can bring to a family struggling through the darkness.

    If you are able, I welcome you to join with me in supporting these children and their families through this project. Just follow the link below.

    Make a Child Smile Project

Friday, 31 August 2007

Thursday, 30 August 2007

  • From my bookshelf: The Last of the Dog Team by William W. Johnston

    Pinnacle Books

    Kensington Publishing Corporation, August 1997

    ISBN: 0-7860-04274

    The Author:

    William W. Johnstone is the prolific author of many books including several series. He is the author of the Preacher, ABSAROKA Ambush, Blackfoot Messiah, The First Mountain Men, The First Mountain Man: Blood on the Divide, The Blood Bond, and The Ashes Series. He also wrote Dreams of Eagles, Eyes of Eagles, Hunted, and Talens of Eagles. Among the genres he has written in are:  action, suspense, western, science fiction, and horror.

    He was born in Southern Missouri, the youngest of four children. According to his bio he was kicked out of the French Foreign Legion for being under age and joined the carnival.

    He has worked as deputy sheriff, was in the army, and had a 16 year career in radio broadcasting.

    Mr. Johnstone began writing in 1970. His novel The Devil's Kiss was published in 1979. He became a full-time writer in 1980.

    Website: www.williamjohnstone.net

    A letter from Mr. Johnstone to his readers

    The Book:

    Weight - 4.8 oz., 7.3 x 4.3 inches (ht x w)

    This book was a gruesome vignette of the military special forces. The novel follows a young man from the early beginnings, at the age of 17, as he enlists into a special forces unit called The Dog Team, It is one of those secret units that are not supposed to exist.

    The time period is the 50's, 60's, +.

    The ending (including much of the novel) is for me, gratuitously violent. This book definitely does not make my bookshelf.

    If you enjoy graphic military novels, you might find this one of interest.

    Books by W. H. Johnstone:

    Too many to list. Please see author's own list, using the link below.

    http://www.williamjohnstone.net/wwjbooklist.pdf

  • The Omega Deception by Charles Robertson

    The Omega Deception, Boston, January 1984; ISBN: 0-553-23709-3

    The Author:

    Charles Robertson was born in Scotland. He is a former English teacher who at the time of publication lived Stanford, Connecticut. Omega Deception is his 3rd novel.

    The Book:

    The time is 1943. An atomic scientist named Niels Bohr makes his escape our of Nazi occupied Denmark.

    This is a WWII tale of espionage. Well-written with a few surprising twists and turns in the plot, spanning the Atlantic Ocean and involving the intelligence agencies of several countries.

    I have to say this book is not my 'cup of tea'. Although the well-constructed plot kept me reading to the end despite my tendency to skip over a few pages here and there.

    The copy editing I found annoying. There were a number of glitches and typos. For instance, one sentence read, "... wave to..." instead of have to. Couldn't help but notice it as it was the main sentence in that paragraph.

    As I said, this book is a well-written thriller. If it is your type of genre -- WWII spy thriller, then you will enjoy reading it.

    For me - once was too much. This one won't be staying on my bookshelf long.

    Other Books by Charles Robertson

    The Children

    The English Conspiracy