He Got His Summer Days. Farewell to Edzell Wullenweber Courtemanche.

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Edzell Wullenweber

I wish to announce the departure of my loyal friend of 14.5 years. Edzell was a Shetland Sheep Dog, or a Sheltie. Edzell left a gaping hole in our lives just an hour ago. There will be no Sponsorship Sunday post this week. I’d like to focus on my friend’s life this last time and honor the contributions he made to our household.

Edzell Wullenweber Courtemanche was a Cryptologic Technician dog from day one. He was named for a large antennae farm in Scotland. My wife and I had never been to Edzell, but it seemed a fitting name for a dog of Scottish heritage. Continue reading →

Update And Preview

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The “way back machine” made a noise today and a reader provided a link I’d asked for help with last year. In a post entitled “My mom’s going to kill me” I’d put up a graphic and asked for help in sourcing it.

Well, got the citation for the artwork this morning from reader Untung Wang. Turns out this piece of art came from an ad campaign done by BBDO Atlanta. It is entitled “Save The Children.”

Next Tuesday I’ll be posting a column on abortion. Given the amazing sweep of activities in Texas this past week, and my recent articles on adoption and abortion, I decided to post a longer article. So make sure you come back on Tuesday for an unusual read on the topic.

Again, many thanks to the readership for helping me find articles, links, and wisdom.

Stormy Update, Something Light

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Let’s get right down to brass tacks – I’ve still got two more really heavy posts to get out but we’re going to take a break and do a dog post.

Chew toys make life bearable.

This afternoon, instead of being outside in the 93 degree heat, the bozo twins are basking in the air conditioning and chewing artificial bones. Yeah, sounds silly, but the real bones splinter sometimes and these are more controllable.

Note the use of the paws to hold the victim. All dogs use the paws to some extent – I think Shelties could deal blackjack in Vegas with their dexterity.

I’m hoping to catch some video of Stormy and her new non-barking ways. I bought a super soaker squirt gun the other day. She started barking without reason at a neighbor and I just triggered a blast in the opposite direction and whacked the garage wall. That got her attention. Two + two = a soggy Sheltie. Since I pulled the trigger it’s been blissfully quiet around the ranch.

So, it’s Friday tomorrow and I’ll put something out there to gaze at before the weekend. Perhaps we’ll head to the rifle range and take pictures there? Or a diner? Or, more likely, the back yard where there’s a tree I’m trimming out. That would explain the gouge on my leg.

Ooooh! There’s the topic.

See this space tomorrow for a near bout of idiocy.

Take A Deep Breath And Read The Whole Post.

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Today’s post will be full of unpleasant truths and things that many don’t want to hear. But I promise that it will be worth your time to read it in its entirety. I promise to do an ABBA video or a Stormy story this week to make up for this longer post. It’s about 3,000 words and it works best if you read it all.

Before diving into the topic at hand, I’d like to say a word about the press in this country. I’m including myself in the club as I write this blog for you to read, whether or not certain members of the United States Congress agree that I’m a journalist. At a minimum, I’m an editorialist.

Every thing you read, everything you see on television, everything on the internet, and everything you hear on the radio is designed to sell you something. This includes public figures and “personalities” who babble in front of rallies. Each and every single one of us is interested in your buying our sponsor’s product, following our Messiah, or buying our books. Sometimes it’s just the power trip of knowing that you have 4.67 million people who tune in to your show every week. I am part of that crowd.

I did not start this blog for altruistic purposes. I thoroughly enjoy it now, and I love the open channel I have with my readers. I’ve made a determined effort to use it for good at least once a week. But I very grudgingly began this a few years ago because I’d been told, repeatedly, that if you ever wanted to sell a book you needed a blog. Fine. I’ll start a stupid blog – I don’t have to enjoy it – I won’t write much – etc.

So, there’s my motivation right up front – I want you to buy the books I write once they are published. In the meantime, it’s all free, baby.

The rest of the press is the same. They want you to buy something whether it’s a tangible product or an ideology. Keep that in mind as you read the rest of this little gem. Continue reading →

Interview With Judy Liautaud, Author of “Sunlight On My Shadow”

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When I first started working in the voice over world a local children’s book author hired me to do the work on her interactive software. Entitled “Times Tables The Fun Way!” it was not only the best paying job I had that year, or the next, but also it forced me to do over twenty different voices for the work. I still love going to her website (www.citycreek.com) and listening to the samples. She made me a much better voice over talent with her kindness and expectations.

Judy in my spacious interview office – known to most of you as “Starbucks”

It is with pleasure that I present an interview with the author of Sunlight On My Shadow: A Birth Mother’s Journey From Secrecy to Renewal, Finding A Way to Heal From Shame and Regret, Ms. Judy Liautaud.

Judy’s book: Sunlight On My Shadow

A little preface is in order. The book is not for children. And there are some frank words about intimate relations in the book. I happen to think that they were vital to the story line. But it’s not something I’d give to my 8 year old nephew as a summer read. This is an excellent book for adults interested in the topic of a birth mother searching for the child she gave up for adoption in the late 1960s. Judy’s own description of the book is: “Suitable for adults and teens – with parental guidance.” I agree. But if you wear your “big girl/boy pants” you’ll be just fine. And, I honestly believe, much better after reading the book. I loved it.

Please follow me on Twitter, and “Like” the Facebook author page. Continue reading →