A MAN OF HONOR, The prequel to, A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE BY BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Over the lifetime of reading all kinds of books I’ve found book series that are about the same characters through out several books very satisfying. Usually they follow the first book within the next year or two. So to find a prequel that dates a series by 20 plus years is rare.

A MAN OF HONOR is the prequel to A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE. It is the story of Blackie O’neill. The series is about Emma Harte. Through out the stories, references back to Blackie and the part he played or may have played remain a mystery until this prequel fills in the back story of what Blackie meant to Emma.

In one of the “Emma Harte” series Emma dies. The description of her death is breath taking. It added to my beliefs in what happens when a person dies. If for nothing else, and there are many great reading hours in the books that alone is worth your time.

I’m reading now NEVER by Ken Follett! WOW! STAY TUNED TO MY REVIEW OF THAT BOOK. IF YOU LIKE FOLLETT’S BOOKS, GO OUT AND BUY IT NOW!

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LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO SOMETHING FOR YOU!!

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

A recent illness taught me some valuable insights into situations that come up almost every week of the year.

Unfortunately sometimes the comment in the title above comes across as other famous situational comments; Have a nice day! I’m praying for you!It is what it is!

I don’t think people realize what these sayings can actually do to the people they are speaking to. They just don’t think about it. They just say it.

The people who receive the comment are left wondering; Do they really want to do something for me? If so, what are they willing to do?

And on the other hand, What do I want them to do? What do I need done? Should I tell them what I need them to do and see if they can or will do it?

So what usually happens is that both parties mean well but end up doing nothing.

Helpful ideas when dealing with the situation:

  1. When you ask someone if you can help them, mention several things you can do such as sit with a sick person while the caregiver does errands in down or around.
  2. Bring some food or a meal by to save the caregiver preparing a meal. On holidays it is easy to fix plates or dishes from the table to share. Soups, casseroles, gift cards to restaurants, desserts make great things to share.
  3. If after you have volunteered to do something you don’t hear from the person for several days or even a week, contact them and offer several things that you are able to do. If they still don’t want anything from you, send a card or flowers.
  4. Books. Most people read books for pleasure and to pass the time. Ask what authors they like or suggest authors that you like and they may like as well. If the authors have a series of books you might get them the 1st and 2nd books in the series for them to determine if they want to read more.
  5. Music. People enjoy music videos, DVD’s, music soundtracks, etc.
  6. PRAYING. Instead of saying I am praying for you, say with you. Say I am praying with you for 5 days, 10days, etc. Be specific such as I am praying for you for Divine Order, complete healing and health. Say whatever the situation calls for but say what the prayers are for. This makes it more convincing to the person that you are actually going to do it, not just saying you are.

  1. The idea is to communicate with the person/people you want to help or get help from. You both mean well and want to help each other, HOW to do it just needs to be defined and carried out. Sometime life long friendships start out just like this.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

FEEDBACK REQUESTED FOR A FOLLOWUP BLOG ENTRY!!!!

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A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES ….BOOK REVIEW / LOUISE PENNY # 18 IN A SERIES OF THREE PINES

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Magic can become real if you concentrate hard and long enough! Three Pines is not exactly a real place or is it?

Louise Penny has written another fantastic novel set in Three Pines. All of the characters we know from previous books seem to make an appearance leading up to a “hair raising” conclusion. None of them are real or are they?

For those who are not familiar with Armand Gamache I recommend you read this book, and then you will be hooked and want to start with book #1, STILL LIFE.

I almost never read a book twice, but I finished this one last night and have started the re-read this afternoon! JOIN ME!

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PAUL HARVEY,AND NOW THE REST OF THE STORY! (YOU YOUNGER FOLKS, LOOK HIM UP!)

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO I PUBLISHED A POST ABOUT “TIME”. AT THE END OF THE POST I ADDED A CLARIFICATION STATING THAT I AM FINE AND I’M NOT DYING. LESS THAN 36 HOURS LATER I WAS LAYING IN THE HOSPITAL AWAITING EMERGENCY SURGERY THAT WAS CERTAINLY LIFE THREATENING!

IN LESS THAN 36 HOURS MY WHOLE LIFE SITUATION CHANGED! MANY LESSONS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT TIME IS IN THIS LIFETIME CAME FORWARD IN MY MIND!

I SURVIVED!

SURVIVING A WEEK IN THE HOSPITAL AND THEN 4 WEEKS AT HOME THESE MANY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED THEMSELVES. AS I LEARN AND UNDERSTAND SOME OF THESE I WILL POST ABOUT THEM.

MY FIRST LESSON WILL BE ABOUT WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO HANDLE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT “WHAT CAN I/WE DO FOR YOU?” “JUST LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO OR BRING YOU SOMETHING?

WE FOUND OUT THAT IT ISN’T ALWAYS SIMPLE WHEN WANTING TO BE SINCERE AND TRUTHFUL AND HONEST. DISCUSSIONS WITH MANY PEOPLE CAME UP WITH SOME VERY INTERESTING CONCLUSIONS.

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What is the GREATEST GIFT?

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

This time of the year when millions of gifts are exchanged all around the world every type of gift imaginable is probably given to somebody.

If somebody asked you what you thought the greatest gift of all time is what would you say?

What if we conducted a survey of all of the people on Earth, what do you think the winning gift would be?

Of course it is an individual choice of each soul in existence.

I’ve thought hard and long about what my answer would be. Life leads us down many roads and some lead us to situations that show us the most important episodes of our lives in order to teach us to learn what we need to understand to live our lives more fully and complete.

An incident in my life just recently showed me how quickly our lives can change with no warning, so for me I chose T I M E. AND I WOULD ADD MORE IN FRONT OF IT. YES!

MORE TIME*

*CLARIFICATION: I AM NOT SICK OR DYING. THE INCIDENT JUST ILLUSTRATED THAT UNDER A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANCES THE GREATEST GIFT WE COULD RECEIVE WOULD BE MORE TIME! THINK ABOUT THE MANY TIMES IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU OR SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD GIVE ANYTHING IF THEY COULD JUST HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME!

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OUR MISSING HEARTS/Celeste NG/BOOK REVIEW

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

OUR MISSING HEARTS is a new book by Celeste NG.

OTHER BOOKS BY HER, EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU, AND LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE

WINTER IS COMING!

DANGER AHEAD, BEWARE!

LOOKOUT TROUBLE!!

This book is timely, insightful and yes, another alert that we are at the beginning of another CRISIS.Will it change anything, probably not. But the most important thought that is presented is, IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT THAN IT IS TO CORRECT A CRISIS.

We ignore the signs. We dismiss the evidence.

Who would believe that? It’ll blow over. I don’t want to get involved. It isn’t MY fight! IT WON’T TOUCH ME.

BUT IT WILL!

EVEN IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE VERY RICH, IT WILL FIND YOU. THEY WILL SURVIVE , AND YOU PROBABLY WON’T.

READ IT AND DECIDE.

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ARROWS INTO THE HEART

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Daniel walked from the cover of the trees into the clearing. He was afraid. He didn’t know what to expect or what to do. He was vulnerable. There were no sounds but he could feel his heart beating faster and faster as if it knew what was coming! AND THEN IT HAPPENED! 3 ARCHERS WITH 1 ARROW EACH STEPPED INTO THE CLEARING AND RELEASED AN ARROW INTO HIS HEART, MANIPULATION, DOMINATION AND LOSS OF THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE!

DANIEL is all of us. The Archers are all of the people we are confronted by during our lives challenging us by manipulating, dominating and taking away our personal freedoms. The older we get the harder it is to fight them off! We are seen as weaker, unfit to make our own decisions and therefore should submit to any one who wants to control us.

You are too old to drive. You are not thinking clearly enough to know what is best for you. You aren’t physically able to stay by yourself.

I’ve been on both sides of that race car. AND if you live long enough so will you. So all of you doctors, lawyers and bosses and family members, etc. take heed.

ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND KIND. TREAT US LIKE YOU WANT TO BE TREATED BECAUSE YOUR TURN IN THE RACE CAR OF LIFE IS COMING.

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THE RED TRAIN, THE GREEN TRAIN AND SOON THE YELLOW TRAIN……COULD IT BE THE TRAIN OF CAUTION? OF DANGER OR OPPORTUNITY?

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times
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It IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!!!!! or me! OR IS IT?

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

IN THE HEAT OF A PASSIONATE ARGUMENT WE OFTEN HEAR, IT ISN’T ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!

THAT RESPONSE IS USUALLY AN ARROW SHOT IN DEFENSE AND ALMOST ALWAYS MISSES IT’S MARK. WHY?

BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT US!

AS INDIVIDUALS WE ARE INDEPENDENT SOULS WITH OUR OWN AGENDAS . WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONLY OURSELVES. WE ARE ON THIS EARTH BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO BE, IN THIS BODY, AT THIS TIME PERIOD FOR VERY SPECIFIC REASONS. WE LIVE AND DIE WITH THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE AND SO DOES EVERY OTHER SOUL.

SO YES, IT IS ABOUT US, THE INDIVIDUAL!

WHEN WE CHOOSE TO INTERACT WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS, WE HAVE TO CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP IT IS. IF IT IS COMPATIBLE, PEACE. IF THE DIFFERENCES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WE HAVE TO CHOOSE IF AND HOW FAR WE WILL GO DOWN THE SAME ROAD.

WHEN MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IT GETS MORE COMPLICATED!

HUMAN BEINGS HAVE SURVIVED BY CHOOSING TO LIVE TOGETHER IN GROUPS FOR SAFETY AND MORAL SUPPORT. WE CHOOSE WHAT GROUP WE WANT TO BE AND LIVE WITH. IF THINGS CHANGE IN THAT GROUP WE CAN CHOOSE TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT GROUP.

SINCE THE CAVEMAN DAYS FREEDOMS OF MOVEMENT AND ASSOCIATION HAVE BECOME MUCH MORE COMPLICATED BUT IT IS STILL ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL CHOICE! EACH SOUL MUST CHOOSE ITS DESTINY. ONLY THAT SOUL KNOWS WHAT IT’S DESTINY IS.

THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT!!!!

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AFTER THE RED TRAIN, HOME? AND WHERE’S THAT? PART 3 AND EPILOG

Posted on August 7, 2022 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Bingal took a deep breath and continued. ” As we get near the end of the Red Train Story let’s review some of the facts so far.

The RED TRAIN is in HEAVEN and transports souls from HEAVEN to EARTH or other destinations AND BACK.

The GREEN TRAIN is on EARTH and is used while on EARTH.

LUCAS is the “conductor” of both trains and is a companion soul to ELIZABETH before and after her incarnation trip to EARTH.

ELDER THOMAS is the Heaven soul representative for Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH is the soul that LUCAS is accompaning to EARTH for an incarnation., .

ELIZABETH: AGE 38 YEARS 5′ 8″ AUBURN HAIR WITH LIGHT HIGHLIGHTS/SHOULDER LENGTH/EMERALD GREEN EYES/ TECHNICALLY TRAINED IN ALL OF THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

LUCAS: AGE 42 YEARS 6’2″ DARK BLOND HAIR CUT SHORT /SPIRITUALLY TRAINED AND ESPECIALLY SUCCESSFUL IN INCARNATION TRANSITIONS/HE IS A MUCH OLDER SOUL THAN ELIZABETH IS.

When Lucas picked up Elizabeth to help her prepare for the trip to EARTH, He knew all of the details of the adventure but Elizabeth did not. Her heavenly memories were blocked out so that she could experience the EARTH incarnation without predetermined thoughts and desires and fears! While on Earth, he appeared as many different characters to enable him to guide and protect Elizabeth. HE IS ACTUALLY HER HEAVENLY BROTHER IN THEIR COSMIC FAMILY.

Bingal took a deep breath and continued.

Elizabeth and Lucas were sitting in the RED TRAIN right there in the station. The other trains were within sight further to the right. They looked exactly like the RED TRAINS but were distinctly GREENISH in color. There was a lot of activity over there. Here in the RED TRAIN it was quiet with no obvious connection to the others. In a way it was nerving……it wasn’t scary. Well, maybe a little. Sometimes QUIET translates as SCARY!

Lucas spoke first, “What now?”

Elizabeth replied impatiently, “How would I know? You’re the one in charge of driving the RED TRAIN!”

Lucas smiling,”Need to know basis?”

As they sat there in the quiet they reflected on the adventures they had on the RED TRAIN.

Elizabeth, “Would you say that it has been fun”?

Lucas,”Well parts of it maybe, but mostly it was a learning experience for me.”

Elizabeth, “A lot of it was happy and fulfilling for me. I did learn a lot I guess. There were some decisions I’d change if I’d only known the consequences!”

Lucas, “Well sure, so would I. But maybe that’s the point.

Elizabeth, “The call you made to me saying that we were leaving was so unexpected and rushed,

I didn’t have time to bring anything with me!”

Lucas, “What did you bring with you when I picked you up in the RED TRAIN?”

Elizabeth, “O. K. you’ve got me there! Nothing!”

Lucas, ” I rest my case. Nothing material either way or place.”

Elder Thomas had been expecting Lucas and Elizabeth to arrive and was there when the RED TRAIN pulled into the Heaven Station.

Elder Thomas, Welcome back you two! Your Cosmic Family is waiting for you. Take a rest and let me know when you are ready to discuss this latest adventure.

Bingal, ” And so now you have heard the Legend of the RED TRAIN. I bid you all a grand farewell as I move on to another village to share the legend with them.

WHERE IS HEAVEN?, WHERE IS HOME? WHAT IS HEAVEN? WHAT IS HOME?

TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS MAY BE IMPORTANT FOR YOU OR NOT. WE ALL ARE A PRODUCT OF WHAT CHOICES WE HAVE MADE SINCE OUR BIRTH ON THIS EARTH. WHEN WE DIE IS THAT THE END OR IS THERE SOMEWHERE OUT THERE A PLACE WHERE WE MIGHT MEET ELIZABETH AND LUCAS?

I GUESS WE’LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

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