GIVEAWAY AND BIRDS

I'm posting this from my other blog, https://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com because I'm so excited I want to tell everyone my good news.

It's here. The audio book for UNDER A PURPLE MOON. Thank you, L. Diane Wolfe, my publisher, for the audio edition of the novel. This is my first audio book, and I want to share my happiness with you, dear friends, so I'm giving away two audio copies.

Silver Award Winner in the 2016 Children's Literary Classics, teen category

 

Under a Purple Moon is a book about friendship, and in particular, about one young girl who comes to accept her own self-worth. Author Beverly Stowe McClure has done a splendid job depicting the wide and varied range of emotions experienced by Eden and her friends. Under a Purple Moon is a book which young readers will find to be very relatable.

CLC Reviews

Here's how the giveaway will work

 1.  Leave a comment on this blog saying whether you like audio books or not.

2.  Follow me on twitter.

3.  Follow me on my Amazon Page.

You earn one point for each thing you do. You can do one or two or three or none. Tell me in your comment how many points you've earned, and that's it. I'm giving away two audio copies. The giveaway will run through Jan. 31. Winners will be announced a few days later.

I'll write everyone's name that enters on strips of paper, one strip for each entry, put them in a basket, and my cat Patches will draw the winners. Don't laugh she's done it before.  If she's too tired, I'll use a random drawing.
Good luck.



It's winter where I live! Cold wind! Snow! Ice! Wait a second!

Right now, as I'm typing this, the temperature is 70 degrees.

A few rays of sunlight are breaking through the clouds.

Also a few drops of rain are falling from time to time.

This is winter? I'm not complaining, I love it.

The birds do too. Here are some recent visitors to my yard.

 

Cardinal

 

 

One afternoon, I looked outside and saw four cardinals in the yard. Knowing me, you can guess what I did. Yep, I got my camera and slipped quietly out the door. Three of the birds flew away. This little guy stayed so I could take his picture. Some people say that seeing a cardinal at a particular time in their life is a comforting signal from a deceased loved one. Whether this is factual or not, there is no doubt of the blessing received with a glimpse of a creature's beauty. Seven states have named the Cardinal their official bird.

 

Cardinals do not migrate. If you provide them cover and food, they will remain permanent residents. Their favorite food is black oil sunflower seeds.

 

Woodpecker

 

 

I'm not sure what kind of woodpecker this is, but he was outside my writing room window one day. A second bird was in the tree too, but they were moving so fast, eating insects in the tree, that I couldn't keep up with them. Was lucky to get this shot. It's dark because the day was cloudy, and if the flash comes on through the window, there's just a blur.

Have any birds visited  you lately?

Don't forget to leave a comment for the giveaway.

 

Have a great week. Hope your weather is nice.

 

Happy Reading!

NEVER TOO OLD!

Here's a hint at my mood today. This article previously appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of Once Upon a Time" magazine. Enjoy.

NEVER TOO OLD

My grandkids call me "Mema." They're so cute when they say it. I even admit to having a great grandkid. That's okay. I married very young.

My sons and their wives call me "Mom." I love it. One of my life's greatest rewards is being a mother.

My husband calls me "Beverly." Mm. That's my name.

I refer to myself as a children's author.

Some people consider me a senior citizen. I know, because at restaurants they automatically give me a senior discount. Now, I have a problem with that.

Perhaps Robert Browning said it best in his poem, "Rabbi Ben Ezra."

Youth ended, I shall try

My gain or loss thereby;

Leave the fire ashes,

What survives is gold;

And I shall weigh the same,

Give life its praise or blame;

Young, all lay in dispute;

I shall know, being old.

I like to think of me as living in my golden years: "The last of life, for which the first was made," according to Browning. When I was younger, I would not have believed him. But he was on to something. Now, I understand what he meant.

Consider me a recycled teenager worrying about a date for Saturday night, or that algebra test on Friday, or puzzled because my best friend has another best friend.

Consider me an adventuresome ten-year-old who still believes in magic and fairy tales, and who loves horses and fishing and decorating a Christmas tree.

Consider me an inquisitive toddler watching a butterfly on a flower, a raindrop racing down the windowpane, or cuddling in my mom's or dad's lap while they open new worlds to me through an enchanting book.

Yes, I treasure each memory of growing older. I enjoy every hour of every day God gives me. Which reminds me. Gotta run. My skateboard awaits, along with my character who is teaching me the basics of an Ollie. What's that, you say? I'm too old! NEVER!