Happy New Year

As any year 2009 came with many blessings and challenges, all to be learned from.



While going through difficult challenges the blessings tend to be overshadowed.

I hope for you all you have overcome or are working through your challenges and blessings abound as we enter 2010.

Take the time today and reflect on 2009 and remember the positives and let go of the negatives. Tell your loved ones you love them even though you believe they already know this. Nothing is more uplifting for an individual to be acknowledged with the three simple words, I Love You!

To each and everyone of my family members, friends, and new found friends from the writing community I love and cherish each and every one of you and look forward to a prosperous 2010.

God bless.

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift

and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing

which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning

make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds

with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven,

for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The history of the Underground Railroad is a fascinating and heart wrenching time in American History. Beyond the scope of children’s books about the Underground Railroad I’m going to begin offering up suggestions of blogs, websites, and museums you may find interesting in your quest to learn more about this critical time.

The first on my journey is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at: http://www.freedomcenter.org/about-us/. It is my hope to some day visit this captivating museum. In the meantime, I have immersed myself in their spellbinding website. Come along with me through cyberspace and learn about the past and unfortunate present day time issues of slavery.

Happy Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day

When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing

Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload

We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more

To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed

My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those

Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure

Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place

And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided

And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

--Scott Wesemann

Book Review: Th Patchwork Path ~ A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud

Title: The Patchwork Path ~ A Quilt Map to Freedom

Written by: Bettye Stroud

Illustrator: Erin Susanne Bennett

Soft cover: 32 pages

Ages: 4-8

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 978-07636-3519-0

Published: January 2005

Price: $16.99

The Patchwork Path ~ A Quilt Map to Freedom is a historical fictional account of 10-year-old Hannah and her father’s quest for freedom. The places and hidden passageways intertwined in Hannah’s story are actual locations, many still standing today.

Signs were everywhere to ensure the safe passage of slaves to freedom. Lanterns in windows and code words the most common. One of the most ingenious signs was the use of quilts. Quilt makers would make each square with a specific message. Only those familiar with them would understand the significance. To the untrained eye it looked like an ordinary quilt. Hannah’s mother knew the time would come that their own quilt would guide Hannah to safety. The quilting skills Hannah’s mother taught her prior to her death was instrumental in Hannah and her father’s safety, providing a connection to her mother even in death.

Children’s author, Bettye Stroud expertly brings to life of 10-year-old Hannah’s escape to freedom where you can feel the pounding of the rain on your back and the howl of the wind in your ears. There is no wonder The Patchwork Path ~ A Quilt Map to Freedom has been bestowed with multiple awards.

Visit the wonderful world of children’s author, Bettye Stroud at http://www.bettyestroud.com/

Book Review: Barefoot ~ Escape on the Underground Railroad

Title: Barefoot ~ Escape on the Underground Railroad

Written by: Pamela Duncan Edwards

Illustrator: Henry Cole

Soft cover: 32 pages

Ages: 5-9

Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher
ISBN: 978-006-4435-192

Published: December 1998

Price: $6.99

Observing and understanding nature’s signs proved to be instrumental in a runaway slave’s quest for freedom. The weather did not always cooperate, especially when the moon would be hidden by clouds. The darkness blanketed the pathway to freedom. One could not panic. It was essential to remain calm and alert to the animal sounds, along with the common human signs to ensure safe passage.

Barefoot’s journey though the darkness guided by unusual assistance will have your heart pounding and your mouth dry in anticipation of the two sides of the scale, freedom or capture. Which shall prevail? Immerse yourself in Barefoot ~ Escape on the Underground Railroad and you will soon find out.

The expert flow of this unique story of the Underground Railroad paired with the mesmerizing illustrations will leave you breathless.

Visit the enchanting world of author, Pamela Duncan Edwards at http://www.pameladuncanedwards.net/  









Visit the colorful world of illustrator, Henry Cole at http://www.henrycole.net/

Secret Signs - An Escape Through the Underground Railroad

Title: Secret Signs – An Escape Through the Underground Railroad

Written & Illustrated by: Anita Riggio

Soft cover: 32 pages

Ages: 4-8

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

ISBN: 978-1590780725

Published: November 2002

Price: $9.95

The success of the Underground Railroad depended on many people. Children and adults placed themselves and families in harms way to ensure the safe passage of slaves to freedom. Code words were a main source of communication, but many don’t realize secret signs were also instrumental in communicating.

Come along on this inspiring journey of a young deaf boy named Luke, who did not allow his disability thwart him in using his artistic abilities to show the way to safe houses and routes along the Underground Railroad.

The author and illustrator, Anita Riggio provides an adventurous story coupled with beautiful illustrations to bring this very important part of history alive.

Learn more about the author & illustrator, Anita Riggio at: http://www.anitariggio.com/