Saturday, September 21, 2019
So much has changed since last I wrote in this blog. My husband died. I sold my house and moved. And moved again. And again. My career went upside down. My tribe scattered to the winds. So much chaos in so little time. But good things too. I moved into an incredible community in Florida. I became dog mommy to my precious Pepper. My grand babies grew up. I participated in a blog and a documentary about my most recent book. Now finally I’m considering a new book. The story of my life has been reinvention.
Friday, September 26, 2014
A New Ending to an Old Tortured Story
A few weeks ago
Filled with Joy
I made contact with my dad
after 30 years apart
Earlier this month
We visited him at his home in Waco
and had some good moments and some sad
I hoped it would be a new beginning
But it was not to be...
I can forgive past hurts
I can use compassion and empathy to understand another's viewpoints
But allowing someone to continue to ridicule and belittle you or your family
is to enable abuse -and that I will not do
So, today, I ended this tortured tale
3 times he walked away -
when I was a baby, when I was a teen, and when I was a young adult
This time, I walked away
The ridicule and snide remarks end now
a new and final ending to this old and tortured story
9/26/14
Deb Simpson
A New Ending to an Old Story
A few weeks ago, I reunited with my dad
Soon after, we visited him in Waco
I hoped we could make a new start
But it was not to be
I can forgive a lot of things
I can put aside past hurts
I can find compassion and empathy
And understand others viewpoints
But understanding past hurts is different
Than allowing it to continue
That is a form of abuse
and that I will not tolerate
So, today I ended my relationship with my dad
He walked away from me 3 times
When I was a baby, when I was a teen and when I was a young adult
This time, I walked away
A new and final ending to an old and tortured story
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
One More Time
One More Time
You asked me
One more time
I shared
One more time
I wondered if you ever truly cared
One more time
I silenced
the words I need to say
One more time
I wondered
When you would walk away
Like the day I was born
When I was a teen
When I became a young adult
Who disappointed you again
One more time
I cried
For the times
I've tried
For what was - back then
For what could have been
For the pain that remains
For the few remaining days
For what may never be
One More Time.
Deb Simpson
7/27/14,
You asked me
One more time
I shared
One more time
I wondered if you ever truly cared
One more time
I silenced
the words I need to say
One more time
I wondered
When you would walk away
Like the day I was born
When I was a teen
When I became a young adult
Who disappointed you again
One more time
I cried
For the times
I've tried
For what was - back then
For what could have been
For the pain that remains
For the few remaining days
For what may never be
One More Time.
Deb Simpson
7/27/14,
Saturday, July 19, 2014
New Manuscript in progress.
I am now working on a new and exciting biography. It is untitled as yet but promises to be an exciting and enriching project.
My dad and I recently reconnected after being apart for 30 years. We are rediscovering each other and sharing the stories of our lives.
My dad, Joe Hart, is retired now and living in Waco Texas. But he has lived a rich life filled with travel and the contract engineering work that he loved. He often says that he " saw the USA at 70 miles an hour", he traversed the country, often pulling a travel camper which would become his home while he was working the next job. Dad was part of a community of " job shoppers" who built friendships and lives and they moved from one job to another. Dad wrote a book about his job shopping days, travels , and friends and this book has given me both history and insight about his life and beliefs. But Dad's book about job shopping is only part of his story. , I can truly say that he lived life to the fullest.
Dad was never still. Always learning and reaching for the next opportunity or adventure. Dad was a licensed pilot, licensed realtor, ham radio operator, and entrepreneur. He owned several businesses including 2 mobile home parks, a mini donut franchise, a logging operation, and job shopping agency. Dad also designed and built 4 homes, his first when he was in his twenties. Never one to be still, Dad also pursued the hobbies he loves.
Dad is an avid outdoorsman and yearns to be walking in the woods. His annual elk hunting trips are some of his best memories. He found the hunting to be even more challenging and enjoyable when he began using a bow and arrow rather than a gun. This led him to a new hobby- making hunting bows by hand. He continues to do this still, even though the use of his hands are limited and the manual manipulations of creating a bow are difficult.
Today, Dad spends much of his time caring for his wife of 30 years, Laura, who has Alzheimer's. Each day, Dad struggles daily with physical pain from a fall in 2005 that almost ended his life and left him partially disabled. Somehow, amidst the physical pain of his injury and the emotional pain of losing a spouse to a cruel illness that destroys her memories, Dad continues to be the strong and innovative person he has always been. When the injury to his hand left him unable to hold a guitar pick, he designed and built an enclosure for the injured hand that held an imbedded guitar pick and once more allowed him to continue another if his lifelong hobbies. Playing the guitar.
Through the "magic " of Google search, we found each other again and I look forward to our daily phone calls , many emails, and soon- an in person visit. Dad's grandfather lived to the age of 100. Hopefully Dad will also.
I look forward to capturing the excitement and expanse of his life in his biography. There is still so much to learn and share about this talented man that I call Dad
My dad and I recently reconnected after being apart for 30 years. We are rediscovering each other and sharing the stories of our lives.
My dad, Joe Hart, is retired now and living in Waco Texas. But he has lived a rich life filled with travel and the contract engineering work that he loved. He often says that he " saw the USA at 70 miles an hour", he traversed the country, often pulling a travel camper which would become his home while he was working the next job. Dad was part of a community of " job shoppers" who built friendships and lives and they moved from one job to another. Dad wrote a book about his job shopping days, travels , and friends and this book has given me both history and insight about his life and beliefs. But Dad's book about job shopping is only part of his story. , I can truly say that he lived life to the fullest.
Dad was never still. Always learning and reaching for the next opportunity or adventure. Dad was a licensed pilot, licensed realtor, ham radio operator, and entrepreneur. He owned several businesses including 2 mobile home parks, a mini donut franchise, a logging operation, and job shopping agency. Dad also designed and built 4 homes, his first when he was in his twenties. Never one to be still, Dad also pursued the hobbies he loves.
Dad is an avid outdoorsman and yearns to be walking in the woods. His annual elk hunting trips are some of his best memories. He found the hunting to be even more challenging and enjoyable when he began using a bow and arrow rather than a gun. This led him to a new hobby- making hunting bows by hand. He continues to do this still, even though the use of his hands are limited and the manual manipulations of creating a bow are difficult.
Today, Dad spends much of his time caring for his wife of 30 years, Laura, who has Alzheimer's. Each day, Dad struggles daily with physical pain from a fall in 2005 that almost ended his life and left him partially disabled. Somehow, amidst the physical pain of his injury and the emotional pain of losing a spouse to a cruel illness that destroys her memories, Dad continues to be the strong and innovative person he has always been. When the injury to his hand left him unable to hold a guitar pick, he designed and built an enclosure for the injured hand that held an imbedded guitar pick and once more allowed him to continue another if his lifelong hobbies. Playing the guitar.
Through the "magic " of Google search, we found each other again and I look forward to our daily phone calls , many emails, and soon- an in person visit. Dad's grandfather lived to the age of 100. Hopefully Dad will also.
I look forward to capturing the excitement and expanse of his life in his biography. There is still so much to learn and share about this talented man that I call Dad
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Murfreesboro Writers Group: Calling All Readers!
Murfreesboro Writers Group: Calling All Readers!: The Murfreesboro Writers Group is holding a special group book signing and sale ! Save The Date! Saturday November 02, 2013 10 AM-2PM ...
Friday, May 24, 2013
Global Ebook Nominee!! Closing The Gate!
Closing The Gate
A Heaven's Gate Cult Biography
is now a Global Ebook Nominee
Biography
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Words for the Writer!!
| Looking for that "just right" phobia for your novel? ailurophobia | fear of cats |
| algophobia | fear of pain |
| amathophobia | fear of dust |
| amaxophobia | fear of riding in a car |
| ambulophobia | fear of walking |
| anglophobia | fear of England or the English |
| anthrophobia | fear of humans |
| anuptaphobia | fear of staying single |
http://phrontistery.info/phobias.html
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The MUST haves for an author....
Several times in recent months I’ve had consultations with authors that really surprised me. These typically happen at writing and publishing conferences. One of the best reasons to go to these events is to get a totally new take on your book from someone inside the publishing industry....
For many authors, this is the first time they’ve talked about their publishing plans and the concept behind them.
As someone sitting on the other side of the table, by this point you expect that an author will have some or all of these things worked out:
- Their pitch, the tightly encapsulated, 30-second summary that will tell you what the book’s about, what other books it’s like, and what market the book is intended for.
- Their category, niche, or genre, the exact shelf, either real or virtual, where their book will be at home, and the books against which it will be compared.
- Their persona, the specific aspects of their own personality that they will be projecting as an author in promoting and marketing activities.
After all, launching a book and, by extension, a publishing career, is a complex task with lots of layers of meaning and action all rolled into one.
None of these attributes is cast in stone, unchangeable. But authors still know they need to have thought about these things when they get ready to step over the threshold into public view. ...
to read the full article , click on the link below
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Can I transfer my copyright?
Are copyrights transferable?Yes. Like any other property, all or part of the rights in a work may be transferred by the owner to another
to transfer copyright
to transfer copyright
How Do I Copyright My Work?
Copyright Basics
How long does a copyright last?The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.
Do I have to renew my copyright?No. Works created on or after January 1, 1978, are not subject to renewal registration.
How long does a copyright last?The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.
Do I have to renew my copyright?No. Works created on or after January 1, 1978, are not subject to renewal registration.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Publetariat Destroyed by a Hacker.”
Publetariat Hacked!
Joel Friedlander stated on his blog--was shocked to receive this note from my colleague April Hamilton:
“Last week, Publetariat was named one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Sites For Writers for the fourth year in a row, and this year it was also singled out as one of the “Best of the Best”.Yesterday, Publetariat was destroyed by a hacker.”
My heart sank. As a website owner who relies on this site and other web assets for my livelihood, I was completely aghast.
Sure enough, heading over to Publetariat, April had left a “note on the door” that reads, in part:
“As a totally non-profit, volunteer-staffed site, Publetariat lacks the resources and staffing to keep recovering from these malicious attacks.The site is currently not accessible or properly functional, though its content is still contained in the site’s database.”
April has helped thousands of indie authors get started in publishing, and was an early pioneer online. She has also reprinted and publicized my articles as well as those of numerous other bloggers in the indie field, and also provides our content to Kindle Nation Daily.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Cult preparing for the second harvest ..
Former members of the Heaven’s Gate Cult have been posting conversations about the expected second harvest of souls…. Heaven’s Gate is the cult who committed the largest mass suicide on US soil, in Rancho Santa Fe, Ca March 26, 1997, when 38 followers and their leader, DO (Marshall Applewhite) exited their vehicles (took their own lives) following what they believed to be a UFO hidden behind the Hale-Bopp Comet.
Some may think that the group ended with the mass suicide, but this is not the case. The cult is believed to have had more than 90 members in its 20+year existence, and several former members are leading the way for new converts, using modern day social media to spread the word.
Former members and new recruits believe another harvest is coming—a second chance to follow their beloved elders (leaders) to the Next Level, a place above human. There has –as yet-been no discussion about another mass suicide, only about a second chance to follow them.
The cult’s website is still active and contains the cult’s beliefs and philosophies, along with printed materials and training videos used in the cult “classroom”. The website is maintained by former members Dave and Sarah King. Other former members including Stephen Sawyer openly talk about their beliefs on Blog Radio, You tube, and Facebook.
Second harvest or second suicide? Remains to be seen.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Books & Games that NO One should publish!!
http://writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/007910_04102013.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+writersweekly+%28WritersWeekly.com+-+Freelance+Writing+Ezine%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
the Pedophiles Guide to Love & Pleasure
originally published by Amazon
the autobiography of the Olympic Bomber--also
originally published by Amazon
Video Game involving Rape
In Rapelay, gamers direct a character to sexually assault a mother and her two young daughters at an underground station, before raping any of a selection female characters.-a Japanese video game
I beleieve in the first amendment, but what publisher wants these items in thier catalog? Who buys them? If money speaks, then let's start talking!
the Pedophiles Guide to Love & Pleasure
originally published by Amazon
the autobiography of the Olympic Bomber--also
originally published by Amazon
Video Game involving Rape
In Rapelay, gamers direct a character to sexually assault a mother and her two young daughters at an underground station, before raping any of a selection female characters.-a Japanese video game
I beleieve in the first amendment, but what publisher wants these items in thier catalog? Who buys them? If money speaks, then let's start talking!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
16 Years Ago Today...
The 39 bodies of the Heavens Gate Cult members who committed mass suicde were found near San Diego, California....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven's_Gate_(religious_group)
www.ClosingTheGate.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven's_Gate_(religious_group)
one members story....
www.ClosingTheGate.com
Monday, March 25, 2013
Heaven's Gate Cult -the Elvis Connection
The Elvis Connection
As the 16th anniversary of the Heaven’s Gate cult mass suicide approaches, my thoughts turn to my brother’s decision to follow his cult family and leave this world. Sometimes this brings memories of Jimmy as a baby, sometimes as a young man struggling to find his purpose in life.
This month, as my husband and I traveled to Memphis for a weekend vacation, we visited Graceland, I was reminded of my brother’s love of Elvis, his music, his movies, and his life. In 1976, Jimmy was living with my family in Norfolk, VA, and we had the opportunity to see Elvis in person, when he performed nearby at Hampton Roads, VA. Jimmy and I talked about the chance to see Elvis in person, to hear him perform and experience his strong presence. It was an event I will long remember, not because of the event, but because it was one of those missed opportunities. I simply could not afford the ticket price, so we did not attend. I recall Jimmy’s disappointment and anger, and my own remorse, especially when Elvis died a few months later.
As we toured the grounds of Graceland this month, , and stood near Elvis’ grave, I found myself surrounded by an intense quiet as other visitors stood in silence at the Graceland Mediation Garden. This is the place where Elvis, his mother, father, and grandmother are buried, and where a small marker serves as a reminder of his twin brother who died at birth. For me, it was both a reflection of the impact of Elvis' life, the loss of someone so talented and young (42), and a sad recollection of my brother’s death, also at a young age (36).
Although I wrote about my brother’s life, his involvement with Heaven’s Gate, and his death in the biography, Closing The Gate, I still find myself deluged with small memories like this one-memories of things I had long ago forgotten. When a memory such as this resurfaces, I return again to the remembered moment and then all too quickly, to Jimmy’s death and the loss of his presence in my life
Although Jimmy loved much of Elvis music, his all time favorite was “In the Ghetto”, and his favorite stanza may have been a hidden message…one we should have better understood.
“People, don’t you understand
The child needs a helping hand “
The child needs a helping hand “
Excerpt from “In The Ghetto” by Scott Davis
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