Happy Halloween!
A Halloween video from me to you…
Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy Halloween! ~ Bette A. Stevens
- You can find Bette’s Books at http://www.Amazon.com/author/betteastevens
Archive for October, 2014
Aside
531. Music doth uplift me like a sea… ~Charles Baudelaire, French Poet
Music is magical! ~ Bette A. Stevens
Music, oh, how faint, how weak,
Language fades before thy spell!
Why should Feeling ever speak,
When thou canst breathe her soul so well?
~Thomas Moore, Irish Poet
Music gives a
soul to the universe,
wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination,
and life to everything.
~Plato, Greek philosopher and mathematician
The Bird her punctual music brings
And lays it in its place –
Its place is in the Human Heart
And in the Heavenly Grace –
~Emily Dickinson, American poet
Music speaks what cannot be expressed,
soothes the mind and gives it rest,
heals the heart and makes it whole,
flows from heaven to the soul.
~Author Unknown
First was the world as one great cymbal made,
Where jarring winds to infant Nature played.
All music was a solitary sound,
To hollow rocks and murm’ring fountains bound.
~Andrew Marvell, English poet
It is good to praise the Lord…
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Aside
525. The garden one wide banquet spreads for thee, O daintiest reveler of the joyous earth! ~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Edmund Clarence Stedman
Inspired by nature!
Thou spark of life that wavest wings of gold,
Thou songless wanderer mid the songful birds,
With Nature’s secrets in thy tints unrolled
Through gorgeous cipher, past the reach of words,
Yet dear to every child
in glad pursuit beguiled
Living his unspoiled days mid flowers and flocks and herds!
Excerpt from Ode to a Butterfly by
~Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Edmund Clarence Stedman
A butterfly is one of the pollinating insects that carries and moves a flower’s grains of pollen around, and its labors enable fertilization and subsequent sexual reproduction. Given that, the butterfly is owed a debt of gratitude by us and the flower because its dance seems to be not only an act of celebratory reverence but also an act of jubilant purpose. And who among us mortals, either young or old, finds not joy in the butterfly’s gleeful and beguiling dance.
I often wonder why people who are easily wowed by…
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Meet the Author: Erin Ireland and find out why she wrote A Voice in the Night
October is “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month”
Meet the Author: Erin Ireland and find out why she wrote A Voice in the Night
The assaulting truth about abuse! Erin Ireland lays it out for you… In a book titled: A Voice in the Night: Silent Abuse, The Early Warning Signs That Could Save Your Life.
Welcome, Erin Ireland. It’s great to have you at 4writersandreders today. Can you give us a short bio, so our readers can find out why you wrote “A Voice in the Night”? I’ve read it and highly recommend it to those who are living with abuse and those who want to find out how they can help in the struggle against domestic violence.
Erin Ireland writes for those who feel they have no voice. She is a woman who has spent many years observing the abuse of others. Her experiences have been many in the direction of others who suffer in silence with isolation, controlled obsessions, verbal abuse, Superior attitudes, deceit, jealousy, physical, and sexual assaults, and many more indignities suffered everyday by beautiful people.
Erin Ireland has suffered a great deal of abuse in her own life, and writes from her heart when explaining what she feels is an inappropriate act against another.
Her passion for the subject of abuse runs deep, and reflects in her sometimes overpowering expressions of what she would like to change in life for you. She wishes for all to come to her website, feel welcome, and hopes that all will find some refuge and enlightenment here.
Erin Ireland is a nom de plume, in order to protect the innocent. She will always speak her mind and the truth for the betterment of all those who seek answers and comfort.
Erin Ireland has written a book Titled, A Voice in the Night: Silent Abuse, The Early Warning Signs That Could Save Your Life. This is a book to help others bypass the long-suffering that can be eliminated if they can learn to view the traits of an abuser early on.
She is writing for others to see the light. Erin hopes for them be a lamp unto themselves. She wishes for them to find their safe ground to stand on, before they have spent their entire lives wondering: what it is that they have done to deserve such demeaning treatment? Abuse is a conditioning that can be unlearned. Every human being is entitled to an abuse free life.
Synopsis of A Voice in the Night:
This book is a Lamp to find your peace and to know your rights as a human being.This truly is “A Voice in the Night” for all who wish to be happier in their relationships or simply happier without their abusive relationship. Are you not sure whether your mate is actually abusive? Erin Ireland has laid it out for you. When you finish reading this book you will know the ingredients for a solid relationship and the specifics of when your mate has crossed the abusive line.
A Book for young people to find a safe ground to stand on. It is a message for all ages to take notice of the treatment they allow from others. So many never realize how much abuse they do submit to, thinking they are merely sucking it up for the betterment of the relationship.
What prompted you to write a book about domestic abuse and violence, Erin?
Writing this book has been an ongoing project for the last two years. After my stretch of homelessness, I wanted to express my thoughts and my experiences with others. I felt that all I had left in this life was my voice. I had experiences that could be shared to help others.
In my desperation to start my life over, I realized that I had become an expert in what not to accept in a relationship. What to look for to remove yourself from danger. I realized in writing a self-help book to free others, that I would be providing a service to those who need help, for those who don’t realize they are abused, and for those who don’t think they deserve better.
Writing this book means I can give to the world a gift of safety. It means I can move on from my nightmare while helping others move on from theirs. I wrote this book because I want to leave the world a message that lives on long after I am gone. Finding safe ground is my hope for all who live in a world of submission, control, emotional distress, physical abuse and all other forms of abuse.
Do you have a favorite line from the book?
Excerpt from Chapter 12
“Realize that you have made the right decision. Allow yourself to cry. You have the right to cry and mourn what you have lost, but also remember what you have gained.”
What was the hardest part about writing A Voice in the Night?
The most difficult parts of writing this book were the times I had to revisit the abusive experiences in order to relate to others what I had been through and what they may have to go through if they refuse to leave the unsafe situation. Also the trials I had to endure while trying to publish my book were monumental.
During the time I had finished the last edit and the time I was to be published, I was struck with yet more disaster. Last November, less than a year ago, new neighbors moved into an apartment over mine and started cooking some kind of a chemical. It smelled like cherries and made me sick.
It seeped down into my apartment and caused my blood pressure to rise to 220/110. The authorities refused to do anything. I went to the hospital by ambulance and stayed for three days, came home and had another heart event three times in eight days. It was back to the hospital again. Finally I found myself homeless once again, and this time much like the last time, everything I owned was destroyed.
The disgusting smell on everything shot my blood pressure up as soon as I was near it. All had to be thrown out. I slept in my car, I rented a room, I stayed in a hotel. In the end I moved into a new apartment with almost nothing, and started my life over again.
I had no computer, my files had been destroyed and I lost the final edit of my book to be published. I went nine months without being online or able to write. Finally my son bought me a new computer. My friends and editor had a copy of my book in the final edit. I immediately got busy and made sure all was in proper form. We prepared for the book launch. My daughter helped me, and at last, A Voice in the Night was born!
How can our readers get a copy of your book?
These are the links below to view the book: A Voice in the Night: Silent Abuse, The Early Warning Signs That Could Save Your Life
The reviews so far have been excellent
To Purchase this Book
What’s next for Erin Ireland?
I have stated in A Voice in the Night that I am writing another book to follow this one. The next book will be a memoir titled: Silent Screams. This book will be about what a tormented woman went through and how the system did not help her. It will tell the stories of living locked in one room, how she survived gassings and poisonings, living above the ridicule of relatives who didn’t believe her, the people who died around her during this time, and how each day it took its toll for a woman who just lived to stay alive one more day, for three very long excruciating years.
Erin, it’s been a privilege and a pleasure to have you with us today. Readers: find out more about Erin Ireland and her story of overcoming domestic abuse below. She’s also given us links to crucial self-help sites to visit and share with loved ones. I highly recommend A Voice. Erin and I would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Here is my review on Amazon: “ABUSE often goes undetected by outsiders and can even be ignored by the abused who often lay the blame on themselves rather than the abuser… FIND OUT MORE about how to help stop abuse from an author who’s been there and not only survived, but has thrived. First, you’ll learn to recognize abuse. That’s what Erin Ireland did. Readers will also learn how to help stop abuse and how to get out of an abusive situation.” ~ Bette A. Stevens
Interviews:
- Dr.Bob Rich Award Winning Author of Ascending Spiral and many more books, at Bobbing Around: http://wp.me/p3Xihq-fI
- Donna McDine Award Winning Author of A Sandy Grave and more books, at Write What Inspires You: http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/2014/09/domestic-abuse-voice-in-night-by-erin.html
- Nicole Weaver Award Winning Author of My Brother Is My Best Friend and more books at: Melange of Cultures: http://melangeofcultures.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/a-voice-in-the-night-silent-abuse-the-early-warning-signs-that-could-save-your-life-by-erin-ireland/
How to help a friend who is being abused:
Emotional Abuse Recognized in Seconds (EARS)
Forced Marriage
BETTE, GARRY, AND MARILYN — IN SKOWHEGAN
A special day to remember with great new forever friends Marilyn and Gary Armstrong. We met on the net, but we’ll never forget that face-to-face meetings are far better yet! If you haven’t had a chance to meet my extraordinary new friends, yet, be sure to stop by SERENDIPITY Blog, that’s http://www.teepee12.com. You’re sure to find great post, pix and peeks into everything under the sun, where some say there is nothing new. They keep this Boomer (me) laughing and learning. ~ Bette A. Stevens
And down the mountain we drove. Around 85 miles down, same mileage back. We met Bette Stevens, of 4 Writers and Readers. She’s in the middle of a round of editing her next book, but she took the time to spend the afternoon with me and Garry.
Bette Stevens
A great lunch and Ken’s Family Restaurant, a trip to the Magaret Chase Smith Library, and a brief sojourn to see the world’s tallest Indian (statue), created by Bernard Langlais (1921-1977), a sculptor from Old Town who attended the local art school.
Marilyn and Bette
Garry and I were wearing our matched pair of Serendipity sweat shirts. You could hardly tell us apart!
Marilyn and Garry by Bette Stevens
Garry and Bette
We had great conversation at lunch, then spent some time taking picture of each other, visiting the library and admiring the statue, which is oddly located next to…
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Aside
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Watching the late afternoon sun reflect upon earth and sky brought back memories of a hymn I learned as a child. ‘The glory of the beauty which over and around us lies’ rang rhythm through my mind as I ran outside to capture the majesty of today and yesterday memories. I invite you to enjoy the lyrics and take time to visit the website at the end of this post to listen in (link at the end of the post) and share one of my childhood memories. ~ Bette A. Stevens, a writer inspired by nature and human nature
For the Beauty of the Earth
Hymn by by Folliot S. Pierpoint (Hymn Number 092, United Methodist Hymnal)
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
- Print the pdf version and listen to the music at https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/for-the-beauty-of-the-earth?lang=eng
Aside
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Watching the late afternoon sun reflect upon earth and sky brought back memories of a hymn I learned as a child. ‘The glory of the beauty which over and around us lies’ rang rhythm through my mind as I ran outside to capture the majesty of today and yesterday memories. I invite you to enjoy the lyrics and take time to visit the website at the end of this post to listen in (link at the end of the post) and share one of my childhood memories. ~ Bette A. Stevens, a writer inspired by nature and human nature
For the Beauty of the Earth
Hymn by by Folliot S. Pierpoint (Hymn Number 092, United Methodist Hymnal)
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.
- Print the pdf version and listen to the music at https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/for-the-beauty-of-the-earth?lang=eng
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 10/28/2014