by Bette A. Stevens © 8/29/2012
While asters, purple tutus donned
With velvet yellow crowns
Ballet to cricket violins,
Sway tiptoe in their gowns;
A golden orb in treetops rests
The stage a soft pale blue
And I among their audience
Too soon must say, “Adieu!”
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration (Photo credit: Kennedy Library)
GREAT Dr. Seuss-ian Mishmash! Read, remember. CHALLENGE: Have fun reading this to a child today!
J. Naomi Ay interviews Bette A. Stevens
Author Interview: Bette A. Stevens « jnaomiay
via Author Interview: Bette A. Stevens « jnaomiay.
Find out more about Stevens and her latest book, AMAZING MATILDA: A Monarch’s Tale.
MATILDA will inspire readers and listeners alike to reach for their own dreams and encourage others to do the same.
Lessons in Life from Author Kenneth Weenekennethweene – Weene Side Reflections – Some lessons learned while running the maze
via kennethweene – Weene Side Reflections – Some lessons learned while running the maze.
Writing Tips: When and when not to use the passive voice!
There is plenty to draw from when it comes to using Active Voice (i.e. AV). It’s use is preferred over its evil step brother, Passive Voice, and therefore affords plenty of instruction on when and how to use it. Whether we like it or not, once in a while the Passive Voice (i.e. PV) enters our writing in such a way that it seems appropriate. Almost as if it belongs there. Sometimes it does! Now, before the rule writers roll over in their graves and begin clawing at coffin lids to escape and haunt me, let me explain:
In most cases, it would be better to write in the AV. Why? Because with AV, the subject rather than the object is the focus of the sentence. In fact, in many cases, PV allows you to omit the subject all together. And because AV is almost always more concise, vigorous, and…
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Whodunnit: An Exercise in Passive Voice | The Daily Post at WordPress.com
via Whodunnit: An Exercise in Passive Voice | The Daily Post at WordPress.com.
by Bette A. Stevens
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15th commemorates the 73rd anniversary of the crash of the G-AESY, an English passenger plane from British Airways Ltd that crashed in Danish waters just two weeks before Hitler invaded Poland and the world was at the brink of war. M. C. V. Egan’s latest novel, The Bridge of Deaths, http://thebridgeofdeaths.com/ takes the reader to well-know and little known events leading up to the Second World War, both in Europe and America. As Bill, a young executive, travels today’s information highway, his journey through knowledge and time help him discover the real story of this 1939 plane crash. Both a mystery and a love story, Egan’s novel takes readers on a journey to uncover doubts left by the 1939 investigation into the incident. The Bridge of Deaths’ message that knowledge is the key to peace as a way to prevent war may give today’s readers insight into unlocking the secrets to peace for our own generation.
I wholeheartedly believe that knowledge of the past holds one of the keys to peace. Knowledge of the people in the world around us today holds the other essential key. However, knowledge in and of itself is useless, a collection of unused paint brushes resting on the world’s shelf. We must pick up those brushes and start painting. The perfect portrait of peace begins within each one of us. It’s painted one brush stroke at a time. Here are some simple steps that we can all take to contribute to that portrait:
Take the time to learn about those who are different than us. Perhaps we could start with someone in our own family (opinions, race, religion, beliefs, customs, cultures, political affiliations, the list goes on…):
Working in the classroom as a teacher of students from diverse backgrounds, I learned first-hand that those who hold different beliefs from my own are all unique individuals with whom I have many things in common. We all share the same needs and desires, the same frustrations and fears, the same hopes and dreams. Whether students, parents, staff, volunteers, administrators or colleagues, I have gained respect for and have been deeply enriched by each encounter. Life-long relationships have been nourished and continue to blossom. The brush strokes to peace lie within each of us. How do we paint the canvas? One brush stroke at a time. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS: Listen, share ourselves and our ideas, respect those of others, look for commonalities. Our individual and collective lives will continue to be enriched as we work together to paint that perfect portrait of peace!
Come join us!
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 08/24/2012