Liebster Award and Warning About Photos on Social Media

Hi Everyone,

Everyone loves to win awards, and I have been given the Liebster Award by Author, Mary Jo/Casey Clifford. You may click on her name to learn more about her.  Below is what she had to say about my me and my blog:

Sandra Marshall: I knew of her first through online groups. She’s a well rounded woman and author who has done a great deal in her life. Her blog is much like her life. You never know what she’s serving in her weekly blog but it’s sure to add to your knowledge.

One of the things, I have to do for this award is give it to five other bloggers, but I have only nominated four bloggers.  I will be listing another blogger, but it's the first time I've read their blog, so I'm not giving an award yet. 

Here are some rules for the winners:

1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them.

2. Post the award to your blog.

3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value.  Uh, oh, another person has removed their blog.

4. Leave a comment on the blogs to let them know that they have received this award.

1.  Romance Books 4 Us is receiving an award because their blog is so diverse.  They have authors, editors, readers, models, actors and all kinds of professionals who blog and do interviews on their site. 

2.  Stacey Joy Netzel is not only one of my favorite authors, on her blog she's showing off her latest canned goods.  How many young women do you know who still can?  This is one of the reasons, I follow her blog.  Also, she loves Colorado like I do. 

3.  Judy Ridgley is an author, but I like this blog because she writes about horses.  If you need to know something about horses then this is the blog to go to. 

I'm sorry that I just don't have time to visit many blogs, and when I do it's hit and miss most days.  I regret that I only get to Casey's blog once in a great while because she's a wonderful author.

This blog URL I'm putting here because it's going to help all social media users and not just bloggers.  http://www.roniloren.com/blog/2012/7/20/bloggers-beware-you-can-get-sued-for-using-pics-on-your-blog.html

This applies to FB, Twitter, MySpace, Pintest as well as blogs and others.  You need to use only your own pictures.  I've recently heard that there is a scam going on at Pintest, but I don't know much about it yet.

Thank you for reading my blog today, and I'll see you next Sunday.

Sandra K. Marshall

http://www.eirelander-publishing.com

Colorado is a Beautiful State

Good Morning,
By my title you can tell, I'm going to talk about Colorado.  Colorado has suffered a lot lately.  First, due to fires burning eighty thousand acres of gorgeous forest around the Ft. Collins area, and then 18,000 acres around Colorado Springs.  Here are some pictures of the damage around the Springs.  This is just a small portion of the damage, and it will take years to rebuild.

The mountains are still beautiful as you'll see by these next pictures.                      

Garden of The Gods

My time in Colorado was spent with my sister and family. We not only drove to the mountains, enjoyed dinners at home and out at restaurants, we went to Denver to see the new historical museum.  This museum will have four floors when it is completed.  There are two floors almost completed, but even so it is well worth seeing. 

When you walk into the main entrance, there is a map of Colorado on the floor.  Two machines can be moved around the map to different locations of Colorado, and you'll learn the history of that spot.  It is a fun way for kids and adults to learn history. 

I took a few pictures in the museum, but I have to admit that I was so fascinated that I forgot to take photos most of  the time.  I would love to post what I have but Blogger is being very difficult tonight.  You'll just have to take my word that this museum is well worth seeing. 

All of you have heard about the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, and I want to add my sympathy and prayers for the families of the victims.  It seems the world has become very cruel.

Have a safe and happy week.  I'll see you next Sunday.

Hugs to all of you,

Sandy

http://www.amazon.com/author/sandramarshall



Our Rights

This is a topic I have been giving a lot of thought to lately.  Are we losing our rights to make our own decisions?  What do you think?

A few examples below:

There is no smoking allowed in restaurants and most public places these days.  That right has been taken away from smokers.  (I don't smoke, but that's someone's right.)

There's talk of no soda's in New York (not sure if this is for everyone or just obese people)

I've heard they want to do away with cupcakes in schools because of the sugar content.  (I do like my sweets.)

Rove Versus Wade - Abortion or not.  (If this were overturned it would take a right away from someone. Personally, I don't like the idea of abortion, but it's not my decision.  I've never had one.)

McDonald's - There are people who want to close McDonald's because of all the calories in their food.  (I like a Big Mac on occasion)

I could give more cases, but I think this is enough for you to get the idea. None of these examples have affected me, but what I'm concerned about is where does it end?

All of these instances are for our good or to save babies.  Okay, I think abortions are wrong, but at the same time I believe in the right for women to make their own choice.  The time is going to come when something you want the right to do will be taken away from you and me.  It scares me, and I think you should be scared to.

On a lighter note, Romance Books 4 Us is having their Christmas in July contest.  For details go to http://romancebooks4us.com

That's it for this week.  I won't be seeing you next Sunday because I will be on vacation.  I will be back on July 22nd with a new blog.

I hope everyone can stay cool this summer.

Hugs,
Sandra K. Marshall
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/sandramarshall

Reliving the Sixties in Hairspray

Yes, I grew up in the fifties and sixties, and I graduated high school in 1962.  They were great times.  Last weekend, I went to the New Dinner Theatre in the Kansas City area to see the play, Hairspray. 

Hairspray plays all over the country in small theatres, but many of you have probably seen the movie.  I didn't get to see the show, but I am sure I would have loved it as much as the play.  Hairspray was funny yet addressed some of the issues of the era. 

The performances by all the actors were terrific and they brought back a lot of memories for me.  Hairspray reminded me, we are still dealing with many of the same problems today.  The ones that stood out for me were race and weight, but it was in a humorous format, which had everyone laughing. 

In those days, it wasn't always a laughing matter.  I remember my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Hamby, being fired for dancing cheek to cheek with her husband, and for allowing the black boys to dance with the white girls.  My spunky mother got a petition up to save Mrs. Hamby's job.  When that failed, she got a petition to fire the principal, and that worked.

There were many good times in those days, but they were far from perfect, and we must remember the imperfections as well as the pleasant.  The era was simpler, but people were still unkind.

For those of you who live in the Kansas City area or planning to come to the area, Hairspray will be playing through August 26th.  After that Social Security with Barbara Eden of I Dream of Jeannie fame will be at the theatre from August 29th to November 4th, The Game's Afoot with Marion Ross of Happy Days, On Golden Pond with Mike Farrell from Mash is January 23rd to March 31, 2013, Weekend Comedy with Cindy Williams from Laverne and Shirley is April 3rd to June 16, 2013, and The Buddy Holly Story is June 20 to August 25, 2013. 

The telephone number for buying tickets is 913-649-7469.  Even though this theatre holds 600 people it was sold out and it was packed.  They have an excellent menu for their matinee and for dinner.  It is included in the price of the ticket for the play.  The only thing extra is the drink (other than coffee and water) and the dessert, which is delicious and you have a choice. 

Thank you for reading my blog.  See you next Sunday.

Have a great week.

Sandra K. Marshall

http://www.amazon.com/author/sandramarshall