Secondhand Samhain

Secondhand Samhain 

The seventh novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Jan Connor, the new manager of the secondhand shop Vintage Holiday, loves her job, her town, and her life. She doesn't need anything except a little bit of help. Her annual Halloween birthday party isn't coming together, and her antiquated computer system is only making it worse.

Trent McDonald, computer guru extraordinaire, is looking for a place to call home. His brother, Cowboy, suggested Holiday might offer what he needs but never mentioned Vintage Holiday's pretty shop manager.

Between one breath and the next, God changes everything...
http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1

Wordless Wednesday

For those who wonder...

Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.

Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.

For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat, pizza for me. Laugh.

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Saturday Links

Hallee Bridgeman is one of my favorite authors and a genuinely nice person:
https://www.inspyromance.com/prepared-by-god/

I needed and still appreciate this encouragement from William Emmons:
https://wemmons.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/knowing-your-purpose/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Finding Peace (Love's Compass Book 1) by Melanie D. Snitker Inspirational contemporary romance. The first of the series of six books. An enjoyable read.

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis' "Autumn Splendor"

https://youtu.be/Yuf3A6vx2-8

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

The verb scramble, as in "to stir or toss together randomly," shows up by 1822, but "to make unintelligible" is from 1927; however, scrambled eggs are first recorded in 1843. Not that eggs weren't scrambled before that; Romans ate scrambled eggs but weren't called scrambled.

Monday Quote

If it's dead, don't go digging it up every five minutes to check if there's a pulse. It's dead, walk away.
~ Richard Templar

Scripture Study

Genesis 4:16

And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

Saturday Links

Over on Horse Addict, Biasini and Ma Leueen take us with them on part of their ride. I miss riding.
https://horseaddict.net/2019/07/03/biasini-speaks-about-the-blue-trail/

Good advice from Horse Addict:
https://horseaddict.net/2019/08/14/4am-formula-one-and-the-brain-500/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Pie Letters: Thoughts and Reflections on Pie and Life by Coletta Kewitt and Cynthia Johnson Weed and Elijah Cobb devotional. A dear friend shared this ebook with me. I'm so grateful. The brief bits brought back memories and inspired me to better use my God-given gifts. I felt like I was sitting in Coletta Kewitt's kitchen, listening to her share her memories and thoughts.  

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis' "Beautiful World of England"

https://youtu.be/Jan-2JJJZQ4

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Shambles, as in confusion or mess, isn't used until 1901.

Monday Quote

Thinking. The talking of the soul with itself.

~ Plato

Star Jasmine outside my window

Sunday Scripture

Genesis 4:15

And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Saturday Links

Bridget A. Thomas' posts inspire me.
https://bridgetathomas.com/2019/08/11/lessons-from-flowers/

William Emmons wrote this back in August. It caught my attention at the time because I was going through a Shift. I want to read this post again.
https://wemmons.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/recognizing-a-shift/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Loving the Horseman (Canon City Chronicles Book 1) by Davalynn Spencer Christian historical western romance. The descriptions are enchanting. The characters are captivating. The story is heartwarming. I look forwarding to reading the next one.

Musical Thursday

Relaxing Celtic Music by Peder B. Helland over at Soothing Relaxation

https://youtu.be/cXH1ugjl8-o

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Editing problem: MS Word treats "all things considered" like it's a sentence instead of an idiom, demanding a semicolon instead of the appropriate comma.

Monday Quote

Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise, you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.
~ C.S. Lewis

Scripture Study

Genesis 4:13-14

And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou has driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Saturday Links

Jeff Rab, over at RabBits, shared a valuable lesson on kindness:
https://jeffrab.com/2019/07/31/the-other-table/

Another from Jeff, I want to learn to have faith like Mrs. Pennywell:
https://jeffrab.com/2019/08/08/you-come-from-good-stock/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Reckless: Pride of the Marines by Andrew Geer history. This gave far more history on Reckless' background. If you like things in chronological order, read this one before you read Sgt. Reckless by Robin Hutton, who gives more detail about Reckless' life once she becomes a Marine.

Kentucky Horse Park

Musical Thursday

Casting Crowns' "Somewhere In Your Silent Night"

https://youtu.be/nT-5cP4BeoI

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

1816 ~ The Year Without Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, causing crop failures and starvation for the following two years.

Mount Tambora, in Indonesia, erupted April 10, 1815. The following year saw the northern hemisphere cool. The year after that was filled with rain and severe flooding.

It's believed the situation may have been aggravated by the eruption of Mayon, in the Philippines, in 1814, an eruption in Japan, in 1813, eruptions in the East Indies and the Caribbean, in 1812, and a mystery eruption in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in 1808.