I don't think there have been any updates on my friend, Becky, in a while. Well, there is new Becca Lee Roberts music!! She spent a week in Nashville earlier in the month recording two new, original singles. The first one was mastered last night and is now available for a listen on Reverbnation!! The title of this song is "Dangerous Game", and she is very happy with it. I first heard this song on the phone just before she left for the studio. She'd just finished the first verse and chorus.
It came out great. You can hear it along with her entire Christmas Album (Christmas Lullaby) for free on Reverbnation.
Dangerous Game by Becca Lee Roberts
It will be available in the Amazon MP3 store and on Itunes within a few weeks. Once the entire record is finished, she'll release the CD!!
Everybody have a great day. It's snowing again here, but summer is just around the corner. Smile and be kind.
Doug
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Been a while...
Well, it's been a while since I did an update. We have a lot of news in my part of the world. First, we have a baby granddaughter on the way! We almost got to meet her last night, but it was a false start. This will be the first granddaughter and the first from our son, so she'll always be special.
After twelve hours in labor (several in three minute labor), they sent mama home!! She wasn't dilating any more and was stuck at 2cm. The doctor decided she should go home and sleep. He sent her home at about 3:30 am. I felt soor sorry for poor Michaela. She was exhausted. We spent the rest of the night at their house and waited until she got up this afternoon.
There weren't any contractions after she got up, so it looks like the baby wasn't ready to come yet. The due date is next Sunday, so my wife is holding out hope that she'll wait. That's Easter Sunday, and she thinks it would be cool.
I think Michaela would just as soon get this thing over.
I'll do another update on big news from my friend, Becky.
After twelve hours in labor (several in three minute labor), they sent mama home!! She wasn't dilating any more and was stuck at 2cm. The doctor decided she should go home and sleep. He sent her home at about 3:30 am. I felt soor sorry for poor Michaela. She was exhausted. We spent the rest of the night at their house and waited until she got up this afternoon.
There weren't any contractions after she got up, so it looks like the baby wasn't ready to come yet. The due date is next Sunday, so my wife is holding out hope that she'll wait. That's Easter Sunday, and she thinks it would be cool.
I think Michaela would just as soon get this thing over.
I'll do another update on big news from my friend, Becky.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Review of "Why Whisper?" by Joanne V. Mazzotta
I bought this book months ago as a resource to deal with serious grief problems
I was having. Since that time, I've gotten to know Joanne Mazzotta through
social media and consider her a friend. She is a lovely woman with a delightful
sense of humor and a deep wisdom. Joanne is an old soul.
I didn't have the courage to read this book until a week ago. It sat on my Kindle, and I'd pass it by each time I selected a new book. I always thought,"Not yet." I am thankful that I finally opened it. This book is a tremendous resource not just for survivors of suicide but for anyone dealing with grief. I felt many of the same emotions expressed by Joanne. I cried at points reading her story. Sometimes, I would wake my wife so I could read her a portion of it as I stayed up late at night unable to turn off my Kindle. I got to know her beloved Danny. I travelled through a large portion of her life and truly felt like all of Joanne's children and weebles were my friends. I was shocked at the utter honesty at points. Nothing is hidden from the reader which is the main point of whole thing. Why whisper? It is a gripping story.
Yet Joanne is just a regular woman. But for the grace of God, this could be any of us. Joanne just had the courage to tell her story.
This is such an honest look at suicide, death, family, religion, and what's important that I recommend it to anyone. It's worth reading. I've read many other books about grief but none quite like this one. Most are more like a "how to" manual. Joanne's is a journey through a real life. If you have yet to experience grief that rocks you to your soul, consider yourself lucky. We all will at some point. This story will show you that you're not alone.
Thank you, Joanne.
Why Whisper?
I didn't have the courage to read this book until a week ago. It sat on my Kindle, and I'd pass it by each time I selected a new book. I always thought,"Not yet." I am thankful that I finally opened it. This book is a tremendous resource not just for survivors of suicide but for anyone dealing with grief. I felt many of the same emotions expressed by Joanne. I cried at points reading her story. Sometimes, I would wake my wife so I could read her a portion of it as I stayed up late at night unable to turn off my Kindle. I got to know her beloved Danny. I travelled through a large portion of her life and truly felt like all of Joanne's children and weebles were my friends. I was shocked at the utter honesty at points. Nothing is hidden from the reader which is the main point of whole thing. Why whisper? It is a gripping story.
Yet Joanne is just a regular woman. But for the grace of God, this could be any of us. Joanne just had the courage to tell her story.
This is such an honest look at suicide, death, family, religion, and what's important that I recommend it to anyone. It's worth reading. I've read many other books about grief but none quite like this one. Most are more like a "how to" manual. Joanne's is a journey through a real life. If you have yet to experience grief that rocks you to your soul, consider yourself lucky. We all will at some point. This story will show you that you're not alone.
Thank you, Joanne.
Why Whisper?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Review of: Goodbye Junie Moon by June Collins
I've read a lot of Vietnam memoirs but none from the point of view in Goodbye Junie Moon. June Collins takes us on an incredible journey from rural Australia to the Senate floor via the clubs of southeast Asia. It's a very entertaining ride. This story includes adventure and danger but is also heartbreaking at times. Ms. Collins is a very good writer, and I found the book quite easy to follow. It flashes back and forth between Vietnam and earlier stops prior to the war. I liked the style. I also enjoyed the pictures scattered through the book.
Ms. Collins knows how to enjoy life. There's no doubt about that. However, I take issue with an earlier review that complained about sex in this book. There's very little of it, and it's integral to the plot. It not excessive nor overly graphic. This isn't fifty shades of OD green.
This book is well worth reading. It's an important story told by a fascinating woman who lived it. Ms. Collins spent three and a half years in Vietnam entertaining troops. I thank her for her service during the war and after the war during the Senate hearings. I look forward to more work by June Collins.
Goodbye Junie Moon
Ms. Collins knows how to enjoy life. There's no doubt about that. However, I take issue with an earlier review that complained about sex in this book. There's very little of it, and it's integral to the plot. It not excessive nor overly graphic. This isn't fifty shades of OD green.
This book is well worth reading. It's an important story told by a fascinating woman who lived it. Ms. Collins spent three and a half years in Vietnam entertaining troops. I thank her for her service during the war and after the war during the Senate hearings. I look forward to more work by June Collins.
Goodbye Junie Moon
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Well, a really awesome thing just happened. A German lady just personal messaged me on Facebook to ask if she could order a signed copy of my book, SAT & BAF! Memories of a Tower Rat, with a personal inscription. She's a major character in the book.
I just finished chatting with her for probably an hour. I told her I'd just send her one as a gift. She insists on paying me. I told her she could order it off Amazon.de cheaper but it wouldn't be signed. She wants it signed. So, I gave her my address and she said she'll send the money with a letter. She still lives in Germany, so I'll send it to her at cost plus shipping. The book wouldn't be nearly as interesting without her and her friend.
I didn't bring it up that she's in the book. I'm sure she knows. I think she's known for quite a while but didn't say anything. We hung out a lot, and we're both in a secret Facebook group specifically for people who hung out in two bars in Heilbronn, Germany in the 1980s! I recognized her immediately even though it's been twenty-five years. We're friended on Facebook now and she's seen my older pictures. I also suspect some mutual (German) friends have probably told her. I used her real first name, and it's pretty distinctive.
I think some of the stories will bring a smile to her face. They were good memories, and it was a magical time for all of us. I won't say who she is, but she'll definitely know who she is.
That's just awesome to me. :-)
I just finished chatting with her for probably an hour. I told her I'd just send her one as a gift. She insists on paying me. I told her she could order it off Amazon.de cheaper but it wouldn't be signed. She wants it signed. So, I gave her my address and she said she'll send the money with a letter. She still lives in Germany, so I'll send it to her at cost plus shipping. The book wouldn't be nearly as interesting without her and her friend.
I didn't bring it up that she's in the book. I'm sure she knows. I think she's known for quite a while but didn't say anything. We hung out a lot, and we're both in a secret Facebook group specifically for people who hung out in two bars in Heilbronn, Germany in the 1980s! I recognized her immediately even though it's been twenty-five years. We're friended on Facebook now and she's seen my older pictures. I also suspect some mutual (German) friends have probably told her. I used her real first name, and it's pretty distinctive.
I think some of the stories will bring a smile to her face. They were good memories, and it was a magical time for all of us. I won't say who she is, but she'll definitely know who she is.
That's just awesome to me. :-)
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Review of "A Physician's Plight" by Dr. Katherine Klein
I just finished "A Physician's Plight" last night, and Dr. Klein's story broke my heart. It follows her story from her youth through final personal triumph with twenty years of heartache in between. This book is well-written and moves at a good clip. It does a good job of sharing just enough that we can actually feel it from the inside. As the title suggests, there is an interesting contrast between Dr. Klein's escalating personal struggles and stories from inside the hospital.
Having lived through my wife's own struggles for custody of her son, I empathized with Dr. Klein's story. It's amazing what family court can sometimes conclude. Reality seems to have very little to do with their decisions in many cases.
This was a brave story. I thank Dr. Klein for sharing it and recommend it to anyone who likes a good, personal memoir.
Having lived through my wife's own struggles for custody of her son, I empathized with Dr. Klein's story. It's amazing what family court can sometimes conclude. Reality seems to have very little to do with their decisions in many cases.
This was a brave story. I thank Dr. Klein for sharing it and recommend it to anyone who likes a good, personal memoir.
Monday, December 3, 2012
The record is finished!
I've talked about my friend, Becky on here. Getting to know her again this summer and fall has been an amazing experience. I had no idea how much I missed her all those years until I had her back. I just love her so much. It's just a special bond that goes all the way back to kindergarten in a little town with 47 people. There's no way to describe it. Well, the CD has been much of what we've talked about. After a lifetime of singing, she finally took the plunge into the studio. She's been working on it for months. Well...
Oh my goodness! One of the most incredible moments of my life was at 6:00 am last Thursday morning. That was her worldwide radio debut on KZNN in Rolla, Missouri. She was so excited when they let her know that she drove down to her mom's just to sit in her car and listen. That station is a long way from my house, but I took a shot and drove as far east as I could before six...left about ten minutes early.
Well, about 5:56, the station started fading out of rock to Garth Brooks. It was going back and forth between the two. She was on a country station, so I pulled over when Garth was coming in strong. I was trying to hear the call letters (KZNN). I never heard them.
At 6:00 sharp, I heard my friend's angelic voice, though!! She kicked off the morning show. It was her song "Keep Christ In Christmas" which is very radio friendly. I sat there and cried.
My friend from kindergarten who loves nothing in the world more than singing was being played on my truck radio, and I got to hear it. Just a couple months ago, I talked with her for hours helping her decide whether to continue in the singing contest she was in or spend that money to go record this CD. I convinced her the CD would give her more return. I helped her get the CD submitted...three hours on the phone. My wife and I have been travelling a couple hours every couple weeks just to hang with her and hear her sing...and because she's a blast! We've spent hours and hours talking about and working on this CD. I didn't help with the recording, but I did help her get it from songs to a release. She told my wife the other day that I was getting credits on the sleeve "for pure awesomeness". I don't know if she was joking or not. It's hard to tell sometimes. Thursday morning, I heard her on the radio for the first time. I heard her biggest dream come true. By some magic of the airwaves, I heard it across the state. I Mapquested it once I got to work. I was 114 miles away.
It was great!
Since then, she's been put into the rotations on several stations in the eastern part of Missouri with more coming on all the time. It's been a whirlwind this week. The CD isn't even available (but will be very soon), and she's already on the radio!! Hopefully things will calm down soon so we can hang out. Meanwhile, it's been fun chatting with her at night. It's just amazing. She's amazing. You can hear the full album on Reverbnation if you'd like. The originals are the last two songs on the playlist, but the whole thing is incredible. I'm soooooo proud of her.
Doug
Christmas Lullaby by Becca Lee Roberts
Oh my goodness! One of the most incredible moments of my life was at 6:00 am last Thursday morning. That was her worldwide radio debut on KZNN in Rolla, Missouri. She was so excited when they let her know that she drove down to her mom's just to sit in her car and listen. That station is a long way from my house, but I took a shot and drove as far east as I could before six...left about ten minutes early.
Well, about 5:56, the station started fading out of rock to Garth Brooks. It was going back and forth between the two. She was on a country station, so I pulled over when Garth was coming in strong. I was trying to hear the call letters (KZNN). I never heard them.
At 6:00 sharp, I heard my friend's angelic voice, though!! She kicked off the morning show. It was her song "Keep Christ In Christmas" which is very radio friendly. I sat there and cried.
My friend from kindergarten who loves nothing in the world more than singing was being played on my truck radio, and I got to hear it. Just a couple months ago, I talked with her for hours helping her decide whether to continue in the singing contest she was in or spend that money to go record this CD. I convinced her the CD would give her more return. I helped her get the CD submitted...three hours on the phone. My wife and I have been travelling a couple hours every couple weeks just to hang with her and hear her sing...and because she's a blast! We've spent hours and hours talking about and working on this CD. I didn't help with the recording, but I did help her get it from songs to a release. She told my wife the other day that I was getting credits on the sleeve "for pure awesomeness". I don't know if she was joking or not. It's hard to tell sometimes. Thursday morning, I heard her on the radio for the first time. I heard her biggest dream come true. By some magic of the airwaves, I heard it across the state. I Mapquested it once I got to work. I was 114 miles away.
It was great!
Since then, she's been put into the rotations on several stations in the eastern part of Missouri with more coming on all the time. It's been a whirlwind this week. The CD isn't even available (but will be very soon), and she's already on the radio!! Hopefully things will calm down soon so we can hang out. Meanwhile, it's been fun chatting with her at night. It's just amazing. She's amazing. You can hear the full album on Reverbnation if you'd like. The originals are the last two songs on the playlist, but the whole thing is incredible. I'm soooooo proud of her.
Doug
Christmas Lullaby by Becca Lee Roberts
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