Lunar Eclipse-Oct. 8, 2014
CrossReads Book Blast with Michelle Word Hollis
Written By: carolmoye
-
Sep•
23•14
It’s in the House: Lessons from a Widow Woman – Getting What You Need & More!
By Michelle Word Hollis
About the Book:
In this book you will discover the powerful lessons, from the Biblical story of the Widow’s Oil, that will help you overcome any difficulty you are currently facing. You will learn easy to implement strategies that will cause positive transformation in your thoughts and actions.
The lessons are based upon Biblical principles that you can use daily for successful living. God has given us a blueprint in His Word that will help us build a grand life no matter where we are currently in life.
The principles contained in these pages have withstood the test of time; they are universal truths! The lessons and principles are simple to understand, as well as, implement for those who would dare try and keep trying. Making a lasting permanent change does take time, practice, and patience, but you can do it!
Michelle Word Hollis is a native of St. Louis, Mo. She is a wife and a mother. She received her undergraduate degree from SIUE and her MBA from UOP. Michelle is a life long learner and enjoys many other personal pursuits.
Michelle is a new author, but she has been writing privately for many years. Michelle’s Pearlable Woman book series will explore spirituality, family, life, and love. In the series, she will share lessons that have stood the test of time. These lessons are pearls of wisdom from the lives of Biblical women that can be applied to our contemporary lives.
Follow Michelle Word Hollis
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Michelle Word Hollis!
This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.
We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
Fall Shooting Tips
Written By: carolmoye
-
Sep•
22•14
Waterfall at Ohiopyle State Park by Carol Moye
It’s fall. I can’t say that I look forward to fall like many others do. As one who dreads the coming of winter (even though snow and ice scenes will occasionally put a smile on my face), I see fall as an ominous sign of things to come. Once again, the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a tough winter.
That being said, the colors of fall are electric and I am greatly looking forward to taking some stunning fall shots in the next couple of weeks. Often in Pittsburgh, that’s all you get. It’s definitely “Carpe Diem” season. Delaying only one week can often mean the opportunity is lost for an entire year.
Hoping to have some great new images to post by mid-October. In the meantime I found a great article in an email from Picaboo.com I have made several personal photo books through their website. My experience with them has been good. I don’t imagine they’ll mind my sharing if it gets them a new customer or two.
*********
Fall Photography Tips from Picaboo.com
You can feel it coming… the days are getting shorter, the air is crisper and the leaves are starting to turn. Fall is upon us and with it one of the best times of year to work on your landscape photography. Below you will find everything you need to know to capture the stunning colors and beauty of the season.
Photo by Vivian C.
Tip #1 Find the Water
Water can be your best friend when shooting landscapes, especially when you add the magnificent colors of fall to the equation. Get down to the water’s edge across from where you want to photograph and you’ll be able to create a symmetrical composition. The top half of your photo will be the landscape with the reflection occupying the foreground.
*Advanced tip: Use a polarizer, especially on sunny days. This will help with the color saturation, but make sure it doesn’t ruin the reflection as they are always darker.
Photo by Iman A.
Tip #2 Never Forget the Golden Hour
Nothing will enhance the golden colors of fall like natural light of the golden hour. We’ve discussed it before, but this is the time of day directly after sunrise and before sunset when the colors are at their softest (and optimal for photographing).
Tip #3 Understand the Contrasts
Contrast is a defining feature of fall and the more you can understand what colors compliment each other, the better your photos will look. When it comes to this season, red and green are the perfect pair. One of my favorite shots to get is when the first leaves begin to turn and you get that lonely red leaf in a sea of green. Study the color wheel if you want to learn the other complimentary colors.
*Advanced tip: Control the white balance manually instead of using the automatic feature on your camera. Set a higher ISO so that the camera thinks it’s shooting cooler light and warms up the colors even more – make sure not to over do it!
Photo by Rachel D
Tip #4 Don’t Miss It!
While fall technically lasts for months, it’s really only a couple of weeks (or even a few days!) that the leaves will be at their peak beauty. Make sure your ready for it and take advantage when the opportunity strikes. There’s no exact time as it will vary based on where you are, but a good rule of thumb is the farther north you are the earlier the leaves will change.
Tip #5 Don’t Let the Weather Deter You
The most dramatic times to photograph landscapes are not under blue sky and sun, but rather when a storm is brewing. We’ve already touched on contrast, but there’s nothing better than when you’re able to capture that moment when the sun breaks through those ominous, dark clouds. Match this with the fierce colors of autumn and the result will be an unforgettable shot. Make sure to bring an umbrella and other protective gear for your equipment
Tip #6 Backlight Your Shot
If you are able to, angle your photo towards the sun through the trees. Make sure that a branch or tree trunk is in front of the light to avoid flares if you think they’ll take away from the shot. The result will be a glowing effect bringing your photograph to life.
*Advanced tip: Underexpose to enhance your colors. 1/3 – 1/2 stop should do the trick.
Photo by Mary
We’d love to see some of your autumn photography. Share it with the rest of the community on our Facebook page with a chance to be featured.
Book Review-She Tumbled Down by Lorraine Devon Wilkes
Written By: carolmoye
-
Sep•
20•14
Book Description:
New Year’s Eve. It’s late, well past the midnight hour. A woman looking for respite from noise, champagne, and tensions with her boyfriend steps out to clear her head. She calls out that she’ll be back shortly and heads down the quiet neighborhood street… and never comes back.
A man with too much to drink and too fast a car roars by on that same darkened road and, in a flash of motion and impact, is stunned to see the face of a startled woman smash into his windshield. When the car stops he shakes in silence, waiting for… something. But when no one approaches, no cars go by and no inquiring lights flicker on, fear and panic take over and he makes the unfathomable decision to drive away… and never look back.
“She Tumbled Down,” a short story by longtime Huffington Post contributor and author (After The Sucker Punch) Lorraine Devon Wilke, follows the ripple effects of this tragic hit-and-run, attempting to answer that unanswerable question, “Who could do such a thing?” From that first fateful moment through the months and years that follow, the narrative weaves through the lives of seemingly disparate characters, threading the initial event into another story, a love story, that ultimately links to the tragedy in unexpected ways. (Short story: 7300 words)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a very well written story of a terrible tragedy and how it affected so many lives. Lorraine Devon Wilke is an excellent writer. I finished the book in an hour or so, fully captivated-mentally and emotionally. I was really pulling for the characters. It was quite easy to understand the complexities involved.
Psalm 141Reflection
Written By: carolmoye
-
Sep•
14•14
The second volume of my series, Psalms in the Key of my Life, was created fresh. There was nothing I had written earlier that was worth keeping (actually very litte that was written at all). Not so, with volume III. Psalms 121 and 141, I kept just as they were. There were several others I had written that I tweaked just a bit. Here is Psalm 141. It still needs a title. Something about prayer, but what shall the title be? I welcome your input.
Lord, I cry out to you. No other help I know.
Hear my cry
Let my prayers rise to you
As the smoke from incense rises toward the heavens.
Let the lifting of my hands
Of my heart, be as a sacrifice of old
Guard my lips as a German Shepherd guards a home.
Warn me when I am about to misspeak
Keep my lips from evil, and from foolish words
Help me to avoid evil thoughts, words and actions
Help me to resist the temptation
To follow the ways of those around me
Help me to accept, even to solicit correction from the righteous
Help me to speak words that are sweet, uplifting, encouraging;
Words that will help others to grow and to avoid evil.
Lord, you are my shelter.
Remind me to take the path that leads to your protection
Instead of the path that leads to hard times.
Help me to escape snares that may be laid for me,
And lead me to the green pastures
Still waters
And the table you have prepared for me
Where I will find joy and peace
Amen
Unrecognized Beauty
Written By: carolmoye
-
Sep•
10•14
These Shasta Daisies were in my back yard looking pitiful. I realized it was my last chance to photograph them before they were gone for the season. Somehow with macro photography, even the ugly/dying parts look beautiful.
I’m collecting flower photos for an upcoming book. Many of the flowers I will use are available to preview (and for purchase) at: http://photos.cmoye.net/flowers
