Self-Publishing Is Easy

I’ve heard some people say, and I have been told by others, that self-publishing is taking the easy way out.   Really?  Since when is it taking the easy way out?   In my opinion, both are equally hard.  Yes if you send your work to a publisher, you have to have an excellent piece of work for a publisher to consider even publishing it.   However, if you self-publish the work still has to be excellent or no one will bother to read your writing once you’ve published it.
Consider also that if you have it published by a publisher, you do not have to worry about advertising, book jackets, editing.  All those little other things are also important.  
If a self-publisher is going to succeed,
They must promote their books.
They must find unique book covers that grab attention.  People will not read a book with a boring cover.
They must often be able to edit their writing themselves.  They must also be accurate.  There can be no little oversights.
If you decide to send your work to a publisher, that is great!  But if you decide to self-publish do not ever let anyone tell you that you are taking the easy way out.  It is just not true.

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Some advice, Mr President.

I've heard sooo much stupidity coming out of Washington lately, that I thought I would give them some advice.  After all, It can't be any worse than the things I'm hearing.  Some of it might be a little bit better than what is being done now.

• My first suggestion is regarding social security.  Let's be honest, Most Americans with half a brain realize that social security is NOT working.  Every working American is paying in to social security that they, in all likelihood will never get to use. Why, you ask, because it's bankrupt now.  So why not go to a social security account.  We can call it an SSA.  It works like this.  You put YOUR money into it, and when you are ready to retire, you take YOUR money out of it.  Forget paying into a social security system that is going to take your money and give it to someone else or use it for something else.  I am all about helping others, Mr. President, congress,  but please let me decide who needs my help.
• My next suggestion would be to limit the Presidents salary to 60,000 (he'll never go for it).  I think this is fair.  He gets housing, transportation, food, and body guard etc.  What possible out of pocket expenses could he have?  60,000 is a high salary more than most Americans will ever see.  It seems quite reasonable.  I mean you are a "public servant".  Right?  Right!
• Third let the American people vote for the salary of their Congresspeople.  It's only fair.  If they fail to represent,us, their constituents,  then we should be able to lower their pay; or withhold it all together (I know, I, know, not going to happen).  I might put some fear in their heart though.  Money has a way of talking.
• Lastly, If you don't have the money, DON'T SPEND IT!  Duh.  Most Americans  figured out quite quickly, I imagine at about 18-25, that you can not spend money you do not have.  When the money is gone, the money is gone.

No worries, I am not holding my breath waiting to hear about my "suggestions".   These are my thoughts and are probably not worth much.  However, they could work if they wanted them to work.  Cant possible be any worse than doing the same thing year after year and expecting that somehow it'll work this time.  Don't even get me going on Obamacare!!!!!

Hobby Lobby Controversy

I’ve been thinking about all this controversy surrounding Hobby Lobby, and I’ve (until now) kept quiet about it.  However after having a “friend” tear me apart because I said, “Hobby Lobby and I are friends “I believe I will speak my mind.   This person said that Hobby Lobby was forcing their beliefs on their employees.  Really? First, I would like to know How Hobby Lobby is doing this- Is someone forcing them to work there?  I would say to that employee the same thing I would say to anyone else.  Don’t work for a place that you find does not line up with your own belief system.  For example, I do not drink so I will not work for a place that sells alcoholic beverages and if, for some reason, you find yourself in a job where you don’t agree with their belief system; quit!- no one is forcing you to work there.  I work for a major retail company, and they expect their employees to line up with their policies.    Second, what about the beliefs of the company? Do they not have any rights?  If the individual has rights, then so should the company.  They should have the right not to have to pay for Health care in which they do not believe.  By the way, I also believe that goes for the individual. The fact is I don’t believe my tax money should pay for abortions; which go against my moral convictions.  I can’t legislate someone else’s morality (nor would I) but please don’t ask me to help you be immoral.  I say the same thing applies to a company such as Hobby Lobby also. That CEO is acting on his conviction that killing an unborn baby in wrong and he should not have to assist someone commit an immoral act.  So I applaud Hobby Lobby and wish that more workplaces would stand with them.  I hope that I have not offended anyone too much and those that truly know me know that I condemn no one, but I do hate sin.

Cellphone Etiquette

 When I was growing up, we were taught that there was such a thing as phone etiquette.  You know rules for answering, returning, and calling people.  However in our day of cellphones and "texting", it occurs to me that someone needs to spell out what is acceptable and not acceptable to do on the cell phone.  

So here are my suggestions:

• o    Don’t text and drive.  This goes without saying.  For obvious reasons this is dangerous. It's also illegal in many states
• o   Don’t text or play games on a phone while you are walking. Again for obvious reasons this is dangerous. you may walk into people or into a street.
• o   Turn your cell phone off or silence it when in churches, theaters, concerts or other similar events.  Your phone will distract and disrupt others; and it could interfere with sound systems.
• o   If you are in a restaurant, turn the cell phone down or off.  If it goes off, it may not bother you, but it may bother those around you.  If it goes off in a place like this, use an inside voice or move to some place without background noises.  We really have little interest in your conversation.
• o   If you are in a place that requires your attention and or instructions such as a check out at a store, a deli, or any other place of business please be respectful and don’t make others wait for you to finish your conversation before they can serve you.  These people often have other customers also and you are making everyone else wait.  You can either mute the call; or do some other things while you finish your call.  If you do this, then others don’t have to interrupt you to see to your needs.
• o   If someone texts or calls on a business related call, please have the courtesy to return the call.  This is especially true if they got an answering machine.  They may need to know that you got the call or text so they can plan accordingly.
• o   If you are in school, leave the cell phone off during class.  This applies even to a study hall.

I

I know this is not exhaustive, but these are just a few of my own thoughts and suggestions.  Feel free to share them if you find them helpful.  

Cheeseburger Soup

You will need:

1 ½ lbs. of hamburg

1 lb. of sweet Italian sausage

1 package frozen potato O’Brien

6 Cups water

1 package frozen onion and peppers

10- 12 bouillon cubes

2 cans evaporated milk

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

First, brown the hamburg and sausage.  Drain and put in the slow cooker.   Add water, potato, onions and peppers, and bouillon cubes salt and pepper.  Let simmer for 3-4 hours.  Check for donness of potato. Add milk and cheese and turn crock pot to low.

Here are some ways to adapt this dish

·         Any type of ground meat can be used

·         Add vegetables peas, carrots celery etc.

·         Substitute pasta or rice for potato or leave it out

·         Change out the cheddar cheese for the cheese of your choice.

As you can see, this recipe is easily adapted to your preferences