tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7263803218486906443..comments2024-03-29T11:29:56.764-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: We Need Your Best AdviceJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32240000047339452972017-03-11T17:14:42.660-05:002017-03-11T17:14:42.660-05:00Hank, please forgive me for asking. Why was this ...Hank, please forgive me for asking. Why was this post the day AFTER #InternationalWomen'sDay? This post would have been perfect for that day!<br /><br />Wendy, I think I met you at Malice last year. Your stories sound interesting. I am kind of puzzled by "pull yourselves up by the bootstrap." There has to be at least one person who encouraged this person. That motivation had to come from somewhere! Just saying.bib-li-o-philehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00622118991020988370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33738686029448363912017-03-09T22:48:53.518-05:002017-03-09T22:48:53.518-05:00Love this post, Wendy! And this, wow > "Bu...Love this post, Wendy! And this, wow > "But for Megan, as with so many real-life women, the threat of failure was never an excuse not to commit." YES.<br /><br />Happy birthday, Hallie!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21682238298974329682017-03-09T21:50:49.098-05:002017-03-09T21:50:49.098-05:00Thanks for all of your wonderful comments. Susan, ...Thanks for all of your wonderful comments. Susan, I hope you enjoy A MUDDIED MURDER! Cynthia, thank you for your kind words. I wish the best for Esme! She sounds like a special little girl, and very lucky to have such a warm and caring grandmother. <br /><br />And happy birthday to Hallie!<br /><br />Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207109180916294904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25640830838244336132017-03-09T20:24:02.151-05:002017-03-09T20:24:02.151-05:00My niece and nephew are the youngest. I would wis...My niece and nephew are the youngest. I would wish they would study hard get a good education and good jobs for their future. Thanks for the chance!jnalpathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06751292941055526902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46754656480296629472017-03-09T19:20:29.376-05:002017-03-09T19:20:29.376-05:00This piece is nicely timed, coming on the heels on...This piece is nicely timed, coming on the heels on International Women's Day. For those of us who grew up with the fight for equal rights we understand the struggle is far from over and I for one, am thankful for authors like Wendy who choose to write about that fight and never back down. Nancy's Missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07431815182726085205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26123870887554523902017-03-09T17:59:14.801-05:002017-03-09T17:59:14.801-05:00First of all, Wendy, I wanted to mention how much ...First of all, Wendy, I wanted to mention how much I enjoyed listening to you on the radio talk show last night. I had a rough start with connecting but only missed about 5 minutes of the show. My question, had I gotten up the courage, would have been: Approximately how many writers of cozy mysteries or romantic suspense ae men? I know of one or two off hand but I am sure there are more. There are a few writing teams, I know of, but I have wondered how many are men using a woman's name or initials. <br /><br />I read your Allison Campbell books long before I even knew anything about you and your wonderful approach to life and how to make this world better in all ways. And I have fallen in love with the Greenhouse Mysteries as I have a lot of food allergies and I agree with organics and sustainable foods. Our state voted in November and the law was passed in MA to have better animal care/housing/treatment for/at chicken farms, etc. Shall see how that works out, but it is a step forward.<br /><br />The question asked by Hank was about the youngest child in our family and what we wish for that person. That in our family is our granddaughter, Esme, who will be six years old on the 24th of this month. She is one of two of our China dolls that came into our lives after a long wait and many many challenges for all of us, especially her! What we pray for with this beautiful little girl is that she will have all the medical care and treatment that she needs by living with a loving family in a country where we always thought would provide medical care to everyone. Even with the best medical care and insurance, our little granddaughter may not be able to live a long life as she was born with Hepatitis B that she contracted from her birth mother. Since the day she arrived at age 16 months, she has been fighting a good fight to get better from all of the environmental problems that she was faced with in her orphanage. The air quality and the condition of where she was that first part of her life caused her to have severe lung and breathing problems that continue to this day even with the best care possible and the medications that should have helped her. But her Hepatitis B has been a factor and even though she has had a lot of hospital trips and gets sick more often than her sister and brother, she is a fighter, as much of one, as she can be with her medical problems. She is one of the funniest and most charming little girls that anyone could meet and she is oh so smart. She is tiny so some things just seem to be unexpected until you realize that she is as she tells us this week, that she is "5 years and 11/12ths which means almost six". We say prayers for all three of our grandchildren to have wonderful happy and healthy lives, but our youngest sweetie has more to be concerned with due to her disease, and hopefully the funding for Hepatitis B and other now incurable diseases will be there to give all of those people affected a chance at a much longer and better quality of life than they now have and hopefully.... a cure for all of these diseases. <br />I know that you have at least six books planned in your Greenhouse series so that makes me very happy, Wendy, and I hope that there will be lots more, or another equally as inspiring and amazing series to follow this one. Take care. <br />Hugs,<br />Cynthia Bceblainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16192522179238414380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82704426461376663612017-03-09T15:29:20.006-05:002017-03-09T15:29:20.006-05:00Oh Wendy, your protagonist sounds so enticing. I r...Oh Wendy, your protagonist sounds so enticing. I raced off and bought the Tomato book asap.Susan Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17163152026039153248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24997495994085471932017-03-09T14:30:32.099-05:002017-03-09T14:30:32.099-05:00Welcome endy and thanks for being here and raising...Welcome endy and thanks for being here and raising such interesting questions.<br /><br />My youngest grandchild is Caleb, who will be four in a month. He's a gorgeous ginger and has his two older brothers in hand. I wish for him a safe ride to adulthood and hope that he will treat all women as his father treats his mother. Then all will be well.<br /><br />I have only one granddaughter, Sarah Ann, who will be 23 next week. She is working on her PhD in Anthropology/Archaeology, studying the peopling of the Americas. On the side, she writes fiction. I am so proud of her I could burst. Her mother and father have given her all the tools she will need for success. I wish for her sanity in today's world and hope she will always be a little kinder than is absolutely necessary. <br /><br />And go into a convent! <br /><br />"Get thee to a nunnery, go. Farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and quickly too." The BardFintahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087809450585073206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18343359226135633492017-03-09T13:47:58.673-05:002017-03-09T13:47:58.673-05:00Aimee, I love the distinction you draw between bei...Aimee, I love the distinction you draw between being nice and being kind. Being nice can cost women and girls, but everyone benefits when we are kind to one another. And your teeth advice applies to our bodies in general. Yes, you can get replacement parts nowadays, but better to take care of the set you have!<br /><br />Wendy, thanks for shining a light on these issues. I'm so amazed when both men and women report not having experienced or witnessed sexism. Seventy-four cents for every dollar, and you doubt that sexism exists? The math isn't hard! I'm graduate of a women's college and so grateful to have been educated in an environment where my capabilities were valued and encouraged, and no one cared if you wore PJs down to the dining room!Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33383463648547537362017-03-09T13:45:04.941-05:002017-03-09T13:45:04.941-05:00And, a Happy Birthday to Hallie today!And, a Happy Birthday to Hallie today!Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33676873129061362982017-03-09T13:29:41.435-05:002017-03-09T13:29:41.435-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39058438831814202342017-03-09T13:26:51.565-05:002017-03-09T13:26:51.565-05:00We women certainly have been fighting a long time ...We women certainly have been fighting a long time for recognition, haven't we? How about the very terms "forefathers" and "the fathers of our country"? I rejoice in coming across books recognizing the important parts women have played in our country's (and other countries') history, both non-fiction and fiction books. One non-fiction book concerning the American Revolution is Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution by Melissa Lukeman Bohrer. Then, the popular The Girls of Atomic City. I love Susan Elia Macneal's Maggie Hope series dealing with WWII and focusing on how important women were in WWII in England. <br /><br />My seven-year-old granddaughter is exactly the type of girl I want her to be--confident, a grand reader, fearless, and kind. She is going to state competition for chess this month, the only girl on her team. She loves outdoor adventure and has already read the first two Harry Potter books. She has a nature table in her room where she collects specimens, bugs and leaves and such. And, did I mention that she has a great sense of humor and has fun whatever she's doing. I guess you could say that she gives me great hope for the future of women.<br /><br />Wendy, I am looking forward to reading this great series of yours. Thanks for giving us much to think about today. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82632465442612431032017-03-09T13:19:37.228-05:002017-03-09T13:19:37.228-05:00The youngest in my family at the moment is my brot...The youngest in my family at the moment is my brother's first grandchild. Bella just turned one, and she's already fiercely independent. As my mother says, she has never acted like a baby, seeming like an old soul from the very start. My wish for her is that the world stays her oyster.<br /><br />One of our greatest strengths as women is the inevitable underestimation. Sure, it's also a weakness, but only if we don't turn it to our own advantage.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57893227844870260812017-03-09T13:12:50.062-05:002017-03-09T13:12:50.062-05:00Thank you all for the kind words! I love writing ...Thank you all for the kind words! I love writing this series and it brings me incredible joy when readers relate. <br /><br />Wonderful advice, Aimee. I think #1 is so important. It's hard to be different, especially when you're growing up. I try to instill in my boys that (1) it's ok to be different (and not just ok--wonderful), and (2) you owe it to yourself to be true to who you are. I love #6 too. Happiness is not a passive state of being. Like love, it takes work.<br /><br />Deborah and Pat, I love the gardening idea. While traveling in developing Eastern European countries, we saw so many kitchen gardens--tiny, productive gardens planted in postage size yards and window boxes. Many families sustained themselves with these gardens, eating what was in season, preserving extras, and sharing with neighbors and those unable to grow their own food. We took that experience to heart and now grow most of our own produce in our small lit. (Hank, a micro is simply a tiny farm that produces a variety of vegetables on a small plot (like an acre or less).)<br /><br />Gardening is empowering, and community urban gardens can be a great way to provide low cost healthy good and increase community interaction too. For schools? Fantastic. Kids need to understand that they can grow their own food--and so many don't understand where their food comes from. In some ways the advent of big grocery stores and convenience foods have hurt us. I don't think it's naive at all. It's power we have collectively forgotten we have. <br /><br /><br />Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207109180916294904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57367843958435177702017-03-09T12:46:07.732-05:002017-03-09T12:46:07.732-05:00I do not want to stir up memories of sexism. Thing...I do not want to stir up memories of sexism. Things have certainly improved but we'll never be perfect. I hope my 16 year old granddaughter stays happy and optimistic and never runs into brick walls in her pursuit of her goals. I think school gardens are a wonderful idea Deb. And community gardens. And I just read where a school has kids meditate when they're kept after school for misbehaving. I can't wait to read your book, Wendy!Pat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732230586783432052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55942422218743167202017-03-09T12:19:35.024-05:002017-03-09T12:19:35.024-05:00Wendy, what a great post!! I have been thinking la...Wendy, what a great post!! I have been thinking lately about the whole Rust Belt thing, declining jobs, depression, drug addiction, and wondering what things would really help. And I thought, maybe people could be encouraged to garden. Home gardens, community gardens. Is that incredibly naive? But it improves lives in so many ways other than just a better diet on less money. A connection with nature, bonds in the community, etc., etc., etc. How about a National Gardening Service?<br /><br />My little granddaughter, Wren, just turned one, and I've been thinking a lot about gender issues, too. For her I want a world where it never occurs to her that there is anything she can't do, a world where kindness is more important than things, and a world that is not divided into them or us.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me rant, Wendy and Hank, and now off to buy your book, Wendy!!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39602491839348442752017-03-09T11:30:09.659-05:002017-03-09T11:30:09.659-05:00Oh, teeth! Aimee, I totally agree, but the teeth t...Oh, teeth! Aimee, I totally agree, but the teeth thing is a big deal, and no one ever talks about it. <br /><br />And yes, everything will be fine. More than fine Though it is sometimes hard to believe. But if you can instill that, it's so important!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20134148479774276432017-03-09T11:07:10.203-05:002017-03-09T11:07:10.203-05:00Oh. Advice? I have lots of it. Most has come from ...Oh. Advice? I have lots of it. Most has come from raising a girl in a world that opened up so wide for women as I was being born and now has seemed open in a new way as people are attempting to shut that door opened five decades ago. <br /><br />1) What other people think of you is not your business. You are the only person who has to live in your skin so you need to do be a person you are proud of.<br /><br />2) Speaking of perfect, Hank - there is no "perfect" time for anything. There are good times, there are bad times, but mostly there is just time. And it passes. So pick your moment, perfect or not, and do it.<br /><br />3) Don't be "nice." Nice is a lie. Nice tells young women to smile when they're scared but don't want to hurt someone's feelings. "Nice" gets women raped and killed because they've been conditioned to accept their true feelings matter less than appearances. Be kind but don't be afraid to draw the line if you feel disrespected or in danger. (This goes back to 'what other people think of you is none of your business.')<br /><br />4) True beauty comes from within. You can't buy it. You can't paint it on. You can't put it on like a dress. You also can't hide ugly because that comes from within too.<br /><br />5) Take care of your teeth. You get two sets to last your whole life. That first set is literally for practice so learn how to care for them.<br /><br />6) Look for ways to be happy. Sometimes they're harder to find. You'll have to dig through ways to be miserable often in the search. Happiness is usually at the bottom of the bin but it's worth the digging. Once you find it you'll know what it looks like.<br /><br />7) Everything is going to be fine. Bad things happen. You can't stop them by worrying about them. But, in the end, everything is going to be fine.<br />Aimee Hixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06045158961269334826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73102550864237851772017-03-09T11:02:14.857-05:002017-03-09T11:02:14.857-05:00I couldn't help but grow up believing women ha...I couldn't help but grow up believing women had power. My paternal grandmother was a "Rosie the Riveter" during WWII working for Bell Aircraft who raised two boys, my maternal grandmother was a Navy nurse who raised four children, and my mother raised four kids while fighting her way to a Masters degree in nursing. If those three didn't set an example of "empowered women" I don't know who could.<br /><br />None of my family has kids (yet) so my 14-year-old son is the youngest person I know. He currently attends an all-boys high school where the motto is "Men of Faith, Men of Scholarship, Men of Service." I wish for him all the things that others have mentioned - and his sister (16) checks in with him once in a while to make sure he's "on the right track." So far, so good. He seems to respect women as "real people," he believes in protecting the world (environment and people), and he's got a kind heart. Now if only I were sure the habit of doing his homework was firmly ingrained!<br /><br />Congrats on the new book, Wendy!<br /><br />Mary/LizLiz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88924112669286061312017-03-09T10:46:17.715-05:002017-03-09T10:46:17.715-05:00We have two baby girls, our youngest grandchildren...We have two baby girls, our youngest grandchildren. Over the weekend, we celebrated Caroline's first birthday -- and Fern's six month's birthday (Fern was born on my 70th birthday and I learned that she and I don't get to really celebrate our half-birthdays three years out of four! Leap year issue.)<br /><br />Anyway, the little girls are very different already -- Caroline is physically strong and smiles 99% of the time. Fern is tiny, a "forest creature," and is also an engaging, smiling darling. When I project into their futures, I see them following their mothers and aunties (our four daughters). I hope that they are happy and that they find work and interests that they love.<br /><br />I think a lot about gender and the lives of our six grandchildren -- two of whom are boys. The world is such a challenging and confusing place!!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2198525948760641462017-03-09T10:27:26.707-05:002017-03-09T10:27:26.707-05:00Beautifully said! Flora, I love this, "I wis...Beautifully said! Flora, I love this, "I wish them a world in which all the barriers which separate us from our potential as human beings fall--gender, race, class--when a person can be valued for who they are and nurtured to give the best of themselves to the world." I have twin 13yo boys. I watch the openness with which they greet the world--and everyone in it--and I am heartened and optimistic.<br /><br />ReplyWendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207109180916294904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31025232175256792062017-03-09T09:11:02.227-05:002017-03-09T09:11:02.227-05:00I am fortunate to have grands who I help out with,...I am fortunate to have grands who I help out with, but worry about their future as well. This world has changed so rapidly and there are so many problems. I fear for them. I want the best and and concerned. being self sufficient, understanding and respectful is important.travelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191803578622949052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39812446318929061752017-03-09T09:00:46.720-05:002017-03-09T09:00:46.720-05:00As a women's college graduate and godmother to...As a women's college graduate and godmother to two darling girls, my advice is always to let your voice be heard. Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04634199374893856725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56796861210675238792017-03-09T08:56:01.932-05:002017-03-09T08:56:01.932-05:00Right on, Wendy. And big congratulations on the ne...Right on, Wendy. And big congratulations on the new book.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36465247120145795462017-03-09T08:54:37.248-05:002017-03-09T08:54:37.248-05:00My 4 grandchildren are very little and I hope that...My 4 grandchildren are very little and I hope that they will have a meaningful future filled with peace, compassion, kindness, respect and understanding. Not material things but what I grew up with. Freedom to be what we strive for.petitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05326383614079568432noreply@blogger.com