Opens pathways to distinguish reality from propaganda
Carla McBeath’s second book breaks through an insidious obstacle: manipulative influences all around us, molding and shaping our choices outside our conscious awareness. In this book, Carla presents insights gained over her lifetime and opens pathways to distinguish reality from propaganda. Your Will and Your Win: Rescuing Your Human Will from Popular Culture and Finding Your Win (Vertigo Interactive LLC, 2024). Carla lives in New York City with her husband and, other than writing, loves baroque music, learning world languages and cooking. Carla is creating a You Tube channel based on the book, and is working on an epic fantasy book, Book One of a series, based on a short story she wrote years ago. She can be reached through the publisher at support@vertigoint.com
What are the influences all around you that stop you from thinking and doing what you want?
What powerful force do you have at hand and how can you use it?
The world has changed. Working “hard”, eight hours a day, to lead to a better life no longer is effective. Why do we keep pursuing a lifestyle that no longer works for us?
Discover the truth about:
•Work
•Business Networks
•Our culture
•Money
•Ourselves
Carla McBeath is the author of How to Find and Love Your Small Space, Outfit Your Small Gourmet Kitchen, Furnish Your Amazing Space with Wellness Colors and Store All Your Stuff (Small Space Life Publishing, 2001), a small book written to confront and overcome a crisis of housing affordability in our time, by teaching how to find and create a comfortable, healing, inspiring small house or studio apartment.
The beautiful diversity that makes our world so unique.
I am a retired American educator with a rewarding 38-year career dedicated to teaching. The last 29 years were focused on international education, a journey that greatly enriched my worldview and deepened my passion for fostering global understanding. Beyond my work within the school systems of Florida and Texas, I had the extraordinary opportunity to teach in ten different schools across seven countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, China, Luxembourg, Tunisia, and Malaysia.
Since retiring, I’ve pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. My goal is to share my diverse experiences to help others view the world through different lenses and cultivate a greater appreciation of global cultures. I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of all people and hope that my stories will inspire others to travel, explore, and forge meaningful connections across cultures. Through my work, I aim to ignite curiosity, empathy, and admiration for the beautiful diversity that makes our world so unique.
The inspiration behind my "Friendship & Farewell" nook stems from my firsthand experiences working in international schools, where I constantly witnessed the heartfelt pain of students having to part ways due to their parents’ careers taking them to new countries. The four girls in my story are inspired by actual former students of mine, and I wanted to tell their stories from their perspective. It’s a tribute to the bittersweet moments of friendship, growth, and farewell that define the international school experience.
"A magical journey celebrating Christmas traditions around the world."
Join Molly and her enchanting guide, Jingle, on an extraordinary magical Christmas adventure around the world! From Germany’s intricate nutcrackers to Mexico’s glowing lanterns, from Australia’s sun-kissed beaches to Finland’s peaceful snowy villages, Molly explores the diverse ways families celebrate the holiday season across the globe. With each new friend she encounters, Molly discovers that while traditions may differ, the true spirit of Christmas—love, joy, and the warmth of family—is universal.
Perfect for children and families alike, this heartwarming story brings the wonder and magic of global holiday traditions into your home. It’s a delightful reminder that Christmas belongs to everyone, everywhere, fostering understanding, curiosity, and the joy of shared traditions across cultures.
Q.M. Gatlin, born and raised in California, grew up moving often, sparking a habit of creating vivid mental portraits as a personal refuge. Exposure to diverse environments shaped a wide range perspective and an eclectic love for books, music, and art.
Inspired Independent Authors Q.M. began crafting stories and poetry that blend emotion with visual storytelling, much like lyrical art. Writing became both solace and purpose, rooted in a passion for inspiring change.
A collection of introspective free verse poetry exploring emotions and experiences, guiding readers through personal reflection and self-discovery through thoughtful imagery.
Soul-stirring poetry that invites reflection and inner awakening with deep introspection.
Vivid imagery that tugs at your heart and paints feeling into every page.
Guided journaling prompts that help you transform emotion into personal insight; each journaling journey reflects and grows with each chapter.
Every piece is a doorway to something deeper, drawing from the life's most untamed moments grief, joy, longing, love & more. Let these words be your mirror, your muse, and your map as you journey inward. Beautiful Chaos isn’t just a book, it’s an experience of feeling fully, growing bravely, and embracing the art of being beautifully undone.
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of four grown children. She is also Nana to five grandchildren. She lives with her husband in Pennsylvania. She has three published YA Christian Fantasy novels.
The Peace Summit was in shambles, the prince kidnapped.
When the rival king realizes he kidnapped the wrong prince, hostilities escalate. Loyalties to each other and country are tested for the twin princes of Crato, Joachim and Brandan.
Joachim, captive of King Waldrom, faces deception and betrayal as he struggles to find his way home. Brandan, at home with a father focused on rescuing Joachim, wrestles with his own demons as he searches for his place in the world and the favor of his father.
Torn from the safety and peace of their childhood, they are thrust into a world where bonds of family, brotherhood and roles as heirs to Crato are tested. Through war, spiritual journeys, death and marriage, will they choose the path of good or evil? Who can be trusted, as the world they know slips into a whirlpool of chaos?
Heather is a storyteller who believes that even in the hardest chapters, there’s room for wonder. Blending the magic of fairy tales with the truth of chronic illness, she writes to remind readers that every journey, no matter how heavy, holds hope, courage, and a touch of light. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her daydreaming about new worlds and dragons, finding quiet moments of peace in her own, and connecting with readers who believe that even the darkest stories can hold a little light.
What if the fairy tales you thought you knew were hiding secrets? In this collection, classic tales are twisted into stories of magic, shadow, and resilience. From kingdoms where hope must be fought for to forests where danger lurks around every corner, these stories explore the pain, the humour, and the unexpected strength that comes with living with chronic illness. Dark, whimsical, and heartfelt, this anthology will make you shiver, smile, and see happily-ever-after in an entirely new light.
All proceeds from this book are being donated to the MS Society, the MS Trust and Shift. MS, to help support those living with MS.
Magic, shadows, and the strength to endure.
Each tale carries its own magic — whimsical adventures, honest emotional journeys, and life lessons that resonate deeply. These magical short story collections are crafted to inspire, comfort, and help readers understand what life is like for someone living with chronic illness.
Whether you’re seeking uplifting fairy tales, stories about chronic illness, or inspirational fantasy stories, this collection blends fantasy and reality in a way that touches the heart. These short stories for adults with chronic illnesses celebrate courage, imagination, and the little miracles that make life meaningful, even in the most difficult times.
Perfect for readers who want to enjoy stories about coping with illness, heartwarming tales, and gain insight into the experiences of those living with chronic conditions. This book is a treasure for anyone looking to feel seen, inspired, and a little magical.
Erika M Szabo, a prolific and talented author
with a fierce intellect and a penchant for exploring uncharted territories, is
a woman of many skills and passions. She is known for her diverse range of
writings that span historical fantasy, magical realism, cozy mysteries, sweet
romance, and children's literature. Her writing style is both evocative and
visceral, transporting readers into the depths of the characters' emotions with
a few deft strokes of her pen.
Born in a small town nestled among the rolling hills of Hungary, Erika grew up
with a deep love for literature and storytelling. She devoured books from a
young age and soon began creating her own intricate worlds and characters. Her
gift for storytelling is evident to all those who know her, and she is
encouraged to pursue her passion.
As she grew older, Erika's thirst for adventure and new experiences led her to
travel the world. She lived in various countries, soaking up their cultures and
traditions, and incorporating them into her writing. Her travels also allowed
her to meet a diverse array of people, whose stories and perspectives she wove
into her novels.
Despite her literary success and acclaim, Erika remains a humble and
down-to-earth person. She often speaks of her belief in the power of words to
connect and heal, and her writing reflects this deep empathy and understanding
of human experience.
“Centuries of vengeance awaken—and one woman’s secret power is the only defense.”
Ilona never asked for prophecy. Yet when visions haunt her and enemies rise from shadows, she discovers she was born into a clan bound by ancient secrets. Her gift, the Chameleon ability, could heal or destroy, and her choices will decide the fate of generations.
Across centuries, from windswept nomadic plains to the castles of the 14th century, Ilona confronts Mora, a vengeful woman sustained by rage for over 1600 years. Guided by the enigmatic Destiny Box, Ilona must protect the birth of the Chosen Child and face the ultimate question: will her powers serve absolute good, or absolute evil?
Blending alternate history, magical realism, and epic fantasy, The Ancestors’ Secrets is a sweeping saga of love, betrayal, and destiny. Erika M Szabo weaves a tale where past and future collide, and one woman’s courage may save them all.
The winter monthsare a form of quiet blessing, a rare permission from the world to draw inwards, become small, and enjoy a hibernation of spirit.
The evenings are dark, the streetlights outside jaundiced and unreal, and cold air rides in on every gust. We build our own warmth, pieced together from the pleasures of thick socks, a hot mug of chocolate with whipped cream, and the familiar weight of a hardcover book resting on our knees.
There is an art in this ritual of stacking blankets just so, the deliberate choosing of which unread novel to begin, and the slow, luxurious collapse onto the couch.
When the radiators groan to life, and the city’s background noise dulls beneath the snow, these are the most cherished hours, finding in them a small but vital resistance to the disorder of the outside world.
We draw the blanket over our legs, inhale the unmistakable scent of a new book, and then exhale slowly, and open the book to its first page.
Starting December 1st, every day a new author and one of their books will be introduced to you. Bookmark this blog, you might find a few gems to last you for the long winter months. Happy reading!
Mary stared at the empty chair at the head of the table, where Grandma June always sat. She adjusted the centerpiece, the same pinecones and dried berries arrangement Grandma had made every year, and she sighed.
The smell of cinnamon and cloves hung in the air, mingling with the lavender that still clung to the curtains Grandma had washed last spring. The wooden spoon Mary clutched had a hairline crack down its handle, smooth from years of Grandma's thumb rubbing the same spot.
Mary's fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded the recipe card for cranberry-orange relish, the corner stained with something that might have been butter from 1997. She squinted at the measurements, trying to decipher whether that was a one-third or one-half cup, while the marshmallows for the sweet potato casserole sat unopened beside her, each one the size of a golf ball. When she rolled out the pie crust, it tore. Why did I say I’ll cook Thanksgiving dinner? It’s going to be a disaster! I wish Grandma were still here. She made everything look so easy. She mumbled.
Mary watched her mother take a bite of turkey and reach for her water glass a little too quickly. Across the table, Aunt Deb chewed a green bean longer than seemed necessary. The silence stretched until Uncle Joe cleared his throat and launched into the same story about his golf tournament that he'd told at Easter. Three different forced laughs followed, none reaching their eyes. The empty chair at the head of the table seemed to grow larger.
After dinner, Mary slipped away from the halfhearted card game in the living room. In the kitchen, the last slice of pumpkin pie sat on Grandma's blue plate, the one with painted violets around the rim. The whipped cream had collapsed, trickling down into the filling like tears. Mary's finger traced the plate's edge, remembering Grandma's hands lifting the last slice of pumpkin pie, passing it to Cousin Emma, who'd just failed her nursing exam. The year before: Uncle Joe got the last slice, right after the layoffs. And once, to Mary herself, when she'd arrived with puffy eyes and no boyfriend, Grandma's weathered hand covering hers as she whispered, "Sweet things help mend tender things."
Mary's gaze drifted across the kitchen until it landed on Lily. Her niece sat on the linoleum, one hand buried in Rusty's golden fur, the other tracing invisible patterns on the floor. No humming. No fidgeting. Just those wide brown eyes staring at nothing.
Mary lifted the blue plate and grabbed two forks from the drawer. "Scoot over," she whispered, lowering herself beside Lily.
Lily's fork hovered, then dipped. Their shoulders touched as they ate, the only sounds Rusty's gentle panting and metal occasionally scraping ceramic. “I’ve been struggling at school. I have a hard time keeping up,” Lily confessed, sobbing. “It’s just too much! I’m never going to be a doctor.”
“There, there,” Mary patted the young woman’s hand. “The first year is the hardest. Once you develop your study routine and you remain consistent, it will get easier.”
“Do you think so?” Lily asked with a slight hope in her voice.
“I’m sure,” Mary laughed. “Remember? I’ve been there and done it. It wasn’t easy, but hard work and dedication always pay off.”
That night, while returning Grandma's recipe cards to their box, Mary's fingers brushed against an envelope. Inside: a yellowed index card with loops and swirls she'd recognize. The ink had faded to the color of light purple.
Mary traced the handwriting with her fingertip, leaving a smudge where a teardrop fell and heard her grandmother's voice in her mind.
Remember how I saved the last slice for those who needed it? Keep the tradition. There's always someone at the table who needs to be seen and heard.
I'm not popular, my videos don't have thousands of views and I don't have many subscribers. My videos are all about my stories and books. But it still makes me happy when people watch my videos and read my books. My YouTube channel
Thanksgiving began as a harvest celebration in the early 1600s, most famously marked by the 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. Over time, it evolved into a national holiday in the United States, officially established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Early Roots
European traditions:
Thanksgiving’s origins trace back to English Protestant practices of giving thanks after harvests or significant events. Days of fasting or thanksgiving were common during the Reformation.
Indigenous traditions:
Native peoples across North America had long practiced ceremonies of gratitude for harvests and seasonal cycles, well before European settlers arrived.
The “First Thanksgiving” (1621)
In September 1620, the Mayflower carried 102 passengers to New England. After a brutal winter, only half survived.
With help from Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, the Pilgrims learned to grow corn, fish, and survive in their new environment.
In autumn 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, led by Massasoit, shared a three-day feast to celebrate the harvest. This event is often remembered as the “First Thanksgiving”.
Becoming a National Holiday
For more than two centuries, colonies and states held their own Thanksgiving observances.
In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to foster unity.
In 1941, Congress officially set the date as the fourth Thursday in November.
Canadian Thanksgiving
Canada’s earliest Thanksgiving dates back to 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks for safe passage.
It became a national holiday in 1879, now celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Variations of Thanksgiving are celebrated in countries like Liberia, Germany, and Brazil, often tied to harvest festivals.
Controversies
Many Native Americans view Thanksgiving as a reminder of colonization, displacement, and violence. Some mark it as a National Day of Mourning, highlighting the need to acknowledge the full history behind the holiday.
Thanksgiving is thus both a celebration of gratitude and harvest and a complex historical event that intertwines joy, survival, and painful legacies.
Cats often dislike things humans enjoy such as loud noises, forced cuddles, strong scents, and unpredictable routines. While humans may see these as harmless or even pleasant, cats interpret them as stressful or threatening.
Forced physical affection:
Many humans love hugging or picking up cats, but most felines find this restraining and stressful. They prefer affection on their own terms.
Loud noises & sudden movements:
Vacuums, blenders, shouting, or even quick gestures can overwhelm cats’ sensitive hearing and trigger fear.
Direct staring:
Humans often perceive eye contact as a sign of bonding, but cats interpret prolonged staring as a form of aggression. A slow blink is a more effective way to convey trust.
Strong scents:
Perfumes, citrus, cleaning products, or scented candles may smell pleasant to humans but are overpowering to cats’ sensitive noses.
Inconsistent feeding schedules:
Humans may enjoy flexibility, but cats thrive on routine. Random mealtimes can cause anxiety.
Treating them like toys:
Children or adults who play too roughly, dress cats up, or ignore their boundaries can cause stress.
While humans may think discipline works, cats don’t understand it and only feel fear or confusion.
Why This Matters
Cats are highly sensitive creatures with instincts rooted in survival. What humans see as affection, fun, or a normal household activity can feel threatening to them. Respecting their boundaries—quiet spaces, predictable routines, gentle affection—creates trust and strengthens the bond.
Quick Tips for Harmony
Offer affection only when cats seek it.
Keep noise levels moderate and provide safe retreat spaces.
Use slow blinks instead of staring.
Avoid strong scents around them.
Stick to consistent feeding and cleaning routines.
In short, cats dislike being forced, startled, or overwhelmed by human habits. If we adjust our behavior to their perspective, they’ll reward us with more trust, affection, and those coveted purrs.
The happiness of cats often lies in the small, overlooked details. By noticing they love, we shift from “managing” them to truly honoring their feline nature. It’s about creating a home that feels like their kingdom, not just ours.
Things Cats Love That Humans Often Overlook
Small, cozy hiding spots:
While humans may prefer open, airy spaces, cats adore boxes, bags, or tucked-away corners where they feel safe and invisible.
Cats have subtle joys that humans often miss because they don’t align with our own preferences. By tuning into these overlooked likes and preferences, we can deepen our bond with them.
