Like Fox t.v.’s ‘American Idol,’ ‘Dancing’ is starting to get on my nerves. Why? Because the audience gets to vote. Hey, I’m all for democracy, but I still think there should be some type of DWTS electoral college. I believe the judges should have the last say, or they should at least be able to rescue someone if the voting public, the viewing audience gets it wrong. And I say the viewers got it wrong last night, because there is no way that Brandy the singer, who has blossomed into a wonderful dancer, should have gone home. The fun of the show was knowing that she and actress Jennifer Grey, a superb dancer in her own right, were going to be in the finals.

The excitement, for me, was that they would face off, against each other, since they happen to be the top two dancers. Both have beautiful moves, they give it their all — granted Jennifer cried a little too much for me, and someone said that Brandy wanted the Mirror Ball Trophy a little too much — but each dancer has to have their quirks right? However, the other people who are left to go into the finals… honestly, I don’t think they should be there, plain and simple. Bristol Palin seems to be a sweet, and she appears to slowly be emerging from her shell, quite possibly stepping out of her famous mother’s shadow. Kyle Massey happens to be a Disney favorite; he is charming and such a showman! But he and Bristol are not the greatest dancers, to put it plainly. Both have repeatedly been in the lower scoring tiers. In my opinion, at least one of them should have to watch from home, or they should have to watch the finals from the sidelines. Yet they are in the finals!

To the show producers I have something to say. If the judges have given a dancing couple the lowest scores, and this is consistently the case, eject that couple. Applaud them for effort, but eliminate them, let them go home. Or other viewers may begin to feel like I feel. They may even ask the question, does popularity matter more than achievement? Or perhaps viewers may ask: is the show more about who (or whose family) can best manipulate the media? Producers, you hired the judges because they are professionals; they know dance, and theory. They know what true dance aficionados are looking for, whereas the viewing audience may simply see the show — not as a dance contest, but as a popularity contest.

I want to share a story with you. It is one that I co-authored with Jessica Janna, renowned New York evangelist and song stylist. The name of her book is Sowing. It is the second install in her Relinquish and Reap Series, a collection of her memories.

Jessica, who is now seventy-something, recounts her years as an adolescent in the purse-sized book Sowing. She shares with readers some experiences of hers that became her secrets to carry… until now.

To read more about this remarkable woman of faith, take a peek at the review written by BellaOnline.com’s Christian Literature Editor, Lyn Sedmina.

It is my hope that after reading the review and the book, you will see what makes Jessica and her story — told in seven volumes — one for each decade of her life — relevant.

Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Books-a-Million.com

I’ll give you an overview:

Sultry Aqua wants to get married. Her significant other wants to get laid. Yet he proposes—that she should fill in for his supper club’s absentee hostess. Thus Aqua meets the dashing Latin Noel who invites her to accompany him to several coastal isles.

Despite dire warnings not to go, the sexy pair make the island-hopping trek, and strange things begin to happen. On a little known isle Aqua sleepwalks. At night she glides through the bayou and alligator filled swamps. During the day, she drifts down hallways dusty with disuse. Then upon becoming privy to the most disturbing thing of all, she takes refuge in a centuries-old cemetery, as around her, all hell breaks loose!

With no other option, the High Priestess from a neighboring isle is summoned, and Aqua can only hope this woman will arrive … before too late.

Get your copy today! on Amazon Kindle  $5.99 — You can’t possibly go wrong!!

I'm not sure I've got enough traffic going to make this happen, but let's give it a try anyway. Continue the story in the comments. Begin where the last person left off. Weldon and Priscilla never should have left the safety of their backyard, but the ice cream man's wagon was all too tempting. They didn't even have a quarter, they simply wanted to be closer to the tunes of the Calliope. The children never made it to the corner . . . … Read More

via V.V. Denman

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, ‘Smile.’ The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, Literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch… An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible ‘dirty body’ smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was ‘smiling.’ His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched f or acceptance…

He said, ‘Good day’ as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, ‘Coffee is all Miss’ because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it – the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, ‘Thank you.’ I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, ‘I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.’

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, ‘That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.’

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in ‘my project’ and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, ‘Can I share this?’ I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s, my son, the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS

NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

and never forget:

To handle yourself, use your head.

To handle others, use your heart…

Ask this question too: were you to find yourself in a situation similar to this woman’s, what would you do?

While pondering that beautiful stanza I realized it is true. Although in life we may not have everything we desire, yet we have life. Yes, and with that in mind I must tell you. I am learning that there is a certain kind of contentment in life’s stolen moments —like those that I spent this morning. There is precious solitude, and a gathering of ones self, just before the weight and the demands of the day begin to press in and intrude.

For me, there is yet another truism, also stated in Chisolm’s beautiful hymn, ‘all I have needed thy hands have provided.’ This I was able to note when during my few moments of solitude I reflected on all I do have. Again I realized that I needn’t be so apt to worry about what I don’t have, or what I have yet to achieve or attain.

This morning, as I stood there with dew at my feet, and the rising sun at my back, I watched my agile cat joyfully race up a tree after a squirrel. With a smile, I turned so that I might go, begin my work, the craziness of another day. However, I realized, there really is joy, and serenity, in the moments that are snatched … just for the purpose of feeding one’s soul.

I like that the book is laid out in daily segments. Offered are verses and hymns, psalms and prayers, for every time of day and night. I love that the author ever urges us to consider stillness, the silence that can only come from within. He reminds us that at any time, one can begin this wonderful journey which ultimately leads to the sometimes untapped treasures that lie within each of us. Merton reminds us that this journey leads us to the greater knowledge that every single day, God is uttering us into being… into being someone more, someone peaceful, someone powerful, someone who ultimately realizes that he or she is eternally treasured. Merton also unlocks the recognition that each one of us is ‘full of paradise’ –oft times without recognizing it.

As many of us ponder and pray for those who transitioned during 9/11 –a day that will forever live in our psyches and hearts; as we seek peace and comfort for those left behind, for those who loved, and yet love; as we meditate on those who mourn, and as we remember those who can smile –perhaps even tentatively again, when for so long their hearts were in tatters, this simple Book of the Hours reminds us that in the midst of mind-numbing, heart-rending tragedy, yet God is there. He is…and He may be found, most often, in silence, in the beautiful stillness that each one of us has the ability to call from within.

I release prayers today, the way others release doves, for all who loved and lost, for those who were lost, but found their way, and for those who remain.

Today I wish you … precious peace.

Outwrite Wins!!

I am so excited to announce that in ATLANTA Georgia, you can now order my books from OUTWRITE BOOKSTORE & COFFEEHOUSE!

It is an independent bookstore and coffeehouse located in midtown Atlanta, at 991 Piedmont Avenue NE. Opened in 1993, Outwrite serves Atlanta’s gay & lesbian community. With expanded products and services this friendly space reflects the ATL’s ever changing, growing & diversifying Midtown community.

You can also order my books from CHARIS BOOKS & MORE! Located at 1189 Euclid Avenue NE, it’s the south’s oldest and largest feminist bookstore. They specialize in: diverse and unique children’s books, feminist and cultural studies books, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer fiction and non-fiction.

If you live in the ATL, or you’ll drop in, why not stop by one or both for a visit?

Check me out, at both stores. I’m telling you… I’ll catch you from any page, and make you a willing captive!

I look for you to pick up something of mine soon.

Big ups to Charis & Outwrite!!!

It will rebroadcast today, this afternoon.  4 p.m. is ‘A Woman’s Spirit’ the re-broadcast — with me! Just click here on ’Radio Show.’ 

Hit ‘Listen Online,’ then ‘Live Streaming Radio.’ 

 If you miss the re-broadcst, not to worry. It will go in the ‘Archives.’  Again, just click on the link below, click on ’Radio Show.’  Then once at the America’s Web Radio site, scroll down untill you see my name in blue. Then click ‘Listen.’ Anytime! Podcast should be up by the weekend.

Thank you all for your interest! And at my website, sign up for the contest. Answer one question and become a winner!  Hopefully!

A deliciously frustrating and exhilarating love story.

Don’t forget to listen to my upcoming interview on
‘A Woman’s Spirit’ the lovely radio show for women. I’ll discuss many things, including my latest novel Turnabout. Then I will ask a question on my personal site: http://www.aprilalisamarquette.com on my Check This Out page. There will be room for you to answer.

Remember, there’s no pressure… The question asked will refer to something discussed in the interview. Afterward, two winners will be randomly chosen! Within days you’ll know if perhaps YOU have won…so don’t forget to tune in!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 for one hour,
from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. You can also listen anytime afterward, because the broadcast will become a podcast!

Click on ‘A Woman’s Spirit’ to listen on the web at anytime! Or use the following web address:

http://www.radiosandysprings.com/showpages/womansspirit.php

Under the word ‘ARCHIVES’ look for the date September 1, 2010 and Guest: April Alisa Marquette.  Then click on the ‘listen’ link.

Even if you don’t participate in the giveaway, then perhaps you’ll just listen.  Whatever you do, it’s up to you, but do enjoy!