Who Let The Dogs Out?

Freelance writer Michael Kwan did with his analogy post combining dogs and freelance writing.

Myspace Comments

I like both dogs and freelance writing and thought this to be the best analogy thus far and wanted to share this with readers/writers/friends of Island Whispers Blog.

Here's the link:

Michael Kwan's blog - "beyond the rhetoric"
"What Freelancers Can Learn From The Dog Whisperer"

Enjoy the link and let me know if you liked the analogy too?

Writing Tool For The Writer/Virtual Office - Zoho

I was searching for local writing groups and came across an ad in my area. I responded to the ad. The advertiser wished to start a writing group in our area but because of people's different schedules, etc. decided against the idea and instead came up with a new idea.

She now wished to begin an online writing group which I thought was a better idea.
She e-mailed me a link to where we could meet, discuss, share our work, and thoughts online.

I signed up at the link she suggested.

So what's this mysterious link I've been talking about you ask?

Zoho
http://www.zoho.com/
Zoho is a place where one can organize most of one's items very easily. In short, it's a handy organizer. Zoho offers the free membership or the paid membership.
In Zoho Personal there are applications that one can add to or delete.

The applications include the following:

* Mail
* Calendar
* Documents
* Desktop
* Writer
* Sheet
* Show
* Wiki
* Tasks
* Notes
* Links
* Contacts
* Notebook
* Meeting

With Zoho you won't miss a deadline again or forget where you put that cover or query letter. You can keep track of all your writing projects in one neat place.

I have yet to try out all the apps. But am happy with what I have tried out so far.

Bless this fellow writer for posting the useful, helpful link.

If you're in need of a great organizer, than the link is defo worth the visit!

Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty, Island Whispers Blog

Poverty is today's topic at Island Whispers Blog because today is Blog Action Day where vast numbers of bloggers join hands to post on poverty issues.

A good resource to look through is Blog Action Day including another awesome link 88 Ways to Do Something About Poverty Right Now

Poverty can and does hit anyone at anytime. I have come from a background of poverty/rough times. So let's together take a bite out of poverty and expose its rotten core!

What action am I taking for Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty?

~ I am posting videos made for the event.
~ I am donating a portion of my today's wages to a local food charity.
~ I have spoken to my kids about poverty issues.
~ I am posting poverty quotes.
~ I am linking to relevant blog posts on poverty issues.



I found my favourite poverty quotes and wish to share with readers/friends/contacts here at IWB:


~~~~~~~~~~~Poverty Quotes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. "Poverty- one thing money can't buy."
(Lynwood L. Giacomini)

2. "The rich would have to eat money, but luckily the poor provide food."
(Russian Proverb)

3. " Poverty makes you sad as well as wise."
(Bertolt Brecht)

4. "Blessed is he [she] that considereth the poor."
(Bible)

Also upon my meanderings of poverty issues I came across some children's poverty quotes that are heart-wrenching and I think the children are hit the hardest when it comes to poverty. Child Poverty Action Network CPAN

Sources: YouTube

Famous Quotes & Authors Poverty Quotes and Quotations retrieved Wed. Oct.15/08
<http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/topics/poverty_quotes.html>

Thanksgiving

Hi to all.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians out there!

There are many things I am thankful for in no particular order including:

* being blessed with three great children,
* friends/family/contacts
* freedom
* shelter
* writing and reading ability
* getting over a lengthy illness
* and so many more wonderful things

May you all have an awesome, blessed Thanksgiving weekend!

Hot! Myspace Comments

Here is a link to The History of Thanksgiving:

The History of Thanksgiving

Freelance Writing Jobs - Seeker

Just a quick post today. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I visit my favourite freelance writing job site to look for writing jobs/clients. While searching for the jobs I found a really good post on some of the do's and dont's when applying for the writing job from some of the writing employers. Here is the link to the post at Deb Ng's "Freelance Writing Jobs" site:
http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/05/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/

And here is another great link about writing job responses from Misti Sandefur who operates "Life Of A Writer" which I am also a regular reader/viewer of:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/334791/responding_to_freelance_writing_jobs.html?page=2&cat=3

New WAHM Contest

Hi everyone. I just checked my messages at MyBlogLog and found a really cool message about a new WAHM contest. It is called "The New Look Giveaway." It is their first contest ever. The prizes offered are awesome take a look and get the contest details here:

http://thewahmblog.com/2008/08/29/new-look-blog-contest/

Here are their sponsors links:
http://www.earnontheside.com/

http://moneybites.com/

http://www.rockfuse.com/blog/

http://thoushallblog.com/

http://20dollarbanners.com/

The contest begins Fri. Aug. 29/08 and ends Fri. Sept.12/08

Brain Food – Food For The Writer’s Mind – Blueberry Bonanza

Do you need coffee to get your motivation rolling and creativity coasting?

Nearly everyone enjoys the first cup of coffee in the morning, but have you thought of what else can motivate you and help you create better? How about round berries not much bigger than your thumb-tip? That’s right. Blueberries!

Blueberries are brain food. Blueberries’ benefits can be reaped in forms of fresh blueberries, dried blueberries, frozen blueberries, and blueberry extracts.

Blueberries can keep the mind young and fresh and help elevate creativity levels; which as writers we all need that extra creative kick at times to deliver quality content to our readers.

Now blueberries are not the only brain foods available. I have created a link list over to the right under the heading (Creativity Coast) if you are interested in reading more info. on the brain foods and creativity.

myspace layout

Writers Tip: Keep a baggie full of brain foods next to you and nibble prior to writing and during the writing process to enrich your content.

~ Writing is creating. Creating is writing. ~

Orble.com

I have just recently signed up for Orble.com which is a blog type community where you can create blogs that you write topics for. The blogs range in topics, there are really cool pictures, and it's easy to use. You can connect with other bloggers and you can vote on the blogs. To see more of what Orble offers:

the Orble homepage is http://www.orble.com/

My Orble blog is titled "Writing Fiesta" found at http://www.orble.com/writing-fiesta/b1/
It is a writing for children type blog.

My Orble profile is http://www.orble.com/writing-fiesta/u1/

Pretty Potent Petals

Floral Roles

The classic Japanese garden has it all when it comes to flowers and beauty. However if you do not have the time or space to equip yourself with such extravagance; and you require that zen-like state, then you could bring it down to a much smaller level to elevate your mood and brighten your life. How? You could drizzle floral essences around your home, office, or body (providing there is not a restriction due to allergies). You could purchase floral wallpaper. You could invest in floral linen or clothing, or any number of floral items.


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!

On another note, a loved one is in the hospital or has passed; flowers are sent immediately. At the wedding, the flower girl tosses lovely flowers from a basket.
Flowers, chocolate, and poetry go hand in hand on Valentine’s Day. And of course “flower power” overpowered the 60’s.

Flowers in all shapes, sizes, and colours take center stage in many people’s lives when there is a significant statement or sympathy to be expressed.


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!


Medicinal Usage

A number of medical staff believes the fragrant foliage to have another use – a medicinal use. Flowers aid the emotional illnesses some people suffer like headaches, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The healing ability of flowers is termed “flower remedy or essence therapy”. Negative emotions can be turned into positive emotions by the release of neurochemicals in your brain just from the flower’s aroma.


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!

Floral Essence History

The Native Americans among other ancient civilizations believed in the power of floral essences to combat illness. Furthermore, Edward Bach, an English doctor, sometime during the 1930’s authorized the way in which flower therapy was to be used. The doctor took several years of testing flowers and came up with thirty-eight flowers and trees that would aid in the healing process. These thirty-eight foliages were rendered the “Bach Flower Remedies.”


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!

Preparation

The first step in the method was choosing dew soaked flowers. Next the items were set in a dish filled with spring water and left to absorb the sun’s rays. After this, the liquid was poured halfway in a bottle. In the other half of the bottle brandy was added.

The remedy’s strength was dependent on the type of illness. If one wanted to one could take some of the liquid just below the tongue; or if that was too potent, then one could pour a small amount of the flower remedy in a glass and add water or juice to satisfy one’s taste and to dilute the contents.


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!

Alternative Health

Alternative health care professionals or naturalists use alternative remedies as opposed to modern medicines, as do many medicine men and women of Native heritage still today. Some natural therapies, flower remedies being one of them, work on the emotional state - from the inside out.


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS

CLICK HERE!

Source:

As paraphrased by Michelle
Mariah Jager
“Alternative Therapies An A-To-Z Guide
© 1998 Ottenheimer Publishers, Inc.
Owings Mills, MD
Pgs. 107-112

Other Sources For Reading:

Dr Edward Bach Center

greenliving Bach Flower Remedies to the rescue

Animal Communication & Distance Energy Healing Flower Essences

PetSynergy Flower Essences

Random House Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies

Lasting Impressions - Emphatic Words

First impressions speak volumes. First impressions are vital in relationships and job interviews aren’t they? Well what about last impressions? Shouldn’t they count for something? Guess what? They do. More specifically in writing these last impressions are called emphatic words. These words are the last words of a sentence; you want to leave a lasting impression on your reader so you concentrate on the end. Emphasis can also be placed on the last sentence and last paragraph (think of your favourite novel).

Let me show you what I’m talking about

i.e. The author wrote a book titled “Writing 101 – Tips and Advice”

In the above example, the emphasis is on the book’s title.

Here’s another example:

I have sent the invoice in the amount of $ 100.00 to you, please pay by July 30.

In the above example, the special attention is on the due date.

Put in this perspective, think of emphatic words as your parting words or your parting gestures to a friend or relative that you have not seen in awhile. What would you have them remember? What would you want them to remember?

In addition, emphatic words can be used with any sentence length or structure.

To give you a little more information, Dictionary.com states “Emphatic 1. uttered, or to be uttered, with emphasis; strongly expressive. 2. using emphasis in speech or action.”

Copyright © July 2008 Michelle Kafka

Let me part with this emphatic message to you:

Hot! Myspace Comments

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians out there today!
Canada Day is the unity of the Upper and Lower Canada. Canada Day used to be called Dominion Day. The paper was signed July 1, 1867 for the unity.

HubPages

I have been “surfing” around HubPages this morning. It is quite really an interesting site.
It is a site where one can write freely on any topic one chooses. The benefits of HubPages are as follows:

· Articles are posted to the left with relevant ads
· Pics. and other items appear with the articles
· Profile blurb on the right
· Tags box underneath
· Related Hubs below this
· Comments section at the bottom of the page
· Lots of white space
· Very easy to use
· All browsing and signing up at the top of page
· It’s free

Some of the topic items or headings are as follows:

· Children
· Food
· Music
· Recipe
· How
· Health

One can earn money writing for this site. I read somewhere that this site pays $25.00 - $45.00 per article and the writer can also earn ad revenue. It looks to me as a very promising site so therefore in the next day or two I think I will sign up. One can get good writing exposure here and make new friends/contacts.

The URL is HubPages

“How To Write Free Verse Poetry” Article

"To have great poets, there must be great audiences." ~Walt Whitman~

Free verse is just that – free verse. It is free. It is liberal. It is dandelion fluff blowing on the summer breeze. Poetry in any form is creation, is life, is oxygen, and is water. Free verse is an art form.

Free verse is hugely popular in modern poetry. Free verse is poetry with no rules, no borders, and no hidden agendas. It has no set rhyme or metre, (although rhyme may appear sporadically).

It should not be confused with ordinary prose where there are few if no bells and whistles, no fancy frills. Prose is written in paragraph form where free verse is written in stanzas. Free verse poetry is meant to show not tell.

Free verse may borrow from other poetic forms. Alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphor, personification, simile, imagery, repetition of words or phrases, or any other poetic devices may be used. Emphasis is placed on the end word, the end line, and the end stanza.

Free verse can be viewed through many eyes. It is open to multiple interpretations by many people.

The poet or poetess of the poem makes their own rules as they go along for free verse has no set pattern. In free verse line length has numerous possibilities – three lines, eleven lines, fifty lines. You decide.

Free verse poetry can be on any topic. The poet or poetess has a wide choice.

Free verse can have any layout. You can mould free verse in to any shape.

Free verse is similar to fashion design:
an idea is born
pieces are fitted together
the whole is tried on – maybe altered, maybe not
free verse walks the runway and has an audience.

Steps:

· Pick a topic or idea
· Write it using poetic devices if you desire
· Edit
· Publish (homemade i.e. on a card,)or( professionally,) for yourself or someone else


Tips:

· Keep a positive image or someone in mind as you write your free verse
· Do avoid clichés
· Look to Walt Whitman, Ezra Pound, and Carl Sandburg for free verse examples

In essence, free verse poetry is an opportunity to express you in a number of ways without any real restrictions. You may write about whatever comes to mind, in any tone with any emotion, using any imagery or poetic devices.

"If you done it, it ain't bragging." ~Walt Whitman~

Source: Walt Whitman Quotes Brainy Quote Retrieved June25/08 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/walt_whitman.html

Copyright © June 2008, Michelle Kafka

Enough Fluff

Okie dokie enough fluff. I got my feet wet. Lately I have been spending time on getting the site to look great with links and eye candy. Now it's time to get into the real intent of this blog - the meat of this blog. The intent is to secure readers, inform readers, enlighten readers, laugh, and cry with readers because it really is all about the readers and what I can offer you right? So the next postings will be writing related of course - a little something about article writing, a poetry posting or a how-to about writing, or a website review I have not decided yet. But I will keep you informed either way. Thanks. Have an awesome day everyone!

Refreshed Blog

Hi hope all of you are having a good evening. Well I have been busy with things not to mention my keyboard broke so I was unable to post a few times. Anyways I have refreshed this blog and am happy with the positive changes.

Travel Guides, Travel Brochures

For the last month and a half I have been receiving travel guides and brochures that I signed up for in the mail. I have received info. on such places as Wyoming, Colorado, California, Manitoba, and most recently Maui. Some of the contents include:
"Calendar of Events," "Things To Do," "Places To See," "Tips," and such. Most of the travel articles are great but the photos are awesome, captivating, beautiful. I signed up for the items because I would like to include travel writing in my freelance career. The guides are a starting point as well as some of the travel websites I have recently visited to get ideas on how to travel write.

Mailbox

Upon checking my mailbox this morning, I discovered a small neat envelope addressed to me from North Carolina. The envelope's contents? A birthday card from the place where I am a virtual volunteer. I thought how nice. The card has a yellow border with blue lettering for the greeting. A monarch floats just above a white daisy. The card has a green background inside. On the left hand corner is a religious scripture. On the right hand is a beautiful lake scene with red verse underneath and the signatures.

Hot Dog Hunt

Hubby and I agreed to have hot dogs for supper two nights ago. I went to our local 7-11 to buy the hot dogs. None were available. I walked over to the Husky gas station and none were available there either. And so our journey began. So now we're in the vehicle heading over to Shopper's Drug Mart. This time we secured the hot dogs but no hot dog buns, over to the other 7-11 across the street. No hot dog buns in sight just hamburger buns - no good, (I did manage to pick up our drink.) Back to our area for the hot dog buns. Bingo hot dog buns and a few candies in the bag! That was an interesting hunt.

Bricks Saves Lives!

I got a phone call at 10:50 a.m. today. On the other end was my offspring's friend. She told me that a drunk driver crashed into the front of her house, rattled the stairs, broke the stove, and nearly killed her grandma who was sleeping in the front porch. The friend said she woke up at 4:00 a.m. to police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. Thankfully everyone is o.k. About ten minutes after she called I walked down the street to check it out. There were tire tracks and broken car parts strewn all over. And the eavestrough was bent and crooked. The bricks of the house were barely touched. Surely angels must have been watching!

Garage Sale

Two days ago I went to a community center garage sale looking for good bargains on items. I went with my offspring. We were looking around when I spotted some shoes my other offspring would enjoy wearing. As I picked up the shoes, I felt a tug on my neck. Originally I thought it was my purse strap brushing against my neck. I went to rub at and adjust the strap. I took my hand away and felt a horrible pain in my neck. I looked into my hand and there sitting annoyed, was this Yellowjacket hornet. Horrors, how could I have gotten stung? I did not provoke the thing. Actually I never even seen it coming. It was just there. Immediately I told my offspring to stay put and watch our items while I went to the restroom to cleanse the stung area.

After washing up, I sure stayed away from that shoe section like the plague. I think the last time I got stung was on the hand from a bumblebee. I was twelve. I was at my cousins house and she told me to rub onion on the sting and the juice would take the sting away. What did my cousin know? The sting didn't go away and it still hurt alot!

Mary Kay Party

Three days ago I attended a Mary Kay party. I have not been to one since I was much younger. The participants were treated to lovely facials of highlighters, bronzers, foundations, eyeshadows, lipgloss, and we even tried out handcreams. The party itself lasted about two hours. The consultant was very competent and informative. She is also a seller and purchaser of the products. Seven people attended the event. I left feeling smooth, refreshed, and rejuvenated. I also left with a brochure of the items for sale.

Here is the link to Mary Kay:
http://www.marykay.ca/en/

Eco Fair, Earth

I just finished dropping off my offspring's lunch at school and I noticed a flyer that mentioned the school is going to have an Eco Fair on the first week of June, which will include guest speakers and drawings. It is refreshing to see that the students are being taught about Mother Earth. We did not create Mother Earth but she was placed here for us to sustain and support so young and old should help to keep her vital and vibrant. And you just never know if we get other-worldly visitors; so we should stand proud and say "This is our Earth and we're proud of it!"

"Ursi's Eso Garden Your Competent Esoteric Guide" Heads Up

When I was searching for some paranormal info. I came across "Ursi's Eso Garden Your Competent Esoteric Guide." This is the first blog I ever found. It captured my attention immediately. Ursi's blog is green with pink highlights. The header picture is of a beautiful pink flower. On this particular blog there are such topics as "Angels & Heaven" right down to "Yoga & Fitness." This blog is highly packed with interesting info. Other features include videos, links, poetry, articles, pictures, amazing art, and a whole lot of other features. Ursi has very regular posts.

You may find the link here: http://www.eso-garden.com/
Ursi also has another blog titled "Ursi's Blog Fine Things For Your Delight" This blog is dressed in white and blue and has water droplets for the header picture. It runs along the same lines as the first blog. This blog is an extensive collection of general knowledge material.

You may find the link here: http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/
I enjoy the fact that both blogs use calming colors and have so much to offer.

Just thought I'd share my two favourite blogs with you.

Mother's Day Church Service

Mother's Day - a day to celebrate mothers which originated in ancient Greece, how wonderful a day.

For Mother's Day I attended a church service with a live four person band who performed beautiful music. The pastor delivered his speech including such references to pearls and diamonds. The pastor then gave out "The New Testament" written in plain english mind you. Afterward a nice dinner of chicken, veg., and potatoes followed. During this dinner however, draws were made. Guess what? I won a draw. My prize is a gift certificate to a certain mall. Not bad for someone who barely wins any draws.

I just wanted to share my experience of something I have not done on any previous holiday and I did enjoy trying something new.

Hope everyone else's Mother's Day was great for you too!!!

Inspiration

One name. Susan Gregg. She is a talented awesome lady. Awhile back when I was searching to post interesting items on another Piczo site I operate besides Island Whispers, I found Susan's site. I was searching for healing items and found it at her site. I looked around her site and signed up to receive her newsletter and daily inspirational emails. I'm glad I did for the emails prompted me to write more seriously. If you haven't yet heard of Dr. Susan Gregg, then I encourage you to take a peek at her site: http://www.susangregg.com/ Susan has a nice yellow friendly inviting homepage. Dr. Susan Gregg is based in Kurtistown, Hawaii. She has books, articles, classes, tapes, cd's, links, photos, workshops, and etc. She is a teacher, blogger, author, healer, and meditater. Her blog can be found at http://susangregg.com/blogCheers!

Welcome To Island Whispers Blog

A hearty good morning, afternoon, or evening to you. Welcome to Island Whispers Blog. Please vacation here for a short while but always make sure you come on back. There is a plethora of panoramic views. Here, the weather is always sunny and cheery.

Drop in by air, rail, RV or what have you.

Come tour with me and when your eyelids droop - sign in to a comfy B&B right here on this jewel of an island.

Take you time and walk through the Island posts or if you're in a hurry you may even fly through, but always always embrace the rich wilderness, culture, and heritage at Island Whispers. Perk your ears and listen for all the island whispers.

I'll be seeing you soon!!!