Video seems to have taken over the internet. Youtube, Quicktime, Flash, movie, book and TV trailers. It seems as if every site I go to anymore and just about every Google search has some content that is video.

It's not that I don't like watching videos. I've watched a number of video tutorials on the net.

Sometimes I watch them several times or parts of them several times. I watch TV and sometimes go to the movies. The theater is a long ways from my house, a least an hour, so we don't go much. The last movie was the new Star Trek one. I went with my brother since Hubby doesn't do Sci-Fi. He's more of a 1950's Western, John Wayne type of movie. Oh... he does WWII movies too. Most of the movies he watches have guns making lots of noise. He watches at night when I've gone to bed. Thank goodness for earplugs.

Where was I? Oh yes... internet video. I've created video before. To do it well takes  a lot of time. Not necessarily the shooting but rather the editing. I created two book trailers to promote Giving Love and Lord's Love. I posted them on YouTube and they are on this site somewhere. I determined they are more work than they're worth so didn't continue making them for subsequent novel releases .

I commend those who make video for use on the net. That said, I'd rather just read the information presented in most videos. I don't just sit well. Never have except for the first Christmas break in college. We'd had finals then home for the holidays. I was sitting in a chair in the living room when my mother came in asking if I was all right. I was fine, just so exhausted from four finals in a couple of days. Anyway, I'm usually doing something even when watching TV. Needlework, playing games on my computer or iPad. I even take things to do in the car if we are going more than about 45 min.

When I'm on the net I'm looking for information as quickly as possible. Going to a site and having what I need in the form of a 10 minute video when I could read it in a couple of minutes sends me back to Google faster than you can spit.

If the video is demonstrating something I'm wanting to do or needs the visual movement for clarity that's fine. But not having the information in print so I can read it quickly and refer back to it if needed simply irks me. I know others love the videos. That's fine, but for me... I'd rather just read it.

This novel very well demonstrated how those in the middle of a war zone feel as they watch their loved ones head out to battle and the struggle with vengeful thought for the enemy.  Ms Cooper used actual tales from people who lived through the battle of Menotomy Village, Massachusetts in April 1775 a few days after Paul Rivere's ride.

I was impressed with her single point of view in the daughter, Betsy. She went through the gamete of emotions very realistically in my opinion. So as not to spoil your enjoyment I won't outline the events which occur.

This book would be appropriate reading for strong readers from junior high age up even to any age adult.

I received an advance copy of this novel from the author for an honest review.

The book is available in Kindle and print on Amazon.

If you do decide to read it, please keep the challenge for indie authors getting noticed in mind and post a review for Elaine. Thanks

If you find this topic objectionable simply don’t read it. My goal is not to offend but to help, especially, young women to see their worth not in the size of their breasts.

It seems to me that our culture is in love with large breasts, real or fake. Many women and even more tragically, young women want breast enhancements. As someone who has been naturally “blessed” I thought I’d give a few reasons not to follow the crowd heading to the plastic surgeon.

1. I’ve had surgery and it hurts. Not a boob job but several others. No doubt about it, surgery causes pain. Yes, it’s temporary, but I wouldn’t choose to undergo the knife unless I had to. Especially multiple times.

2. Bra strap dents. Even if they are perky they will need support. Gravity is universal and will pull on the girls whether they are fake or not. The heavier they are the more the bra straps will pull on your shoulders. These become permanent after a while.

3. They get in the way. If you golf or shoot handguns the girls get in the way. I’ve done both and yes you will have to make adjustments in your swing and how you hold your weapon.

In my younger, thinner days I had men not look at my face during a conversation. It’s demeaning. The seventies were all about getting women respected for their capabilities rather than their bodies. How about we focus on what we can do rather than what a body looks like?

4. They get in the way. If you golf or shoot handguns the girls get in the way. I’ve done both and yes you will have to make adjustments in your swing and how you hold your weapon.

5. Gravity wins in the end. Sorry to tell you this, but as we age the skin elasticity becomes like an overstretched rubber band. No, it doesn’t break but it won’t go back to the short, tight size it was when it was new. Muscles lose their tone too. Yes, your boobs will sag. Sorry, youth is not eternal. Accept it and move on, or save your money for another surgery.

6. Because you will have more. Nothing lasts forever so they will need to be replaced. Within five years nearly 25% of women have gone under the knife again for various reasons. The older the implants get the greater the risk of rupture.

7. The satellite dish look. We go to the Caribbean in the winter and have seen topless as well as bikini covered implants. Believe me you can tell who has implants whether they are large or not. The shape is different. They tend to look like inverted satellite dishes pointing to the stars when the woman lies down. Not at all natural.

8. The shelf which shows stains. I think I’m a fairly neat eater. My shirts tell a different tale. I get spots  along the upper chest area of shirts. I dress modestly so if you show a lot of cleavage it might not effect you as much.

9. Don’t forget they will be heavier. There’s an old saying: A pint’s a pound the world around. Implants are measured by volume in cc’s.  A 350 cc implant will add about 12 oz of weight to each breast. A 500 cc will add a pound. Remember, you’ll be carrying that around on your front with the added strain on your back, shoulders and neck.

10. None of what I’ve written has addressed the risks of breast augmentation. Here is a very good article from Glamour Magazine. http://www.antell-md.com/newyorkplasticsurgeon/media/Glamour_complete_web.pdf

11. Take a moment to consider how you are seen by your Heavenly Father. He cares not about how you look. Even Jesus was not known for his good looks. God cares about you because you are. He doesn’t look at the skin, bone and marrow, but the person of character who is following him. In my view that is more important and lasting.

Do  you see the broken pixels on the right of my screen. They are from my foot coming down on my computer when it was on the floor under a quilt. Not a smart thing to do. As you read this my MacBook Air is probably not at my house but rather in the process of being repaired.

As you know I live in the stix. In order to walk into an Apple Store I have to drive four hours to downtown Chicago. Any time I need parts replacement or computer repair I have to contact Apple Support. They have this really neat thing where you can chat online or have them call you. So after I stepped on my computer I had them call.

They called Monday at about 3:45 and he set up for the repair. Fed Ex will drop off a box Tuesday, most likely, or Wednesday. If I'm here when the Fed Ex guy comes I can pack the laptop in the box and he'll take it away. It will be back to me very likely on Thursday if the box comes on Tuesday. I have actually gotten a computer back within one day if Fed Ex gets here early enough.

I don't normally endorse products or companies. Every company has its issues and poor service at times. I have just never had a bad experience with Apple. My first computer was an Apple IIc back in about 1985. I've been a loyal customer ever since.

So I'm not going to have my computer for a couple of days. It was my fault for stepping on it. I'm just glad Apple has such a great customer service and support.

How come no one believes me? They chuckle and tell me I’m not. I, however, choose to have faith in the fact that I am. “What?” you ask. I have joined the lofty circles of the Biker Babe.

“Cool,” you say. “How’d you get to be that?”

This past March my hubby purchased a Harley Davidson trike. He’s been riding all over the countryside with his buddies and having a wonderful time. I get to have the house to myself and not cook supper. So it’s great for both of us.

The problem comes when I tell people I’m a Biker Babe. I have a helmet and have ridden with him a few of times. We still need to get the suspension adjusted so I don’t end up at the chiropractor after each ride.

When I say I’m a Biker Babe they  laugh and say I’m a Biker Mama. I contend I’m not. I’m a Biker Babe. If my hubby who is nearly 61, over weight and a grandfather can be a Biker the same as a svelte 21 year old there is no reason I can’t be a Biker Babe.

Seems to me we, once again, have a double standard set for women where men only have one. No matter the age, physique or generations of descendants a man is a Biker. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the wife or girlfriend can be a Biker Babe. It shouldn’t matter that I’m 59, overweight and a grandmother.

Women of the world unite. We have a noble cause to bring forth. Let us set aside another of the double standards which have held us back for generations. NO more will we be silent. NO more will be settle for second best. NO more discrimination.

No more Biker Mama.
Biker Babes Forever!!!