Month: February 2023

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation #TarotCardReading #AngelOracleCard

Published on by Jan Sikes33 Comments

Hello, beautiful souls! Welcome to another Monday post where I hope you’ll find something that lifts you and prepares you for the week ahead.

What an incredible quote from Albert Einstein to start us off.

Keeping with the theme of miracles, I found this wonderful meditation. Enjoy!

Some interesting cards this week.

Photo by Jan Sikes

In the what you need to know position, The Moon card from the major arcana is reminding us that under the light of the moon, all that is hidden is revealed. It is an invitation to examine your shadow self. Sometimes that is uncomfortable as there are things about ourselves we don’t want to acknowledge, much less examine. But when we can honestly face those elements of our being, we have such a huge opportunity to grow. It is possible that you may have been deceived, most likely by your own perception, and under the moon’s influence, that is revealed. What is brought to light can be either illuminated or eliminated. The moon shows you where the work can be done through dreams and developing your intuition. Listen to your intuition and reconnect with aspects of your inner self that may have been hidden. This card offers such a big opportunity for growth.

In the new perspective position, the Eight of Wands is a pure action card. It brims with the energy of hastiness and speed. This is one of the few cards in the tarot deck that doesn’t depict a person. This puts emphasis on the action taking place. These wands often carry messages in the form of letters, phone calls, emails, texts, or news heard from the lips of a passing stranger. However these messages come, they bring an element of excitement, speeding up events in your life and possibly disrupting your daily routine, often in an overwhelmingly positive way. Life is moving you quickly toward your personal goals.

In the action to take position, The Seven of Wands deals with unforeseen challenges and obstacles that arise on your path, asking you to be assertive and strategic rather than acting defensive. Being courageous in the face of adversity and listening to your intuition is the best way to handle pressure and increase your success. This card can also indicate that you may find yourself speaking on behalf of others or coming to the defense of a family member or friend. Maintain an objective stance, focus on the facts, and work toward a solution.

MY TAKEAWAY:

I love what The Moon card represents. Sure, it’s not easy facing aspects of yourself that are not pleasant, but there is such a great reward in working through those shadow pieces. Maybe just stop and take a good look at what you might perceive as a negative trait. Then, take action to shift that.

It almost seems as if the seven and eight of wands needed to be reversed, but I take them like they come out. So my thoughts about them are to be open to unexpected messages and take action while standing strong in your truth and being ready to defend yourself or others about that action. Your thoughts?

What a warm and comforting message from the Angel cards this week!

Remember Who You Are! Archangel Michael: "You are a powerful, loving and creative child of God. You are very loved."

I hope you have a great week ahead. A reminder that there will be no Monday post next week as I will be traveling.

Friday Free-For-All! #Disney #Alkalinewater

Published on by Jan Sikes30 Comments

Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but this has seemed like a long week. I am still super far behind on everything I missed from being away, but dealing with the fact that I won’t catch up, so just moving forward.

Thought I’d share a few photos from our Disney adventure to start this post. The girls loved Disney lots more than they did Universal last year.

They got to do so much, including a full princess makeover in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Boutique. I’ll start with that.

They got to meet four of the Disney princesses, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, and Aurora.

We had lunch in Cinderella’s castle on the first day and Belle’s castle on the second day. Then the third day, we spent at Animal Kingdom, where they got to pet a Rhino, go on a safari, see amazing birds, and have an Elephant encounter. I did not know that Animal Kingdom is classified as a zoo.

Pandora was absolutely amazing and I loved, loved, loved the tree of life!

And, of course, there were tons of rides. I’ll end the Disney recount with this. Go ahead and laugh. I do every time I look at it. Is that a look of sheer terror on my face? I think so. My daughter looks like she’s about to cry, and the little one looks horrified. Sydney is the only one enjoying herself. 🙂

It was a trip that made memories. One day I will be too old to go and enjoy these things with them, but for now, at 71, I can still hang in there with the best of them. Our step counters went crazy, with over 20,000 per day. 🙂 Not bad for an old lady.

Now on to a favorite subject – water.

Image by rony michaud from Pixabay

Are you familiar with Alkaline water? My oldest daughter had bariatric surgery several years ago, and she was told at that time she needed to drink only Alkaline water in her recovery. Being the curious one that I am, I had to look into it. Our bodies tend to be highly acidic, depending on our diets. And illnesses like cancers thrive in an acidic environment. So, drinking alkaline water helps lower acidity, creating overall better health. But purchasing alkaline water is a bit expensive. So, I found this life hack for making your own.

For healthy adults, a popular recipe is ⅛ tablespoon (or 1/3 teaspoon) of baking soda in 8 fluid ounces of purified water. Stir or shake the mixture thoroughly so that the baking soda becomes completely dissolved and you got your alkaline water ready for drinking. Or, for every gallon of water you wish to alkalize, mix it with ½ tablespoon of baking soda.

Cheap and effective!

I have had a fun month of reading some really good books and will be posting my reviews next week. On the writing front…well (she says, with head hanging sheepishly), there has been very little progress. I’m still very much in catch-up mode but hope to get some new word count this weekend.

That’s it from me for now. There will be no Friday post next week and no Monday post on March 6th, as I will be traveling (again). Friday, I will be at the Bandera, Texas Public Library to present a program, then will be going from there to Lubbock to spend a few days with my sister as she undergoes another surgery.

Take good care, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend! I’ll leave you with this thought from Steve Jobs:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

#WednesdayWords – Made-up words

Published on by Jan Sikes40 Comments

Hello, everyone. Welcome to another segment of Wednesday Words.

We have all heard and used made-up words before, and because of my oldest granddaughter, that is what I want to talk about today.

Can you guess the longest made-up word? Here’s what I found:

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is an invented term that was coined by Everett M. Smith, the president of the National Puzzlers’ League. The Oxford English Dictionary lists pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis as “a factitious word alleged to mean a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine silica dust usually found in volcanos. So, from that perspective, it’s both factual and fictitious. Sounds like a lot of our stories, doesn’t it?

Surprised? I seriously thought it would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but Mr. Smith’s word has it beat.

Why am I talking about made-up words? Because my oldest granddaughter uses a made-up word in daily conversation. Her word is confuzzled. When I asked what it meant to her, she said it was when you were both confused and puzzled. 🙂

Here’s Sydney’s confuzzled look:

What about you? Do you use made-up words? What are they? I’d love to hear them!

Survival (Fallout Series Book 1)- #NewRelease @lharriswrites @LoneStarLit

Published on by Jan Sikes37 Comments

Hello, fellow readers! I’m thrilled to tell you about a new book just released from Lisa Harris. I enjoyed reading it.

SURVIVAL
Fallout Series, Book 1
by
Lisa Harris
Dystopian / Science Fiction / Mystery / Christian
Publisher: Adrenaline-Fueled Fiction
Pages: 236 pages
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
 
 
SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

In today’s world, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on forensic tools, DNA testing, and crime labs. But what if that technology was suddenly no longer available? No one in the small, west Texas town of Shadow Ridge knows what took down the power grid, or when it’s going to be back up, but everyone knows exactly where they were the moment it went down. And now, with no electricity, no internet, and no modern technology, the men and women responsible for keeping the town safe are going to have to learn how to fight crime all over again.

 
When one of the men in charge of storing food for the town of Shadow Ridge is found murdered execution style, it’s up to Jace McQuaid to find the killer. What he discovers is a group of organized raiders who are stealing supplies and selling them on the black market—and the survival of the town depends on stopping them.
 
Morgan Addison’s estranged brother, Ricky, shows up at her house demanding weapons and confirming her fears that he’s a part of the outlaws. Tensions are raised further when Ricky kidnaps her son to ensure his safe passage out of town. Jace must find a way to save Noah and ensure the survival of Shadow Ridge.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

“An adrenaline rush of a read! Summed up in one word: Unputdownable!” ~Kav, Amazon reviewer

“Once again Lisa Harris has created a creative world full of intrigue, suspense, and action! This book is irresistible! I can’t wait to finish with the rest of the series!” ~Dawn, Amazon reviewer

“Excellent. Lisa Harris at her best.” ~Chipchucker, Amazon reviewer

“The book starts with a bang and does not slow down.” ~Grandaddy A, Amazon reviewer

“This is an absolute must read!!” ~Carlien, Amazon reviewer

 

View on YouTube


LISA HARRIS is a USA Today bestselling author, a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Vendetta, and Port of Origin, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has fifty plus novels and novellas in print. She and her husband currently live in Texas.

| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |

| Website | Goodreads | Amazon |

 
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS!
1st: Spa Basket; 2nd: Shower Steamers; 3rd: Facial Masks
(US only; ends midnight, CST, 2/24/23)

What would you miss most if the grid went down? While not as essential as toilet paper or air-conditioning during a Texas summer, I think the McQuaid heroines from this series would love a bit of self-care—and so would I. – Author Lisa Harris

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Continue reading “Survival (Fallout Series Book 1)- #NewRelease @lharriswrites @LoneStarLit” →

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – AngelOracleCard

Published on by Jan Sikes38 Comments

I am back from my trip to Florida with my daughter and granddaughters. We had a great time, and I came home exhausted but ready to get back to work! I hope this post will provide some inspiration for the week ahead.

A joyous meditation!

When I drew cards for this week, an extra bonus card slipped out. I love it when that happens.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The Page of Cups suggests a new idea or opportunity has come to you out of the blue. Your creative energy is flowing, and now the question is how you will express it. Be open to anything – including a fish popping its head out of a cup! This card often appears when you are being called to trust your intuition and be open to the multitude of intuitive messages coming your way. Look for synchronicities and signs from nature that will guide you on your path. They may come from unexpected places, or they may not even make sense to your rational mind. In a practical sense, the Page of Cups can indicate that you will receive an unexpected and pleasant surprise. The Pages are often known as messenger cards, and with the Page of Cups, you may receive a message related to emotions, intuition, or creative endeavors.

The Star card brings a renewed sense of hope and healing, along with a deep sense that you are truly blessed by the Universe. With The Star card, anything is possible, and the magic is flowing around you. Your heart is full of hope, and your soul is being uplifted to the highest of highs as you realize that your dreams really can come true. Allow yourself to dream, to aspire, to elevate in any way possible so you can reach the stars. They are right here waiting for you. You may also want to find or rediscover a sense of meaning, inspiration, or purpose in your life. You are making some significant changes in your life, transforming yourself from the old you to the new you, and, in doing so, you are bringing about a fresh perspective: ‘Out with the old, in with the new.’ You are choosing the highest version of yourself. This is a profound spiritual journey that will bring greater meaning and purpose into your life and will renew your inner energy. Strip back any limiting beliefs, facades, or deceptions, and live in your authentic nature. Be open to new ideas and growth, and listen to the still voice within.

With the Ace of Cups, Divine love and compassion are pouring through you. You are a vessel for deep, spiritual love from the Universe, and you can’t help but let that love flow through you and into the world. Now is the perfect time for you to open your heart and experience the rich flow of emotion available to you right now. You are more receptive to creative opportunities, loving connections, and deep compassion for other living beings. The Divine is offering you the gift of love, which can arrive in many forms, including self-love. Take time for yourself and your individual spiritual practice, and new opportunities and inspiration for personal development will appear.

The Knight of Wands appeared in another reading recently, and it is an action card. Consider this card a green light to move forward with any projects you may have on the horizon. You are bold and courageous and willing to venture into unknown territories to further your mission and your dreams. You don’t really care if danger lies ahead – in fact, if it does, then it becomes all the more exciting and thrilling for you. Adventures like this light you up because you know growth and expansion are waiting on the other side. Be a pioneer and take calculated risks to reach new heights. There is a word of caution with this card in that it may indicate an ‘act first, think later’ risk. Be mindful of finding a way to focus your enthusiasm on the activities that will move you closer to your goal. When you have a new idea, rather than acting on it straight away, take a moment to check in and see if it truly aligns with your goals and whether it needs to happen right now. 

MY TAKEAWAY:

Be open to synchronicities, signs, and messages that may come from unexpected places and in unexpected ways. Choose the highest version of yourself in moving forward on your spiritual journey and strip away any limiting beliefs or deceptions, then allow divine love to fill you. That includes taking some for yourself and your spiritual practice, then being ready to take action on a project with focus and enthusiasm!

I absolutely love the Angel card this week. I have a strong affinity with Archangel Michael and call on him for protection often. So, this card really touched me. I hope it brings you comfort.

You are safe. Archangel Michael: "I am protecting you against lower energies, and guarding you, your loved ones, and home."

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #AngelOracleCard

Published on by Jan Sikes46 Comments

As we launch into another week on our journey, I hope each reader finds something uplifting in today’s post. This quote from Jimi Hendrix blew me away. It is SO profound.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix
Created in Canva

This meditation is one of the most beautiful I’ve found in a while. Really sink into it and feel it!

I love the lighthearted tone of the tarot reading this week.

Photo by Jan Sikes

I want to take a moment to clarify the card positions in a three-card reading, as it is different from the typical past, present, and future layout. The card on the left represents what you need to know. The middle is giving you a new perspective and the last is action to take For these weekly readings, this makes more sense to me. Thoughts on that?

The King of Swords represents intellectual ambition and leadership. It also indicates mental clarity about a situation or life in general. You are well-positioned to judge your situation and identify any limiting behaviors that may get in your way. His sword is slightly tilted, which shows he is ready for action. You are encouraged to use your logic and intellect to navigate the path ahead. Keep your emotions in check while you draw upon your intellectual power and mental clarity to ascertain the truth. You cut straight to the point and get to the heart of the matter for maximum efficiency and impact. Often, the King of Swords can represent an advisor. If you need help with a matter, this card asks you to seek an expert who can provide what you need.

I love the Six of Cups. It can represent visiting past pleasant memories, perhaps from your childhood when you felt safe, carefree, and playful. One way to connect with your inner child is to be around children and play with them. Tapping into the joy you felt as a child will help you make the most of the present moment. This card encourages you to spend time with old friends or people who feel like family. This is a card of harmony.

I feel like the Three of Cups needs no explanation. It is a card of celebration, togetherness, and joy. Connecting with others is a great stress reliever and rejuvenates your spirit. This card also invites you to collaborate with others on a creative project and inspire one another to reach new heights. Collectively, you are working towards a common goal for the greater good of others, and by reaching out to others and banding together, you can achieve a great deal by sharing your positive energy and passion with the wider community. The Three of Cups is a very creative card, suggesting that you may pursue a creative outlet within a group environment, such as an art class or a dance class. This is a great way to connect with others and to access your creative abilities.

MY TAKEAWAY:

Approaching any situation with clarity and logic is always helpful. It lets you cut to the chase, so to speak, and tackle the heart of the matter void of emotion. Then bringing a new perspective is the card of harmony and pleasant memories, and getting in touch with the inner child may lead to a full-out celebration. On a personal level, this reading makes perfect sense to me. I will be leaving on Wednesday to go with my daughter and two granddaughters to Disneyland in Florida. So, I will have plenty of opportunities to be playful and make wonderful memories with them.

This Angel Card took my breath away! It is an author’s boon!

Brilliant Idea! Archangel Uriel: "Yes, your idea is Divinely guided...please take action to bring your idea to fruition."

An Author Interview! @PNRGuild

Published on by Jan Sikes17 Comments

I am honored and thrilled to have an interview up today on the Paranormal Romance Guild site! I’d love it if you’d stop by and share!

https://paranormalromanceguild.com/author-interview-with-2022-reviewers-choice-award-nominee-jan-sikes/

THANK YOU!

Friday Free-For-All!

Published on by Jan Sikes36 Comments

Happy Friday. Here it is, the start of another weekend. If you read my Wednesday Words post, you know how I perceive time. It does march on.

Hope you have some fun plans for the weekend. It’s my youngest grandchild’s eighth birthday, so we will be celebrating her on Saturday. This is Samantha. We call her Sammy. I love the freckles that march across her nose. She’s loving and smart and loves to play more than anything else. I hope she never outgrows that.

I did another experiment this week at the Revive Health and Beauty spa. It will my last one, as I have now exhausted all of their grand opening specials, and until my income changes, I can’t quite afford their full prices. What I did this week is something they call a Hocatt. This is what it looks like.

It uses a combination of modalities to gently but powerfully detoxify and help restore the body at the cellular level. This sauna provides a person’s body with the ability to fight off parasites, bacteria, fungus, viruses, and even yeasts by the administration of ozone gas. The Hocatt can affect the neurological tissues in the body, enhance the way your nerves work, and also improve the lymphatic system. I copied that from their brochure. Basically, it is an amazing sauna that combines ozone gas, oxygen, and PEMF (Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field) all in one. I felt great when I got out!

I don’t want to make every Friday post about health and wellness, but let’s face it, it is a huge part of our lives. When we feel good, we function much better. So, in that vein, I want to share something I’ve added to my diet. Everyone who has looked at the Keto diet has seen the term MCT oil. Just to be clear, I’m not doing the Keto diet. According to Forbes Health, the basic benefits of adding MCT to the diet are:

  • Promote weight loss
  • Boost energy
  • Promote gut health
  • Boost heart health
  • Reduce inflammation

I didn’t purchase the actual oil, I purchased the powder because I wanted to add it to my protein balls, and I’ve been putting it in my morning coffee.

We’ll see. It’s so hard to know what’s good for you and what’s not these days because it constantly changes. When Rick developed atherosclerosis, one of the foods they said he absolutely could not have was coconut. Now, it’s touted as being good for you. My only goal in all of the experimenting I do is to feel the best I can every day. If I feel good, I can be productive. I’m curious if any of you use MCT products regularly in your diet, and if so, what are your thoughts on it?

I had another fun music soiree last Friday evening. Two really good friends were playing at a venue near me, and my oldest daughter went with me. Coby Weir is the son of the late Rusty Weir. Anyone familiar with Texas music will recognize Rusty’s name. And my other friend has been playing music around Dallas for over 50 years. Guthrie Kennard is funky and has such a unique way of performing. It was so much fun!

Guthrie Kennard, Me, Coby Weir

Here’s a little snippet of Coby’s awesomeness!

On the reading front, I opened the book I downloaded from NetGalley. The one that the publisher posted a warning about. I’m not sure I really will be able to finish it. So far, I see no plot or even a reason for the story. That’s my impression after two chapters. I’m not going to waste much of my time on it. There are tons of other amazing books waiting to be read.

And on that note, folks, we have SO many new books coming down the pike from Story Empire folks, but I won’t ruin their announcements. Just be ready for some wonderful stories to be released soon!

I’ve made headway on my current WIP and it’s now sitting at just over 8,000 words. Since this is a novella, that’s approximately 1/3 done. So, Yippeee!!

There will be no Friday Free For All next week as I will be in Florida with my daughter and granddaughters. For Samantha’s big birthday, her mother is taking her to Disney, and I get to tag along. I will catch up when I return.

Have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thank you for stopping by!

#WednesdayWords – #Time

Published on by Jan Sikes49 Comments

Let’s have a little fun today with the word TIME.

According to what I could find on the internet, the first recorded time was around 2900 bc by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia.

Author Jacqui Murray reveals how prehistoric man kept track of time in her Dawn of Humanity trilogy.

Time is elusive.

There can never be more time created, yet we cannot see, touch, or feel time. We can only feel the effects.

Dictionary.com says this about Time: The system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.

That’s the physical definition.

From the spiritual viewpoint there is no such thing as time in the way that man has come to regard it.

Courtesy Canva Photos

Here’s a little poem that expresses the duality of time.

Time flies

Time crawls

Time stands still

Time marches on

Time to go

Time to stay

Time to flow

Time to play

Time to laugh

Time to cry

Time and a half

Time to die

Time for you

Time for me

Time review

Time to be

I’d love to hear your thoughts about time!