Happy Beginnings ~ Inspirations and Celebration from Havenwood Tales

Warm Winter GREETINGS to Fans and Friends!

from D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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HELLO! HAPPY 2014!!

Yes, I’m still wishing friends Happy New Year! And yes, I’ve truly missed getting to “see” YOU more often with updates from Havenwood Tales.

TRUE CONFESSIONS: The arduous task of MOVING (on top of pursuing key studies) has lately put life for this author on hold. That’s my excuse, anyway — that and waaay too much stuff to unpack, despite tossing what must have been roomfuls before the move! But I’m guessing you already know (too well) how moving goes 😉

As a saga of preparation continues for release of the Havenwood Tales trilogy, our heroine Trudie McAfee’s fans will be happy to hear that more surprises and secrets from the opening novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings are heading your way again SOON.

Meanwhile, feel free to enjoy a walk down memory lane in the HAVENWOOD TALES ARCHIVES section at the bottom of our blog menu. And I hope this fun photo helps WARM YOUR WINTER and brings you an extra SMILE!

Hang in there — Spring happens 🙂

May your fondest dreams come true,

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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American Literature Treasures – Inspiring Stories – Visionary Fiction – Life Lessons – Mystery Novels 

Copyright©2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Havenwood Tales – Irish Blessings and Mysteries Solved

Luck O’ The Irish to Ye from Havenwood Tales!!

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‘Tis said that St. Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in everyone 😉

A holiday originating in Ireland over a thousand years ago, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world each March 17th.

But who was this fellow Saint Patrick? Why celebrate?

And why Saint Patrick’s Day, anyway? . . .

For FUN FACTS about Leprechauns, the history of Saint Paddy’s Day, Shamrocks & MORE:

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C L I C K   H E R E

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HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY! 🙂

D.J. Houston, Author of  HAVENWOOD TALES

Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Inspirations from Havenwood Tales Author, D.J. Houston

A Note to Fans and Fellow Writers from D.J. Houston, Author of HAVENWOOD TALES

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Hello, Hello! And HAPPY 2013!

I’ve thought of you — a LOT 🙂 And of what I might share with you next that could be most helpful, as the first month of another new year has flown by and we all go about our busy lives — and I, the busy business of writing.

Shall I share quotes from famous authors to inspire my amazing Writer friends? Or another final draft of another surprise from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings to entertain Trudie’s loyal, loving Fans?

I decided to share this (click title below). I hope it brings you some joy and inspiration. And maybe a little useful life lesson, too 😉

May your fondest dreams come true!

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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CLICK: Mystery Novel Miracles – Life Journey

Mystery Novel – Paranormal Stories – Life Journey – American Literature Treasures

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NEWS FLASH – Trudie McAfee of Havenwood Tales – Now On PINTEREST

HI Everybody! SURPRISE!

It’s me, TRUDIE, your HAVENWOOD TALES Narrator character 🙂

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GUESS WHAT ?!! 

B I G  N E W S  — I’M on PINTEREST at http://pinterest.com/trudiehaven/

And it was a BIG DEAL to get there, too!

I confessed to the folks at Pinterest that I live in the 1940s in Heartland America.  I even admitted to being precocious and said I could see the future.  But they said all I needed was a Facebook or Twitter account, and they’d send me an invitation to join.

Simple, right?  So I asked my author — who is (as you probably know) none other than my friend and confidant, D.J. Houston — to sign me up for Facebook BUT…

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Inspiring Stories – Father’s Day – Author D.J. Houston

H A P P Y   F A T H E R’ S   D A Y !

A Note from Author D.J. Houston

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FATHERS — and our unique experiences and life lessons with them — are as varied as individuals themselves.

My own father’s common sense, persistent work ethic, a calm strength of character and endearing, almost corny sense of humor are traits I treasure and remember him for most.  But when I was a child, he could seem a bit mysterious. . .

Remembering him this Father’s Day . . . I miss the smile behind his eyes, as if he knew a secret joke about life and knew that I’d learn it some day . . .

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C L I C K  H E R E  to READ. . .

“Father’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America”

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Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

American Family Life – Inspiring Stories – Life Lessons – Mystery Story – Author D.J. Houston

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Father’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America

“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland

 

 A Note from Author, D.J. Houston  & MORE 🙂

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FATHERS — and our unique experiences and life lessons with them — are as varied as individuals themselves.

My own father’s common sense, persistent work ethic, a calm strength of character and endearing, almost corny sense of humor are traits I treasure and remember him for most.  But when I was a child, he could seem a bit mysterious.

His favorite song was “The Tennessee Waltz,” but I never saw him dancing.  He’d been to college, but never encouraged me to go.  He’d been a soldier, but he wouldn’t talk about the war . . .  

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Mother’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to Moms  Mums  Mamas  Mommies and Mothers everywhere!

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– photo by D.J. Houston

How fitting Mother’s Day arrives when Spring is in full bloom!

A very Happy Mother’s Day to Mother Nature, too!

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 Havenwood Tales protagonist and narrator, Trudie McAfee, whose stories I write for you, forever celebrates her Mama Birdie and the mothers and grandmothers of her ancestry.

And as always with the Art of Motherhood, Trudie’s mother was her first special teacher.

For always it is true:

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“That best academy, a mother’s knee.”

– James Russell Lowell, poet

Mama Birdie McAfee was a great cook, too!

Trudie might say this was true of her:

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”

– Tenneva Jordan

But this classic “fond remembrance” reminds Trudie most of Mama:

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” 

–  Mark Twain

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We remember and honor our Mothers in countless ways . . .

You may be familiar with time-tested rhymes like this one:

“Nobody knows of the work it makes
To keep the home together.
Nobody knows of the steps it takes,
Nobody knows but Mother.”

– Anonymous

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Here’s a fresh, modern look at the ancient wisdom of honoring one’s parents that may be NEW to you:

What a relief it is to know that our lucky children and grandchildren have these common sense inspirations to help guide them through their coming-of-age!

View the entertaining video “Honor and Help Your Parents” from The Way to Happiness book:

CLICK HERE

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To Treasured Friends and Fans:

As I prepare to launch your ultimate gift of HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings – the first novel of the Havenwood Tales series – please know:

Your loyalty, feedback and the fun YOU bring to the party are valued and appreciated more than ever!

Have a very Happy Mother’s Day!

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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Copyright©2013, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Inspirations – Celebration of Life – Nostalgia – American Literature Treasures

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Life Journey – Miracles – Havenwood Spring in the Heartland

HAPPY EASTER!  HAPPY SPRING! 

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MANY MIRACLES to you and to all our gifted children coming of age in a new world of friendship and imagination!  May you find every opportunity for freedom and adventure on life’s journey!

THANK YOU to my loyal fans and readers.  The official launch of HAVENWOOD TALES is a much bigger task than I thought!

I wish you much joy and enjoyment from these last, updated excerpts I’ll be sharing with you.

May you ever be SURPRISED 😉

CLICK  HERE:  “Spring in Heartland America”

–   Happily Yours,

Author, D.J. Houston

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American Literature Treasures – Miracles – Life Journey – Adventure – Coming of Age

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Valentine Inspirations – Chocolate and Other Secrets

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY from HAVENWOOD!!

FLOWERS and CHOCOLATE for ALL!!

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But let’s talk about chocolate . . .  😉–

– by Dark Chocolate Life

FUN NEWS for CHOCOLATE LOVERS–

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Heartland America Warning – School Rumor Humor

D.J. Houston, Author

Hello Friends!

What a Summer it’s been for America!  Not to mention this extraordinary 21st Century on Earth.

As for our tale of Havenwood, I can only reveal that — following a summer of brave adventures, some startling misadventure and plentiful mystery after Trudie Beth McAfee’s precocious encounter with Gabriel White Cloud Walling — the era of her childhood freedom threatened to become an empty memory, as time drew near for. . .  the inevitable — SCHOOL.

Here’s some FUN for you (circa 1946)  🙂  Enjoy!

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4th of July – Common Sense Freedom – Heartland America

Happy Independence Day, America!

Happy 4^th of July!

from Author, D.J. Houston

Spirit of ’76 – Archibald M. Willard

Celebrating Liberty. . .

“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.” –  Louis D. Brandeis

What happened on July 4, 1776?   Why celebrate?   

As Americans, we celebrate the fact that our God-given rights to live free of tyranny from any government were demanded and penned by key Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence.

Click for FUN FACTS

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Wisdom & Humor from America’s Founding Fathers

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“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.” 

– Thomas Jefferson

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” 

– Benjamin Franklin

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

– Thomas Jefferson

“. . . it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.”

– George Washington

“In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.” 

– John Adams

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From HAVENWOOD TALES:

“Before the second half of 20^th Century America happened to her citizens. . .”

Enjoy:  Inspiring Story – Common Sense Freedom

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A Note from the Author to her Fans and Friends

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“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.” 

– Erma Bombeck

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Thank you for enjoying this Celebration of Freedom with me!

I love sharing sneak peeks and updates with you from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings — the first novel in my HAVENWOOD TALES trilogy.

D.J. Houston, Author

Spunky young Trudie McAfee, whose story I write, assures me subscribers are in for many “intriguing treats” to come 🙂

THANKS for all your friendship, inspirations and encouragement on our journey together!

Happy 4^th of July, America!

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Your Freedom-loving Friend,

D.J. Houston

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Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Inspiring Stories – Historical Fiction Books – Courage and Wisdom – Heartland America

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Holiday Stories and Celebrations – ST. PATRICK’S DAY – Luck O’ The Irish

Luck O’ The Irish To Ye from Havenwood Tales!! 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

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‘Tis said that Saint Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in everyone 😉

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A holiday originating in Ireland over a thousand years ago, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world each March 17th.

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And since Havenwood Tales’ young narrator, Trudie Beth McAfee, hails from English and IRISH ancestry. as well as Native American, I’d be remiss not to share some Irish adventure and wisdom with you 🙂

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