New Breed of Dating Services

                                                    

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Dating can be a frustrating hurdle for a lot of people and with the help of a reputable online dating service, many have found their true mate, or so the commercials say. I have friends and family who have used dating services with equally good and bad results.

                                                 

Why do people use a dating service? Well the number one reason is that many people are pretty sure that they’ll never find a true love at the local bar.

                                                                                                                                                          

Maybe their work schedule leaves no time to find that significant other

                                                               

Or they just want to find people with the same interests, religion, nationality, etc.

                                                         

Most of the better known online dating sites are advertised frequently on T.V. But recently, I saw an advertisement for farmers looking for that special someone…farmers?

                                                     

 

Aren’t most of our farms industrialized and owned by big corporations?

                                                                 

But if you’re an independent farmer, I guess you would need a dating service to find the perfect mate because you’re too busy trying to keep the farm from failing in today’s economic free fall.

                                                                 

Anyway that ad got me thinking about dating services and how there should be more of them and maybe with more selections, such as:

                                                                     Obnoxious people…

                                                      

                                                                       Clueless people

                                                                      

                                                                                 Lazy people

                                                

                                                                                         Angry

                                                                    

See where this is going? Someone could make oodles of noodles if they wanted to start a new type of dating service.

                                                                                                                 

I have a hard time falling asleep and in the wee hours of the morning, if I’m not writing a story or reading a book, I watch television. Late at night, you can find some really strange stuff on cable and this was one of them. So my dear readers, have you ever used a dating service? What type of results did you have? Let me know.

Episode Fifty-three of Lilith's Escape

                                                   

 

“Wake him up, now,” Lilith’s voice and the alarm were both high pitched. Edward opened his eyes.

“How did they find us?” Doc asked as he helped the unsteady Edward sit up.

“Who found us?” Edward’s tongue felt thick and unmovable in his mouth.

“Zombies,” Rita, who had just entered the room with extra weapons, replied.

“How many are there? Edward asked as Doc and Lilith helped him off the metal table. His knees buckled under him, the full effects of the drug still lingered on in his system. “Am I dreaming?”

                                                                  

“No, you’re awake, but I told you those pills would be a trip. Just give it a minute and you’ll be fine,” Doc let go of Edward’s arm.

“There are thirty to forty of them pounding on the outer door to our hideout. I recognized a few of them…homeless souls who try to survive on the streets. Somehow they were infected by the ones from the prison,” Rita explained as she handed a loaded gun to Edward.

                                                             

“Edward…you and Scouter will need to make your way through the city to get to the base. Are you up to this? You’ll have to leave at first light…I wanted,” Lilith was about to say more, but she was distracted by a scream. She and Rita rushed out of the room, leaving Edward time to check his face, which was bandaged.

“Will I be okay by tomorrow?” Edward asked Doc.

“With the amount of blood that you drank, I would say yes.”

Edward nodded, checked his weapon, and then went looking for the others. They would probably need an extra pair of hands to fight what was trying to break in. As he made his way towards the yelling and gunfire, he saw that Rita was leading the children to another area.

                                                                 

“Shoot for their heads,” she said in passing.

 

Our Gal Sal

                                       

Sally Starr

I’m totally knocked for a loop. I just found out that my childhood idol, Sally Starr died today. Yeah, I know people get old and die, but I loved her…she was a friend, even though I didn’t meet her in person until 1969.  Life in our house was not your typical Ozzie and Harriet type home, but Sally had a way of making a child feel special. Her love for her young audience came through our small screen television and right into my heart. I would sit in front of the set every day to watch “Our Gal Sal” and Chief Halftown…both loving, intelligent people, who truly understood children. I took my baby girl to meet her and Chief Halftown at a special event, and they were both so sweet and kind.

I won’t go into detail about her professional background, I’d rather that you can click on her name and read about this amazing woman.

We will miss you Sally Starr and “May the Good Lord be blessing you.”

Promoting Some Friends

All my followers are aware that I have two stories published in the short story anthology Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey, but I also have friends that are published and I want to mention and promote these authors and their books.  So Drum Roll, please!!!

                                                                  

Strange World is an anthology from Biff Bam Pop! I did an interview with Glenn Walker who has a story featured in the book. You can read about Glenn and how to buy the book here.


Joe Arechavala is one of the authors featured in Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey, but he also has a book published called Darkness Persists, and you can check it out.
                                                                                                                                                                               
Carmen DeSousa is a friend who I not only follow and buy her books, but she was so kind as to include M. J. Kane and I as contributors to her book The Pit Stop. Check out her great stories.


Jennifer M. Eaton is also featured in Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey and several other anthologies, plus has her first published book out.


I will continue to add interviews of fellow writers during the next few months and remember to look for my weekly episodes of Lilith's Escape on my blog, and also my articles for Biff Bam Pop!

Interview with the Author of Jack and Jill, Volume One

                                                    
                                               


I have the wonderful honor of interviewing one of the writers from the South Jersey Writer's group who is not only featured in our new short story anthology, Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey, but is also published in other anthologies and now!!! drum role, please!!! has her first book published. Let's all same hello to our marvelous Jennifer M. Eaton.

                                                             

         When did these characters first appear on the page?

 

       I found out about the Still Moments Anthology call for submissions through a friend. I wasn't a Romance Writer, so I was originally going to pass. Then I decided, "What the heck, let's see if I can do it." It was Romance, so I needed a guy and a girl (Yeah, that's a pesky requirement, isn't it?)  I decided to make Jill a single mom while I was writing the first paragraph, because a kid magically appeared, and I needed her Mommy to be "available" for the romance angle--so I decided to be mean and give her a divorce. The crux of the story had to do with a Christmas wish, and I thought it would be fun to have the wish sort-of-backfire...enter the male best friend, Jack.

  

          How have they evolved in this new book?

 

       In Jack and Jill Volume One, you see them come full circle from best friends, to making a commitment about their relationship. This is a little harder than your normal fly-by-night dating scenario, because they both know that if it doesn't work out, the chances of going back to being best friends are slim. They find out quickly that, even though they tell each other everything as friends, there are things about each of them that the other doesn't know and it will make dating not quite what either of them expected.
 

 

          Will there be another book about Jack and Jill?

 

 

      Oh, you noticed that "Volume One," did you? Yes, this is the first in a series. Moving forward, you will be able to read their story chronicled through a different holiday for each month. Volume one is December (Christmas) and January (New Year's) The next book will be Valentine's day, followed by St. Patrick's Day. You get the idea. I am not super-woman, though, so you won't see all these volumes this year. I need sleep, you know!
 

 

          What other projects are you working on?  

      Oh, tons! Like I said, Jack and Jill was a bit of a surprise, and Romance is not normally my genre, so I am busy in a lot of other areas. At the moment, I am shopping a Paranormal "first in series" called Une Variante about shape-shifters. It's great fun and I love the world I've created. I am also polishing my first Young Adult novel, "Fire in the Wood," which I hope to be submitting to publishers by Spring 2013. I have also just started a Young Adult Urban Fantasy tentatively titled " The First Day of the New Tomorrow". This is for an anthology, but if I go over on the maximum number of words, I think it will make a great stand-alone Novella. I am also flirting with an idea for a Dystopian sequel to my story "Last Winter Red." This is all on top of the ten Jack and Jill stories waiting to be written. Yep, I'm a busy gal.

             Jennifer, I want to thank you for being a guest on my blog, and I will keep my readers
             updated on  your works.


             Thanks so much for having me, Marie. I really appreciate it, and a little gnome told me that
             you picked up a copy of "Jack and Jill, Volume One". I hope you enjoy it, and please let me
             know what you think!

 

Yes I did, Jennifer, and you dear readers, can learn more about Jennifer, below:)

***

Jennifer Eaton lives on the East Coast USA with her husband, three boys, and a pepped up poodle.  She hosts an interactive website www.jennifermeaton.com aimed at making all writers the best they can be. 

Jack and Jill Volume One:  Jill stumbles back into the dating world after twelve years of motherhood.  But things have changed a lot since the last time she dated.  Jack and Jill stories follow the challenges of a woman holding on to traditional values in a world that has evolved without her. Now that she has found the man of her dreams, will Jill be able to hold on to him without compromising what she believes in?

Enclosure links: 

Jennifer Eaton Photograph, http://jennifermeaton.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/j-taylor-fix-crop-white.jpg

Jack and Jill Volume One cover, http://jennifermeaton.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/jack-jill-volume-one-cover.jpg?w=615

Purchase links

SMP eBook Store: http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/p/ebook-store.html

SMP Library: http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/2013/01/jack-jill-volume-one.html

CreateSpace POD: https://www.createspace.com/4136009

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3YWNFW

Amazon Print:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/277179

Goodreads (for reviews): http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17266748-jack-jill-volume-one

 

Contact Links:

 Twitter:  @jennifermeaton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832197.Jennifer_M_Eaton

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.m.eaton.3

Web:  www.jennifereaton.com

Blog: http://www.jennifermeaton.com/

Episode Fifty-two of Lilith's Escape

Episode Fifty-two of Lilith’s Escape

                                                           

“We’re a little short on the surgical anesthetics normally used for this type of surgery, but I have these,” Doc said to Edward.

“What are they?” Edward asked as the doctor placed the pills into his hand and then handed him a canteen to drink from.

“Something like the LSD from your time period, but just a tad stronger…you’ll be too busy tripping to notice the pain. Take them and lie down on that table.”

Edward did as he was told and then tried to get comfortable on the rather hard and cold metal table. “This looks like something they would use in a morgue.”

                                                                                                                      

“It is…” That’s all Edward heard because he found himself falling through a tunnel only to land in the middle of what seemed to be a bizarre version of Alice’s Wonderland.
                                             
Lilith’s dragon was there and it wasn’t happy. Edward tried to run, but the beast blocked his way. When Edward tried to slip away, the dragon took hold of his nose and bit down hard. The pain was excruciating.

“You’ll never have her, mortal”, the creature scoffed. Edward felt his face only to find his nose was missing. “Your rescue mission will fail and you and these fools will all die,” the dragon added.

                                

The dream was getting weirder by the minute. While the dragon taunted him, Edward could see his body lying on a burning pyre with the doctor (dressed as a knight) standing over him with a sword held over Edward’s neck. “You’re nothing but a hallucination,” Edward replied to the dragon.

“Am I?” The dragon raised its right foot and exposed its talons. As it made its move to strike, Edward heard a church bell ring out.

                                           

“They’re trying to break into our barricade,” someone yelled out over the incessant ringing. “You need to wake him, now!”

Is This True?

I don't know who sent this to my  husband and I don't know who the original author of this advice is, so don't thank me if it works.   What I do know... is that most of the old wives tales...you know the remedies passed down from generation to generation, are usually based on truth.                                               Garlic might not keep vampires away, but it is good for your health.                                  In the past when people had to rely on herbs and plants instead of Drug Stores to handle minor health problems, they knew what plants made them better.   So with the Flu going around, it would be a neat science project to see if onions do keep the flu away, but just in case they don't, keep washing your hands and using hand sanitizer after touching any door handles and railings in public places. Stay Well!     Onions and Mayonnaise- Very interesting In 1919, when the flu killed 40 million people, there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it, and many died. The doctor came upon this one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy. Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work.... Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu. Now there is a P.S. to this.... I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions: Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmers story.... But, I do know that I contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar.....placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs.... Sure enough it happened just like that.... The onion was a mess, and I began to feel better. Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties. This is the other note. Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don't know what to blame. Maybe it's the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria is the reason they are so good at preventing us from getting colds and flu's and is the very reason we shouldn't eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut open! LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of Mayonnaise.. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. He's one of the brothers Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's. Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially- made Mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quaint essential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick. Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the Onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES. He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!) Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down. Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions. Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning. Please pass this on to all you love and care about.