Sally Ember's Blog, page 3

Two More Weeks for JULY SALE! #Smashwords The Spanners Series’ #ebooks 25-50% off through 7/31/24!

The discounts will automatically apply to your shopping cart at checkout. There’s no need for you to enter or remember coupon codes!

Many other authors’ ebooks on Smashwords also on sale! VISIT THIS MONTH!

The Spanners Series’ first three Volumes of utopian science-fiction/romance by Sally Ember, Ed.D. are on sale NOW!

The Spanners Series‘ cover art and logo by WillowRaven: http://www.willowraven-illustration.blogspot.com/

Smashwords is STILL having its annual July Summer/Winter Sale and The Spanners Series‘ ebooks in every format (reader’s choice) are either free (Volume I) or only $1.99 or $2.99 (usually $3.99) for the entire month of July! See below for info! And, go browse on Smashwords for other great discounts and sales!

Two More Weeks!

Whether you’re sweating, freezing, smoked-out, flooded, rained or snowed on or anywhere in between, there is still time to READ!
Give books for gifts for birthdays, graduations, holidays, anniversaries, vacations: any time!

The paperbacks of all three Volumes are available on Amazon. Check out the KINDLEMATCH program for deals when you buy both ebooks and paperbacks of the same volume at the same time.

This Changes Everything, Vol. I, The Spanners Series

Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, 58, begins having secret visits from holographic representations of beings from the Many Worlds Collective, a consortium of planet and star systems in the multiverse. When Earth is invited to join the consortium, the secret visits are made public. Now Earthers must adjust their beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and everything they think and are.

Clara is selected to be the liaison between Earth and the Many Worlds Collective and she chooses Esperanza Enlaces to be the Chief Media Contact. They team up to provide information to stave off riots and uncertainty. The Many Worlds Collective holos train Clara and the Psi-Warriors for the Psi Wars with the rebelling Psi-Defiers, communicate effectively with many species on Earth and off-planet, eliminate ordinary, elected governments and political boundaries, convene a new group of Global Leaders, and deal with family’s and friends’ reactions.

In what multiple timelines of the ever-expanding multiverse do Clara and her long-time love, Epifanio Dang, get to be together and which leave Clara alone and lonely as the leader of Earth?

This Changes Everything spans the 30-year story of Clara’s term as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, continuing in nine more Volumes of The Spanners Series.

Are YOU ready for the changes?

Volume I, This Changes Everything:
Ebooks are PERMAFREE on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/376197
and Amazon: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8 

This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, Vol. II, The Spanners Series

Intrigued by multiple timelines, aliens, psi skills, romance and planetary change? Clara and the alien “Band” are back in Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever.

Now as Chief Communicator, Clara leads the way for interspecies communication on- and off-planet. Fighting these changes are the Psi-Defiers, led by one of the oldest friends of the Chief of the Psi-Warriors, its reluctant leader, Rabbi Moran Ackerman. Stories from younger Spanners about the first five years of The Transition fill Volume II.

How would YOU do with the changes?

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever:
EBOOKS now $2.99, 25% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424969

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Family-Forever-Spanners/dp/0996999817

This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Vol. III, The Spanners Series

Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Volume III of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.

Clara, as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them to make difficult choices across multiple timelines, continuing to train and fight.

Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?

What do YOU do with wanted/unwanted changes?

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change:
EBOOKS now $1.99, 50% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/588331

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Want-Things-Change-Spanners/dp/0996999825/

The Spanners Series‘ three paperbacks on Amazon

Print editions and ebooks published under Timult Books

REVIEWERS: Ask for FREE Ebook coupon codes for Volumes II and III on Smashwords any time: sallyember AT yahoo DOT com

For more information about Sally Ember, Ed.D., her bio, books, blog, video talk show (CHANGES conversations between authors), guest blog posts and guidelines, links to author interviews, book trailers, proofreading/editing services and more: http://www.sallyember.com

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Four

As some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday on June 13, so this is my fourth Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming posts for details on each week’s activities.

I hope you’re considering doing something similar or supporting what I do by leaving comments, encouragement, applause…. If you want to send money, use PayPal and I’ll donate it. The button is on my cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

July 5
Went to my son and DIL’s home to babysit my granddaughter again today. So happy to be doing that! For this week’s session, my son had called Wednesday to ask if I could stay longer so they could get some renovation work started in their home. I gladly agreed and was there most of the day today.

July 6
My housemate and her children are going on a vacation/family reunion trip Monday. While she went to exercise, I helped them both pack and do their household chores. Left her a list of what she needs to do to finish their packing. She was extremely relieved and grateful.

July 7
Our mom took a bad fall, broke her leg, and is in the hospital in Los Angeles since Friday night. She is now quickly deteriorating and may not survive (she’s over 92). Early Sunday, I asked the floor nurse to get someone to hold the phone up to her working ear and talked to her. She couldn’t talk since she had an oxygen mask on, but they said she gave me a thumbs up twice. I’m so sad. She went into a coma and palliative care by mid-morning. By early evening, they were reducing her oxygen and increasing her morphine so that she could die without stress. It’s what she had said she wanted. She died at 10:15 PM today: three 7’s. She got her lucky numbers on purpose.

July 8
Dealing with my mom’s passing yesterday and my housemate’s and her children’s leaving this morning on their 2-week vacation. Letting friends and family know about Mom. Helping get the family here off to the airport.
Crying intermittently, but generally all right.
I swam today for the first time in 10 days since I had a small biopsy (NEGATIVE) done and couldn’t immerse for that period of time. Felt so great to be back in the pool, especially today (VERY HOT for Seattle; 90 F–ish peaks for a few days, now).
Spent a lot of time on the phone with some grieving people.

July 9
I spent a lot of time preparing, then delivering some great chicken salad to a medical provider I saw today because I’m very grateful to him. He said he had a very full day on Tuesdays and hardly any time to eat and was very pleased I had brought him some food.

July 10
My youngest sister created a playlist for our mother’s funeral service today with some songs I suggested and Mom had loved. I thanked her and told her it was perfect.
I called some people Mom had been friends to tell them about her passing and her funeral, in case they hadn’t heard, but they all had. Today, I posted the funeral info and a photo of the two of us on Facebook and that informed more people, so I think “everyone” knows who needs to know, by now.
Funeral is today at 2:30 PM CDT at the graveside only. I’m attending via Zoom.

July 11
Since I was the only immediate family member to attend via Zoom, I “hosted” and coordinated the arrivals and introductions yesterday. I also sent a list of who attended to my youngest sibling for the records.
Today I cried a lot and also talked with her.
At the pool, I allowed someone to go ahead of me and get a lane. Usually wouldn’t do that, but my mom would have….

Three More Weeks for JULY SALE! #Smashwords The Spanners Series’ #ebooks
25-50% off through 7/31/24!

The discounts will automatically apply to your shopping cart at checkout. There’s no need for you to enter or remember coupon codes!

Many other authors’ ebooks on Smashwords also on sale! VISIT THIS MONTH!

The Spanners Series’ first three Volumes of utopian science-fiction/romance by Sally Ember, Ed.D. are on sale NOW!

The Spanners Series‘ cover art and logo by WillowRaven: http://www.willowraven-illustration.blogspot.com/

Smashwords is STILL having its annual July Summer/Winter Sale and The Spanners Series‘ ebooks in every format (reader’s choice) are either free (Volume I) or only $1.99 or $2.99 (usually $3.99) for the entire month of July! See below for info! And, go browse on Smashwords for other great discounts and sales!

Two More Weeks!

Whether you’re sweating, freezing, smoked-out, flooded, rained or snowed on or anywhere in between, there is still time to READ!
Give books for gifts for birthdays, graduations, holidays, anniversaries, vacations: any time!

The paperbacks of all three Volumes are available on Amazon. Check out the KINDLEMATCH program for deals when you buy both ebooks and paperbacks of the same volume at the same time.

This Changes Everything, Vol. I, The Spanners Series

Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, 58, begins having secret visits from holographic representations of beings from the Many Worlds Collective, a consortium of planet and star systems in the multiverse. When Earth is invited to join the consortium, the secret visits are made public. Now Earthers must adjust their beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and everything they think and are.

Clara is selected to be the liaison between Earth and the Many Worlds Collective and she chooses Esperanza Enlaces to be the Chief Media Contact. They team up to provide information to stave off riots and uncertainty. The Many Worlds Collective holos train Clara and the Psi-Warriors for the Psi Wars with the rebelling Psi-Defiers, communicate effectively with many species on Earth and off-planet, eliminate ordinary, elected governments and political boundaries, convene a new group of Global Leaders, and deal with family’s and friends’ reactions.

In what multiple timelines of the ever-expanding multiverse do Clara and her long-time love, Epifanio Dang, get to be together and which leave Clara alone and lonely as the leader of Earth?

This Changes Everything spans the 30-year story of Clara’s term as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, continuing in nine more Volumes of The Spanners Series.

Are YOU ready for the changes?

Volume I, This Changes Everything:
Ebooks are PERMAFREE on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/376197
and Amazon: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8 

This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, Vol. II, The Spanners Series

Intrigued by multiple timelines, aliens, psi skills, romance and planetary change? Clara and the alien “Band” are back in Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever.

Now as Chief Communicator, Clara leads the way for interspecies communication on- and off-planet. Fighting these changes are the Psi-Defiers, led by one of the oldest friends of the Chief of the Psi-Warriors, its reluctant leader, Rabbi Moran Ackerman. Stories from younger Spanners about the first five years of The Transition fill Volume II.

How would YOU do with the changes?

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever:
EBOOKS now $2.99, 25% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424969

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Family-Forever-Spanners/dp/0996999817

This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Vol. III, The Spanners Series

Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Volume III of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.

Clara, as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them to make difficult choices across multiple timelines, continuing to train and fight.

Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?

What do YOU do with wanted/unwanted changes?

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change:
EBOOKS now $1.99, 50% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/588331

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Want-Things-Change-Spanners/dp/0996999825/

The Spanners Series‘ three paperbacks on Amazon

Print editions and ebooks published under Timult Books

REVIEWERS: Ask for FREE Ebook coupon codes for Volumes II and III on Smashwords any time: sallyember AT yahoo DOT com

For more information about Sally Ember, Ed.D., her bio, books, blog, video talk show (CHANGES conversations between authors), guest blog posts and guidelines, links to author interviews, book trailers, proofreading/editing services and more: http://www.sallyember.com

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Three

As some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday on June 13, so this is my third Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming posts for details on each week’s activities.

I hope you’re considering doing something similar or supporting what I do by leaving comments, encouragement, applause…. If you want to send money, use PayPal and I’ll donate it. The button is on the cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

June 28
I babysat for my granddaughter yesterday for the first “official” time, so that her mom could attend an online meeting in the home and her dad could work at home as well. We did great together! I am so happy to be included in her/their lives this way; it’s the main reason I moved to this area. Full heart. I am doing this every week, most weeks, for the summer and perhaps beyond.

June 29
I did some chores that weren’t “mine” yesterday and today to help out my housemate. She has been so generous to me, I want to be helpful wherever I can.

June 30
There are many ways that I have had an unusual life, and most people know nothing about me, especially where I’m now living. Deciding what to tell, whom to tell, when to tell: are these “good deeds,” or what are these decisions? I have been putting myself into a tizzy trying to figure all this out, but I am trying not to overwhelm people or tell them anything they might be uncomfortable knowing. Maybe trying to be super-considerate is a “good deed”?

July 1
While my housemate was away yesterday and today, I did some “house” laundry, which I did not have to do. Washed, dried, folded, and put away (when I could do that alone; some items are stored too high for me to reach).

July 2
On the bus today, two tourists were sitting in front of me turning an actual paper map as well as their phone’s GPS every which way and looking confused. I leaned forward and asked if they’d like some help. They readily agreed, and I was able to point them to the bus stop and location they needed.
I got to see them get off and walk to their location (right next to the bus stop) before I got off.

July 3
Did housemate’s children’s and house laundry along with my own while they’re away. Clean sheets: so great!

July 4

“

#Ebooks #Smashwords 16th Annual Summer/Winter Sale!
The Spanners Series‘ books are #Free, 25-50% off! 7/1—7/31/23

The discounts will automatically apply to your shopping cart at checkout. There’s no need for you to enter or remember coupon codes!

Many other authors’ ebooks on Smashwords also on sale! VISIT TODAY!

The Spanners Series’ first three Volumes of utopian science-fiction/romance by Sally Ember, Ed.D. are on sale NOW!

The Spanners Series‘ cover art and logo by WillowRaven: http://www.willowraven-illustration.blogspot.com/

Smashwords is once again having its annual July Summer/Winter Sale and The Spanners Series‘ ebooks in every format (reader’s choice) are either free (Volume I) or only $1.99 or $2.99 (usually $3.99) for the entire month of July! See below for info! And, go browse on Smashwords for other great discounts and sales!

VISIT THIS MONTH!

Whether you’re sweating, freezing, smoked-out, flooded, rained or snowed on or anywhere in between, there is still time to READ!
Give books for gifts for birthdays, graduations, holidays, anniversaries, vacations: any time!

The paperbacks of all three Volumes are available on Amazon. Check out the KINDLEMATCH program for deals when you buy both ebooks and paperbacks of the same volume at the same time.

This Changes Everything, Vol. I, The Spanners Series

Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, 58, begins having secret visits from holographic representations of beings from the Many Worlds Collective, a consortium of planet and star systems in the multiverse. When Earth is invited to join the consortium, the secret visits are made public. Now Earthers must adjust their beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and everything they think and are.

Clara is selected to be the liaison between Earth and the Many Worlds Collective and she chooses Esperanza Enlaces to be the Chief Media Contact. They team up to provide information to stave off riots and uncertainty. The Many Worlds Collective holos train Clara and the Psi-Warriors for the Psi Wars with the rebelling Psi-Defiers, communicate effectively with many species on Earth and off-planet, eliminate ordinary, elected governments and political boundaries, convene a new group of Global Leaders, and deal with family’s and friends’ reactions.

In what multiple timelines of the ever-expanding multiverse do Clara and her long-time love, Epifanio Dang, get to be together and which leave Clara alone and lonely as the leader of Earth?

This Changes Everything spans the 30-year story of Clara’s term as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, continuing in nine more Volumes of The Spanners Series.

Are YOU ready for the changes?

Volume I, This Changes Everything:
Ebooks are PERMAFREE on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/376197
and Amazon: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8 

This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, Vol. II, The Spanners Series

Intrigued by multiple timelines, aliens, psi skills, romance and planetary change? Clara and the alien “Band” are back in Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever.

Now as Chief Communicator, Clara leads the way for interspecies communication on- and off-planet. Fighting these changes are the Psi-Defiers, led by one of the oldest friends of the Chief of the Psi-Warriors, its reluctant leader, Rabbi Moran Ackerman. Stories from younger Spanners about the first five years of The Transition fill Volume II.

How would YOU do with the changes?

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever:
EBOOKS now $2.99, 25% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424969

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Family-Forever-Spanners/dp/0996999817

This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Vol. III, The Spanners Series

Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Volume III of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.

Clara, as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them to make difficult choices across multiple timelines, continuing to train and fight.

Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?

What do YOU do with wanted/unwanted changes?

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change:
EBOOKS now $1.99, 50% off the regular price of $3.99, on Smashwords, any ebook format (reader’s choice): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/588331

Paperbacks and ebooks are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Want-Things-Change-Spanners/dp/0996999825/

The Spanners Series‘ three paperbacks on Amazon

Print editions and ebooks published under Timult Books

REVIEWERS: Ask for FREE Ebook coupon codes for Volumes II and III on Smashwords any time: sallyember AT yahoo DOT com

For more information about Sally Ember, Ed.D., her bio, books, blog, video talk show (CHANGES conversations between authors), guest blog posts and guidelines, links to author interviews, book trailers, proofreading/editing services and more: http://www.sallyember.com

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report Two

As some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday on June 13, so this is my second Weekly Report on those activities. Please read the previous and upcoming posts for details on each week’s activities.

I hope you’re considering doing something similar or supporting what I do by leaving comments, encouragement, applause…. If you want to send money, use PayPal and I’ll donate it. The button is on the cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

June 20
Happy Solstice (summer or winter, depending on where you are)! Today I helped my housemate get her children’s lunches ready for school, spent time with them at breakfast, and kept them on track to leave on time while she was getting ready to go herself. The older one gets promoted from elementary school to middle school today and I guess that is now a big deal. The younger one (finishing 3rd grade) seems a bit envious of all the attention her older sister is getting, so the rest of us are giving her some extra squeezes these days.
RANT: Unlike when I was young, or even when my son was in school prior to the millennium, there are now elaborate “promotion” ceremonies, “graduations,” and other celebrations for almost every school transition these days. Sheesh. That’s just too many times to be “honored,” IMO, merely for getting older and going to school as planned. I think it loses all meaning when pre-schoolers and everyone else have a “graduation” or some similar ceremony almost every year.
Rant over.

June 21
I spent a wonderful morning with my amazing granddaughter in order for my DIL to begin to trust me with her, and for my granddaughter to get familiar enough with me to happily let me stay with her while her mom and dad (my DIL and my son) are both working in the house. We had a BLAST!
The plan is for me to come almost every week and spend about 100 minutes alone with her. I am so happy to be doing this; it’s the main reason I moved to Seattle!
I have to travel about 90 minutes each way and take two buses to get there and get home.
Totally worthwhile.

June 22
Plans with my housemate’s daughters changed due to one of them getting sick, so we (her grandmother and I) agreed to have the well one here for longer and overnight instead of just for the original few hours during dinner.
I made popcorn for the three of us, we had fun talking and telling/hearing stories, I made dinner for her and her grandmother, and we told more stories and had fun before bedtime.

June 23
Usually, I get to use my housemate’s car about once a week to do major grocery shopping. However, due to her daughter’s illness and changes in plans, that can’t happen until much later today. Meanwhile, we’re mostly out of fresh produce.
So, today, after swimming, I went to the locally owned produce market right across the street from the pool and picked up two bags of produce for our house to bring home on the buses (two; about 20 minutes’ riding).
Cherries were the biggest hit. We’ll see later how the rest is received (probably very well) by both girls, their mom and their grandmother.

June 24
My housemate and one of her daughters have been having some kind of respiratory virus/cold (not COVID or RSV, thankfully), so I got to use her car. I took her older daughter to her play date, did all the grocery shopping for the week. After putting all the groceries away and getting one of her daughters to “help,” I made dinner plus food for the next several days for the adults (her, her mom, me) while also making the separate and different dinners for each of her daughters (don’t ask). They were all very pleased and kept thanking me. Nice.

June 25
The older girl I live with turns 11 in 11 days. After hearing about my “70 for 70” project, she decided to do “11 for 11,” which starts today. She already has four ideas for her 11 days.
I told her if she did all 11 and kept track of the deeds, I would invite her to be a Guest Blogger on my site and share her 11 good deed days with my readers. She is a very gifted writer and excited to be “published” for the first time online. I would be lucky to have her post, I told her.

June 26
At the pool today, the rope closest to where I wanted to swim was being repaired by the Spanish-speaking maintenance man I’d seen there often. I greeted him in Spanish and asked if he needed help. We continued to speak in Spanish. He said he would need help, in a few minutes.
So, I swam my first lap and then asked again. He said he was ready for me to take the rope and swim it to the other side. First, he asked me to attach it to the wall we were both near, but it didn’t work. Turns out it was the wrong end, which he figured out and fixed. Then I swam it down and it fit fine.
I told him all was “Bueno,” and he gave me a thumbs up and left.
Gracias to Señor Sellars, Señorita Queensen (and then Señora Kirchhoeffer, after her marriage in my junior year), and Señora Weiss for my four years of high school Spanish, which have stood me in good stead all these 50+ years later!

June 27
It has been important during these “70 for 70” days not to stress about what to do but to let it unfold naturally, and today was a great day for good deeds unfurling as I moved through the day.
The younger child who lives here (aged 9) was feeling a bit “at sea” with the second day of summer vacation, and her older sister was independently occupied quite happily. I decided to spend some of my free time playing/teaching her card games, which she really liked. She especially liked the one-on-one time and attention from me, and it was very fun for us both.

“70 for 70”: Weekly Report One

On June 13, as some of you know, I embarked on my “70 for 70” activities on the ramp-up to my 70th birthday, so this is my first Weekly Report on those activities. I hope you’re considering doing something similar or supporting what I do by leaving comments, encouragement, applause…. If you want to send money, use PayPal and I’ll donate it. The button is on my cover page of this blog: http://www.sallyember.com

May all beings benefit.

June 13
My housemate is a single mom with two daughters, 9 and almost 11. They know about my project and wanted to get involved, so when I picked up the girls from school today, we agreed to go to the local supermarket parking lot and help put away stray shopping carts, then I would buy them each a small treat for their after-school snacks. We found three shopping carts and put them away. We also found one locked (immobilized so no one can take it off the premises) and reported it to the security guard, who told us “Thank You” as we were leaving and reported that the shopping cart had been unlocked and put back in the carrel. SUCCESS!
I also drove their visiting grandmother (about 8 years older than I am) to the dentist and picked her up after a 3.5-hour procedure. She was very grateful.

June 14
The older daughter of the woman I live with (Mom is away at a wedding this weekend) inadvertently left her homework packet at school and was upset that she couldn’t finish it and turn it in (school ends next week, so this was the last day of acceptance of homework). Her grandmother suggested that I (as an EdD) write her a “doctor’s note,” explaining this student’s unusual circumstances and asking for extra time and/or support for her forgetfulness so she could finish the work without penalty. I was happy to do that. Daughter approved the letter and was delighted; brought the note to school. When we picked her up, she reported that her teacher had been absent that day. We all laughed.

June 15
Planned and led my Buddhist sangha’s weekly Zoom meeting. Very enjoyable, too.

June 16
Doing research for my trauma work with my wonderful new acupuncturist and plan to share it with him this coming week. I know he’ll appreciate it. Also sent an email to another acupuncturist who blogged about already being experienced in doing trauma work via acupuncture to see if she has any tips, advice, suggestions.
Took my housemate’s mother to the local high school pool this morning to go lap swimming with me and lent her a $1 and quarter for her $4.50 fee and the locker (had to have exact change). She really enjoyed the swim and I was glad she could come.

June 17
Gave up my seat on the bus to a woman with many more packages than I had (the bus was filled), since all I had was a backpack and one more stop to go. Is that a good deed, or merely good manners?

June 18
Encouraged each of my ride share drivers today in their pursuit of their meditation and spiritual/personal growth, tailored to what they told me and what they asked about. Very fun conversations, both, and they both thanked me a lot.

June 19
On this beautiful Seattle day in June, I was able to go swimming at the gym I belong to for free (with my health insurance plan) and ride the bus both ways easily. On the bus going to the gym, a wheelchair-bound rider was about to get on, but the seats he needed to be raised to make space for this chair weren’t raised. I raised them. Then, we talked about the (currently) great weather, the recent improvements in access on public transportation, and how we both liked Seattle.

On to Week 2 of “70 for 70” tomorrow.

If you do any “good deeds” or want to suggest any for me, please comment on this post.

“70 for 70” Runs June 13 – August 21, 2024: Suggest a Good Deed for One of Those Days!

Born in 1954, I turned 60 in 2014. For the “ramp up” to my 60th birthday, I decided to borrow an idea I had seen from other bloggers, which was to be inspired each day of the 60 days prior to my 60th birthday to do some good deed, whether acknowledged or not. I LOVED it and did write about it and post the summary here after my birthday, August 22.

So, since I’m turning 70 this August 22, I plan to start on June 13 with “70 for 70.” I have a VERY low income, so most day’s deeds must involve little to no expenditure of funds.

I now live in Seattle, if that’s relevant to anyone’s suggestions. I do not have a car any longer, BTW, but public transportation here is great, and I do get around just fine.

If you’d like to weigh in on these 70 days’ deeds by suggesting some or commenting on any, please do! Send suggestions to me directly by email or on my contact page on this site: https://www.sallyember.com and write comments on my weekly blog posts or on the summary page.

[The photo depicts the reason I moved this past February from St. Louis, Missouri, to Seattle, Washington: to live so much closer to my son, his wife and their daughter, my first (and probably only) grandchild! What a treasure! She is now over one year old!]

If any of you decides to do something similar for your birthday or some other occasion, put a link to your lists/activities summary in the comments as well.

May all beings benefit. Best to you all.

#SMASHWORDS is having its 15th Annual “Read An #Ebook Week” NOW! Final Days: March 6-8 2024! Many #sales and #discounts, some #free, #ebookweek24

Many #sales and #discounts, some #free, #ebookweek24
Get any ebook format you want on Smashwords

The Story Behind “Read an Ebook Week” (RAEW): Read an Ebook Week was created by Canadian Smashwords author, Rita Toews. If you’re interested to learn the story behind her creation of Read an Ebook Week, read the 2010 interview with Rita over at The Huffington Post . Please note that the prior web address mentioned in the interview, www. ebookweek.com, is now controlled by a squatter and is not associated with this promotion, so please don’t link to or promote the old address.

The Smashwords’ RAEW page is: http://smashwords.com/ebookweek or
https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1

The official Read an Ebook Week Facebook page, operated by Rita, is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Read-an-E-Book-Week/193882590629749
Show your support for RAEW by “Liking” it on Facebook and sharing it.

All three published Volumes of the sci-fi/romance/multiverse/utopian/paranormal (psi) ebooks in The Spanners Series for adults/NA/YA are participating in this great sale! And, if you prefer or want also to have paperbacks, scroll to the end for the Amazon links to utilize Kindle Matchbook discounts to purchase those!

Volume I, This Changes Everything, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, 58, begins having secret visits from holographic representations of  beings from the Many Worlds Collective, a consortium of planet and star systems in the multiverse. When Earth is invited to join the consortium, the secret visits are made public. Now Earthers must adjust their beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and everything they think and are. Clara is selected to be the liaison between Earth and the Many Worlds Collective and she chooses Esperanza Enlaces to be the Media Contact. They team up to provide information to stave off riots and uncertainty. The Many Worlds Collective holos train Clara and the Psi-Warriors for the Psi Wars with the rebelling Psi-Defiers, communicate effectively with many species on Earth and off-planet, eliminate ordinary, elected governments and political boundaries, convene a new group of Global Leaders, and deal with family’s and friends’ reactions.

In what multiple timelines of the ever-expanding multiverse do Clara and her long-time love, Epifanio Dang, get to be together and which leave Clara alone and lonely as the leader of Earth? This Changes Everything begins the 30-year story of Clara’s term as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, continuing in nine more Volumes of The Spanners Series. Are you ready for the changes?

Vol I is PERMA-FREE!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/376197

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
No coupon needed! 50% off!

Intrigued by multiple timelines, aliens, psi skills, romance and planetary change? Clara and the alien “Band” are back in Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, The Spanners Series. Now as Chief Communicator, Clara leads the way for interspecies communication on- and off-planet. Fighting these changes are the Psi-Defiers, led by one of the oldest friends of the Chief of the Psi-Warriors, its reluctant leader, Rabbi Moran Ackerman. Stories from younger Spanners about the first five years of The Transition fill Volume II. How would you do with the changes?

Usually $3.99; “Read an Ebook Week” Promotional price: $1.99
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424969

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
No coupon needed! 75% off!

Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in This Is /Is Not The Way I Want Things to Change of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. To join, Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.
Clara, continuing as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi-Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them each to make difficult choices across multiple timelines while continuing to train and fight.
Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?
What do you do with wanted/unwanted changes?

Usually $3.99; “Read an Ebook Week” Promotional price, Vol III: $0.99
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/588331

Cover art and logo for The Spanners Series all by Aidana Willowraven: http://www.willowraven-illustration.blogspot.com/

BOOK TRAILERS for all three volumes, here:

Volume I, This Changes Everything
https://youtu.be/QJDEt1O8yQ8?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/8OLVSr
AND
https://youtu.be/X_8ZFVY9BMg?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/MvYFH3
AND
https://youtu.be/WL9lPK8IhRk?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/APrn9P

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever
https://youtu.be/WenvYeasiik?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/ERqLHY

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change
https://youtu.be/uINdFH0XS18?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/q9NGsg
AND

Find ALL books participating in the Smashwords’ Read An Ebook Week sale and stock up on your favorite genres, authors and titles OR scout out some new talent! https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1

PAPERBACK LOVERS:
Kindle MatchBook includes all three Volumes of The Spanners Series!
Buy any ebook format and get a discount
on the paperback of the same Volume (or vice-versa).

Amazon’s paperbacks’ links:
Vol I: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8
Vol II: http://www.amzn.com/B00KU5Q7KC
Vol III: http://www.amzn.com/B0177Z1KRM

Amazon’s ebooks’ pages:
Vol I: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8
Vol II: http://www.amzn.com/B00KU5Q7KC
Vol III: http://www.amzn.com/B0177Z1KRM

All published by Timult Books

#SMASHWORDS is having its 11th Annual “Read An #Ebook Week” NOW!
March 1 – 7, 2020!
Many #sales and #discounts, some #free, #ebookweek20
Get any ebook format you want on Smashwords!

The Story Behind “Read an Ebook Week” (RAEW): Read an Ebook Week was created by Canadian Smashwords author, Rita Toews. If you’re interested to learn the story behind her creation of Read an Ebook Week, read the 2010 interview with Rita over at The Huffington Post . Please note that the prior web address mentioned in the interview, www. ebookweek.com, is now controlled by a squatter and is not associated with this promotion, so please don’t link to or promote the old address.

The Smashwords’ RAEW page is: http://smashwords.com/ebookweek or
https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1

The official Read an Ebook Week Facebook page, operated by Rita, is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Read-an-E-Book-Week/193882590629749
Show your support for RAEW by “Liking” it on Facebook and sharing it.

“For one week only, the sale will feature over 100,000 ebooks at deep discounts of 25%-off, 50%-off, 75%-off, and FREE.

“This year we’re amping up the fun by introducing a new ‘Ebook Week Showcase’ merchandising feature that will run at the top of the Smashwords home page.

“On each day of Read an Ebook Week, we’ll showcase a different thematic collection of great deals from some of the biggest names in indie publishing.

“Daily Showcase Themes:March 3: RomanceMarch 4: Science Fiction & FantasyMarch 5: Thriller & MysteryMarch 6: LGBTQMarch 7: Non fictionMarch 8: YAMarch 9: Erotica”

All three published Volumes of the sci-fi/romance/multiverse/utopian/paranormal (psi) ebooks in The Spanners Series for adults/NA/YA are participating in this great sale! And, if you prefer or want also to have paperbacks, scroll to the end for the Amazon links to utilize Kindle Matchbook discounts to purchase those!

Volume I, This Changes Everything, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, 58, begins having secret visits from holographic representations of beings from the Many Worlds Collective, a consortium of planet and star systems in the multiverse. When Earth is invited to join the consortium, the secret visits are made public. Now Earthers must adjust their beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and everything they think and are. Clara is selected to be the liaison between Earth and the Many Worlds Collective and she chooses Esperanza Enlaces to be the Media Contact. They team up to provide information to stave off riots and uncertainty. The Many Worlds Collective holos train Clara and the Psi-Warriors for the Psi Wars with the rebelling Psi-Defiers, communicate effectively with many species on Earth and off-planet, eliminate ordinary, elected governments and political boundaries, convene a new group of Global Leaders, and deal with family’s and friends’ reactions.
In what multiple timelines of the ever-expanding multiverse do Clara and her long-time love, Epifanio Dang, get to be together and which leave Clara alone and lonely as the leader of Earth? This Changes Everything begins the 30-year story of Clara’s term as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, continuing in nine more Volumes of The Spanners Series. Are you ready for the changes?

Vol I is PERMA-FREE!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/376197

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
COUPON CODE for 25% off: UK37T

Intrigued by multiple timelines, aliens, psi skills, romance and planetary change? Clara and the alien “Band” are back in Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever, The Spanners Series. Now as Chief Communicator, Clara leads the way for interspecies communication on- and off-planet. Fighting these changes are the Psi-Defiers, led by one of the oldest friends of the Chief of the Psi-Warriors, its reluctant leader, Rabbi Moran Ackerman. Stories from younger Spanners about the first five years of The Transition fill Volume II. How would you do with the changes?

Usually $3.99; “Read an Ebook Week” Promotional price: $2.99
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424969
Enter the code prior to completing checkout.
COUPON CODE for Vol II, 25% off: UK37T

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.
COUPON CODE for 50% off: UK37T

Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in This Is /Is Not The Way I Want Things to Change of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. To join, Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.
Clara, continuing as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi-Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them each to make difficult choices across multiple timelines while continuing to train and fight.
Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?
What do you do with wanted/unwanted changes?

Usually $3.99; “Read an Ebook Week” Promotional price, Vol III: $2.00
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/588331
Enter the code prior to completing checkout.
COUPON CODE for 50% off: UK37T

Cover art and logo for The Spanners Series all by Aidana Willowraven: http://www.willowraven-illustration.blogspot.com/

BOOK TRAILERS for all three volumes, here:

Volume I, This Changes Everything
https://youtu.be/QJDEt1O8yQ8?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/8OLVSr
AND
https://youtu.be/X_8ZFVY9BMg?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/MvYFH3
AND
https://youtu.be/WL9lPK8IhRk?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/APrn9P

Volume II, This Changes My Family and My Life Forever
https://youtu.be/WenvYeasiik?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/ERqLHY

Volume III, This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change
https://youtu.be/uINdFH0XS18?list=PLPbfKicwk4dE_bsvzZO7X8-IIqqLY15uS
or
https://goo.gl/q9NGsg
AND

Find ALL books participating in the Smashwords’ Read An Ebook Week sale and stock up on your favorite genres, authors and titles OR scout out some new talent! https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/1/newest/1

PAPERBACK LOVERS:
Kindle MatchBook includes all three Volumes of The Spanners Series!
Buy any ebook format and get a discount
on the paperback of the same Volume (or vice-versa).

Amazon’s paperbacks’ links:
Vol I: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8
Vol II: http://www.amzn.com/B00KU5Q7KC
Vol III: http://www.amzn.com/B0177Z1KRM

Amazon’s ebooks’ pages:
Vol I: http://www.amzn.com/B00HFELTG8
Vol II: http://www.amzn.com/B00KU5Q7KC
Vol III: http://www.amzn.com/B0177Z1KRM

All published by Timult Books