Happy Hello Readers!

As shades of Fall replace the rays of Summer, the seasons have some things in common, namely, local wild life. In early summer after some flooding, I saw a duck standing on one leg surveying damage under the bridge. Debris was stacked, leaving a small clearing for him to appraise the situation. Although I’m not much of a duckologist, he did seem perplexed as he remained standing and watching while I walked away several minutes later. Now the days are cooler and shorter. A deer startled as I walked through the nearby Hearst Center for the Arts. I stood quietly to watch, and he resumed eating. But a runner raced by causing the dear to bolt across the sidewalk and through the field disappearing into the foliage near the creek. Once home, nestled in the comfort of our screened-in back porch, a possum slithered by. These night critters’ appearance leave much to be desired. The racoons came on schedule around 9:30. Spooked by my husband, James’s, hissing, he dashed into the alley and into the night.

_THE CUBAN FAMILY: CUSTOM AND CHANGE IN AN ERA OF HARDSHIP_

The Cuban American Alliance Education Fund (CAAEF) has posted the news that my book, _The Cuban Family: Custom and Change in an Era of Hardship_ is published. A brief description of the book is available along with my biographical highlights. The article ends with a link to my web page at AuthorsDen.

You may read this article in its entirety at the link of the Cuban American Alliance Education Fund located at http://www.cubamer.org/item.asp?id=5.

POETRY

For fun I sometimes compose poetry. This past week or so I posted a poem that I wrote in the mid 1980s while I was still employed at a “job,” entitled “Work Request.” Stop by at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=971&id=117911 and read this short four-line poem. Add a review while there. Other recent poems include “His Smile” and “My Horse and My Twin.”

CONGRATULATIONS, SCOTT MURDOCK

Scott’s hobby, for many years, has been conducting primary source research of military installations, visiting historic bases to document the facilities, and writing papers and reports on them. Scott writes,

“My new job? Architectural historian, specializing in military facilities, for a civilian company that does cultural resources consulting.

“Guess what I'll be paid to do? Conducting primary source research of military installations, visiting historic bases to document the facilities, and writing papers and reports on them.

“Yup, you couldn't knock the grin off my face with a hammer.”

Scott
www.airforcebase.net


AUTHOR’S CASTLE CORNER

On Saturday, September 25, 2004, the newly remodeled Traer, Iowa Public Library hosted a book signing for Jerry Howard. His book is titled _The Art of Insuring People: Reflections and Observations_. Jerry is one of Author’s Castle’s published authors. We are very proud of Jerry, and there is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a first-time author with book in hand. From the back cover:

"Jerry Howard was born in Iowa in 1919 and has lived most of his life in Tama County. He married Marcella Wilkinson in 1939 and in 2004 they celebrated their 65th anniversary. Jerry began farming in Tama County in 1941 and farmed for 40 years. In 1963 he decided to sell insurance and was successful in doing so for 35 years. He shares in The Art of Insuring People his wisdom about insuring people and about life.

"The Art of Insuring People is about more than insurance; it is about insuring people. From his extensive experience with people and life, Jerry Howard offers insights and tips for being successful in selling insurance and in life.

"Jerry earned many awards in his years as an insurance counselor and problem solver and he deserved every one of them." — Franklin C. Earley

"Jerry was a SUCCESS because he cared about the other guy. He made sure his customer or client was treated right. Jerry has made a difference in a lot of people’s lives." — Jay Whannel"

The _Art of Insuring People_ sells for $14.95. If you are interested in the book, email me at rskaine@cfu.net.

__________________

Cheers!