Brummet's Conscious Blog

Today's post comes to us from Doug Rose, and is an excerpt from his book: Fearless Puppy On American Road. Doug approved my use of this excerpt, a valuable aide to those interested in travelling by backpack. Check out Doug's links when you get a chance and he welcomes you to reach out to him directly ;) FEARLESS PUPPY WEBSITE BLOG     FEARLESS PUPPY ON AMERICAN ROAD/AMAZON PAGE FEARLESS WEBSITE THE PROCESS There is a process to hitchhiking. Much of what holds true for the hitchhiking process often holds true for other parts of life as well. First, you’ve got to decide that you want to get somewhere other than where you are. Then you have to raise the energy and determination to actually leave your present location. All trips start with a determination that’s serious enough to get you off your butt and moving. You might have a very specific destination in mind or it could just be a direction. Regardless of the destination, you will probably have to overco...

 Announcing a new series of Posts for Writers ! I'm a part of numerous online writer's groups and each seems to have its own unique focus. I do enjoy the interesting conversations there and also being able to pay-it-forward.  Way back in 1998, when I was new to professional writing, I had a ton of questions and I recall all the advice and help I received when I was new to the world of writing. Watching the conversations started by new writers got me thinking that perhaps I could do more to help. As such I was inspired to try a 2 yr  experiment ... sharing recommended resources for writers on a monthly basis. This will be a series of posts that will in fact share links to articles and interviews with hundreds of other authors and tons of resources. If you've seen our Recommended Resource series on this blog, you'll have a general idea as to the format I intend to use.  So today I am announcing the series. It will be published once per month, around the middle of the ...

Announcement Occasionally I will do a name search online just to see how our relevancy had grown, or not,  over a specific time period. I was especially curious since we had done a lot of promotions for the new book and new blog released earlier this year. The result was pleasing, that is for sure.  However during these searches I'll often find online publications, blogs or websites that have picked up our articles and used them as content (via article distribution services).  Here are two that came up that I did not already know about! Thanks to the owners of these sites for picking up our articles :) !  Website  (article) :  https://www.coursehero.com/file/81657303/Dehydrating-Garden-Harvestsdoc/ Blog  (article) :  https://remotefitness247.com/blogs/news/make-delicious-and-healthy-meals-at-home ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

-- Quote of the Day --  ... a little bit of fun today :) © BrummetMedia.ca    "It's only Tuesday ... and I'm already 95% done with this week."  ~  an Internet meme ~~   Visit the Brummet's @: http://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

Today's increasing energy costs, shrinking budgets and stagnant wages are a growing concern. For those of us living in the more extreme climates that require extra heating in the winter months or relief from the blazing summer heat, there are tricks we can do to increase our comfort while lowering the bills.  Walk around your home and take a mental note of all the electrical outlets and light switches, computer and TV outlets and any vents or pipes along each exterior wall. You’ll likely find some on the outside of your house too, so be sure to walk around out there and along the deck, taking notes of where they are, and how many of each. Purchase caulking or foam and fill around any piping, cords and vents you noticed that breach the exterior walls.  Look for cracks and gaps or holes anywhere on the exterior and be sure to fill them too. Get a few packages of insulation kits and plugs designed for outlets and light switches. It is easy to do, just take the cover off with a fl...

 Recommended Resources Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders Rescue - 100% volunteer run, founded in 1973, dedicated to the rescue and care of companion animals. Info :  GVACRescue.com Greater Victoria Dog Obedience Training Clu b relies on members and volunteers providing dog obedience and training sessions for over 60 years. Info : GVDOTC.com Green Here : Community reforestation and greening initiatives throughout Toronto are the focus for this non-profit. Info : GreenHere.ca ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca   ~~

Today we are joined by Elise Brooke , who tells us: " My parents moved to NZ from England and South Africa. I now live in the beautiful east coast Gisborne.  I have written and published two autobiographies in my book series "The New Zealand Dream,” by Sheila - my pen name. I wrote these books to inspire and give hope to others. I use my pen name Sheila for my autobiography series ".  Elise has been in the world of writing for more than 2 decades and continues to hone a true passion for writing: " Writing is a very powerful healing tool, sharing your story can give help others and help yourself on your healing journey.  I am a writing mentor who can help people write their own story and with any writing project they are creating.  I have mentored students working for Wellington polytechnic ." Her blog offers an opportunity for other authors to submit guest posts and query for author interviews. She can be found on most of the common social media sites and her m...

Why write your story? (*Part 2) * Today's article was written by one of our writing friends, Elise Brooke. She is the author of two books and runs a blog that is growing in popularity every day. Some of you may recall our announcement re:  an interview she did with us on her My New Zealand Dream blog. Elise has over 24 years of experience in the world of writing and holds a Creative Writing Diploma. Visit her at:    https://www.mynzdreamblog.com   Today she explains what compelled her to write so honestly about her past.  -- Some of you may have read my books or know a little about what I have been through in life. I am sure you all have seen my posts on Facebook about The New Zealand Dream series. ... Please follow this link if you have not seen me already there:  https://www.facebook.com/mynewzealanddream/ Maybe people wonder why? " Why did she write her life story for everyone to read and judge? " Others may think, “ I want to write my story too, but I...

Oh SQUASH It  One of our favourite harvests is winter squash with its many varieties of colours, flavours, shapes and sizes.  It is hard to get tired of using them for making some really good food recipes.  When choosing any winter squash from a farmer's stand, test the skin with your thumbnail. It should feel hard, solid and nearly impenetrable. The vine end should be dry and shrivelled; the small bit of vine will often fall off as the squash ripens more in storage. The base end, likewise, should feel very dry. Choosing squash that have been fully ripened and properly cured ensures your squash will keep well into the winter.  When you are in the possession of an unripe winter squash, you can still use it in the kitchen and turn it into another delicious, super easy dish.  Simply cut in half (or quarters) and scoop out the seeds (don’t bother saving unripe seeds for snacks, there’s no meat in them). Then cut it into 1.5 " thick slices.  In a small bowl, mix...

 Recommended Resources Grand Valley Trails Association : a non-profit working to build and maintain hiking trails and promote low-impact hiking within this Ontario-based park. Info : GVTA.on.ca Grand Trees Climate Solutions : identifies and works with some of the best tree planting organizations, focusing in the greater Toronto area. Info : GrandTrees.org Grasslands Conservations Council of British Columbia a network of groups, volunteers and organizations building networks that strengthen grassland ecosystems. Info: BCGrasslands.org ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca   ~~

== Announcement == Dave and I partnered in this book, Rhythm & Rhyme, his poetry and mine fill the pages offering different styles and topics but all ranging in the realm of observations of life, music, nature and grief. This book was recently featured on the Discount Book Man website and we wanted to celebrate that with you here today : https://discountbookman.com/rhythm-and-rhyme/#more-437890   ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

World of Writing - Author Interview New York Times bestselling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than fifty novels and novellas. She's a two-time Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist and has written for a TV soap. She is also a recipient of the Romantic Times Pioneer Award . Margaret loves hearing from people and invites our readers to visit her at : http://margaret-brownley.com   Q: Margaret, it is so nice to have an accomplished writer like yourself drop in to talk about your experiences. I'm interested in how you developed your craft - did you take any writing classes?  A couple, but the one that proved to be a turning point for me was the class taught by D.C. Fontana, the creator of Mr. Spock on Star Trek. She explained the elements of story in a clear and precise way that really made sense to me. She also said that each paragraph must have something for the reader to “see”. After taking her class, I reworked my manuscript, and the book launched my career. ...

-- Quote of the Day --  © BrummetMedia.ca    "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you,  and the storms their energy,  while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed,  but Nature's sources never fail. " ~  John Muir ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

== Announcement ==  How nice it was to find that we were featured over at the Book Readers Magazine via this interview where we talked about where our fascination with the world of writing began, our favourite types of books to read and more.  Please check it out when you have time and do feel free to share it :)  https://bookreadermagazine.com/featured-author-lillian-and-dave-brummet-2/ ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

Control Carrot and Celery Fly  * Today's article was written by Richard Haigh; he  writes regularly at The-Organic-Grower.blogspot.com   and invites you to read more of his articles about organic gardening there. That little pest that really annoys me is the Carrot fly: A creature that is a member of the Psilidae family, also called " Rust Flies ". Apart from eating carrots, they can also be found on: celery, parsnips and parsley. I seems me that they are out to get my crop, what ever I do. To understand them, the place to start is to know what they do. The fly lays their eggs at the base of the plant, they hatch and start eating the nearest food, which is, your crop. The fly is attacked to the seedlings by the odour of them There are two ways of preventing this, both of them, try to make the crop distasteful to the fly. One way of doing this is to soak sawdust in paraffin and spread this down between the rows. Another idea is to spread wood ash over the whole seed-bed. H...

 Recommended Resources Georgia Strait Alliance : a marine-protection/preservation based organization from shore protection to marine clean up projects, they've always got something going on.  Info : GeorgiaStrait.org Get Bear Smart Society : works to help communities use wise behaviour in bear country to avoid conflict. They also work with bear managers, looking for more humane methods of capture/release and health services for the wild critter.  Info :  BearSmart.com Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit caring for wild birds and small mammals in distress - helping injured and orphaned wildlife, and releasing back to the wild. Info :  GibsonsWildlifeRehabCentre.org ~~   Visit the Brummet's @:  http://BrummetMedia.ca   ~~

Brummets' Bookshelf Check out our:    Author Central Page   Or visit our website:      BrummetMedia.ca  

== Announcement -=  It was so nice to appear for an interview on the My New Zealand Dream blog recently run by Elise Brooke. I met Elise after reading her interview with author Eva Cagely and thought perhaps Elise and I would be able to network. As it turns out we'll be posting each others articles occasionally on each other's blogs. Our Interview was friendly and casual. We discussed  the publishing process for our books and how the marketing tasks for this book vary from our first book release and a little about the writing process itself.  I hope you enjoy it :)  https://www.mynzdreamblog.com/post/introducing-lillian-brummet-guest-poster ~~   Visit the Brummet's @: h ttp://BrummetMedia.ca ~~

Featuring Author Linda Weaver Clarke Linda and I have been networking for many years, helping each other bring the books and services we offer to a larger audience. She's business like and prompt, clear and concise and a pleasure to work with.  Linda grew up  in the Rocky Mountains of Southern Idaho and now lives in the red desert hills of southern Utah. She is the author of 30 books and works at the Family Search Center where she helps people find their ancestors so they can learn about their heritage.  Today, as a thank you to Linda, we would like to introduce our audience to two of her most recent publications. Tales of Willow Valley and Holidays in Willow Valley are both collections of historical romance short stories that will uplift you.  In  Tales of Willow Valley , you will find five short stories. These short stories were inspired by Clarke’s own ancestors.  Filled with mystery, enticing adventures and set in a different time period, ea...