Loree Lough

2 yrs

What a glorious morning! The sun is shining, the tomatoes on the balcony are ripening, and the birds are chirpin' up a storm. (Almost makes me forget that BILLIONS of cicadas are trying their best to drown out the birdsongs!) If that isn't enough, Andrea and I just wrapped up a fascinating, lively interview with Janet McHenry for #discoverthestory!

We hope you'll tune in on Saturday at 10 p.m. EST to hear all about Janet's book, 50 Life Lessons for Grads: Surprising Advice from Recent Graduates. (I ordered a copy for each of my grandtwins, who just graduated from high school!)

Andrea and I are looking forward to hearing what you think about this multi-talented author and her story!

Be sure to stay tuned to hear all about the next guest we'll interview for the #discoverthestory podcast!

https://www.amazon.com/.../ref....=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_

2 yrs

GUESS WHAT TODAY IS!
Why, it's LAUNCH DAY, that's what day it is!
LOVING MRS. BONGRAGER, #129 in my lineup and #3 IN #Kensington's "A Little Child Shall Lead Them" is now available wherever books are sold.
(Stay tuned, because I'm gonna celebrate with a really cool prize drawing AND by sharing a scene straight from the pages of the book.)
https://www.amazon.com/.../142....015.../ref=tmm_mmp_s
https://www.barnesandnoble.com..../.../loving.../11374

2 yrs

Because you asked ... a sneak peek into the pages of LOVING MRS. BONTRAGER (#3 in #Kensington's "A Little Child Shall Lead Them" Amish series). Stay tuned for more, AND introductions to the main characters!

The distinctive clatter of steel wheels grinding along the polished tracks broke into his thoughts. The train would screech to a stop any minute now, and when it did, he’d stand face to face with Karl’s second cousin . . .
. . . the soon-to-be Mrs. Bontrager.
Molly grasped his forearm. “Tell me again,” she said, shaking him back into the here and now, “what is her name?”
“Bethel Mast, but she told me on the phone that she prefers just plain Beth.”
“Will she let us call her Maem? After the wedding, I mean?”
“What does it matter?” Sam ground out. “She is not our mother. Never will be our mother. And I will never, ever call her Maem!”
Matthew clung to Aaron’s leg as Molly crossed both arms over her white-aproned chest.
“There is no cause for that attitude, Sam. When Bethel gets here, I expect you to treat her with respect.”
The sun glinted from the Silverliner’s lead car. Sam, seeing it, stiffened, then stared at the toes of his boots. “I will be polite,” he mumbled, “but I will not call her Maem.”
“No one asked you to,” Molly bit out. “Tell me again, Daed, why our new mother limps.”
“How many times do I have to say it! She is not our mother,” Sam snarled. “She is here to cook and clean, take care of Matthew, and feed the animals. And that is all.”
“Daed, make Sam stop saying mean things!”
“Your sister is right, son. Bethel is not our servant or a hired hand. Karl says she has a big, caring heart, and I believe it, based on all she is giving up to help us. We will welcome her and treat her like family, because that is exactly what she will be. Is that clear?”
The boy hung his head, but Aaron could tell that he’d made up his mind not to like Bethel. Aaron hung his head, too, and said a prayer for patience. And strength. And above all, guidance. Things wouldn’t be easy, especially not at first, but they’d be a lot harder until Sam came around. If Sam came around.
Lord, Aaron thought, I have a feeling I will call upon you a lot in the coming days.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com..../.../loving-mrs.../1

2 yrs

Thanks for the add.

2 yrs

There are thousands (yes, thousands) of television and print media news stories that highlight chronic complaints about the USPS . . . problems that CANNOT be blamed on the virus or mail-in
ballots . . . because they date back A DECADE OR MORE: Mail (prescription meds, legal documents, bills, greeting and gift cards, etc.) delivered to the wrong addresses, delivered open and/or shredded, or not delivered at all. As often as not, statements never arrive, and if they do, they arrive weeks--even MONTHS--past the due date, meaning conscientious recipients must pay late fees.

And there are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of verified reports--accompanied by pictorial and/or video evidence--of mail carriers throwing delivery truckloads of mail into dumpsters, waterways, roadsides, the woods, and more. (In many cases, carriers were charged and sentenced for tampering with the U.S. Mail [a Federal offense] for opening and removing cash, gift cards, checks, etc.)

OF COURSE these criminals are the exception, not the rule; most mail carriers take pride in a job well done. And I repeat: These issues CANNOT be blamed on the virus or mail-in ballots because many of the complaints date back DECADES.

Taxpayers cannot rely upon the agency that states on its own web site, "The Postal Service’s mission is to provide the nation with reliable, affordable, universal mail service. The basic functions of the Postal Service were established in 39 U.S.C. § 101(a): '. . . to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It [the Postal Service] shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities.'” (Please note, in their own words, 'prompt, reliable, and efficient services'.)

So then, what IS your problem, #usps? WHY have taxpaying citizens in big cities and small towns all across this country been experiencing so many serious problems with mail delivery . . . especially considering that the 2021 price of a first class stamp is 55 cents, and (according to information provided by a July 29, 2020 posting on your web site) "United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced today that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has reached an agreement in principle with the United States Department of the Treasury on the terms and conditions associated with $10 billion lending authority provided in the CARES Act."

TEN BILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS--added to the price citizens pay to send envelopes and packages--should more than cover the cost to repair/replace malfunctioning delivery vehicles and sorting machines, and hiring and training capable personnel.

Who else would like to ask the #usps and #postmastergeneral #louisdejoy "What's going on with the post office . . . and what are you going to do about it?"