Tuesday Is Poem Day! Beauty XXV - Khalil Gibran

Beauty XXV

And a poet said, "Speak to us of Beauty."

Where shall you seek beauty, and how shall you find her unless she herself be your way and your guide?

And how shall you speak of her except she be the weaver of your speech?

The aggrieved and the injured say, "Beauty is kind and gentle.

Like a young mother half-shy of her own glory she walks among us."

And the passionate say, "Nay, beauty is a thing of might and dread.



Like the tempest she shakes the earth beneath us and the sky above us."

The tired and the weary say, "beauty is of soft whisperings. She speaks in our spirit.

Her voice yields to our silences like a faint light that quivers in fear of the shadow."

But the restless say, "We have heard her shouting among the mountains,



And with her cries came the sound of hoofs, and the beating of wings and the roaring of lions."

At night the watchmen of the city say, "Beauty shall rise with the dawn from the east."

And at noontide the toilers and the wayfarers say, "we have seen her leaning over the earth from the windows of the sunset."

In winter say the snow-bound, "She shall come with the spring leaping upon the hills."

And in the summer heat the reapers say, "We have seen her dancing with the autumn leaves, and we saw a drift of snow in her hair."



All these things have you said of beauty.

Yet in truth you spoke not of her but of needs unsatisfied,

And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy.

It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth,

But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted.

It is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear,

But rather an image you see though you close your eyes and a song you hear though you shut your ears.



It is not the sap within the furrowed bark, nor a wing attached to a claw,

But rather a garden forever in bloom and a flock of angels for ever in flight.

People of Orphalese, beauty is life when life unveils her holy face.

But you are life and you are the veil.

Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.

But you are eternity and you are the mirror.


~Khalil Gibran~

Tuesday Is Poem Day! THANKSGIVING - by. Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Thanksgiving

We walk on starry fields of white

And do not see the daisies;

For blessings common in our sight

We rarely offer praises.

We sigh for some supreme delight

To crown our lives with splendor,

And quite ignore our daily store

Of pleasures sweet and tender.

Our cares are bold and push their way

Upon our thought and feeling.

They hang about us all the day,

Our time from pleasure stealing.

So unobtrusive many a joy

We pass by and forget it,

But worry strives to own our lives

And conquers if we let it.

There's not a day in all the year

But holds some hidden pleasure,

And looking back, joys oft appear

To brim the past's wide measure.

But blessings are like friends, I hold,

Who love and labor near us.

We ought to raise our notes of praise

While living hearts can hear us.

Full many a blessing wears the guise

Of worry or of trouble.

Farseeing is the soul and wise

Who knows the mask is double.

But he who has the faith and strength

To thank his God for sorrow

Has found a joy without alloy

To gladden every morrow.

We ought to make the moments notes

Of happy, glad Thanksgiving;

The hours and days a silent phrase

Of music we are living.

And so the theme should swell and grow

As weeks and months pass o'er us,

And rise sublime at this good time,

A grand Thanksgiving chorus.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~

Recipe Saturday - The Best Baked Mac & Cheese

Hi All,

Happy Saturday!Thanksgiving is approaching us in just a few short days, and I'm excited to get in the kitchen and cook. I love holidays where I get to feed a crowd, I always feel such a sense of satisfaction watching my family eat the food I cooked for them with love. The recipe I chose for this week is Baked Mac & Cheese, it's one of my favorite foods. I have never served a Thanksgiving dinner without it on the menu. If I had ever attempted to do such a thing, I'm sure there would be a riot in my house. I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do.

The Best Baked Mac & Cheese

Prep: 20 Min Cook Time: 45 Min Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 pound elbow macaroni

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper


Topping:

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.


2. While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

3. Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

4. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Original Recipe Website

ENJOY!!

Review: Thief: Fringe, Book 1 by. Anitra Lynn McLeod

Tawania
Review: Thief: Fringe, Book 1
Author: Anitra Lynn McLeod





Blurb:
On the edge of freedom lies a dangerous love.

Fringe, Book 1

Nothing has ever come easy for Jace Lawless, captain of the salvage vessel Mutiny. Forced into thievery after a virus unleashed by the InnerWorld Government killed his family, only one ambition burns at the back of his mind. Kill the next IWOG officer he has at his mercy.


Bargaining over goods with a middleman isn’t exactly his strong suit. But who in his right mind spends an entire salvage job’s profits on a woman, even if she has a body built for sin and eyes so fathomless a man could lose himself in them? He must be getting soft.


Once Kraft realizes Jace expects only the “cook” part of their cook-whore contract, she sets out to change his antiquated ideas about women. A challenge she relishes, especially if it earns her the freedom and money to get her own ship. Her big mistake is letting down her guard.


Shameless flirting only intensifies the itch to ride Jace hard and put him away wet—several times. It’s an itch it would be dangerous to scratch. Exposing her heart could reveal her secret, one that the still-grieving Jace must never know…or showing her mercy will be the last thing on his mind.


Warning: Contains a celibate ship captain who can’t abide swearing, a kick-ass woman with a marshmallow heart, a motley crew of misfits, interstellar battles, thwarted groping, sensual seduction, and a total bastard who owns his own planet.


REVIEW:


Jace Lawson is captain of the salvage ship Mutiny. Jace and his misfit crew try to stay ahead of the IWOG (Inner World Government) while salvaging in the deep dark recesses of space. The captain and his crew living on the brink of starvation, hate the IWOG for crimes done against their people. They have all lost someone, and they want to see the IWOG get what they deserve.

Jace and his crew get a job salvaging a derelict ship, when they run into a rival captain. Captain Kraft has a claim on the salvage too, and she's not turning this opportunity away. The two captains butt heads at first, and after a lot of tension, and stalemating they decide to split the job. Kraft, and Jace go their own way after the salvaging job is finished, not knowing that their lives will be thrown back together.

Kraft is a honorable and strong captain. She has two things in her life that no one will ever be able to take from her,  her honor, and her heart. She has known heartache, and will never risk that again. She is also harboring a deep dark secret, that she can't reveal to anyone.

Now that Jace and Kraft have been thrown back into each others lives, Kraft knows she can't let her guard down. He must never know her secret, and Jace is struggling to keep everyone alive. Will they make it, will Kraft risk everything?

This was a most excellent read, I really enjoy the sci-fi, futuristic sub genre of romance. Ms. McLeod did not disappoint. Kraft is a strong heroine, she's honorable, and tough, but is still womanly. Jace is handsome, skilled, honorable with a edge, and has a heart of gold. They were both a lot of fun to read about. The secondary characters were a lot of fun too. I especially liked the crew of the Mutiny, they were family and stuck together. The interaction between the two crews when they first met was priceless. I also really enjoyed the familial feel of the crew.

I think Ms. McLeod's character development in this story was very strong. I felt like I knew them intimately, even the secondary characters found a place in my heart. This story was action packed, and moved along at a good pace. The villain of the story was a real BASTARD, and not a villain that I will soon forget. The romance, sexual tension, and seduction was spot on. I literally couldn't put this book down, and when I did I had to go right back to it.

The plot was believable, and exciting. The world building was awesome, and gave me a clear picture of the scenes in my mind. I have to say it again, I really had fun reading this book.

I really don't feel like I'm giving this book review the justice it deserves, but I, so don't want to give to much away. I hope you will read it for your self, and find out.

If you are into Sci-fi futuristic romances I highly recommend this book, really I do. So, what are you waiting for? Go! Read THIEF, and embark on an adventure.

My Rating Out Of 5 Stars = 5 STARS

Product Details



Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1100 KB
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (November 2, 2010)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English






ASIN: B00436F01G

It's Thursday... What are you reading?

Hi All,

It's Thursday again, and time for me to give you my weekly rundown of what I'm reading. I discovered some great reads this week, and I've been lucky enough to make some new friends. I think it's awesome how the love of reading can bring people together. So, one of the things I'm thankful for this year, among other things, is new friends.

This is what I'm reading..

 My Shifter Showmance: (Shifting Reality, Book 1) by. R.G. Alexander

Blurb:

Shifting Reality, Book 1 

Thomas Lyons is your average cat shifter. Cool, seductive…and bored out of his mind. With the new popularity of all things paranormal, he doesn’t see why he should hide anymore. When his half-demon technophile roommate hooks him up with a computer, Thomas starts a blog announcing to the world who and what he is. Oddly enough, the more he shares, the less he’s believed. In fact, people begin thinking it’s a new online series with fantastic effects.

Margo Sheffield doesn’t dance on tables anymore, not since her reckless naïveté cost her so much. These days, her only guilty pleasures are dark chocolate, shoes—and a certain website with a man whose purring voice sends shivers down her spine. When the show, Shifting Reality, offers a week in a haunted Scottish castle with the stars, it seems a far-off dream. But when that dream becomes reality, her boss’s insistence that she mix business with pleasure—or else—is more like a nightmare.

Thomas’s focus on the show is blown by the luscious, camera-shy handful. And Margo can barely think about contracts when she’s surrounded by newlywed ghost hunters, a matchmaking demon and a man whose addictive touch makes her head spin. A showmance is the last thing she needs, but with a sexy cat like Thomas on the prowl…she just can’t resist.

I've been told by several people that R.G.'s books are a must read, and I have to admit they weren't wrong. I am so enjoying this book, and looking forward to reading book 2 My Demon Saint.

I am also reading..

 Kiss Across Time by. Teal Ceagh

Blurb:

Taylor Yates just got fired from her university job for insisting that the fifth-century British poet and playwright, Inigo Domhnall, existed. When she hears the poet-s lyrics in a death metal song, she engineers a meeting with the dark-eyed, dark-haired lead singer, Brody Gallagher. An unintended kiss sends them spinning back to the poet-s time, when Saxons were pillaging King Arthur-s Britain, and a warrior expects a proper farewell from his woman before he sets off for war.Brody-s all for kissing her again. More, he-d like her to try kissing his friend and lover, Veris, just to see what will happen. His tall, blond, blue-eyed Saxon friend, Veris.

This is the first book by Teal Ceagh I have read. I'm only a few pages in, but I'm really liking the premise so far. I will definitely be getting back to you on my feelings about the book.

Well... That's My Rundown.

What Are You Reading?

Review: A Little Harmless Sex

Tawania
Review: A Little Harmless Sex
Author: Melissa Schroeder




BLURB (Taken from publisher's Website )

Harmless, Book 1

Max has always been Anna’s knight in shining armor. But Max has always seen her as a charming, and very sexy, little sister.


Until Max’s cold fiancé dumps him, Anna unloads another of her many conquests and she invites him over for margaritas and Mexican food. Too much tequila, too much flirting, and too many years of fighting the attraction—Max loses control and has mind-blowing sex with Anna on her couch. And in her shower. And in her bed.


When the sun rises the next morning, both of them must face that their night together is just the first of many. For Max, he knows he wants Anna forever, but convincing a commitment-phobe like Anna is no easy task. For Anna, she can’t believe she has finally slipped beneath Max’s steely self-control. He is every woman’s dark, wet fantasy come true. But what happens when Max pushes Anna for more than just A Little Harmless Sex?


REVIEW:

Max and Anna have been best friends since childhood. They have both been secretly attracted to each other, but neither ever wanted to risk the friendship. Then in a stroke of bad luck, or was it? Anna and Max are both single, and decide to celebrate with dinner, and margaritas. After a long night of margaritas, and tequila shots, they fall into each others arms for the hottest night of passion either one of them has known.

When Anna awakens the next morning she is shocked, and totally scared that their friendship has been ruined. She knows that if it hasn't been ruined, Max will want to move into relationship territory, and Anna doesn't do relationships. She doesn't take any guy she dates seriously. So, now Anna has to find a way to keep Max at arms length without doing more damage to their relationship.

Max is aware of what Anna is trying to do, he knows that she doesn't let anyone close ever. He knows that Anna is what he wants for his future, but trying to convince her of it will be the tricky part. Max has to figure out a way to prove to Anna that he's in it to win it, and try not to run her off at the same time.

This was such a fun story to read, I really like the relationship between Anna,and Max. The sex scenes were hot and explosive, but they didn't take away from the story in my opinion. I loved Max's determination to keep Anna, no matter how hard she tried to keep the situation light. He didn't give up, and I find that an excellent quality in a hero. Anna was spunky, and fun. I liked that she wasn't a pushover, and she made Max work for what he wanted.

This novel was a fun, sexy, and a exciting read. If that's what you are looking for in a book, then I suggest you check out A Little Harmless Sex.

My rating out of 5 = 4 Stars



Product Details

Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (August 21, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599984237
ISBN-13: 978-1599984230
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches

Tuesday Is Poem Day! A Sonnet of the Moon - By. Charles Best

A Sonnet of the Moon



Look how the pale queen of the silent night

Doth cause the ocean to attend upon her,

And he, as long as she is in his sight,

With her full tide is ready her to honor.

But when the silver waggon of the moon

Is mounted up so high he cannot follow,

The sea calls home his crystal waves to moan,

And with low ebb doth manifest his sorrow.

So you that are the sovereign of my heart

Have all my joys attending on your will;

My joys low-ebbing when you do depart,

When you return their tide my heart doth fill.

So as you come and as you do depart,

Joys ebb and flow within my tender heart.

~ Charles Best ~

Recipe Saturday - Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel

Hi All,

Happy Saturday! It's getting closer to one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. It's the time of year where we look forward to spending time in the kitchen, and preparing to feed a table full of family & friends. I particularly like sharing recipes with friends, and clients this time of year. It's always exciting to put something new and different on the table. The recipe I chose for this week is something I found last year, and my family loved it. I am happy to share it with all of you.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel

Cook Time:1 hr 5 Min,  Level: Easy, Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

12 large sweet potatoes

3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1 cup miniature marshmallows

 Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Wash the sweet potatoes, scrubbing them well to remove any dirt. With a fork, prick the sweet potatoes in a couple of spots and place them on a sheet pan. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center goes in easily.

3. In a large bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and flour together until it's crumbly-looking. Add the cinnamon, salt, pecans, and marshmallows; fold the streusel topping together to combine.

4. Slice the sweet potatoes lengthwise down the center and push the ends towards the middle so it opens up. Stuff the sweet potatoes generously with the streusel topping and return to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and brown.

Enjoy!!

It's Thursday... What are you reading?

Hi All,

Happy Veterans Day! I am a firm believer is supporting our troops & Veterans, My step dad was in the navy for 24 yrs. I also live in a city with numerous military bases, so I see the impact everyday. I just want to give thanks to our troops for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. So... Thank You!!

Now This is what I'm reading this week..

 Gambit by Kim Knox

Blurb:

Captain Chae Beyon is a hustler, a mercenary pilot, a wounded woman who prefers her men to be easily thrown aside.



Daned Traern is a first-caste Ladaian bound by tradition and DNA to protect his race. He's willing to align himself with the hot space captain if she'll transport him home in time to ensure the right candidate is crowned—and thus prevent a bloody war.


Disguised as Chae's sex toy, Daned is erotically bound to her through living gold, alien tech designed to increase pleasure. When he frees himself, their passion only increases...but succumbing to temptation will bind them together—permanently.


But there's more at stake than their needs. As Chae is dragged into a world of insane princes and sentient stones, hired killers hound them across the quadrant.


And then, as only her lousy luck would have it, Chae must choose between the good of the galaxy and her own heart...

This is my first novel by Kim Knox, but I am sure I will enjoy this novel. I am only a few pages in, but it is certainly keeping my attention.

I am also reading..

 Hunting Season (The Gathering) Book 1 By. Shelly Laurenston

Blurb:

Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey…what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?



The Gathering, Book 1

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn’t know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she’d sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn’t just nice. He’s gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can’t afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life—and in his bed—for a long time. Not just for a night, but forever. And, like any self-respecting Viking, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. So what if she’s the most difficult, complex, never-gives-him-a-break woman he’s ever known? She’s more than worth the effort. In fact, she’s worth everything.

And if it turns out that twenty-four hours of non-stop, any-way-she-wants-it sex doesn’t work with Neecy? Then it looks like he’ll just have to get a little more creative…


Warning: Contains a strong, intelligent, ass-kicking heroine; an alpha hero with the occasional geeky tendency; gritty, realistic violence; and sex so hot that, well, let’s just say there’s not enough ice water in the world…

This book was recommended to me, and I am already loving it. Ms. Laurenston is a superb storyteller, and I haven't been wanting to put this book down. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

Well.. That's My Rundown.

What Are You Reading?

 

Review: Alien Mate by. Eve Langlais

Tawania
Review: Alien Mate
Author: Eve Langlais

Blurb:

What would you do if an alien materialized in your living room and told you he was your leader?

Plump Diana is ironing her underwear when the hottest blue babe in all of the galaxy appears in her living room. Did she forget to mention he was naked? Abducted, decontaminated, and dressed like a harem girl, she’s been chosen to become his mate.

Kor asked his ancestors to find him a biddable, docile mate. Instead they found him Diana--a curvy, argumentative earthling who sets his pulse pounding and his loins on fire. He might be an alien who doesn't understand the meaning of love, but he sure knows what he feels is more than lust.


Review:

I purchased this book and it's sequel on a whim. I have been reading a lot of sci-fy romances lately, and I've really been enjoying them. Eve tells this story superbly, and I was entertained throughout the whole book.


Diana is a secretary living a ordinary life, or as ordinary a life as a single size 14 woman can. She  is contemplating that very thought, when a gorgeous blue alien appears in her living room. Diana is shocked, and becomes even more so when the sexy alien informs her that he will be her leader. The Hot alien continues to explain to her that the oracle of his planet has chosen her to be his mate, and that he is taking her home to his planet.

Diana can't believe what this gorgeous alien man is telling her, and she refuses to even think he is telling the truth. She believes at first that someone is playing a hoax on her. She doesn't believe that out of all the women in the world, she would be chosen. Diana soon finds out that her alien man is telling the truth, when she finds herself on his ship headed toward his home planet, and apparently her new life. Diana is still resistant to Kor, even though she's not really leaving anything behind on earth.

Kor is surprised to find his earthling mate does not simply accept her fate, instead she is argumentative and difficult, but he finds himself falling for her regardless. He loves everything about her, and he is very happy he  he wasn’t given a too slim mate like some of his bretheren chosen mates.

Kor is determined to convince Diana to mate with him before they reach his home planet. He will do whatever it takes to reach his goal. He knows Diana isn't really resistant to him, he just needs to prove to her that he is worth the risk to her heart. It's not like she really has a choice now anyways.

This book was a very fun, romantic read with sizzling sex scenes. Diana's character is hilarious, and her thoughts were so entertaining to read. I loved Kor as a hero, he was so confused about Diana's reaction in the beginning that he couldn't help but endear himself to me. The AI computer Alphie provided the comic relief for the story, and had me laughing out loud. This book wouldn't have been the same without it.

The world that Eve Langlais has created for Kor, and his people is very similar to earth, but  more advanced in technology. They don't use water wastefully as we do, cleansing is done at a molecular level and has an unexpected side effect that I know I would thoroughly enjoy.  The fate of the women from Kor's planet was very sad and gave the reader an insight into why the men on his planet do what they do to get mates. I was instantly sympathetic with their plight.

This was a wonderful read, and I am very much looking forward to book 2. Eve Langlais has done a dynamite job with characterization in this novel. Kor is the perfect, sexy, alpha hero with a sweet side. I could easily relate to him. Diana was one of my favorite heroines to read about. She's sassy, fun, and very likable. The secondary characters were interesting, and the story flowed very well from beginning to end. Oh, and the sex scenes were steamy, spicy, and HOT! But they didn't take away from the story at all.

If you are looking for a hot, endearing sci-fi romantic read, then I greatly recommend Alien Mate. I promise you won't be disappointed, I wasn't and I'm looking forward to reading book 2.

My Rating out of 5 = 4 1/2 STARS


Product Details

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 183 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Amira Press (June 14, 2010)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B003S3S062

Tuesday Is Poem Day! Be A Friend by. Edward Guest

Be a Friend

Be a friend. You don't need money;

Just a disposition sunny;

Just the wish to help another

Get along some way or other;

Just a kindly hand extended

Out to one who's unbefriended;

Just the will to give or lend,

This will make you someone's friend.

Be a friend. You don't need glory.

Friendship is a simple story.

Pass by trifling errors blindly,

Gaze on honest effort kindly,

Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,

Pity him who's sadly sighing;

Just a little labor spend

On the duties of a friend.

Be a friend. The pay is bigger

(Though not written by a figure)

Than is earned by people clever

In what's merely self-endeavor.

You'll have friends instead of neighbors

For the profits of your labors;

You'll be richer in the end

Than a prince, if you're a friend.

~Edgar Guest~

Giveaway & Guest Post with Author C. Fern Cook

Hi All,

I would like to welcome author C. Fern Cook to Wicked Readings today.

Ms. Cook is the Author of The Wild Series, and she is here to tell us about how what she learned as a cop shows in her writing. You can find out more about Ms. Cook, and her books on her website HERE.

This post is the 2nd half of a two part post by Ms. Cook, you can find part one, and more about TheWild Series on my blog HERE.

I will be offering one lucky commenter book one of The Wild Series Wild Evolution, so read to the bottom of the post for details.

So without further ado C. Fern Cook..


What I learned as a cop shows up in my writing.


In the Wild Series the first novel, Wild Evolution has a lot of crime scene investigation. In fact, half the book is police procedural. In all of the Wild Series novels you will find that there is always a law enforcement character somewhere in the story.

When I mention my law enforcement experience to fellow writers, I hear comments like; 'I need to have a long talk with you sometime' or 'I have a lot of question I'd like to ask you'.

Most people would be surprised or even shocked if they new what kind of people carry a gun and a badge. Many times the type of people who are attracted to law enforcement are just one step away from the kind of people they haul off to jail. Even when I was in the academy, we were told that cops and criminals think a lot alike and the best cops are the ones that think like criminals.

My experience covers two states and four law enforcement agencies and with all of them I encountered the same type of personalities. Law enforcement agencies attract a special kind of people. It is a far cry from what the general public thinks cops are. Most TV shows and movies don't get it right either.

This is a hard job mentally. No matter what you do, you are never right. The legal system burdens you down with rules and regulations, the political establishment caters to the whim of the public; what you end up with most of the time is someone who is willing to break some rules to get the glory their ego desires. The cop that goes into law enforcement to help others never lasts; they get burned out by trying to play by the rules and are left out in the cold by a system with two many lawyers.

In my experience the people I knew people who became a cop became a cop for four basic reasons, they are:

*The lazy man, a cop's job is considered a lazy man's job;


*Prestige, wanting people looking up to them;


*The thriller seeker, 99 percent boredom and 1 percent pure adrenalin;


*And the one who wants to make a difference.


Yeah, I'm sure most people would be surprised at the kind of antics that go on behind the scenes at their local police department. The image your local police department puts on for the public is not what really happens behind the scenes. Most law enforcement officers develop an 'us against them' mentality.

In police training they are taught 'command presence', but in personal matters that type of behavior often leads to divorce. After awhile most cops end up associating only with other law enforcement people. That is the worst thing that can happen because they lose their prospective and it further feeds the 'us against them' mentality.

Crime scene processing will change as technology advances but when you deal with people's ego that never changes. No matter how much we advance with technically our egos get in the way.

My law enforcement experience:

*1 yr detention officer (jailer)

*7 yrs patrol officer which included; 4 yrs as a crime scene investigator and 1 yr plain clothes for sting operations, drug enforcement, and long, boring stake-outs.

I would like to thank Fern for being with us today.

*Giveaway Details*

All you have to do to be entered for a copy of Wild Evolution is..

1. Leave a comment about anything on this post
2. Leave your email address in the comment so I can track you down if you win.

That's it, easy right?

This giveaway is International, and ends on Monday Nov. 15th at 11:59pm Est.

Recipe Saturday - Mini Honey-Almond Cranberry Crostatas

Happy Saturday My darlings,

It's Saturday and recipe time again. The recipe I chose for this week is for cranberry lovers. These mini cranberry crostatas are just delicious, and easy to make. I hope you will give them a try this holiday season.

Mini Honey-Almond Cranberry Crostatas

Prep Time: 30 Min, Total Time: 55 Min, Makes: 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup honey

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen whole cranberries

1 refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box

3 tablespoons almond paste, softened (from 3 1/2-oz tube)

1 1/2 teaspoons sliced almonds

8 teaspoons honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Place cooking parchment paper on cookie sheet. In 1-quart saucepan, heat water and honey to boiling. Stir in cranberries; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until berries have popped and mixture is thickened. Cool slightly, about 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, unroll crust on work surface. Roll crust out slightly; cut into 8 (4-inch) rounds. Reroll scraps and cut remaining rounds if necessary. Place rounds on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Discard scraps.

3. Gently press 1 heaping teaspoon almond paste in center of each crust round. Divide cranberry mixture evenly over almond paste. Fold 1/2 inch of each crust round over filling, pinching slightly so crust lays flat on cranberry mixture. Sprinkle each with almonds.

4. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Drizzle 1 teaspoon honey over each crostata. If desired, serve warm with ice cream.

Link To Original Recipe

 

Enjoy!