Mom’s Favorite Reads eMagazine February 2020 by Mom’s Favorite Reads

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Valentine’s Day by Poppy Flynn .......................................................................................................... 7

Katie Melko—Interviewed by Racheal Wright ................................................. 14 Peter Wolf—Interviewed by Val Tobin ............................................................... 19

Laughter is the Best Medicine! by Hannah Howe............................................. 22

Off the Beaten Track The Denali Highway by Cherime MacFarlane ........... 24

The Vicar has Kittens by Clayton Graham ......................................................... 26

My Love by Stan Phillips ....................................................................................... 13 Missing You by Cherry Christensen .................................................................... 30 My Dream by Stan Phillips ................................................................................... 34

Circle of Seasons by Jan (Age 10) ........................................................................ 29

Bulgarian Leap Year Beliefs by Ronesa Aveela ................................................. 16 Mental Health by Anna Grace .............................................................................. 18 Etymology in Bloom by Millie Slavidou ............................................................ 23 Postcards from Spain—Ernest Hemingway by Hannah Howe ...................... 25 Leap year—The year 2020 by Ceri Bladen .......................................................... 31 Classic Movies— Brenda Starr by Hannah Howe ............................................ 35 February by Poppy Flynn ...................................................................................... 37 Women of Courage by Hannah Howe ................................................................ 40 Waiting for Godot by Cyril Lucas ........................................................................ 42

Word Search by Mom’s Favorite Reads .............................................................. 12 Deflection—Supplied by Chess.com ................................................................... 36

Nicole Lavoie, Graphic Design ............................................................................. 17

20% OFF First Book Promotion with the Fussy Librarian .............................. 28 Connections eMagazine ......................................................................................... 41

Valentine’s Day by Poppy Flynn Then there is Valentine of Terni, also know as the bishop of Interamna. His story goes that upon hearing two lovers quarrel, he offered them a rose, insisting that the two of them held it between them without getting pricked by its thorns, and they later returned and asked him to marry them. Another version is that the saint was able to inspire love in the young couple by making several pairs of pigeons fly around them ‘exchanging sweet gestures of affection’. It is said that this is where the expression ‘lovebirds’ originated.

Its origin and celebration around the world Every year people everywhere celebrate Valentine's Day. It is recognised as a significant religious and cultural celebration of love and romance all around the world. Of course there are those who complain that it is nothing more than a commercial entity, and there is undeniably a huge monetary value attached to it, but where did it originate? I imagine a lot of people have a passing understanding that the event we know today began with St. Valentine. But who was he, and what did he do to have such a widely recognised day named after him?

St. Valentinus of Terni is thought to have been martyred under Emperor Aurelian in 273 AD and like Valentinus of Rome, he is also buried on the Via Flaminia. There are, however, several historians who feel that these two may actually be one and the same person.

Well, for a start, history tells us that in fact, there was more than one saint by the name of ‘Valentinus’ and also several martyrdom stories associated with various Valentine’s connected to February 14th. It is thought that the Western Christian feast day which came about honours at least two of them.

The Catholic Encyclopaedia also logs a third saint named Valentine who was also martyred on February 14th. This is said to have happened in Africa, along with a number of his companions, but little else is known about him.

The stories include what is believed to be a written account of Valentinus of Rome who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and also for ministering to Christians who had been persecuted under the rule of the Roman Empire. Legend has it that Saint Valentine restored the sight of his judge’s blind daughter and thereafter wrote a letter to her which was signed ‘Your Valentine’ as a farewell before his execution.

It wasn’t until the 14th century that Valentine’s Day first became associated with romantic love, when the author Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem ‘The Parliament of Fowls’ somewhere between 1372 and 1386. In it he describes a flock of birds which gather together to choose their mates, with the line ‘on ‘seynt valentynes day’. This is certainly the earliest written reference to Valentine’s Day as a special day for lovers.

The Feast of Saint Valentine on February 14th, the fore runner of the occasion we celebrate today, was established 496 AD by Pope Gelasius in honour of the Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in 269 AD.

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By the 18th-century it had become an occasion whereby couples expressed their love for each other by exchanging flowers, and cards which were called valentines.

In the UK, statistics show that around £1.9 billion was spent in 2015 on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts, while the U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine Writer, which contained dozens of suggested poems for the young lover who was not able to compose his own verses. Valentines cards were initially handmade with real lace and ribbons. They became so popular that in 1835, 60,000 Valentine tokens were sent in the United Kingdom, despite delivery being very expensive.

Without a doubt, Valentine's Day is a major source of economic activity. A National Retail Federation survey shows that men spend an average of nearly $230 on Valentine’s Day and in total, Americans will pay out more than $20 billion on gifts overall.

In the mid 19th century ‘paper lace’ was devised and thus paper valentines gained enough popularity that they began to be assembled in factories. Printers began producing cards with verses and sketches, which were known as ‘mechanical valentines’ and thus handmade valentines gave way to massproduced greeting cards. This was helped by Sir Rowland Hill’s reduction of the postage rates with the introduction of the first postage stamp, the penny black in 1840. In the year following the postal reforms, the number of Valentine’s cards sent increased to 400,000. This also meant that for the first time it was possible to exchange cards anonymously.

Valentine's Day floral statistics estimate that more than 250 million roses are produced for Valentine's Day and, of course, in this modern era, the rise of Internet popularity is creating new traditions. Millions of people every year use digital technology to create and send Valentine's Day greetings. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010, but sadly, I can’t seem to find any more up to date figures. Still, it is a fact that Valentine’s Day cards, are the biggest selling ‘holiday’ card, second only to Christmas. They even outsell Mother’s Day cards.

At the same time, in Europe, keys were given to lovers as an invitation to ‘unlock the giver's heart’. In the USA the first mass produced cards of embossed paper were produced and sold by Esther Howland of Massachusetts in 1847. She took her inspiration from an English valentine she received from a business associate of her father, who owned a large book and stationary store. She began her business by importing paper lace and floral decals from England and her name was later given to a greeting card award.

Valentine’s Day around the world. We’ve already taken a look at Britain and the United States, and it’s safe to say that most of the Western world celebrate Valentine’s Day in much the same way. In Finland, Valentine's Day is called ystävänpäivä which means Friend's Day and is more about remembering friends, rather than lovers.

Further commercialisation was to follow, with the British chocolate company, Cadbury creating what were known as ‘Fancy Boxes’ in 1868. This was a decorated box of chocolates in the shape of a heart and they quickly became associated with the occasion. By the second half of the 20th century the exchanging of cards had extended to all manner of gifts. So, since the humble beginnings of handwritten notes gave way to mass-produced greeting cards, let’s have a look at the economic value of Valentine’s Day.

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In Greece it is called Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου and here, also, it was not associated with romantic love in the past, however in more modern times, Greece, has also started to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Western tradition. In Portugal the holiday is known as ‘Dia dos Namorados’, meaning Day of the Enamoured. Mostly it is celebrated in the same way as elsewhere, but in some regions, women give a lenço de namorados – a lovers' handkerchief, embroidered with love motifs. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag - All Hearts' Day and has only been observed since the 1960s. It is still not widely celebrated, and a 2016 survey revealed that less than half of men and women were planning to buy gifts for their partners. In Latin American countries, Valentine's Day is known as Día de los Enamorados or day of lovers and in these countries it is also common to see people perform ‘acts of appreciation’ for their friends as well. In Guatemala it is known as ‘Día del Cariño’, meaning Affection Day. Some countries, in particular the Dominican Republic and El Salvador have a tradition called Amigo secreto which works in a similar way to ‘Secret Santa’.

In the Phillipines Valentine's Day is called Araw ng mga Puso and it is the most popular day for weddings with some places offering mass ceremonies at no cost. According to statistics Singapore is one of the biggest spending countries on Valentine's Day, with 60% of the population stating that they spend between $100 and $500 on valentine gifts and celebrations. In Japan the Morozoff confectionary company managed to inadvertently introduce Valentine’s Day in 1936 after running an advertisement aimed at foreigners. A few years later it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates and other Japanese companies followed suit. However, due to an error in the translation of the initial adverts, it has become customary for only women to give chocolates to men. Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards, flowers or going out for dinner are not common. In the 1980s, the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association managed to launch a successful campaign to make March 14th a ‘reply day’, whereby men are expected to return the favour, by giving white chocolate. The day has been rather uninspiringly termed ‘White Day’, nevertheless Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales over this period. In South Korea, they take this same precept one step further. Women give chocolate to men on February 14th and men give non-chocolate candy to women on White Day (March 14th) Then on April 14th those who did not receive anything in the previous months go to a restaurant to eat black noodles to lament their single life. This has become known as ‘black day’. -9-

In India in ancient times, there used to be a tradition of adoring the lord of love, Kamadeva. This is evidenced by the erotic carvings in the Khajuraho Monuments and the writings of the Kamasutra. However, this tradition was lost in the middle ages when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of affection became frowned upon. Thus Valentine's Day celebrations did not catch on in India until around 1992 when it became recognised due to commercial television and radio programs. However Hindu and Islamic traditionalists started to consider the occasion to be a ‘cultural contamination from the West’. As a result, various political organisations asked their followers to shun the holiday under the pretext that it is ‘alien to Indian culture’ – rather ironic considering their erotic antiquities. The reality is that there are many who fear that globalisation will destroy societal traditions such as arranged marriages. Despite all of this, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.

In Pakistan the situation is very similar, with the concept of Valentine's Day being introduced at much the same time and manner. This time political parties called for a complete ban Valentine's Day which was successful to some extent. In 2016, local government in the province of Peshwar officially banned the celebration of Valentine's Day in the city. Subsequently the implementation of similar bans followed in other cities at a local level. In 2017, the High Court in Islamabad banned Valentine's Day celebrations in public places throughout Pakistan. However, despite all of this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and florists and card producers expect to do a healthy business. In both 2002 and 2008 the religious police in Saudi Arabia banned the sale of all Valentine's Day goods, even going so far as to insist that shops removed all red items, because the day is considered a Christian holiday. As such, Muslims are not allowed to observe the day and non-Muslims are only allowed to celebrate privately, behind closed doors. The ban created a huge black market for things like roses and even wrapping paper and in 2012, the religious police arrested more than 140 Muslims for celebrating the holiday and confiscated any red roses they found being sold. Saudi cleric Sheikh Muhammad Al-'Arifi claimed that celebrating Valentine’s Day constitutes ‘a forbidden innovation and deviation from religious law and custom, and mimicry of the West.’

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However, in 2017 and 2018, after a fatwa – a legal opinion given by a qualified jurist (non binding) on a point of Islamic law - was widely circulated, the religious police did not prevent Muslims from celebrating the day.

So however you look at it, whether you accept it as an ancient Christian celebration and enjoy the romance or feel that it’s too commercialised or too much of a westernised innovation, it can’t be denied that Valentine’s Day makes quite an impact both culturally and economically, as well as socially, wherever its roots may lie.

Islamic leaders in Iran are also harsh critics of Valentine's Day where they also consider the celebrations to be opposed to Islamic culture. In 2011, the Iranian printing works owners' union issued a directive banning the printing and distribution of anything which promoted the occasion with the warning: ‘Printing and producing any goods related to this day including posters, boxes and cards emblazoned with hearts or half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned. Outlets that violate this will be legally dealt with.’ This included cards, gifts, and teddies. Iran does have its own festival called Sepandarmazgan, where men express their love of their wives and mothers. While it has been increasingly overlooked in favour of the celebration of Valentine's Day, the Association of Iran's Cultural and Natural Phenomena has been trying to reinstate it as a national holiday on February 17th, in order to replace the Western influences.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Poppy Flynn was born in Buckinghamshire, UK and moved to Wales at eight years old with parents who wanted to live the 'self-sufficiency' lifestyle. Today she still lives in rural Wales and is married with six children. Poppy's love of reading and writing stemmed from her parents' encouragement and the fact that they didn't have a television in the house. "When you're surrounded by fields, cows and sheep, no neighbors, no TV and the closest tiny village is four miles away, there's a certain limit to your options, but with books your adventures and your horizons are endless." Discover more about Poppy on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/poppy-flynn - 11 -

Word Search — Valentine’s Day By Mom’s Favorite Reads

You can find the answers for this activity on the Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/magazines/activities/ - 12 -

My Love by Stan Phillips

My Love

That mystic world where the sea meets the shore in an eternal embrace. Singing to the stars an endless melody of love.

Come my love Take my hand As once you took my heart. We shall go from this place. And journey together. And we will go To find the land where fairies dwell. Where unicorns graze. And music fills the air.

Stan Phillips is an 80 year old poet, musical podcast maker, part-time wannabe male model, and occasional stand up comedian. “I used to be a psychotherapist/counsellor when I had an honest job. I was born into prewar London, and attended 17 schools (my father believed they couldn’t hit a moving target) and I eventually finished up here in Ireland. Still wondering what I will be when I grow up — but enjoying writing my quirky poetry as I do so.” Discover more about Stan on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/stan-phillips - 13 -

Katie Lynn Melko Interviewed by Rachael Wright Katie Melko, author and owner of 12 Paws Publishing, has produced what is possibly the sweetest collection of children’s books. Roxy the puppy is in kindergarten at Paw Elementary and her life at school is full of first experiences which often leave her with emotions that are difficult to handle.

Melko is honest about her own mistakes and struggles which brings a refreshing poignancy and honesty to her work. “In my newest book, I talk about how the character deals with a mistake she made when she was a teenager and how it impacted her life moving forward. I used my own experience and choose to really try and make an impact with the story to help hopefully avoid other people from making the same mistake,” Melko says. “My story is happier than the version in my book, but it could have been so much worse for me and I'm so thankful that what I did - turned out the way it did.

“The series was made to help children go through scary firsts like going to the dentist, doctor, or simply getting a hair cut,” Melko says. “The books go through the visit start to finish, to gain insight on what might happen during the visit and tools or instruments they may encounter, all why seeing how Roxy relies on family and friends to help talk her through her fears and emotions of the visit. Most importantly, how she comes through these appointments happy and strong!”

Four years ago Melko was arrested for driving under the influence, believing herself safe to drive home. She reiterates that it was a stupid decision, but she’s not afraid to talk about it.

Melko’s romance novel, Bottle of Uncertainty, also focuses strongly on loss, love and sacrifice, bringing to an adult audience the emphasis on communication and the positive affect that has on relationships. Melko had dedicated herself to bringing this theme of openness to her readers.

“I could have hurt someone or myself,” she says. “Thankfully, no one was hurt, no accident or anything, I was simply caught, got pulled over. I like to think this happened to me, to help me avoid from making an even bigger mistake in my life and to help spread the message, connect with others, and impress the seriousness of the action of driving drunk.”

“I use my children books and my adult books to encourage readers that it is normal to want to shut down and hide or not express emotion, but how much better things are when we give in to those emotions and talk through feelings and come out the other side stronger and feeling better usually,” Melko says. “Embrace your beauty and don't let mistakes hold you back.”

It is this honesty and deep connection to her readers that has garnered Melko praise for her “freaking lovable” and flawed characters and excitement for what she publishes next.

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https://www.authorkatiemelko.com/

BOTTLE OF UNCERTAINTY: Newly-graduated veterinarian, Amelia Pawksy, is desperately ready for a fresh start and to get out of dodge. She’s packed up one box of her most important belongings and of course, her trusted companion, Tune. You see, growing up in Massachusetts wasn’t easy and her troubled past and shattered heart has her eager to simply start over. Her only goal is to find a new place to call home and open a practice on the West Coast. But will her road trip lead her to a destination she never could have imagined?

When Teddy enters her life unexpectedly, will she be able to let her guard down before it’s too late? More importantly, can Teddy accept her as she is or will his desire for change force them apart? Teddy’s past has made him view life in black and white, creating uncertainty around one of the most important decisions of his life. Will they learn to love one another for who they are or will Amelia’s earth-shattering secrets ruin one of the best things that has ever happened to her? This story will take you on a journey with Amelia and Teddy as they discover forgiveness, passion and possibly a love that will last a lifetime.

Rachael Wright is a Colorado native with degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University. She is a devoted tea drinker, Manchester United fan, wife, and mother. She lives near Denver with her fantastic husband and daughter and very full bookshelves. Discover more about Rachael on Mom's Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/rachael-wright/ - 15 -

Bulgarian Leap-Year Beliefs by Ronesa Aveela 2020 is a leap year, so we get an extra day this February. People around the world have various customs and beliefs about February 29 and even the entire leap year. February 29 is the feast day of Saint Cassian, also called “Cassian the Unmerciful.” He was a demonic saint, as contrary as those words seem to be. Some tales say that all his life he sits motionless in a chair, with his eyes downcast, weighed down by eyebrows that reach to his knees. Only on February 29 can he raise his eyes and look at the world. But everything that his evil eye gazes at suddenly withers. One popular Bulgarian legend says he was a rather lazy saint, who wore rich, fancy clothing and surrounded himself with worldly goods. He was rather miffed that Saint Nicholas had TWO feasts a year, while he, Saint Cassian, had ONE only every four years. He complained to God about it. Instead of an answer, the deity sadly shook his head and summoned Saint Nicholas to appear. The saint arrived out of breath and dragging his feet after having spent that day (and many more) battling the seas so he could protect fishermen and sailors. God glanced at Saint Cassian and pointed to the weary Saint Nicholas, saying, “Need I explain it? This is why Saint Nicholas is honored twice a year, and you only once every four year.” Saint Cassian shrugged, understanding, and accepted his fate.

This tradition holds true in Bulgaria as well. However, if the man accepts, it’s best to wait until the next year to hold the ceremony. Getting married in a leap year will end in disaster or divorce, or at the very least make the new couple miserable and have all sorts of misunderstandings. (That sounds like the theme of a romance novel.) Likewise, don’t get divorced during a leap year; neither of you will find happiness with another partner for the rest of your lives. It’s also best not to make a career change during a leap year. It will bring you only unhappiness and produce negative emotions in those you work with.

You may be aware that on Leap Day women can propose to men. The History Channel says this tradition started centuries ago among the Irish Catholics, and a saint was involved in its origins:

In a leap year, don’t even think about moving. If you build a new house, it’ll have one problem after another, until you’re poverty-stricken. Or the house may even burn down. You yourself are likely to become ill from living in the house. Don’t sell your old property, either, even if you’re not living there. it could be the start of your financial ruin.

“According to legend, in 5th century Ireland, St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait so long for a man to propose. St. Patrick at once remedied the situation with a leap-year loophole. He declared 29 February, occurring every four years during a leap year, a day that women could propose to men.”

If you were born on February 29, you’re considered lucky and chosen by God, and will be protected from disasters. - 16 -

However, don’t celebrate your birthday on this day. Do it the day before or the day after. It’s fortunate that name-day celebrations are more popular with Bulgarians, so you can celebrate on that day instead. Here’s hoping your name day doesn’t fall on Saint Cassian’s day. Then you’re out of luck.

You can overcome these obstacles, though, if you wear silver for the year. This metal is believed to drive away evil that can befall you in a leap year. And if you want to secure even more luck during the year, go outside without an umbrella during the first rain of the year. The refreshing water will bring you luck, health, and happiness.

Ronesa Aveela is “the creative power of two.” Two authors that is. The main force behind the work, the creative genius, was born in Bulgaria and moved to the US in the 1990s. She grew up with stories of wild Samodivi, Kikimora, the dragons Zmey and Lamia, Baba Yaga, and much more. Her writing partner was born and raised in the New England area. She has a background in writing and editing, as well as having a love of all things from different cultures. She’s learned so much about Bulgarian culture, folklore, and rituals, and writes to share that knowledge with others.

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/ronesa-aveela/

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Mental Health Stigma by Anna Grace Mental Health Awareness is a term that has become part of everyday discussion, it's amazing that people are trying to de-stigmatise mental health and talk about it like we would talk about physical health. The problem is when reducing stigma the focus is often on disorders such as anxiety and depression; this is probably because they are disorders that are easier to understand by those who don't struggle with their mental health.

However, personality disorders are equally as valid and as painful as mood disorders and people who suffer with them should be treated as such.

There is still a lot of mental health stigma, especially around disorders that are harder to understand. Disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Dissociative Identity Disorder and many others are less commonly talked about because they are difficult to understand if you aren't experiencing them first hand, there are often many elements of disorders such as these that people don't feel comfortable talking about.

Physical health is something that is universally recognised as valid, allows for time of work and people are catered towards in order to aid them in everyday life. However, unfortunately this cannot be said for mental health. De-stigmatisation should be striving for mental health to be part of everyday life just as physical health is, we should be able to talk about it as such. People should be able to have time of work for mental health because it is equally valid and important as physical health.

Issues such as suicide and self harm are often taboo and therefore cause people who struggle with these issues more shame. We often hear debate about when it is appropriate for people to show self harm scars, ideally, this shouldn't be an issue. We don't shame people for their surgery scars, each show suffering however because it's more difficult to understand self harm, it becomes an issue for people to be exposed to it.

I think that mental health awareness is so important, but I don't think it should just be about being able to cry or talk about your anxiety or depression. I think mental health awareness should be about it being able to talk about any aspect of mental health as easily as they would their physical health. People should no longer have to be shamed for taking medication or having therapy. We need to be able not to say "I have a doctors appointment" and replace it with "I am going to therapy" and there be no difference in the reaction.

Stigma surrounds all mental health issues in some way however, personality disorders in particular take a lot of heat. It is easier for people to understand mood disorders because everyone experiences changes in their moods, and mood disorders are more easily treatable. When people hear of personality disorders they think of serial killers and axe murderers. Some people feel that a personality disorder is the responsibility of the patient and that its something that could be controlled by the person.

We should not feel ashamed of our mental health, we struggle enough in general life, we don't also need to fight for the validity of our illnesses.

Connect with Anna on social media Blog: https://www.annagrace-mylifewithbipolardisorder.com/ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCUN3AwHAiB19NQez7V2lfYQ Twitter: @annagracemylif1 Instagram: @annagrace.lifewithbipolar - 18 -

Peter Wolf Interviewed by Val Tobin

Clinical and Stage Hypnosis Peter Wolf is a trained counsellor and certified hypnotist. He became interested in hypnotism in the late 1990s, after already having studied Native American cultures and Shamanism for about seven years. He realized that the altered state used by shamans is hypnosis and was around long before Anton Mesmer and James Braid put it on the map. Wolf uses hypnotism in his counselling practice and on the stage in a hypnosis comedy act. While it might seem like a contradiction to in one situation help people and in the other to relieve them of their dignity, everyone who participates in Wolf’s shows seems to have a lot of fun, and Wolf highly values fun. He considers laughter to be fundamentally therapeutic and has done fundraisers where, he says, “laughter was often desperately needed.” I talked with Peter Wolf about hypnosis for both stage and clinical use, and how people can change their lives with this oft-misunderstood personal growth tool and form of entertainment.

Can You Hypnotize Anyone?

“Hypnosis is basically a matter of suggestion that we’ve accepted without being aware that we have. Everything we perceive and take in goes through our own filter, our own judgment, and our own personalities. Everybody does get hypnotized on a regular basis. There is something called ‘awakened hypnosis,’ which is when a person zones out for a bit, such as when driving.”

Stage Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnosis

Val Tobin: Can anyone be hypnotized? Peter Wolf: “Yes. The easy answer is absolutely yes. The more intricate answer is that not everybody will be. Everybody has the capacity to be hypnotized. However, it’s been said that all hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis. Therefore, no one is going to be hypnotized unless they allow themselves to be.

Val Tobin: What are the distinctions between stage hypnosis and clinical hypnosis?

Peter Wolf: “The real distinction between the two is that hypnosis for any therapeutic setting is hypnosis that gives you your power because what you are doing is tapping into your subconscious and putting out into the forefront the things that need to be there for you. That’s classic hypnosis in the clinical, therapeutic format. - 19 -

“Stage hypnosis takes your power away. Both forms of hypnosis turn off the conscious observer to a degree. It’s always there, watching, but it turns off that judgment factor. It puts things into the forefront. In stage, it puts into the forefront what I want in the forefront that’s going to be fun and entertaining.”

Controlling People with Hypnosis Val Tobin: So then you can control people? Peter Wolf: “To a degree. Keep in mind, rule number one is that hypnosis is selfhypnosis, meaning, you’re allowing it. The thing that hypnosis will not do is, first of all, if you don’t allow it, it won’t happen. Number two, it won’t go past any boundaries of morality” Val Tobin: Okay, but if someone’s shadowself is promiscuous and the conscious self is not, that means that you could exert influence?

Peter Wolf: “Yes, on the boundaries of morality. But that’s a pretty broad term. When you talk about boundaries of morality, with some people, that gives you some pretty broad scopes, with others, it doesn’t. Saying that it won’t make you do anything you wouldn’t normally do is the most bogus statement there is. Most people would do things on a stage show that they wouldn’t normally do. But they won’t do something that they’re morally against, that goes against their values.”

The Choice to Stop Smoking Peter Wolf: “One of my best people on stage, who is also a good friend of mine, him I can make do absolutely anything. I love when I have him on my stage, because I know I’m going to have a good show that night. I can make him do anything, and I can put him under in two seconds. But I cannot make him stop smoking. See, there is a choice level in there. There’s only so much control I have.” Val Tobin: So did he come to you to ask you to help him stop smoking?

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Peter Wolf: “Yes, he went with it, but he still won’t quit, because he didn’t actually really want to quit. You are always in control. Really you are. All I can do is use what you have free already. I can’t play around with anything that’s behind the vault.” Wolf has worked with thousands of people, both on stage and in his counselling practice. He has helped them with issues ranging from smoking to self-confidence to weight loss, and he has also enticed them do crazy things in public on his stage show. In “Interview with Peter Wolf on Hypnosis for Personal Development,” Wolf discusses how one can use hypnosis to help with personal growth and what one can and cannot expect from hypnosis. Wolf also talks about the experiences of individuals who volunteer for stage hypnosis and facts about forensic hypnosis. The results of that discussion can be found in next month’s article “Interview with Peter Wolf on Stage and Forensic Hypnosis.”

References Wolf, Peter Earthtalkers Image of Peter Wolf: Courtesy of Peter Wolf Val Tobin writes speculative fiction and searches the world over for the perfect butter tart. Her home is in Newmarket, Ontario, where she enjoys writing, reading, and talking about writing and reading.

Val Tobin writes speculative fiction and searches the world over for the perfect butter tart. Her home is in Newmarket, Ontario, where she enjoys writing, reading, and talking about writing and reading. Discover more about Val on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/val-tobin

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Contributions by Hannah Howe A man boards a plane. Sitting next to him is an elegant woman wearing a beautiful diamond. “That’s a magnificent diamond,” the man says. “Thank you,” the woman replies. “It’s the Alessi diamond, but it’s cursed.” “Oh,” the man frowns, “what’s the curse?” The woman offers a tight smile and sighes, “Mr Alessi.”

Wife to her friend: “I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.” Courtship is like looking at the pictures in a seed catalogue. Marriage is what comes up in your garden. Man: “So, tell me, darling, what do you do for a living?” Woman: “I’m a female impersonator.” Man: “You’re one in a million.” Woman: “So are your chances.”

A woman runs into her house and yells, “Frank, pack your bags! I just won the lottery!” Frank yells back, “Shall I pack for warm weather or cold?” The woman replies, “I don’t care, just so long as you’re out of the house by noon!” A sixty-year-old couple were celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. During the celebration a fairy appeared and said, “Since you’ve been such a loving couple, I’ll give you each one wish.” The wife said, “I’d like to travel around the world.” And lo and behold the fairy waved her wand and produced a stack of plane tickets. The man said, “I’d like to have a woman thirty years younger than me.” And lo and behold the fairy waved her wand and made him ninety. - 22 -

Etymology in Bloom: The Daffodil by Millie Slavidou The daffodil adds a lovely splash of colour as we come out of the gloom of the depths of winter. So here we will honour this humble flower and focus on its name. You might be surprised to hear that its name actually derives from the name for a completely different flower, and that it is in fact hard to find early references in English to the Narcissus, or the flower that we know today by this name. The name can by found in the 1400s in Middle English as affodil, affadil or affedil, although it generally referred to the asphodel plant, and the first citation thought to be the daffodil comes much later, in the 1590s. Here is an example from 1400 in Lanfranc’s Complete Art of Surgery, or the Chirurgia Magna: An hory wounde shal be heelid..wiþ poudre of affodill. Here it is referring to the asphodel. It is not clear where it gained the initial /d/, but there are two main theories. The first is that it comes from French, in which case it would have been d’asphodel > d’affodell > daffodil. The other theory, with a similar process of evolution, is that it comes from Dutch de affodil. This theory is supported by the fact that the Netherlands was an important

source of bulbs of both daffodils and asphodels, and indeed one theory is that the similarity between the bulbs could have led to the confusion over their names, even if the flowers themselves are very different in appearance. The name of the asphodel did not start its life in Middle English, of course. It came from Medieval Latin affodillus, which goes back to an earlier Latin form; asphodelus. This Latin form in turn came from the Greek word ασφόδελος (asfodelos). Unfortunately, we are unable to trace its meaning further back in time, as it did not come from known Greek components, but rather is thought to have been a loan-word from a pre-Hellenic language now lost to us, surviving in only a few words here and there, like this one.

Millie Slavidou, author of the Lucy Evans Instaexplorer adventure series for preteens, featuring little snippets of language, and Sparky, a first chapter book for early readers. Discover more about Millie on the Mom's Favorite Reads website:

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/millie-slavidou - 23 -

The Denali Highway — Summer Only by Cherime MacFarlane I want to tell you about a littleknown road. One hundred and thirty -five miles of gravel, this one will give you something to tell your family and friends about. It’s a long drive as you must enter it from one or two places, neither of which is close to a city. I advise you to fill up in Cantwell before making the drive.

The shaggy beasts had two calves with them. What a wild sight. They make me think of the days when the world was young.

Give yourself lots of time to stop and take pictures. Please pull off in a spot where you aren’t obstructing traffic. The road is narrow and forcing other travelers to wait to pass you isn’t fair. They want to sightsee too. And I’m sure everyone understands the need to stop and grab a shot or two. You can pull off on either side of the one-lane wooden bridge. When I did it the day was gray and misty.

To get to it from Anchorage, you must drive to Cantwell and at the sign for the Denali Highway, turn right. Alaska directions are a lot like that when you are going long distances; drive about a hundred miles and turn right. Denali isn’t an exception.

On the other side of the pass you will find the old Paxson Lodge on the corner where the Denali meets the Richardson. Turn left to go to Fairbanks. That is a grand drive to Fairbanks, and as fine the other direction, right to Glennallen. You can’t get lost either way. If it’s off to Glennallen you go, simply turn right again on the Glenn Highway and you will be in Anchorage in three or four hours. It’s longer the other way around, but, hey! If you have the time and the gas, why not? Enjoy.

The first part of the road has a few miles of pavement, it doesn’t last long. The road soon turns to gravel. The sign saying it is closed in winter, means every word. This is not a highway to attempt in winter. Cell service is sketchy as best up the George Parks Highway and unless you have a satellite phone, forget service on the Denali. Not bad if you are trying to get away from your phone. As you climb toward Maclaren Summit there are great vistas, broad planes green as far as you can see. Crossing to the Richardson Highway once, I saw a herd of muskox far off across the river.

Cherime MacFarlane is an award-wining, bestselling, prolific multi-genre author. She has a broad range of interests that reflect her been there– done that life. Discover more about Cherime on the Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/cherime-macfarlane/

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Postcards From Spain Ernest Hemingway by Hannah Howe Ernest Miller Hemingway (21 July 1899 – 2 July 1961) was an American journalist, novelist, shortstory writer and sportsman. His writing style, known as the iceberg theory, was economical and understated, and it had a profound influence on twentieth century fiction. Via Robert B Parker, Hemingway also influenced my writing.

From 1937, Hemingway reported on the Spanish Civil War. He arrived in Spain in March of that year with Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens to screen-write The Spanish Earth, a propaganda film in support of the Spanish Republicans. He also mixed with American volunteers from the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, men who supported the Spanish Republicans.

Hemingway talked the talk and walked the walk. His adventurous lifestyle and macho image impressed some, but repulsed others. Personally, I found his love of bullfighting difficult to stomach, although in fairness he did acknowledge that, “Anything capable of arousing passion in its favor will surely raise as much passion against it.” The period 1925 – 55 saw Hemingway at his most prolific. During this period he published seven novels, six short-story collections and two nonfiction works winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. Indeed, many of his books are considered classics of American literature.

Hemingway met journalist Martha Gellhorn in 1936 and she joined him in Spain. The couple married in 1940, but divorced in 1945 when Hemingway met Mary Welsh. Late in 1937, while in Madrid with Martha, Hemingway wrote his only play, The Fifth Column.

In 1918, during World War One, Hemingway served as an ambulance driver at the Italian front. Seriously wounded, he later wrote about his experiences in A Farewell to Arms.

After a sojourn at home in Key West, Hemingway returned to Spain. He was present at the Battle of the Ebro, the last stand mounted by the Spanish Republicans. With a small group of British and American journalists, he was among the last to leave the battle as they retreated across the river. Earnest Hemingway’s personal life was tempestuous. He married four times while two successive plane crashes left him in considerable pain. Sadly, he took his own life in 1961.

Hannah Howe is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann's War Mystery Series and the #1 international bestseller Saving Grace. Hannah's books are published by Goylake Publishing and distributed through Gardners Books to over 300 outlets worldwide. Her books are available in print, as eBooks and audiobooks, and are being translated into ten languages. Discover more on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe - 25 -

The Vicar Has Kittens by Clayton Graham “Puss. Puss. Come on, Ella.” The tone was mildly commanding, but cloaked by a hint of affection. “Come on, you silly thing. We’ve got to go and see the reverend.”

container and its protesting occupant in both hands. The vicarage was not far away, but the autumn night was cold, and Grace wasted no time as she glided over the moonlit pavement as if it were ice. The wind from the bay threatened to whisk her skywards as she strode head down and coat blown against its troublesome gusts.

The small, elderly woman hugged her woollen cardigan tighter to her body with scrawny, age-veined hands. She stood at the back door of the tiny, terraced house, struggling to be overheard over the whistling wind and the rustling leaves of autumnal trees.

A few plaintive meows came from the basket, answered by: “It won’t be long now,” or “There’s a good puss.” Resembling some mysterious, headcarrying figure from a bloodthirsty bygone era, Grace strode determinedly on.

A faint meow from the vicinity of the crumbling back wall responded to her call, and a furry white bundle dropped lightly onto the cracked and uneven paving stones that covered the rear yard of the Victorian house. Gently picking up her pet, Grace Hayworth hurried quickly inside, closing the door with a thrust of her free arm. Even with the door shut, she could still hear the wind. She and Ella had a busy evening ahead, and the cat must look her best.

Shortly, the diminutive figure, painstakingly followed by her anaemic full moon shadow, plodded up the drive of the vicarage. On reaching the door, she rang the bell. Chimes of her favourite Christmas carol echoed clearly into the chilled night air, only to be cut short as the door swung open. It was the vicar’s wife, robust and glowing, and topped by a hair-do that must have weighed a ton.

Grace scolded her pet mildly as they went into the small living room, both welcoming the raw heat emanating from the single, glowing bar of an electric fire.

“Mrs Hayworth. Do come in, dear. You must be freezing. It’s my husband you want to see, is it?” And without waiting for a reply: “Just a second, dear, I’ll go and fetch him.”

“You really are a naughty cat,” the old woman persisted. “May the good Lord forgive you for upsetting me so.”

Grace watched the ample bottom of the reverend’s wife disappear through a door and placed Ella’s basket on a nearby chair. She followed this rather daring make yourself at home action by rubbing her cold hands together as if trying to instigate the beginnings of a fire. Thankfully circulation returned.

After feeding and brushing Ella, Grace firmly placed the cat into a battered wicker basket, closed the lid, put on her coat, and left the house carrying the

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The vicar’s face dropped, somewhat like the proverbial sack of potatoes.

Upon finishing this necessary task, Grace was about to do the same for her seemingly non-existent feet when the stentorian tones of the vicar boomed out along the hallway.

“Your cat, Mrs Hayworth? Well I never. Your cat. Mmm. Well I never.” He turned and paced to the old fireplace where coals burned brightly in the grate.

“Ah! Mrs Hayworth. This way please.” Grace scurried towards the voice, remembered Ella, hastened back for the basket, and once more shot along the passageway and into the reverend’s wellfurnished study.

Grace hesitated then went boldly on. “You see, vicar, I was wondering if you could help me. I mean, I’ve had Ella a good many years now and we’ve become very close. The thing is, well—I was wondering—do cats go to heaven as well as people?”

“Do come in, Mrs Hayworth, and take a seat.” It was more of an affable command than a polite gesture. “How are you? Did you enjoy the sermon on Sunday?”

The vicar remained fronting the fireplace, his facial expression hidden from Grace. “What I really mean,” she continued, “is do good cats go to heaven?” She looked with tired eyes at the basket.

She had thought it silly, but Grace answered politely in her best voice, “Yes, thank you vicar. It was very interesting.” As she sat down, she let her eyes range around the study. All in all, she counted six crucifixes and four angel paintings. Suddenly recalling the first question, she muttered, “Very well, thank you.”

The vicar did not respond immediately, then turned to face Grace. He looked surprised at the air of solemnity that had completely taken over her demeanour.

The vicar, looking slightly bemused, scratched his upper lip, and then noticed the wicker basket precariously balanced on the knee of his parishioner. Placing a beam on his well-scrubbed face, he took a step forward and pointed at the basket.

“You see, vicar, I would be extremely upset if I thought that Ella and I would not meet again on the other side. She’s such a dear little thing.” For a moment the vicar looked nonplussed, but regaining his beam, he said, “I don’t think you need worry, Mrs Hayworth. If Ella has been good, I have no doubt she will find her way through the heavenly gates. Even if they were shut, she could probably squeeze through the bars.” He laughed loudly at his own joke, and brought a meagre smile from Grace.

“And what have we here, Mrs Hayworth. Groceries for the refuge?”

Grace looked timidly upwards at the vicar’s smiling countenance. “No, vicar. I’m afraid not. It’s, uh, well, it’s my, uh, cat. You know, Ella, my pet cat.”

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“Thank you, vicar, very much, but there is another thing.” Grace looked acutely embarrassed, and her hands played and twisted under the vicar’s gaze. “You see, I normally keep her in at night, but some time ago she got out through an open window.” She coloured slightly. “The thing is, vicar, I think she’s pregnant.”

The vicar turned and hung onto the mantelpiece for support. Grace’s voice became a whisper. “Well, if I brought next door’s tom, if you could conduct a little service.” She wrung her hands together. “You know, something small—just to be on the safe side.”

Grace hesitated a moment, and took a deep breath, her eyes moistening with unshed tears. “I do so want her to go to heaven, vicar, so I was wondering if you would—if I brought next door’s tom as well.”

Clayton Graham, growing up in the cobbled streets of Stockport, UK, read a lot of Science Fiction. He loved the 'old school' masters such as HG Wells, Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov, and John Wyndham. As he left those formative years behind, he penned short stories when he could find a rare quiet moment amidst life's usual distractions. Combining future science with the paranormal is his passion. Discover more about Clayton on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/clayton-graham/

We are excited to announce that Goylake Publishing has teamed-up with the Fussy Librarian and in partnership we are offering you 20% off your first book promotion with the Fussy Librarian. To qualify for this promotion, your book must be either permafree or listed free during a special offer. In our experience, the Fussy Librarian is the best book promoter in the business. When we promote with him, our free books always reach the top five of Amazon’s genre charts, most often they reach the top three. We promote with the Fussy Librarian every month and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Prices start from as low as $15, minus our special discount of 20%. Click here: https://authors.thefussylibrarian.com/?ref=goylake for full details. And, at the checkout, be sure to enter this code: goylake20 to claim your 20% discount. Thank you for your interest. And good luck with your promotion!

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Circle of Seasons Submitted by Poppy Flynn Written by Jan Age 10

The trees change colour everywhere, The colours come with the Autumn air, Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a sight, you have to stand and stare, At the beautiful view around you. But soon the winter winds will come And blow the leaves off one by one, Then the beautiful colours will be gone. Out of sight for the winters long. And there they will stay for many a day, Until the warm Spring comes. Those leaves will stay all Summer then, Until the Autumn comes again.

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Missing You — A Tribute to my Brother by Cherry Christensen

Missing You

My heart cracks beyond repair, My weary steps lead nowhere. Leaves crunch underneath my feet,

The cool wind whistles and echoes your name;

And stars twinkle out of reach.

Memories blindside me, deepen the pain. Tears mix with raindrops; darkness shrouds my space If God would grant me a miracle, once again I’d see your face.

Cherry Christensen hails from the Great Lakes state of Michigan, where she lives with her husband and two adorably mischievous cats. She does most of her writing at night because she is not a morning person, and wholeheartedly agrees with the anonymous saying, “I could be a morning person, if morning happened around noon.” https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/cherry-christensen/ - 30 -

The Year 2020 by Ceri Bladen We’ve just entered 2020, a Leap Year. A Leap Year is technically one day longer than last year and comes every four years. But why do we have a leap year? And what are the strange customs which come with it? What is a leap year? The standard calendar year is 365 days, but the Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to go completely around the sun (called a solar year) or more scientifically, 365.256 days (1 sidereal year.) In order to keep the calendar cycle synchronized with the seasons, one extra day is added every four years as February 29th.

Pope Gregory got rid of October 5th through to October 14th (1582) Moving directly from the 4th October to 15th October aligned the dates back with the seasons again. All’s right in the world again (unless your birthday was one of those days…) Legends and Beliefs Associated with 29 th February

The Julian Calendar

There are many suspicions associated with a leap year. Here are but a few:

When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BCE, he introduced the Egyptian solar calendar to the Romans. It was standardised at 365 days in a year, but February 29th was not reflected in this calendar. In fact, February 23rd was repeated every four years instead.

In Greece, it is believed that marriage during a leap year is doomed to end in divorce. In the UK, it is believed that someone born on February 29th (a ‘leaping’) will grow up to be unruly.

The Gregorian Calendar

But because a solar year is not a full 365 days and 6 hours, we need to think about those extra minutes and seconds. So, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII created a slightly modified calendar to account for leap days. According to this Gregorian calendar, no century year (like 1900) would be a leap year, except—there’s always an exception

In Scotland, farmers thought that changing the calendar would mess with the natural rhythm of the earth and so peas and beans, planted during a leap year, would grow upside down! Scottish farmers also worried about their livestock: ‘Leap Year was never a good sheep year’ is an old Scottish saying. Even Scottish people didn’t get a break from the curse of 29th

to a rule —centuries divisible by 400 (like the year 2000.) In order to correct the calendar, - 31 -

February. If you were born on this day in Scotland, you were thought to live a life of untold suffering—nice! In Italy, during Roman times, February was associated with the dead. Extending it by a day prolonged the morbid month. But it’s not all doom and gloom: In Germany’s Rhineland, young boys traditionally place a small decorated birch tree (a liebesmaie) on the doorstep of their love on the eve of May Day (30 April.) On a leap year, girls can do the same. On May Day itself, on a leap year, only women dance around the maypole—men and boys stand to the side.

Folklore suggests the tradition began because of a deal brokered between St Patrick and St Brigid of Kildare* Saint Brigid was a 5th century Irish nun, who asked Saint Patrick to grant permission for women to propose marriage after hearing many complaints that male suitors were too shy to propose. Initially, he granted women permission only once every seven years, but at Brigid’s insistence, he allowed proposals every 29th February. It was said that Brigid then dropped to her knee and proposed to St Patrick! He refused and offered her a silk gown to soften the blow. Irish tradition, therefore, dictates that any man refusing a leap day proposal must by the woman a silk gown.

One of the most common myths of leap day is that of a 12th century Irish legend. This legend allows women to ask their partners to marry them (outdated in the 21st century, I know, but…) For centuries it was solely a gentleman’s prerogative to ask for a woman’s hand in matrimony, but on 29th February a woman could turn the tables, asking their sweetheart to marry them instead.

(*St Brigid was just 9 or 10 years old when St Patrick died in 461 AD or 493 AD making this unlikely—but still a good story.). - 32 -

Back in Scotland, women intending to propose to their sweetheart are advised to wear a visible red petticoat—just to warn the man to run! If the man refuses, a law supposedly from Queen Margaret of Scotland (1288*), says that he should be issued a fine, anything from £1 to a silk gown. Better say ‘yes’ then! (*Scholars have pointed out that Queen Margaret would have been 5 years old when the leap year proposal law was enacted, making it unlikely that she fretted over a woman's right to request a hand in marriage. Historians have not found any reference to the law in any books.) In Denmark, a refusal would cost twelve pairs of gloves. Perhaps for the single woman to hide the fact she didn’t have a ring on her finger! In Finland, a refusal would cost enough material to make a shirt. Whatever we would like to believe in, here’s to the ‘leapings’ who will be born on 29th February 2020—may you not grow up, unruly

Ceri Bladen is a Welsh girl currently living in Turkey. In between looking after her husband, three children, street dogs , and a kindle of street cats, she manages to squeeze in time to write. She loves rromance, so most of her books contain elements of it, whether in the form of historical, contemporary, or fantasy. Discover more on Mom's Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/ceri-bladen

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My Dream by Stan Phillips

My Dream In my dream I peeled away all the layers of the universe. One by one by one. To discover what lay at the very heart of it.

And there, glowing bright, the words, 'Love one another' 'Be kinder' Were singing to me. Can you hear my dream?

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Classic Movies: Brenda Starr by Hannah Howe Currently, I’m enjoying a 1945 serial, Brenda Starr, Reporter, starring Joan Woodbury, on DVD. The serial is made up of thirteen twenty-minute episodes for screening at cinemas and each episode ends in a cliffhanger, to tempt the cinema-goers back the following week. Brenda Starr started life as a comic strip, the creation of Dale Messick. The comic strip first appeared on 30th June 1940 and was syndicated by the Chicago Tribune. Initially, the strip was relegated to a comic book supplement within the Chicago Sunday Tribune, but by 1945 it was running daily and attracting a loyal following. This following increased during the 1950s, the comic strip’s heyday, when Brenda Starr appeared in over two hundred newspapers. Brenda Starr was based on a 1930s debutante, Brenda Frazier, and movie actress Rita Hayworth. Inevitably, the comic strip incensed the narrowminded guardians of public decency on the grounds that it was drawn by a woman and, gasphorror, Brenda sometimes revealed her cleavage or her naval. This was too much for the censors who promptly reached for the smelling salts and removed the offending body parts.

The 1945 serial is of its time and displays its comic book origins. Nevertheless, if taken in the right manner it provides a great deal of entertainment. The writing and performances are sold, and filming is up to standard. With a sympathetic writer and production crew Brenda Starr could well be a hit today, though any modern version would do well to pay tribute to the series’ mid-twentieth century origins.

The serial I’m currently watching was the first cinematic attempt to depict Brenda Starr. A TV movie starring Jill St John was released in 1976 and a film starring Brooke Shields and Timothy Dalton was released in 1992. Unfortunately, the latter was not a commercial or critical success.

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe

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Chess Supplied by Chess.Com "Deflection" is a very common tactic and is connected to the idea of the overworked piece. A move is made which draws a key defensive piece away from an important duty. White has a dangerously advanced pawn near the black king on f6. However, at the moment the g7 square is guarded by the black queen.

Supplied by https://www.chess.com/ the #1 chess website. Used with permission. For more chess puzzles please visit https://www.chess.com/ You can find the answers for this activity on the Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/magazines/activities/ - 36 -

February by Poppy Flynn The month of February was first introduced into the calendar as the final month of the year in around 713 BC by King Numa Pompilius, where previously winter had been an oddly ‘monthless’ period.

The Roman intercalary month was supposed to be inserted every two or three years to align the conventional 355-day Roman year with the solar year, thus working in a similar way to how it does now. Unlike its modern counterpart, however, the decision of whether to insert it was made by the pontifex maximus, (the chief high priest) and was meant to be based on observations to ensure the best possible correspondence of the lunar calendar with the seasons. Unfortunately the man who held this role was usually an active politician and often one who had no qualms about manipulating the dates for political duplicity. At certain intervals February was truncated to 23 or 24 days, with a 27-day intercalary month. While Intercalaris was inserted immediately after February to realign the year, the unpredictable nature of intercalation meant that dates following the month of Februarius could not be known in advance. Roman citizens living outside Rome would often not know the current date, so it was common for elections to be called during this time of confusion in order to manipulate their results.

It was originally named Februarius in Latin. This was in relation to the term februum, which means purification and it was a custom which took place via the purification ritual Februa (originally referred to as Lupercalia) which was held on February 13 -15 during the full moon of the old lunar roman calendar. The ethos of this ritual was to purge evil spirits. Ironically, with our new calendar, February, with its short number of days is actually the only month that may, in fact, pass without a full moon at all, though it is not a common occurrence. It last happened in 2018 and will not happen again until 2037. Of course, February is unusual, not only in its length, but also in the fact that it has a leap year. The Roman’s called this an intercalary month and the phenomena was instituted by King Numa at the same time as he introduced the two new months of January and February.

Under the Julian Calendar reforms Intercalaris was abolished and leap years subsequently occurred regularly every four years so that in leap years February gained a 29th day. The next leap year occurs this month and it is also the day when, historically, women can take up the mantle traditionally held by men in making the marriage proposal. - 37 -

The other major event that February is well known for is Valentine’s Day. Celebrated around the world, this is now one of the most widely observed occasions in the calendar. For this reason, you might be forgiven for thinking that the red rose is one of the birth flowers of February. However, whilst it might be the first that springs to mind on February 14th, the traditional flowers associated with the month itself are in fact the violet (the old English name for which is ‘heartease’) which symbolises faithfulness, humility and chastity, the common primrose which is said to convey modesty and virtue and the Iris, which symbolises wisdom and hope. The birthstone for those born in February is the Amethyst which is said to denote humility, spiritual wisdom and sincerity.

The zodiac signs for February are Aquarius up to February 19th, followed by Pisces thereafter. Historical names for February include the Old English term Solmonath, which translates as mud month. In Finnish, the month is called helmikuu, which means ‘month of the pearl’. It refers to the phenomena where snow melts and forms droplets, which then freeze again, looking like pearls of ice. In Poland the month is called luty meaning the month of ice and in Macedonia it is referred to as sechko (сечко), meaning month of cutting wood.

Historical February Events February 1st 2003 - The Space Shuttle ‘Columbia’ broke apart just sixteen minutes before it was scheduled to land, killing all seven crew members. The accident is thought to have resulted from damage caused during lift off when a piece of insulating foam broke away, subsequently piercing a hole in the shuttle's wing which allowed hot gases to breach the spacecraft upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. February 8th 1587 – Mary Queen of Scots was executed by the order of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.

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new currencies operated in unison, phasing out over an eighteen month period.

February 11th 1929 – The Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini granted independence to Vatican City, recognising the sovereignty of the Pope. The area measures 110 acres, making it the smallest independent state in the world.

February 21st 1804 – Engineer, Richard Trevithick demonstrated the very first steam engine to run on rails. February 22nd 1732 – Birth of George Washington, first President of the United States.

February 11 1847 - Inventor Thomas Edison was born. During his lifetime he secured over 1200 patents including the light bulb, the phonograph and the movie camera. He was also well known for the quote, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

February 24th 1582 - Pope Gregory XIII corrected mistakes on the Julian calendar by removing 10 days and instructing that the day after October 4, 1582 would be October 15th. This new calendar was later adopted by Catholic countries, and subsequently by other nations, becoming what we now know as the current Gregorian Calendar.

February 12th 1554 – Lady Jane Grey, also known historically as the nine day queen was beheaded. She was just sixteen years old.

February 26th 1848 - Socialists, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published a pamphlet called The Communist Manifesto. It proposed the abolition of privately owned property and advocated a system whereby the workers owned all means of production, land, factories and machinery.

February 14 1929 - The St. Valentine's Day massacre took place in Chicago during which seven members of the north side gang were shot dead by several men dressed as police officers. Although the identity of the gunmen was never officially identified, it was inevitably linked to their south side rivals, led by Al Capone.

February 28th 1954 - Molecular biologists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick discover the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule that contains the human genes.

February 15th 1971 – Decimal Day in Great Britain. Banks closed for four days prior in order to prepare. Currency converters were made available to everybody, and shops showed prices in both currencies. For a short period the old and

https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/poppy-flynn - 39 -

Women of Courage by Hannah Howe

The exact number of Special Operations Executive agents who served in France isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t known, but the female branch is estimated at forty. The two female agents in my Eveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s War series are a composite of twenty-one of those agents and my stories are based on their real-life experiences. Giliana Balmaceda was the first female agent the SOE sent to occupied France. Born in Chile c1910 she worked as an actress in Paris where she met Victor Gerson, a British citizen and a dealer in fine rugs and carpets.

In May 1941 the SOE sent Giliana into occupied France. She returned through Spain in late June 1941. During her three months in France Giliana travelled freely in Lyons and Vichy, ostensibly on holiday, her Chilean passport securing her passage.

The couple married and on 18 June 1940, at the signing of the armistice, they escaped to Britain where they joined the SOE. Victor Gerson suggested creating a network of helpers to assist the entrance and exit of SOE agents assigned to France and Giliana volunteered to assess the possibility.

With a large haul of intelligence, contacts and administrative documents, such as ration cards, Giliana returned to Britain. There, the SOE reproduced the documents and subsequently agents used them on their clandestine missions.

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Waiting for Godot by Cyril Lucas as a “non-knower” and as a “non-can-er”.

“Something occurred to Samuel Beckett, writes James Knowlson in ‘Damned to Fame’, “that helped both to change him and transform his approach to his own writing. His ‘revelation’ has rightly been regarded as a pivotal moment in his entire career.”

“Molloy and the others came to me the day I became aware of my own folly. Only then did I begin to write the things I feel”, said the Master of his exquisite, unique and incomparable achievement.

The myth that the moment is described by Beckett in his play ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ – “Spiritually a year of profound gloom and indigence until that memorable night in March, at the end of the jetty, in the howling wind, never to be forgotten, when suddenly I saw the whole thing. The vision at last” – is disproved by Beckett’s own words to Knowlson – “Krapp’s vision was on the pier at Dun Laoghaire; mine was in my mother’s room. Make that clear once and for all.” Knowlson continues: “The wild, stormy night and the harbor setting to some extent deliberately echo the Romantic mystical experience, matching the excitement of an inner torment, revealing the truth to a man seeking to find his way. …. Henceforward he would draw on his own inner world for his subjects; outside reality would be refracted through the filter of his own imagination; inner desires and needs would be allowed a much greater freedom of expression; rational contradictions would be allowed in; and the imagination would be allowed to create alternative worlds to those of conventional reality. …. In future his work would focus on poverty, failure, exile, and loss – as he put it, on man

I suspect that I was the sole member of the London first night audience at the tiny Arts Theatre of ‘Waiting for Godot” in 1955 who had the slightest notion of what to expect. I had read a Spectator article (I regret I have lost track of its author) reporting the sensational response to the earlier Paris production. Beckett’s text as well as his translations of the Molloy trilogy awaited his translation from the French ‘Editions de Minuit’, but I had read his English editions of ‘Proust’, ‘Murphy’ and most importantly his ground-breaking ‘Watt’ which I adored. Beckett was almost unknown let alone recognized as a major writer. All the same I was astonished as the play unfolded. I remember turning in ‘the entre-acte’ to my neighbor who happened to be Peter Duval Smith, an acquaintance and a BBCThird Program producer, and saying – “So what in the world is he going to do next?” Peter simply shook his head. Most of the audience was bewildered and confused, unable to find the ‘meaning’ of a work which in reality hid no secret butwas a straightforward metaphor of the author’s precise view of the human predicament. It is not coded.

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It presents exactly the reality of human experience reduced to our essential solitude. Beckett’s experience in the French resistance movement during the war had revealed a poignant understanding of the reality of life poised on the edge of terror and stripped of all pretension and dross. “Godot” caused tremendous excitement in London’s theatrical circles, as it has done for worldwide audiences ever since. Harold Hobson, doyen Sunday Timescritic, wrote for weeks professing his total incomprehension and explaining away Beckett’s bleak message as fundamentally Christian. Many Londoners were so enraged they rose to their feet and shouted abuse at the cast as they stormed out. It became a sensation and moved to the larger Criterion theatre. Enchanted by its poetry I attended five performances during its extended run. On 16th November 1955 I found the courage to write to my hero at 6 Rue des Favorites, Paris 15eme. “Each time I have seen your wonderful play I was worried by one line. It is Vladimir’s reply to the Boy’s “I think it is white. Sir” – “Christ have mercy on us.” The line is given such emphasis and spoken with such fervor that the Christians have seized it as if it were the key which unlocks the whole of the play. Mr. Hobson for example has described it as ‘the most beautiful line in Godot’. I turned to the French text and found the less commital, unparticularised and entirely comprehensible “Misericorde”, which confirmed my impression that your intention had been distorted. I draw your attention to this only because I think it is a pity – in so far as this has any meaning at all – that your audiences should be led deliberately to misunderstand “Godot”, rather than merely fail to understand as would otherwise be, and, indeed, has anyway proved to be the case.”

To my instant and undying astonishment within a week Beckett replied in his own almost indecipherable hand. I held the flimsy blue envelope for several minutes not daring to open it – or even to believe that it really came from the Rue des Favorites under a French stamp …. and then at least an hour in making out every wordbecause short as the letter was his writing was truly appalling. I could scarcely credit the fact before my eyes. “Dear Mr. Lucas”, it said. “You are perfectly right. “Misericorde” in Paris was a scarcely intelligible scarcely audible ejaculation. That is how “Christ etc” should be uttered. It is largely I suppose the fault of my bad translation. I am afraid the London production tends throughout toward this redemptive perversion.This helps to account for its success. Yours sincerely, Samuel Beckett.” The letter is in the National Samuel Beckettt Library because I wanted it to be available permanently for public access. The exchange of correspondence is printed in ‘The Letters of Samuel Beckett’ published by Cambridge University Press. The moment of reading its first line is one of the most outstanding memories of my life. “You are perfectly right.” From that majestic source it was breathtaking.

Author of "A Blogetty Blog" (Cyril Lucas Facebook pages) and historical romance "A Windy Night". - 43 -

Editor In Chief—Hannah Howe The Editor-in-Chief is the key figure in every publication. Hannah Howe works closely with the editorial staff to ensure the success of each publication. She is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann’s War Mystery Series and Saving Grace. Get to know more about Hannah, her projects and her work on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/hannah-howe/

Executive Editor | Graphic Designer—Melanie P. Smith The Executive Editor / Graphic Designer is responsible for developing the layout and design of MFR eMagazine. She also works hard to create new covers each month that captures the essence of each publication. In addition to the editorial staff of Mom’s Favorite Reads, Melanie P. Smith also produces Connections eMagazine. She is a multi-genre author of Criminal Suspense, Police Procedural, Paranormal and Romance novels. Get to know more about Melanie, her projects and her work on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/melanie-p-smith/

Managing Editor—Ronesa Aveela & Denise McCabe Our Managing Editors oversee the physical content of the magazine and coordinates the production schedule. There are two Managing Editors for Mom’s Favorite Reads; Ronesa Aveela and Denise McCabe. Get to know our Managing Editor’s on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: Ronesa Aveela— A freelance artist and author of mystery romance inspired by legends and tales. https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/ronesa-aveela/

Denise McCabe— A children's book author and blogger. https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/denise-mccabe/

Art Director & Copy Editor / Proofreader — Sylva Fae Sylva Fae—Mum of three, fairy woodland owner, and author of children’s books. Sylva is is responsible for the amazing graphics that appear throughout the publication each month. She works hard to ensure the images capture the spirit and message our author's convey in their articles and stories. In addition, As Copy Editor, Sylva works hard behind the scenes to correct any grammatical, typos and spelling errors throughout the magazine. https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/sylva-fae/

Feature Editor—T.E, Hodden As Feature Editor T.E. Hodden works diligently to provide content that is interesting, informative and professional. He is a trained engineer and a life-long fan of comic books, Sci-Fi, myths, legends and history. Get to know more about TE Hodden on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/t-e-hodden/

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Marketing Director—Grant Leishman Our Marketing Director, Grant Leishman, oversees marketing campaigns and social media engagement for our magazine. After an exciting career in accounting and journalism, he now focuses on his true calling—writing. Get to know more about Grant on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/grant-leishman/

Content Editors Our Content Editors are responsible for acquiring articles, short stories, etc for the eMagazine. They work hard to make our magazine interesting and professional. Get to know our Content Editor’s on Mom’s Favorite Reads website here: Rachael Wright—https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/rachael-wright/ Poppy Flynn— https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/poppy-flynn/ Val Tobin — https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/val-tobin/ Stan Phillips — https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/stan-phillips/