Bøger udgivet af Tender Fire Books

INTRODUCTION: When I was growing up, I wanted to be a journalist (I "published" newspapers for my grade school classmates and received a prestigious journalism award in high school). But I also enjoyed working with children and wanted to be a teacher. I was hired to teach at my Long Island, New York, alma mater, North Shore High School (I later moved to the Middle School). But, I never gave up my love of writing. I wrote my first story about returning to North Shore to substitute teach and sent it out to newspapers and magazines. Twelve rejection letters later, I decided to try The New York Times. Why not? I thought. If they turned me down, I could frame a rejection letter from the world's greatest newspaper. But, they threw me off-balance by accepting it! My first published essay---in The New York Times! From there, I went on to write other essays for the Times, plus the Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Miami Herald, Newsday, The Denver Post, The New York Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Toronto Globe & Mail, Family Circle, and Newsweek. In 1980, The Washington Post began a travel section and I began submitting manuscripts. Instead of writing about the canals of Venice or the fjords of Norway, mine were humor essays such as, "The Joys of Jet Lag" (the chores I happily do at 4 a.m. when I can't sleep) and the title piece, "Why Does My Social Life Pick Up When I Leave the Country?" I retired from teaching in 2014, but I am still writing, mostly for Newsday where I have had 60 published essays. Overall, 138 pieces have appeared in newspapers and magazines and occasionally I've appeared in a new outlet: on-line. And, now, I've gathered these essays for this book. Not all of them are appearing here, but my favorites are. I hope you enjoy them!

Growing up in Santa Monica, California, Julie Weiss would do almost anything for love. She drank, she quit school, she stole-and she ended up a mother in her teens. Years later, overweight and depressed, she put one foot in front of another and found a new road beckoning. Running gave her the answers she was looking for. Julie's loving, larger-than-life father, her biggest critic during her wayward years, became her biggest fan as his now-fit and healthy daughter began to run marathons. When he died suddenly of pancreatic cancer, she decided to turn her new pursuit into a purpose and, in his memory, embarked on an incredible endeavor to raise money and hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer. In 2012-13, Julie-a/k/a, the Marathon Goddess-ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Along the way she was featured in a major documentary film, Spirit of the Marathon II, appeared on national television and attracted a passionate social media following, as she logged the miles of each of her 52 marathons in honor of individuals lost to or fighting pancreatic cancer, ultimately raising over a half million dollars for the cause. It's a story of resilience, perseverance, endurance-and romance: Julie's turbulent early life; the rekindling of a father's love extinguished too soon; her epic year traveling to far-flung races and places; not to mention her relationship with coach David Levine. After a rocky road, their underlying love emerged, culminating with a finish line marriage proposal. It all adds up to make "The Miles and Trials of a Marathon Goddess" a riveting, humorous, poignant and ultimately uplifting book, for runners and non-runners alike.

In today's modern world, we have seen an increase in "hands-on" fathers. This is due to several reasons: Marriages where the dad wants to devote his individual time to his child(ren) Two income families where both parents coordinate schedules to devote time for care-taking Stay-at-home dads who are the primary caretakers Single fathers who are actively involved in care-taking Homes that have multiple fathers As a father... I have gained entry and vision into this world. I have seen dads actively participate in their children's lives, whether it be in school, at playdates, or at different events. I remain continually inspired by parents and how they involve themselves in active play. Daddy Time is a story, from the child's perspective, that speaks to the child's special connection with Daddy. In Daddy Time, we see a child's excitement of getting ready to spend time with Daddy. Anticipation grows, thinking of the different activities they may take part in and what the day might have in store. How will they play? What will they do? Daddy Time will take you through the racing mind of a child overjoyed to spend time with Daddy.

The Words We SpeakAuthor: Mary DrewThe Words We Speak is a journey seen and felt through the eyes and experiences of Mary Drew, The North Shore Psychic Medium. Everyday words and phrases has bridged the life of a woman and Medium to the Spiritual world on the other side. Life transformed in a beautiful way and took Mary Drew through meaningful lessons of love, death and healing. Come with Mary and explore a world seen through the perspective of a mother, medium and friend to all.