Farewell Murphy

Our beloved Golden Retriever Murphy has joined his sister Cody in Doggie Heaven. Murphy has left a hole in our lives that will be impossible to fill. We were blessed at Thanksgiving that even though Murphy was having a hard time walking he was still strong enough to make the trip and perform his kingly duty over his court of two Golden Labradors(Zowie and Lance), a mixed breed (Molly) and a Yorkshire Terrier(Mimi). Our other dog Casey stayed home because she doesn't get along with one of the Golden Labs. I regret she did not get to share in this last celebration for her brother Murphy. I also feel so sorry for Casey, because she has lost both her brother and sister and is all alone in the house. It is so sad to see her lay around because you sense that she is lonely or doesn't understand where her companions are? However, despite the terrible circumstances, I have gained a new shadow as Casey follows me everywhere. In past times I would be petting Casey and the micro second that my hand would stop petting her she would bolt away in search of another petter. Now she cuddles with me and stays and gives me her love. I am sorry for the reason, but I am thankful to have Casey give me her love at a time when I so desperately need it. I can't begin to tell you how fortunate I feel that Murphy spent his last few days surrounded by his loved ones and being the center of attention. I took photos and videos out the ying yang so I would have precious memories that could brighten my day anytime the tears started to well up inside of me. We had been preparing for this moment for about a year as Murphy's hind quarters continued to deteriorate, primarily due to two knee operations that he had many years ago, that never fully healed. I kept watching and praying that he was ok and not in severe pain and that we were not being selfish and self centered in keeping him with us. There was little warning when the actual time came and caught us off guard as his back legs completely gave out on him. We agonized for 24 hours as we lay with him praying to God that he would recover, only to fully realize that the time had come to say farewell to our beloved companion. The love and comfort that Murphy gave to us is a treasured memory that will hold near and dear to our hearts. I know when I need it most he will give me one of his smiles that he was famous for and playfully but oh so gently, take my hand into his mouth and pull me around the room. Both Mary and I were able to pet and hug him and make sure that his last moments on earth were filled with love. But to be truthful, our love paled in comparison to the love he showed this family. Our fondest and funniest memories that we will cherish of Murphy start with the puppy that in a overcrowded showroom was so calm and cool that he stood out in the crowd by his inaction. While he forever remained gentle and kind as he grew from puppy to doggie, we wondered if he would stay alive on his own as he had a tendency towards various serious acts of destruction. Not one for the cheap stuff, he made us prove that we were worthy of his love. Evidenced by his eating electrical outlets, power cords, cell phone chargers, refrigerant lines to central air conditioners and apparently to add fiber to his diet, crown moldings in multiple homes. We are all still amazed that he survived these ordeals, but it was so worth it. Our fondest memories of Murphy: -Like the time he held three baby bunnies in his mouth to protect them and wandered for hours with them in his mouth. -Like the way he let Casey groom his mouth every morning (see page four of our Christmas Newsletter for the picture,) I kept telling myself that I wanted a better picture of this oral hygiene but I kept putting it off, telling myself that I will have my camera tomorrow. I can't begin to tell you how terrible I feel about this procrastination. Hopefully it will be a life lesson learned to not repeat this mistake. -Like the way he would smile for you, sensing it when you needed him to reach out to you. -Like the way he got lost and wandered into a homeless village and showed me the real meaning of compassion and gentleness. Yes he was worth it, our family lost a treasured family member. Goodbye my friend.

Thanksgiving Blessing

I've just returned from upstate NY where my family gathered for Thanksgiving. My sister, who hosts the annual event has a lovely holiday tradition that I wanted to share with you.
Each year instead of using a normal table top or tablecloth, we use posterboard material that we actually write on with our personal Thanksgiving Day Thanks. We then share with each other what we have written and the warmth and love that emanates from around that table is as the visa commercial states “priceless”.
This also allows those of our family that are unable to travel to share in their Thanksgiving Blessings and make this the special moment that it has become to all of us.
Here is my Thanksgiving blessing:
In a world filled with want and strife I stand before you a truly blessed man. I am so thankful for my family past, present and future for giving me the inner strength to survive. I would not be the man I am without your love and support and I hope you know the joy and comfort your love continuously brings to me.
Thank you one and all.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Christmas Sampler: Get Them While They Are Hot

It's that time again, it seems like it was only yesterday. That sounds almost as trite as it was a dark stormy night. Oh well, you gotta trust me that Christmas Sampler is just way better.
The BWG are announcing our upcoming book signing events, like I said, Get them while they are hot!
“A Christmas Sampler: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales” By the Bethlehem Writers Group
A Redheaded Holiday: Countdown to a Christmas Hug (My contribution)
Hardcover: 978-160844-111-2
Paperback: 978-160844-110-5
eBook: B002MH3ZC4

Hope to see you there?
Saturday November 13th: 1:00 to 3:00 @ Moravian Bookstore, Bethlehem PA ( http://moravianbookshop.com )
Friday December 3rd: 6:00 to 8:00 @ Lion Around Bookstore, Quakertown, PA ( http://www.librarything.com/venue/8186/Lion-Around-Books )
Saturday December 4th: 1:00 to 3:00 @ Moravian Bookstore, Bethlehem PA ( http://moravianbookshop.com )
Saturday December 11th: 1:00 to 3:00 @ Borders Bookstore, Whitehall PA ( http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_345 )
Saturday December TBA ? @ Sayre Public Library, Sayre PA ( http://www.sayrepl.org/ )

Christmas in November

Merry Christmas. The traditional Christmas holiday season officially begins in Bethlehem PA at the Moravian Bookstore on November 13th @ 1:00 to be specific. This is when Santas little helpers by way of the Bethlehem Writers Group has a book signing of our holiday book: A Christmas Sampler: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales. Contained within is my humorous holiday adventure: A Redheaded Holiday: Countdown to a Christmas Hug. So HO Ho Ho, Hope to see you there.
ISBN's
Hardcover: 978-160844-111-2
Paperback: 978-160844-110-5
eBook: B002MH3ZC4

The Pinnacle of Pain

My thoughts have turned recently to Bill Cosby before he became a famous TV star. He had a comedy routine about driving the hills in San Francisco. Basically the joke was that he gunned the motor to get up to the top of the hill and when he got there was no more hill, "Where the heck did the land go, for crying out loud!"
This all came to mind as my son Ryan and I went hiking at the Pinnacle of Pain in Berks County. I started off all gung ho and quickly realized that the trail leading to the top was very steep. So steep in fact that not even a Pudding Pop was going to help me make it to the top.
I was huffing and puffing after a short distance and was taking water breaks every few nano seconds. Ryan took pity on me and offered to take the backpack with him after I bribed him. But nothing could stop him from walking in front of me so that he wouldn’t be seen with his old, out of shape Sissy Mary, father. No bribe was going to fix that problem.
I am proud to say that I made it to the Pinnacle of Pain and began my decent. Believe it or not I had more problems going down the hill than going up, with the minor exception of exchanging O2 for CO2. I must have stubbed my toe or stepped on something, but whatever it was hurt like heck, every single step, no matter how I limped or hopped, I winced with pain.
I finally made it to the parking lot and was about to do the limp of joy when I sadly discovered that my car battery was dead. In my mind all I could think of was hearing Bill Cosby utter that famous line. HEEEEEEYYYYYY, HEEEEEEYYYYYY, HEEEEEEYYYYYY.

Nomadic Redheads

Redheads has found a new home.
Drawing upon our ancient nomadic Redheaded heritage, Redhead Profiling has moved from Edublogs to Google's Blogger. Following the global appeal and worldwide support and requests I am now taking advantage of "All Things Google".
I have transferred all of my original posts from Edublogs to Google's Blogger. This mirrors the move of my website: www.jeffbaird.net to Google as well. Because of this move, as in all moves, things are a bit discombobulated and out of place, so my posts don't follow an exact timeline at the moment. In my next few spare seconds of free time, I will tidy things up a bit (I'd say 2013 should be about right.)
Please follow the exciting exploits of Redheads being Profiled.
Finally, to paraphrase the movie Apollo 13, Farewell Edublogs, you've been a good friend.

"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest:

Memoir and Narrative Nonfiction

I have entered my memoir "The World According to this Redhead" in the Literary Guide "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest. Clck here to go to their site: www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog

Check back later to see the results. Wish me luck.
Here is a summary of their contest.
Welcome to the first "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest on the GLA blog. This will be a recurring online contest with agent judges and super-cool prizes. Here's the deal: With every contest, the details are essentially the same, but the niche itself changes - meaning each contest is focused around a specific category or two. So if you're writing book-length memoir or narrative nonfiction, this first contest is for you!