#ThursdayThoughts: Random Ramblings on Friendship

Hello Friends,

Please know I do not use that term lightly and I DO appreciate each and every one of you for your support over the years.

If you're new to reading my work and/or following me -- Welcome! I pray you're aren't disappointed in what you find here on my blog.

Now on to my thoughts about Friendship....

We talk about BFF's and all of our friends which a lot of time, include mere acquaintances. So, I wonder, do we really appreciate the true friends in our lives?

The Bible teaches us that a "true" friend sticks closer to us than a brother but I wonder, would we really stick close to our 'friends' in their toughest times?

What about when they are doing something we don't approve of?

Now if you know me at all, you understand I never write to judge or criticize but to uplift and encourage and yes, if what I write makes you think and evaluate then that's great too!

I guess the point of these random ramblings is this: Love and appreciate the friends in your life. Uplift them when they are down. If you can help them see the error of their ways in some situations, do so with love and peace, not judgement and criticism. 

Most of all, be the kind of friend you would like to have!

Something to think about!!
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

PS: Speaking of Friends....I recently published the Tempered Series Bundle which includes all 4 of the Tempered Novels (Hearts, Dreams, Fire & Joy) as well as Lori's Redemption....all at a lower price than if you bought them individually!

You might ask how this relates to this post on friendship. This line in the book description explains it all..... Start at the beginning and follow these beloved characters throughout the years as love crosses the lines of age and strengthens the bonds of friendship.


The Tempered Series Bundle can be purchased through Smashwords for any electronic reading device! It is also at Barnes & Noble for Nook and should be showing up at Amazon soon too!

Tuesday Treasure - Silver Spur Guest Ranch, Bandera, TX

Good Morning Friends!

Today's treasure is not a book or product, but a place.

If you've followed my blog you've heard about this place before but please indulge me and let me share with my new friends the awesomeness of God in leading me back to Bandera and to the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.

As a child I went with my grandparents to Bandera to visit with their long-time friend whom I called Aunt Ellen on her ranch. The photos I have are dated April 1966 which puts me a month shy of five years old but the impression of that place on my young heart stayed with me forever.

At four years old I never dreamed I'd grow up to be a writer. When I wrote my Tempered series it only made sense to set my western romances on a ranch in TX...so...with a vivid imagination and a little research I set them in Bandera, the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Years passed and I only visited Bandera once, when Tempered Hearts was first published back in 2000/2001. I donated a book to the library and had a book signing. Though a quick, turn around trip, my husband and I had a lovely time.  Later I added a short story spin-off, Lori's Redemption.

                                                                                        

Fast forward to 2010 and The Wild Rose Press's "Saddle up and Write" retreat held in Bandera, TX at the Silver Spur Guest Ranch! Lost and unsettled after my husbands death in 2009 I jumped at the chance to go to the place I remembered with such fondness. Not only did I attend the writer's retreat, by the grace of God and the kindness of the ranch owners, Kay & Garry Walsmith, I returned to live and work at the Silver Spur for the better part of that year! I've remained friends with the Walsmiths and the SSR staff and have returned periodically to visit and to work.

I've said often that Bandera touched my heart as a child and changed my life as an adult. I mean who wouldn't feel that way looking at this scenery and that gorgeous sunset!

If you're ever out in the area or are looking for a great place to bring your family for vacation, check out Bandera, TX and the Silver Spur Guest Ranch!

The entire Tempered series is available on Kindle & Nook!

Until later...Take Care, God Bless and Remember....Sometimes God brings you full circle...

PamT

We Have a Cover!

Hello Again, Friends,

I haven't been around in a while. Things are crazy busy as hubby and I attempt to finish the home re-decorating we began in Jan. Ripping out carpets, putting down vinyl flooring, repainting. Been a long, tough road wrought with exhaustion - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I've had to cancel a lot of activities just to maintain some sort of balance - which is why my Schedule of Events has disappeared. I'm not sure when I'll get back to scheduling promotional activities because as soon as we finish with the house, hubby wants to build a porch and then, my brother and nephew are flying in from Alaska for a week or so.

Whew!

Maybe after the summer, my life will get back on an even keel LOL!

With all of this going on, you can imagine my delight when I received the cover for my upcoming release, Tempered Joy, book 4 in my series - so much excitement that I just had to share!

We are in the final proofing stage and then after that, it’s off to print we go so check back soon for a release date.

Until later, take care, God Bless and remember….They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (Psalms 126:5)

Pamela S Thibodeaux

"Inspirational with an Edge!"

DeLurking!

Hello Friends,

You may be wondering where I've been and why I haven't posted in a while. To be honest, I was teetering on the edge of burnout so I had to take a break.

If you look at my Schedule of Events for May, I was busy, busy--too busy. June's schedule is a lot lighter and I think I'll keep it that way.

Burnout is not fun but when I'm doing what I love most -writing, editing, promoting-I tend to get carried away and push myself to the extreme.

Anyway, I'm back!

Tempered Joy is in production and I'm hoping for a release date and cover soon!

I've resumed the 2nd round of edits for The Visionary, hopefully those'll go smoothly and that book will go into production by the end of Summer or early Fall.

That's about all for now.

Until next time...take care, God Bless and remember...when the going gets tough the tough go to God.

PamT

Pot Luck Post

Hi Friends!

Ever attend an event where the food served was termed “pot luck” where everyone brings a covered dish and/or dessert?

I love these as you never know what you’ll try that’s new, but you can always rest assured you’ll get something delicious!

Well I’ve titled this post, Potluck because so much has happened since the last time I shared with you that I figured it would be easier to report the events all at once… a virtual smorgasbord of news!

Now, where do I start? LOL!

On a personal note…Easter was BEAUTIFUL but quiet. We put new flooring in my bedroom (we’re stripping out all carpet and installing vinyl flooring throughout the house-finishing my bedroom got us to the half-way point) anyway, this made the weekend less eventful as we didn’t have company nor did we go very far. Of course we did bring our Angel Girl a basket and visit with her for a while. J All-in-all we had a great weekend.

On the professional side….finished round one edits for my 4th Tempered novel; proofreader has done her stint and now I’ll make one more run through the book then it’s off to layout – Yay! Still waiting on the cover but that’s in the works and I’ll share it with you as soon as I can.

I also received my 2nd round of edits for The Visionary and will begin working through that novel as soon as I send the other manuscript off.

My short story, A Hero for Jessica was released March 26th and has already received good reviews including a Reviewers Top Pick from Night Owl Romance!

April 9th I’m off to Daytona Beach, FL for the NDA Cheer & Dance Championship to root for SFA pom/dance/drillteam which is coached by my son! So please, say a prayer for a safe trip and a national title or two. J

Oh, one more newsflash! Next week I’ll be spotlighting author Tracey H Kitts and her book Red on my personal blog so if you get a chance, run over and see what she has to offer!

Well, that’s about all for now Friends!

Until later take care, God BLESS and remember….You reap what you sow, therefore if you sow love, peace, joy and wealth then love, peace, joy and wealth will abound in your life!

Pamela S Thibodeaux
“Inspirational with an Edge!”