From a Cluttered Desk

I am Tammy Cardwell, she of the cluttered desk. (Hey, you think I'm kidding?!) I'm having a blast here in Blogland and invite to you to peruse my ramblings. Like a buffet, they offer variety - essentially whatever makes it to the top of the piles that sometimes clutter my brain. We'll eventually cover it all - homeschooling, God, our church, the Eclectic Homeschool Online, books I'm writing and publishing, conferences I speak at, the joys of grandmotherhood, and hopefully chocolate. Of course, this is only what's near the top now. Who knows what's in those piles?

I’ve been  noticing something in recent months, and saw it quite clearly while out shopping yesterday.

Courtesy, at least in my neck of the woods, seems to be making a comeback.

I’m not sure what’s causing this revival of a nearly lost art, but I’m definitely seeing a difference. It has almost become common for people  to hold doors for each other as they enter and leave buildings; I’m hearing more "Excuse mes" as people pass in store aisles; I’m seeing more smokers actively move away from groups of nonsmokers so that they’ll not disturb them…

Friday morning was an excellent example. This was my first time to  do the ‘Black Friday’ thing and I was expecting, from stories I’ve been told, to see people act slightly insane. I saw none of it. Oh, I did hear a grumble or two about long lines and not being able to navigate overly crowded toy store aisles, but that was the extent of it. You saw people helping total strangers find the toys of their (kids’s) dreams, passing off unneeded coupons to couponless shoppers, and in general being good neighbors. It was quite refreshing.

I wonder if some of these people, like me, have grown so tired of the rank rudeness that has permeated society in recent years that they have make the decision to actively go in the opposite direction, practicing politeness as much as they possibly can.

Whatever the reason, it certainly makes life ‘out there’ more pleasant!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

We’re off to our family’s Thanksgiving like much of the rest of the US is right now. I’m praying for safe travels for all and trusting that everyone is taking at least a few minutes to thank The One who has helped us make it through another year.

Be blessed!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

We’ve been REALLY busy around here!

Today we released an ebook version of  Why the Chimes Rang, a children’s picture book that was originally published in 1909 and contains some of the most beautiful artwork I’ve ever seen. If you want a special gift for your favorite little someone, consider picking up this gem from a century ago. It’s priceless!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Meditations on the Word is online at last!

This is the culmination of years of work. You may not think so since it’s not huge or anything, but I began it years ago, finished it a few months ago (after picking it up and putting it down far too many times) and only now have actually published it.

And it’s here, on this site, free for your reading and, I hope, edification. You’ll find it in the Publisher section under Online Books.

I have had the best time since we went live with the site. Learning new things is not always my favorite activity, but the satisfaction that comes when I’m able to take those new skills and apply them to something as big and powerful as this site can be? That is truly a wonderful thing.

And now I’m off to the next thing!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I finally  finished getting the text of Some Successful Americans loaded into the database here at TammyCardwell.net. Look under Publisher and you will see it listed under Online Books.

You can still buy the ebook, of course, and get the benefit of all of those wonderful photos as well has having it permanently stored on your own computer and accessible offline.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I’ve said it before and I will gladly repeat myself here. I will never stop learning.

I’m more sure of this now than ever before in my life. The past several weeks, as I’ve worked on releasing new ebooks and doing my part to get this site ready to go live, have pushed me way out of my comfort zone, forcing me to learn things I never had any interest in doing for myself.

Not, mind you, that this site is purely a result of my own efforts! Lest anyone think I’ve done more than provide guidance and content, I will say now that I you ever need a good web designer you will find her at http://eclecticgraphic.com.

Actually, here is all of her contact information….

Beverly Krueger
Eclectic Graphic & Internet Design
bevkrueger@eclecticgraphic.com
703-499-8302

See you in the blog!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C