Author Archives: MaryM

Book Review: Let’s Skip the Bull

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I have been asked to review a lot of books since I started this website. I get asked to review about 2-3 books a week.  I love to read and I enjoy just reading the inquiries and seeing all the exciting things people are interested enough in to pen a manuscript.  I am working on my own book (s) with about 4-5 manuscripts in varying stages of completion so I understand how hard it is to accomplish such a grand task.  I don’t have time to read every book I am asked to review but one caught my eye and I could not resist.  The book is Let’s Skip the BULL – Lessons From Dad After Your Mom Died. It was written by Daryl Calfee, after the death of his beautiful wife, Johanna.  Since my Dad died four years ago, I have been seeking resources of any kind to help me through the absence of his physical presence in my day-to-day life.  

This is a beautiful book and one I would highly recommend to anyone who needs some inspiration, who needs to be reminded of the joy that has to continue after a devastating loss.  It is filled with wonderful stories and pieces of hopeful advice.  And it can really make you think.  For example, right out of the gate in the introduction Calfee writes, “The problem is, you will think you have time.  You don’t.”  Wow, that is a punch in the gut and the absolute truth.  He continues, “Stop waiting. Worrying.  Hoping the right time or thing will come along.”  He proceeds to give advice in short chapters on how to maximize your time on Earth with pleasure.  Like visiting the ocean or going on day trips.  He also gives advice for his children about keeping your promises to people and the importance of saying, ‘I’m sorry’ but it’s really for all of us.  He peppers all of this with what he calls ‘Painfully Funny Farm Stories’, which are funny and beautiful memories from his childhood that he can pass on to his children and make us laugh along the way.  

Truth is, I love this book.  I read almost the whole book on a rainy day.  I couldn’t put it down.  I felt like I was listening to a good friend of mine; a wise friend.  I could hear his voice in my head and we have never met.  And honestly, you can’t read it just once.  I tabbed chapters that I read on days when I need a little reinforcement.  Take a look at it HERE!  Or you can purchase directly from the publishing company here.  It makes a great gift for someone who has been through a loss or even for one of your children or a friend who needs some uplifting thoughts and motivation.  Or treat yourself.  If you do get it, please let me know what you think.  Until next time, let’s all skip the bull, get real and move forward!  

My signed book keeping company with my vision board!
So excited about my signed copy with tabbed pages…keeping company with my vision board!

Countdown to Spring – New England-Style

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Spring has officially started, although you would never know it. The spring equinox was March 20th but we are now into April and it still feels like February. There recently has been 10 consecutive days of some kind of rain. There were more days of wind in March than could be counted. And it was real wind, like gusting 30 to 40 mph. This didn’t prevent me from photographing the beautiful sunsets off my balcony. I do a series of 3 or 4, even though the change is negligible. That is a hard word to say. I dare you. Try to say it 3 times in a row. Fast. See what I mean?

My family had one hamster die this “spring”, Daisy, who we loved. We bought one new hamster, Armand, who is small and feisty and no sweet Daisy. He eats handfuls of Lucky Charms and Cheerios but hates his hamster food. He has bitten everyone once.

My daughter and I have completed 8 episodes of White Lotus. We held our breath at least 5 times per episode. I have gone on zero vacations or day trips this spring but I visit the grocery store daily and sometimes, twice in the same day. I always forget the one crucial item I went there for. If I get to a retail store in between endless duties and chores, I consider that a mini-vacation. As Alexander Pope said, “Hope springs eternal” and with my glass half-full and birds in my hand (not in the bush), I am going to march forward into this season with hope for good weather and good things ahead! Happy spring everyone!

See any difference?
Sunset 2
Sunset # I don’t know.

Book review: Maybe You Should Give Up

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I swore I was not going to take on the task of another book review until I had completed my own manuscript and made a valiant effort to get it published. I have become a professional procrastinator when it comes to my own affairs. So when I received an email from Byron Morrison, I became distracted and intrigued. I consider that the mark of a curious person and a procrastinator. The title, Maybe You Should Give Up caught my attention and Byron’s last name is similar to mine. So I replied. We emailed, I looked at his website and I thought, What do I have to lose?

The title of the book is Maybe You Should Give Up and the subtitle is 7 ways to get out of your own way and take control of your life. I need to get back in control of my life and my time and 7 ways to do it seemed quite manageable to me. 50 ways would be way too much. Even 10 might be too many but 7 is a good number. But this isn’t about numerology, although I would love to go there. This is about getting stuff done. The 7 ways are essentially identifying the 7 “mental rocks” we are being weighed down by and removing them to get going again. The book stated, “Stop carrying boulders. Give up on them. Leave them behind.” Sounds simple but can you do it? I wasn’t sure I could. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could read the whole book and write a review, let alone learn anything from it. HOWEVER, I decided to read and immediately take action from Byron’s advice. And you know what? It worked! I don’t want to divulge the secret things on my to-do list that I finally pulled the proverbial trigger on but I started acting instead of allowing fear and self-criticism to stop me. In essence, I gave up on trying to be perfect which the book recommends. I had drafts of emails waiting to be sent out until they were perfect. I perused them and hit the send button. I will never be able to be rejected if they are sitting in the drafts folder. Truthfully, I already received a couple of rejections but they felt better than not acting at all.

The book is well-written, easy to read and peppered with anecdotes from Morrison’s life experience and his work as a life coach. I highly recommend this book and you can pre-order your copy here.

I have been promised an autographed copy. I can’t wait!