Mothers give body hugs with their hearts     

If you have a child, you are a family

Mothers hold in their hearts

what grows too big for their arms

WHAT'S NEW

First, I'm excited to report you can now get a copy of my humorous mystery novel in either downloadable form or as a hard-cover book you can actually hold in your hand, carry with you to restaurants so you can read while you eat (as we do in this family) or show off to friends, claiming to sort of actually "know" the author. Just go to http://www.lulu.com/content/130454 and you can download it for as little as $4.99 or get the hard copy for just $13.47

Second, have you ever wondered just what your kid (or significant other) does on the computer for all those countless hours? Now there is a software product that will allow you to see what they see -- without revealing your curiosity. It's called Desktop Snooper and it's only $49. Go here: http://royaltyware.com/sn/software.aspx and take a look. You can even download a demo for free!

Third, as a Baby Boomer myself, I'm quite aware of my own mortality. I have recently become a reseller of one of the most valuable life-saving pieces of medical equipment you can own. A defibrillator. Made by Philips Medical, the OnSite defibrillator is the only thing that will save the life of a person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. You can do CPR till the cows come home and if the person's heart doesn't receive an electrical shock as soon as possible, they die (the chances for survival decline by 10% for each minute that passes -- after 10 minutes the chances for survival are less than 1%). The really neat thing is that you cannot shock someone who doesn't need to be shocked and the machine talks you through the whole process. Please visit my new site at www.DontDropDead.com. Ask me anything.

BOOK REVIEW: The Heart's Language by Lois-Ann Yamanaka

According to a recent article in the NY Times, government statistics report that one in 166 children are now born autistic. For the many parents who are looking for books to use as tools to help these special children, distinguished author and poet, Lois-Ann Yamanaka has drawn on her own experiences as the mother of an autistic child to create her latest picture book. The Heart's Language is a poignant story about a boy who struggles to express himself and parents who long to understand him.

For a small boy, the heart's language is all he knows. With his heart, he can speak to animals, trees and creatures of the sea. But he cannot be understood by the people around him, even those who love him most -- his mother and his father. One day, when he is feeling sad and alone, a magical blue bird pays him a visit. With the bird's encouragement, the boy findd a way to make himself heard. And when his parents try to speak the boy's language, they are finally able to express their love, and truly communicate with the shared language of the heart.

Yamanaka's timely and personal message of compassion, coupled with bright watercolor illustrations by Aaron Jasinski, takes a unique look at exceptional children. 

Also, in case you hadn't noticed, I've changed the Deal of the Month to the Deal of the Quarter.

Thanks for visiting. Y'all come back soon, now, y'hear!