Wednesday, February 06, 2019

February Already? IWSG Going Strong and Black History Month

IWSG WEBSITE
I thought it worth noting this month that there are191 participants signed up to post in the IWSG blog hop this month. I know it fluctuates, but to me, that is amazing. Most post regularly while others miss now and then. This is more than a "blog hop" which is defined by hopping from one blog to another. We do hop, but we are doing more than that. We visit each blog to learn, gain confidence, spill our guts, boast, grieve, and to give advice, our opinion, comfort, and encouragement.  We don't just travel. We sit awhile, read, comment and "be" there for those on the list that we can reach. IWSG is a community and we are here for each other.
This is African American/Black History Month! Did you know that each president has to "declare" this? It isn't automatically scheduled. It is mandated by the sitting president and must be renewed when the president changes. I didn't know that and find it an interesting fact. Here are some links to interesting sites, videos, articles and some memes. Some are amazing, some beautiful, some are controversial, but all show us African American/Black History Month is deserved, necessary and powerful, even if I hope eventually, we won't "need" a month for this. It will just be "American History".




huffingtonpost.com

usatoday.com

africanamericanhistorymonth.gov

infoplease.com 

naacp.org





 









 February Question: Besides writing what other creative outlets do you have?
Funny, I used to do cross stitch and sew. I don't have much time for that now. I love to garden, plant flowers, so that's my only, at the moment, other creative venture.

 Our wonderful co-hosts for the February 6 posting of the IWSG are

The next IWSG anthology comes out April 30 
and this is the cover of Masquerade: Oddly Suited!



Masquerade: Oddly Suited
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Release date – April 30, 2019
Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/Contemporary
Print ISBN 9781939844644
EBook ISBN 9781939844651

Find love at the ball…

 Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual Traveler or a virtual date to the ball?

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party… 

 Whether you are single or have a partner, Happy Valentine's Day!
 
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19 comments:

  1. J.H. Moncrieff3:08 AM

    Happy February, Lisa!

    Great post. I love that you recognized Black History Month. I agree--hopefully, someday, we won't need one month to acknowledge something that should be celebrated year-round.

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  2. Raimey Gallant4:41 AM

    Gardening! I totally forgot that I love this. In that case, I have two creative outlets: writing and gardening. :) I didn't know that about Black History Month. Very interesting factoid. Thanks for sharing and happy IWSG Day!

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  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh8:20 AM

    Well said about the IWSG! Can I quote you?

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    Replies
    1. Lisa10:49 AM

      Yes! Of course! I'd be honored...

      Delete
  4. CV Grehan9:11 AM

    I did not know that presidents had to re-declare. Great post! I'm determined to make my garden look like a garden this year. We'll see what I really do come April.

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  5. Melissa11:13 AM

    IWSG is amazing. Even though I'm not currently on the blog list, I'm thankful for Alex and all the people who make it possible.

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  6. L. Diane Wolfe12:01 PM

    A president has to declare it? Odd. Now I wonder, is there an Native American history month? There really should be.

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    Replies
    1. Lisa10:50 AM

      I totally agree, and then also feel like Morgan Freeman. It should be "American History" all inclusive, not just a month!

      Delete
  7. Diane Burton12:07 PM

    That's an interesting fact about Black History month. Love the quotes. Like you, I used to sew and do cross-stitch (and other needlework) but with writing taking up so much time, I don't anymore.

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  8. Chrys Fey12:49 PM

    I did not know that. Wow. Thank you for sharing!

    And, yes, this community is more about hopping. It's about building friendships, too. I don't know where I'd be without the friendships I forged through the IWSG.

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  9. cleemckenzie2:37 PM

    I like that you mention how IWSG is more than a blog hop. It truly is, and your post today is a case in point. I didn't know that about Black History Month. Thanks for writing about it today.

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  10. Anonymous10:45 AM

    I love the community of IWSG. They're always there to uplift me when I needed and I enjoy being able to return the favor.

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  11. Mark Koopmans12:29 PM

    *Thank you* for the very sweet, kind comments :) Not sure if comedy is meant for me, but I do enjoy it when my posts (my current creative outlet!!) have a wee bit of fun infused in them.

    That is a powerful quote by Coretta Scott King - and so true. Life is way too short...

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  12. Toi Thomas1:39 PM

    This is a nice post and I appreciate you sharing it. After reading through some of the other comments, I'll have to disagree with you and Morgan Freeman. Morgan Freeman has been quoted stating that the "black struggle" is no longer an issue because he doesn't experience it. Unfortunately, not all black people have the benefit of being a global celebrity. As long as, there are racially marginalized people in this country as a standard, these federal observances are necessary. It's a shame there is no official Native American History observation as well as Asian American, Hispanic American, and others. As long as the color of someone's skin and the slant of their eyes is an issue in this country, racially marginalized people need to be recognized and the racially privileged need to be educated. Until the day comes when the American present is truly representative of all Americans- that’s when we can all celebrate American History.

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    Replies
    1. Lisa3:06 PM

      I agree with you Toi, we as a country, sadly, aren’t ready for an all inclusive “American History.” I do still hope for one though and will continue to honor and support a moving toward that future by supporting as best I can the individual histories that actually make up this, our, country. Thank you for your words.

      Delete
  13. Gwen Gardner2:08 PM

    I wish so much that I had time for gardening. I don't have a garden and the yard is full of weeds that get whacked every now and then. LOL. Thanks for sharing Black History Month--such awesome quotes too.

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  14. Gina Gao3:28 PM

    Black History Month serves to highlight what the fact that acceptance - no matter what your skin color - is important. Thank you for sharing!

    www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com

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  15. Ronel Janse van Vuuren5:17 AM

    Gardening is a great creative outlet :-)

    Ronel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It

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  16. Hilary Melton-Butcher10:47 AM

    Hi Lisa - I didn't know Black History Month had to be declared ... but am glad it exists and people remember. Love the quotes you've given us - so many wise words here ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete

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