Christmas Gift-Giving Ideas

If you're like me, a sense of frustration can grow with the approaching Christmas season.  When the children are grown, it's easy to look at our gift list and realize how blessed we truly are--because we don't really need anything under our Christmas tree.  

I also pity the poor postman, who has already begun bringing me pounds and pounds of Christmas catalogs.  I have a tendency to order online and from catalogs, so that means I get a ton of them every autumn. 

Last week, however, the mail man brought me a little catalog that has really tickled my fancy. I call it "Cows for Christmas" or "Heifers for the Holidays" and maybe you'll like the idea, too. 

The book is filled with ideas for gift giving:  for instance, for $120, you can give a goat to a poor family in Peru. The goat can supply a family with several quarts of milk a day, plus provide them with the means to make cheese, butter, ,or yogurt. The goat manure is used to fertilize a family's garden. And if someone else in town has a male goat, there will soon be little goats running all around . . . 

Or, if you'd like to spread your gifts around, $10 will buy a share in a goat.  Your gifts will be combined with others to provide a goat.  

Isn't this a great idea?  The little catalog from www.heifer.org explains how you can give pigs, heifers, sheep, rabbits, bees, water buffalo, and seedings.  Most of all, your gift can give hope. 

So visit www.heifer.org and request a catalog . . . or place your order online.  I'm going to talk to the hubby about doing this for Christmas.  Why give someone another appliance to stick under the kitchen counter when you could give a sheep to a family who knits?  :-)  

~~Angie 

P.S.  This review of THE FACE released today. Amazing, isn't it? 

WOW!!!  This one single word sums up this powerful novel.  Phenomenal author Angela Hunt never disappoints, and THE FACE is the best novel she has penned to date.  I predict it will make a huge impact and win a multitude of awards.  Every single character is vibrant and over-the-top, bringing each and every page alive and pulsating with life, and the characters themselves jump right off the paper and into your heart.  Written in alternating chapters that feature Sarah's and Renee’s first person voices, THE FACE is a commanding piece of work.  It’s a blockbuster novel that deserves every award out there.  I don’t have the power to bestow such accolades, but I can award it a Perfect Ten.  Even at this early date, I will also pronounce THE FACE to be a strong contender for RRT's Best Book of the Year award -- it is nothing less than an extraordinary work of fiction.

Diana Risso

Romance Reviews Today

When the Telemarketer Calls . . .

When my daughter was a baby, I remember having her on the changing table when the phone rang.  In that instant, as I debated leaving the baby on the table to answer the phone, it occurred to me that I PAY for that ringing annoyance.  So why should I risk my child's life in order to answer a ringing phone? 

And that was the day I stopped answering the phone--and that was before called ID was invented.  Ever since then, especially since the advent of caller ID, I think of the phone as something expendable, like a blender.  It's nice to have when I need it, but it's certainly not a necessity.  

I'm sure this philosophy has spared me from many a conversation with telemarketers.  But sometimes one of those calls will still slip through, usually when I answer because I'm expecting a call from someone else, or because I thought I recognized the number in the caller ID window. 

Some brilliant European folks have come up with an answer:  the telemarketer counterscript.  You can find it here.    It's simple to use:  the minute you realize you have a telemarketer on the line, start asking questions and filling in blanks.  Turn the tables. 

I find the idea so intriguing that I might actually pick up the phone one of these days . . . 

~~Angie 

Book Club Reads DEWEY

Yea--finally!  JAN won the contest, as, after much counting, I figured out that THE FACE was my 111th book. (I've actually written 112, as LET DARKNESS COME) is finished, too, but that wasn't the question. 

SO--Jan, would you please email me your address?  I'll get 2 copies of THE FACE right out to you!  

This month my neighborhood book club read DEWEY: The Small Town Library Cat That Changed the World.  We all agreed that the book isn't exactly high brow literature, but it gave us several hours of enjoyment.  Myself, I went through nearly a box of tissues as I read.  :-) 

Enjoy the photos.  We had club members bring photos of their own kitties, and Margaret brought those adorable cookies!  

Bottom line:  we highly recommend the book, especially if you have a love for cats!  

(Hint: click on the photos to enlarge and see the detail on those cookies! They're adorable!) 

Dewey Readmore Books has his own web site.  You can check it out here.  

~~Angie 

BOM: Q&A

Questions and Answers about THE FACE?  

Update on the contest:  Last night I had to print out a book list and count 'em up.  I did not count books that have been published in new editions, nor did I count story collections in which I had a story.  I did count books I've ghostwritten (don't do that any more), so that's going to make it difficult for any of you who are trying to count on Amazon.com.  

I think I'd better take Clyde's idea and run with it.  Since we're no where near the number, why don't you guess the number?  The Face is my ____th book.  The person who first gets it right will win TWO free copies (thanks for bearing with me).  Have fun! 

Kathy asked:What would you do if you didn't agree with the edits? How much leeway/say do you have in the editing process?

If I feel STRONGLY about an issue and can make a case for it, then I usually do and it usually stays.  Most of the time, however, I appreciate my editor's experience and opinion, and defer to her judgment.  

Linda asked:

How hard was it to research the CIA stuff? Were there things you wanted to find out and couldn't? (or they'd "tell you but then they'd have to kill you?!)

LOL.  No--most of the CIA info was either found in books or on the Internet--and you'd be surprised how much you can find on the Internet.  Some of the other material was written by ex-CIA agents who have written books about their work for the Agency.  

And did you write the chapters in order (switching back and forth from Sarah to Renee) or did you sometimes write several focused on one and then fill in with the other?

I think there were a few times when I wrote a long stretch of Sarah chapters, followed by a stretch of Renee chapters, but I usually write chronologically.  Occasionally, however, I break up those chronological passages and insert the other character's chapter just to heighten the suspense.  

Lori asked:  

How long did it take you to write The Face?

I think I spent about five or six months on The Face.  I did take a little longer with this one, handing it in on October 1,  2007.  

What is your most favorite book that you have written?

I honestly don't have a favorite--that would be like picking a favorite child!  If pressed, I usually say that my favorite is the one that just left my desk!  Whew! 

Tammy asked if I am a Red Hatter--actually, I suppose I am.  I was a Pink Hatter in the Heavenly Daze chapter of the RHs, so now that I've turned fifty, I'm sure my hat is red!  My RH name (chosen by the HD ladies) is "Her Royalest Angel of Heavenly Daze." :-)

And are there going to be any more Heavenly Daze books?  At this point, it doesn't look like it.  Sorry. 

Thanks for your questions!  And thanks for coming along for another book of the month! 

~~Angie

BOM: Results and Reader Reaction

Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year! 

“May you live in interesting times” is a quote commonly attributed to Confucius, probably erroneously, but Robert F. Kennedy did use it in a speech in 1966, adding a rueful twist: “Like it or not, we live in interesting times....” Regardless of your thinking on these current times, they are certainly anything but boring, and we feel the same about the books published this year.

Once again, we take the opportunity near year's end to review the year in books, highlighting the very best of what American publishing had to offer in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, comics, religion, lifestyle and children's. 

Mass Market
No One Heard Her Scream
Jordan Dane (Avon)
Dane crafts this debut murder mystery with tight plotting and smooth prose, and adds a few sparks to create a story that appeals to mainstream thriller readers as well as romantic suspense fans.
The Face
Angela Hunt (Mira)
Compelling characterization drives this enthralling tale of second chances and new beginnings, centered on the struggles of a young woman born without a face.
Deadly Deceptions
Linda Lael Miller (HQN)
Miller's second Cave Creek supernatural mystery is packed full of plot twists and smart romance, painting crime-solver Mojo Sheepshanks as much more than just another quirky psychic.
Heart of the Wolf
Terry Spear (Sourcebooks/Casablanca)
A werewolf woman defies the alpha male of her pack in this supernatural romance, with chemistry that crackles off the page and a richly depicted pack dynamic.
Private Arrangements
Sherry Thomas (Bantam)
Deft plotting and sparkling characterization mark this superior debut historical romance, wherein an English lord agrees to grant his wife a divorce if she produces an heir within a year.

Other reader reactions are beginning to trickle in on this blog, so I won't repeat them for you.  I'm just happy that a book I labored long and hard over seems to be accomplishing what I hoped for in the marketplace.  

Tomorrow:  Q&A, so don't forget to leave any questions you might have! 

P.S.  Randy Alcorn has some great thoughts on his blog. Worth checking out! 

Oh--and I promised to give away a copy of THE FACE, didn't I?  Okay, here's how we'll do it.  THE FACE is the (number) book I've had published.  It may take us two days to come up with that many comments, but I'll add them up and the person who comments at that number will win the free copy!  Please, make sure you don't leave two comments in a row (if you can help it.)  

Have fun!  Just say "hi" if you want to.  :-)

~~Angie

And now--the debut of our new trailer!

BOM: The Editing

My editor liked THE FACE when I handed it in, but she had a few major suggestions.  First, she was afraid the discussion of waterboarding, etc., would become dated, so she advised cutting it all out.  Second, in my original draft, I had Dr. Mewton jump out a window at the end of the book, and my editor suggested that I change that.  So I suppose Dr. M owes her life to my editor.  :-) 

My editor had some other suggestions about things to cut, mostly flashbacks that I had added in order to fill out Sarah's character a bit.  My editor thought they weren't necessary, and I agreed.  So out they went.  

The rest of the editing was fairly painless, at least as far as I can remember.  At first THE FACE was going to be released through Steeple Hill, the inspirational imprint from Harlequin, so I wrote discussion questions for Christian book clubs.  Later, Harlequin decided to release THE FACE through Mira, a general imprint, so I wrote discussion questions for more general book clubs.  The questions for Christian book clubs, however, are on my web site. The difference? The questions for Christians group work more at unpacking the spiritual metaphors in the novel.  

It's funny--I've seen the book described as Christian fiction and "not Christian fiction," so I suppose it depends upon what the reader brings to the tale. 

Tomorrow: results and reader reaction (provided that we have some by then.)   :-)  And don't forget--if you have any questions, leave them in the comments for our Q&A session on the seventh. 

~~Angie 

BOM: The Writing

Writing THE FACE was challenging, especially at the beginning.  I had a dickens of a time trying to figure out whether it was Renee's story or Sarah's story.  I designed a plot skeleton featuring Renee, then I did one featuring Sarah. 

Finally, I realized that since I knew the ending (no spoiler here)--the story needed to belong to Sarah.  Though Renee was almost a second protagonist. 

Fortunately, at the time I was reading A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, which is a splendid read, if you're interested.  Like THE FACE, it is a story about two women, and it solves the "problem" of having two protagonists in much the same way.   (I'd say more, but that would involve revealing a spoiler, so I'll hush now.) 

As I wrote, I included a lot of information on the CIA--on (real) black sites, on torture, on waterboarding, and brain printing.  Some of that info hit the cutting room floor, as you'll learn tomorrow as we discuss the editing.  

When I had the manuscript in passable shape, I sent it to MG, my favorite test reader, who added his usual astute comments and helped me tighten things up. :-)  I use his initials only lest he be deluged with desperate writers looking for an expert editorial eye . . . 

Tomorrow: the editing 

Please join me in praying for our country's future today. 

~~Angie 

BOM: The Research

THE FACE required quite a bit of research in several areas:  first I read a book on beauty and its effects on people--and yes, there are effects.  Even babies show a pronounced preference for symmetrical, or "beautiful" faces.  Beautiful people do generally have an easier time of things.  

I also had to research the obvious areas:  the CIA, face transplants, Treacher Collins Syndrome, and poppy/opium production. Though I've been a huge fan of the TV show Alias, I quickly discovered that I couldn't rely on the show for any research--the show is designed for drama, not reality, and most of the situations in it are unreliable.  I did manage to sneak a reference to the show into the manuscript, though.  :-) 

When it came to the story's setting, I relied on a trip my husband and I paid to Spain last spring. While we were driving up the coast, I spied an old church on a rocky mountain out in the sea.  The mountain was big enough for only one building, but the place was haunting in its beauty.  That's the location I had in mind when I wrote the story.  (I've uploaded a photograph). 

The information about the trauma drug and "brain printing" is absolutely accurate, as is the computer jargon, if you're into that sort of thing.  And yes, if you had a give a gun to a blind man, you'd give him the one I described near the end of the book. I have to thank my friend and gun expert Tom Morrisey for that information.  

So--as with most of my books, I spent a few days doing "big picture" research, then I jumped in and began writing.  I looked up the smaller things as I went along and discovered what I needed.  It's all a learning process. 

Tomorrow: the writing. 

~~Angie 

BOM: How the idea germinated

The idea for THE FACE stemmed from a TV show I saw on the Discovery Health Channel.  The special was about Juliana Wetmore, a little girl born with Treacher Collins syndrome . . . the most severe case ever recorded. This child was literally born without a face.  (Photo: a current photo of Juliana. I love her spirit!) 

Now, my book is not about this child, who is very young and still undergoing the many surgeries she will need in order to have a "normal" face.  You can read this little girl's story on her web site here.  

As many novelists do, I took the truth of her story and asked myself, "What if?"  What if another child were born like this? What would happen if she didn't have all the surgeries necessary to be accepted in society? What would happen if we fast forwarded 20 years and she were a young adult?  

Add to that mix my ALIAS infatuation and desire to write about the CIA, stir together my fascination with facial expressions and their link to emotions, and add a sprinkle of family relationships--and that's how you come up with a story like THE FACE.  

My main purpose, however, wasn't to discuss faces--those were a means to an end. I kept thinking about that song, "We Shall See Him As He Is" and about how we don't discover our true self--the person we were meant to be--until we meet Christ. But certain things are necessary--certain sacrifices have to be made--before we are ready to begin a new life as a new creature. So I used this story to illustrate a spiritual truth. I hope it will resonate with you. 

If you haven't read it yet, I hope you enjoy the story. And do check out Juliana's page--this is a Christian family, and they have faced incredible struggle and pain in order to help this precious little girl grow and gain confidence.  I know they would appreciate your prayers. 

Tomorrow:  the research. 

~~Angie 

Book of the Month: The Face

I've been waiting for what feels like ages to tell you about the origin and development of THE FACE.  I'll share how the idea germinated and talk about the writing, editing, etc . . . so stay tuned over the next few days! 

Library Journal just issued a review: 

"Because of her severe facial deformities, Sarah Jane Sims is a secret to the world, kept that way by the CIA after her parents' deaths. When her father's sister, Renee, reads some old letters saved by her mother and discovers that she has a 20-year-oldniece, Renee is determined to find out what happened to Sarah Jane and whether she is still alive somewhere. Hunt's skill at developing interesting characters and tense stories (The Elevator, Doesn't She Look Natural) makes this title a worthwhile read. Hunt also weaves in real-life CIA techniques that will fascinate readers. Including themes of beauty and love and what makes a person beautiful and worth loving, this book is recommended for CF and women's fiction collections." --Library Journal, November 1, 2008. 

I'll be one of the first to say that THE FACE is not overtly Christian--I wrote it for the world at large, but there's a metaphor involved, and the metaphor is extremely Christian. You'll be able to find discussion questions for Christian book clubs on my website.  (Warning: spoilers found there.) 

In the mean time, here's a sneak peek: 

Orphaned and severely deformed, from her earliest moments Sarah Sims has been kept hidden away in a secret CIA facility—until an unexpected discovery gives her an opportunity to make a life for herself at last.

Now Sarah has an ally, a long-lost aunt who has discovered her true identity. Aided by this brave psychologist, twenty-year-old Sarah must find the courage to confront the forces that have confined her for so long. And the strength to be reborn into a world she has never known. 

Tomorrow:  how the idea originated.  

~~Angie 

Carving Pumpkins?

Want to know how to carve a pumpkin?  I found a really good how-to-carve-tutorial on the web.  Just click here.  

And let me know if your pumpkin looks like his!  :-)

Now--please forgive some more thoughts about politics.  I've honestly tried not to focus too much on the issue, but I can't help speaking out when I feel strongly about something. 

I'm thinking about doing something different this year for trick or treat.  When the kids come to my house, I'll look in their bags.  If they have been hard at work and collected more than 25 pieces of candy, I'll tell them they owe me ten pieces so I can deliver them to all the kids who, for whatever reason, didn't come out to gather goodies. 

And when they look at me like I've lost my marbles, I'll tell them that's Senator Obama's idea of trick or treat.  

Will I really do it? Of course not, the trick or treaters are children, and I don't expect them to know how government works. 

So how do I explain all those voters who should understand how the system works? 

~~Angie 

The Night-Blooming Cereus Blooms Again

Some of you may remember me talking about how last summer (2007), I stayed up until 3 a.m. one night to watch a plant bloom.  I had just planted some night-blooming cereus, and one of them had a bloom--and I was determined to see the flower.  The NBC, you see, blooms at night and then fades away by sunrise--so if you don't see the flower at night, you don't see the flower.  

Fortunately, my plants this year (the ugliest plants you've ever seen, and they have only seemed to thrive under my neglect), put forth several blooms, and they've been in full flower by nine p.m.--so no more all-night vigils for me.  Last night I had TWO blossoms at once, and pulled out the camera.  And so, without further ado, I present pictures of my night-blooming cereus. 

Here's a link to a web site with more info on this fascinating plant.  I keep mine outdoors, so I'm not sure how they'd do in cooler climes . . . but you're welcome to try.  :-)

~~Angie

I've Been Thinking . . . dangerous, I know.

The other day hubby looked at me and said, "Why are you on this politics kick all of a sudden?"  I looked at him as if he'd lost his marbles, then I tried to explain:  "It's . . . it's like every four years, America stands up and takes a look at her values, and then looks at her candidates, and tries to match them up.  And every four years I'm amazed at how far values are slipping." 

Maybe it's because I'm unemployed at the moment and I have more time to think.  I prefer to believe, though, that the Lord is bringing a lot of thought-provoking stimuli into my life at once.  There's the election, of course.  And the fact that the major candidates are hanging out in my backyard.  And this past weekend Netflix happened to send me EXPELLED, Ben Stein's documentary about the lack of scientific freedom in this country (you mention Intelligent Design in scientific research, and you're likely to find yourself blacklisted and out of a job.)  

 The hubby, who volunteers in the public schools, keeps coming home and telling me that so many teachers are horrified by the lack of respect the kids show--they're undisciplined and vulgar and so unruly that a lot of good teachers are ready to quit.  And I've been reading a book by a young man who once called himself a Christian, but now is a convert to atheism via Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and believes that religion is the solace of irrational fools. 

And it occurs to me that the big picture behind all of this is that our country--indeed, the "intelligentsia" of the world--is slipping from agnosticism into atheism.  What really concerns me is that I see many people who should know better riding that liberal train--supporting pro-abortion candidates, claiming a belief in macro-evolution, disdaining the validity of the Scriptures, and reserving their "religious activities" for weekends.  If we Christians don't cling to the Truth, who will? 

Why are the kids in school so undisciplined and disrespectful today?  Could it be because we took God out of the classroom and the curriculum, thus taking away the chief object of human respect?  

Why is marriage considered a temporary state? Could it be because we no longer obey the vows we took, and we no longer believe in the God who witnessed those vows?  Could it be that marriage is no longer a sacred union between a man and a woman, but between any two willing parties?  How long before people start wanting to marry their pets?  

Why do we find ourselves hopeless?  Could it be because we no longer believe in a divine purpose for life and an afterlife to come? 

Why do we no longer weep for aborted babies?  Could it be because life has been cheapened and we no longer see the image of God in every tiny beating heart? 

Why do scientists seriously find it easier to believe that life began with "piggybacking crystals" or aliens who "seeded" the planet than with God who authored life and gave us his word? 

When asked what he would say to God after death (and delusion), Richard Dawkins quoted another atheist (and I'm paraphrasing):  "I would ask him why he made himself so hard to find." 

But evidence of God is not hard to find. Remember when your Mom used to come into the room, look around, and say, "Who made this mess?"  Deterioration may cause a mess, but it takes an intelligent being to create ORDER.  

People "know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Though everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools"  (Romans 1:19-22). 

I have a feeling that some of the books I'll be writing in the future will contain very simple and basic truths:  we have eternal souls.  Supernatural powers exist. Even the animal kingdom bears witness to the Creator.  

The world has so turned its back on truths that used to be self-evident that I'll need to reintroduce those truths one step at a time. 

~~Angie 

Knitting and Crocheting

Now that the days are growing cooler and shorter, I've felt this urge to pull out the knitting needles and crochet hooks.  The other night I crocheted a scarf in the time it took to watch a movie, and though the scarf is a little non-rectangular, it'll do.  (Took me a while to find my rhythm again). 

I found this website that features some interesting creations of like-minded knitters and crocheters--I particularly like the pink bunny that can be seen from outer space.  And I seem to remember an octopus from my childhood--with braided legs.  Anyone else have one of those?  

In any case, enjoy.  Maybe you'll be inspired to create one of these on one of these upcoming winter nights. 

~~Angie 

She looks even hotter in person . . .

. . . so said Alec Baldwin.  :-)  And he was right.  I snapped dozens of pictures at the McCain-Palin rally on Sunday, and I don't think I snapped a bad one of Sarah.  (You can click on these to enlarge them.) 

If you'd like to look at ALL of the pictures, you can access them here.  

My girlfriend and I got up early on Sunday morning and left the house before sunrise.  Unlike last week, when we couldn't even get IN the rally, we were among the first in line and managed to get places standing at the "fence" that runs along the stage.  Only problem was, we had to stand and wait from about 7:00 a.m. until after noon . . . with lots and lots of people pressing in on us.  

But hearing Sarah was wonderful.  Elizabeth Hasselbeck of THE VIEW gave her a rousing introduction, and then Sarah talked about all the things I hold dear--a free economy, relief from taxation, a strong military, finishing the job in Iraq, John McCain's honor and valor in serving his country, special needs children, etc.  And, LOL, she mentioned her clothes--and proudly informed us that she was wearing an outfit from her favorite consignment shop back in Alaska.  

The crowd was warm and supportive . . . and I only hope America comes through to support a true American hero who values human life, godly principles, and a conservative approach to the 

constitution.  

Don't forget to peek at my Facebook photo album if you'd like to see more pictures.  And thanks for dropping by! 

~~Angie 

Hallmark to air Sequel to "The Note"

Here's a press release from the Hallmark Channel: 

HALLMARK CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS "TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE," SEQUEL TO 2007 ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIE, "THE NOTE" Genie Francis and Ted McGinley Reprise Their Roles Hallmark Channel has greenlit production of the original movie "Taking a Chance on Love," the sequel to the network's highly rated 2007 original holiday movie, "The Note," to begin in November in Toronto and to air on the network in January 2009. Genie Francis ("General Hospital") and Ted McGinley ("Hope & Faith") are attached to reprise their roles. In "The Note," newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder (Francis) took viewers on a journey of hope and inspiration as she traveled the country to find the intended recipient of an anonymous note found at the site of an airplane crash. As the story unfolds, Peyton finds moral support from her longtime colleague, King Danville (McGinley), with whom she shared a flirtatious-but-professional relationship. In "Taking a Chance on Love" Peyton investigates a reader's letter which unfolds into a story of lost love and gives her insight into her own life and the risk one must take to fall in love again. "Taking a Chance on Love" is a Hallmark Channel presentation in association with Lightworks Pictures (an Odyssey Networks company) and Muse Entertainment. The movie is executive produced by Joel S. Rice ("Shredderman Rules") and William Spencer Reilly ("The Note") and produced by Steve Solomos ("Nature of the Beast"). Maura Dunbar is executive in charge of production. Douglas Barr ("To Be Fat Like Me") will direct from a script he wrote. "The Note" was Hallmark Channel's highest-rated original movie premiere in 2007 and continues to rank as the network's fourth-highest-rated original movie premiere ever. The movie premiered on December 8, 2007 to a 3.4 HH rating and delivered over 2.8 million homes and over 5.2 million total viewers. The original movie became the highest-rated ad-supported cable telecast of the day, the second-highest-rated ad-supported cable movie of the week and won the Saturday, 9-11 p.m. time period. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, 11/24-12/9/07). To support the premiere of "The Note," Hallmark Channel launched www.WhatWouldYouWrite.com, an outlet for viewers to submit their own personalized notes to family and friends. The movie was also supported by an extensive media campaign and online presence. Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 85 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the top 10 ad-supported cable networks in Prime Time and Total Day household ratings and is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel which plays the greatest family movies of all time, Hallmark Movie Channel, and launched Hallmark Movie Channel HD in April, 2008.

Now, just to be clear--I have read the script to this movie and I like it, but I had nothing to do with the story and will have nothing to do with the film.  Just so you'll know.  But I did like the script.  :-)  And I hear the movie is supposed to air on January 29, 2009.  

~~Angie 

Sending You over to Randy's Blog

Okay, I can't keep quiet.  This issue is simply too important.  I'd like you to spend the time you would spend reading my bits of nonsense reading Randy Alcorn's blog instead.  Time well spent.  

P.S.  We just found out that Sarah Palin is coming to our area on Sunday, so my girlfriend and I are getting up while it's still dark and driving over.  We figured we'd stand in line BEFORE the doors open this time.  :-)  

I'll bring back pictures, Lord willing.  

~~Angie 

McCain Rally

Well, I know I'm talking about politics again, but this was sort of an exciting opportunity.  

Yesterday a girlfriend and I took off and drove down to Sarasota for the McCain rally.  Sarasota isn't a large town, and we heard that the doors were to open at three; McCain was to speak at six. 

Sharon and I arrived at 3:15 and found a looooong line already stretching down four blocks.  We walked to the end of the line, greeting others, and found a real sense of delight from everyone. Nobody was griping about having to stand in line--everyone was delighted and maybe even surprised to find so many others present.  

We stood in that line for three hours, and we didn't even get in.  We heard that the stadium seated 4,000, and there had to be more people than that outside the arena.  When it became clear that we weren't going to get in, everyone just moved down to the front of the building to stand and wait . . . no one wanted to leave.  Everyone was just happy to be there and show support. 

The one statement I heard over and over was that the media would have us think that there's no one voting for McCain--well, lots of folks are.  

Enjoy the photos.  I had fun snapping them.  Click on any to enlarge.  :-)

~~Angie 

P.S.  I forgot--one lovely thing happened while we were all standing outside the arena, knowing we couldn't get in.  We all had this urge to do something, and then it happened--someone started to sing "God Bless America."  The song spread throughout the crowd, and we all finished in a rousing chorus.  

God bless America, indeed.  

Orson Scott Card speaks again

You've heard me talk about Orson Scott Card, the Mormon novelist who wrote the wonderful book, "Ender's Game."  Not too long ago I posted a link to one of his columns . . . and today I'm posting another one.  He talks about the current financial crisis, journalism, and the upcoming election--and I agree with every point. 

Worthwhile reading here.  

~~Angie 

The "I Love Your Blog" Award

Thank you to Peggy Phifer for awarding me with the "I Love Your Blog" designation.  I am tickled and honored--and somewhat amazed that anyone reads my ramblings!  

This designation comes with a few stipulations--undoubtedly to spread the love.  Here's what the award designees are supposed to do: 

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog. (just right-click and copy or save.) 
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you. 
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog. 

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Because I live in mortal fear of forgetting someone I should have nominated, let me just nominate all the blogs in my blogroll to the right . . . these are the blogs I visit often, so these are the blogs I love.  :-) Check them out at your leisure.  

~~Angie