Saturday Photo (Things that Make Me Smile) # 4 By Connie Vines #LiveOakCanyon #Photo, #PhotoSaturday

 My year-long plan is to post a photo each Saturday about things that make me smile. 😀

Many things make me smile, so you will find different photos pop up. Of course, my pups, and friends of my pups, will be posted.  

Yes, it is January, but I found this photo of three of my granddaughters during a family outing at the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch. 

Why is it that the tallest child (middle-child) scrunches down, while the shortest (the baby) teeters on top of a ladder to position for the photo session?  The eldest child (to whom I can relate) just steps up and attends to business. 😉🦇📷

liveoakcanyon.com/pumpkin-patch/

Good Times!

Connie

XOXO

Contemporary Fiction and Today's Politics by Connie Vines @author_connievines

How should fiction set in today’s times treat politics?

Thank you Dr. Bob for this month's Round Robin Blog topic.

I do not mention politics in my contemporary fiction. My western romance and romantic suspense novels highlight regional influences and traditions but ignore politics.

Why?  

It's not because I'm unaware of the world of politics, Global and within the U.S.A., I am writing fiction with a strong romantic element.  I do not find politics romantic.  And even if I did, by the time my novel came into print or were downloaded into eBook readers, the political climate could have changed--my hero's stance is no longer be considered 'hero-like', or, relevant.  

Now my historical novels are a different matter.  History is history.  Historical research involves  means fact collecting: diaries, journals, newspaper articles (different slants), art, government records, (often) first-person interviews, and photographs---there was no photo-shop app.in history to hide scars, or disguise the look of hunger or sorrow in the eyes of children.

"Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water" highlights a 'hot-bed' of political, racial, and government policies from the late 1800s until early 1900s--when the Native American Indians was forced onto Reservations and their children to sent to government run boarding schools.

I choose my political stories with great-care.  I make a point of showing both-sides of the story.  The world was different, harsher, less-forgiving and less open-minded place then.  Life was often cut short. I do not paint anyone as purely 'evil' but a product of his or her time and or environment because everyone is a innocent at birth.


https://books2read.com/b/Tanayia

So, reader's what is your take on politics in a contemporary novel?

Be sure and visit the talented writers of this month' s Round Robin Blog Hop and read what they have written.

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Qt
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Sunday Poodle Talk

🐩  Poodles have a tendency to be extremely affectionate animals (my Chanel is a little love bug). Most of them like to cuddle and give kisses and in most cases, they don’t usually mind being hugged.  Chanel crawls into my lap each morning, and before going to bed, to give me a hug and kiss my ear.

🐩 If you are looking for a dog that you can bring into the family that will allow everyone to hug on it and pet it, a poodle is always a good option. Remember, every dog is different so getting a poodle doesn’t guarantee that you will get all of these things.

My little poodle (all 8 lbs. + a couple of wiggles) is brave.  She will stand guard next to me.  She seldom barks, unless I don't remove a package from the front porch quickly enough (yes, she's probably thinking it is her dog food delivery).

🐩 They respond to your voice


Some of the smartest dogs understand enough words that they have a vocabulary similar to a toddler. As a result, they can understand a lot of phrases like good girl, stop, leave it, and come, among others. Even when your dog doesn’t understand what you are saying, she knows your voice and will respond to that sound again and again. Your poodle also knows how you are feeling based on the inflection in your voice. As a result, she can tell when you are happy, sad or angry, as well as when you are excited about something. That is why she will often come up to you automatically and attempt to cuddle when you are angry or feeling blue.

🐩 They’re comical

Anybody that owns a poodle will tell you that they’re funny. These dogs just seem to have a penchant for knowing how to make you laugh and they do it on a routine basis. You might argue that they are merely showing off their natural personalities. Some people that have poodles will undoubtedly argue that they are trying to make you laugh on purpose. Either way, they are a lot of fun to be around and they can take an otherwise mediocre day and have you rolling in the floor in no time.

Chanel always knows when my day has been trying.  After a welcome home 'poodle dance', I take her into the back yard so she can run her laps.  She will bark, bounce, and involve me in her playtime.  Back inside we go.  She knows the ritual.  I change my clothes, remove my earrings (ear-kisses, remember).  Then back to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.  

Chanel will remind me (do a figure-eight quick-step) then herd me in direction hallway if I try to start a pot of coffee before changing.  I'm not allowed to explain.  Chanel will have none of that.  She will argue with me (verbally).  Scolding, I suppose is a better description.

I will laugh and all is well in Chanel's world.  

🐩 And all is well in my world, too.

Happy Sunday,  🐩   

Connie 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

My Blog Post at Romance Gems --The Key to Your Heroine--Is Hidden in Your Closet?

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The Key to Your Heroine--Is hidden in Your Closet?