And Then Some News

Happy Holidays from everyone at And Then Some Publishing! We wish you a great holiday and hope you get everything you asked for.

During this season you have many options for gifts. Whether it's a memorable gift that lasts a lifetime or simply showing you care this week's Saturday Essay discusses some options and suggestions for the holiday.

Saturday Essay - December 22, 2007
Gifts that keep on giving
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
This time of year causes most everyone to rack his or her brain in search of “the perfect gift” for friends and family. Even when you find a present that seems right, you run the risk of just giving more unwanted clutter. And, if you’re like we are, there is more than enough of that! The other possibility, of course, is that there is someone on your list for whom any run-of-the-mill gift won’t do. Then what?

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A Beginners Guide to Writing a Book

How to take what you don't have and make it work

by Richard L. Weaver II

A reader of my Dec. 8th Saturday Essay blog post entitled, “So you want to write a book?” raised an important question in the “comment” section under the post: “What if I don’t have anything that you’re talking about?” I could have responded with a brief comment: “Then don’t attempt it.” But, the question is both thoughtful and provocative, and it deserves a longer response. After all, everyone has to start somewhere. “A Beginners Guide to Writing a Book" is specifically designed to get you started.

First, do not be intimidated after reading “So you want to write a book?” — the first of the two essays in this series. Sure, there are some very accurate conditions laid out in that essay, but they are suggestions only. They are presented as prerequisites for making the process easier and more comfortable. Remember, there are exceptions to everything, and it may be that you are just such a person. You have the ideas; you just need to write the book.

In addition to intimidation, many beginning writers fear failure. It is a reasonable concern. You are entering a competitive business (writing), and you are competing with experienced writers. What you have, however, no other writers have! You have a unique perspective, an exclusive point of view, and a distinctive way of looking at things that nobody else in the world possesses. Even the way you will put your ideas together and the words you select to express them will be totally idiosyncratic — unmatched by anyone else.

Often the reason beginning writers fear failure is because they set their initial goals too high. They want perfection right out of the starting gate. This is as unreasonable as expecting a beginning cook to prepare a perfect souffl , a beginning pianist to play a perfect concerto, or a beginning sports person to know how to play well without instruction or practice. Be reasonable. When you are wise, sensible, and fair-minded about what you can expect from yourself — and especially from a first project — you will remove much of the pressure and stress.

Let’s say, then, that you have some “great” ideas. I put “great” in quotation marks because we all think we have “great” ideas! One of the purposes of writing, of course, is to get your ideas out there to let others be the judge of “greatness.” We all have biases when it comes to judging our own ideas.

Look at what Joanne “Jo” Murray, better known as J. K. Rowling, faced in writing her first novel, “Harry Potter.” In 1995, separated from her husband, unemployed, living on state benefits, and writing the novel on an old manual typewriter in numerous caf s whenever she could get her daughter, Jessica, to fall asleep, she completed the first book in the series. The reason she wrote in caf s, she said on the TV program, A&E Biography, was because taking her baby out for a walk was the best way to make her fall asleep. She then found an agent willing to represent her; however, the book was rejected by the first twelve publishing houses to which it was sent. Can you imagine how those rejections would make you feel?

So where do you start? Buy an old manual typewriter and find some caf s willing to let you type at one of their tables? No, of course not. There are better ways.

By whatever means you choose to use — and a computer would be the best means, providing you can find one to use (local libraries are a great resource) — you must begin by composing an overall organizational scheme. Start broad and narrow as you go along. This can be changed during the process of writing or even after writing is finished. Organizing your ideas can save you time and make your writing more efficient. Few people sit down and write a book from start to finish without an outline. Even experienced writers use them. Outlines help by forcing you to think through the stages of the writing process, create a graphic scheme of your book or project, construct both the main topics and subtopics, and group ideas to prevent duplication and unnecessary repetition. Not having an organizational scheme is like not choosing a guide to lead you through an unknown and unchartered wilderness.

Once you have an overall organizational approach, begin writing your ideas on note cards or on pieces of paper that you will be able to arrange later under each of your topics or subtopics. Put just single ideas on the note cards or pieces of paper or you will have to cut ideas apart to get them organized. Don’t worry about writing things in any order. When you get a thought, write it down — wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Carry cards or pieces of paper with you. “Great ideas” occur at all times throughout your day and night, and not to write an idea down promptly when it strikes, is to lose that thought. Sometimes an idea will occur to you and just the right words to express that idea will be there at the same time. If not, don’t worry. Capture what you have — you can always hone and polish ideas later. Also, don’t worry at this early stage about transitions or connections between ideas. They can be assembled later. Even grammar and spelling should not be a concern here.

Now you are writing, and the beauty of the process is that some writing prompts more writing. Once your mind is engaged, the subconscious takes over. That is why thoughts occur at all times during the day and night. Your mind cannot be turned off. You must be ready to capture what your mind produces.

At various points now you will want to stop and organize what you have written. This will help you determine where you are and where you need to go. There will be gaps to be filled, topics to be added or dropped, and adjustments to be made. Take the time to carefully examine your notes so you don’t waste valuable time writing about ideas already developed.

Don’t ever think of the writing process as ending. It should continue right up to the time of publication. It may mean polishing, further development, or clarification. Take the time to make it right.

Only when the gaps are filled, the organization looks tight, the ideas are bound together in a cogent, cohesive, well-constructed narrative, and spelling and grammar problems are solved, are you ready to have the entire manuscript typed. Once typed, it will require careful proofreading and further changes. Nothing looks the same piecemeal as it does in a coherent package. Have objective people not tied to you read the manuscript to detect any problems. Correct the problems, and have an error-free electronic manuscript typed.

When you really want to write, you will find the time. Now that you understand the process, you will realize that you can do it, and you will succeed. So, you want to write a book? Now, you can! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The best resource I’ve discovered online for beginning writers is the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ Here, you can get information on the writing process (creating a thesis, developing an outline, starting the writing process, writer’s block, writer’s anxiety), grammar and mechanics, and creative writing. The beauty of this website is that all the information is free.




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And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire - Book 1

CHRISTMAS SALE: Signed copy of Book 1 for $16.47 while supplies last!

And Then Some News

This week's Saturday Essay was inspired by a comment posted by Maizer B. in response to Dec. 8th essay "So you want to write a book?". "What if I don't have anything that you're talking about?"

Great questions lead to inspiration!

-- What if I don't have everything?

-- Where do I start and what do I do?

Saturday Essay - December 15, 2007
A Beginners Guide to Writing a Book
How to take what you don't have and make it work
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
In addition to intimidation, many beginning writers fear failure. It is a reasonable concern. You are entering a competitive business (writing), and you are competing with experienced writers. What you have, however, no other writers have! You have a unique perspective, an exclusive point of view, and a distinctive way of looking at things that nobody else in the world possesses. Even the way you will put your ideas together and the words you select to express them will be totally idiosyncratic — unmatched by anyone else.

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So you want to write a book?

by Richard L. Weaver II

The age-old adage that “everyone has at least one good book in them,” is as true today as when first stated. With the Internet, not only are more writers online, there are Web sites for writers, and writing markets that accept queries and submissions by e-mail. There is gold lurking in the Internet hills that is just waiting to be mined, and hundreds of authors have bypassed traditional editorial channels of print publishing to mine that gold. Makes writing that book even more tempting.

But writing is more than having an Internet connection, marketing your book, or making the big bucks. Sure, a book will help establish you as an expert, create confidence in your ideas, attract readers to your other services, provide a marketing tool, make a great gift, offer you a platform to expose your mind and heart, and, of course, supply an income stream. As attractive as these benefits are, they overlook the task of the writing itself. A major oversight.

As a writer for over thirty years, let me offer a short test to see if you have what it takes to be a writer. The ideas here are presented in no particular order, and I am certain there would be as many suggestions as there are writers to make them. My first concern is: Do you have the time? Writing is an enormously time-intensive process, and depending on the topic, size of the book, or approach you plan to take, you need to have time set aside for writing. Dabbling here and there reflects a lack of serious commitment and is unlikely to produce the product you desire.

Do words come easily, naturally, and comfortably? Words form the thread on which you string your experiences. When you don’t have to struggle finding words, the job of writing is easier. You are not expected, of course, to possess all the words you need. Next to me as I write is a dictionary and writer’s thesaurus. Across the room lies an unabridged dictionary, and I have the invaluable, absolutely essential, 85-page book, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

Can you truly immerse yourself in your writing? It is easy to get sucked up into the universe of writing (a black hole from which ideas and words come with no trumpet voluntary), but when the flow begins, you need to be there as the channel or conduit. This, indeed, is when the prizes are distributed, the bonuses gets paid in full, and the trophies are awarded.

Do you have other available sources to consult for ideas, help gain clarity and precision, determine the accuracy of your ideas, and assist in sustaining your enthusiasm and motivation?

Do you know how to start? Some will tell you, “Just sit down at your computer, and begin writing.” I say, “Nonsense.” You waste valuable time that way. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? To write in a clear style, you must first be clear in your thoughts. Get organized; seek direction; establish an outline. When you write with purpose, you make good use of your time. When you write with purpose you have a clear starting point and the direction needed to proceed.

Can you stand being isolated and alone? You need time to think, deliberate, and ponder. Writing is a relationship between your ideas, the words you use to express those ideas, and your computer, where those ideas take shape and reveal form.

Do you agonize over writing, toil with proper grammar, struggle with sentence structure, and grapple with punctuation? If so, writing will be torture, and the anguish you feel at the keyboard will drive you away in pain and suffering. When it comes easily, not only do ideas flow, but capturing ideas when they flow becomes gratifying, amusing, and enjoyable. It’s play not work.

On-the-other-hand, I have never let grammar, sentence structure, or punctuation hinder the flow of ideas. I would rather capture the products of my imagination when they are fresh, active, and alive. Spend time polishing words at a later time.

Let nothing stand in the way of “flow.”

Do you know what you want to say, but you just can’t put it into written form without losing clarity and impact? Imagine that your computer is another person, and simply begin a conversation. Writing that truly reveals who you are comes from your heart without artifice or contrivance. The secret of style is to have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. When it comes easily, your heart will be encased in the words you select like precious stones in a ring.

Can you write with the goal of sharing your ideas, insights, and knowledge with others? Never write with the goal of making big bucks or becoming famous. Write with the goal of enlightening, instructing, illuminating, or entertaining, for it is how others see, absorb, understand, enjoy, and (perhaps) use your ideas, insights, and knowledge that determines your effectiveness.

Can you remain focused and complete your project? As you write, do not worry about getting your information formatted or the marketing of your book. Sometimes it is as difficult to finish what you have started as it is to start it in the first place.

Once the formatting, submitting of the manuscript, and marketing processes begin, your mind will be so encumbered with ideas that have little or nothing to do with the content of what you have written, that you will be distracted, diverted, sidetracked, and, thus, pulled away from your essential task like a young bird leaving its nest. Remaining focused throughout a project will help keep the content consistent, coherent, and clear. There is less need, then, for you to retrace developmental steps, reread previous passages, or get back into the mood of what you were writing. Resurrecting a state of mind now passed is like trying to undunk a donut.

Having completed the writing, there is information in excess to inform you of succeeding steps—the preparation of a prospectus and the examination of your publication options. The hardest part is the writing, and only when the writing is complete can you have a book.




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And Then Some Book 1: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire

CHRISTMAS SALE: Signed copy of Book 1 for $16.47 while supplies last!

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This week's Saturday Essay is taken from And Then Some Book 1: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire. Chapter 23 asks the question "So you want to write a book?" covering questions ranging from time and resources including suggestions on organizing your approach to writing.

Signed copies of And Then Some Book 1 are available from And Then Some Publishing, LLC through Amazon.com for the low-price leading $16.47. Get your signed copy of And Then Some Book 1 during our Christmas Sale - while supplies last. Order by December 12th and make sure you get your book in time for Christmas!

And Then Some Saturday Essay - December 8, 2007
So you want to write a book?
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Do you know what you want to say, but you just can’t put it into written form without losing clarity and impact? Imagine that your computer is another person, and simply begin a conversation. Writing that truly reveals who you are comes from your heart without artifice or contrivance. The secret of style is to have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. When it comes easily, your heart will be encased in the words you select like precious stones in a ring.

And Then Some - see you Saturday!

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Six time-tested ways dealing with fear of public speaking

by Richard L. Weaver II

She rose from her seat slowly, not knowing whether or not her legs would support her body. She moved to the lectern with her head down so she would not be distracted from her concentration on the first words she wanted to say. Her muscles were tense; her heart was beating five times faster than normal; and she had butterflies in her stomach. When she reached the lectern, she knew she couldn’t pick up her notes because her hands were trembling. She waited a moment to speak so she could gather more saliva and allow her shaking knees to settle down. This wasn’t her first public speech; it happened every time she had to give one.

Nobody doubts that next to snakes people fear public speaking the most. Fear of public speaking ranks higher than a fear of heights, being closed in small spaces, spiders and insects, needles and getting shots, mice, and flying on airplanes. Anxiety is triggered by stress, and some people are more vulnerable than others, but it is the same process no matter what you fear. Experiencing fear is universal, and fear of speaking in public is nearly universal.

Our bodies react to anxiety in different ways, however, the most obvious signs include tense muscles, trembling, churning stomach, nausea, diarrhea, headache, backache, heart palpitations, numbness, “pins and needles” in arms, hands, or legs, sweating or flushing, and dry mouth.

Avoiding things that make you anxious is only a temporary solution, and it will make you worry about what will happen next time. Also, every time you avoid something, it is harder the next time you try it. Avoidance, too, sets you on a pattern of avoiding more and more things. For some people, just the thought of having to give a public speech can trigger an adrenaline surge that quickens your pulse, raises your blood pressure, and kick-starts your anxiety. Just reading the opening scenario to this essay may be enough to cause some people to tremble or shake.

If it will help you cope with anxiety, remember these four things: First, even experienced public speakers get nervous before a presentation. Second, nerves do not need to be your enemy. Third, no matter how nervous you are, you are probably the only one who knows it. And, fourth, as long as you act like you are confident and play the role of a secure and knowledgeable speaker, you will be in command of the public-speaking situation.

There are six time-tested ways for dealing with nervousness. Remember, throughout this discussion, that some nervousness can be helpful. It produces energy, stimulates motivation, fires enthusiasm, and spurs animation. For many public speakers, a little nervousness empowers them to be inspiring, lively, even fascinating.

The first time-tested way for dealing with nervousness is to be prepared. If you prepare your speeches so thoroughly and so carefully that you cannot help but be successful, you will have taken the first giant step toward dealing with nervousness. I have never heard of a speaker being too prepared. If you begin your preparation early—as early as you can—you will be able to continually work with your ideas in your mind and change information as you think of new ideas or new ways of saying things. Also, early preparation gives you time to hone, polish, and perfect.

The second time-tested way for dealing with nervousness is to be positive. The best way to be positive is to stay engaged in constructive, practical, useful, and productive work. When you give your mind time to worry or to dredge up negative thoughts and ideas, it will fill the available time and then some. If you are speaking on a topic you care about, and if you discover information you want to share, you are more likely to have an optimistic, confident, and upbeat frame of mind. Start by believing you can give a successful speech.

Visualization is closely related to being positive, and it is commonly used by musicians, athletes, and actors. Picture yourself walking up to the lectern, having complete control over your behavior, delivering a forceful, effective talk, to a supportive, approving, responsive, and sympathetic audience. Repeat this process of visualization over and over.

The fourth time-tested way for dealing with nervousness is anticipation. First, anticipate some nervousness. It is common, but it can serve as a positive, contributing feature. Second, anticipate role playing. One of the best ways for countering any nervousness is to role play—just like a stage actor—coolness, calmness, and confidence. If you look like you re in charge and in control, your listeners will believe it. Third, anticipate something less than perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect speech. Remember, your audience will not know what you plan to say, only what you actually say. Thus, if you make an error, lose your place, or forget to say something, anticipate continuing your speech as if nothing happened.

Focus is the fifth time-tested way for dealing with nervousness. One problem that increases nervousness is when speakers focus on themselves rather than on their listeners or on their message. Worrying about yourself and your image—“Will my listeners like me?”—is vanity, and it is vanity of the worst sort. Worst sort? Yes, because to focus on yourself puts you above both your audience and your message. The entire process of speech preparation and delivery should be audience centered, so to suddenly shift the focus from them to yourself, not only demeans but discounts your prior preparation. Focus on audience-centered and message-related thoughts such as, “I have an important topic that will interest my listeners and hold their attention, and I have information that will be both useful and valuable for them.”

The final time-tested way for dealing with nervousness is experience, and there is no substitute for experience. Public speaking courses and organizations such as Toastmaster’s serve a valuable function—first steps in gaining experience. Those truly interested in becoming effective public speakers must take advantage of the opportunities in clubs and organizations, churches and family gatherings, weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs, and in work situations as well.

As public speaking experiences continue, your fears about public speaking will recede until they are replaced by the healthy nervousness that empowers you not only to do well, but to seek even more such opportunities. You are likely to find, from these experiences, that you will look forward to public speeches with interest, eagerness, and passion. It is at that very point when all your butterflies will be flying in formation!




Contact Richard L. Weaver II

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And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire - Book 1

CHRISTMAS SALE: Signed copy of Book 1 for $16.47 while supplies last!

And Then Some News

Because And Then Some Book 1 covers such a wide variety of topics from public speaking to writing, from humor to travel, this book makes a great gift for Christmas or birthday. Give the book that entertains, motivates, & inspires!

Our Cyber Monday sale has been extended! Signed copies of And Then Some Book 1 are available from And Then Some Publishing, LLC through Amazon.com for just $16.47. Get your signed copy of And Then Some Book 1 during our Christmas Sale - while supplies last. Order by December 12th and make sure you get your book in time for Christmas!

And Then Some Saturday Essay - December 1, 2007
Six time-tested ways dealing with fear of public speaking
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
There are six time-tested ways for dealing with nervousness. Remember, throughout this discussion, that some nervousness can be helpful. It produces energy, stimulates motivation, fires enthusiasm, and spurs animation. For many public speakers, a little nervousness empowers them to be inspiring, lively, even fascinating.

And Then Some - see you Saturday!

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An attitude of gratitude And Then Some

by Richard L. Weaver II

In 1907 the physician and endocrinologist and world’s leading authority on stress and emotional and physical responses to stress, Hans Selye — “the Einstein of medicine” — said, “Among all emotions, there is one which, more than any other, accounts for the presence or absence of stress in human relations: that is the feeling of gratitude.” Striving for others’ gratitude served as Selye’s guiding philosophy of life, and he believed it was the ultimate aim of existence.

The information in this essay comes from the book, "Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier" (Houghton Mifflin, 2007), in which professor Robert Emmons, from the University of California, at Davis, shows that a systematic cultivation of the underexamined emotion can measurably change people’s lives. I have borrowed from Emmons’ work, and I use a minimum of quotation marks for the ease of reading.

There are three focal points in this essay. I examine the advantages of living a life of gratitude. I list some of the obstacles to maintaining an attitude of gratitude. Finally, I discuss strategies for overcoming the obstacles and obtaining an attitude of gratitude And Then Some.

According to Emmons, “gratefulness is a knowing awareness that we are the recipients of goodness. In gratitude we remember the contributions that others have made for the sake of our well-being” (p. 6). You cannot be grateful without being thoughtful; thus, “gratitude requires contemplation and reflection.” Although Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to be grateful; it can and should be expressed everyday of our lives throughout our lives.

There are many advantages to living a life of gratitude. Perhaps the most universal advantage is that it is one of the building blocks of a civil and humane society. On a personal level, there are emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. Emotionally, people who live lives full of gratitude, feel better about their lives as a whole, are more optimistic about their future, and report feeling grateful, joyful, and enthusiastic. The practice of gratitude protects people from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed, and bitterness.

Physically, people who live a life of gratitude exercise more regularly, show increased resilience in the face of trauma-induced stress, report fewer illness symptoms, recover more quickly from illness, and benefit from greater physical health.

In addition to emotional and physical benefits, there are interpersonal benefits as well. A life of gratitude leads to increased feelings of connectedness, improved relationships, and even altruism. In experiencing gratitude, people feel more loving and forgiving, and gratitude maximizes the enjoyment of others and our lives. By elevating, energizing, inspiring, and transforming lives, it provides life with meaning for without it, it can be lonely, depressing, and impoverished. There are numerous obstacles to living a life of gratitude. The first is simply that we don’t think about it very often. Clearly, it flies below our radar screen. Second, as Americans we are prone to laziness and inactivity, and according to Emmons, “Far from being a warm, fuzzy sentiment, gratitude is morally and intellectually demanding” (p. 17). There can be little wonder why it seldom operates within our range of vision.

In addition to not thinking about it and our laziness and inactivity, Emmons claims there are “monumental forces that undermine gratitude” (p. 155). He lists five. The first is “the negativity bias.” Often it is easy to ignore your blessings or even complain about them. Psychologists have identified a natural tendency of the mind to perceive an input as negative — meaning that incoming thoughts and emotions are more likely to be unpleasant than pleasant. What this means in operational terms is that being a grouch, for some, comes naturally.

Emmons’ second obstacle is “the self-sufficiency illusion.” You do not want to admit or acknowledge how much you need others. Being indebted to others is uncomfortable, and you would rather believe that your good fortunes are your own doing although losses and sufferings are not your fault.

His third obstacle is “the emotional expression reluctance.” This obstacle applies more to men than women, however, our culture emphasizes the containment of emotional expression. There are perceived negative consequences that inhibit people from expressing their feelings.

Emmons’ fourth obstacle is “the comparison bias.” You constantly evaluate situations, events, other people, and yourself against standards of one type or another. When you look around and see students with harder bodies, coworkers with larger retirement portfolios, relatives whose children are more grateful, neighbors whose SUVs are larger, you feel resentment and envy, not gratitude. It encourages a focus on what you don’t have, not on what you do.

His fifth and final obstacle is “the perception of victimhood.” When you think of yourself as damaged goods — victimized at the hands of others (parents, spouses, coworkers, or society) — your tendency to blame them can be a strong resistance against gratitude.

Despite the many obstacles, however, there are a variety of strategies that will help obtain an attitude of gratitude And Then Some. Here are nine. The first is to keep a daily diary of positive, uplifting experiences. Gratefulness on a daily basis is related to higher levels of optimism and self-esteem. The second is simply reminding yourself to maintain a grateful attitude. The third is to practice gratefulness when good things happen because if “one is not grateful before challenges arrive, it is going to be more difficult (though not impossible) to summon up gratitude after they hit” (p. 181). The fourth is to view existence as a gift. Then “gratefulness is an attitude underlying successful functioning over the life course” (p. 182). Along with viewing existence as a gift, you need to be grateful for good health and your ability to touch, see, smell, taste, and hear.

Here are the remaining four strategies. The sixth is to remember the bad—your sorrows, losses, sadness, and trauma—along with remembering where you are now and how far you’ve come. Remind yourself of how much worse life might be than it is. The seventh strategy is to leave yourself visual reminders to be grateful—notes on the refrigerator or on your bathroom mirror. The eighth strategy is to use the language of gratefulness—gifts, givers, blessings, fortune, fortunate, and abundance rather than deprivation, deservingness, regrets, lack, need, scarcity, and loss. A ninth strategy is to play the role of a grateful person. When you go through the motions, gratitude itself will be triggered. If you do it, the true feeling of gratefulness will emerge.

Whether it is Thanksgiving or any other time during the year, there are obstacles to obtaining a life of gratitude. The advantages of gratefulness, however, should make it worthwhile to put the strategies for promoting an attitude of gratitude into immediate use. These strategies will provide an attitude of gratitude And Then Some.




Contact Richard L. Weaver II

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And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire - Book 1

CYBER MONDAY SALE: Signed copy of Book 1 for $16.47 while supplies last!

And Then Some News

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thanksgiving offers us many ways to have silly fun with the And Then Some philosophy. Indulgence in all kinds food from the standard turkey and stuffing, all the way to grandma's mince meat pie. Indulgence in the surroundings of family, friends, and children running around our feet. Indulgence in sports with plenty of football and basketball to consume as we fall away into a comatose state.

Is this And Then Some? Yes, it's Thanksgiving. A day where And Then Some everything is not only assumed, but expected. Whether it is food, family, friends, sports, one of these, or all of them... eat, hug someone, and smile because on Thanksgiving, everything is about And Then Some fun!

Cyber Monday Sale - And Then Some Book 1 - SIGNED by author - $16.47+s/h - from And Then Some Publishing, LLC, through Amazon.com

And Then Some Saturday Essay - November 24, 2007
An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Whether it is Thanksgiving or any other time during the year, there are obstacles to obtaining a life of gratitude. The advantages of gratefulness, however, should make it worthwhile to put the strategies for promoting an attitude of gratitude into immediate use. These strategies will provide an attitude of gratitude And Then Some.

And Then Some - see you Saturday!

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A weekend with the grandkids And Then Some...

by Richard L. Weaver II

When my wife first called to check on the availability of the cabin, the word from Mohican Adventures was for her to call back the next day to see if the cabin was being rented the night before our arrival. If not, it would be available for us as early as noon rather than 5:00 p.m. Its availability allowed us to leave at 10 a.m., rather than 2:30 p.m., and gave us an appropriate start for a weekend at the cabin And Then Some.

There were 8 of us arriving early, and after unpacking, we played numerous games of Texas Horseshoes (Corn Hole), munched on popcorn, relaxed to music, read the day’s paper, and some began a 500-piece 3-D puzzle.

When the second round of occupants arrived (my daughter, her husband, and four kids) from Columbus, the noise level and excitement increased dramatically. Food was prepared (tacos), and everyone gathered around the cabin table (which seated 14) and consumed chicken tacos with all the trimmings.

For our annual family retreats, planning for the food is conducted weeks in advance, and each family is responsible for one of the meals. Following tacos on Friday night, we all danced to “party time” music: “Celebration Time,” the “Bunny Hop,” the “Macarena,” the “Electric Slide,” the “Hokey Pokey,” the “Chicken Dance,” and other similar dances. This is often one of the highlights of our annual retreat, but this year it was somewhat muted by the absence of my oldest child.

Missing from this year’s retreat — and the person always responsible for the music — was Scott. Because he is a professional deejay, he carries all the party music, current hits, and rock n’ roll oldies with him. This year a CD substituted for him because he was hospitalized the day before the retreat for kidney stones, and to complete the story here, he went in for lithotripsy surgery (using sound waves) to have the final kidney stone found by X-rays, blasted apart before it caused another problem. Because of the surgery, lack of sleep, inadequate food, and no caffeine, he was exhausted; thus he, his wife, and their two children could not make the trip.

To make the weekend truly an “And Then Some” adventure, my sister, Marge, and her husband, Jim, came to visit from Kanab, Utah. Having been here for other family events the weekend before, they stayed for the retreat, filled in for the loss of Scott and Karen and their family, and seemed like quite a natural and comfortable addition.

On Saturday morning, when we take our annual hike, it was raining, so we filled in with a variety of games and crafts. Because Scott and Karen normally take charge of the crafts and were not going to be present, parents filled in by purchasing a number of “filler” craft activities which all seven grandchildren enjoyed. Marge and the other parents all helped the kids with the crafts. In addition, we made popcorn, had snacks, then enjoyed a terrific lunch of sandwiches we all constructed and corn chowder. We even set up the “Snake Game” outside, and some members of the group went to the camp headquarters to reserve the cabin for the first week of October in 2008. Some stayed at the cabin and continued work on the puzzle.

This cabin, River Road 2, overlooks the Mohican River just off Route 3, about 1 ½ miles south of Loudenville, Ohio. Although expensive, the cabin sleeps 14, is fully furnished, has 4 full baths, and has a full-sized porch along the back which overlooks the river. The interior is finished in natural, knotty-pine, has 3 comfortable couches in the living room, a large-screen television, and a small gas fireplace that helps heat the front room. Because we bring all our food for Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning, we make full use of all the kitchen appliances.

On this Saturday (November 10, 2007), a rare occurrence took place — making it, once again, a weekend And Then Some. The University of Michigan lost to Wisconsin for the primary noon, college football game, followed by the primary 3:30 p.m. game in which Ohio State lost to Illinois. Neither team had lost a Big Ten game this season prior to these two games. This was the first time since 1959 that both teams lost their football games the week prior to their final clash. These two games occupied our afternoon, and with people in the family supporting each team, there was true equity in our feelings about the results. Some, too, chose to work on the puzzle.

During the games, the three eldest grandchildren (Madison, 11, Mckenzie, 10, and Morgan, 9) prepared formal invitations for all the adults to an evening concert by them, and within the invitations were tickets. Prior to the concert, everyone’s ticket was formally collected after which Mckenzie welcomed everyone to a concert of music from “Highschool Musical.” For much of the morning and during the football games, the three girls spent their time in their bedroom rehearsing the songs and choreography. They brought to the retreat their own CD-player, and while the music from the show played lightly in the background to help guide their activity, they sang all the words precisely, danced each number with grace and aplomb, and even involved the younger grandchildren on their “stage” at one point in their 40-minute production.

Following the musical, a huge meal of ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and a Caesar salad, followed by a game of spoons, and a game of children’s “Charades,” the kids had baths and went to bed, and the adults watched Will Smith in the movie “The Pursuit of Happiness.”

On Sunday morning the skies were still gray, but we began our walk from the Covered Bridge to Lyons Falls at 9:45 a.m. One way, the walk took 45-minutes and was a walk And Then Some — it rained. It was the first rain we had on one of our walks in over 10 years. We returned to the cabin by 11:30 a.m., dried off, cleaned up, and left at 11:50 a.m. for the Sojourner Restaurant in downtown Loudenville. All 14 people were seated around a table in their main dining area, and we enjoyed delicious food including crab cakes, beef stroganoff, and the most wonderful chicken pot pies served in fresh bread bowls. The desserts, too, were to die for, and we promised our waitress, Carolyn, that we would be returning next year. It was a Sunday lunch, And Then Some.

Because we take the retreat annually, one might wonder how one weekend could surpass all the others in And Then Some experiences? This one truly did. Getting into the cabin early, our son’s surgery, the inclusion of my sister and her husband, the two football games, a wonderful musical production, the hike in the rain, completing the puzzle, and an outstanding lunch at the Sojourner, combined to make this a weekend with the grandkids And Then Some.

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And Then Some Book 1 - Available through Amazon.com
>>And Then Some Book 1 - SIGNED by author Richard L. Weaver II!!
Get yours while supplies last!

© Copyright 2007. All rights reserved worldwide by Richard L. Weaver II and And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.

No part of this essay, except in brief quotations embodied in reviews, may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Richard L. Weaver II or the publisher, And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.---or, in the case of photocopying, electronic duplication, or other reproductive copying, a license from the United States Copyright Licensing Agency---is an infringement on the copyright law. The best way to obtain copies of the essays is to purchase the book And Then Some - Book I: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, and Inspire (And Then Some Publishing, 2007).

And Then Some News

Get your copy of And Then Some Book I available through Amazon.com. Compare prices at Amazon and you will see And Then Some Publishing, LLC is the low price leader and we include the signature of author Richard L. Weaver II. Nobody else offers you that! Get your autographed copy of And Then Some Book I while supplies last!

And Then Some Saturday Essay - November 17, 2007
A weekend with the grandkids And Then Some
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Because we take the retreat annually, one might wonder how one weekend could surpass all the others in And Then Some experiences? This one truly did. Getting into the cabin early, our son's Lithotripsy surgery, the inclusion of my sister and her husband (from Utah), the University of Michigan and Ohio State University football games, a wonderful musical production by our three oldest grandchildren, a hike in the rain, completing a 500-piece puzzle, and an outstanding lunch at the Sojourner Restaurant in downtown Loudenville, combined to make this a weekend with the grandkids And Then Some.

And Then Some - see you Saturday!

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Michigan versus Ohio State: Just another football game? It’s a game And Then Some!

by Richard L. Weaver II

In the sports section of The (Toledo) Blade, under the title “College Football,” the headline read, “For the 65th time, OSU or UM will be Big Ten champ.” Ever since 1952 — for 55 years — I have come under the spell of this rivalry. And now, with just a week left in the season, it’s the Big Two and little else.

When my wife and I attended the University of Michigan their primary rival was Michigan State. It was Bo Schembechler’s presence at Michigan, beginning in 1969, that helped ignite the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. You have to remember that Schembechler was as much Ohio as Michigan. Born in Barberton, Ohio, he earned a master’s degree in 1952 at Ohio State and served as a graduate assistant football coach there under Woody Hayes. It was Bo Schembechler who elevated OSU to the status of primary rival of the UofM and he who raised the Hayes-Schembecler rivalry to a level that would allow Schembechler’s victories over that coach down south the kind of notoriety he desired. Bo would be defeating his teacher and mentor.

Both my wife and I grew up knowing about and appreciating college football but not just any college football: Big Ten college football. We found out how unique such an appreciation is while traveling in Europe. The program guide on our Great Rivers of Europe cruise, Martin Payrhuber, an Austrian, told us that people in Europe have no understanding of our fascination with young 18-19 year-old kids running around a field with no professional training, without being paid, and with no professional contracts. He said he understands it because he was a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota for three terms and attended a Gophers game in their covered arena, but others in Europe (and Australia as well, I might add) just don’t get it.

My wife’s and my interest in Big Ten football run far deeper than Payrhuber’s both having fathers who were University of Michigan professors, both possessing degrees from there, and both having brothers or sisters with degrees from there as well. We not only grew up in homes where Saturday football was a standard fixture, where families were caught up in the importance of wins and losses, but where the display of emotion was not just accepted but expected. Such examples create codes of behavior—habits deeply etched on the psyche, expectations lodged in the brain’s synapses, and, physiologically, a color of blood about which Michigan fans are embarrassed over at least once a year.

The year 2006 revealed a glimpse of the depth of our concern, because it was different from any other. You might say, how can any single year be that much different from nearly sixty years of games we have witnessed? Ohio State and Michigan had actually met 102 times before the stars aligned in such a manner that they found themselves ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country—not just in the Big Ten. That might be sufficient had not that fact coincided with the death of Bo Schembechler the Friday night before the game, giving “the game” an almost surreal amount of hype — elevating it to what must be considered mythical proportions.

In the week leading up to “the game” the overriding questions were, would it live up to expectations, and should the teams meet again for the national championship? Short answers could easily be: “Great game,” and “Been there; done that.” As much as we hoped that Michigan would storm into Columbus and take a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game just because Lloyd Carr deserved it, the problem was simply that in sports, happy endings cannot be scripted; they have to be earned.

My wife and I watched the game with 27 others. There was an overabundance of food, and as a metaphor for the game itself, there was more than enough for everyone — food to satisfy any taste. Our group was separated into two areas. When one team would score, a portion of those in one room would storm into the other loudly cheering and shouting, and when the score went the other way, those from the already stormed room would just as vehemently romp into the other one hollering and rejoicing — like schoolchildren playing one-upmanship. With a final score of 42-39, there were many opportunities for rabble rousing. (OSU won.)

The game, just as our spread of delicious food, had all the trimmings of a classic. There were the sterling performances from two Heisman Trophy candidates, a key penalty (when a UofM linebacker, Shawn Crable, chased a scrambling Troy Smith and knocked him out of bounds with a helmet-to-helmet hit in front of the Buckeye bench) that swung momentum late, and an unknown player (Chris Wells, a freshman, scampering for a 52-yard touchdown in the first half ) rising to steal the show.

The No. 1 quarterback, OSUs Troy Smith, a senior, showed enough talent and ability against stellar competition to win the Heisman Trophy. He was the first quarterback to beat Michigan three times since 1936. Smith, too, was involved in three turnovers in the second half that allowed the Wolverines to keep the score close. Mike Hart, a junior, finished the game with 23 carries for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns and, as a result, could not be counted out in the race for the Heisman. Along with Smith, the two teams proved once again that they had a rivalry for the ages.

The pre-game hype was unbelievable. There was talk, for example, that Buckeyes-Wolverines were college football’s Armageddon. It was touted, too, as the latest incarnation of the “Game of the Century” — words, of course, that happily assuage a Big Ten college football fan’s inner sense of well being yet pump adrenaline into an already-stimulated physiology.

When the BCS rankings were issued on Sunday evening following the game, OSU was ranked first and Michigan second. Because of other games by other teams there was no OSU-Michigan rematch.

In retrospect, there was the build up, the thrill of “the game,” the joy of being with friends, the aroma of food (an in-door tailgating experience), the ambiance of watching college football on five or six television sets, but, in the end, it was being healthy, happy, and free to appreciate it all. Too bad at least one of those TV sets couldn’t have broadcast a Michigan victory in 2006.

For all the 2006 hype, we’re here again in 2007. No, there is no national championship at stake — at least not for Michigan with an opening day loss to Appalachian State followed by a second loss to Oregon — but when they meet in Ann Arbor November 17, one champion will walk off that field. The Buckeyes have won 31, the Wolverines 42; some they have shared. For Michigan in 2007, the Big Ten title is the primary remaining goal, a title they have not won since 2004 when they shared it with Iowa. So the hype continues, the adrenaline pumps, and the expectations rise. Just another football game? Not a chance.

-------------------------------
And Then Some Book 1 - Available through Amazon.com

Get your copy of And Then Some Book 1- SIGNED by author Richard L. Weaver II from And Then Some Publishing, LLC while supplies last!

© Copyright 2007. All rights reserved worldwide by Richard L. Weaver II and And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.

No part of this essay, except in brief quotations embodied in reviews, may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Richard L. Weaver II or the publisher, And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.---or, in the case of photocopying, electronic duplication, or other reproductive copying, a license from the United States Copyright Licensing Agency---is an infringement on the copyright law. The best way to obtain copies of the essays is to purchase the book And Then Some - Book I: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, and Inspire (And Then Some Publishing, 2007).

And Then Some News

The BarnJam/Official Release party for the book, And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, and Inspire - Book I, was a smashing success. I want to thank all of those who purchased an autographed copy of the book and all of those, too, who just stopped by the signing desk to talk. Also, I want to thank everyone who brought food or contributed to the set-up for the event. It was truly an outstanding BarnJam. Thanks to everyone for helping to make this one the best ever!

If you did not get your autographed copy of And Then Some Book I, they are still available through Amazon.com. Compare prices at Amazon and you will see And Then Some Publishing, LLC is the low price leader and we include the signature of author Richard L. Weaver II. Nobody else offers you that! Get your autographed copy of And Then Some Book I while supplies last!

Because of family commitments, the Saturday Essay on the upcoming Michigan vs. Ohio State football game will be posted on Friday, November 9th.

And Then Some Saturday Essay - November 09, 2007
Michigan versus Ohio State: Just another football game? It’s a game And Then Some!
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
In retrospect, there was the build up, the thrill of “the game,” the joy of being with friends, the aroma of food (an in-door tailgating experience), the ambiance of watching college football on five or six television sets, but, in the end, it was being healthy, happy, and free to appreciate it all. Too bad at least one of those TV sets couldn’t have broadcast a Michigan victory in 2006.


And Then Some - see you Friday!

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Travel While You’re Young

And Then Some Saturday Essay
by Richard L. Weaver II

We have a number of stories that make it clear why people should travel before they get too old to do so. In one case, a woman was traveling with her physically challenged mother because just since planning their “trip of a lifetime,” the woman’s father died, so she was filling in and giving her mother the trip she and her husband had planned.

My wife and I traveled with her father and mother. Her mother has difficulty walking, so we supplied a wheelchair on a cruise to the Panama Canal, and we served as helpers throughout the cruise. It was their last one as they were in their late 80s; however, without our help, they would not have been able to do it. On that cruise, they did not leave the ship.

On our Mediterranean cruise, a couple of our excursions were clearly marked “strenuous,” however, some older, physically challenged people signed up anyway. There were times when their condition held up the rest of the group, and in several instances, they could not go where the group went. Few foreign, tourist, venues are handicap accessible — and that includes bathrooms. In one instance, when the excursion ended, one physically challenged person in the front seat of the bus took the microphone from the tour guide and thanked those on the bus for their assistance at every venue visited on the tour. It was a nice gesture, of course, and people appreciated his comments, but the word “strenuous” should have led him to select another less rigorous tour.

During our two-week Mediterranean cruise there were a number of instances that underscored the suggestion: travel while you’re young.

At a 5-star hotel in Venice, the elevators were being repaired when our busload of 40 people arrived. We were responsible for transporting our carry-on bags to the fifth floor. There weren’t even enough porters to handle the influx of visitors. The hotel workers brought up our heavier, checked bags, but for a number of trips out of the hotel, we had to use the stairs.

When we had to leave this hotel in Venice, I checked specifically with the concierge service to find out who was responsible for getting our checked bags to the lobby. Because our cruise line had booked the hotel as well as our transportation to the airport, we were the responsible party. Those who cruised with us and were taking the same airport bus all lugged their bags down to the lobby, a feat that challenged us all. And none of us, fortunately, was physically challenged or too old to take on this unexpected occurrence.

On this cruise there was another instance that underscored the suggestion, travel while you’re young. Our cruise-ship company, claiming no responsibility for damaged or lost luggage, broke one wheel off my large, heavy, checked bag. This is easy to understand when you see the way bags are pushed and pulled over the metal thresholds on the ship. Without one wheel the bag is awkward and unwieldy to say the least. And, when you have two carry-on pieces, plus a fanny-pack, and a jacket, handling a handicapped bag as well is tough. Tough, but possible, of course.

There are additional reasons, too, that underscore our suggestion to travel while you’re young. For example, the entire preparation process for traveling can be exhausting. Making certain documents are in order, making certain the proper attire is packed, making sure medications are sufficient and labeled, and making certain travel arrangements are completed and correct are ample enough to test anyone, much less the elderly. These are taxing, time-intensive processes that become easier the more one travels but are, nonetheless, tiring.

Another reason is patience. I may be unusual, but my patience has become inversely proportional to my age. As I grow older, my patience decreases. Where does this reveal itself? Primarily in my tolerance for incompetence. After a cruise to the Bahamas from New York City, we returned to discover another large ship was unloading passengers at the same dock as our own. Upon picking up our car and driving down the ramp to the terminal to collect waiting family members, an attendant directing traffic revealed his incompetence. The family and the luggage was at the curb, and there was ample space to pull over and stop, but the attendant would not let me. Pointing out my family and their luggage made no impression; trying to pull over against his very clear directives to move down to the end of the pick-up area, only angered him more. Family members had to step off the curb into passing traffic and drag their bags for close to a block because of the attendant’s lack of flexibility and — in our mind — incompetence.

Yet another reason that underscores our suggestion to cruise while you’re young is crowds. My wife and I thought that by scheduling our Mediterranean cruise in October, we would avoid the notorious crowds found at attractive tourist sites during the peak cruising season — summer. Wrong. The lines in Florence to get into the Academy to see Michelangelo’s original “David,” were long, and some tour groups were unable to get in. The lines to get into the Sistine Chapel in Rome were long, but they did not match those waiting to get into St. Peter’s Basilica. The crowds at Pompeii just outside of Naples, the Acropolis in Athens, and the 45-min. to 1-hour wait to get up the cable car in Santorini, Greece, would drive some people crazy. There were crowds everywhere we walked in Venice. These were not instances that concerned us because — with the exception of Venice — we were with planned excursions with reservations and guides who knew how to help us avoid many of these crowds. But the crowds were there; they appeared in abundance; and they are worse — horrific — during the peak tourist season.

The suggestion to travel while you’re young may not help you avoid rude behavior, however. We got to the cable car at Santorini early and had staked out a position for a car going down. Suddenly, there were six people who, using their raised elbows to prevent us from entering the car, pushed in front of us, quickly boarded and sat down, then ignored us and the shock on our faces.

Exhaustion is another reason to travel while you’re young. Dramatic, six-hour time changes take their toll; adapting to new beds, new schedules, and different foods is taxing; taking excursions to see more sights and gain more information, puts a strain on the body; and leaving friends, grandchildren, homes, and yards can be trying as well.

Traveling becomes more and more difficult as you get older. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, it means weighing your options. If you can plan for and arrange to do it when you’re young, there are not only many reasons that support that decision, but the entire process of traveling becomes easier.

-------------------------------

And Then Some Book 1 - Available from Amazon.com

Get 'And Then Some Book 1' and read about Richard L. Weaver II's other travel experiences!

© Copyright 2007. All rights reserved worldwide by Richard L. Weaver II and And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.

No part of this essay, except in brief quotations embodied in reviews, may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Richard L. Weaver II or the publisher, And Then Some Publishing, L.L.C.---or, in the case of photocopying, electronic duplication, or other reproductive copying, a license from the United States Copyright Licensing Agency---is an infringement on the copyright law. The best way to obtain copies of the essays is to purchase the book And Then Some - Book I: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, and Inspire (And Then Some Publishing, 2007).

And Then Some News

This Saturday November 3rd is the BarnJam/And Then Some Book 1 Official Release Party.

Yes it's here! Great food, friends, music, dancing, hay rides, and of course, get your copy of And Then Some Book 1: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire. BarnJam special just $15, almost $3 off the price of Amazon.com and you can get your copy signed by the author Richard L. Weaver II.

RSVP for the BarnJam/And Then Some Book 1 Official Release Party Link

Now we're talking "And Then Some" FUN!

And Then Some Saturday Essay - November 3, 2007
Travel while you’re young
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Exhaustion is another reason to travel while you’re young. Dramatic, six-hour time changes take their toll; adapting to new beds, new schedules, and different foods is taxing; taking excursions to see more sights and gain more information, puts a strain on the body; and leaving friends, grandchildren, homes, and yards can be trying as well.

And Then Some - see you Saturday

andthensomeworks.com