Updated Veterans Corner columns

Veterans Corner : Veterans Deaths Extend Beyond the Battlefield

Veterans Corner : Hanoi Jane Lives on in the Memories of Vietnam Veterans

Veterans Corner : Bad Paper: Justified or in excess?

Update...

My apologies for not updating this page.
My career took a bit of a detour and ended up in journalism...a lot of journalism.
As a veteran advocate I have begun a column with the local newspaper titled the Veterans Corner. I will attach links to some of the articles.
I also have been active in starting a Veterans Treatment Court in my County. A relatively large undertaking that appears to be on a roll, thanks to the support of the Judge, DA, Sheriff, and the Director of Behavioral Health.
Thank you for your support of my endeavors. And as always...happy reading!

Veterans Corner: A new column for valued people

Veterans Corner: Service dogs for veterans a saving grace

Veterans Corner: Vietnam vets open doors with farrier school

For more articles visit Calaveras Enterprise and search for Veterans Corner.

Adding Photography to my repertoire

Creativity is not limited to the pen...words can also be spoken with pictures...actually volumes can be spoken with one glance at a photo.

I have collected my photography and am making gifts cards from my work.

Let me know if any of the photos tell you a story.


To view photos CLICK HERE

A few of my favorites....

My New Years Resolution

My new years resolutions:
Touch more hearts with the written word.
Make a difference in someone's life.
Slow down...enjoy my life and appreciate what I have.

More Stories Pounding in my Head

After an incredibly moving and passionate visit to the ocean I have even more stories crashing like waves through my head. I hope to find the time to, at the very least, put the ideas into words and create an outline of sorts.

If you write, or wish to write, visit a place that moves you, talk to a person that you admire, or simply find a quiet place to listen to your heart, then let the words flow!

Back to the pen and paper

Looking forward to the new year when I will hit the ground running once again, throwing my heart and soul into my latest work in progress, 'In Their Words - Vietnam' a collection of interviews with Vietnam Veterans. Their stories, their feelings, in their words.

Hopefully I will be able to share their words and their feelings with you by the Spring of 2014.

Your words are worthy

Just a bit from my presentation as guest speaker at the Tuolumne Writer's Retreat.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that your writing has no worth because it is not producing an income. Your words, from the heart, are more valuable than gold. Don't ever stop writing. Don't ever give up.

Treasure or trash

It never ceases to amaze me that each time I clean my desk, thats code for coffee table, I find the dreaded black binder.

"What" you ask "could be in the binder that could cause such dread?"

Why...9 unfinished manuscripts!!

Thats right..9. Everything from romance to murder mystery and some humor thrown in for good measure.

When or if I will ever finish these stories in seemingly permanent hibernation...time will only tell.  Though I did cry and laugh out loud when reading one of them. I believe I will tackle that one first. Nothing like a good emotional roller coaster ride when traveling on a literary journey:)

I will keep you posted.

As always...happy reading!

Interview with Author Charity Maness

Words are so much more than simply words...

Writing is not simply words streamed together to create a story, they are colors and feelings painted on the awaiting canvas of the readers mind. A reader does not know what corner will be turned next, they await the surprise and expect to be moved.

I can only hope that when people read what I have written they will feel intense emotions of... passion... fear... love... desolation... hope... tragedy....laughter...sadness...

Emotions so real that for a moment my thoughts translated to words, become their thoughts translated to feelings.

Reading is a journey....

Enjoy the journey....

Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk-a-thon Speech 9-15-12

I would like to thank you all for coming today to the 3^rd annual Live On Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk-a-thon! Today, you are making a difference… for some, it is a difference between life and death. 

In 2012 Calaveras County has already exceeded the national average in suicide deaths with a total of 15 deaths to date. This is unacceptable.

When I was asked by Kim Molina to speak today I was honored by her request, yet at a loss as to what I would say. Kim gently told me to speak from the heart. That, I can do.

Many of you may know me as a mother, an author, a journalist, a veteran activist, or simply a friend. Some of you may not know me at all, but what none of you know is that I am survivor.

On June 1, 2009 my best friend took her life. 

Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association Ride

On Friday August 24, 2012 I was honored to ride with the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association in a funeral escort for a fallen Desert Storm veteran.
It was an incredibly moving experience.
At the conclusion, as the veteran's ashes were lowered into the ground and Taps played, we stood in formation holding flags at attention, the last three notes floated through the air on a breeze that had each of our flags billowing out creating a straight line of American flags. Stunning.