Kirjahaku

While sitting poolside near her grandmother's West Palm Beach condo, young millennial Vanessa overhears a strange conversation: "What, you want to have phone sex?" Accustomed to little more than old folks with their card games and early bird dinners, Vanessa is shocked-but intrigued-and soon makes the acquaintance of Michelle. As it turns out, Michelle is a widow trying online dating, while Vanessa is single and still recovering from tragic loss. Their morning meetings become a comforting daily occurrence. Separated by decades in age, the two women are extremely similar in many other ways and become fast friends. For Michelle, being single, no matter what age, is a roller coaster: one can accept the excitement and unpredictability or get off the ride. Michelle has learned to embrace the ride, and she encourages Vanessa to do the same, no matter past trauma. Michelle even gifts Vanessa with her memoir, Keep Walking, based on her life as a widow and her baby boomer dating experience. At home in New York, Vanessa will have decisions to make as she has a new job waiting and a possible relationship in the wings. Michelle's insights and optimism change everything. Surviving life is a challenge, but to thrive, young Vanessa must find her authentic self, all with the help of a serendipitous friendship by a Florida pool. The Unexpected Connection is a provocative book filled with timely stories, insightful reflections, and humor that readers of all ages, gender, and personal status can relate to. As the tales are told, the reader becomes witness to the inner struggles and ultimate growth both Michelle and Vanessa experience. As with The Dance Partner we may love to dance but finding the right partner is a challenge. F.J. Strauss- Author, Life Coach, Professor

While sitting poolside near her grandmother's West Palm Beach condo, young millennial Vanessa overhears a strange conversation: "What, you want to have phone sex?" Accustomed to little more than old folks with their card games and early bird dinners, Vanessa is shocked-but intrigued-and soon makes the acquaintance of Michelle. As it turns out, Michelle is a widow trying online dating, while Vanessa is single and still recovering from tragic loss. Their morning meetings become a comforting daily occurrence. Separated by decades in age, the two women are extremely similar in many other ways and become fast friends. For Michelle, being single, no matter what age, is a roller coaster: one can accept the excitement and unpredictability or get off the ride. Michelle has learned to embrace the ride, and she encourages Vanessa to do the same, no matter past trauma. Michelle even gifts Vanessa with her memoir, Keep Walking, based on her life as a widow and her baby boomer dating experience. At home in New York, Vanessa will have decisions to make as she has a new job waiting and a possible relationship in the wings. Michelle's insights and optimism change everything. Surviving life is a challenge, but to thrive, young Vanessa must find her authentic self, all with the help of a serendipitous friendship by a Florida pool. The Unexpected Connection is a provocative book filled with timely stories, insightful reflections, and humor that readers of all ages, gender, and personal status can relate to. As the tales are told, the reader becomes witness to the inner struggles and ultimate growth both Michelle and Vanessa experience. As with The Dance Partner we may love to dance but finding the right partner is a challenge. F.J. Strauss- Author, Life Coach, Professor

Sophia and her grandma are out walking in the park, surrounded by nature. "In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect." Sophia is thankful that her grandpa didn't die from the Coronavirus, but she questions all that is happening around her in real life and what she sees and hears in the media. She is worried. As in nature, Sophia learns that nothing is perfect, but one must be hopeful and determined that good things will happen, and that love is, of course, constant Through her grandma's wisdom, Sophia is nurtured and experiences the beauty of life through nature.

We are living through difficult times where children are being bombarded by bullying, name calling, and lack of respect and consideration for others. Let's Be Kind Again is a fun and meaningful experience for children three to eight years old and their caregivers to explore creative ways to be kind.Twins, Mario and Maria, thinking about what their mother told them about JFK saying to Americans, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, " have an interactive conversation, almost a one-upmanship of who can think of ways to be kind to each other, their parents, and other people they interact with. They explore the many ways they can do that in the different aspects of life, from walking the dog of a sick neighbor to defending a classmate who is being bullied. The last pages are meant to be interactive. The reader is asked to recall the different ways suggested by Mario and Maria to be kind and to also think of other ways they and others can practice kindness. In this way, the reader is given an opportunity to assimilate the concept of what it means to be kind and how it can be practiced. Additionally, besides the acts of kindness being reinforced, communication is encouraged.

We are living through difficult times where children are being bombarded by bullying, name calling, and lack of respect and consideration for others. Let's Be Kind Again is a fun and meaningful experience for children three to eight years old and their caregivers to explore creative ways to be kind.Twins, Mario and Maria, thinking about what their mother told them about JFK saying to Americans, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, " have an interactive conversation, almost a one-upmanship of who can think of ways to be kind to each other, their parents, and other people they interact with. They explore the many ways they can do that in the different aspects of life, from walking the dog of a sick neighbor to defending a classmate who is being bullied. The last pages are meant to be interactive. The reader is asked to recall the different ways suggested by Mario and Maria to be kind and to also think of other ways they and others can practice kindness. In this way, the reader is given an opportunity to assimilate the concept of what it means to be kind and how it can be practiced. Additionally, besides the acts of kindness being reinforced, communication is encouraged.