Review of “The Great Awakening: Our prophesized Transformation and the Attainment of Embodied Enlightenment” compiled by Mike Dooley.
This fascinating book comprises six messages received from cosmic sources. These were channeled by individuals who have published similar information in the past, i.e. Darryl Anka, Lyssa Royal Holt, Matt Kahn, Salvatore Rachelle, Sara Landon, and Daniel Scranton.
Not your typical book.
If you’re familiar with Mike Dooley and his “Thoughts become things: Choose the good ones” mantra, then this is what is best described as the “graduate level” course. If you’re new to the concept of manifesting your desires, then this is likely to be over your head. So much so, it will read like fantasy.
One of my favorites comes from the section channeled by Sara Landon: “Reality moves through you, and as you raise your consciousness and vibration your destiny comes to you. That which is in your highest good, that which is your highest purpose, that which is your highest potential, and that which is your highest joy will present itself to you, because you are no longer imposing an experience of separation on your reality.”
While I’ve read similar material before, this one stood out for its timeliness as the world is clearly undergoing change. How to maintain stability when there appears to be nothing but dissention and chaos is a theme many struggle with.
What struck me in a new way was the concept of different dimensions. We determine which one we’re in by our own thoughts and actions. In spite of appearances, we do not all live in the same world. Think about that for a moment and its implications.
One observation I made years ago was that no matter how bad things appeared to be on this planet, some people were thriving. Some were exploiting the chaos in a despicable way, while others were simply living their life and doing well.
Like they say, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” In other words, we attract other people into our lives through our thoughts and actions. This applies to our circumstances, too. In effect, we can be living in a different vibrational frequency than those who have not yet figured out why they are on this planet and what they’re intended to learn and achieve.
Heavy stuff, indeed.
And to clarify, not to be found in your typical organized religion.
You can be “religious” without being spiritual. In astrology, religion resides in the 9th house along with other belief systems, including politics. Somehow, that doesn’t bring spirituality to mind, which lies in the 12th house along with enlightenment, dreams, and visions. A few negative things hang out there as well like hidden enemies, self-defeating behaviors, and delusions. As with every other part of life, opposing possibilities that yield to free will are everywhere.
What amazed me the most as I read, however, was the similarity between diverse belief systems that reflect the messages in this book. Whether New Age, quantum theory, or indigenous practices, there is significant overlap.
Coincidence?
Not likely.
There is no such thing as coincidence, especially when it relates to spirit.
Where are you on the path to enlightenment? It’s no longer confined to Buddhist monks, you know. This planet is changing and you can either keep pace or be lost in the chaos. If this is something new, I suggest you start with something simple, like Dooley,’s “A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe: Uncommon Ideas for Living an Unusually Happy Life.”
That will give you a foundation to build upon. Otherwise it could be like stepping into a graduate level physics class without having the math background to follow the theory. (Been there, done that.)
Expect me to be comparing those belief systems soon from New Age to what indigenous people have believed for millennia on the blog associated with Dead-Horse-Canyon.com.
As an only child, books were important. Fortunately, my mother read to me as a young child such that I could read by the time I went to school. I was reading chapter books by 3rd grade, maybe sooner. My early favorites were animal stories by authors like Paul Gallico, who wrote “The Abandoned,” my favorite book for many years, perhaps for all time. Robert Lawson, author of “The Tough Winter” was another favorite.
I remember going to the Peekskill New York Public Library in my home town and coming home with a huge stack of books, especially in the summer.
While still in elementary school I discovered Nancy Drew Mysteries. I would save my allowance to buy the latest release and had them all, which were usually read more than once. As a teen my favorite was “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. I remember reading on a city bus and coming to a part that made me laugh out loud, earning odd looks from my fellow passengers.
As a working adult, I had to give up certain authors because they kept me up all night: Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, to name a few.
Home at Last!
Somewhere along the line I discovered science fiction. The classics by Jules Verne such as “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” were my first discovery, followed by Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein, the latter my all-time favorite, especially “The Door Into Summer” and “A Stranger in a Strange Land,” where the word “grok” originated, for those of you who didn’t know.
I scratched out my first science fiction story in 6th grade on yellow lined paper about the planet our teacher hailed from. Not much of a plot, but my classmates found it entertaining. Not surprisingly, an avid reader like myself aspired to be an author when I grew up, more specifically a science fiction author.
One thing that always frustrated me was that science fiction books had very little actual science in them, probably why I favored Heinlein, who was an aeronautical engineer whose fiction started the “hard science fiction” sub-genre.
As a perfectionist, I wanted to learn more about science so that when I wrote my stories they would contain the scientific explanations I craved as a youth. Thus, at 35 I returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from Utah State University, followed by a 21 year career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
We’re told to “Write what you know,” right?
If you’re a fan of “The Big Bang Theory” that might look familiar. 😉
My first science fiction novel, “The Capture of Phaethon,” about an asteroid collision with Earth was written while I was in college. It won me a scholarship as well as First Place Honor in a state competition. Maybe someday I’ll get it published. For now, the manuscript is in a box in the basement. Writing Phaethon was when I discovered the mysterious serendipity associated with creating fiction.
That’s all it is, right? Fiction? Something made up in your head?
My fictitious asteroid was named Phaethon, after the son of Apollo who crashed his father’s chariot into the Sun. Imagine my shock when doing research in the USU library’s NASA section that I found an asteroid by that name had recently been discovered! OMG! Later I discovered its usefulness in astrology, where it often indicates a “crash and burn” situation, figuratively or literally.
Heaven on Earth
The first time I set foot inside a library it felt like I was in Heaven. How it feels within the walls of a building lined with thousands upon thousands of books is as unique as it is indescribable. Every cell senses the knowledge and secrets that await, stirring my soul.
That could be why I often spend as much time researching a book as I do writing it, sometimes more. As much as I love my Kindle, for research it has to be a print book. I dog-ear pages, highlight, and leave sticky-notes galore. When I encounter a used book like that, it tells me someone was really into its content, which is what any author hopes for.
When I wrote the Star Trails Tetralogy I incorporated science and technology problems into the plot. These were books I wanted to read as a youth but couldn’t find. I even created a Compendium with additional information for readers, teachers, and home-schoolers.
Star Trails books were popular in a charter school in Utah among young nerds like I was. I had the privilege of talking to those students a few years ago, which was so much fun. I know of at least one middle school science teacher in Florida who has my books in her classroom for extra credit reading.
My favorite review for these books is the one where my writing was compared to Robert A. Heinlein. Imagine that! I have no idea how many children may have been inspired by them, but it’s good to know of at least a few.
Shifting Genres
“The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” saga started as a cozy mystery, but my propensity for research quickly led to a far deeper and darker story. My characters got out of hand, as usual, and suddenly I had a main character who was Cheyenne, a culture about which I knew nothing. My encounters with Native Americans was limited, and primarily with the Navajo. Research and serendipity delivered coauthor, Pete Risingsun, who kept the cultural elements on target, to say nothing of the story itself and additional research we did together.
The Reader’s Favorite review for the second book, “Return to Dead Horse Canyon: Grandfather Spirits” noted, to our delight, that “The depth of ethnology packed into both novels is meticulously researched and beautifully detailed. Fox and Risingsun are a dream team with this saga.”
Serendipity was alive and well writing that saga, especially how beautifully ancient ceremonies dove-tailed with the plot as if I’d known about them all along.
What will be lost?
Besides a book’s creative or intellectual content, to me it’s a physical thing. I love how they feel and smell, whether it’s fresh ink newly off the press or a musty antique over a hundred years old. Ebooks just didn’t feel that satisfying. I was grateful when self-publishing a paperback was an option, making it possible to hold my first print book, “Beyond the Hidden Sky,” in my hands and flip through the pages.
However, to me, a real book is a cloth-bound hardback with a dust jacket.
And this past June that dream was finally realized when all three books of the “Dead Horse Canyon” saga were released as hardbacks, laminated covers on Amazon, and real books with a cloth cover and dust jacket available through Ingram which can be found on Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million (BAM), and numerous other booksellers’ websites.
Everything is being digitized, which is convenient, but I shudder to think that my generation of Baby Boomers may be the last to embrace physical, print books. The expense and storage involved versus the option of digitizing everything leaves no other choice.
Given that, how many will grow up without the joy of holding a brand new release from their favorite author in their hands, much less an autographed copy? Or never know the awe and expectation amid the imposed silence found within a massive library? While the words may be the same, there’s an essence found only from a tome in tangible form. When they’re my age will they miss their first smart phone the way I treasure the memory of those beloved books?
Or maybe that’s just me, an admitted bibliophile, who loves the print medium as much for its physical presence as what lies within. Digital formats that could disappear with a power surge or a few key strokes just aren’t the same. (Probably a thought my children will express loudly when I die and they have to deal with my many bookshelves full, only one of which you see at the top of the page.)
And how much easier might it be to pull the plug on books with content found offensive or declared “wrong” by someone in authority? Where would we be as a civilization without old tablets, scrolls, and other records?
To a bonafide bibliophile like myself digitizing books reeks of sacrilege. If you agree, be sure to buy a physical book once in awhile. Preferably a new one, so the author sees even a few dollars of benefit from it.
Epilogue
When I saw “The Abandoned” and “The Tough Winter“ were still available on Amazon I
literally cried. The book cover for “The Tough Winter” looks exactly like the book I had as a child. I ordered “The Abandoned,” planning to read it again, then leave it as my favorite book from my childhood to whomever wants such an anachronism when I die.
This trip down memory lane led me to discover my reading list for the remainder of this year. Revisiting those favorites from the perspective of a septuagenarian should be interesting.
What books did you love from the time you could read? What made them special? Would you like to hold them again as you would hug a dear friend you hadn’t seen for years?
And that, no doubt, is why I simply had to order a physical copy of “The Abandoned.”
It arrived a few days later and I cried again, as well as numerous places throughout this sweet story. I wasn’t sure why it hit me so hard until a few days later, as I nursed my way through the worst “Book Hangover” I’d ever had.
Then I stumbled upon a statement on the back cover that I could have written myself: “When I was 9 years old I plucked The Abandoned from my school library’s dusty shelves and fell in love with literature. The adventures that unfolded, reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows and Peter Pan, captured me so thoroughly I knew writing was part of my destiny.” — Naomi Serviss, Newsday
That was it!
This was no ordinary book! It was the very one that made me decide to be a writer! I’d never quite thought of it as my “destiny,” yet it hit me like never before. I don’t know who or what I’d be without those books I’ve had a hand in bringing into the world.
Have they affected any readers out there like The Abandoned did me? I’ll probably never know. But for whatever reason, I suspect I was supposed to put them out there.
Are you a writer? When did you realize it was your calling? Or was it just something that came along at some point in your life when you had something to say? Fiction or nonfiction? Leave your answer in the comments below.
This morning at 6:08 a.m. the tapping on the window resumed. Mr. Bluebird has still not given up. And perhaps the reason is that it wasn’t until this morning that his true message was received, literally with the dawn.
It takes me awhile to think things through. Yesterday I was taken by his persistence. In applying that to myself, it didn’t really fit. If anything, I tend to be too driven to accomplish my goals. If anything I need to learn to chill once in awhile. Perseverance is not something I lack.
But lo and behold, at some point his message as a spirit animal came through.
He is worried about something that will never happen!
At least from the cats he sees watching from the window. He recognizes them as dangerous predators, which they can be, but the chances of them getting out to harm his family is about as close to zero as they can get.
If I have a superpower, it’s worrying about things that will never happen. While they may loom before me from time to time, truly serious issues that could end badly, somehow they always work out.
I have a few on my mind right now. Quite a few, actually.
Thank you, Mr. Bluebird, for reminding me of the waste of mental and emotional energy that worry represents. Like they say, it’s a poor use of creativity, inventing trouble that will never arrive.
It’s particularly appropriate that he’s a bluebird, which is often equated with happiness. How much of that precious commodity is negated by needless worry? The symbolism goes even deeper with the fact he literally woke me up two mornings in a row!
I can definitely be a little slow putting things together.
I hope that his nestlings remain safe. My indoor cats will definitely not be the cause of their demise. His diligence is commendable, though there are numerous other threats to their well-being, like our dogs, who are always outside, yet he ignores.
Meanwhile, I will do my best to set my current concerns aside and count my blessings. Truly there are messages all around us that we often miss, ignore, or discount.
I just hope their fledglings fly soon. That tapping on the window is starting to get pretty annoying. Especially when, from time to time, the cat lunges for the window. Is he thinking that at some point he’ll succeed in catching that bird?
Which takes me full circle back to beating a dead horse.
You can learn a lot about a person, including yourself, by looking at your thumb. Yes, that side-mounted digit that enables humans and primates to do things other animals can’t. According to palmistry, the upper joint represents will and the lower joint, logic. Ideally, they’re the same size. If so, you’ll have the will to put forth the effort to see your ideas to completion.
If the top joint (will) is larger (which is the case with me), your will/determination is stronger than your ability to see things logically. What does that mean? You’re likely to be inclined to beat a dead horse.
If the lower joint prevails, you may have a plethora of great ideas but lack the will to make them happen.
Obviously, a bird does not have a thumb. However, if the bluebird attacking my window had one, clearly the top joint would prevail.
Why is he attacking my window?
Because I have two indoor cats. Apparently, he and his mate have a nest in the purple martin house in the front yard and he’s concerned.
So let’s think about this.
As I said, the felines in question are “indoor cats.” They do not go outside. Thus, the danger does not exist.
So far, this daddy bird has been attacking my windows since yesterday afternoon. After a few hours of the thumping sound of him hitting the window, I closed the curtains. He still continued until dark. First thing this morning, right around dawn (which comes early this time of year, i.e. 5:30 a.m.) he was at it again.
Thump, thump, thump.
The odds are (hopefully) very low that the cat or bird will break the window in their ongoing confrontation. If the barrier between them were removed, the cat is the definite favorite. It’s not that far to the ground, so then he’d have a definite opportunity to pursue the bird. Would the bird retreat? Or attempt to fight?
I have two cats who have entirely different views of the situation. My tuxedo cat, who is female and a very good mouser, is also around twelve years old. She found it amusing, but after awhile returned to her napping. However, my ragdoll/Maine coon male, who’s a little over a year old, is thoroughly enjoying the show.
Most the time he just lays there, watching the bird with a bemused expression. Occasionally, he’ll lunge for the window, but no telling what his expectations are.
As the assault continues I wondered: Is this bird a spirit animal with a message? While perseverance is usually a virtue, when it becomes an exercise in futility, then what? And at what point do you know it’s a battle you’ll never win? When do you know it’s time to walk away?
There are various quotes and a couple poems that have encouraged me not to give up. The simplest is, not surprisingly, on my wall: “Never give up! Never surrender!” from the movie Galaxy Quest. Another favorite is: “Aiming for the stars and dragging your feet in the treetops is better than aiming for the treetops and dragging your feet in the mud.” (Anonymous)
Here’s my favorite poem, which has seen me through various challenges:
Good Timber
by Douglas Malloch.
The tree that never had to fight For sun and sky and air and light, But stood out in the open plain And always got its share of rain, Never became a forest king But lived and died a scrubby thing.
The man who never had to toil To gain and farm his patch of soil, Who never had to win his share Of sun and sky and light and air, Never became a manly man But lived and died as he began.
Good timber does not grow with ease, The stronger wind, the stronger trees, The further sky, the greater length, The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, In trees and men good timbers grow.
Where thickest lies the forest growth We find the patriarchs of both. And they hold counsel with the stars Whose broken branches show the scars Of many winds and much of strife. This is the common law of life.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must—but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow— You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up When he might have captured the victor’s cup, And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out— The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit— It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
I’m in the midst of a project that may very well be a little too similar to that determined daddy bird valiantly defending his family.
Should I give up?
If so, when? At what point have I done enough?
I have never been able to figure that out.
Let’s just say I feel better about myself beating a dead horse than quitting. I usually land in the treetops, but I’ve never wound up in the mud.
How about you?
Take a look at your thumb. Do the joints line up with your natural inclination when confronted with what could be an insurmountable challenge? Are you a tree dweller or confined to the ground?
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Meanwhile, I need to get back to work.
P.S. It’s been quiet outside for quite awhile. I just hope he figured it out and I don’t find a dead bluebird outside my window…
Stop for a moment and make a list of your daily annoyances. Now give them some thought. Can you talk yourself out of being bothered by them? Is there something you can do to eliminate them? Or are they just a part of life you have to live with?
Since merging households with my youngest daughter, her husband, and their three teens I’ve had a lot of adjustments to make after living on my own for twenty years. Like sharing a bathroom with two teenage girls. Opening a cabinet for a glass or a drawer for a fork or spoon to find them all missing since the kids are allowed to eat in their rooms.
Being a cat person more than a dog fan, their three big dogs (a Doberman, a husky, and a 50+ pound “puppy” that’s a mastiff-pittbull cross) were probably at the top of the list. Especially their propensity to get into the kitchen trash can and scatter garbage all over, taking their best finds into the living room to enjoy on the couch. 🤦♀️😖
If you’re not familiar with what Occam’s razor is, here’s what googling it says:
Occam’s Razor is a problem-solving principle that suggests, when presented with competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. It essentially favors simpler explanations over more complex ones, when both explain the same phenomenon equally well. The principle is often summarized as “the simplest solution is usually the best”.
“Here’s a more detailed explanation:
“Parsimony: Occam’s Razor is also known as the “law of parsimony“. Parsimony, in this context, means being economical or frugal with assumptions.”
Dealing with my various frustrations was generally pretty simple, once I sat down and did some basic problem solving. The bathroom issue “is what it is” and can’t be changed. Solution: Get over it.
The glass and silverware situation won’t go away until the kids move out, which will be awhile. The solution: Keep what I need in my room.
The dogs getting in the trash issue went on for a long time. Our usual solution was to place an empty cardboard box on top between the lid and overhang of the kitchen island. The problem with that was that often the box was not in place, plus one of the dogs (the husky) learned to push it aside.
The situation was actually solved by my daughter, who works in a hardware store. For pocket change, she brought home a metal hook and eye and installed it on the trash can.
Problem solved.
So what’s my point?
There is plenty to get spun up about these days. The world is pretty crazy, and as an astrologer, I can see what’s going on out there in the cosmos and that it’s not going to change any time soon. In other words, much of what may get you spun up is entirely out of your control.
How much of what’s going on out there really affects your daily life? Does it really matter?
Even if it does, there isn’t much you can do about it.
Thus, it’s a good idea to take care of those things that you can.
For example, if your daily commute is a nightmare, try listening to music your love, your favorite podcasts, or something else you enjoy to upgrade the value of time spent in a situation you can’t control.
Decide what matters and what doesn’t. Take control of what you can. This crazy planet isn’t going to get better anytime soon.
Review of The Pact (Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4)
by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
If you’re looking for a book to chill out with when everything else about this insane planet is just too much, I highly recommend this latest book in the Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series. It doesn’t take long to get hooked on these charming characters and feel as if you live in the little town of Twinkle.
Actually, I live outside a town that’s even smaller than Twinkle, one that is so small that it doesn’t even have a traffic light, so I can relate to this small fictitious setting away from everything other than the full range of human behavior. As a pet lover, of course I enjoy the animals and their special talents, which include not only intelligence, but the ability to communicate using technology.
The series is now on book 4 where the folks in Twinkle, Texas are at it again. I love how the author has developed this setting with its own common expressions, such as referring to the grocery store as “the foo” since the sign is broken, and various other touches that make it seem real and that you’re a part of it. In this episode, Mrs. Potts’ boarding house burns down! Thus, Jimmy, Brian, Mrs. Potts, and of course, Maddie and Guppy, move in with Betty in the mansion. Of necessity, the folks who know about the animals’ special talents expands, especially as various threats manifest.
There are a few pretty serious parts as well as plenty of good information about having a plan to secure your property in case of a catastrophe. Other useful information includes the steps in building a house from the ground up and a few other things to think about, such as how much stuff you own and what a chore it would be to replace it.
There were plenty of scenes where I laughed out loud, some of the characters’ names alone worth a good chuckle. Turns out Guppy is showing some psychic abilities, which are likely to be developed further in future escapades. As with most series, it’s advisable to start with the first book since characters and situations from previous stories tend to show up. It’s easy to feel as if you’re a resident of this tiny Texas town as the host of characters come to life and interact, leaving you wondering what will happen next and longing for the next book in the series!
You can pick up a copy on Amazon here and read more about the author on a previous blog here.
I’m usually pretty good at catching phishing schemes. The dead-giveaway? Usually a gmail address. But be warned, professional scammers are experts at social engineering. They know how to push you buttons. I’m sharing this to maybe prevent some other person from a similar experience, which was far from pleasant.
I have never had much luck with advertising but decided to give Facebook a try to gather order for the pre-release of my Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy ebook. I created a post (shown above) and submitted it with a campaign limit of $30. The post was accepted and their AI even created a couple other texts for it so it wouldn’t be repetitive. So far so good.
It no sooner went live and I get an email, supposedly from Meta, telling me my post violated their community standards with a bunch of nonsense about copyright violation and all sorts of other stuff you see below. My first reaction was anger followed quickly by frustration.
Why did they accept the ad, then reject it? Why didn’t they say something first?
Meanwhile, I set out to correct it and clicked the email’s “Request for Review” button.
What followed was a form where I had to fill in all my Facebook information, i.e. preferred emails, date of birth, and of course, my password, along with why there was nothing wrong with my post.
Big mistake!
When I went to my Facebook account to check on the ad, it was running and everything looked fine.
(It shows as not delivering because this screenshot was taken after I realized what was going on and cancelled my credit card)
What was going on?
About then I realized what happened. I looked back at that email and saw it came from a gmail address. After slapping myself upside the head, I set out to do what I could to preclude what was sure to follow.
In other words, with access to my Facebook business account they could easily find my credit card information.
I cancelled the credit card, which of course also cancelled my ad for nonpayment. Not wanting to do that, I added my PayPal to pay one of the invoices that was around $30 and looked legitimate, though a bunch of other charges were starting to accumulate that I didn’t understand. I figured if I paid one it would at least turn the ad back on.
A few had hit my Discover Card, too. When Discover texted me whether the first charge was okay, I responded it was, since I hadn’t yet figured out what was going on, much less expected additional charges.
Being rattled already, combined with the complexity of the Facebook/Meta business site, it was impossible to figure out what was happening or find the right menu to do anything about it.
I did discover some unknown Muhlenberg Life Company in my business profile with a bunch of obviously fake names and emails that I was unable to delete.
Then I realized Meta was charging my PayPal account–charge after charge after charge–the balance dropping to zero before my very eyes!
OMG!
I took what was left and sent it to my son-in-law to keep them from getting it all. Then I really panicked when I realized my bank account was also on PayPal as backup! Holy crap! When Pay Pal went to zero they’d start in on my bank balance! Then I really panicked, but was able to delete my bank from PayPal before that happened, thank heavens, and my Discover card on there was already cancelled.
Meanwhile, further digging on the Meta site indicated another ad on my account I didn’t place and couldn’t open, but had a daily spending limit of $5,000!
Meanwhile, I was getting more messages through Facebook and Instagram with the same bogus message with minor variations indicating they were from other people! By then I’d figured it out and fired back a rather nasty reply.
So consider yourself warned that a multitude of low life out there is on to this scheme!
The fact that Meta has no means of contacting an actual person or even a chatbot, my only choice was to send a frantic message to Meta about the situation. Then I went about changing passwords to just about everything.
nd by the way, that was done on Facebook very early on, but somehow these sleazeballs still had access to my account, which was apparent when I saw a transaction log of when they changed the spending limit. My daughter pointed out that I may have had to check an option to “log out of all devices” after I changed the password, but I didn’t see that option on my desktop computer, but it must have allowed them to remain logged in or perhaps in long enough to see the new password.
Several hours later I got a message from Meta. They’d investigated, found my account had been compromised (duh) and refunded all the bogus charges.
Whew!
However, this did nothing for the years it felt like were stolen from my life from the stress or the fact I still have to deal with getting a new Discover card, changing the number for all the utility companies and other services that go to that card, and probably doing the same with PayPal, though if I’m lucky, the regular charges may come through okay. As long as it’s not Meta!
I snarled when I saw PayPal took a fee from when I sent the remaining balance to my son-in-law. I don’t know about you, but if a digital currency will help us exchange funds without these ridiculous fees all over the place, I’m in.
I’m grateful this turned out to be no worse than an afternoon spent in a state of sheer panic. Too many are not so lucky. I do have fraud protection through my Discover Card, but if they’d gotten to my bank account I don’t know just how much that would have covered since I’m sure the coverage has a limit.
I still wonder what that other ad might have been and what they gained from it, if anything. When they discovered my Discover Card was no longer accessible was it simply retaliation?
Lessons learned:
1. Never advertise on Facebook. Period. Maybe it works for some, but unless you have thousands upon thousands of followers or already a best selling author it’s not likely to be effective. Looking at the statistics on there for when they were posting like crazy was pretty telling. Two responses with over 900 impressions?
C’mon!
I should have known because it has never done me any good in the past, making me guilty of violating Einstein’s statement, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
2. If you use PayPal, rethink those backup payment sources! After they wipe out the balance, charges will go to your credit card or, heaven forbid, your bank! Don’t be naive to how easy it would be to empty it out once they get access.
3. Pay attention to the authenticity of any email, no matter what the circumstances. AI has made it not only possible but way too easy for scammers to make them look legitimate.
They got me with the phishing email because it was timed perfectly. I reacted exactly as planned, wanting to rectify the situation and handing over everything they wanted. These scumbags are professional thieves. They’re tech-savvy and know how to dupe people. Every time I get a phishing email I report it to reportphishing@apwg.org. I have no idea whether they do anything about it, but it may at least get it listed as a scam somewhere.
4. Don’t leave credit card information on social media sites where someone can access it if they hack that account. I have two-factor authentication and do not know how they managed to get in with just my password, but somehow they managed it. If perchance you do run ads, I recommend entering the information when its needed versus leaving it out there.
5. Pay attention to those mass “Data Breaches” that happen all the time with major corporations. Changing your passwords when that happens is a nuisance but highly advised because you don’t always know exactly what they got. Once they have one password, there’s no telling how many other things they may get to. We tend to be too trusting and casual putting that information out there.
6. Be sure to protect your credit cards, even when they’re in your wallet. Shields that look like another credit card can prevent the RFID chip from being read remotely, even by someone you pass on the street. There are wallets available as well with that protection built in.
7. When your credit card company messages you about a charge, give it serious thought before responding. If nothing else, they’re acutely aware of frauds and are likely to know something you don’t.
8. If you ever have to change your Facebook password, be sure to log out from all devices first.
I shared this harrowing experience in the hope it may help someone out there avoid such a debacle. I’m usually smarter than this, but they suckered me in. Just like the rogue movers who scammed me two years ago when I moved from Texas to New York. (You can find my blog about that here.) Do yourself a big favor and learn from my mistakes. If everyone was smart enough not to fall for their tricks and it wasn’t profitable, they’d go away. We must do our best as individuals to make that happen given the sorry state of the world these days.
On a side note, switching to my persona as a professional astrologer, the worst of this has developed during the astrological transit of Neptune through Pisces, which has placed the planet under a deceptive fog beginning April 2011 through August of that year. Then he went retrograde and backed into Aquarius until February 2012 when he returned to Pisces. Gratefully, this is about to end when Neptune goes into Aries today (March 31, 2025).
Yay!
Be warned, however, that Neptune will return to Pisces for a short jaunt from October 23 until January 27, 2026, then eventually return to Aries which will last until May 23, 2028, when he goes into Taurus.
Historically, Neptune went into Pisces the last time February 17, 1848. Needless to say, as an outer planet of our solar system, it moves very slowly. Retrograde motion kept him in Pisces until April 12, 1861, when he first dipped into Aries–the very day the Civil war began on April 12, 1861. He went back into Pisces for awhile after that due to retrograde motion, returning to Aries for the long haul on February 14, 1862.
What will this ingress bring? As the Neptunian fog of deception dissipates and people rebel against what they’ve been subjected to, will another Civil War follow?
If you’re a science fiction or fantasy fan, be sure to download some freebies this month! You have a dozen ebooks to choose from, including “The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51,” which is an independent side-story to the Star Trails Tetralogy.
The Terra Debacle is the story of what happens when a rogue UFO lands at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. An adolescent girl, robot, and flora peda telepathis (telepathic walking plant) are onboard and confiscated by authorities. The girl’s experiences are part of Star Trails Tetralogy book 2, “A Dark of Endless Days.” However, what happens to her robot, Aggie, and Thyron, the plant, is only included in “The Terra Debacle.”
These two characters are among the most popular in the series and it was impossible to ignore what they went through while captive at Area 51. Thus, “The Terra Debacle” was born and has been very popular for its humor as Thyron observes humans, particularly the astrobiologist, Gabe Greenley, who’s job it is to study him.
But in truth, who’s studying whom?
As with all the STEM-friendly Star Trails books, this one has some real science incorporated into the story. As Gabe investigates a sentient life-form with a metabolism based on photosynthesis, his discoveries result in a moral dilemma as he faces a potentially treasonous decision.
Be sure to grab a copy while it’s free, tell your friends, and please be so kind to leave a review somewhere when you’ve read it!
I am so proud of my grandson for the research he compiled in this must-have guide! Most of us are already aware that processed food generally is not healthy. Additives, fake colors, and preservatives along with questionable processing not only compromise the nutrients, but can actually be toxic. Artificial sweeteners are a huge culprit along with anything labeled “Low Fat.”
Many chemicals commonly found in our food are outlawed in other countries. This doesn’t speak well for our FDA, who’s more concerned with taking money from corporations than our health. The greatest part about this compilation is that it tells you the side effects associated with these chemicals, demonstrating why they’re unhealthy. All of this is based on volumes of research that’s referenced throughout with hyperlinks.
Besides food, cosmetics and various other items such as deodorants, toothpaste, and laundry detergent are also covered. Numerous recipes are included so you can make your own healthy alternatives for several items, plus save money.
Learn how these industries are slowly poisoning us while masquerading as healthy or essential. Believe me when I say that fluoride is only the tip of the iceberg. “Undercover Killers” puts a wealth of information at your fingertips so you can make informed choices on items that can compromise your health and well being.
Be sure to get your copy today in Kindle or paperback on Amazon here.
P.S. Many thanks to my fellow author, Dawn Greenfield, owner of Artistic Origins, who added the finishing touches. She not only formatted the interior but made it more readable with her editing skills. She included reference tables as well as a section for recipes, so you don’t have to dig through the entire book looking for them later. If you need similar help with a project, you can contact her at dawn@DEGreenfield.com or visit her website. If you’re looking for a good read in just about any genre from cozy mystery to steamy shapeshifters, check out her books, which are among my favorites.
After a whole lot of hype, personal and otherwise, the April 8th Total Eclipse was a total eclipse of morale for myself as well as hundreds of others hoping to watch it from Canandaigua, New York. The cloud cover never broke, so all we witnessed was 3 minutes of darkness other than the cool effect of a 360 degree “sunset” effect around the horizon, showing where the Sun was still shining outside the path of totality. Whoopity-do.
Bummed out was hardly the word.
At least I saw the one in 2017. I felt especially sorry for those who traveled a significant distance to the area only to be disappointed.
But c’est la vie.
So now, we wait.
For what, you ask?
The next eclipse?
No.
To see how much this cosmic sign in the heavens lives up to expectations astrologically.
Yes, I’m serious. Now the fun begins. It can take hours, days, weeks, or even months for the effects to show up, but they surely will. Think back to 2017. That total eclipse’s path of visibility from coast to coast prognosticated a country divided. I doubt anyone would argue that came about.
The heavens don’t lie. So what will this one bring?
Time will tell.
So far the lunar eclipse on March 25th has come through already. Less than 24 hours after it occurred, on March 26th at 1:29 a.m. the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore collapsed upon being struck by container ship, Dali, flagged out of Singapore.
Find out the specifics by tuning into Fresh Ink Group’s “Voice of Indie” podcast on April 17, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Join us here.
I’ll explain what factors indicate why Baltimore was targeted, why predictions are so difficult, plus what astrology tells us that news media doesn’t. Comments and questions are always welcome during the live podcast with a recording available after the fact.
