"Grandma's Cookies"

Joey Lynn remembered his grandmother telling him to wipe the chocolate off his face.  Joey loved his Grandma Blessing’s chocolate-chip cookies.  Each Christmas his grandma made him two dozen of the tantalizing treats.  That gift was his favorite because it came from his grandmother’s heart.  She was poor and unable to buy him a present.

Grandma would not be joining Joey’s family for Christmas this year.  She died of a heart attack eight days before Christmas.  Joey thought about his grandmother as Christmas Day approached, remembering the cookies placed in a tin can and wrapped in aluminum foil.

Grandma always put the cookies toward the back of the tree, so it would be the last present unwrapped.  She wrote his name on the gift tag.  But she gave Joey the present personally.

Just a day before her death, Grandma ate dinner with Joey’s family.  The family laughed as Grandma told them about the time Dad and Uncle Cliff tried to run away.  Dad and Cliff were mad because Grandma made them clean the house.  But Grandpa Don, now deceased, found them about two blocks away.  Punishment was two weeks of no television.

Grandma’s smile and good-natured personality made everyone love her.  She often kidded Joey about his wiry, red hair and freckles.  “Those freckles look like strawberries,” she said, “and I love strawberries.”

When Joey was younger, Grandma would gently kiss him on the cheek.  But now that he was nine-years-old she had avoided what Joey called, “the mushy stuff.”  Joey wrapped his last present.  It was his grandmother’s gift.  He decided to give the pot holders to his mother.

Joey’s family almost decided not to have Christmas at their house this year.  But Dad’s relatives liked their big house.  Everyone also loved his Mom’s homemade fudge.

Uncle Cliff and Aunt Betsy and their daughters—Sherrie and Gracie—were the first to arrive.  He wished his cousins were boys because the girls wanted him to play house.  Soon, the rest of the family arrived.  Dinner included smoked turkey, corn, baked beans and homemade bread.

Sherrie and Gracie distributed the presents.  Gracie gave Joey a big box.  It was the race track he wanted.

The big grandfather’s clock ticked off the hours.  Relatives laughed and talked about their jobs, the past and upcoming events and, of course, Grandma.  Scattered across the floor were wrapping paper, bows and ribbons.  Joey noticed one present still under the tree.

He reached for it.  It had his name on it.  He unwrapped it.  Inside was a tin can of chocolate-chip cookies.  Joey knew who gave him that gift.  It was his grandmother.  She placed the present under the tree when she visited them.  Even in death, Grandma Blessing reached out and reminded Joey of her love.  The same is true of God.  He always is there with His blessings and His love for you.

Successful Book signings

A smile is worth a million bucks. Well, maybe not that much, but it does help at book signings.

Who would want to interact with a sourpuss? No one. The same goes for potential customers either at bookstores or at vendor events.

Engage people with a smile. If they wear a beautiful blouse or earrings, tell them you like them. However, be honest with these. A person can sense an unbelievable claim a mile away. 

If at a bookstore, get up and approach customers with your book in hand. Give them a short - and I mean short - description of your book. For example, my spiel of my newly-released, inspiring-historical romance goes this way:  “‘This is my historical romance,’ showing them the cover of Lockets and Lanterns. ‘It takes place in Omaha and starts in 1904 and goes from there. Its plot is His secret ... Her broken heart, but it is inspiring. The story gives you a taste of the time period as well as it having a short excerpt, which goes along with the plot, from my grandpa’s 1914 application to the Omaha Fire Department.’ (Why do I mention this? Because my audience is from the Omaha area.) I pause and continue. ‘If interested I am over there (pointing to the book signing table), I will be here from _ to _.’”

Since my first chapters begin with the marriage of Edith to Owen Sias, I wear an old-fashioned wedding costume. This makes me stand out. In addition, I place a bride and groom handkerchief on my book signing table, and I always have a guest book for customers to sign so later you can send them information about your upcoming books. I also have a professionally-made poster. The large poster includes the book’s cover, my name and the words, book signing, and I place the sign on an artist easel behind my table. However, this does not work at places, such as Barnes and Noble bookstores where space is limited.

When I am at a craft or art show, I ask people as they pass if they like to read. If not a reader, they feel free to move onward and why waste their time? However, this is a great way to draw readers to your to your table. Once there, I tell them my novel is a historical romance. In this way, I further filter down my target audience. Would a person who reads thrillers really like a historical romance? Probably not. But there are those who might be ready for a change or may purchase it for a family member. You also could promote aspects of your novel. For instance, my romance includes a mystery - the secret. Some mystery readers have purchased it because of that element. Well, I had better go and as always God bless.

The Highs and Lows of Writing

A writer knows there are highs and lows during the writing process. You question your abilities, your instincts and even your love for writing.

My low point came several years ago when my manuscript needed help. It was through wonderful friends I learned I needed to add more content. I was devastated but their input made my product better. I doubled its size. I had to learn to take my initial disappointment and my questioning of my abilities and turn it into a product I now am proud to tout. The process switched my low into a high. 

However, taking criticisms is not easy. Find a partner in which you can work with and trust. I have a great writer friend who I value her input enormously. It takes time, however, to find the right working relationships. 

A few years ago I lost a friend due to this. She wanted to critique at times which fit her schedule but would not bend on starting earlier so could have adequate time to go through our works in progress. She also was writing non-fiction, whereas I was venturing into the romance-fiction genre. We did not fit. What resulted was a broken friendship. To be honest, however, there were other things in play which contributed to this. So do not hesitate to walk away if you need to do that, but do it early and find a nice way to sever the critique relationship without hindering your friendship.

Go with your instincts. If your gut tells you to write a certain type of story then go for it. My heart directed me to write an inspiring-historical romance. I did that with Lockets and Lanterns. Its April release was my high point. Remember, though, your novel will not set the whole world on fire but could appeal to those interested in that kind of story.  

This reminds me of a time I accepted a job. My “gut” told me to not take it and my “gut” was correct. This is the advantage of self-publishing you can do it your way. Publishers ask you to write it their way which may not be the path you want to take.

Finally, your high is your love of writing and your low is the process in getting there. One day you receive glowing reviews of your work. The next day you get a fair report. The latter can send you into depression because we always remember the bad ones and forget the good reports. Or, your book cannot get traction no matter what you do so your high hopes are dashed. The truth is nothing is easy and you need to keep working at it. Few people inherit their wealth. They did it through many years of hard work. You can be that person with perseverance and determination.

When my first book, Seasons of the Soul, was released in 2006. I expected it to sell like hot cakes. It did not. Instead, I got good reviews and it even won a contest, but what the gift book did not do was make money. That part was a low point. This changed, though, with my new release of Lockets and Lanterns and this even brought up sales of my previous book. It takes time to get to your highs. Well, I guess I said enough. Thus, I leave you with this as always - God bless. 

How do you set a Marketing Table?

In 4-H, I learned how to properly set a table. You must place the fork on the left and the knife and spoon resting on a napkin on the right. But how do you set a marketing table?

At book signings or as a vendor, you want your wares - your book(s) - to be displayed attractively. You cannot stand out in a crowd if your table is not different than the others. A white table cloth does not do the job.

What does? A colored cloth which reflects your book or cover. Before my inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns, was released, I used varying cloth colors. Why? Because my book, Seasons of the Soul, was divided into chapters by seasons so I used a red cloth for the Christmas/winter season and a lime-green one for spring.

Now, since my Lockets and Lanterns cover is mainly in black and white, I use a black table cloth. I also can play off the cover’s title:  Lockets. Lanterns.

I place my book face down so the locket pictured on the back cover is displayed and beside that I put a small-black lantern. On each side of my guest book (which gives you a marketing list) for people to sign, I have a bride and groom, each made from a handkerchief. Why? Because the cover includes an old-fashioned wedding picture. I bought the handkerchiefs at a fabric store. Shop those and craft outlets for ideas. 

Also, do not forget to be practical. If you are doing an outside event, remember wind and rain can endanger your display. Be prepared for these acts of Mother Nature. I bought a rod-iron rack which I use to display my books. This can stand the breezes which come in my neck of woods at any time.

Another necessity is business cards. Do not forget those. If a customer sounds interested but lacks funds, have them take a card because circumstances could change. Also, this individual might think later of someone to give your wares to as a Christmas or birthday gift. 

Best-selling author Ruth Ann Nordin and I did an event earlier this year. I learned something from her. Catchy titles also bring people to your table, such as her romance, The Wrong Husband. You could not believe the people who stopped or passed us and commented about their “wrong husband.” 

Her idea got me thinking about what I could do at a future event in Seward, Neb. I came up with “It happened in Seward.” I could do this because a minor character, who plays a key role in the plot’s development, moves to Seward. It worked and brought in great sales. 

A few tips:  never dismiss a small town event. These can be better than larger ones where people may come more for the entertain, etc., rather than wanting to stop at booths. In addition, remember not everyone will like your book. If your book is a romance, ask them if they like to read romances. If they do not, why give them a pitch and waste their time? However, if your book, like mine, has a mystery to it, you could plug that angle to a mystery lover. I have done this with my Lockets and Lanterns novel because it includes a mystery where the husband hides a secret from his wife. Well, I will go for now and as always God’s blessings to you.

Love is in the Air Giveaway Winners

Love still is in the air even with my birthday and wedding anniversary over because I am pleased to announce the winners of Janet Syas Nitsick's inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns, and best-selling romance author Ruth Ann Nordin books' Eye of the Beholder OR Shotgun Groom.

The two winners are ... Lorna Faith and ... Crystal Young. You will need to visit Janet's Web site:  www.JanetSyasNitsick.com and go to the Meet the Author page. Fill out the contact author form with your email and street addresses so you are contacted and the books are sent to you.

If a winner does not contact me within seven days of this post, another winner is selected on Aug. 15 where their name is posted on that day's blog post.

Love is in the Air Giveaway

On Aug. 1 decades ago, a mother cradles an infant in her arms, the father smiles down at his newly-born daughter. Her foot is wrapped in bandages since it got twisted during labor.

Time marches on and with that the child grows up and stands beside her betrothed. They exchange their marriage vows on Aug. 2, 1980.

In honor of these two loving events - my birth and wedding anniversary - I am giving away two copies of my recently-released, inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns. . . .

As Edith marches down the aisle to marry the man of her  dreams, she doesn’t know he is hiding a secret. Eighteen years later her husband, Red, must confront his past and reveal a deep family secret before it’s too late.

Edith needs answers about her husband’s past, but will he put his children and career in danger to keep his secret? As tragedy occurs and the couple drifts apart, they must find their love for one another again before they lose each other. Lockets and Lanterns, a gripping tale of love, loss, and forgiveness, takes readers back to the 1900s when life was simpler, but sustaining love was just as difficult.

*This book is a clean Christian romance.

And a winner could receive an autographed copy of Ruth Ann Nordin’s books, Eye of the Beholder OR Shotgun Groom. 

 

Mary Peters despairs that she will never get married.  At nineteen, she has no prospects of finding a husband, so she takes matters into her own hands and becomes a mail-order bride.  When she arrives in Omaha, Nebraska, to meet the man she's due to marry, he takes one look at her homely appearance and rejects her.

But fate has other plans for Mary.  Dave Larson happens to be nearby and thinks she will make a good wife.  Though she is stunned that someone as handsome and as kind as Dave would ask her to marry him, she accepts.  She knows that this marriage will not bear the fruits of love.  Love, after all, is for beautiful women.  Isn't it?

Warning: This is rated R due to sexual situations after marriage.

April Edwards, a young widow, is content to manage a farm with her fourteen-year-old brother and a one-year-old daughter. Nothing, after all, could be worse than being married to her deceased husband. Nothing, that is, until her unscrupulous brother-in-law decides to marry her. With no other recourse, April and her brother concoct a plan--one that involves the unsuspecting doctor’s assistant, Joel Larson.

Joel Larson doesn't want to be married. In fact, he’s perfectly happy with things the way they are, but when he’s sent to check on April’s sick child, things take an unexpected turn for the worse. In one instant, he finds a gun and a mandate to marry April staring him in the face. Can a marriage that begins with a shotgun be just the thing Joel needs or has April just confined herself to another miserable marriage?

Warning: This book is rated R due to sexual situations after marriage between the hero and heroine.  Prior to marriage, there is an attempted rape by the villain.  (The rape is prevented.)  There is also reference to past violent situations to the heroine's brother by the heroine's deceased husband.

How to enter:

It is easy. You NEED TO FOLLOW ME on my BLOGSPOT blog: http://janetsinnerramblings.blogspot.com. In the comment section, state your first and last name and that you are following my blog.

There will be TWO WINNERS:

One winner will receive a signed copy of Lockets and Lanterns by Janet Syas Nitsick and a signed copy of Eye of the Beholder by Ruth Ann Nordin.

Another winner will receive a signed copy of Lockets and Lanterns by Janet Syas Nitsick and a signed copy of Shotgun Groom by Ruth Ann Nordin.

When the two winners will be announced:

I will announce the TWO WINNERS on my AUG. 7 blog post at  http://janetsinnerramblings.blogspot.com/.  Ruth Ann Nordin will also announce the winners on her blog on August 7 at http://ruthannnordinauthorblog.wordpress.com/.

At that time, the two winners will be instructed to visit www.JanetSyasNitsick.com to leave their email and snail-mail addresses. God bless and good luck.

Please note:

*If a winner does not contact me within seven days of my Aug. 7 post, I will select another winner on Aug. 15 and post their name in that day’s blog post.

Adding Humor to Your Scenes

Writing is serious business and if you want your work to succeed you must develop good skills. This takes work.

It involves attending writing conferences and workshops as well as critique groups. Hours of pursuit to hone your talents. How do you release these stresses for perfection?

Write humorous scenes. They bring smiles to the lips of your readers, but they also relieve the weary writer. 

However, before you can do that you need to make sure the humorous addition is conducive to the scene or the character’s traits. For example, you could not include humor in a life-or-death scene.

You can, though, use it to show readers a character’s wit. I did this in two different ways in my recently-released, inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns. One way was through the character’s actions in a flashback scene where Red first met his soon-to-be wife.

“The barn dance flashed before him.

“He knew that bowing before her after their introduction at the dance was a gamble. He smiled, satisfied his movement at least caught her attention. He pulled out a strand of his red hair as a calling card, an impulse of pure genius. He snickered.”

What do we learn from this? That Red is a fun-loving and confident individual portrayed through his pulling out a hair strand as a calling card and his thinking this was an action of “pure genius.”

If the character is jovial, humor also works in dialogue. Another excerpt from Lockets and Lanterns:

“The crisp air drifted in behind him as Red opened the door. He came over to her. His red hair swept down around his brow. He laid the dead animal on the kitchen table. ‘Here’s a goose for you to cook.’

“Edith glared at the furry, long-eared animal. She raised her face to her husband. ‘That’s a rabbit.’ She shook her head at him.

“He wrapped his arm around her waist. His cold lips pressed against hers. He took a step backward and gave a sly grin. ‘No, it’s a goose because his goose is cooked.’”

This dialogue excerpt flowed naturally. It started with the vague description of the word, animal, to the wife looking at the dead rabbit to the ending dialogue of “No, it’s a goose because his goose is cooked.” 

How do you achieve this natural style? Watch and listen to those around you. Family gatherings are good avenues. I have one son who knows how to insert some zingers. What about the family recalling your past missteps? My oldest sons remind me of the first time I had a microwave oven and heated up some leftover chicken. It became crispy chicken. Are you laughing?

Modify these incidents and create scenes which fit your characters. Children are good fodder. I remember when my oldest granddaughter was four. It was a clear day until all at once a big wind came. “What a wind?” I told her. She replied, “Well, God can do whatever He wants because He is a big guy.”

Mentally note these events and rework them to place in your manuscript. Have a friend or critique partner read them to make sure they work. Have you ever heard a joke and laughed because it was expected of you but you did not get it? Of course, you have. This is why it is important for others to exam what you write.

Additionally, read the public pulse, emails and Facebook postings, there always are comical comments. Print or jot them down either physically or mentally for later use. No matter what period, except perhaps Regency, you can redo those for the era. People cry, laugh and smile since the beginning of time. But jokes do go out of style so watch that. 

Years ago my family visited the Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot. The reason John Wilkes Booth got off the shots without the audience at first knowing was because of the laughter to a line in the play. When tour guides repeated that joke, not one of us laughed. The line no longer worked.

Well, I will go for now. Take care and remember to lighten your load with chuckles and as always God bless. 

Writing When You Got the Blues

The blues come. The blues go but how do you escape them when you experience these downturns?

This is the time you push your chair to your desk and concentrate on your writing. Why? Because in this way, your mind focuses on your work and bypasses the dark days.

Of course, if it is the death of a loved one or a terrible family crisis this would not work. However, if it is an incident, an argument or something along this line, getting your creative juices going provides better mental healing than any pill could achieve and without the side effects. 

Forming that witty character who you love lightens your mood. There is a character in my Work in Progress, Cameos and Carriages, I just adore. Perhaps it is because she is bubbly, naive and says what she feels without hesitation. Here is an excerpt: 

... Looking to his right then to his left, he took a step forward bumping into Annie Lee. 

She giggled. “You hiding, Johnnie boy? I thought you got over your schoolyard pranks.” 

Reshuffling the camera to get a better handle on it, John took a step backwards to eye the redheaded beauty. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t see you. I-I ...”

“Not paying attention isn’t going to snag a headline,” her long hair bobbing. 

Annie Lee puts me in a better mood. But it does not need to be a character, setting the scene also gives you inward peace. When I wrote an intimate scene by a fountain, I needed to go to the Internet and find a picture of the kind of fountain I had in mind. This was not easy since it was one I had seen in an old motion picture. Thus I searched several Web sites before I came to the three-tiered design I desired. Another excerpt:

She turned her head from him and fixated on the fountain. The water gushed from the top tier to the second before flowing to the bottom tier’s large rock base. She swept her hand over the bubbling liquid. 

He reached for her arm and clasped his fingers around hers. Laughing, he brushed his lips against her hair. “Your hair smells nice but you didn’t answer my question.”

Giggling, she stirred her index finger in the cool water and faced him. “Did you say something?”

In addition, do not forget the importance, if you are a believer, in the power of faith and how this intertwines in your work. 

Christ is my center but in no way am I saying I am perfect or I never experienced depression. With two different autistic sons and other problems, I have had my share. But then again, writing and faith helps placate the bad times. My recently released inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns, includes biblical quotes which ease characters’ pains just as they do mine. For example, the novel includes this passage:  “I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for the Lord sustained me.”

So restore your soul by writing even when you got the blues and as always God bless.

Web site Design

When you are designing a Web site, what should you include?

Answer is it depends on what you want to highlight, such as your work or your biography, etc., but one thing is certain your site needs to be simple. You heard the old adage: “Keep it simple, stupid.” Well, this applies to your Web site.

At a workshop on Web sites, the presenter told attendees people only stay on a page for a flicker of a second. If you cannot attract that person in that timeframe, they will leave. People are busy and one item which will move a visitor to another site is overload.

Easy navigability is important. Does your Web site contain too many pages? You do not need many. My new Web site includes five - Home, Meet the Author (with contact author form), Janet’s Itinerary, Other Books and News & Praise roll.

Home page displays my inspiring-historical romance’s book cover, Lockets and Lanterns; a best-selling author endorsement (which I never could fully express my gratitude for); and book links to purchase the book and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and my blogs.

Meet the Author page shows this beautiful person wearing a hat. Of course, I am kidding there, but it does have picture of me with a hat. It also includes a two-paragraph biography of myself and a contact Janet form. Again, keep it simple. HOWEVER, WHATEVER YOU DO NOT PUT YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR SITE UNLESS YOU WANT NUMEROUS EMAILS.

Janet’s Itinerary is the next tab. This allows visitors to see where I will sign books. Keep this current. I viewed several author pages where the itinerary was not updated in a year. What does this show? An author not active in the marketplace. How are you going to sell books when you do not care about your site?

My next button is Other Books. Here I tell about my work in progress and other books, such as my award-winning story, “The Silver Lining,” available for free on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble. Here are the links to download them: Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/42833; Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-silver-lining-janet-nitsick/1030476803?ean=2940011212130&itm=2&usri=the+silver+lining+by+janet+syas+nitsick

Last tab is the News and Praise Roll. On this page, I left a couple of spaces to highlight the subject matter of my most recent blogs. Also, there are awesome book trailers for my new romance, Lockets and Lanterns, and my previous book, Seasons of the Soul.

Besides keeping the navigation simple, have an attractive Web site. Do not let it get too busy, though. I visited sites where the page took forever to load due to the photo or graphic being too intricate. In addition, remember to not use red background and white lettering. Why? Because when you want to print a page for further reference, nothing will show up. Think of those details when designing or redoing a site.

Another asset is to tell visitors what your books are like. My slogan is “Homespun romantic tales of joys and hardships endured through faith and love.” This lets readers know what type of books you write and if they are not interested they can go elsewhere. You need to gear to your target audience. Is a science-fiction reader going to be interested in romance? Perhaps but odds are against it. There are occasional crossovers; however, this is an exception but not the rule.

Right now, I am finishing a great science-fiction book, Return of the Aliens, written by our own best-selling romance author Ruth Ann Nordin. It is a deviation from her usual, though, I am loving the suspense and the research involved relating to the Bible book of Revelation. As a journalist who dealt with facts, I like this.

One more thing remember to not overdo content. If people see a litany of words and paragraphs, what are they going to do? Go someplace else. That is not what you want. Keep them there by paraphrasing, short sentences and delete unnecessary text. Once more, keep it simple.

Well, I probably should wind this down. If you want to check out my site, it is www.JanetSyasNitsick.com. It is not perfect but, I believe, it has a few good points. Now, think of your Web site and make whatever changes you feel improves it and as always God bless.

Life and Writing

Life. What an endurance. Just when you think everything is going your way then something interferes.

The same is said about writing. You planned to write that scene or word count, but then out of the blue a family problem occurs and you spend your week dealing with that issue.

This is what happened to me last week. Praise God everything worked out, but the incident cut into my writing time. This is when I reassessed my mood.

What really is more important? Writing?

Think again. When we are long gone, it is not what we wrote which is remembered instead it is our children, family and with me humbling myself before the Lord.

Of course, we need to write and we hope our books are best sellers or leave life-lasting impressions. However, our primary influences are still with our family and grandchildren.

I can verify this because my inspiring-historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns, is loosely-based on my grandfather who had red hair, a charming whit, was a fireman and exhibited a thumb-twiddling habit as the main character does in my new novel. The story, though, is not his story, but an imagery one seeped in the early-twentieth-century - the time period they began their marriage. In fact, their wedding picture appears on the book’s cover.

Without knowing my grandpa, I could never have experienced his engaging personality and his love for my brother and myself. I recall the many times he jokingly said to my sibling: “You’re full of baloney.” Images and expressions stay with you. Thus appreciate these simple times.

Instead of looking at not being able to write with sadness, embrace these setbacks. These moments could develop into creative fodder later. It also gives your writing a down-home realism. Listening and watching never are bad characteristics to witness. When you tell your granddaughter it is windy today and she replies, “God can do anything He wants. He is a big guy.” You can use that in a story like I did in my book, Seasons of the Soul.

Well, I made my spiel. God’s blessings to you. If interested, Lockets and Lanterns, (His secret ... Her broken heart) is available NOW at http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61862-169-6 before its official release date of April 24.

Social Media-Perplexing

Social media what a perplexing place.

When everything works like a machine, it gives you a place for people to get to know you and to promote your wares. But when the well-oiled machine gets a kink in its armor, what do you do?

There are no quick answers.

Get a cup of coffee. Call a friend and see if they can work you through it. But if that does not work, you have to investigate it yourself and this does not always work well.

The other day I got an instant message. I thought I had signed out of this type of email-message system so I did what I did before to not participate in it.

However, this also said I no longer was in a certain Facebook program. I checked the system out and it seemed to work fine, but then again there were some changes in the way the program appeared. Although I seldom use this communicating system, you still want it to work when necessary.

Then a couple of days later I got the answer. Facebook changed the way the program operates. I would sure like to know why they keep changing their system.

Anyway, all I know is busy people do not need to spend time readjusting what they thought was perfected.

This experience reminded me of what happened last summer when I got locked out of Facebook. I used a different devise to log into it, thus Facebook would not let me onto my page. This was exasperating since I had used this same device before and did not have this problem.

In order to gain access, Facebook required me to look through a series of friends’ photos. Have you ever tried to identify past pictures of friends? Honesty, I did not know them when they were two, twenty, etc. I failed the test and tried three times with the same result - one failure was because I took too long.

I was about to scream and sipping a cup of coffee did not help this time then a dear friend found some links which enabled me to change my password, and I was back on it like I never left. Here they are http://www.facebook.com/KnownIssues?v=app_4949752878 Help Center Home http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=749 Login Bugs

Try these links but whatever you do change your password. Once you do that, you will get back into Facebook.

Well, my coffee sits beside my desk. I am ready to take a sip, watch what pops up next and hope to work through this perplexing networking system. God bless.