Thanks and No Thanks (David C. Russell)

Hello Grafted in Readers,

In less than forty-eight hours, the USA Holiday of Thanksgiving will be noted on calendars across North America. I believe Canadians celebrate their Thanksgiving day toward the end of October. I titled this post thanks and no thanks, because both are appropriate boundaries in my opinion.

No thanks to the person who may infringe upon us by cutting in line, speaking a little too loudly, placing a little more demand on our time than we want to provide, someone endeavoring to get what we have, the list could go on for some time.

What are you thankful for this year?

I find somethings are that for which I am more thankful than someones. However, 'someones' are involved with the 'somethings' that make those worthwile:

- Readers of this blog

- Being able to participate on non-facebook groups like Reddit

- A television that works and offers choice for viewing pleasure

Good books and periodicals like "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

- Companionship with my wife, son, his wife, and their two children

Special friendships with others who too enjoy the craft of writing.

As the holiday season is encroaching ever closer, may we take time to say 'thanks or no thanks.' Either will make the world a slightly better place in which to be a resident!

May the Lord bless and keep us now and always.

Mellow Rock,

David C. Russell, Author

For more posts, visit:

David's Substack

https://substack.com/davidcrussell

 

Run For the Roses ('balad, Dan Fogelberg)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Tuesday November 18, 2025 in my corner of blog land. How goes it? Are you running for the roses?

If not familiar with that song title from the early '80s, it was sung by the late Dan Fogelberg. The subject is race horses in training for the annual Kentucky Derby, which occurs interestingly the Saturday before the U.S., Mother's Day in May.

I felt much like that song challenge just this past day as I set up a book coupon on Smashwords and Draft2Digital for my 2023 book, Human Being Human Doing. 

This ebook has an active Smashwords coupon.

We recommend that you DO NOT change your ebook prices until the coupon expires or you retire the coupon early. Changes to your ebook price could make your ebook ineligible for this coupon.

GO TO THE COUPON MANAGER

 Coupon code: cdwq2

Link: www.draft2digital.com/book#1080849#

"Human Being Human Doing" David C. Russell, EBook.

This like the training of race horses took a good amount of time in my afternoon, patience, and a hint of prayer when exasperation set in.The finish line though was a sweet sensation!

The book coupon runs until Dec. 30, 2025, price for EBook, $5.98 USD.

The stories though will inspire, inform, and encourage many a reflective reader.

Last evening my wife and I viewed "Monday Night Football" on ESPN2. This telecast features two brothers, former NFL football players, as they call the game in progress with humor and as they see it. We needed the light comedic break!!

I want to thank you for stopping by today! Comments welcome!

Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep us all.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell

Almost There (Movie Song, Princess and the Frog)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

I feel like one who is in a sprint!

Today is Monday, November 10, 2025 in my corner of blog land. A few items below:

1. First, my son, a former US Marine, tells me today is the 250th birthday of the USMC, United Stastes Marine Corp. It is also a sad day for this is the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the ship, the Edmond Fitzgerald on Lake Superior.

Of interest to me, one can find a memorial service honoring the families of the deceased mariners online at YouTube, Mariner's Cathedral, Detroit. The recording is recent, November 9, 2025.

I want to thank seven of you who have read my last two posts, which I checked before posting our visit.

My last post, Birds Of A Feather, is an imagined story with birds as the main characters, and can be read in under five minutes.

For interested faith practitioners, a couple conversational facts. Did you know that in Hebrew, Adam's wife Eve, is actually named Chavah?

One of the transliterations for Chavah is "Mother of the living."

Even after being banished from the garden for their act of disobedience, she still holds this name and title. I am sure one can draw different implications from all this and will leave that matter to you.

Writing and Reading

I have written a new story that is being considered for publication at spillwords.com. I have several stories there that have been created over the past five years:

https://www.spillwords.com/author/davidcrussell

My forthcoming short story collection, From My Red Chair, will be undergoing finalization and publication in January 2026, with the aid of the service, Superior Book Productions.

I am halfway through reading a romance novel, The Hating Game, by Sally Thorne. In two words, It's okay, well-written. I am not a big romance genre reader.

Next will be "Marley and Me" by John Grogan. This is the current read on the radio program, A Chapter A Day from Wisconsin Public Radio.

after all this, let's relax a bit over our favorite beverage of choice! I appreciate your time and visit!

By the way, you can find me now on Substack:

David's Substack

https://www.substack.com/davidcrussell

May the Lord continue to bless and keep us through changing seasons.

Mellow Rock,

David C. Russell, Author