Take My Life and Let It Be (standard Protestant Hymn)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

It's nearing the start of August 28, 2025 in my corner of blog land. We have some catching up to do!

First, the title of this post is based on an old hymn and suggest you google the lyrics for prayerful inspiration. I think it appeals to all persons of faith.

Second, I want to share the description with you of my fourth book title, "From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection".

I hope to release this in about seventy-five to ninety days.

Cover Blurb

Fiction/Short Stories

The late author, Wallace Stegner, observed that strength is measured by the burdens

one can bear. In David C. Russell’s new collection, From My Red Chair, he offers

commentary on life’s difficulties through six stories. Imagined situations and their

respective participants will appear as different from each other as dusk is from dawn.

Serenity, complaint, familial flexibility, expert opinion, and amends between associates

are viewed in the confines of created, real experience. Though each burden borne and

response chosen varies, the characters share the sense of affliction, struggle, and the

response it requires. This author offers some homemade insight through these stories

under the umbrella we call mental health.

  

I also have a story that will likely be in the Christmas Anthology titled, Divine Moments. More about that in the coming visits.

Recently, I have started reading daily reflections offered by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, IFCJ. Google, Holy Land Moments Devotions, and sample away!

We had sad news this day in America, another mass shooting. This time it was children and older adults attending a morning Catholic Mass in Minnesota. This seems to be the only country on earth where recurrence of this happens again and again. Pray for those affected by this tragedy and others like it!

Until our next visit, may the Lord bless and keep us. Thanks for stopping by, and invite a friend to read this blog.

Shalom and blessings,

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author 

Word Games (something to do)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Wednesday August 13, 2025 in my corner of blog land. Not sure we have ever spent much time on this topic over fifteen years, but the title says it all in overview form.

At the Collins dictionary site, they frequently feature a game where one can match synonyms to selected words. My wife likes to play a word game where one creates three, four, and five letter words from a set of specific letters. It helps pass time at restaurants.

For word game perusal, check out

Free Online Word Games | USA TODAY

USA Today

Free Online Word Games | USA TODAY USA Today https://games.usatoday.com › category › word About this result related to USA Today Play your favorite word games online for free, brought to you by Games USA Today.https://games.usatoday.com › category › word

About this result related to USA Today

Play your favorite word games online for free, brought to you by Games USA Today.

Books Being Read

I recently began an interesting read put together by one of the grandsons of the late Bess and Harry Truman. Its title, "Dear Harry, Love Bess." The book is a collection of love letters spanning twenty years between the Trumans. They follow sequence and aren't too cut and dry in tone.

I submitted a story to a publication called Magnets and Ladders. It's a fictional story about a fictional writer who makes the best choice but perhaps not the right choice. I'll post a snippet next time.

Until next time, thanks for dropping by. May the Lord bless and keep us always.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

 

Sussudio (Phil Collins, '80s hit)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Monday August 4, 2025 in my corner of blog-land. Mild weather is are lot these summer days. Mostly sunny, too.

I heard the Phil Collins song, Sussudio, played on a station from northern Michigan earlier today, UPS 98.5.

Looking up the title, it is said to mean something and nothing at the same time; It is allusion to a girl that Phil Collins liked, or fantasy of loving an older woman, according to online info.

I have a couple expletivies that are self-made but can only recall them when the mood is exactly right. One is 'gosh darnit'.

Another is, O) sugarfoot.

How is your self-made vocabulary list? Go ahead, share one or two in the comments.

Until next time, God bless and keep us.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell