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Sia McKye
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PAY IT FORWARD, PAY IT BACK - FOR SIA
Hey, Kat Sheridan here, stealing Sia’s blog for the day. Well, not really “stealing”. It’s for a good
Regular readers of Over Coffee know the reason the blog is a bit dusty and cob-webby right now is because Sia McKye is dealing with breast
cancer and the kill-you-to-cure-you nastiness of chemotherapy. That stuff will
knock the pins out from under even the strongest person (and Sia is one of the
strongest, most unrelentingly optimistic people I know!)
Cancer treatments have a lot of nasty side effects. And one of the nastiest is the over-the-moon high costs of treatment. Sia has shared
some numbers with me, and I’m pretty sure we could get a beach house on Waikiki
and a couple of zippy convertibles for what this costs. Sia has great
insurance, but it doesn’t pay for everything. She has one more chemo treatment
to go. A month of radiation (one a day, 5 days a week, for a month). A year of Herceptin
(every three weeks until November). Here’s what she told me about her share so far: “I could build a finished
(electricity & insulated) attached two bay garage and a new barn with my share.”
In spite of all this, Sia continues to read and post reviews on Facebook when she’s feeling well enough (and sometimes when she’s not). Sia
has been a good friend to authors and bloggers from the very beginning,
generous with reviews and space here on her blog. She’s paid it forward.
Now it’s time for us to pay it back.
Mutual good friend and angel-in-disguise Wendy Christy started a GoFundMe account for Sia. Yes, I’m hitting you up for something, but
not necessarily money (although money would be AWESOME!) Here’s the link to Sia’s
account: https://www.gofundme.com/ddnxhu8k
. As you can see, she has a long way to go to make the goal.
We ALL want Sia well and back to her sassy self, right here on this blog. Here are some ways you can help (and most of them are free!)
- Donate to her GoFundMe account. It doesn’t have to be a lot. The price of a cup of coffee. Maybe a day or a week’s profit from a book Sia featured on her blog for you. Don’t let the bigger donations already there intimidate you. $5 counts as much as $500.
- I know many of you are bloggers with popular blogs. If you have the time, space, or inclination, please mention this GoFundMe on your own blogs. Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, wherever you hang out in the cyberworld.
- This one is the most important: In the comments below, offer an encouraging word to Sia. Tell her how she made a difference to you. She’s having a super rough time right now. And while you’re at it, offer a kind word to her husband, Dan, and her son, Jake, who have been awesome, amazing caretakers. I think the most comments she’s had on a blog post is around 70. Can we top that?
And the link once more for our sassy Sia: https://www.gofundme.com/ddnxhu8k
BONUS BONUS BONUS
Some of you know I write back cover copy/product descriptions for authors at my web site, BlurbCopy (http://blurbcopy.com/) From now until April 30th, 2016, if you sign up for a blurb and mention Sia in the Additional Info section of the work order, I'll give you a $5 discount (normally $35, so it will only be $30) AND I'll make a $5 donation to the GoFundMe account. Work orders must be submitted by no later than April 30th.
BEES, MEAD, AND MEDIEVAL ROMANCE
Today Over Coffee welcomes debut novelist Oberon Wonch. With the “feasting season” beginning, I asked Oberon to talk about something
food-related from her medieval romance, Come to Me. Take it away, Oberon!
So, it’s not surprising that bees and beekeeping fascinate me,
too.
Anyone else? I love the imagery of the old-timey wicker skep sitting in a
garden. Since
the heroine of my first book, Come To Me, is an English noblewoman living in 11
th century England, and we know from writings of the time that mead (fermented honey) was a widespread favorite of the Germanic and Scandinavian peoples
of post-Roman Europe, I wanted to include beekeeping and mead-making in my story.
Here is a fraction of what I learned about bee husbandry. 8,000-year-old cave paintings show that honey-gathering has been taking place since pre-historic times when people risked life and limb to climb trees and rob wild hives of the sweet, gooey liquid. Ancient Sumerian, Greek, and Chinese writings
discuss managing bees and providing adequate, manmade habitats. Bee culture became supremely
important to the Egyptians, was adopted by Rome, and then spread through all of Europe.
Even back to our earliest days, we wanted a little sweetener in our cuisine and went to great lengths to procure it, isn’t that something?
By the time of the Norman conquest of England in late 11th century AD, beekeeping was an indispensable industry. An Anglo-Saxon noblewoman’s responsibilities included keeping bees (in those lovely, conical straw or wicker
baskets called skeps), extracting honey and beeswax, and overseeing mead production.
However, making the mead was incredibly simple and a tribute to the thriftiness of the medieval housekeeper. Throughout the warm months as honey was gathered, comb was squeezed
through
linen
gauze to extract the last drop of honey for household purposes. The comb and the gauze were rinsed with water (the comb then rendered for its wax to
make candles), and the water was left in covered vats to ferment via the natural yeasts existing in the honey and surrounding air.
Variations in this process were practiced (for example, herbs and spices were added for flavor),
and later written recipes called for boiling 4-to-1 parts water and honey rather than merely
using the strainings.
So, that’s my little peek into one tiny aspect of life in the Middle Ages.
Are you as fascinated by bees and beekeeping as I am? Would you like to someday try mead made in true medieval fashion?
A maiden’s duty becomes a woman’s desire…
In this twist on the classic Cyrano story, Bridget of Shyleburgh is ordered to help Count Grégoire FitzHenri, the new Earl of Shyleburgh and the man she secretly loves, court another woman.
Mortified at first, Bridget soon finds herself completely enthralled by the earl’s whispers of love and desire. His heated wooing tempts a fair maiden to stray
down a path filled with forbidden pleasures. But his words are meant for another… aren’t they? Read More at Amazon
Oberon Wonch has engaged in a love affair with books for as long as she can remember. Penning her own stories from an early age, she later
earned a degree in World Literature while studying several languages--all in
order to learn what makes a tale endure the ages, but really just to read more
books. Her very favorite stories--both to read and write--are those that
celebrate the happily-ever-after. She enjoys connecting with readers. Contact
her through her website at www.oberonwonch.com or follow her on Twitter @OberonWonch and on Facebook.
MONDAY'S MUSINGS---THE THING ABOUT CANCER
The thing about having cancer is its tiring.
Oh, I don’t mean treatments, perse, but everything that comes with it. I get tired
of thinking about it; planning or delaying my life because of it. Then there
are my own fears and worries that creep in at odd times and bite deep. I’ve
always been independent and while I can delegate I hate losing my independence
due to lack of strength. I dislike the worry about getting to and from
appointments if I unable to drive, of being a burden, or looking at and arranging
finances.
Then there is dealing with people.
There are those that care and always try to be encouraging, in spite of what’s going
on in their life; those that still want to have real conversations or share
laughter and I appreciate them. Seriously these people, and not just close
friends and family, make life good.
But, then... there are those that haven’t a clue what to say or how to react or interact with me. They treat me as if the
cancer zombiefied my brain and its broken or not working. You know, that over
bright tone of voice one uses with a toddler or someone who is at death’s door.
I am neither.
Or that I’m some drama queen looking for the spotlight.
Seriously? Who the hell would choose something as dangerous as cancer, which can go either way, for attention? I’d
rather being doing anything but facing this. Then there are who just want to
avoid me as if this cancer thing is catching, like cooties or the ‘flu.
The funny thing is I do understand people and the whys and hows of how they think.
I do try to be patient and understanding but it does get wearying to the soul
and I’m not even half way through my treatments. There are times I have little
or no patience because I’m trying to deal with what’s inside me right now. I don’t have the energy to
deal with others’…problems or attitudes. I fight hard, at times, to hold on to
my patience and not rip into someone or have to call my brothers to help
dispose of a body. Not a good thing. I don’t like me when I get that way.
I guess what's most frustrating in none of this is a quick fix. By that I mean nothing is going to get me through the next 3 months of radiation and chemo easy or fast--- or the 9 months beyond that with the final chemical phase of treatment. Each treatment is a necessary evil but it isn't going to make me feel better. Considering my reaction to most chemicals and meds, I suspect I'm going to be feeling like crap. I won't kid you, it all gets to me. The anticipation of what's coming...the unknown. Yeah, it gets to me on many levels.
I've spent considerable time, the past few months, at a hospital that deal exclusively with all sorts of cancer patients. I'm a natural people watcher and the story that peoples' faces tell...it's an eye opener. Sometimes it lifts you up and other times it breaks your heart.
The sights I've seen and the stories I've heard from people fighting this war...my God. It tends to put things into perspective when I'm facing my own fears and worries.
So, when things get...frustrating or I get a bit down, I give myself a swift kick mentally and say, "Suck it up Buttercup! There are people with this same disease that would LOVE to be standing where you are now."
No matter what's going on in my life, I CAN'T lose sight of the long term. If everything goes right I get to live.
And that's big.
Really big.
MONDAY'S MUSINGS— STORIES THAT INSPIRE
As you can imagine I’ve had quite a bit of time to read the past few months and given my journey, fighting for my life and healing, I tend to look for things that make me laugh or inspire me. I want to share my thoughts of a very good book I read just this past week.
I’m not one who reads a great many biographies or autobiographies. I’m very selective. It depends upon who is being written about and if they’re interesting to me. I am fascinated by historical memoirs—journals and letters outlining tales of success in the face of adversity.
I’m not big on modern day ‘memoirs’.
Let me tell you, this story was interesting enough to keep me engrossed and turning the pages.
 |
| BUY: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE |
Revival: The Donald Braswell Story
Mark Koopmans
Pen-L Publishing
256 pages
Smoothly written and engrossing tale of inspiration.
Revival is modern memoir but it is all about facing adversity and triumphing despite misfortune (my favorite theme). It’s inspiring in many ways.
It tells a story of a very talented man, Donald Brazwell, well viewed by
professionals in his field, on the cusp of taking center stage in the international
music world of opera and then, through unexpected circumstances, crashes almost
into oblivion. A man who loses both his speaking and singing voice.
You could call this a living nightmare.
But, the interesting thing is he doesn’t stay down or become bitter whining oh ‘woe is me’, or turn to drugs or alcohol. He
learns that the sum total of life is more than one facet of it—singing. In
fact, he learns much about living and himself. He has a loving wife and three children.
He has a choice before him, being the best husband, father, and provider or
makes excuses why he can’t deal with it all. And many with his circumstances have
done just that. Instead he triumphs over adversity.
He faces so many changes because his life has completely changed course and still he keeps his
eyes open to opportunities before him for making a good life for him and his
family despite those changes. What I admire was his willingness to try new
things, learn new skills so he could support his family. Yet I could see it
wasn’t easy for him. When I realize Braswell had spent well over ten years in dedicated study and totally focused on
his goal of becoming a world class tenor on par (probably surpassing) with
Pavarotti and Placido, with no thought to doing anything but that career I
appreciate his choices even more. I admire his willingness to shift his focus. He may
have been afraid of failure and not making the grade but self doubt didn’t stop
him from going forward and building a life for him and his family. I respect
person who can do that.
This story isn’t about a saint. He railed, felt fear, wallowed a bit in self pity and felt lost.
Donald Braswell wasn’t the epitome of arrogance but he did know his worth in
the music world—he would have to if he wanted to become the great tenor he was
on his way to be. He does admit his ego had gotten the best of him at times and
in believing his own press. He also stresses he didn’t give thanks or enough
respect to God for the gift given him.
The writing of his story is well done. The author has an excellent story telling ability and makes
you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next. In good story
telling fashion the main character is flawed, faces hard times as a result of
his choices, faces a black moment, and yet has much to learn about life. There
is a clear character arc of growth. You find yourself cheering on the ‘hero’ of
the story. There is a clear picture of the secondary characters, Julie and the
Cavender brothers—I got such a clear picture of those two and love them. The delivery
is so well done that I forgot, at times, that it was about a real person. To
see Donald Braswell rising like phoenix to triumph is both heartwarming and inspirational.
This is a story well worth reading!
You can find author, Mark Koopmans:MONDAY'S MUSINGS—HUNKERING DOWN FOR THE LONG HAUL
I’ve learned much, the past couple of months, about the battle against cancer.
For one thing, it’s not a battle, it’s a war and wars are won by winning a series of battles.
Mobilizing for war is arduous especially while defending against an unexpected attack. It takes clear thought to the
goals and what will be lost if one doesn’t win. There’s the cost of fighting a
war, mentally, physically, psychologically and monetarily. One leaves behind ‘normal’ life and has to
focus everything on fighting and winning the war. It becomes the daily
existence. One has to channel funds into getting the best weapons and equipment,
assembling a strong motivated fighting force, and have a good knowledge base of
the enemy and its goals. Not an easy task. The initial euphoria after an attack
often wears thin and so keeping the reasons and goals for fighting the war to
begin with, needs to be kept to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Then it’s
hunkering down for the long haul and fighting to win.
Somewhere along the line I lost sight of parts of that mobilization process. I was unexpectedly attacked and I mustered
up what was needed initially. Mindset, support group, funds to deal with travel
and tests. I was armed but it was only the first of the battles that needed to
be faced and although there were skirmish victories my mind lost sight of the
long haul. And it’s daunting.
I think one of the problems is I’ve had several surgeries in my life. Usually, after a surgery for a particular thing, the mind
then faces the healing process (like rebuilding after a war). In this instance,
the removal of the tumor was successful. Pathology indicated that all was clean
in the breast. Lymph nodes all clear. My mind leaped right past the concept of
war and focused on the battle won and onto healing...wrong. It was only the
initial battle. Yes, I won that series of battles but the war was by no means
won.
This trip to CTCA was very intense. I had a list of questions and one of those questions had to do with further treatment.
See, everything was healing. Pathology showed all clear, so why did I need
chemo or herceptin? I brought my page of questions forward and got back several
pages of answers and much more information for the war beyond this initial
series of battles.
We went back to the preliminary findings and again defined the cancer I’m facing—Her2 positive, grade II, stage II—highly
invasive and consequently fast growing and with a penchant for stray cells to
migrate to other places and basically homestead. Without proper treatment this
cancer will come back and even more
aggressive than it was initially. I was given a clearer picture of what it
takes to conquer this particular type of cancer and what weapons I will need to
win the war.
Scary stuff.
Countries gearing up for war can divert resources from existing assets and/or increase taxes to fund it. I have no one to tax and
only a limited amount of funds to divert and yet there is no question that if I
want to live and win this war, I have to go forward. On the plus side I do have
very good insurance. On the negative side the co-pays are going to hurt
financially. Then there is travel, daily food, and lodging that must be taken
care of over the next eighteen months. This war is going to be expensive.
Just like soldiers and civilians in a war, I want normal life back. Well, that’s not going to happen for awhile. There is
much in between the victory in these initial battles and eradicating the threat
and demolishing the enemy. All the wishing in the world isn’t going to make
this cancer go away as quickly as I want it to.
All I can do is have courage and move forward, keep my spirits up, and focus on demolishing the enemy. To do that I
have to hunker down for the long haul.
And it will be a long haul.
Sia McKye's Page
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- LA, California
- About Me:
- I'm a creative writer and write romance and suspense. I've been in promotion for over twenty years. I've written and published various articles about marketing/promotion writing and publishing. I currently have a blog Over Coffee, http://siamckye.blogspot.com , where I promote 2 authors a week from various genres.
I'm married to a spitzy Italian. We have a ranch out beyond the back 40 where I raise kids, dogs, horses, cats, and have been known to raise a bit of hell, now and then. I have a good sense of humor and am an observer of life and a bit of a philosopher. I see the nuances--they intrigue me.
- I Am A:
- Reader, Writer
- Website:
- http://siamckye.blogspot.com
- Books And Authors I Like:
- Jonathan Kellerman, Robert Ludlum, Joel Goldlman, Robert B Parker, Pat Bertram. I also read anything from Christine Feehan, Sherilyn Kenyon, Nora Roberts, and Julie Garwood.
- Movies And TV Shows I Like:
- CSI, Bones, NCIS, Chuck, Burn Notice.
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And http://www.freado.com/book/5120/THE-RHYME-MAN
http://www.geocities.com/cguy1943/carolguy.
Best regards
Preetham Grandhi
Early Endorsements for “A Circle of Souls”
Linda Fairstein, NYT Bestselling Author: "A fascinating debut - this novel takes the reader to the darkest places in the human soul, from a writer with the authenticity to lead us there. A stunning thriller and an important read."
Judge Judy Sheindlin, star of the Judge Judy Show: "The seminal work of this fine author kept me glued to my chair until the adventure was over and the mystery solved. A great read!"
Book Synopsis:
The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.
The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.
Bud Connell, Author of Peak Experience: A Novel