PhotoHunt 168: Flags
By Eaglehawk | June 27, 2009
American Flag after Hurricane Ike
Photo Data
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 80°F;
- Humidity: 88%;
- Heat Index: 85°F;
- Wind Chill: 80°F;
- Pressure: 29.9 in.;
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WE HAVE WINNR OV OUR FOTO CONTEST
By Eaglehawk | June 14, 2009
On the June 1st I posted a photo contest. Well I went to a random number generator and taking out Not A Mean Girl it left us with 2 entries the number that it spit out was the number 2. Which means the winner is MissRiss!!!
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 93°F;
- Humidity: 47%;
- Heat Index: 99°F;
- Wind Chill: 93°F;
- Pressure: 29.95 in.;
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PhotoHunt 166: Lock
By Eaglehawk | June 13, 2009
Master Lock Padlock
Photo Data
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 76°F;
- Humidity: 90%;
- Heat Index: 75°F;
- Wind Chill: 76°F;
- Pressure: 29.94 in.;
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Introducing Michele Tune The Survior And Champion
By Eaglehawk | June 11, 2009
In this edition of the interview with Michele Tune, I asked her about her survival of domestic violence, and her war against the bulge. I even was able to talk her into let me show you pictures of her battle.
Me: You said you are a survivor of domestic violence; without getting too detailed would you mind telling us what happened?
Michele: It started with verbal abuse and escalated to physical abuse from there. The details are too haunting to mention here–it was bad.
Me: Did you think the violence was normal, something that was your fault, or something you thought might have been a phase?
Michele: I knew it wasn’t normal. I was raised in a non-violent home. I also knew it wasn’t a phase; however, I did end up believing it was my fault.
Me: What made you stay in the relationship for so long, and how long was it?
Michele: I loved him. I thought I could change him. I thought things would get better. I was with him off and on for 5 years.
Me: What was the proverbial straw the broke the camel’s back, causing you to get out of the situation?
Michele: It was the night he tried to kill me. “I’ve thought about it and it’s worth going to prison—just to know you’ll be dead” he said. That was it. I knew he’d never love me. I knew he couldn’t. I almost lost my life. That night, more than any other time, I stared death in the face. I thought I was going to die. I almost did. It took some planning and I had to wait a few days but I got away—with just $5 in my pocket and the clothes on my back.
Me: What was the biggest thing that helped you get out of the situation?
Michele: Realizing that I wanted to live and knowing that my parents and some other family were behind me. Knowing that they were there, waiting for me with open arms—that , and the fact that I’m stubborn. My determination also helped me fight my way out—and, yes, I had to fight my way out.
Me: What would you like for those suffering at the hand of domestic violence to know?
Michele: Start making an escape plan. Get out. Life is too short. You’re way more beautiful and special than your abuser is making you believe, than you think you are. Stay cool and act like everything is going to continue the way it has been. Don’t—and I repeat: do not—make your abuser suspicious. Make a plan in your head if you have to—if you know writing something down that they may find will put you in danger. Try, if you can at all, to hide money. Use your wildest imagination. If you cannot put your hands on money at all, still continue planning an escape. Someone will be willing to help you once you’re out. Just keep searching. There are good souls in this world. Pray for an angel.
Me: Do you have suggestions for those that want to know more about domestic violence to read?
Michele:
Domestic Violence And Abuse: Warning Signs and Symptoms of Abusive Relationships – HelpGuide.org
Safety Plan and Getting Help – NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
How to Survive Domestic Violence – This is something I wrote with tips and ideas for how to get out and how to cope once you are out.
Also, women aren’t the only ones who suffer from domestic violence. Men are often the victims. A lot of people don’t believe it. I’ve actually seen situations where men are the abused. It happens.
Me: Can you mention what your weight was before you started you weight loss mission?
Michele: I was pretty much 300 pounds at my highest. I don’t think I topped 300, but I very well could have because there were times I didn’t weigh. So, it’s possible. I’m only 5′3″ so I was majorly miserable.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 93°F;
- Humidity: 47%;
- Heat Index: 99°F;
- Wind Chill: 93°F;
- Pressure: 29.95 in.;
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Introducing Michele Tune The Writer
By Eaglehawk | June 8, 2009
Welcome to the second part of my interview with Michele Tune, where I ask her some tough questions about writing. She has some very good answers to my questions, hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed this section of the Interview. This is part two of three.
Me: When did you decide you wanted to become an author?
Michele: I’ve known I wanted to be a writer/author since I was a little girl. I excelled in essay writing and book reports. English and Spelling were my favorite parts of school.well, besides lunch. 
I’ve always, always fantasized about seeing my name on books, and in magazines and newspapers. I didn’t know about blogs back then, but seeing my name as a blogger is pretty awesome, too!
Me: Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading, and what is your favorite book?
Michele: I was an avid reader as a child. My parents couldn’t keep enough books around for me. I was in book clubs, my parents took me to the library regularly, and they were always buying me books. I loved Charlotte’s Web, Danny and the Dinosaur, The Little House Series, and so many others. Judy Blume was a favorite author of mine. It’s hard to choose, I loved soooooooo many books. As a small child, my favorite book was Danny and the Dinosaur. It just seemed so magical to me, that a boy could have a dinosaur as a pet. I still have that book! 
Me: Are you an avid reader now? What type of books do you read, and what’s your favorite book?
Michele: I don’t read as much as I’d like to these days because I’m always writing! LOL But I have read a couple of novels I really enjoyed recently: Forsaken by James David Jordan and Midwives by Chris Bohjalian.
I adore most any book I can get my hands on and find time to read. I love reading health books and my library of raw food books is growing. Christian/inspirational devotionals is another category I enjoy. I love to read Janette Oke, too. She transports me to a place where the beauty of yesteryear still exists, where neighbors are true neighbors and a man’s word is better than any contract.
To answer you honestly, I have to say my favorite book is my Bible. For me, its pages share strength, inspiration, motivation, hope, joy, and so much more. It has a “Footprints in the Sand” cover and has tons of little notes tucked inside. (Footprints in the Sand is one of my most favorite poems–but that’s a story for another day.)
Me: Describe your working environment.
Michele: It’s a little chaotic at the moment. Right now I don’t have a designated office space. I do have a corner in a room where I have a computer armoire and a bookshelf so some of my stuff is in one place. But I usually carry my “office” (aka laptop) around with me as I wag the reference books I’m currently using, my notebook, my planner, and my flash drives to my comfy chair, a table and chair outside, or to the beloved coffee shop in a nearby town. I somehow manage to complete my assignments, though. Crazy as it sounds…
Me: As a writer, what scares you the most?
Michele: Wow. This is a thought-provoking question! I think, for me, the scariest thing that could possibly happen would be for me to become unable to write for some reason. Something like a hand injury or something major with my eyes, or something like that. I know there are programs for these type of things but as far as being used to using my hands and eyes efficiently, that is what’s scariest to me: to not be able to write–for whatever reason.
Me: When it comes to writing, are you an early bird, or a night owl?
Michele: Definitely a night owl. I think my Muse does this to torment me.
Me: How did you get into blogging and why?
Michele: It’s the weirdest thing. I submitted an article to www.write-from-home.com .before it became a blog (which is now defunct). It was an e-zine for writers at the time, actually. Guess what the title of that article was. Writing the Cyber Highway. I had an “aha moment” when I hit send on that article. I thought “that would make an awesome title for a blog!” I had been reading blogs at that point, but was afraid to start my own. I think I was just feeling like my writing wasn’t good enough and then there’s the whole technical aspect.which I still am not fond of.
Why did I start blogging? I think partly because it fascinated me that I could just hit “Publish” and my writing would be out there. Waiting is a huuuuuge part of being a writer and sometimes we writers get a little impatient. The main reason I started blogging, though, was because I wanted to be an inspiration to more people than I could reach locally. I wanted to pour out my heart in my blog posts and make my words of encouragement available to anyone who happened by–anyone who needed to be inspired. Even though my blogs’ topics are writing and health, I do my best to convey a message of hope in each post.
Me: What is the ultimate Goal for a blogger in your opinion?
Michele: Gosh, I don’t know. I think this depends on the person who is blogging, what they aspire to become, and why they started blogging in the first place. Maybe they just want to share up-to-date information and photos with their family and friends or maybe they want to become a pro blogger like Darren Rowse. It all depends on what they want for themselves, and their future in blogging. But if I had to say, I guess it would have to be that they need to entertain their audience in their own, unique way and perhaps teach them something.even if it’s just how to laugh.
Me: You seem to be all over the Internet. Between stumbling other people’s articles to commenting, you seem to be everywhere. Do you think this web networking has contributed to your success as a blogger?
Michele: I think it has. It has even scored me gigs I wouldn’t have otherwise nabbed. Getting out there and letting people know who you are, what your personality is, and what you’re about is important, I think. And, besides, I’ve made some pretty awesome friends, don’t you think?
Me: Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?
Michele: I personally recommend the CommentLuv plugin. I say this because it really is neat and gives readers an extra incentive to leave a comment when they otherwise may not. It’s a great way to discover new blogs. And I love seeing what my readers’ latest posts are!
Me: Any specific tips you have for new bloggers who want to make it in the blogosphere?
Michele: Be yourself. If you start out acting like someone else, it will only make it harder to keep your blog(s) going. It will get old after awhile. I highly recommend letting your personality shine through. The longer I blog, the more I open up. I’ve shared my heart from the beginning, but I’ve opened up more and more as I’ve grown as a blogger. Sharing your heart keeps readers coming back for more.so make sure you’re being true to yourself and your readers.
Also, really, really think before you submit those comments. You can’t take it back once it’s out there. And even if you submit a follow-up comment or email for the blog owner, the damage is done. If a blog post makes you so angry that you have to say awful things (that you may regret later), just click away. Life is too short. Seriously.
Me: When you write for your blog do you stock pile posts, why or why not?
Michele: No, but I should. (I’d recommend it.) I always plan to get on a roll and save a lot of finished posts and set them up to publish on certain days but it never happens. I always get too busy and don’t get around to it. Or, when I have the time to do it, I decide to actually step away from the computer screen and rest my eyes and mind for a while by doing something else. I definitely plan on changing this in the near future. I’d love to update my blogs regularly and never miss a post. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Me: How do you handle it when you just can’t think of an idea to write about?
Michele: Well, I think most writers would agree that we’re never at a loss of something to write about.it’s finding time to write about it that’s the problem. I have so many ideas for my blogs it’s unreal, but getting to it is a different story. If I’m stuck on my assignments for editors or clients, I either read one of my favorite blogs, go outside for some fresh air, or make myself a smoothie or salad. Sometimes I just need a break.
Me: What is your favorite blog to read?
Michele: For quite a while now, I’ve been captivated by www.KathEats.com. I love her blogging style. She adds tons of awesome photos and she’s so creative and has such a fun personality. I try to read her every single day, when I can. Hands down, it’s my favorite. (www.LovINMyTummy.com is quickly becoming another favorite.)
Me: Do you have another project in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?
Michele: I have a lot of things “in the works”. LOL! I’d love to publish e-books before 2010 and make them available on my blogs. They’ll definitely have a reasonable price on them. I mentioned the homesteading blog before.that will be a pretty big project in itself because there will be videos and lots of information on solar panels and wind-generated power, as well as the Amish life. Another site is also in the works. It will have video of my family (and me) singing. I can’t say exactly when those will launch but when they do, I’ll share the links at all my online “hot spots” and most of you will find out right away.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 83°F;
- Humidity: 67%;
- Heat Index: 88°F;
- Wind Chill: 83°F;
- Pressure: 29.92 in.;
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