Dalen Keys Blog - Author, Speaker, Writer
QUILTERS - Input needed on charitable uses of quilts
I'm working on a third children's picture book manuscript to follow in the series of Just A Quilt and The Mess. I am planning to feature charitable uses of quilts. Please send me a few words, Internet link, articles, etc on any charitable uses of quilts that you know of or have heard about. Thanks!
I'd even welcome the names of people or organizations I should contact to learn more!
How to Get a Man - an interview of Ruth
I had the fortunate opportunity to be invited to lunch at the hot new restaurant in town near the city gate called "Threshers." So many people are talking about Ruth and Boaz, how could I turn down an opportunity to talk with Ruth. I took the time to re-read the book of Ruth, it's short and a easy read. By the way, if you ever eat at Threshers, do try the Barley bread. Here is my interview -
Me: So, Ruth, what is your secret to getting a man?
Ruth: I attribute it all to my four step plan - hard work, smeel good, pretty clothes and boldness.
Me: You did indeed take a risk at the threshing floor!
Ruth: Things could have gone wrong for sure. A group,of guys, good food and a little drink - I sometimes wonder what I was thinking.
Me: I assume that was the boldness you were referring to earlier?
Ruth: A girl has to be hard to get and hard to forget, all at the same time. I had to show Boaz how I felt about him. I mean, he was no spring chicken, but he was a hunk of a man - still is by the way.
Me: But, you had set the stage for that night already hadn't you?
Ruth: Yes, with God's help. Naomi and I had just arrived and we needed food. I put on my cute sundress and matching scarf and searched out a field where I might be able to gather some grain. God, led me to Boaz's field.
Me: How did you catch his attention?
Ruth: I'd like to think it was my stunning beauty, but listen, I was the only woman out there. How could I not catch his attention.
Me: I think it was more than you being the only woman out there?
Ruth: Gleaning and threshing is not sexy. I don't care what anyone says. I was dirty, my hair was a messy and I'm sure I smelled like a donkey after working in the fields all day.
Me: Maybe, but you certainly caught his eye, even though you were a mess.
Ruth: Note to self, make an appointment to get Boaz's eyes checked.
Me: Then Naomi tells you to go to the threshing floor. That sounds a little kinky.
Ruth: I cleaned myself up, used the best perfume and wore my finest dress. I really looked good. The key to everything that night was knowing that Boaz was an honorable man. Sure, we were attracted to each other physically, but Naomi and I, knew that he would not take advantage of me. Too often today, a relationship is only about the physical attraction and not about the character of the individuals.
Me: Any final advice to our readers?
Ruth: Let God lead you to your partner and trust Him to do this.
The Hungry
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, Fifty million Americans – one in five children - go to bed and awaken hungry. I encourage you to take one step to address this terrible trajedy.
Talk to your children about homelessness - get them involved. Charles T. Cup is coming soon!
Coming Soon! Charles T. Cup by Dalen Keys and Illustrated by Ron Wheeler
Charles T. Cup is a moving children's picture book about a tragic fall from wealth and fame, but finding happiness in a humble new life. Use this story to explore homelessness and community service with your family. The web site for the book is:
www.charlestcup.com
www.charlestcup.com
Follow me on Twitter
I've finally taken the step into Twitter. Follow me: @dalenkeys
Meteor Showers
So, tonight I hear on the news there will be meteor showers. These are events I absolutely love for some absolutely unknown reason. I'll pull a lawn chair into the middle of the backyard and stare at the sky in anticipation of the occasional streak of light zipping across the night sky. I'll sit tensely scanning always feeling that the really good ones are occurring while I'm looking the other way.
It seems like the best meteor showers are in the middle winter during a really cold night. This must be God testing my true dedication to the cause. Long ago God create the dust and debris that is now cascading into our atmosphere and even at the time he was wondering, "Will Dalen really have the guts to sit out there watching?"
Maybe watching for those streaks of light makes me feel connected with eternity - I don't know and I don't want to get too philosophical about it either. I just know I like it. Always have. When the kids were home, we'd sit out under the stars together. "There goes one, Daddy." Now, I watch alone, but knowing they have those fond memories too.
I do have one suggest, God, sir. I think it would be exceptionally cool if the meteors were accompanied with sound as they shot past. A roar, whiz, zing or tinkle, any will do from my perspective.
It seems like the best meteor showers are in the middle winter during a really cold night. This must be God testing my true dedication to the cause. Long ago God create the dust and debris that is now cascading into our atmosphere and even at the time he was wondering, "Will Dalen really have the guts to sit out there watching?"
Maybe watching for those streaks of light makes me feel connected with eternity - I don't know and I don't want to get too philosophical about it either. I just know I like it. Always have. When the kids were home, we'd sit out under the stars together. "There goes one, Daddy." Now, I watch alone, but knowing they have those fond memories too.
I do have one suggest, God, sir. I think it would be exceptionally cool if the meteors were accompanied with sound as they shot past. A roar, whiz, zing or tinkle, any will do from my perspective.
Welcome Home, Soldier
We made our usual trek to the Baltimore airport to pick up our son from college for the Thanksgiving holiday. As we entered the terminal, we heard a cheer echoing down the hallway. We were in a bit of a rush so we decided that we would have to check that out later.
So, once we had our son safely in tow, we made our way down the hall toward the source of the noise. We were surprised to find several hundred people lined up, three and four people deep, outside of the international arrival gate. Suddenly, the doors opened and a wild cheer roared as a man carrying his gear stepped out; a young man, a soldier, returning home. Cameras flashed, a troop of girl scouts handed him a box of cookies, mothers handed him snacks, high-fives from the crowd as he passed, and slaps on the back came from old men wearing their memories from service years long ago.
This same scene happened again and again as men and women warriors were welcomed home for the Holidays. It made me proud, it made me thankful, and it made me sad as I thought of those people that only had the memories of the one they had lost.
I was changed by this experience and I will always remember it. I'm glad I could be there to welcome home just a few of these brave heros.
So, once we had our son safely in tow, we made our way down the hall toward the source of the noise. We were surprised to find several hundred people lined up, three and four people deep, outside of the international arrival gate. Suddenly, the doors opened and a wild cheer roared as a man carrying his gear stepped out; a young man, a soldier, returning home. Cameras flashed, a troop of girl scouts handed him a box of cookies, mothers handed him snacks, high-fives from the crowd as he passed, and slaps on the back came from old men wearing their memories from service years long ago.
This same scene happened again and again as men and women warriors were welcomed home for the Holidays. It made me proud, it made me thankful, and it made me sad as I thought of those people that only had the memories of the one they had lost.
I was changed by this experience and I will always remember it. I'm glad I could be there to welcome home just a few of these brave heros.
Devotion in The Upper Room today
I have a devotion in The Upper Room today. I'm also their quest blogger. Check it out -
http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2011-11-22
http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2011-11-22
Pocket Change
As usual, I came home and emptied my pockets of the spare change I had gathered during the course of the day. Half went into my rainy day fund while the other half went into my bank that will eventually go to my church. Something looked different as I sorted through the coins. There was an old quarter lurking the group. Not just "kind-of-old" either. This quarter was dated 1942. Wow - 1942!
This quarter had seen World War II, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Martin Luther King. It had seen a time before cell phones and color TV. This quarter had seen the birth of microwaves, Sponge Bob and disposable diapers. This quarter had bought several cups of coffee in 1942 and now needed to be combined with many more to do the same. This quarter had seen Benny Goodman, Elvis, the Beatles. This quarter had seen the dropping of the nuclear bomb and it had seen terrorism as the Twin Towers fell. This quarter saw the first jets, the first computers and the first AIDS victims.
And yet, even though it was nearly 70 years old, it was still a quarter. Maybe it wasn't as valuable as it originally was, but It was still doing it's job as best it could - even now. It was willing to go wherever it was needed. It was still dignified, even though it was worn. The memories had not made it cynical and bitter.
I realize that I'm not trailing that far behind this quarter. I'm not 70 yet, but it looms in the near future. When I reach that age, will I be able to retain my value and stand proudly; even dignified. Or, will I sit back and rest in my golden years and let others step up.
I guess when I'm dropped into the special place where old currency goes to rest, I hope I can be looked at as someone that delivered good things for mankind and be respected sharing all that I've learned and seen.
This quarter had seen World War II, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Martin Luther King. It had seen a time before cell phones and color TV. This quarter had seen the birth of microwaves, Sponge Bob and disposable diapers. This quarter had bought several cups of coffee in 1942 and now needed to be combined with many more to do the same. This quarter had seen Benny Goodman, Elvis, the Beatles. This quarter had seen the dropping of the nuclear bomb and it had seen terrorism as the Twin Towers fell. This quarter saw the first jets, the first computers and the first AIDS victims.
And yet, even though it was nearly 70 years old, it was still a quarter. Maybe it wasn't as valuable as it originally was, but It was still doing it's job as best it could - even now. It was willing to go wherever it was needed. It was still dignified, even though it was worn. The memories had not made it cynical and bitter.
I realize that I'm not trailing that far behind this quarter. I'm not 70 yet, but it looms in the near future. When I reach that age, will I be able to retain my value and stand proudly; even dignified. Or, will I sit back and rest in my golden years and let others step up.
I guess when I'm dropped into the special place where old currency goes to rest, I hope I can be looked at as someone that delivered good things for mankind and be respected sharing all that I've learned and seen.
Release of my new children's picture book titled The Mess
I am pleased to announce the release of The Mess - my new children's picture book. The Mess is the sequel to Just A Quilt? Again, it's been an eventful release again - this time being celebrated with an unexpected early snowstorm (my previous book, The Sacred Mountain, was celebrated with an earthquake). I have to admit, I'm very pleased with the innovative genious of my publicity firm, Moving Heaven and Earth Agency, in arranging these unique and special book releases.
Description:
Description:
"Can a messy bedroom and a cluttered sewing room produce something beautiful? Find beauty in unexpected places through the eyes of six-year-old Tiffany in this heartfelt and fun story. Spiders, hedgehogs, and dark jungles await Tiffany on her adventures in Mommy’s sewing room. This tale explores the magic of quilting and the amazing beauty that comes out of the web of activities in everyday life. Enjoy this delightful book and its vibrant illustrations with your child."
