She has my latest novel in her hands!

Why does this picture bring me encouragement? Because it was taken after a worship service when a woman  approached me, took my third novel (BEHIND AND BEYOND CHURCH DOORS: PROMISES) out of her tote bag and showed it to me. She wanted me to know she'd taken it with her to read while she was on vacation.

Thank you, Elaine!

😃

YES!!!

Please visit my website.

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Hold it right there, Miss!

Today, my new leggings caused unexpected drama. Purchased them a couple of weeks ago and recently noticed the white plastic security tag hadn't been removed by the salesperson. Went to the mall today to the have tag removed safely (the ink can shoot out of the device if not removed properly and the store sensor can send out an alarm).  On my way to the store, I had to pass through the two sensors of another store and of course the alarms went off!  I felt my heart beat faster! I paused, but then kept it moving, determined to get to the salesperson in the store where the device could be properly removed. I halfway looked for the security to come for me, but I had my receipt ready. Finally, I enter the store. The security tag on the leggings set off that alarm also! The salesperson used the machine to remove the security tag and we had a good laugh. Every time I wear these leggings, I'm going to remember this drama! Has something like this happened to you?

Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownrobers.com

Las Vegas 2017

I took my first trip to Las Vegas this year (February 2017). I have photos that depict fun, amazing sights, and a relaxed atmosphere.
The recent shooting tragedy during a concert in Las Vegas brings tears to us individually and as a country.
Praying for the families of those who were killed, praying for the healing of the concert-goers who were injured, praying for the first responders  who assisted victims of  this violence. Praying for the caring, brave people who risked their lives to help fellow victims. Praying for us all.
Help us, Lord.
 Peace be,
Sylvia

This is my first novel. It was published in 2010. There are now 2 more novels in this CHURCH DOORS series.  It tells the story of Nikolis McQuaige (NikkiMac), who has a colorful history, but then she's added to the church. Read about the joys and challenges she faces as a Christian. You'll meet some familiar characters and cheer her on when she gets up after she falls. Available from www.amazon.com , my website: www.sylviabrownroberts.com and Eric at Classics Books <book_cellar@mindspring.com>

Bags, Bags, Bags

I should always follow the rules that work for me. Case in point: those carousels for plastic bags the cashiers use in some stores. My rule: ask the cashier how many bags I have as I gather them to place in my cart. That way, I count the bags of purchases to make sure I leave with what I bought. I didn't follow this rule yesterday, so when I looked for this cough syrup at home yesterday evening, I realized I didn't count my bags. I must have left this bag hanging on the carousel at the store.
Good news! I returned to the store today and asked a cashier about it.  She looked in an area behind the counter and then handed it to me! I thanked her enthusiastically.  I think she tried to make me feel better by saying, "Yesterday, a customer left without the broom she paid for."
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Digging in the Dirt

Growing up, I enjoyed watching my Mom pot and re-pot plants. The smell of green and the smell of the soil: calming. Mom taught me to look underneath the pot to check for roots growing through the drain holes, which indicated the need for a bigger pot.  Water the plant without drowning the roots. Fertilize and trim the plant like this. Gently remove the plant from its old pot. Pack the soil when you re-pot. She taught me so many things about plants. She always gave me clear directions in a soothing voice. She taught me to respect the plants and the soil. She's still a "country girl" at heart. Each time I water or pot/re-pot a plant, I think of Mom. It's a soothing activity.  This is my latest re-potted plant.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Water Taxi View

My view from the water taxi traveling from Old Town Alexandria to the National Harbor. So soothing. That's all.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts,com

A Peaceful Rest for Rita

In 2015, one of my dearest friends was called to her rest. Today is her birthday. 
She no longer walks this earth, but she remains in the hearts of those who love her.
I feel her absence. 
I miss her presence.  I recall Revelation 14:13.
I thank God for loved ones here and for those who rest in peace.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Brothers on the Corner Singing

Back in the day in many urban neighborhoods it was common to see and hear the young men singing popular songs on the corner. They sounded great! Recently, this group of men performing for tourists in Old Town Alexandria, VA reminded me of those good old days in the neighborhood.
Good memories!
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Envelope Check

I found this bank envelope under a chair in my room. It wasn't from my bank, so I figured someone had given the envelope to me. That means some money for me must have been in it once. The first thing I did was hold the envelope up to the light to see if there was money inside. Next, I stuck my fingers inside to see if I'd missed anything. The envelope was empty, but I did not want to make a mistake and throw away cash.

Do you check your envelopes before you throw them away? Maybe it's just me. Lol!
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Panhandler

This is my sketch of a recent event based on something I did downtown that was compassionate but maybe not so wise. After I parked my car and walked to a stoplight one Saturday afternoon, I noticed a man near the stoplight. I'm a long-time urban dweller, so I noticed a shift in his body language that indicated he noticed me. I could tell he was going to ask me for something: a cigarette (I don't smoke), some spare change, a ride, or something else. I fixed my face to show I wasn't naive. He was soft-spoken from the, "Excuse me, Miss," to the end of a tale that had him stranded in this city, his car impounded by the police due to lack of credentials, needing enough money to catch a bus back home. "Can you spare anything at all, Miss?"
I shouldn't have carried my large purse. I should have put a dollar or two in my outside pocket so I could have something to give without searching in my purse or wallet. Instead, I took the smallest bill I had, a five dollar bill, from my wallet. Not that I had a lot of money, but I did have my credentials which I would hate to have snatched away from me. I gave him the $5.00 bill and invited him to visit our congregation sometime. He seemed extremely appreciative and said he would. So, I drew this.
Sylvia at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Four Years Ago

Fours years ago this month, I marked my 33rd and final radiation treatment by participating in the hospital's Gong Ceremony.
I am still thankful, blessed, and in prayer for all those who currently fight breast cancer and other cancers.
Let's get our checkups and help others do the same. Best wishes,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Put It Back

This might not be a big deal to many, but it is to me. I returned home from a trip last week and unpacked my suitcase that same night!
I put everything back in its proper place.
I put the items to be laundered in the clothes hamper.
I put my suitcase in its proper storage place.
My younger sister does this all the time, and it's a good habit. I hope I keep it up. Thanks for the fine example, Sis!

Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Storm Warning

Today's weather forecast reports a serious storm watch for our area. I decided to film the warning from the swaying trees in my yard. Time to secure the trash cans and recycle buckets. Time to get out my flashlights and candles in case the power gets knocked out.
In life, when we see non-weather related storms coming, do we prepare for impact? Do we make changes to lessen the impact on our life or others' lives?  Or do we ignore the storm warnings?
God's people can always use the wisdom He gives them, pray, and put their trust in Him. He has power over the storms.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Sky and Cloud Show

Clouds interest me. When we were children, my friends and I would play a game. We'd gaze at clouds and say what we saw based on the cloud shapes. Sometimes we'd see shapes of animals, toys, even scary creatures! We had vivid imaginations.
Here's a cloud formation I spotted on my way home from Bible Class on May 31, 2017. It was fascinating because the left sky was clear and still, but the right sky was covered with thick, layered clouds. I wish I had done a video because the clouds on the top right were moving within the layers! The clouds were moving more like smoke moves. It looked like trouble was brewing in the sky, but there was no rain, thunder, or lightning.
God's amazing creation!

Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Awkward But Necessary

This is the way I started my day. Ladies, you will probably recognize these two pictures right away. This might not be the most pleasant health exam, but for most of our adult lives, it's necessary for women. If you want to hear some women's humor, get a bunch of women together and listen to their tales (no pun intended) about these tests!

 Smiles!
Sylvia

Sock Security

More and more, it's a challenge to get into the packaging of the items we buy. I guess the extra package security makes it difficult for people to shoplift small items. What I know for sure is it took me five extra minutes to get dressed for the gym because the packaging of my socks blocked me from getting a pair loose. The blue and white wrapper label was clamped and taped to all the socks. One plastic tag I had to snip with scissors. One metal clamp locked the pair of socks together. One staple locked the socks to the plastic frame. Whew! I almost got a workout trying to get to my pair of socks!
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Family Celebrations

This is my sister-in-law's lovely and meaningful birthday cake. Many of the family members celebrated her milestone birthday this past Saturday. It's a blessing to have family. It's even better when we appreciate the gift of family.  Many of our elders advise, "Appreciate your loved ones. Appreciate your family while you are still able to do so."  Good advice.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com  (website)

The True Healer

 

God manifests His grace to us in ways big and small in the everyday routines of our lives. This past Friday, I decided to eat my leftover Lobster Bisque. I put the cardboard cup container of  bisque in the microwave and set the timer. My first thought was, "I don't need to set this at the usual 2:50 minutes because this is a small cup." I ignored that thought. When the microwave signaled it was done, I opened the door and reached for the cup although my thought was, "I should get an oven mitt in case this is too hot." I unwisely ignored that thought, too. Of course, the container registered too hot to my fingers so they let go of the container as I threw it on the counter. I proceeded to jump up and down at the shock of a burning sensation. That's because some of the spilled bisque had stuck to 2 fingers on my left hand. I rushed to the sink and ran cold water over my fingers, which calmed the sensation down. The nerve endings in my fingers began to shout! I did the cold water soak again, then remembered the salve for burns. Here's God's gracious care: He protected my skin from getting blisters. He kept my fingers with movement. He allowed just a little swelling. He prevented infection. Today, no soreness. The salve helped, but God did the healing. Lesson leaned. God is good.

I'm a thankful Sylvia.

www.sylviabrownroberts.com   (Website)

Church Doors Book Gift Set

This is my Church Doors gift book set dismantled. It includes my three novels, a Church Doors pen and magnet, a writing journal, and a CD of gospel hymns sung a cappella entitled Good News. The hymns are performed by my sister (soprano Peggy Lee Brown), my brother (tenor Raymond Brown), and me (alto). People who've purchased these gift sets really like them, but I'm considering a new packaging concept. I usually put them in clear wrap plastic with a bow, but I like the idea of a handle for easier carrying. Maybe a clear gift bag? Hmm..any ideas?
Have a great day,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Weighing In

At most doctors' offices, the first request I get is for my co-pay. After that, it's, "Would you please step on the scale?" It's not my most fun thing to do. That's why I laughed when a dear sister-friend told me about her experience at the doctor's office,
When the staff member asked her to step on the scale, my sister-friend knew she didn't weigh as much as the office scale registered. She demanded, "This is not my correct weight. I weighed myself before I came here." She asked to be weighed on another office scale. The staff member complied. On the second weigh-in, the scale showed that my sister-friend weighed 10 pounds less than what the first scale registered! It matched the scale at my sister-friend's house.

How about that?  Life's small victories!
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Fast Food

We stopped at a rest stop while driving from N.Carolina to the northeast. We went into a fast food place to grab a quick bite.  We don't usually eat fast food, but we wanted to gas up the car and quickly get back on Interstate 95. No time for a sit-down restaurant meal.
Only this turned out not to be fast food.

We ordered and joined about 8 others waiting for their food. The young lady at the register kept taking orders. People paid and got their numbered receipts, but the food took so long. We looked at the 6 people in the food prep area. They were moving in a trance-like state doing things: scraping the grill, wrapping sandwiches, walking past each other silently, making the wrong orders, occasionally bagging orders and giving them to the counter ladies who gave them to the customers. The takeout window customers seemed to fare better than those inside the place. Some customers started to walk away, even though they had paid for their food!  Then, a staff member began to distribute this food to those waiting for their orders. A cherry pie was thrust into my hands although I didn't order it. Amazingly enough, the remaining waiting customers didn't flip out while we were there. Wonder what happened after we left with our not-so-fast food...
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Transition

In this decade of my life, I'm used to hearing about colleagues, high school classmates, and people my age and older leaving this earth. I've given many sympathy cards, attended many funerals, viewed some bodies (I don't view bodies much these days because I want the memories of the person in animation to be my prominent ones.)
In a couple of days, I plan to attend the celebration of life service for a first cousin who left this earth at a young age. It was sudden and it was surprising. We live far from each other, so I kept up with him mostly through Facebook, as I do with many of my younger cousins who live far away.
Humans-we know our birth date, but we don't know our earth end date. God knows.

A pic of lovely flowers for my cousin Franklin.
Love,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

This is a video for the first and second novels in my CHURCH DOORS series. I'm writing book four now.

My novels are available on Amazon, B&N, Classics Books<book_cellar@mindspring.com>, and my website: www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Connected

A dear friend of mine completed her last round of radiation last week. About four years ago, I completed mine. I have a pretty good idea how she felt when she hit the celebratory gong after her last treatment. Surviving breast cancer surgery and the following treatment regimen gives you a type of fearlessness that can be uniquely shared by fellow survivors. I was at the gym a while ago with two fellow survivors, and before you knew it, we were showing our "tattoo" markings from our treatments. There was no self-consciousness, no denial, no we shouldn't talk about this in public! There's a sisterhood survivor spirit because we are still here and thriving. I first experienced this openness with three other women who were strangers to me before we were featured in the Fall 2015 issue of Real Woman magazine. Forever connected. Forever thankful.

Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Great Feedback!

This is why authors write. It's wonderful to know you've touched readers with your work! www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Can you accept?

This lovely tree makes me smile. It's even more beautiful in real life. I lingered near it while on a trip because I had appreciation for it. It's nice to be appreciated, but that's not why we do a kindness. If the kindness we do for another is pure, simply doing the kindness is our reward. Recently, someone surprised me by giving me a gift for a kindness.  I tried to return the gift, but the giver insisted I accept it.
She kind of scolded me. "Sylvia, I appreciate what you did for me. You did not have to do what you did for me. Accept the gift."  I awkwardly accepted the gift. Has this ever happened to you? What did you learn from it?
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Dinner Do Over

This is a delicious Scariola Salad from Danny's Family Restaurant. It consists of grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, portobello mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and black olives over romaine lettuce with Greek dressing. It is served with fresh baked bread. It's tasty and nutritious, but it's not what I had for dinner today.  

Today, I had a slice of pizza for dinner. I plan to do better tomorrow.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Hungry but Blessed

Yesterday, I had to be on a clear liquid diet to prep for a medical test today. Of course, knowing I couldn't eat solid food made me crave it more. My options were: clear broth, water, tea, coffee with no creamer, and clear gelatin. The extra challenge: my prep day was on Sunday. On Sundays, I worship with the church and later join some of  my siblings at Mom's for a delicious dinner. Oh how I enjoy the laughter and tasty homemade food dishes and catching up with each others' news! Yesterday I shared everything but the tasty food dishes. I drank chicken broth while they ate chicken, chops, various steamed veggies, macaroni and cheese, baked sweet potatoes, and other treats.
But here is my main point - depriving myself of something makes me realize how blessed I am every day. I felt somewhat tired because I hadn't eaten solid food all day. But what about those who aren't able to eat for days at a time on a regular basis?
No solid food, but I was able to listen to the word of God preached by one of our ministers. I was blessed by spiritual food.
No solid food, but I was blessed to be with family and church family who love the Lord and love me.
So many blessings.
The test today was successful. I did eat a big sandwich after I left the Surgery Center. I went home to rest as directed by the doctor.
I am still thinking about all my wonderful blessings, and how I can be more of a blessing to others.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

A Book Club Chose My 2017 Novel!

A Book Club is reading my third novel in the CHURCH DOORS series, Behind and Beyond Church Doors: Promises next week.  I wrote and sent the group leader discussion questions for all three of the novels in this series. I hope the questions spark conversation and encourage readers to think about the themes and characters in the novel. The Book Club members are going to give me feedback. I'm excited to hear back from them. I hope they enjoy the novel and tell me why. I'll let you know.

Smiles,
Sylvia
website: www.sylviabrownroberts.com
My other blog: nikolisthoughts.blogspot.com

Child Play 2017

Recently I spoke with a teacher colleague. I'll call her Ann. She hasn't yet retired from our urban school system. Although I retired some years ago, I still keep up with many of the students and their siblings. Ann and I live in the community near our elementary school and our children. We and many other teachers from our era use the term our children because that's the way we relate to them. We show them that we care for them like they're our own. This allows us to reach them so we can teach them.
 After a few minutes, our conversation turned to the latest popular game the 5 year-old male children play during outdoor recess.
"Sylvia, you'd be shocked at the aggression the male children show in this one game."
"Really? Is it as bad as when they'd  throw the dodge ball so hard it would knock down the children inside the circle and they'd laugh when children fell to the ground?"
"Worse, and I believe it's because of what they see in their neighborhoods and on television and video games. They try to play this game when they think I'm not looking because I've told them not to play like this. They call the game The Po Po Gone Lock You Up."
"What? How do they play this game, Ann?"
"They chase each other around the school yard. The first one who gets caught becomes the bad guy. The one who catches the bad guy becomes the police (Po Po) and slams him up against the wall of the school building. When he falls, the police rolls him on his stomach, cuffs him with make-believe cuffs, and drags this bad guy off to the make-believe jail under the school building's overhang. After a minute, he's released from jail and the game starts again."
What's the first thought that comes to your mind?
 Lord God, please help us help our babies.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Dr.M.L. King Day 2017

On this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2017:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)

"... Love your neighbor as yourself...  Mark 12:31 (New International Version)

Best wishes,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com