In all humility, my little novel has about everything you could possibly ask of a wholesome and historically accurate novel. It has at least one thing in common with all the great works of literature. It can't possibly touch your heart until you read it. SC

 

 

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Clara's Best

AMERICAN PATRIOTISM

 American Patriotism

My little footprint on the Internet is not much of a platform, but it’s my platform, and I intend to use it to make my voice heard. My mom and dad were members of “The Greatest Generation”. They encouraged me to use my own voice and my own head. I owe this to Mom and Dad.

Back in the 1950s, when I was a kid, with the exception of the country’s Native Americans, it was fresh in the minds of most people that their families weren’t originally from here. They’d arrived here from foreign shores. In order to do so, they’d made sacrifices, unimaginable sacrifices, and they’d faced hardships. They counted their blessings. They considered their citizenship to be one of those blessings. They appreciated their freedom. They appreciated the opportunities those freedoms provided, and they appreciated the veterans whose efforts had made those freedoms possible. They were patriotic.

Their families had arrived in this country with little or nothing, and they felt entitled to nothing beyond the promise that America and democracy provided, that if they worked hard and participated in the preservation of our fragile Republic, great things were possible. They knew it was so; they’d seen others prosper. They were prepared and entirely willing to defend their freedoms and their democracy against all threats, both foreign and domestic. The United States of America and all the benefits inherent in the amalgamation of our states are only possible as long as we remain united, and the welfare of all our citizens is entirely reliant on the preservation of our Union. When that is gone, America is gone.

Throughout my life, the veterans and those who Tom Brokaw referred to as “The Greatest Generation,” comprised a large part of our citizenry. As their generation has faded away, America’s diverse cross-section of humanity has been transformed. The fabric of our great nation has coarsened, and our edges have frayed. Our appreciation and comprehension of Freedom, what it means, and what it requires, has been largely lost. For many, the patriotism of our forefathers is a foreign and incomprehensible concept.

Not until recent years has it occurred to most of us that, minus America’s time-honored institutions and those who continue to support them, it’s entirely possible that the America of our country’s founders and generations of veterans and patriots may cease to exist.

Our country's best hope for the future is not partisanship, It's citizenship. It's constant vigilance, civility, and dedicated participation in democracy and a government of, by, and for the people. Vote for Republicans. Vote for Democrats. Vote for Independents. For now, at least, it’s a free country. Vote as your heart and conscience dictate, but for God’s sake, vote! Be an advocate for those who support law and order and encourage scientific advancement and responsible stewardship of our planet. Speak out for those who advocate for an honest representation of our history, so that future generations can benefit from our many mistakes. Vote for those who support truth, justice, and the American way.

Shannon Thomas Casebeer

There are those who question whether Christmas is just one more pagan festival, or the faithful commemoration of our Savior's birth. It seems obvious to me; it may be either. Christmas is what you make it. SC

 

SEASON'S GREETINGS!

 SHANNON THOMAS CASEBEER

 Clara's Best

I wish each of you the merriest of holiday seasons and the healthiest of new year's.

It's been a long year. Our little group has been a terrific diversion for me. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Hundreds of episodes from my four novels have been shared to the group. Over the months ahead, I hope to have all four novels available in paperback. I know many of you have expressed an interest in having your own copy. Self-publishing them is proving to be challenging, but it will be worth the effort if some of you actually buy a book. I appreciate your interest in my efforts to celebrate our remarkable heritage and the fascinating characters that bring that history to life. I wish each of you the merriest of holiday seasons and the healthiest of new year's.

Thanks again, Shannon

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Old Hangtown, aka Placerville, California, at the bell tower, winter 1890

 

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Clara's Best

My Christmas will be a festival of priceless memories and a celebration of hope, peace & joy.

My Bible is God's word especially for me. It's a big book with a simple message. Its message is hope, faith, charity and salvation. Depending upon my needs, its message to me may vary from its message to others. It's personal. God's word is a light to my path for my walk with my God. It says I will only enter God's kingdom if I approach Him with childlike faith, humility and love. It says God is love. It says I am to enter the world as a sheep among wolves, being wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove, and judging no one, lest I too be judged. It says, regardless of my wisdom, my knowledge of His word, and my sincere attempts at service, if I fail to share God's love, I've failed God. Beyond becoming a vessel for His love, God requires only that I do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. All else is vanity and foolishness. While some consider Christmas to be pagan and hopelessly commercialized, my Christmas will be what I make it. My Christmas will be a festival of priceless memories and a celebration of hope, peace & joy.

Shannon Thomas Casebeer

https://www.lulu.com/.../paperback/product-2mrgqgq.html...

Damn Bots!

Evidently the extremely high numbers of pageviews my blog has been receiving from overseas are merely harmless bots and not real people or actual visits. While this is disappointing, it explains a lot. It also explains why my book sales are not reflected by my blogs pageviews. 

CLARA'S BEST at Lulu books

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I know that many visitors to my blog are from overseas. I am in the process of verifying that the current link to purchase my book at Lulu Books works for overseas purchases. SC

Click link below to purchase CLARA'S BEST. Thanks. 

Clara's Best

Clara's Best is the first of four novels I intend to publish during the next few months. I guarantee a blessing if you read them.

My novels are a celebration of my heritage, my testimony as a person of faith, and my sincere pursuit of world peace and a more perfect union. I know; that's a lot! They are the result of my lifelong effort to pen a series of adventure/travel books that present a vivid and historically accurate depiction of the American experience, while simultaneously introducing my readers to the amiable characters, real and fictional, who bear their heart and soul to the attentive listener. In all humility, I believe you'll find them captivating. I present them to you now for your approval. I can do no more. You're up. SC  

Clara's Best