Your Heroic Heart #9: Fire
Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Anonymous Andrew Carnegie was thirteen when his family moved from Scotland. After they settled in Allegheny City, Pittsburgh, he earned $1.50 a week, working twelve to sixteen hours a day in a cotton factory. About thirteen years later, when drafted into the U.S. Army during the Civil War, the young man paid $900 to have someone serve in his place. [A common custom back then.] $900 in 1861 would be $32,250 in 2024. While working his way from messenger to secretary to telegraph operator, Carnegie built contacts with wealthy businessmen, like B. F. Jones, founder of the steel mill where I eventually worked. Another was Colonel James Anderson who allowed Carnegie access to his private library. Inspired by the Colonel’s kindness, Carnegie vowed to build as many libraries as possible, to give poor youth chances to develop their minds. Between 1883 and 1929, over 2,500 were built. At one point, Carnegie said, “It is now thirteen years since I ceased to accumulate wealth and began to distribute it. I could never have succeeded in either had I stopped with having enough to retire upon, but nothing to retire to.” One activity he retired to was the creation and endowment of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. It exists to honor and support heroes and their dependents, including, Harry Amster of Clarkdale, Arizona. The meat dealer was 23 on April 27, 1915 when he tried to rescue toddlers from a fiery, wood frame house. In Sylvania, Georgia, Quillie Addison [a 36-year-old janitor], saved William Z. Kemp from a home so engulfed in flame, no one else would enter. When a 3-inch pipe carrying natural gas erupted, Matilda Aloisio offered her hand and foot to pull Henry Green from the pit of ten-foot high flames. Nominate a Hero. COMMENT. Myths tell of gods creating starry constellations for heroes The word comes demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! Giving Tuesday The goal is heroic, whether to make someone smile, help a neighbor or stranger, show up for an issue or people we care about, or give something to those in need. Every generous act counts. Tuesday, December 3. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Krispy Kreme’s Butterfly Effect Click Here to View [5 minutes] When Chris Rosati was diagnosed with ALS, he sought to make other lives better. Through November 7, Save 30% on Photo Books. Discount Code: PBGIFTS30 Few remain who experienced an old-time steel mill’s awesome, harrowing and magical world. As a young mother, I worked at Jones and Laughlin Steel’s Pittsburgh Works during its heyday when over 10,000 people struggled and snoozed, played pranks and died in that fire and brimstone world. I saw the last steel poured inside those bleak walls. Steel Genesis Memories of Metal and Metal shares some of my experiences. The books are 8×10, 50 pages. Two versions are available.: HIGH-QUALITY HARD COVER. Printed on Premium Lustre Paper. Normally $125. Through Nov 7, $87.50. See book. SOFT COVER. Flexible and sturdy, high-gloss cover printed on quality paper. Normally$69. Through Nov 7, $48. See book. Shop All Radiant Tree Books Thanks !
Authors Speak, The Things We’ll Never Have
Our libraries are an essential resource for our children, our communities, and our future. ~ Danielle Steel Authors Speak This Succeed and Soar series invites writers to answer questions about their artforms and special inspirations. Welcome Hilary Hauck Hilary, what phrase inspires your writing and life? Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten. ― Neil Gaiman, Coraline How have Gaiman’s words helped your writing, your life? Growing up I struggled tremendously with the feeling I was the only person who didn’t fit in. This sense of unworthiness was my dragon. I journeyed for many years before I believed in myself which is why my characters tend to be on a formidable path to beat their dragons. My dream would be to inspire readers to discover their own inner amazing, feel comfortable in their own skin, and totally rock this single chance we get at life. How these words inspired The Things We’ll Never Have The Things We’ll Never Have is the story of three women who have suffered the loss of a man they love. When their paths cross, they uncover a shocking truth that makes a mockery of how they’ve lived their lives for the person they lost, not for themselves. They must each face their inner dragons if they’re to pursue the lives they truly want and deserve. Sample Text: “Yet in my weariness, I settle for contemplating how odd it is that you don’t notice the world around you. The everyday, the sights we take for granted. We regret yesterday and how we did things, we worry about tomorrow, but when we do we give time to today?” Kirkus Review Autographed copies of Hilary’s books can be purchased HERE. About Hilary An Italian speaking Brit living in the US, Hilary Hauck is a bestselling, award-winning author of historical and fantasy fiction featuring characters struggling to find their inner amazing. Her books include From Ashes to Song, The Things We’ll Never Have, and Trevor Made Christmas stories. Through Radiant Tree Books, SucceedandSoar.com, and her Fine Art collections at SandrasArt.Pixels.com, Sandra Gould Ford creates and presents art for healing and high achievement, to lift hearts and spirits, awareness and humanity. Until midnight EST, June 1, Succeed and Soar’s first “12 Paths to Joy” series is 25% off. “Illustrated Wisdom” is Contemplative Art that is guided by the heart. It can open peaceful and inspiring spaces while: * Clarifying choices * Offering important insights * Relaxing body, mind and spirit Three versions of the beautifully illustrated, 60-page sketch journals can be previewed here: 8×10, Standard Print, Soft Cover. Regular $32.50. This week: $24.00 Preview here. 8×10, Economy Print, Soft Cover. Regular Price $21. This week: $15.50. Preview here. 5×8, Economy Print, Soft Cover. Regular Price $15. This week $11. Preview here. Shop All Books