Sending Thanks and a Question

Posted on March 13, 2014 by fundinmental

As you, my faithful followers and readers, may know, I have been having some blog issues. I love blogging, but am not computer literate. Probably pretty obvious. LOL

Right now, I am using a newsletter program to send out notifications of new blog posts, but I am not sure if it will meet all my requirements.

The blogging community is wonderful in its eagerness to help other bloggers when they have a problem, so this is my call for help. I know a lot of you use WordPress and other platforms that supply all you need, but for us self-hosted people, we need to find our own. My question to you is:

“What email program do you use when notifying your followers of new posts?”

I appreciate everyone who has stuck with me and sympathized with my frustration. I look forward to entertaining you with many more posts in the future and want to thank you for all your support!

Sending warm thoughts your way

Michigan Great Lakes ice cover has positive effects for the region

Posted on March 13, 2014 by fundinmental

I started my life in Flint, Michigan and left there for sunnier climes in 1987. I love my home state and still have family there. It holds a special place in my heart and I would like to share this interesting almost record of ice cover on the Great Lakes.

Michigan is known as The Great Lakes State, The Wolverine State, The Mitten State, and the Water (Winter) Wonderland State.

The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning “large water” or “large lake”.

Great Lakes Water Levels
In this Feb. 16, 2014 satellite image provided by the NOAA Great Lakes CoastWatch is the ice cover on the Great Lakes. (AP Photo/NOAA Great Lakes CoastWatch)

Michigan’s State Motto

“Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice”
“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”

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I still have family living in Michigan and we have always enjoyed the Great Lakes, plus many smaller lakes that dot the entire state. No matter where you live in Michigan, you are never more than six miles from a natural water source or 85 miles from a Great Lake shore.

The Great Lakes have receded miles from the shoreline I used to enjoy from the time I was a child. Whether it is being siphoned off for the drinking water, global warming or just Mother Nature doing it’s thing, I cannot say for sure, but it is something that we should be concerned about.

I have been watching the freeze over of the Great Lakes with much interest. It is now 91% frozen over, a near record that was set in 1979 when almost 95% froze over. Hopefully, this will help to raise a declining water level.

This does not mean we do not need to be ever vigilant when such a huge fresh water supply is concerned.

To read more, go HERE or visit Wikipedia.

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Sherry’s Shelves #1

Posted on February 2, 2014 by fundinmental

Sunday Post is Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and
Stacking the Shelves is Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

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Welcome to Sherry’s Shelves.

New Arrivals to the fundinmental blog

*all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)*

Dark Pool and Ocean of Fear by Helen Hanson.

I received her newsletter and these surprises were there for the taking. Thank you Helen. I love water and thrillers, so I am happy to add them to my reading list.

~~*For Review*~~

Big Money by Jack Getze

I received this paperback from the author for a tour review. I am not a stranger to Jack’s writing, so I look forward to more high jinks with Austin Carr.Thanks Jack.

Strong Enough To Die (A Caitlin Strong Novel) by Jon Land

I received this ebook from the author because I reviewed The Tenth Circle (see below) and he thought I might like to meet Caitlin. I am looking forward to it, Jon.

~~*Gifted or Won*~~

Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk by Stepehn Kaminski

I love the title and entered a giveaway on fuonlyknew. YAY me. I won! Thank you Stephen and Laura. I love the cover and mysteries, so I think I will enjoy this.

~~*Purchased and Freebies*~~

Free Falling by Susan Kiernan-Lewis. FREE. Check for “0”.

I can’t remember how I found this freebie on Amazon, but I have read several books by Susan and am always happy to get my hands on another one. Thank you Susan.

The Identity Thief by C Michael Forsyth

I picked this up as an Amazon freebie. Can’t remember where I heard about it, but the rocking cover caught me quick. Thanks C Michael for the freebie.

Last Week on the Blog

Omaha Omaha by Boo Hoo Brady

He would have his Revenge – Shadow of Vengeance by Kristine Mason with Kobo Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #8 – Time Traveling with Ella in The Cairo Effect by Susan Kiernan-Lewis

A wonderful blend of the past and the present – The Tenth Circle by Jon Land Tour Giveaway

Sunny Florida turns into a Winter Wonderland – My Adventures #7

Love Like the Movies Buzz Tour – Awesome Giveaway

Excerpt Blast from the Gods – Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

Launch, ARC Review & Giveaway I Am Forever by Wynne Channing

New Release – Dark Innocence by Madeline Pryce

This Week on the Blog

I never know what might pop up that I would like to share, but this is what I have scheduled at the time of this post, subject to change.

FREE days for Jackpot by Susan Fleet

Monday Mini #8 – Evil runs free without the Watchdogs – Open Meetings by Joyce T Strand

Teaser Tuesday

Do you believe in the boogeyman? – When The Dead Whisper by Tara Neidereff – Review & Giveaway

Undead Tour – The Zombie West Trilogy by Angela Scott & Review

Friday 56

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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Sunny Florida turns into a Winter Wonderland – My Adventures #7

Posted on January 29, 2014 by fundinmental

I would like to welcome you to my world, the Sunshine State of Florida.

I looked out my window this morning, hoping for some sunshine and…..

So Mr Wonderful and I went out to shoot the Ice Storm of 2014.

I thought Michigan was the Winter Wonderland, but I guess Mother Nature wants to keep us on our toes.

I don’t think we we will be sailing any time soon.

The flamingo below was relocated to Florida via Cape Cod, Mass and Rochester, New York. She is not a stranger to cold weather, but I don’t think she ever expected this.

The birds won’t be bathing today, but come back tomorrow and it will be in the 40s with sunshine.

The plants don’t know whether it is spring, fall or winter. One day a bloom, the next……

We took a lot more, but I think you get the DRIFT.

Thank you for visiting the Fundins.

Y’all come back now.

All photographs courtesy of and owned by the Fundins.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Omaha Omaha by Boo Hoo Brady

Posted on January 26, 2014 by fundinmental

I am a die hard Michigan Wolverine fan and my blood runs blue.

I love Tom Brady and rooted for him, all the way, but…….

This video had me cracking up. The more I watched it, the more I laughed.

So, if you are like me, you will be clicking again and again.

Enjoy and have a FANtastic weekend.

How many times did you watch it (lol)?

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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My Adventures #6 – Go Daddy Mardi Gras Parade

Posted on January 12, 2014 by fundinmental

Welcome to the Gulf Coast.

The Go Daddy Bowl football game was held in Mobile, Alabama this past week. The teams:

Arkansas State 23 vs Ball State 20

A Mardi Gras Parade was held in their honor.

Boston Red Sox pitcher, Jake Peavy, also put in an appearance and rode in the lead car.

Mr Wonderful, my hubby, is an avid Red Sox fan, so had to arrive early enough to catch Jake Peavy before the parade began.

He was super excited to meet Jake, who signed a couple balls for him and posed for some photos.

It was a little chilly, but who can resist a parade?

There were trains, mermaids and dragons.

Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama in 1703 and is the oldest United States carnival. Mardi Gras season is just around the corner, so come on back. I have a lot more to show you.

Mardi Gras is the biggest party I have ever been to. How about you? What’s the biggest party you ever attended?

I have been to a lot of parades and balls, with plans to be there for many more. I even posed with a dragon once, but that is a story for another day.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Friday 56 #2 – Zombies in the Wild West – Dead Plains by Angela Scott

Posted on January 10, 2014 by fundinmental

The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find any sentence, or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

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Dead Plains (The Zombie West Trilogy, Book III) by Angela Scott

“Killing a horde of Zombies and then bringing us a gift seems pretty unselfish to me.”

Her clothes were tattered, her feet bare, and her snow-white hair tangled around her gaunt face in knots and snarls. A machete dangled from her fingers and her bandana hung loose around her neck.

(appox. 56% of Kindle copy)

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Dead Plains (The Zombie West Trilogy, Book III) by Angela Scott

People aren’t always what they seem, as Red has experienced all too well. Strangers are feared, towns are avoided, and everyone’s intentions are scrutinized… even those of the people closest to her. Her coveted ability has been revealed to far too many people, and now that a tiny heartbeat thumps and grows beneath her own, the risk has never been greater. As the group of ten searches for a safe haven, a place to finally call home, the sobering reality of it all finally settles over them: nowhere is safe, nothing is permanent, and death is everywhere. One by one, Red’s reluctant posse grows smaller, as death claims some, and circumstance claims others. It couldn’t be a worse time to bring a newborn into the world… but the baby is coming

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“Babies are super cute – until they want to eat you.” Wanted: Dead or Undead by Angela Scott – my 5 star review.

I take my hat off to this Zombie Western – Survivor Roundup, Book II of the Zombie West Series, by Angela Scott – my 5 star review.

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To get your copy of The Zombie West Trilogy, or to learn about Angela Scott, click on a cover below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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My Adventures – A Winter Wonderland – Niagara Falls

Posted on December 31, 2013 by fundinmental

I am a sun lover, so when I lived in Rochester, New York for ten years, I had to come up with something that would get me outside.

My love of photography came to my rescue.

It didn’t make me forget about the cold, but it did give me the incentive to venture out. Especially, when there are scenes like the ones below to capture my love of nature.