It is Almost Thanksgiving!

Hello, everybody!

With the leaves at their peak colors of the newest season and the wind swirling them around,  I find myself wishing for more time to sit in my favorite chair, sip a warm brew from a mug, and read. Today, I am inspired to share a few words of gratitude with you.

In fact, as I walked out of the house this morning I was thrown into a state of Thanksgiving… the crisp mountain air was filled with the scent of a neighbor's wood burning stove. The autumn breeze was rustling the last of the crispy fading leaves. I felt that if I were to walk back into the house, I would find the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television providing a background for the day's festivities; half the family bustling in the kitchen preparing some sort of food for us to savor as we gather around a full table of loved ones; and the other half of the family split between actually watching the parade and catching up with each others' lives. Of course when you are twenty-three years-old and have nine siblings (two of which serve in the military), it is a rare holiday occasion to have the entire gang and all the cousins present on such days of celebration. However, I have no doubts that the house will be full of bustling, parade-watching, and talking with whichever family members can make it home this year!

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~H.U. Westermayer

I believe that today, we all are just like the Pilgrims and Indians in 1621 and the Americans in 1977, when President Washington declared a day of thanksgiving after multiple victories in the Revolutionary war. No matter what we have all been through this year; this week; and even today; we have something to be thankful for. Whatever or whomever is in front of you today, be thankful!
Lastly, be thankful for the hard times because they make the good times even better.

Excuse me, for the interruption of your day with gratitude, but I am certainly grateful for all of you who take time to connect and read The Purple Butterfly Purpose each month!

Be sure to like Purple Butterfly Pages on Facebook for a few Thanksgiving-related book excerpts from 'Their Inheritance'!

Happy Thanksgiving month to you all!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

Let the Kid Write!

Hey everybody!

I was inspired to write this month's blog by a special little girl who loves to write short stories. So, this one is for the young kids with big minds; but first, here is one of my first writing experiences:

As soon as I learned how to write in school, I was given a small notebook to write my thoughts of the day. I remember my notebook had a picture of a furry dog on the front. Writing for a few minutes a day (or longer if we had more to write down) became an assignment in school. Another checkmark for the pros' side of being a homeschool kid, haha. I remember looking at the white page with tiny horizontal black lines and thinking that I could write anything! There would be no correct or incorrect answer. I could write whatever I wanted to! A couple of years ago, I found that old notebook and noticed that I mostly wrote down a few lines describing the weather of the day. Occasionally, I jotted down a rhyme or two and maybe a short story about my then two-year-old chihuahua every once in a while. Not always as creative or proper in my writing as some of my siblings; but hey, I was writing. Now I am a book publisher. Who knew?!

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." - Lady Bird Johnson

 We never know what incredible stories lie within children's imaginations, yet wouldn't we like to know? Encourage the kid(s) in your life to write it down! Imagine how that kid will feel after they have written a poem or story no matter how short or how long. Now, picture their face as they await your comments as you read their work.

I would love to help you encourage the kid(s) in your life write it down! Let's have some fun! Send me a photo of the writings (the child does not need to be in the photo) from the children in your life using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or email me here: caitlin@purplebutterflypages.com. I will share** the photo on random Wednesdays as part of "Write It Down Wednesday"! All followers, friends, and fans of Purple Butterfly Pages will be able to leave some likes and comments for the possible future author in your life! Use the hashtag: #WriteItDown on any social media and email subject line. If you would like, you can include your future author's name; however, I suggest using a pen name instead of the child's real name for privacy purposes.

#WriteItDown

Encourage the kid(s) in your life to have fun writing it down!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

**By sending your photo to Purple Butterfly Publications, you are giving us permission to share it on our social media accounts mentioned ONLY. The photos of the writings will only be shared to our Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram ONLY. Thank you!**

Book Adventures This Summer

Hey everybody!

I hope everyone had a great summer! To those of you still living on "summer time"- count your blessings. 

I am wondering what books you read this summer?? A classic or a new author's works? Maybe even my first publication, Their Inheritance? What genre have you spent your summer delved into- suspense, sci-fi, or possibly fictional romance? 

I made it a personal goal this summer to get some reading done myself! It happened to be the day of Maya Angelou's death that I decided to visit my local library. I browsed the shelves looking for a novel into which I could really dive. I came across Ms. Maya Angelou's works. After reading several dust covers, I decided to check out Gather Together In My Name. Whether it was in between work, times at the lake, or movies, with friends or with family, I became lost in Maya Angelou's life's struggles as a young single mother, daughter, granddaughter, and sister. Also, how she never fit in to society's rules- I was drawn in. The woman was a genius with ink and paper! She has inspired me to steadfastly continue my goal of reading at a steady pace throughout the year. I will let you all know what and when I finish the next book! 

Comment in the blanks below to share what you have been reading! 

Happy reading!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Recap Time!

Hey everyone!

It is the end of May already! I am putting together a six month recap post together for the next blog. Counting my many blessings as I go.

Stay tuned to see Purple Butterfly Publications' highlights of 2014 so far. There may be a surprise or two on the list!

Be Inspired!

Caitlin Ayers, publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications