Toccoa Tuesday: The World's Strongest Man

Hello, Everyone!
It has been awhile since I put a spotlight on the town where my corner of the book world is in: Toccoa, Georgia. With the summer olympics going on right now, I was reminded of the olympic history right here in Toccoa. 

"If I, Paul Anderson, The World's Strongest Man, can not make it through one day without Jesus Christ, how can you?"

Paul Anderson was born on October 17, 1932 in Toccoa, Georgia. When he was a young child, he was diagnosed with a kidney disease, but he healed. Paul grew up in Toccoa and attended high school here. He earned and accepted a football scholarship to Furman University. He left Furman and at nineteen years-old, he was lifting weight equivalent to the world record at the current time. Um, AMAZING.

Paul Anderson was twenty-two years old when he competed in the 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. His sport was weightlifting. Paul Anderson won a gold medal in the sport! In 1957, after his olympic victory, Paul was named "World's Strongest Man" when he lifted 6,270 pounds in a back lift setting the Guiness World Record!!!

 Today, visitors enjoy Paul Anderson Park located in Toccoa's downtown area. The park is beautiful with a gorgeous  water fountain (pictured) as well as benches and concrete walkways for visitors to use. The alluring landscape is always matched to the current season. A lovely outdoor atmosphere can be found at Paul Anderson Park. 

Please take a few minutes to learn about the youth home, Paul Anderson Youth Home, that Paul started with his wife soon after he won his Olympic gold medal! When you travel to Toccoa, you will find much more information about Paul Anderson at the Currahee Military Museum as well as our Visitor's Center at the train depot downtown. Paul Anderson's legacy is worth your time and travel!

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Summer Reading Update

Hello, Everybody!

An update from my corner of the book world about the adult summer reading program at my local library:

The Adult Summer Reading Program has come to an end at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. My personal goal was to read more books this summer than I read last summer. Last summer I read one book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Proud to say that I found time to read three books during May 21-July 15, 2016. Personal goal achieved! I read Angels Don't Die: My Father's Gift of Faith written by Patti Davis. I listened to Phil Robertson's Happy, Happy, Happy! book on CD. I also read an autobiography by Esther Williams with Digby Diehl, The Million Dollar Mermaid. All were great reads. I found them inspiring and enlightening each in their own way.

As I mentioned in previous posts, Purple Butterfly Pages was happy to support the first Adult Summer Reading Program to be held at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library! I added a free download of my first publishing project, Their Inheritance ebook written by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers, to the grand prize winner's gift basket. The winner will be announced later this week! I would love to know what books you have read so far this summer! Let me know in the comments. :)

Myself(L), Sarah (C), and Faith(R)

I'd also like to take this post to say a big thank-you to a recent former librarian at TSCPL who invited me to be part of the new adult summer reading program, Sarah Edmonds! We have been friends for several years. She was a librarian for a few years. Sarah and her husband recently moved out of state with his amazing new job opportunity. She is missed at the library, but her work and encouragement continues!

NEW Project Announcement:

Finally, I have begun the first step of the editing process for my next publication*. The working title is 'Through the Storms' . Look for more details about the publishing process in the upcoming blog posts. Sneak peeks are available on our Instagram page: @pbpublications !

Until next time, BELIEVE!

Caitlin

*I am the publisher, not the author.

#Inspired

Hello, Everyone!

Enjoying your summer, yet? We don't have to be children or teenagers to enjoy summertime joy. The lightning bugs are still out there at sundown and the sun still shines hot no matter your age. In summers past I have found that it was easy to get sidetracked by the long hot summer days and the summertime festivities of bar-b-ques, lake days, friends' weddings, or the summertime blues. We find excuses to distract us. If you don't, good for you. You can read on about my midsummer refocus.

As summer came this year, I was thinking of ways to stay focused on work. Well, that last full weekend in June was a weekend full of inspiration showing in places I didn't think I would find it.

Thanks to a sweet friend and my sister for surprising me with birthday gift tickets for the last weekend of June to see Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, professional dancers known for their talented work on Dancing with the Stars. The brothers co-star and co-coreographed their live dance tour, Maks and Val: Our Way. As my sister and our friend headed to the show, I ws looking forward to an exciting night of dancing, and walked away more inspired and motivated by their life journey.The show was less about the men's physique and talent, but instead focused on their parents, hard work, love, and the fun they have living their lives. Before this experience, I thought I had a pretty good work ethic...afterward the show, I realized my work ethic needs more work, more hours!

After attending "Our Way", I was pumped to get started on a new work week! I was home catching up on the week's episodes of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and J.J. Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans' NFL team, was one of Jimmy's guests. Watt was promoting his new cross trainers from Reebok and talking about his work ethic which has made him the defensive player of the entire National Football League three out of the past four years. Watt's message is one that gives charge to each individual to work their hardest to be the greatest they are capable of being. Yep, even more motivation for me to work harder and put more hours into publishing quality novels that I believe can impact readers' lives in a positive and encouraging way.

"If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great. Nothing just happens." -J.J. Watt

Sunday night was the last women's gymnastics competition before the 2016 summer Olympic Trials which begin in mid-July. The hard work that these young women put into their sport is incredible to watch. As I watched, I was inspired by the way they put all their effort and strength into each event no matter how tired they got. On top of their strength, their determination to win a place on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team was inspiring! They wanted the privilege to represent the United States of America in the Olympic games and they were not and are not afraid to work hard to get there. 


Dedication, commitment, and sacrifice (even during the long and hot summer days) are what gets the work done. I think its best to not overthink our daily responsibilities. Just do the work.

Comment with your summer time work life inspirations!

#BELIEVE
Caitlin A.

Celebrating 6 Years @ PBP!

 Hello, Everyone!

This June makes six years since I started Purple Butterfly Pages. I realize the huge blessing it is to be able to be a young American woman and have my own business. Thankful for the individuals who fought for my rights as a human, as a woman, and as an American. 

The gift of every day is not guaranteed. I am continuously determined to use my abilities in whatever way God needs to use me to impact readers', fans', and supporters' lives. A big thank you to all of you for reading a story written by Stephanie Townsend Ayers and thank her for continuing to write (yes, more stories are coming). 


I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some photos from 2010 through 2016!

 "We delight in the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -Maya Angelou

Alexandra: A Williams Family Journey was the first book I sold as an independent book seller in 2010.

Second book for sale at Purple Butterfly Pages and first publication for Purple Butterfly Publications: Their Inheritance

Featured author, Stepanie Townsend Ayers....a.k.a. mom 

PBP owner circa 2012, second year in business selling books and in college!

My first public speaking event at the Rotary Club meeting for Habersham County, GA
I'l never forget it! Thanks to one of my college instructors at the time, Mrs. King, who invited me to share the journey of
Purple Butterfly Pages.

Proprietor of Purple Butterfly Pages
& Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications circa fall of 2015

Custom PBP sign hung at a book signing event in 2010

PBP sign displayed as a proud sponsor in the 2016 Currahee Cornhole Challenge presented by
the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

Thankful to be a part of such an open-minded and welcoming 

Chamber of Commerce in my community! I have been a member for a few years, now. This summer, I was asked to be a part of the adult summer reading program at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. Of course I could not refuse to be a part of this exciting library event! I added a free download of Their Inheritance ebook in the prize winning baskets!

Grand prize basket for the 2016 adult summer reading program
at the Toccoa-Stephens Public Library

Thanks for scrolling through memory lane with me. I am grateful for everyone who has been a part of my journey at Purple Butterfly Pages and Publications. 

Believe.- Caitlin

'Their Inheritance' Thursday: Prayer

Hello, Everybody!

It is another fantastic Thursday to talk about the capital of my book world: Their Inheritance. Today is also National Prayer Day. The dictionary definitions of prayer are 1: words spoken to God 2: the act of praying to God 3: a strong hope or wish. James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee all prayed. They leaned on God for wisdom.  

The first chapter of Their Inheritance begins with Alexandra praying by her parents' graves. 

“Forgive me, Lord. Make me strong and guide me. I don’t understand, but Ma always said you don’t give us more than we can handle. I hope I don’t disappoint you. Be patient with me. I promise to try harder to be courageous.  Amen,” she whispered.

She asked for strength and guidance and wisdom in understanding. In chapter three, Alexandra prayed for forgiveness when her thoughts wander to distrust or lose faith.

"Forgive me, Lord, for my weakness. I know you are taking care of things. Help me to stop worrying so. Even if I must lug that tub of water, I believe you can give me the strength to do it. Amen."

Alexandra prayed for her marriage when considering a marriage proposal.  

"Dear God, please guide me in the direction you want my life to go. Help my thoughts be pure, and please help me get some sleep. Amen."

Alexandra Williams spoke to God and depended on Him to get her through many life-changing circumstances! I was inspired to depend on prayer more after reading 'Their Inheritance' for the first time. I hope you all will check out 'Their Inheritance' ebook if you haven't already. My prayer for you, as a reader, is that you are encouraged and inspired by 'Their Inheritance' in some way!

Believe.
Caitlin A.

Exercise Your Mind. Read!

Hello, Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful and hopeful spring. It has been awhile since I updated you all on what is new at Purple Butterfly Publications.

Did you know there is a Summer Reading Program for ADULTS starting this May! If you do not live in Toccoa, there is a good chance this is happening at your local library as well. Anyone over the age of nineteen years-old can register for the summer reading program. Each book you read counts as an entry to win the GRAND PRIZE Basket that the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library will be giving away at the end of the program. Hard copy books, ebooks, and audio books are all included as part of the program and count as entries! There is no minimum or maximum amount of books you need to read to take part of the program.

When Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library's Adult Program Coordinator, Sarah Edmonds, asked me to be a part of the library's first ever Adult Summer Reading Program, I was SO excited! I am happy to encourage reading and community involvement by partnering with the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library this summer. This summer's theme is "Exercise Your Mind. Read!" to encourage health and fitness in your community.

As Proprietor & Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications, I am proud to have added a copy of PBP's featured ebook, Their Inheritance, to the Grand Prize Basket which will be given away at the end of the Summer Reading Program!!!

I will personally be taking part in this program. It is the challenge I need to make more time for reading. I am now taking reading suggestions*. I will keep you updated on what I am reading once the program gets started in May!

*Leave book suggestions in the comments below.

Who says the reading programs at the library have to be just for kids? Join me this summer and let's get our reading on!!!!

Believe.
Caitlin Ayers
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Toccoa Tuesday: Java Station

Hello, Everybody!

My corner of the book world is a bit soggy today. It is one of those droopy rainy Tuesdays in Toccoa, Georgia making this "Toccoa Tuesday" all about my local coffee shop! I am so thankful that my corner of the book world has a fantastic coffee shop: Java Station. After all, what better pair than coffee shop and a book publisher, right?!

An old gas station was remodeled to become 
the home of Java Station & Cafe.

So, Toccoa does not have a Dunkin Donuts, a Starbucks, or any super coffee shop chain; however, Toccoa does have a coffee shop! I like to think of the Java Station as a pivotal meeting place in the community. The Java Station is a host to parties, meetings, dates, networking, study groups, etc...


About a year ago, the Java Station expanded their kitchen services. Now, they serve a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and an occasional grilled sandwich.  It has been nice to see the kitchen grow into producing full entree's at dinner time. Delicious!

Hot Drinks on a cold day!

The food and drinks are tasty, healthy, and original. The chefs do wonderful jobs in the kitchen! The baristas are in a class of their own. I stop in to the Java Station most every week. Most of the time I am accompanied by my younger brother. He has special needs and has been working to improve his social skills by ordering a drink for himself. The baristas are kind enough to not rush him when ordering. Instead, they treat him respectfully letting him get his order in. If my brother forgets to ask for the drink sugar free, the barista asks him if he would like the ordered drink sugar free. It is the extra step that counts. A friendly greeting when arriving and departing makes the Java Station & Cafe just the right fit for Toccoa, Georgia. Also, the background music is always something different. Sometimes it is classical music or 70's classic rock hits and everything in between. 

I feel like it is cliche to say that coffee or hot tea and a good book is all you need on a rainy day, but come on. Who craves something hot to drink on a cold and rainy winter day? I know I do! Go download Their Inheritance today to read with your cup of coffee or hot tea, whichever you fancy. :)

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages