Thanksgiving Giveaway

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     I am very excited to announce that for the next week I will be hosting a Giveaway!!

    Why? Because I want to share some of the things I am thankful for, and express my appreciation for you, my readers!  Having a blog is not that big of a deal.  Anyone and everyone could potentially have one.  However, the global interaction I have had makes it feel like something to me. 

     I am amazed that people I have never met read these words.  Last week I had over 100 views from the Ukraine alone.  I know nobody from the Ukraine.  Thus, that stat alone blows me away.  It amazes me to see that not only have I had views from India, but that India comes second for amount of views.  And not just a handful of views makes it second.  But 100's do.  I am continually amazed that I get views from places like France, Germany, Australia, China, Lebanon, Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland. 

     The fact that I have followers, and that others read what I say... that is something in my mind.  

     I want to thank you for that something!  So, go to my Instagram account @gossamerlens, or my GooglePlus account +TheDamsel to participate.  

     A winner will selected at random. They will be winning a shoutout on Instagram or GooglePlus (depending on which they posted), and a package including fall-ish cards, poem print, hot coco powder, a winter read, and an original piece of art done by a local artist I know!  Unfortunately I cannot ship outside of the U.S. at this stage in life.  However, don't let that deter you my global friends!  You can still win a postcard and shoutout on the social media account of your choice, and then a second U.S. winner will be selected to win the package. 

     The official instructions for entering can be found, on the accounts mentioned, on the post connected to the photo below: 

~The Official Thanksgiving Giveaway Photo~

     P.S.  A winner has been picked, and this giveaway has been wrapped up.  @lovely.noelany.mehndi can be found on Instagram.  She has inspired me with her lovely henna art, and sweet personality.  I am so happy she won!  I hope to further give thanks to other followers in the future.  Thank you to all who participated in the giveaway. Plus a huge thanks to those who participate by reading, commenting, liking, and sharing my work! 

Make A Difference Contest & Giveaway

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Let's work together to celebrate National Make a Difference Day this weekend! 

TO ENTER: 

     ~Write up to 150 words that you think can make a difference and are worth sharing. 

     ~Choose if you want to submit via Instagram or GooglePlus. 
          If submitting via Instagram: Screenshot the official contest picture on my Instagram, tag @gossamerlens in the caption, and use the hashtags #NationalMakeADifferenceDay & #GossamerLens
          If submitting by GooglePlus: Screenshot the official contest picture on my GooglePlus, tag +TheDamsel in your post, and use the hashtags mentioned above. 

     ~Submit by: 12 Noon (EST), on October the 23rd. 

WINNINGS: 

     ~I will be picking my favorite 2 entries (depending on the amount of participation) to share this Saturday on Instagram and GooglePlus. Also, the top entries will be posted here on my blog (link in bio).*

     ~PLUS, every entrant will have their name put into a random drawing. A Happiness Quote Book, 1 Zentangle print, candy peach rings, and an Original Poem will be on the line. 

DEADLINE: 

     ~12 Noon (EST), on October the 23rd. 

     *If you win publication, all rights will remain yours and you will be acknowledged on Instagram, GooglePlus, and my blog Gossamer Lens

To Feel My Love

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You say

My cheeks

Are beautiful

These ones

I contour

And hate

Trace my jawline

With your kisses

Hold my hips

Breathe my air

Hold me

Like poetry

Love me

Like warmth

You are the first

I can see forever

Despite the chasm

Of unknown

I'm afraid of falling

But it almost

Looks appealing

And my heart is breaking

But my breath is leaving

Oh Gosh

These feels

Poem 234

Appreciation Package Update

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     Since hitting 200 followers, this blog has continued to increase in traffic.  I have met some really cool people, and have received some lovely comments here, and on GooglePlus.  I feel blessed that my voice can be heard, and that I can share bits and pieces of my thoughts, views, and world with all of you.

     A little bit ago I promised my 200th follower on GooglePlus what I dubbed an "Appreciation Package".  I wanted to update everyone and let you know what that looked like. Thus, here it is: 

     To everyone, thank you! I'm so grateful for how far this has come. Via GooglePlus I have passed 280,000 views, nearly hitting 400 followers, and my posts keep increasing in the amount of +1's I receive.  It blows me away that there are people who enjoy reading what I post, and who want to come back for more. Thank you so much for your support!

Snapshot of Some Favorites - Books Part Two

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    I hope you have seen Part One, since this is the continuation.  I wished to give just a few more in order to complete the "Top 10" I promised some of my followers.  So here we are!

     ~ Bleak House by Charles Dickens
I cannot begin to describe how lovely I find Dickens writing to be.  I greatly enjoy the flowering sentences, and the in-depth description.  However, I know that americans are more about coffee, so it's okay if its not your cup of tea.  This book contains Esther Summerson.  She is my all time favorite female character.  Besides her lovely self, each character is intricately detailed, known, and highlighted.  This book also examines some interesting aspects of life which should be thought of more.  Some of these being what is true service, what is the essence of love, and what difference it makes if one is kind.

     ~ The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
What joy fills my heart when somebody mentions this book.  All of these books define different moments in my life, and realizations of some sort.  This book was my realization of childhood.  I was in a land of my own for a bit there... and this book speaks to that.  Light, yet heavy it follows the adventures of a lovely little mouse with ears that make him a social outcast.  Yet, he is full of hope, light, and love.  This book is simply delightful, and if you missed out on it during the first 12 years of life, I would highly recommend visiting it now.

     ~ The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book was originally meant as a stand alone, but has grown into a series.  I cannot say how it thrills me that there is more.  However, this book in of itself is simply wonderful.  It asks you to think about what defines humanity.  It calls into account things like the value of a human life.  Plus, it makes you wonder what would be lost if emotions were less.  Being a rather emotional person, I found it fascinating to think about what I would be if I felt less, and acted less.

     ~ The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak
I was honestly surprised by this book.  It is pure poetry.  When I say that... I mean that the phrasing is spectacular, the feelings are gifted, and the story pulled at my heart.  I think it redefines historical fiction.  It doesn't simply add a bit more understanding of the past.  This book wraps up emotions that we should learn to empathize with and gifts it to you in glowing lines of beauty.  Told from the perspective of death it was innovative, creative, refreshing, and yet had a strange feeling of deja vu.  I could praise the freshness of its antiquated feelings for many paragraphs yet.  So, I'll just leave it at that. 

     ~ Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
Later in his writing life, Mark Twain published this book.  "Mark Twain" had become a name that people would buy from simply because it was him.  Interestingly enough, this book wasn't published under that name.  He published it anonymously because he wished it to be judged because of it's quality, not because he wrote it.  Twain dedicated this work to his wife, and considered it one of his best works.  Honestly, I disagree with him.  It isn't "one of his best."  It is his best work.  Having read all of Mark Twain that I can lay my hands on, this is by far the most well done.

Snapshot of Some Favorites - Books Part One

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     My favorite books list is finding itself all to often revised.  So, for this moment, I would like to share them as the stand, right now.  Please, enjoy!

    Also, if you find yourself wanting to purchase any of them, click on the title!

     ~ Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis
As a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth this book hits harder then I think most would expect.  I find it fascinating due to the depth given to the characters, refreshing plot that is still true to the myth, and that the whole thing is poetic. Overall it has a great plot, yet at the same time becomes an interesting metaphor towards the end. Every time I re-read this book I gain something new.

     ~ Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card
Many have read Ender's Game.  Some have read the Ender's series. Perhaps not as many have gotten as far as the The Ender's Shadow Series. This book is the 2nd in that quartet.  I love it for the philosophical questions it poses, intriguing characters, quick paced plot, actions scenes, and the part science plays in it. Truly one to get to. Really only need to read Ender's Game, and Ender's Shadow to enjoy this book.

     ~ Anna Karenina by: Leo Tolstoy (Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky)
For a good while I would proclaim this book as my top favorite. Adults would be a little shocked, as it is about an out of marriage love affair. However, this book is about so much more.  It asks you to question, ponder, and re-define what love is and what it means to be faithful. Interestingly, very little physical contact is described (maybe a couple small kisses), yet it is one of the most romantic books I have ever read. It is a true raiser of questions and further thought.

     ~ The Foundation Trilogy by Issac Asimov
This is a classic set. I couldn't name a single one as they offer so many different things. This makes the list simply because Issac Asimov is a masterful writer. He puts life into his works.  These books explore different faucets of branches in philosophy and math.  Being that Asimov is a science fiction writer, they also explore how those branches intertwine with science. Sort of out there though, it makes for more of a philosophical series then a story set in a futuristic place. 


     ~ Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I cannot begin to describe how hard I cried over this book. Unlike many books it wasn't just the ending. It pulls at your heart throughout the entirety of the novel. And since it is a rather big book, it leads to a lot of different points to cry. To many people skip the "boring history" part in the middle. Let me tell you, it adds so much more. This book is one that gives you food for thought every step of the way. Besides, it weaves a lovely and tragic tale that still manages to give you a sense of hope, and joy at the end. I also happened to love the movie, and learned to play many of the broadway musical numbers on the piano. Truly, this book is a book of emotions. 

     See Part Two for more!

Appreciation Package

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     I'm so pleased with how far this has all come.  I started this blog 2 years ago with a simple statement of wishing to write things, because I have a point of view too.  It's awesome to see that people actually like hearing what I have to say.  I cannot begin to describe the thrill I get when I see that I have another view, much less another follower. So... 

     My 200th GooglePlus follower will be getting an appreciation package!

     The package will contain, Swedish Fish, 2 original poems, and an original signed Zentangle.

     I can only ship inside the contiguous United States. Apologies to my international brothers and sisters, I am just not that rich yet. Maybe someday.

     To everyone, thank you! I'm so grateful for how far this has come. I'm almost to 5,000 views, nearly hitting 200 followers, and my posts keep increasing in the amount of +1's I receive.

     Thank you, and may the odds be ever in your favor!