My Dad Would Have Loved This!

My dad, being the cat lover he was would be very happy to know the Barrister bookcases he made for me have been put to good use! Whenever I open the glass, a cat usually jumps in and spends some time inside.

Manny enjoying the bookcase.

Spunky Doodle making herself at home in the bookcase.

Here is a video of Manny choosing a book:

Comparison Between "Growing Up Colt"--A Father's Love and "My Funny Dad, Harry"

 

I recently finished reading Growing Up Colt by Colt McCoy (the Cleveland Browns QB) and Brad McCoy (Colt's dad). As I read it, I couldn't keep from thinking about how it was for me writing My Funny Dad, Harry. His book shows a love and strong bond between a father and son while mine shows the love and strong bond between a father and daughter. Although his is more about his childhood and the life lessons he learned from his dad, mine is focused more on the the funny things my dad did and how we grew closer as I grew up.

I'm sure writing Growing Up Colt was a fun project for Colt and his dad. Both books give examples of people demonstrating Christian character and both point people to Jesus at the end. Both are personal and written from the heart in simple language that makes for a quick read. Colt mentioned in his book that his grandma told him if he didn't point people to Jesus in the book, it wasn't worth writing it. I remembered how I felt like that as well when writing My Funny Dad, Harry. Neither book is preachy at all; however, both share how faith played a part in our lives. I included an Appendix with scripture references* at the end that a person seeking peace with God could read and find that peace through a personal relationship with Jesus.  Colt summarized how a person can have a personal relationship with God at the end of his book too.  

My Funny Dad, Harry is about my dad's fight for independence as he aged and how I supported him. Growing Up Colt is about parenting and how parents can help their children. Both are about loving, Christian families and are upbeat and touching.

I encourage you to read both these books! Here is the link to my review of Growing Up Colt over at our book blog, Grab A Book From Our Stack. Go Browns and I hope you have a great season, Colt!

*In hindsight, if I could do it over, I would write out the scripture instead of just providing the references.

I am donating 50 cents per comment on all my blogs during September to Best Friends Animal Society.  I hope you will leave a comment and visit my other blogs too (see tabs above)!

 Available as e-book (http://outskirtspress.com/myfunnydadharry/) and on Amazon.

Tahtimo Reviews "My Funny Dad, Harry" and Liked It!

One of the winners of my book giveaway at Red Pine Mountain, Tahtimbo at Everyday Living, has given me permission to repost part of his review of "My Funny Dad, Harry" here.

Here is part of what he had to say:

I was amazed at how personable the stories were and it seemed as if I came to know Harry as well. Some of the stories are humorous; some will bring back memories of when you were growing up, and some stories are emotionally hard, but they all combine to give us a sense of who Harry was.

Karen, I would like to thank you for sharing your stories and giving us a glimpse into your life. I know that there are many out there that are taking care of aging parents and your book lets them know that they are not alone. In closing, I want close by saying that I highly recommend this book and I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I am always pleased and amazed that people who read my book have such nice things to say about it and like it. I think what makes it likable is that my dad is so endearing. Be sure to check out the entire review at Everyday Living.

He said he was thinking of reading it for two years and finally won the book giveaway.  Once he got it, he read it quickly and got to the place where he didn't want to put it down.  If you have been thinking of reading it, I hope you don't put it off for two years!  Just click the Amazon ad for it here and it will take you right to the page where you can order.

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here. Tweet This

What A Lift After A Hard Day At Work!

After a very busy day at work two weeks ago after just starting a new assignment, I came home and checked my email to find this:

From: Rebecca
Subject: I Got Your Book!
To: "karen&Gerard Zemek"
Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 4:43 PM

Karen, I am so excited I wanted to tell you-- I ordered your book and just came in from Amazon today!!! It looks SO COOL. I am looking forward to reading it. I've been wanting to read it ever since you first blogged about it-- Praise God I got a new writing job and am able to afford books!

I will be writing a review on it soon, on my blog. I flipped through it a little and am very blessed by the Appendix D. :D When I'm done reading it, I'm going to give it to my kids to read, or perhaps we will read it together after dinner every night.

Congrats on a really nice book! Did you ever write a post about how you got a book published? I think that is an incredible feat. I'd love to read your story about that.

Rebecca

I actually did write a post about how I got published. It's "How I Found A Publisher" on my PNN blog at http://karen.pnn.com.

I was happy to hear she was 3/4 of the way through when I asked if she started reading it yet two days later. She said her son hijacked it and she hadn't seen it all day.

Be sure to read her review at Freaky Frugalite.

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here. Maybe you would like to order it too. There is a tab at top that says "Buy Book" which takes you right to the page on Amazon.com where you can order it.
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You Want Me To Read About SNAKES? (Writer's Workshop)

I had many books as a kid and enjoyed seeing them again when clearing out my dad’s house after he died. My mom enrolled me in a Children’s book club because she wanted me to like reading and encouraged me to enjoy books. I had a green bookcase, built by dad of course, filled with books but when asked what I would like read I would choose the snake section in The Book of Knowledge. I liked snakes back then but more than that I loved seeing my parents cringe when I’d ask them to read about the different snakes. Although it wasn’t really a children’s book, it certainly was the one my parents hated reading to me the most!

Even today I find snakes fascinating to watch at the zoo when they’re on the go. This is a picture of a Python that I took while curled up on top of a fake elephant's head. I wouldn’t want one in my house though.

Is there something your child likes that makes you cringe? What book do you remember your parents reading to you?

This post is part of Mama Kat’s Workshop: What Children’s book do you hate reading to your child? Go check out more posts there or participate yourself.

To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here.
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Attention Readers and Authors!

I discovered a new interactive site for readers and authors when visiting A Book Inside. It's called Author and Book Event Center. I just joined myself on Wednesday. If you like to read or have published a book, it's really worth checking out. I hope to find you there.

This is a networking site geared to readers and authors. Authors can load photos of their books, their websites, and set up a profile for readers and other authors to see. Readers can participate in on-line chat with authors. If you would like to chat with me there, pop in at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays and I will try to be in chat over there on a regular basis at that time.

View my page on Author and Book Event Center

Bookworm Meme--I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged with the Bookworm meme by Page over at The Road I'm Traveling. Here's how this meme works:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
6. Tag five people to do the same

My Funny Dad, Harry is the closest book to me. I have a small pile of copies on the end table near my computer which I have on hand for direct sales or for marketing purposes. It only seems appropriate for this blog to do this book. Although my dad had a lot of books, most of them I have sold or given away and they were mostly books about.

Here is the excerpt from page 56 of the book I wrote about my dad:

"He (Sweet Thing) would lick himself so much, that his fur seemed to wear off. Finally, after much persistence, I persuaded dad to take them to the vet. Neither had ever gone before. The vet I used for my cats was very good but it would have been almost an hour drive from dad's house so we looked for some place closer. I made the appointments and left work early to go with dad to the vet for the first time."

This section is about Sylvester's and Sweet Thing's first trip to the vet. Harry and the vet did not click at all!

I am tagging the following:
Tina at Creative Nerd
Signe Says
Small Town Mommie
Frogs in My Formula
Life With Kim
Polly at Random Ramblings

Refreshing, Funny, Interesting, Inspiring!

I got an email yesterday from a fellow blogger, Poppopx7 at the Espenlog Times, saying he got my book and read it straight through! It makes me so happy to hear that. He immediately wrote the following review which I have posted with his permission:

I just finished reading, "My Funny Dad, Harry" written by Karen Zemek who also writes here at PNN. With so much doubt, fear, and confusion that surrounds us, it was refreshing to read such an avid account about a daughter's love, and devotion to a loving father. I found the book to be funny, interesting, inspiring, and a must read for every one that has lost a loved one. The writing of this book came from deep inside of Karen's heart. As you read her book you can hear the beating of her heart. I strongly recommend you read this book.

Visit his site at http://poppopx7.pnn.com
(He is a humorous writer and his dog, Fluff, also has a blog there along with his fantasy football team manager, a monkey named "Harvey." It's a fun read!)

Guest Post by Mountain Woman at Red Pine Mountain

I met Mountain Woman through blogging and has wrote a very nice post about me and my book which is as follows in part with her permission to repost it here:

Initially, I discovered "My Funny Dad Harry" when I joined Entrecard. While scrolling through various cards, I came across one with a picture of an elderly gentleman with a large lion ("Leo") seated on his lap. The card caught my interest at once and off I went to click on the link.

I discovered this blog written by a woman to honor her father who had passed away. The blog alone stands as a testament of love to his memory and it is filled with marvelous facts about a man who lived a productive, interesting life. But as I read further, I discovered Karen has actually written and published a book about her Dad.

Karen has a full time job, is active in her church, takes care of her husband and has many and varied outside interests. She made the time to take her precious memories of her father and put them into written form. I have this book "My Funny Dad Harry" sitting next to me today and as I read its pages I am filled with admiration for Karen's achievement. But beyond that and more important is the love Karen has for her Dad and her effort to share this marvelous man with the rest of the world. Her book is touching, poignant, humorous and a truly great read.

Mountain Woman has a very interesting blog of her own about life and her home on Red Pine Mountain. Please stop by and visit her blog at Red Pine Mountain.

Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? I know!

My dad had a huge collection of books, none of which were fiction or novels. He read for the sole purpose of learning. He had many "how-to" books about woodworking, plumbing, remodeling, upholstering, lock work, gardening, electricity, tools, money management, spirituality and science.

Most of these books I either sold on Ebay or gave away to family and friends. I kept a few for me though that sparked some interest. One was a paperback titled Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? and Other Imponderables--Everyday Mysteries explained by David Feldman (1987). I read this a bit at a time and found it sort of humorous and interesting. It certainly contains a lot of trivia!

This is a book full of unusual “Why” questions with answers to most of them. I enjoyed it because the questions were generally about things I never gave any thought to, for example:

Why do ants tend to congregate on sidewalks?
What are those twitches and jerks that occasionally wake us up just as we are falling asleep?
Why do bananas, unlike other fruits, grow upward?
What do Federal Express people do after 10:30 a.m.?
Where do houseflys go during the winter? Why is scoring three goals in hockey called a “hat trick”? How and why do horses sleep standing up?
Why are the hamburger bottoms so thin? Why is the scoring system in tennis so weird?

It even had some questions at the end that the author couldn't answer which he referred to as "Frustrables." Perhaps some of you would like to give it a try. Here are the ones I'd like to know answers to:

1. Why do the English drive on the left and just about everyone else on the right?

2. Why is yawning contagious?

3. Why do we give apples to teachers? (I'd rather have chocolate!)

4. Why does looking up at the sun cause us to sneeze?

5. Why do women in the U.S. shave their armpits?

6. Why don't you ever see really tall old people?

7. Why do only older men seem to have hairy ears?

This book is still available on Amazon.com but there are newer editions too.

Grants Gallery Review

In viewing blogs today, I found another review of my book! It always makes me feel good when I read nice reviews about it, especially from people I don't know. Check it out at Savannah's blog, Grants Gallery. Thanks, Savannah!

Surprise!

Today as I was viewing blogs, I got a very pleasant surprise! I came across a review of my book, "My Funny Dad, Harry," by Rene' Morris at Cheaper By the Half Dozen.

28 on Amazon's Nonfiction List!

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when I went on Amazon to post a book review for my husband and checked on how "My Funny Dad, Harry" was doing. If I scroll way down the book detail page, there's a lot of information there and it lists the book's ranking on Amazon. Usually the number is over 1,000,000 in best sellers, BUT yesterday, in the nonfiction category, it was 28! Someone must be buying it! Anyhow, I was very happy to see that, although it doesn't usually last for long. I used to check quite frequently but haven't in quite some time so it really encouraged me.

If you were one of the people to purchased it, if you let me know, I would like to add you to the list on my side bar. For those who've read it, there are some discussion questions related to My Funny Dad, Harry at the bottom of the book detail page for you to answer.

Cat Books From Dad

I just finished reading Hiss and Tell: True Stories from the files of a Cat Shrink by Pam Johnson-Bennett. It was really a funny and educational book about dealing with strange cat behaviors. It reminded me of the cat books I got from dad (some when he was alive and some when I had to clean out his house after he went to be with the Lord).

Here's the list:

Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat, NOT a Sour Puss (also by Pam Johnson-Bennett)

Ain't Misbehavin' by Wright and Lashnits

Pet Speak, Speak Your Pet's Secret Language by editors of PETS

Preventions Symptom Solver for Dogs and Cats

What My Cat Taught Me About Life by Nikki Anderson

I Made the Right Choice!

Today the sky is such a pretty blue. I'm so glad I picked the sky blue for my book cover because I wanted something cheerful and thought that if it was sky blue, I'd think of my dad everytime we had a pretty blue sky which is exactly what happens! At first I picked a dark green to match his suspenders, but I'm so glad I changed it to the pretty blue.

Be sure to let your father know who much you appreciate him while you still can and have a Happy Father's Day!
("My Funny Dad, Harry" is available through Outskirtspress.com/myfunnydadharry and Amazon or Barnes Noble)

A Delightful, Inspiring Story of Familial Love and Faith

Here's a review I received yesterday by Charlene S. Rubush, “author and book lover” (Donalsonville, Georgia)(5 stars)
June 11, 2008

*****
My Funny Dad, Harry
by Karen Arlettaz Zemek

If only everyone were lucky enough to have a devoted father and true family man like Harry! Zemek's love, respect, and gratitude for her dad shines through in this sweet book. Harry, a product of the Depression, had quirky habits that will have you chuckling.

Anyone's who's had a parent who lived through the Depression, should be able to relate to Harry's thrifty ways. From saving junk mail to make notepads, to keeping orange juice cartons to convert into drawers, Harry wasted nothing.

Zemek's use of photos throughout the book, gives the reader an up-close look at Harry's ingenuity, plus provides a feeling of familiarity with Harry, his wife, Lenore, his daughter, son-in-law, foster-children, and his many beloved cats.

As Harry grew old, he stubbornly refused his daughter's offer of moving in with she and her husband, preferring to stay in his own home, taking care of his numerous beloved cats, right up until his death. We can feel Karen's anguish and concern, as she comes to terms with his inevitable decline.

As I read Zemek's book, there were many ah-ha moments where I'd get a lump in my throat, as I saw flickers of my own mom and dad, now deceased. But Zemek always manages to bring out the bright side of life. By the time I closed the book, I'd come to love Harry and his family. They are a fine example of those "salt-of-the-earth" caring, Christian people who hold this country together. I applaud Karen for taking the time to write this book. It's a fun, touching read. Harry would be so proud.

(This is an excerpt of the review--for full review, please look under the cutomer reviews on Amazon.com)

Must Read for Those Who Enjoy Memoirs

Here is a book review I received yesterday from Cindy Oldham:

Cindy Oldham

**************************
My Funny Dad, Harry
By
Karen Arlettaz Zemek


‘My Funny Dad, Harry” is a unique, interesting collection of memories about a gentle man who was a devoted husband and father. His daughter, author Karen Arlettaz Zemek leads us through the early years of her life and shows us how she and her father had a special bond that continued growing throughout their lives.

Mrs. Zemek allows the reader to share in her father’s love of cats through the many pictures sprinkled through the book and the memories that are tied to how he loved and cared for them. She portrays her father thoughtfully and eloquently as she became his caregiver during the last years of his life. This is a memoir that allows the reader to meet her father and is a loving tribute to his life and the many memories his daughter chose to share with the world.

This book is a pleasure to read and will make you smile and laugh as well as bring a tear to your eyes as you read this lovingly crafted memoir. My Funny Dad, Harry is a must read for those who enjoy memoirs.

(For more reviews, check out "My Funny Dad, Harry" at Amazon.com and after reading, be sure to participate in the book discussion on Amazon at the bottom of the book detail page. Thank you!)

Foreword of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

MY FUNNY DAD, HARRY

FOREWORD


I have so many funny memories of things my dad, Harrington Arlettaz (Harry), did that I decided to write this book in his memory as a tribute to him. This book is not only about my dad, but also about me, life and aging and how we deal with it. I kept a day-by-day journal since the end of 1999 from which I picked out the funny things that happened and formed this book as well as thinking back and drawing from my memories. I never thought I would write a book until he died. It was a way for me to handle my grief and helped me to really think about what a special man he was. Also, I couldn't sleep through the night because thoughts about things he did kept coming in my head and I thought how easy it would be to write them down and put them in a book. Even the title came to me so I started writing and this book became a reality. I hope it brings a smile to your face, maybe gives you some pointers and even makes you laugh out loud.

My dad lived from December 9, 1917 to February 16, 2007. He was around before TV and lived to see the digital age of high tech. He even got to use a computer! He truly was a Godly, wonderful husband and father. I hope you enjoy the humorous side I am sharing with you in this book as well as some of the tender moments we shared. Everything in here really did happen. He was an amazing man, absolutely one of a kind! Perhaps you too will learn some things from him just as I have.

Having grown up through the Depression, Harry was a king of pack rats. He saved EVERYTHING, but in an organized way. It just took me awhile to figure out his system. If something broke, he would save it because he planned to fix it. For example, Dad was very excited about getting a new microwave and so proud of himself for researching it out and getting exactly the right one. The next day, Gerard and I took groceries to dad and got him to move the old microwave off the counter at least. I thought maybe he'd let Gerard put it by the front door so it would be easy to take out when "the weather broke." But no, he told us to leave it in the dining room for now. I told Gerard "I'm not saying anymore about it, but you watch, he won't throw it away." I was right, he never did!

He just ran out of space and didn't get to everything he wanted to do; consequently, his house was full of clutter when he died. This motivated me to learn how to sell items on eBay, but I had to try things out first to make sure they worked.

Harry truly exemplified the man described in Micah 6:8: "He hath shewed thee, O man what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (KJV)

My dad was a very quiet and private person. That's why it is so ironic that I am sharing him with you through this book. My mom's side of the family were big and loud and my dad was quite the opposite. Mom was always the one who liked to read and talked about writing a book some day.

Harry's priorities were as follows:

Trust in the Lord and Help Others

Be Warm and Comfortable

Family

Working with his hands (like all the time)

Learning

Cats and other Animals

Notice that sports, appearance, cleaning and what others think don't even make the list. These things were totally unimportant to him which made him the unique, one-of-a-kind very funny person.

When he hit "old age" he always had to be warm. He wore a jacket vest inside the house all winter long even though the thermometers registered close to 80 degrees. (Yes, plural, because he had at least one hanging in each room, many of which were still in the plastic).

As you read this book, you will get to know my Funny Dad through my eyes as well as how our relationship grew. If you are a caregiver to an older person, I'm sure you will identify with many of the events I share in this book and realize other people have some of the same problems as you. Hopefully, you will even learn some things and get some ideas from him just like I have.

--Karen Arlettaz Zemek

(available on www.amazon.com, www.bn.com

and www.outskirtspress.com/myfunnydadharry)

Heartwarming, Emotional, Humorous by Richard Blake

A Heartwarming, Emotional, Humorous Reading Experience, March 18, 2008 by Richard R. Blake (San Leandro, CA)

Karen Arlettaz Zemek has written a tribute to her father Harry Arlettaz in her book "My Funny Dad, Harry." The book is filled with short funny stories about life with Harry, his family, and his cats. Harry was recognized as a man of integrity, discipline, a wonderful craftsman, and his dedication to serving the Lord by serving others.

Cat lovers will enjoy the tenderness, care, and concern of a generous man willing to sacrifice for a needy animal. Karen gives detailed descriptions and the antics of Harry's cats: Blackie, Bootsie, and Diamond Jim, Razzle "Frazzle Dazzle, Fluff, Puff, Timi, Striper, Softie, and Sweet Thing to name only a few. Harry built a "Kitty Motel" for the stray cats in the neighborhood. He included windows and a swinging door for the cat's convenience.

As Harry grew older he maintained a spirit of independence. Even as he recognized his limitations he never complained but downplayed his own physical inabilities rather than allowing himself to impose on others.

Karen has captured the reality of the physical impairments of growing old. She has communicated a sense of the humorous even in the hard situations.I appreciated Karen's dedication to her father and her devotion and sacrifice in caring for him. Throughout the telling of Harry's story Karen was never "preachy" but wove a tapestry ribbon of God's love and grace throughout the narrative. In an appendix she has included a clear cut invitation to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as savior.

I smiled as I read of Harry's years of accumulation of tools, magazines, and every conceivable collectible. I was challenged to take a look at the clutter in my life, the unfinished projects, sentimental "stuff," and begin sorting out my own priorities.

"My Funny Dad, Harry" is a delightful memoir of a tender hearted man dedicated to
serving others. Well written, humorous, and heartwarming.

Here's another one:

By Sofia Steryo-Bartmus, Author "Paws of Wisdom", May 22, 2008
(West Hills, CA USA)

FILLED WITH EMOTION....is exactly what My Funny Dad, Harry is made of. Karen has done an excellent job in honoring her dad by telling his story in an easy to read, short journal-like fashion. Each chapter will make you laugh or cry, or do both at the same time. This was a very comforting book for me and I would recommend it to anyone who has ever been a caregiver for a loved one, is dealing with that responsibility now or will be in the future.

One of the things that stand out for me was when Karen was showing her dad how to use the computer (at age 88!) and she was "surprised" to discover that he had so many things wrong with him. She writes: "I didn't realize he had so many problems, because he never complained and kept his sense of humor and positive attitude"! You see, we remember our parents as being young and strong instead of what they have become; old, weak and fragile. Our duty is just to love them, care for them and be patient with them.

This book not only teaches us to endure some challenging moments with our aging parents, but also how to live our lives like Harry; Obey God, love your family and serve others.