Can There Be Peace on Earth in 2013?

December 31 every year is a day to reflect. Hopes and dreams. Last January 1, we had many thoughts, many hopes, many ideas. It was a new beginning, a chance to believe that dreams can come true.

Did they?

I asked for peace on earth. It did not happen. War and more war everywhere. Perhaps this is the war planet. I've thought that many times and hoped that I was wrong.

I asked for love, especially for little children. The year 2012 was not a year of love. Children are mistreated everywhere. This year was particularly heinous. In our beautiful land, the United States of America, why can we not have love and special caring for little children?

I ask again for love in 2013. I ask that we be a better people, that we lead all other nations in that respect. I ask that we love our planet and care for its future.

"Is There Hope Anywhere?" copyright MMSikes

On a personal career basis, some of my hopes and dreams did come true in 2012. 


1. My new book came out, Daddy's Christmas Angel, which is my favorite of all the novels I've written so far. It is a story of heartwarming love.

2. My Maya Ruins show was on public display for almost two months. The show related to my adventure story, Jungle Jeopardy. It also related to the intrigue of the Maya calendar that ended December 21, 2012.

3. During our travels, we discovered the amazing Antelope Canyon on the edge of northern Arizona, and we saw once more the glorious Grand Canyon, a destination of reflection where we can give thanks this natural wonder is part of our National Parks system.

For 2013, please remember that it is up to us, the residents of Planet Earth, to make this a loving and beautiful place to live. It is up to us to create a place where there is no need for war, where beauty can prevail everywhere.

Are we as a people capable of peace on earth?

I do not know...

Mary Montague Sikes

Did Santa Bring a Kindle for Christmas?

Bob Parlier of the Petersburg Progress-Index interviewed me about Daddy's Christmas Angel. See the article in today's newspaper.

 

Did you get a new Kindle for Christmas? Are you already a Kindle owner?

My publisher, Oak Tree, just put my new novel, Daddy's Christmas Angel on Kindle at the special price of $0.99. This special will last until January 1, 2013 when the Kindle price goes back to $5.95.

Of all the books I've written, this is my favorite. It's a heartwarming story that appeals to people of all ages. Teachers especially will enjoy this story.

"Angel of the Holy Cross" pastel painting copyright MMSikes

If you've read my book, please let me know what you think!

Here is my latest angel painting for Christmas 2012. I created this pastel in mid-December and had not planned the cross necklace. It suddenly became an important part of the painting as I was working on that section of the drawing. That's when the name, "Angel of the Holy Cross," came to me, relating it to the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona AZ. The face of the angel developed from using the catalog cover photo of a young brunette woman as reference material. I wanted my angel to be generic, not someone I know. I also wanted the viewer to be able to see the angel as someone in his/her life. The wing forms in the painting came from my love of patterning.

Each year, the angel I create for Christmas becomes my favorite, so, of course, "Angel of the Holy Cross" is my favorite now.

At least, so far...

--Mary Montague Sikes

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Wreath Creation - MMSikes

"Wreath Angel" Acrylic Painting MMSikes

Scammers in the Christmas Season--That's Sad

Why do people scam others, especially during the Christmas season? Yesterday, December 21--end of the Maya calendar day--I received a call from a group that identified itself as Preferred Guests.

Usually, I don't even answer when I receive a call listed as "private" on my caller ID. When I realize it's a telemarketer for certain, I say "thank you, not interested" and hang up. This time I didn't. After all, I am a travel writer and wanted to learn more about this 10 night deal that included four days and three nights in Orlando with two adult passes or a one week economy car rental. This deal also included four days and three nights in Daytona Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. And, then, I was told we would get five days and four nights at an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica. That would cost $99 per person but would include all meals and drinks.

Okay, this sounds interesting, but I do not trust cold calls. And rightly so.

I was told that I had to accept or decline this offer right then, and she wanted to know what credit card I'd be using for the $498 to pay for this deal. When I told the young woman that I never give my credit card number to strangers calling on the telephone, she said, what is it you don't like? Is the amount too much or does it sound too good to be true?

I said it sounded too good to be true and, even if it weren't, I'm not willing to give out my credit card number. Could she just please send more information in the mail? I asked. She said, "Just a minute, let me find out something." Then, she switched me to another woman who proceeded to ask me for my credit card number. When I refused, she asked the same questions about the amount being too much or was it too good to be true? Once again, I said that I never give out my credit card information to someone calling me about a deal.

Then I told her I write travel articles and am always interested in learning about travel destinations and opportunities. I also said I write blog posts and might like to write about this call.

There was silence and a click.

I've read about people losing a lot of money giving their credit card information to fraudulent companies. If this was not a scam, it certainly had the appearance of one. Especially since she hung up on me.

I did not like it that the caller said I was contacted because I am a timeshare owner. I would hate to think that any of the timeshare people I trust would have a part in a scam like this one.

Why are these people allowed to continue with these calls? What have your experiences been?

--Mary Montague Sikes

The End of the Maya Calendar

December 21 denotes the end of the Maya calendar. Is it the end of the world? The height of the Maya civilization ended long ago.

"This Troubled Planet" mixed media painting copyright Mary Montague Sikes

If indeed December 21, 2012 is the end, what will happen? Perhaps visitors from an alien planet have been hiding on the dark side of the moon for many years awaiting this time. I suspect that soon after we ended our moon exploration expeditions, these aliens came and have hidden in moon shadows ever since. They don't like the chaos on our planet and are troubled that terror expeditions from this peaceless planet might spread throughout the universe. That's why they decided to shoot the exanoplane into the earth's atmosphere to careen the planet out of orbit and send it on a forever journey into deep space.

Will Earth escape this traumatic fate?

Perhaps something will change for the aliens.

Perhaps the exanoplane will fail in its mission.

The Maya were wise in their observations of space. Was there a reason the calendar ended December 21, 2012?

Will there be December 22, 2012?

--Mary Montague Sikes