by

J.H. Soeder

[Review by Charlotte M. Liebel © 2011

Introduction:  It is not unusual to reject an unfamiliar experience such as believing in the presence of living ghosts. However, some unexplained occurrences do happen. In J.H. Soeder's biography at Goodreads.com - “Jon’s real story is about his quest to understand his true path and his place in life in relation to his amazing experiences...” It is, therefore, my opinion that those of an open mind will be entertained and enlightened by HADDIE'S IN OUR CLOSET [Amazon.com], which is a story from his life experiences.

An incredible tale is woven and delivered in a fast moving story called HADDIE’S IN OUR CLOSET by J.H. Soeder who is a person noted for paranormal phenomenon. As his story opens ~ a newly married couple fall in love and marry without planning a honeymoon. The new dad is swiftly introduced to fatherhood with a short introduction to his wife’s two children who are three and seven and truly disorganized. Shortly, thereafter, the family is invited to a relative’s lavish wedding with lodgings for the entire family at a Southern Plantation. As with all other decisions, the couple are quick to embark on the weekend trip and consider this the ideal invitation. Now, they not only get a bonus honeymoon but greet all the visiting relatives who attend the wedding. Of course, the bride and groom they plan to visit happen to live over 2000 miles from California in a rural backwoods suburb of Louisiana outside of New Orleans.

When Jon and Nadine arrive at the plantation, Nadine’s brother greets them on the porch. He states that dozens of relatives and children arrived earlier and now occupy the huge mansion. Rather than hassle the crowd, Julia ~the owner of the mansion~ invites them to spend their visit in a charming bungalow once known as the servants’ quarters. Their children can join the comfortable arrangement of the cousins in the house. Relatives will care for them as their own. Jon and Nadine take their luggage down the short path to the bungalow.

Nadine’s joy at the charming atmosphere inside the bungalow causes an unusual temperature increase at her remarks. Jon is keenly sensitive to the lights that brighten and the warmth of the room as Nadine hums happily. She unpacks her bags and states that she will shower. Meantime, Jon has a look around and finds a small TV, which he turns on just as Nadine comes into the room with a towel wrapped around freshly washed hair. Suddenly, and without warning, the room becomes icy cold and the couple look at each other and ask what is happening?

Jon’s mind picks-up these thoughts: “Evil…evil…work of the Devil!” Such is their new companion’s introduction. Thereafter, Jon continues this type of conversation with their temporary visitor who attaches herself to the couple: first at the cottage and later when she follows the family to California in the 21st Century.

What is so unusual is that Haddie is this elderly woman who has never been off the grounds of her Southern plantation in over 150 years. Jon becomes the interpreter for Haddie, whether she has a question for his wife or the behaviors of others in her environment. Her dialogue is outspoken and she speaks with the authority of an African-American nanny speaking to her charges whom she considers children.

Left to a growing concern between Jon and Haddie is the question about her presence in the 21^st Century when she has witnessed the demise of her family and friends during 150 years. The storyteller and Haddie explore and explain the details in a plausible answer. The dialogue is astounding and thereafter left to an innate understanding by the reader. Dialogue is appropriate to the former Black slave who never married but was assigned the household duties of childcare on her plantation.

Haddie has materialized as a living ghost in the lives of the charming family of Jon and Denise. The delicately told story, HADDIE’S IN OUR CLOSET by J.H. Soeder, is delightful and entertaining. It is available at all booksellers in Paperback and eBook editions. AMAZON.COM and BARNES AND NOBLE.COM

Our mission with The Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning is to provide opportunities and resources which allow children and adolescents to become successful learners. The Foundation places special emphasis on the educational development of children and adolescents in at-risk circumstances.

Activities:

• The Literacy Program at Edelman Children’s Court

Current developments under way for the upcoming Literacy Project at the Edelman Children’s Court include collaboration with the California State University Writing Project, which is under the direction of Dr. Robert Land.

• Mentor/Tutor Project for Children in Foster Care

Current Developments include collaboration with County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, Pasadena Region. A research-based program is currently also under development.

• Annual Breakfast with Santa and Toywrapping Party

Are you looking for a great way to get involved and meet wonderful people along the way? Help us get ready for the 2011 12th Annual Breakfast with Santa Event and Toy/Gift Wrapping Party!! December 15th, 6PM at Buster’s. [2011]

DONATIONS INVITED AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:

Foundation for Greater Opportunities in Learning  http://4greaterlearning.org/donate.html/

“I paint life as I would like it to be. If there was sadness in this creative world of mine, it was a pleasant sadness. If there were problems, they were humorous problems.”

Black & White Prints (more info)

Boy Scouts (more info)

The Ads (more info)

Color Prints (more info)

The Rockwell Gallery Collection is your oldest, largest and number one online site for all of your Norman Rockwell Collectible needs. The Rockwell Gallery specializes inNorman Rockwell Posters, Norman Rockwell Figurines, Norman Rockwell Prints and Norman Rockwell Art Prints and Illustrations .

The Rockwell Gallery offers a various selection of Norman Rockwell Collectible Plates , Norman Rockwell Puzzles and Norman Rockwell Post Cards. The Rockwell Gallery specializes in hard to find Norman Rockwell Prints and Boy Scout Prints .
With warmth and humor, Norman Rockwell Illustrator painted America’s greatest vision of our time, a vivid tapestry that chronicled our lives on canvas, through his imagination and art.

Charlotte M. Liebel, M.Ed. shares poetry, essays, and college courses to give understanding and remove the mystery of higher learning.  She promotes education as the building blocks for competing in the workforce on every level and in every desired career. Learning can be taught to adults away from studies for years. They can study to earn degrees in their first year at college.

Enjoy a SPECIAL history of Mark Twain as completed for one of her projects at college.

“What does this mean?”

WHAT POSIT SCIENCE SAYS AFTER TAKING THIS TEST: “The 60-second Brain Game is a variation of psychological experiments that measure the “Stroop effect.” These experiments require the brain to respond to conflicting information to measure its flexibility and speed.

Reaching higher levels means that your brain is faster and more flexible. How many you get correct doesn’t really matter, because the game adapts to you. What matters is speed.

You just played the 60 Second Brain Game and tested your brain’s speed. So you probably realize that keeping your brain in shape is key to living well today and aging well in the future. After all, the brain is one of the most important “muscles” in the body and it needs exercise, too.

Now it’s easier than ever to be at your best with the Posit Science Brain Fitness Programs, clinically proven to help you think faster, focus better and remember more.”

Very much into your ideas for Social Media 2.0 and will Tweet you this evening. Will try to link some info to my following.

Thanks for these innovative ideas.

~Charlotte aka Sharlet

GRASSROOTS GRANTS An Activist’s Guide to Grantseeking by Andy Robinson is a book available at Amazon.com  for those whose current interest is learning the skills needed to raise money from grants. This book is in the library of a local ~ The Foundation Center ~ and the author easily guides and instructs the reader.

Grassroots Grants by Andy Robinson includes articles and examples for non-profit Proposal Writing. Additionally, it gives a ‘List of Exhibits, Exercises, and Worksheets’ for essential formats and Cover Letter writing.

This book is a ‘Must Read’ when preparing a proposal for grant funding. It includes FOUR (4) Winning Proposals. They are included word-for-word from Application through Proposal Budget.

This is a documentary to continually reference for grantseeking writers.

GUIDE TO PROPOSAL WRITING is a book I recommend. The copyright year is 1997/ Jane C. Geever, Patricia McNeill. –Rev. ed. ISBN 0-87954-703-0 PURCHASED at Amazon.com on 9/26/2011.

Appendix D: Quote ~ The Foundation Center is a national service organization founded and supported by foundations to provide a single authoritative source of information on foundation and corporate giving. (more

This book provides examples of data, letters, information, and Project Description required when submitting letters to organizations requiring Proposals for funding grants. The Master Proposal Format is outlined in detail, which includes a Project Budget from the requesting parties.

I’m a publicity expert, speaker, trainer, consultant and former newspaper editor who will show you how to use traditional and social media to establish credibility, enhance your reputation, position yourself as an expert, and sell more products and services. Guest bloggers, pitch me with your idea. Email me: JStewart@PublicityHound.com

‘What rich authors know that poor authors don’t…’

10/11/2011 By Joan

EXCERPT: ‘Rich authors use the book as a calling card to upsell readers to a wide variety of other products and services like: coaching programs, board games, wall calendars, membership programs, and more. That’s one of the key differences between rich authors and poor authors.’

RECOMMEND:  Learn [MORE] at a free 75-minute telephone seminar hosted by Steve Harrison of Radio-TV Interview Report, at 2 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 13.    http://www.freepublicity.com/RichAuthorSecrets/?10011