Ordinary Days November Contest Results

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Deanne Durrett

Thank you to everyone who entered the Ordinary Days Contest. I’ve enjoyed reading about your ordinary days that became special and I hope others have, too. I’m glad I decided to have a drawing instead of choosing a favorite or the best entry. They were all so good, and individual, I could not have made a choice. You’re all the best! It was much easier to shake the bits of paper a few times, and then reach in and pluck one out. Still, I had to close my eyes and hold my breath. A choice like this is stressful!

As you can see, I treasure your entries and couldn’t resist adding a dash of sparkle and beauty to the bowl of entries.

And… The winner is:

Gloria Harchar!

Thank you for sharing your special day and entering my contest. I’ll contact you for your address so I can send your prize. I hope you enjoy the cardholder and may every card you give away help build your following.

The contest was fun and I’m planning another soon. Keep watch!

What Makes an Ordinary Day Special Contest

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Deanne Durrett

Win this shiny engraved business card case shown in its little black box.

Every day is ordinary until something makes it special. Something happens and an extraordinary moment sets the day apart. A day made special can be happy or sad. Whether the memory is joyful or sorrowful, it’s one that won’t be forgotten.

I’ve already blogged about some of my Ordinary Days. Other memories from my special days include:

A black and white Shetland pony tied to a mesquite tree on Christmas Eve.
A phone call that included hysterical words “stopped breathing” and “on the way to the hospital” with very loud sirens blaring in the background.
An email: Call my dad. There’s a shooter at my school and we on lock-down.
A bearded iris that only blooms in spring, bloomed one difficult day in July.
A runaway horse with a toddler in the saddle.
The florist arrived at my door with a dozen red roses.

I’ll tell these stories later, but now…

A CONTEST FOR YOU

I’d like to know what made your ordinary days special. Tell me about your special day in a comment and I’ll give you a chance to win a prize. Comment on this blog with just a few words or a whole story you’d like to share. One comment entry per person per day. You get one entry for just a hello. Two entries for a sentence about a memorable moment. Five entries for a paragraph or two telling the story of your special day. Comment on another person’s comment, one entry. One entry for comments on any other post on my blog. Contest ends Wednesday November 28. The winner will be announced Friday November 30.

It’s shiny on the inside, too. I keep a few cards in mine and it serves as a handy unbreakable mirror when I need a quick lipstick touch-up. If you win, I hope you enjoy the cardholder and it’s reminder that “Every day is ordinary until something makes it special.”

Navajo Code Talkers

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Deanne Durrett

I was privileged to write [amazon_link id=”0803224567″ target=”_blank” ]Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers[/amazon_link], a book about a select group of Navajo recruited for special duty in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. On this Veteran’s Day, 2012, I want to honor them and their code – a National Security asset that remained classified decades after World War II ended.

The first 29 Navajo Code Talkers were young men with little education. For some, it was their first time off the reservation. They were chosen because they each met some unique requirements needed to protect American National Security – they spoke a little known and very difficult native language, they were fluent in English, and they were loyal Americans ready to defend their country.

The day they graduated boot camp, they boarded a bus to a secure location where they received their assignment — Develop a battlefield code based on the Navajo language that the Japanese cannot break. They didn’t know where to begin this overwhelming task. The Japanese were breaking the tactical codes produced by experienced and well-educated military minds as fast as the codes became operational. Still, these unique young Navajos were honored to be chosen for this special assignment and they were determined to carry it out. Within a short time, they impressed their superior officers with their amazing success.

The Code Talkers and their code were operational by the time the Marines landed on Guadalcanal. They were fast. They were accurate. And, they made a contribution to the war effort in the Pacific. They returned home with orders to keep the code secret. And ,they did until the Navajo Code was declassified in 1969. Since then, they have received honor and recognition for their contribution to victory in the Pacific from Presidents, Congress, and the American people.

Today, Chester Nez, the last of the original 29 is still making history. http://bit.ly/RJtRcQ

I wrote Unsung Heroes to honor them and offer my salute for their determination, skill, and courage. However, they are only a few among many men and women who have gallantly fought to protect America.This weekend we honor all Amereica’s veterans for their contribution to the security of our great nation.

[amazon_image id=”0803224567″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers[/amazon_image]

Click book cover to buy