Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s open-air Cenote Pool Deck. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.
Happy Pride Month! Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk will celebrate with a special pride package available throughout the month of June, including pride-themed cocktails, delicious bites, and striking city views from the hotel’s vibrant rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters, and open-air Cenote Pool Deck, complete with luxury cabanas and a poolside bar for all-day entertainment. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2023)
This June, San Antonio is full of pride parties and rainbow-hued festivities, including the biggest pride parade in South Texas on June 24, featuring live music, family-friendly drag performances, and LGBTQ-run artisan and food vendors along the San Antonio Riverwalk.
‘I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey’ by Angie Swetland. Photo: Amazon
It is hard enough having to care for a loved one with dementia, but often, the resources and support system are hard to come by. This resource guide aims to answer readers questions about dementia and gives personal experience accounts and coping tips, all in easy to understand language.
Angie Swetland graduated from Luther College with a degree in Sociology and Religion. Her first job was as Activity Director in a small-town nursing home. Forty years later, she retired as Corporate Director of Customer Relations at Presbyterian Homes and Services (PHS), one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing and services. During her time at PHS, Angie developed curricula for Dementia Care services and worked with care teams to ensure care protocols were in place. Angie also assisted in developing a Dementia Care Specialist certification program offered jointly by the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota and served on its faculty. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of Our Lady of Peace Hospice and Home. Angie facilitates a Dementia Caregiver Support Group at Easter Lutheran Church and enjoys public speaking to area churches and other organizations about Dementia Care. Her book “I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” gives answers to some of their commonly asked questions about dementia as well as coping strategies for the future. (Angie Swetland, 2023)
“I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” – In the U.S. today, over 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia. Each of these individuals has a story and each one has caregivers with stories of their own. You have questions – so many questions about what is happening now, and what is to come. How do I cope with this new manifestation of the disease? How do I prepare for an uncertain future? This is especially true when just navigating your way through each day can be overwhelming. In navigating this journey, it is important to remember two essential truths. The first is that the body may fail, and the mind may wander, but the spirit – the person inside – remains intact. The caregiver’s role is to maximize the remaining strengths of the person they care for. The second is that you are not alone. Caregiving is often an isolating experience. Stories from the lives of others let us know that our experiences are not unique. Be assured that many have gone before, and others are walking the same road today.
Melissa Smith’s new book “Authentically Grounded.” Photo: Melissa Smith, used with permission.
Part of self care usually means journaling as a way to get to know yourself better. For some people, this comes easy, while for others, they could benefit from guidance from an outside source. In today’s book news, Melissa Smith’s new book “Authentically Grounded: A Guided Journal for Unraveling and Soothing Your Soul” is this type of resource guide meant to guide you in your journey to self discovery and connecting with yourself.
Melissa Smith holds a Master of Science in Reading Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Radford University. Her academic background and esteemed personal and professional experiences equip her with the knowledge and empathy necessary to navigate complex social issues. Melissa’s career began as an elementary school teacher in underserved schools, where she utilized her skills to help students overcome personal and systemic obstacles. Today, she uses her platform to illuminate and challenge societal norms and systemic barriers, inspiring individuals, particularly Black women with diverse, intersectional identities, to embrace their authentic selves. (Melissa Smith, 2023)
As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Authentically Grounded, Melissa aids individuals and communities in breaking free from oppressive societal constructs, promoting their well-being, and encouraging the exploration of their unique identities. She provides transformative coaching, consulting, and development services, specializing in emotional flexibility, culturally humble pedagogy, decolonization practices, personal development, and self-exploration. Her work is clearly multifaceted, covering a broad spectrum of transformative personal and social change. With her authentic storytelling and ability to facilitate difficult discussions, Melissa connects with her audience on a profound level.
In her transformation from a public school educator to a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) professional leader, Melissa focuses on empowering others to acknowledge their potential and promote inclusivity in all walks of life. Join her on this transformative journey as she continues to inspire and liberate people worldwide. Her new book “Authentically Grounded: A Guided Journal for Unraveling and Soothing Your Soul” is a one-of-a-kind tool designed to help you tap into your inner strength and connect with yourself on a deep level.
Author Melissa Smith. Photo: Melissa Smith, used with permission.
“Authentically Grounded: A Guided Journal for Unraveling and Soothing Your Soul” offers a refreshing approach to self-exploration by providing a safe and empowering space to celebrate your strengths, acknowledge your challenges, and explore your inner self. Through a unique blend of introspective prompts, self-care practices, and mindfulness exercises, this guided journal provides a nurturing environment for exploring your patterns, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, enabling you to reconnect with your sense of self.
“Authentically Grounded” offers a distinctive method of supporting individuals from communities that have been historically excluded, marginalized, and underserved. This guided journal deliberately creates a welcoming environment for these communities to delve into their experiences, emotions, and feelings as they navigate their path toward personal growth and healing. You are worthy and deserving of the life you want, and you have the power to create it, one step at a time. Whether seeking inner peace, building self-confidence, or cultivating a deeper self-awareness, experience the transformative power of Authentically Grounded: A Guided Journal for Unraveling and Soothing your Soul.
Start your journey toward authenticity and wholeness today!
‘I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life’ by Randa and Nadiath Adechoubou. Photo: Amazon
For readers who like inspirational and self-help books, “I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” by Randa and Nadiath Adechoubou is a collection of inspirational quotes and positive affirmations that is sure to lift your spirits.
Randa Adechoubou holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a BPhil in political science from Northwestern University. When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Randa is exploring or daydreaming about her next travel destination. In her books, she provides practical action plans to help you recognize what is keeping you stuck, as well as the talents and brilliance you can use to move forward —all in a friendly conversational tone. So be prepared to laugh and learn as you will finally find the confidence to let your brilliance shine. She is the author, along with Nadiath Adechoubou, of “I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” – a collection of inspirational quotes that will inspire you to live your best life. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Bookshop, among others. (Randa Adechoubou, 2023)
“I Hope You Dance: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Enjoy the Magic of Life” – Have you ever wondered why some people can, but others cannot? How some can stay positive when others cannot find the light in the darkest times of their lives? Experiences leave their mark, and for those who have gone through difficult times, they know the tough times never last. They kept going, trusting they would see light at the end of the tunnel. In this book, the authors have created a collection of funny, uplifting, and inspirational quotes to get us motivated. Whether you are looking for that creative spark, trying to find the energy to carry on, or just want to put a smile on your face, “I Hope You Dance” will be your companion. This book is for anyone who needs a pick me up, anyone who has been knocked to the bottom, and anyone struggling to get back up: keep on dancing.
‘The Legend of The Black Shadow’ is a western novel by Elonzo Phillips. Photo: Amazon
Elonzo Phillips is a writer who was born and raised in Wharton, Texas. He started writing when he was 19 years old while in his second semester in college and wrote his first book when he was 21. By the time he graduated college, he had written four books. He wanted to become a writer because he has always excelled at creating stories, both fiction and non-fiction. When he was in school, he was constantly teased for daydreaming and now he has turned it into writing, his favorite hobby, for when he is daydreaming, he is re-writing reality in his head as his own personal multiverse. His favorite author is Stephen King and the movies based on his books, especially Stand By Me, Misery, Pet Sematary, and The Shawshank Redemption partially inspired him to become a writer. His book “The Legend of the Black Shadow” is the story of Bryce Taylor, a young black cowboy out to prove that life can be lived without hate, conflicts, or wars. A reading sample is available on Amazon. (Elonzo Phillips, 2023)
“The Legend of the Black Shadow” – Even as a kid, young Bryce Taylor watched the evil of the West slaughter both his family and his friend. Since then, Bryce has traveled all over the West, feared as the famous mask gunman, known as The Black Shadow, who wanted nothing more than to stand and fight for colored folks and for folks of different ethnicities, proving that all humans are the same and should be treated the same, regardless of color. During his journey around the West, he crosses paths with friends and foes, who hate, fear, and like him.
Move Offshore offers quality business support services. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Being a small business owner or entrepreneur is hard enough without having to deal with the challenges that come with the IT aspect of business. Successfully running a business nowadays requires having the digital skills to compete in an ever evolving and competitive marketplace. Whether you are setting up a small business, are an independent author or artist, or simply want to dedicate your time to running your business, outsourcing business support services like digital marketing, social media marketing, and SEOservices makes excellent business sense. Professional companies like Move Offshore specialize in business support services. They have an expert global team and two decades of experience providing quality business services to companies that need such support. (Move Offshore, 2023)
Since 2004, Move Offshore has been a leader of the business and knowledge service industry. The main office is in Orlando, Florida and they have three support centers in India. They offer a wide range of professional business services that can help your business reach its full potential. Their dedicated staff works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all federal holidays, to ensure you get the best, round-the-clock service and on-site managers are always ready to assist you in any business needs you may have. Whether you require digital marketing, social media marketing, or SEO services, they are available to help.
More information about some of their services:
SEO – their team of SEO experts will help your website grow organically and exponentially.
Digital Marketing – includes a social media manager, email marketer, and market analyst.
Social Media Management – they will keep a vibrant social media presence for your business on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more.
Web Development Services – if you need website design, they can build anything from a single page to a functioning e-commerce site.
Information Research – their data AI and automation services will perform a thorough target market data analysis.
What makes Move Offshore a better choice? They are the cost-effective alternative to hiring additional in house staff, they specialize in small businesses, and their dedicated staff is always available to handle any questions or concerns you may have. Need more information? You can reach out to them anytime.
Colter Wall’s new album Little Songs will be out July 14, 2023. Photo: Google
Colter Wall and his music are from the prairies of southern Saskatchewan, where he lives and works. He is a La Honda Records/RCA Records recording artist and has appeared abroad, including Austin City Limits and most recently at the Ponoka Stampede. “Evangelina” is the first release from Wall’s upcoming album, Little Songs which is due out on July 14 via Wall’s longtime label La Honda Records and new partner RCA Records. On Little Songs, Wall’s fans will find the same hardscrabble voice they have loved over the years connecting the contemporary world to the values, hardships, and celebrations of rural life. The ten-song LP features eight originals inspired by—and written in—Wall’s home of Battle Creek, Saskatchewan, along with a Hoyt Axton cut and a cover of Ian Tyson’s “The Coyote & The Cowboy.” (IV-PR, 2023)
“Evangelina,” originally written and recorded by Hoyt Axton, paints a thirsty picture of longing and half-laid plans to chase down a lost love; all backed up by a band steeped in the traditional sounds of Wall’s prairie homelands. Fans can hear “Evangelina” at this link and pre-order or pre-saveLittle Songs ahead of its July 14 release right here. Wall is also gearing up for two rare live appearances at Denver’s Dusty Boots festival on July 1 and Montana’s Under The Big Sky on July 14. More information and tickets are available online.
With his longtime touring band, Wall returned to Yellowdog Studios in Wimberly, Texas, where he cut his 2020, Billboard-charting album, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, to track the ten tunes that make up Little Songs. With co-producer Patrick Lyons, Wall tracked eight original songs and two fan-favorite covers from Ian Tyson and Hoyt Axton. Little Songs is an upbeat, sometimes somber glimpse into the rural work and social life of the Canadian West, and, more so than with previous albums, opens emotional turns as mature and heartening as the resonant baritone voice writing them.
This release of new music follows the recent partnership between Wall’s longtime label La Honda Records and RCA Records, with Little Songs as the first album on the joint venture. Prior to the new album, Wall released two standalone singles—“Cypress Hills and the Big Country” and a cover of Cowboy Jack Clement’s “Let’s All Help the Cowboys (Sing the Blues)”—as well as the 2020 LP Western Swings & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs and Colter Wall and the Scary Prairie Boys’ Live In Front Of Nobody, a 2021 livestream, full-band show turned indie record store, vinyl-only release–a coveted and limited release.
Little Songs track list: Prairie Evening/Sagebrush Waltz Standing Here Corralling The Blues The Coyote & The Cowboy Honky Tonk Nighthawk For a Long While Cow/Calf Blue Yodel Little Songs Evangelina The Last Loving Words
‘Torn’ by Estralia Russelle. Photo: Estralia Russelle, used with permission.
Estralia Russelle is a writer who enjoys independent thinking and creative writing. She writes novels about character development and adventure and spends most of her time in nature, learning about all life and the wonders of creation. The nature of existence captivates her attention. Having traveled to seven continents and many countries, she is intrigued by the different cultures around the world. She studied and practiced the healing arts for several years and is a retired teacher, having taught elementary, middle, and high school. Her new romance novel “Torn” centers around Anora, who after a brokenhearted farewell to her boyfriend Winston decides to move to Australia to get to know her herself and her long-lost biological family. (Estralia Russelle, 2023)
“Torn” – Anora is perplexed when her long-time boyfriend, Winston, announces his abrupt move to India from Germany, where he will be able to fulfill his life’s goal. He insists that coming with him is a mistake but implores her to have faith and wait for him- for two years. She expected to marry Winston. While he has made no such commitment, her heart longs for that future.
Heartbroken and dejected, she searches for a new beginning with her long-lost biological family residing in Australia. Finally, she can get to know her roots. Not only does she become acquainted with the mother she has never known, but siblings, aunts, and the extended family for which she has longed. The shadows of her past haunt her. Deep wounds envelop her heart from years of abuse and neglect. How will she know love when she finds it if she has never been in love?
With this new environment comes new beginnings – including love- that she never expected. Hawthorne is a stunning, tall man with an infectious laugh. He captivates her mind and her heart. However, his culture is foreign to her, leaving her to wonder if she can find unconditional love with someone so different from herself. Nevertheless, Anora finds love, but that is only the beginning. Their families are full of prejudice and threaten to tear them apart. Together, against all odds, they are steadfast in their commitment to one another.
“One of the strengths of ‘Torn’ is Russelle’s beautiful and poignant writing style. The prose is well-crafted, evoking a wide range of emotions in the reader.” Jennellbrown – Barnes & Noble review
Indoor Glamping is just one of the many options available at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Summer is right around the corner, and if you are looking for vacation ideas, check out what is new at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the list of summer activities at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. The resort, superbly situated on 600 pristine acres of rolling hills and tree-lined vistas, offers grand views of the wide open Texas Hill Country. This iconic Lone Star retreat offers endless options of summer entertainment for guests of all ages making it a vacation standout. (JW Marriott San Antonio Country Resort & Spa, 2023)
The luxurious JW Marriott San Antonio features 1,002 newly refreshed guest rooms, a world class spa, 36-hole PGA TOUR golf facility, seven restaurant and lounge options, hiking and biking trails, sports court, Topgolf Swing Suite with a variety of virtual games for all ages, daily summer recreational activities, and more than 265,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it one of the largest JW Marriott resorts in the world.
The summer temperatures may be bigger in Texas, but JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s 9-acre River Bluff Water Experience offers an even bigger cool down – float along the 1,100-foot lazy river, ascend the 35-foot tall Water Tower to experience the two 275-foot-long tube slides, or try the 60-foot tall body slides that soar above the Hill Country at speeds up to 20 miles-per-hour. There are plenty of pools, including a sand beach-entry pool, an activity swimming pool, a kid’s pool and an adult pool. Private cabanas at the Water Experience are available to reserve.
Daily programmed summer recreational activities offer big fun for kids and families. Revel in the Zoomagination Wild Animal Experience, photos with a real-life longhorn, Build-A-Bear Workshop, nightly S’mores by the outdoor fire pit, outdoor movies at the pool, water balloon toss, finger painting party, face painting, balloon artist, family bingo, cookie decorating, and more.
Did you know the Texas longhorn was designated by the state legislature as the state’s “Large Mammal” in 1995? The resort’s Longhorn Scavenger Hunt is available for children to participate in to find the eight stuffed longhorns hidden around the resort. Children are given clues to find the hiding spots, and once found, will take a picture with each longhorn and show the front desk for a tasty prize.
JW Marriott Hill Country Resort offers guests a “Glamp in the Great Indoors” package experience which includes accommodations in a luxury suite designed to emulate an outdoor camp under the big starry night sky of Texas. This suite is a comfortable upgrade to the great outdoors with air conditioning, lots of surrounding comforts and entertainment, and mosquitos are NOT included! An indoor tent sleeps two to three people, and is outfitted with a cozy blanket, longhorn stuffed animal and sleeping bags for young glampers to take home. The Glamping Suite includes a connecting king or double queen room and features over 1,400 square feet of space, a dining table for eight people, and a small kitchenette. Guests can experience nature and make endless family memories, all while enjoying the comfort of the great indoors, room service, and perhaps a relaxing massage. The package is available for stays at the resort now through July 31, 2023, and can be booked online using the promotional code ARN.
Adults have just as much fun as their children at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Golf enthusiasts can master the sport with the 36-hole PGA TOUR golf facility, TPC San Antonio, located within the resort and featuring two golf courses exclusive to resort guests and members. Both courses have played host to PGA TOUR events with The Oaks course serving as the host venue of the PGA TOUR’s Valero Texas Open since 2010. Super Twilight golf will be available for resort guests after 4p.m. during the summer months and is $125 plus tax per player.
Everyone deserves to be pampered during vacation. Drawing upon the vibrant spirit and traditions that have defined the Texas Hill Country for centuries, the award-winning Lantana Spa offers personalized treatments with natural elements offering a holistic approach to revive the mind, body, and spirit.
Located less than 20 minutes from the San Antonio International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offers authentic experiences with influences from the heritage of the Texas Hill Country and the rich culture of the dynamic city of San Antonio, to provide something for everyone for a truly Texas experience.
‘Meru’ is the new science fiction novel by S.B. Divya. Photo: Amazon
S.B. Divya is the Hugo and Nebula nominated author of “Meru,” “Machinehood,” “Runtime,” and “Contingency Plans For the Apocalypse and Other Possible Situations.” Her short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, and she was the co-editor of Escape Pod, the weekly science fiction podcast, from 2017-2022. Divya holds degrees in Computational Neuroscience and Signal Processing, and she worked for twenty years as an electrical engineer before becoming an author. In her new book “Meru,” one woman and her pilot are about to change the future of the species in an epic space opera about aspiration, compassion, and redemption. A reading sample is available on Amazon. (Amazon, 2023)
“Meru” – For five centuries, human life has been restricted to Earth, while posthuman descendants called alloys freely explore the galaxy. When the Earthlike planet of Meru is discovered, two unlikely companions venture forth to test the habitability of this unoccupied new world and the future of human-alloy relations. For Jayanthi, the adopted human child of alloy parents, it is an opportunity to rectify the ancient reputation of her species as avaricious and destructive, and to give humanity a new place in the universe. For Vaha, Jayanthi’s alloy pilot, it is a daunting yet irresistible adventure to find success as an individual. As the journey challenges their resolve in unexpected ways, the two form a bond that only deepens with their time alone on Meru. How can Jayanthi succeed at freeing humanity from its past when she and Vaha have been set up to fail? Against all odds, hope is human, too.
The story takes place in the far, far future when humans, whose numbers have dwindled, live in colonies on Earth and their robot/AI descendants called ‘alloys’ are the next form of intelligent life. This concept in itself is what stands out because of the rapid rise in AI in recent years. Combined with science fiction, space exploration, and genetic engineering, it makes for a complex saga filled with technology, friendships, and the ever increasing question of what it means to be human. There are so many types of technologies introduced, like the bodym, the body’s information network, and an incarn, the temporary body that alloys use while on Earth, that at times it is hard to focus on the story itself. While the use of the pronouns zie/zir is commendable, it can be distracting until/unless the reader gets used to them. The language, while occasionally tech-heavy, is relatively easy to understand and the story is mainly dialogue driven and switches narration between Jayanthi and Vaha. ‘Meru’ is an impressive work of science fiction complete with space travel, world building, exploration of the human condition in the face of insurmountable challenges, and even an interspecies romance. Labeled as The Alloy Era Book 1, the story will likely continue, and is recommended for readers who appreciate books on genetic engineering, space exploration, and science fiction. It is certainly an interesting work of science fiction.
“No amount of grief and rage could overcome a lifetime of conditioning. Do the least amount of harm to every form of consciousness, alive or not. A planet might not think and feel, but it had a place in the universe. It deserved respect and kindness, especially from a puny thing like her, whose survival depended upon it.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
SA Examiner 