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About the AuthorSandra E. Graham Sandra began her formal education in the small town of Egypt, Arkansas. Graduating high school in 1965 she continued her education by attending Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas. From there she went to Crowley’s Ridge Community College, Mississippi Community College, and finally back home to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Visit her website at http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com to see her newest publications. Her first novel, Amos Jakey, the historical adventure of a young boy taken from his home and raised in a Texas border town is available now and soon to be followed by her second book Nicolina from American Book publishing at pdbookstore.com. Sandra also writes book reviews for bookpleasures.com and American Book Publishing. |
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Comments on all articles by Sandra E. Graham (842)     Sandra E. Graham    Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever—Answered Prayers Comment by Kimberly (1,265)   Kimberly (9 days 6 hours ago.) Sandra, I think God had a plan. You knew this lady and her babies, but not well? You told the story beautifully! God Bless, Kimberly Comment by Sandra E. Graham (842) Sandra E. Graham (8 days 19 hours ago.)Thanks for reading and commenting, Kimberly. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I felt especially blessed knowing these beautiful people and being able to share their story with others. Sandra Your First Book Signing?--How to Make it Work Comment by Jeff Brown (5,970)    Jeff Brown (13 days 14 hours ago.)Sandra, Never have truer words been spoken. Writing the book is only a small percentage of the effort. Personally, I'm going the self-publishing route because of the control issue and, hell, even with a publisher the author still has to do his / her own promoting. But even the publishing was a LOT of work: writing, re-writing (40 times!), edit, edit, edit, getting artists for front and back cover work (chasing one down for 5 months!), book cover color and font considerations, and on, and on, and on. Then there's marketing! I've got two books I'm promoting so I'm contacting celebrities, business people, reviewers, academics for a blerb to promote. Then there's the press releases, free copies on my web site, sales letters combined with irresistable offers, print and radio ads, interviews, doing marketing, marketing, marketing, almost on a daily basis month, after, month, after month. Oh yes, there is work to be done. Thanks for the article and the reminder to get back to work!!! Peace out. Sandra E. Graham from Paragould, Arkansas, USA: (13 days 9 hours ago.) Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeff. And I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one out there who is getting beatup in the publishing business. I never dreamed what I would be getting into and I'm beginning to think I might be too old for all this!ha Sandra. Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever—Answered Prayers sue thom from nj: (17 days 15 hours ago.) hi sandra, that is some story, filled with hope and honesty and love. i don't know who this woman was, but God sure thought she was the right one for the job, and it truly appears she was. thanks for a special story of courage, love, and committment a mother can truly understand. best regards, sue Sandra E. Graham from Paragould, Arkansas, USA: (17 days 13 hours ago.) Thanks Sue. I knew this lady and her babies, but not well. I did, however, feel that she deserved our respect for what she went through with her tiny ones. It was a sad story that ended well. Actually, the end was truly a new beginning. Thanks for the comment. Sandra Comment by David Tanguay (5,887)  David Tanguay (18 days 18 hours ago.)A very touching story Sandra, well done. Comment by Sandra E. Graham (842) Sandra E. Graham (18 days 17 hours ago.)Thank you for reading and commenting, David. Sandra Hornet’s Nest or Piñata…? Comment by Daniel Osko (11,865)    Daniel Osko (21 days 19 hours ago.)Hi Sandra! I simply could not agree with you more. Keep up the great work and God Bless. Danny Comment by Teresa Ortiz (2,799)  Teresa Ortiz (25 days 7 hours ago.)Hi Sandra, I agree with you. I had to laugh when you mentioned Mexicans, I know Pinata's well. The whole idea sounds sad when connected to this article. Beat something/someone until you get what you want and throw the bat down when you finally get it with no thought to the one beaten. Thanks for the reminder to pray!!! God forgive us, God help us! Blessings to you. Teresa Comment by Sandra E. Graham (842) Sandra E. Graham (24 days 8 hours ago.)Thanks for the comment Teresa. And you are right we never stop to think about the repercussions when we rush off all gung-ho about something, only to find we have opened 'Pandora's Box'. Then we don't know what to do with what comes out and we don't know how to graciously repair the damage. We are like the spoiled child who has been given too much and never learned how to share. Be well. SEG sue thom from nj: (26 days 10 hours ago.) hi sandra, very well written, interesting article that hit on the truths that we are all facing, but not facing! it's a sad state of affairs. i worry for our children, and theirs. we are heading towards home, they are just growing up. however, on our way home, we still need to live, and afford gas and food and rent and medication, clothes, cars, insurance, and everything else that exists just outside our reach. i agree, may God save us all. best regards, sue thom Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Is The World Ready for a Defenseless Superpower?....are we ready to become one? Comment by Rob Lafferty (158)   Rob Lafferty (33 days 5 hours ago.) You stirred up the pot a bit there, didn't you, Sandra...and we can cut defense spending considerably while improving the internal security of the country. It just requires a tightly focused set of priorities that, as you say, are all about defense and not about agression, invasion or occupation outside of American borders. I'm not saying that Obama can or will make that happen, but he's on the right track, I think. Thanks for posting your views on this, Rob Would You Give Your Heart? Comment by Steve Radford (761)  Steve Radford (40 days 5 hours ago.)Sandra, I thought I gave 5 stars but must have missed a line. I liked the article much more than it appears I did in the previous comment! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Steve Radford (761) Steve Radford (40 days 6 hours ago.) Interesting, thoght provoking article Sandra. I never gave much thought to the potential abuses surrounding such a noble gesture. I agree with you though. It would be a shame to let a few squelch the opportunity for the many that need a transplant. sue thom from nj: (40 days 13 hours ago.) hi sandra, i agree with everything you said. i have been an organ donor for years, and if i can help another live or see or hear or walk or digest, because my life is ended, why not? thanks for a well written, interesting article, best regards, sue thom Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) A Grandmother’s Folley Comment by LM Davids (5,421)  LM Davids (44 days 18 hours ago.)Hey Sandra. I loved your story. You are one ornery grandma. I hope I will be just like you! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Gillian Appleyard (13) (45 days 22 hours ago.) Helo,Sandra, You was very Brave incurring wrath and still not geting upset. I think i might try that though when i become a Grandmother!! Happy Day Gillian Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) susan thom from nj: (46 days 1 hour ago.) hi sandra, what a great idea. i marvel at how you were able to laugh after getting thrown out! :) i wonder what a fake tattoo would have got you? you did a great job in sticking to the premise of the assignment. happy april fool's day, best regards, sue thom Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Bobby Jensen (192)  Bobby Jensen (46 days 9 hours ago.)hahaha I simple loved this story!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) What Price Would You Put on a Nine-year-old’s Life? Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677)  James P Krehbiel (49 days 10 hours ago.)Sandra, As a therapist working with children, I have had the unfortunate need to give deposition regarding abuse and other child rights violations. I have been shot down by attorneys, judges,and state law over the well-being of kids. There is nothing fair about protecting the rights of children. Rarely have I been able to advocate effectively within the courts for kids. Each time I have been dismissed, I have later been vindicated for my position. I have an upcoming case where I must testify regarding a seven year old who was sexually molested by her father. I am not hopeful that this girl will get vindication through my day in court pleading on her behalf. Thanks for a powerful, sensitive article. And thanks for sticking up for that little girl! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Judi Lake (2,537)  Judi Lake (50 days 4 hours ago.)Sandra, unfortunately, this does not surprise me. When my mom passed away in '98 I, in the beginning of my mourning, was angry because none of her doctors treated her properly. After speaking with seven Manhattan lawyers, I was frazzled because even though they did agree that my mother's death was a "wrongful" death, it was also brought to my attention that neither a "homemaker" or a child is worth bringing to court because neither are considered breadwinners. On the otherhand, when my dad was 80, his driving became so eratic that I begged his insurance company to demand he take a driving test since I, as his daughter, would be confronted with an argument from my dad. It didn't seem to matter to the insurance company, regardless of all of his accidents - the bottom line was that as long as he could afford the premiums, he could still drive... I don't get it at all... not at all. Good article, Sandra! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Teresa Ortiz (2,799) Teresa Ortiz (50 days 8 hours ago.)Hi Sandra, I have yet to receive one of those little cards. O how I wish I would. My second love beside ministry is criminal justice. I agree that many lawyers are snakes, but I happen to know a few that are not. I am proud they are in the system and just wish there were more of them. But you know, we can't blame it all on the lawyers, those people could have had a heart like yours and ruled for more anyway. I pray more people had a heart like yours. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of things outside of my little world that I need to be praying for. God Bless you! Teresa Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) susan thom from nj: (51 days 16 hours ago.) hi sandra, if i was on trial, i'd want you on my jury. maybe people on trial are requesting you :) during this past year of about 10 court trips, 3 mediations, and not being able to get my son his car from his father so he could take his driver's test, i am completely flabbergasted at the incompetence i have witnessed.and the rudeness.and the power of a judge to take my home away, for what reason? i didn't do anything. thanks for a well written article. susan thom esq. :) just kidding. although, i did want to be a lawyer growing up. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Myla Madson (1,978)  Myla Madson (51 days 17 hours ago.)My sister hired an attorney to draw up paper work for an adoption two years ago. The attorney made so many errors that the petition fo adoption was thrown out and a massive custody battle insued costing my sister, to date, over $15,000. This little girl has lived with my sister and her husband since she was five weeks old and has learning disabilities dueto the mothers use of drugs while pregnant. This "mother" also had another child taken from her by social services. Due to errors made by the attorney, my sister stands the chance of evetually losing this child, not to mention a ton of money that could have been spent on her care. They are trying to find a lawyer who will sue the original attorney for malpractice but of course these animals will only turn on the innocent and never themselves. I HATE and despise lawyers and I truely cannot say that about anyone or anything else. They are awful cold hearted people who, if there is any justice at all, will spend eternity burning in Hell. Very well written article by the way! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Is The World Ready for a Defenseless Superpower?....are we ready to become one? Comment by Mr. Keith (1,956)  Mr. Keith (59 days 4 hours ago.) Franklin D. Roosevelt..... Delano that is..........I Know his middle name. I guess I am a white man who hates white people because I used the middle name of a white man. A great article and I agree with all of it! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Easter Bunny Tales Anonymous: (62 days 23 hours ago.)  Your story made me teary-eyed. I could picture the easter egg hunts from the time you were four until you became a grandma. It gave me such a good feeling. Thanks for sharing! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) susan thom from nj: (63 days 6 hours ago.) hi sandra, what a warm, inviting, well written article. brought back many happy memories, of myself as a kid, and then my own kids. now, i'm waiting for grandchildren! hey-you were already one step brighter at 4:at four years old, would never eat an egg laid by a rabbit and told my mother so. thanks for sharing, and a happy and Blessed Easter to you and yours, best regards, sue thom Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Myla Madson (1,978) Myla Madson (63 days 11 hours ago.)I have many wonderful memories of Easter as well. I know a lot of people are condeming those that associate the easter bunny and eggs and candy with what the true meaning of easter should be, but any thing that brings family together and makes people remeber such wonderful times, cannot be wrong, however you choose to view it! Great article. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) jamespkrehbiel from scottsdale, az: (63 days 12 hours ago.) Sandra, Thanks for a wonderful story of your memories. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Is The World Ready for a Defenseless Superpower?....are we ready to become one? Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (68 days 6 hours ago.)Sandra, I reread this article and some of your other political articles. I made an assumption that I should not have made. I truly apologize for not trusting you and giving you the benefit of the doubt. It was wrong and I regret my haste in reacting. Be well. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (69 days 5 hours ago.)Sandra, I was just made aware that on Friday, US Republican Representative from Iowa, Steve King gave a radio interview regarding his view on national defense and the Obama campaign. He said the following: "Additionally, his (Obama) middle name (Hussein) does matter," King said. "It matters because they (Islamic radicals) read a meaning into that in the rest of the world. That has a special meaning to them. They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name. They will be dancing in the streets because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: Pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict." Does this rhetoric sound familiar? It should because it reflects the tenor of your article. Is this the America you love? Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (69 days 7 hours ago.)Sandra, PS. I am sure that you and Michael are aware that John McCain recently terminated his association with a campaign worker over the issue of mentioning the middle name of Mr. Obama as a way of linking him to the Muslim community and playing to the fears of voters! Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (69 days 8 hours ago.)This article is very disturbing to me. To suggest that using Obama's middle name was innocent or not racially motivated does not seem plausible. I do not hear anyone calling John McCain by his middle name. I have not heard anyone calling Hillary Clinton by her middle name. I did not hear anyone calling Mike Hugglebee by his middle name. You say that you assumed everyone knows his middle name and it was not politically or racially motivated. What people DO KNOW is that those who are trying to detrail his candidacy have used his middle name and other slanderous comments that are derogatory and racially insensitive. You say you are tolerant, but I have a hard time trusting that. I noticed that Mr Kocis also called him by his middle and justified it as well. No, this is not what we do here in America. Although we say we are not racist or bigoted, I am afraid politically motivated dirty tricks will continue to go on as long as Barack Obama is a candidate for President. Comment by Michael Kocis (1,069)  Michael Kocis (69 days 12 hours ago.)Excellent article my Dear. I believe you do love America, as much as I do, as much as many of us do. Is it perfect ? No, but it's still the best on this planet. To have a defensless nation is to invite trouble, with open arms and our pants down. Barack Hussein Obama wants to be President, well a lot of people are going to have to get use to his middle name being used. It's what we do here in America, Every President has his middle name known. I find it rather interesting the only people I've heard get upset or inflamed about it are those that hate when it is used. Again, Sandra, I applaud your view on keeping America strong, safe and free. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (69 days 17 hours ago.)Sandra, Respectfully. If you really love America as you say, you would not have made a disparaging, racist comment by using Barack Obama's middle name to make your point. You did that like others to flame the fires by suggesting that he is Muslim. That comment alone is un-American and uncalled for regardless of your views! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Chronic Pain—When the Fix Hurts Worse Than the Pain Comment by Michele Winslow (773) (81 days 19 hours ago.)Excellently written, felt as though you have been with me on my visits. Developed arthritis at ten. In those days not much was know about childhold arthritis, it was a disease of the elderly. Later I fell and fractured my spine, was told I would never walk again, but being a single parent, I had not choice and I'm still walking today. A good day is when I control the pain, a bad one is when the pain controls me.....have more good than bad. Recently, back began to hurt due to a sprang muscle. Actually had to go to doctor, the pain was so bad. Got muscle relaxants and pain pills. Took meds, as prescribed, with food. About a week later, I developed stomach cramps. Cramps so severe I was crying. Seems that cramps were one of the "may cause" of the pain medication. Next time, I will continue with Motrin or some other OTC medication. In this case, as your articale said, the fix hurt worse than the pain. Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Camille Strate (1,248)   Camille Strate (83 days 11 hours ago.)sandra, as always, your article is filled with as much content as humor...which i adore. (yes, i'm skipping the caps...just a kick i'm on...) anyway, just wanted to offer this thought ~ as a person who's dealt with back pain as well as some other 'unknown' chronic pain of late, i can relate to what you're saying. and here's what is working for me (because i refuse to take the dreaded meds/therapies the docs carelessly recommend)~ i use meditation and visualization to release the pain. i know it sounds weird, but after 9 months of excruciating pain i just decided to give it up to god. and there you have it...i could go on about this, but not here. maybe read the article i wrote about 'getting past the pain...". it kind of covers my perspective. thanks for your much-valued input. you're wonderful! Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Comment by Susan Thom (8,101)  Susan Thom (84 days 7 hours ago.)hi sandra, wonderfully written article. my partner suffers from back, knee, and herniated disc problems, and some days, i have to walk down the stairs sideways because my knees won't hold me, but we keep on going, as you do. our bodies like to show us who's boss once i a while, i think. okay, already, we get the point! thanks for sharing, best regards, sue thom Response from Sandra E. Graham (842) Valentine’s Day---What is it good for???? Comment by Teresa Ortiz (2,799) Teresa Ortiz (93 days 7 hours ago.)Hi Sandra, what a sweet story-thanks for sharing. My husband doesn't buy me flowers or candy for valentine's day or anyday for that matter, seems in the past that everytime he did, I ended up sick and in the hospital before i could enjoy them-I think he thought it was his fault, but I do have to say, I haven't been in the hospital since the last time he bought me flowers...hmm! Happy Valentine's day right back to ya! Teresa If Hillary Wins the Whitehouse, What will we do With First Lady, Bill? Comment by Camille Strate (1,248) Camille Strate (93 days 9 hours ago.)Well done, Sandra! I agree wholeheartedly. I always thought Hilary ran the country when Bill was Prez. She's just too brilliant to stand in the background. And I think she's smarter than he is. They make a great team, in my humble opinion. I think it's time for us to see what a woman can do...and it's my belief that even though she may have a tough row to hoe at first, if she's given 2 terms she'll be able to clean up the mess we're in and get us back to America! I think Bill is smart enough to know how to 'smile pretty' and stand back. As far as his 'antics' are concerned, he certainly wasn't the first. He just got caught. I don't care what they do for 'fun', so long as they're taking care of our country. They can go to hula classes for all I care. Just get the job done! Valentine’s Day---What is it good for???? Comment by James P Krehbiel (1,677) James P Krehbiel (93 days 12 hours ago.)Sandra, Great story. |
