31 Today.

Thirty-one (31) -years-old today! I like to think that if I could start over from day one that I’d do some things differently, but I’m afraid I’d probably do all the same things over again exactly the same way I did it the first time. It is a reminder of the age-old question: are we victims of fate or do we have the power to create our own destiny?

I went to pick my mother up a sausage biscuit and orange juice from McDonald’s this morning. I picked up a plain biscuit for myself and a large coffee. I had planned to take a different route home to show I have power to create my own destiny. I forgot. I do plan to do something different or unique in the next few days. Go to a new store. Take a different road home. I'm not sure yet. I want to have that delusion of free will and control.

My father worked until noon today. He is a school principal and their school is having super Saturday learning for students.

I met up with my brother Jimmy to watch the movie, “Sucker Punch,” around 12:30. My dad went home to rest during this time. I enjoy the movie all right. My brother Jimmy said he plans to get it on blue ray. My sister Carrie and her boyfriend Matt went to this movie, too. They didn’t enjoy it so much.

I had my favorite Chick-fil-A with Carrie and Matt after the movie.
My brother, his wife, Emily, and my favorite (and only) nephew Gage met us at my parent’s house for the party.

I feel that I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m very fortunate to have lived 31 years. I am in pretty
good health. I don’t need glasses at this time. I’m lucky I can see, hear, walk, drive, and do so many things. I’m lucky that I have good family, friends, and a job that I love. I’m fortunate to be an American. I really have everything I could possible need.

I received 99 facebook comments to wish me happy birthday from family, friends, and others.

I received a few personal facebook emails too.

My parents decided to get me a Cookie-cake from the Great-American Cookie Company (it has a picture of a book on it) and a Chocolate cake with icing from Kroger’s and (vanilla/ strawberry/ chocolate) ice cream.

I gave my nephew Gage (4-year-old) a picture book. It is called, “I love you because you’re you.” It has pictures of a momma fox and a little boy fox. It rhymes. I have given Gage at least one book per month since January (2010). Today was a good day to bring his March book to him. My parents, sister, and brother all live in Beckley, W.Va. I live two hours away in Huntington, W.Va.

My good family gave me a lot of gifts. I’m happy with them. I have some mix feelings. I told my father that I felt guilty for getting so many nice things.
I got jeans, two polo-shirts, an amazon.com gift card, a book (the lost or forgotten states of America), and five West Virginia scratch-off lotto tickets. I won $1.

My sister and Matt gave me two AE t-Shirts.

My brother and his wife gave me a graphic novel and a comic book.

I won’t be spending the $25 Amazon gift card anytime soon because I already have a stack of books to read. I’m currently reading The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. I love this series.

Yours,
Danny.

West Virginia leads nation in smoking

West Virginia leads the nation is most smokers.

The CNN smoking state statistics claim that 26.5 percent of the people in W.Va. smoke.



I'm a non-smoker in W.Va., but I do know many people who smoke.



I find it interesting that our friends to the east in the Old Dominion, Virginia, have one of the lowest percentages of smokers in the nation. A lot changes when you cross the border from Virginia into West Virginia.



Beleive Indiana was 2nd with 26% of their population smoking.



http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/26/smoking.state.statistics/index.html?hpt=Sbin



Think the overall number of smokers will decrease in the future.

Based on my expeirences, it seems like younger generations don't think that smoking is all that cool. At least, I hope this opinion is right.

Writing could improve reading skills

Believe reading is the key to succeeding. That was the full concept of my book, “Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom.” It was a self-improvement book with the subtitle, “A Recreational Therapist’s System on How You Can Become Great at Anything.” Believe the wisdom of the world is hidden in books. You must be an avid reader to discover these secrets.

Turns out that writing can also improve your ability to read.

You can download the electronic copy of the report called:

Writing to Read: Evidence for How Writing Can Improve Reading

This report was commissioned by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and published by the Alliance for Excellent Education.

Here is the link:
http://www.all4ed.org/files/WritingToRead.pdf
Realized that former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise is the president of the Alliance. Glad to see him promoting reading and writing.


Here is a link for the Carnegie Corporation on literacy:

www.carnegie.org/literacy

Want to discover more wisdom on the importance of reading? If so, check out "Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom." Go to this link for more info.

http://astore.amazon.com/hiddensecretwisdom-20/detail/1442105739

Cora Seaman's book, "Emily's Quest."

Believe reading is the key to succeeding. Wisdom is hidden in books, but you must be an avid reader to discover the secrets. My self-improvement book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom is about the importance of reading for personal development.

Danny’s Book Recommendation:

Here is a video of Cora talking about her book, "Emily's Quest."







Get Emily's Quest at this Amazon link:



Cora Seaman is the author of these books, too:







Thinking About Publishing a Book, but don't know where to start?

Let Cordon Publications Help!

My good friend, Cora Seaman is the operator of Cordon Publications.

You could easily self-publish your book with her Cordon Publications program.

It is user friendly, you'll get personal attention, technical assistance, and a professional layout service for the book cover and inside of the book.

For more information:

Go online: http://www.CordonPublications.com

Call: 812-303-9070

Write: 731 C. Erie Ave., Evansville, Indiana 47715

============================
Want to discover more about the importance of reading and secrets on success?
If so, check out Danny Pettry’s book,
Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom.

Eliot Parker’s book, “The Prospect”

Believe reading is the key to succeeding. Wisdom is hidden in books, but you must be an avid reader to discover the secrets. My self-improvement book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom is about the importance of reading for personal development.

Danny’s Book Recommendation:


Eliot Parker is an Assistant Professor of English at Marshall Community and Technical College (Huntington, West Virginia). He’s also a Teacher Consultant with the national writing project and a literay reviewer with the Military Writers Society of America and Dorrance Publishing. He’s a fairly well-rounded person when it comes to English and writing. Personally, I want to take one of his writing courses because he’s not only a teacher, but he has written a novel. It is my goal to write a novel after completing my current book on becoming nice.

Eliot Parker’s book, “The Prospect” is about a fictional baseball team in West Virginia. It’s the story of their season. They have the number one pitching prospect. But beyond baseball, this is a story about family and community.

Here is a video where Eliot tells more about his book:

Get Eliot Parker’s Book here:




============================

Want to discover more about the importance of reading and secrets on success?

If so, check out Danny Pettry’s book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom.

Coal Miner had Premonitions

Beleive that humans have access to more wisdom. Think we received premonitions from time-to-time. Here is an example:

Josh Napper was one of the coal miners who was killed in the explosion in West Virginia near my hometown of Beckley.

Napper had a odd feeling that something might happen.

Napper left a note with his family. This note was posted in an article by associated press writer John Raby. Raby reported that Napper had a feeling after being sent home early on April 2nd due to air problems with the mine. Here is what the letter said:

If anything happens to me, I will be looking down from heaven. If you take care of my baby girl, watch over (her), tell her all the good things about her daddy. She was so cute and funny. She was my little peanut. And Jennifer, I know things have never been the greatest sometimes, but I just want you to know I love you and I care about you. Josh Napper.

Source:

Raby, J. (2010, April 9). Note for family among W.Va. mine victims' stories. Associated Press. Retrieved online from yahoo on April 9, 2010, from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mine_explosion_victim_vignettes

Help Families of the Coal Mine Explosion

AS you probably already know, a coal mine explosion in West Virginia had taken the lives of many coal miners earlier this week. Four miners are still missing. Still holding on to hope that we'll have a survivor.

Here are some ways to help:


Donations can also be mailed to:
First Community Bank
Montcoal WV Coal Mine Disaster Victims Fund
1220 Ritter Drive
Daniels, WV 25832

Da'Sean Butler and Bob Huggins.

Da'Sean Butler, a West Virginia University (WVU) basketball (forward) player was injured in the WVU - Duke 2010 Final Four Game. Hated to see Butler hurt or anyone for that matter. Butler had been hit in his head with an elbow earlier in the game. His head was bleeding. He had a serious knee injury during the second half. Video shown below. Butler was shown being taken out of on a little motorized cart.

Butler is good person. ESPN had said earlier in the game that he had completed more hours of volunteering than any other basketball player. They showed Bulter before the game, too. Butler was at the hospital visiting a woman who was elder. The woman had had a heart attack while watching the WVU - University of KY game in the elite eight. Butler heard about her and independently went to the hospital to see her.

Beleive Butler should be acknowledge more, so I'm writing this article about him. As you know from my book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom, I have a full chapter on doing-good. So, here my blog to acknowledge him. Brenda Quinn (2009, Feb. 1st) had written an article on Butler at Basketball Times Online. Quinn pointed out that Butler would be the first to volunteer to travel 40-mins. to talk to some kids. Butler has a good work ethic. He doesn't bring trouble to his team. He supports his co-players. Butler is a true West Virginian.

Admire Butler for his good deeds. Think he is a real all-star athlete because he is also a good person. tired of all the trash talking, mean-spirited, getting into trouble athletes that area always on the news.

Coach Bob Huggings is a good person, too. Think Huggins may have a healer personality in him. Watch the video.


Go here to watch the video:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Video-Huggins-consoles-Butler-in-front-of-milli?urn=ncaab,231951

Source:
Quinn, F. (2009, Feb. 1). More old school than cool: WVUs De'Shawn Butler. http://www.basketballtimesonline.com/2010/02/more-old-school-than-cool-wvus-dasean.html

Last WWI Vet Turns 109-years-old.

Frank Buckles turned 109-years-old.

He is the last U.S. veteran alive from World War I.

Buckles is an American and he is from West Virginia.

Buckles is fighting to get a WWI memorial in mall in Washington, D.C.

There is a memorial for all other great wars of the century at the mall.

Here are two YouTube videos on Buckles when he was only 106-years-old.



Part II



Here is a link to the CNN article on Buckles:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/01/last.world.war.one.vet/index.html?hpt=C2


Here is a book in my personal library.

Maoshing Ni's Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100

Check it out at the Amazon link below...

How to be happy (book suggestion)

Wild and wonderful news shared today. West Virginia was ranked #34 out of 50 states and the D.C. in “happiest” states. This was a better score compared to a recent scale, which W.Va. was ranked in the last ten. So, be happy West Virginia!

People in this study were given a numerical scale to report their own level of happiness. It is a life-satisfaction scale. A second part of the measurement was an observation of things in each state that could cause a person to smile or frown, such as: weather, air quality, costs, etc. Study lasted from 2005 until 2008 and had 1.3 million participants.

Recreational therapists, like me, take an active role in promoting people’s overall life-satisfaction, well-being, and happiness. Many recreational therapists work in psychiatric or mental health settings. They treat people with illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Do you want to feel happier?

Mother called me last week. Said she found a neat book I’d enjoy. She said the book reminded her of my book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom. Think you’ll enjoy this book, too.

It’s called: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, which was released this month. It’s a memoir based on one-year, which the author used wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and lessons from popular culture on how to be happy – from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah.

Click on the amazon banner here for more information about the book:



The author keeps a blog for this book.

Follow it here:

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Check out Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom, too.

Go here:



Source for happiness study here:

Bryner, J. (Dec 17, 2009). Happiest U.S. states pinned down. Live Science. Retrieved online (Dec. 17, 2009) from this site: http://www.livescience.com/culture/091217-happy-state-list.html

Here's The #1 Way To Learn Anything

Jack Canfield posted the following quote on his Facebook page today:

“For virtually everything that you want to do there are books and courses on how to do it.”

Jack Canfield is the best-selling co-creator of the Chick Soup Series and he’s the author my all-time favorite self-improvement book: The Success Principles.

Canfield has been a strong influence in my life. I’ve read many of his books, listened to his courses on audio, and have watched him speak on DVDs. He is on my list of must-meet people, too. I’ve enjoyed Canfield in The Aladdin Factor (book and audio), Dare to Dream (book), The Secret (DVD and book), and many, many others.

Canfield is also a West Virginian. He grew up in the small town of Wheeling, West Virginia. As you already know, West Virginia is often behind the rest of the nation in rankings. If a Canfield can become a world-record holder for having the most books on the New York Times Best-selling List and he’s from West Virginia – Then a person from anywhere can get almost anything they want, too.

Canfield made it clear in his quote: “There are books and courses on how to do it.”

I take the same approach to success. In my recent book, “Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom,” I encourage people to become lifelong readers and learners. “Read to succeed and become great at anything” is the common motto in my book. In fact, it isn’t about the book. It is about the mission to promote literacy and reading. Portion of the funds from my book, “Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom: how to become great at anything” is donated to the non-profit, First Book. They provide free books to children in need – addressing one of the biggest factors for literacy: access to age-appropriate books.

Here is my web-page that is dedicated to Jack Canfield:

http://www.hiddensecretwisdom.com/page_jack_canfield.html

Enjoy it.

Therapeutic benefits of stories for children!

“Story Time” always grabs my attention as a headline in a newspaper. As you already know, I’m a strong advocate for reading and literacy. You’d especially know this if you’ve read my best-selling book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom, which suggests that a person can become fulfilled in life by reading more books. Even a portion of the profits from this went to the non-profit, First Book. They provide free books to children in need addressing the number one factor facing literacy: access to age-appropriate books.

Laughing, smiling, and attentive children were shown on the front page of the Register-Herald Newspaper (Beckley, West Virginia) on Nov. 21, 2009 with the caption, “story time.”

Puppet show performances were provided for children last Friday at Stratton Elementary (Beckley area). These shows were based on various children’s stories.

I enjoyed the note in the picture caption that read:

“The stories are used to illustrate self-esteem, vanity, greed, tolerance, bullying, and stranger danger.”

It appears that there are several therapeutic values from these stories.

I’m very pleased that these puppet performances are being provided for children in Beckley!

Here are some activity ideas:

a.) Volunteer to read to children
b.) Develop a puppet show for children
c.) Have your kids read books and develop their own puppet show (with use of paper-bag puppets).
d.) Discuss the story with the child. How did that story make you feel? What do you think is the major lesson in the story? What did you learn from the story? How could you use this lesson in your life?
e.) Buy a child a book.

Source:

http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_324230340.html

Beckley basketball

Greatness is discussed in my new book, Discover Hidden Secret Wisdom: How to Become Great at Anything! Naturally, I like to talk about people who are living their lives to their best.

I had the wonderful opportunity to see my hometown school university’s basketball team play.

Mountain State University (MSU) Cougars (Beckley, West Virginia) beat Salem International University (Salem, West Virginia). I think the final score was 99 to 39. I remember that Beckley didn’t score over 100 points.

MSU is currently ranked # 2 in the NAIA division and they could easily be ranked # 1 in their division after this game. I’ve heard that the # 1 ranked school Robert Morris University (Chicago) has lost a few games recently. So, I’d imagine that Beckley could easily become # 1 in the division!

Beckley also got the tallest basketball player, “Tall Paul,” who is the 5th tallest person in the world and an inch taller than the tallest person in the NBA.

Beckley’s Register-Herald Newspaper claimed that MSU coach, Bob Bolen is ranked #2 among active coaches with over 500 wins. He’s ranked #3 overall among all coaches.

Love and passion is in the players and coaches of Beckley's MSU team. They're dedicated to their interest.

Salem University’s team didn’t give MSU much of a match tonight. Beckley won by 60-points.

Salem is known for one of my favorite all-time people. Former U.S. Senator, Jennings Randolph (b. 1902 – d. 1998) graduated from the former (Salem State College, Salem, West Virginia). Napoleon Hill has given the commencement address at Randolph’s graduation. Randolph had written a letter to Hill about how inspired he was about the speech and encouraged Hill to turn it into a book. Hill had written one of the best-selling self-improvement books of all-time, Think and Grow Rich, based on the West Virginian’s suggestion. The letter Randolph had written is included in Hill’s book.

If you want to become your best then I highly encourage you to read N. Hill’s classic book, Thank and Grow Rich! This book is based on the law of attraction.

Soucre:

http://www.register-herald.com/sports/local_story_325004311.html?keyword=topstory

Premonitions (a book review)

Dossey, L. (2009) The power of premonitions: how knowing the future can shape our lives. Dutton: New York

Larry Dossey, M.D. explores the taboo subject of “reading the future” in his new book, The Power of Premonitions. I’m pleased to say that I’ve read the book and enjoyed it. Praise for Larry Dossey’s came from several of my favorite authors, including: Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson. Their praise (on the back of the book) was one of the reasons I decided to buy it (or maybe it was fate that I was meant to find this book lying in the stack of used (buy one – get two free books). Physicians usually don’t undertake unmentionable subjects such as premonitions. Dossey had the courage to do it.

How do people receive premonitions?

Dreams (sometimes) foretell the future, but sometimes dreams are just dreams. It could be a clear dream that shows exactly what will happen. An example is the case where a person has said to have revealed winning lottery numbers in a dream. Symbols or signs may be revealed in the dream, which have significant meaning. These symbols or signs may be revealed to the person in real life, too. An example is the concept that seeing vultures is a sign that something is dead or about to die (usually a small animal) that the vulture plans to eat. But, it could mean a sign that a person may pass away (as discussed in one section of Dossey’s book). Intuition or gut-feelings could help a person to perceive what is about to happen, too.

Premonitions aren’t a new concept. They’re biblical. The Holy Bible has stories where people have received foreknowledge of the future through dreams. Joseph (in genesis) interprets dreams for a butler, a banker, and pharaoh. These are shown in the two of my favorite Disney DVDs: Joseph: The Prince of Egypt and Joseph: King of Dreams.

Witch trials were once popular. It’s a common belief today that we know there is no such thing as witches. I personally feel empathy for the people who were trialed. I’m certain many of these trials were based on false accusations. Were there cases where a person revealed the future (through dreams or symbolism) which ultimately happened? In this case, the person may have been called “a witch.” How else would that person have known?

Stories in the news today also reveal premonitions. USA Today had reported on a cat that can predict deaths in a nursing home. Oscar, a cat will curl up on the bed of a patient who is about to die. Animals are often known for having strong senses than humans. They’re known to see and hear better. Dossey believes they’d also have a strong ability for premonitions, too. Dogs are known to have the ability to sense when a person is about to have a seizure and they can even sniff out cancer cells. (See my course Therapeutic Outcomes for Using Dogs as a Pet Therapy Approach) for more information on pet therapy).

Evolution has developed our premonitions

Premonitions could be based on evolution. Survival was necessary for our ancestors during the hunter and gather periods. Ancestors who had the ability to foretell the future would have had a better chance of survival than those who didn’t have this ability. Even today, we, have intuitions about dangerous situations. Knowing this can help us change our route (or path in life) and do something different. Here’s an example: I can predict that that something bad is liable to happen to me if I go to four and half alley in Huntington about midnight on a Friday night. So, I avoid situations and places like that. I can predict that going to a local bar that has had many shootings could be dangerous, too, so I avoid places like that. Other people who don’t have these types of premonitions may go to these places and are more likely to get shot or hurt. Ancestors who didn’t have intuition and premonitions were more likely to die early and not pass on their genes to the next generation.

Complete knowledge of the future has pros and cons. Dossey argues that evolution hasn’t give us that in order to protect us. Here are some examples that Dossey explains. If a crook could predict that he could not get caught then he’d commit a crime. Many unethical people may do things if they were able to see-ahead and know they wouldn’t get caught. Gamblers would be able to bet ahead of time knowing they’d win. Our complete society would fall apart if all people had complete knowledge of the future.

Not knowing the future is beneficial. Dossey explained how mice that completed new unfamiliar mazes were more likely to live longer and be healthier than the mice that didn’t complete new mazes. These studies prove that not knowing is beneficial. Here is an excerpt from Dossey on the importance of not-knowing:

Women who regularly engage in mini-mysteries – reading books, doing crosswords, jigsaw puzzles and taking on novel experiences that get them out of a familiar routine – preserve their mental faculties later in life to a greater degree than women who stick to familiar habits (p. 198).

People wouldn’t engage in these types of activities if they already knew the outcome. There wouldn’t be any reason to see a new movie or to do an activity if you knew the outcome. Dossey argued that sports could become obsolete. People wouldn’t complete if they already knew the outcome.

Free will verses fate debate

Free will is my personal belief. I think we have the power to create our own futures. Some people argue that everything is already pre-determined and that fate will happen regardless. If this were the case, people wouldn’t have to take any self-responsibility. They could just argue that it was “meant to be. Fate had it that way.” I’m personally disgusted by lack of self-responsibility. Dossey said, “free will does not envy premonitions, but is its friend.” He says this because a premonition doesn’t tell us what is going to happen for certain. It tells us what could happen and then we take responsibility to change our course of action to prevent something. Of course, the “fate-people” would argue that the event was still “meant to happen,” because what didn’t happen – just didn’t happen (even if we took a pre-action to prevent it).

I recommend Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Timequake. In this novel, there is no freewill. People’s lives are predetermined. A timequake sends people back in time. However, people can’t do anything differently. They make the same actions they did the first time. Everything is the same. People continued to do things even if they knew it would be disastrous. They had no control. It was almost robotic. Finally, the people reach the point in time where they were at first (a point which they do not know the future). People had become apathetic by this time. They stopped taking actions by that time. Car crashes happened.

How to develop premonitions

Dossey explains how to develop this uncanny ability. I found his suggestions to be in alignment with The Einstein Factor: A Proven New Method for Increasing Your Intelligence by Win Wenger Ph.D., Richard Poe. Dossey says:

“Dabble in poetry, play with metaphors, shun literalism. Avoid habits, ruts, and routines. Make a place for variety, risk, novelty, playfulness, generosity, and mystery in your life (p. 137).

Dossey argues that some people should not try to become premonition-prone. People with severe psychiatric disorders should think twice before trying to develop this ability, such as: hearing voices or having other hallucinations. This reminds me of the movie, A Beautiful Mind, which is based on a true story of John Forbes Nash, Jr (who was born in West Virginia). Nash was a mathematical genus and he won the Nobel Prize. The U.S. Government asks Nash to help break a Soviet code. Nash becomes obsessed with it, grows paranoid and turns his life upside down.

My personal experiences with premonitions

I’ve had many premonitions throughout my life, which I’m skeptical about sharing. This isn’t something that I’d ever discuss with my patients at work.

Here are a three examples for your enjoyment:

a.) Monday, November 16th, 2009, I woke up and took a shower. While taking the shower I decided I’d go to the mall. Instantly, I got this gut-feeling that said, “No, Interstate-64 is dangerous.” I wish I would have posted my promotion on that date. Tuesday, on my way home from work, I hear an announcement about a bad accident on I-64 on the radio. I had goose-bumps as you can imagine. Wednesday, I saw a picture in the paper. I believe my ability for premonitions has been enhanced from reading Dossey’s book.

b.) Recently, I found myself thinking about a woman, Joy, who I knew from college. I did a Facebook search about a month ago, but couldn’t find her. Two weeks ago, I took a shoe box with brochures and pamphlets to work for some patients. Amazingly, I discovered a letter from Joy dated about 2001 from her. I was shocked to find it after recently thinking about her. Last week, I change my routine and go to the post office during my lunch break and I run into her. Finding her previous letter and envelop could have been a symbol that I’d see her at a post-office. We catch up with each other. I learn she is now married.

c.) In high school, I had a dream that this girl would ask me out. I didn’t even know her name at the time, but I knew what she looked like. Amazingly, I ran into her and we got to know each other in school one morning when classes were combined. I never asked her out (mostly because I was shy at the time). She did ask me out and we went out a couple of times.

References

Dossey, L. (2009) The power of premonitions: how knowing the future can shape our lives. Dutton: New York

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2007-07-26-foreboding-feline_N.htm

Social workers most underpaid

Social workers were listed as the # 1 underpaid and overworked position in an article by Jessica Dickler on Nov. 16, 2009 at CNN-Money. I know they’ve got a tough job to do. I work close with social workers every day. I prefer being a recreational therapist over a social worker any day.

I enjoyed the quote listed by Heather Giffith. She’s a social worker for children in Boston. Heather said:
"You're getting paid $12 an hour and kids are screaming at you, telling you that you are just in it for the money and you're just like, really?" I know how that is. I have children scream and curse at me quite often at work.

Here is a funny story that recently happened. A patient yelled, “Danny, I want to tell you to go to h*** (and add a few more obscenities here), but I’m not going to tell you that because I know you don’t like that kind of language, so will you give me a side hug before you leave today?” Laugh aloud. The boy had already said all of the obscenities and curse words. I gave him a side-hug before I left. Some people said that I was rewarding his negative behavior. I argued that I was taking an unconditional approach to let him know that I still care about him even if he makes mistakes (like he had with the curse words).

Salary comment: I’ve read career postings for social workers in West Virginia with a starting salary of less then $20K a year. It’s tough, I know because recreational therapists earn around the same salary as social workers (at least I’d imagine). I don’t have any facts or stats to support that. Kids have told me that I only work there for the money. I remind them that I am fortunate because I got to choose the kind of work I do. However, they do have me on this one. I won’t tell them that, but I do depend on the salary for my livelihood. I’m fortunate that I have a position I do enjoy and one that I had predetermined to do and become.

People in the human service field usually don’t enter to become rich. They do it for a greater reason. They find a purpose and meaning in their work. I had once read an ad for a position at Starbucks that paid more than my recreational therapy salary (about 5-years ago). I felt stressed over it at the time. Of course, I could have left my job to brew and serve coffee. And I could do that work if I had to. However, I know that I want to help people, especially, children with special needs to have a greater life. And I know that I can do this best as a recreational therapist. I don’t see myself doing anything else.


Recreational therapists were not listed in the report of underpaid and overworked positions, however, # 2, was in the leisure services and recreation profession: Special Events Coordinator.

Source:
Read the full article here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/108148/stressful-jobs-that-pay-badly?mod=career-salary_negotiation

Live your life to the fullest

Life can end in a moment. We’re not guaranteed another day. None of us know how long we’ve got here on Earth.
Death is imminent. It will happen to all of us. Are you ready? Have you lived your life to the fullest? I hope so.

Huntington, West Virginia has been my hometown for the decade. It is home to Marshall University and the Thundering Herd. There is a water fountain in the center of campus. Each year it is turned off on Nov. 14th. This is a symbolic day. It’s in memory of the 1970 plane crash that killed the Marshall University football team, coaches, and many residents from the Huntington, West Virginia area.

What would you do if you were on that plane? Would you be scared? I’d like to think I could say, “well God, it’s been great,” but I’m not certain if I’ve reached that point yet.

Right now, create a list of 100 things you feel you must do before you die. Make a plan to start doing these things immediately.

Here is a video:

Pumpkin house in West Virginia.

Kenova is a small town in the most western point of West Virginia. It got its name: “Ken-O-Va” from the tri-state area: Kentucky, Ohio, and (formerly) Virginia, (present day) West Virginia.

Kenova, West Virginia is wedged between the Big Sandy River and the Ohio River. Kentucky is on the other side of the Big Sandy and Ohio is on the other side of the Ohio River. Here’s one more fun fact. The Ohio River that borders Ohio and West Virginia actually belongs to the state of West Virginia.

Kenova is known for a couple of things. It’s the hometown of contemporary Christian singer, Michael W. Smith. And of course, I, [Danny Pettry] currently reside in Kenova. Please laugh aloud at that comment. But, it’s also known for the “Pumpkin House.”

Thousands and thousands of jack-o-lanterns are carved each year by the Griffin family who lives in Kenova. They decorate their house with these pumpkins to celebrate Halloween. People travel from far distances to see this amazing house. It’s a great event for the community. People get together and talk. They have a wonderful time. People can buy cups of hot chocolate (at least I think) and enjoy the house.

I, [Danny Pettry] live about five blocks away from it. I took a leisurely autumn walk today with my camera to get a few pictures. As suspected, the Griffin family was busy carving pumpkins because Halloween is only six days away!

Here are a few of my pictures of the Pumpkin House
and surrounding areas for your enjoyment:

The Pumpkin House in Kenova, West Virginia – six days before Halloween.

Rows of Jack-o-lanterns at the Pumpkin House.

Close-up view of several Jack-o-lanterns.

Welcome to Ceredo, West Virginia. It is a town on the eastern side of Kenova.

Here is a little pumpkin display in Ceredo, W.Va

Here are two scary pumpkins in the Ceredo display.


Here are two YouTube videos of the Pumpkin House from previous years:

They’re known for having the most jack-o-lanterns.

Question: What would you like to be known for?

Would you like to be the best or at least most known for a certain hobby or collection?

If so, post your answer in the comment section below...

Local authors from the Huntington, W.Va. area.

Friends of the Cabell County Public Library teamed up with local authors from the (Huntington, West Virginia area) to help promote library membership today.

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet several local authors who I’ll tell you about here.

I hoped that Jean Edward Smith, author of, FDR, would have been there. However, he wasn’t. Smith a professor at Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia). I had heard on the news that Barack Obama was reading FDR shortly before being sworn in as the nation’s President.

Here is a list of local authors who were present: A.E. Stinger, Eliot Parker, James Casto, Colonel Charles D. Whitt, Edwin Roble Jr. and David Lilly (co-authors), Llewllyn McKernan, Jeanne Holland Crowther, Bobbie Benedict Watts, and of course, myself, Danny Pettry.

---

A.E. Stinger author of Human Costume (poetry)

I regret to say that I don’t read poetry, myself. However, I do like the concept of this book. It explores the different people we become. I think "human costumes" is an appropriate title.

A. E. Stinger has taught writing and literature at Marshall University for 20 years. I’d like to take one of his writing courses.

---

Eliot Parker author of The Prospect (fiction/ novel)

The Prospect seems to be an interesting story. It’s about a fictional baseball team in West Virginia. The main character Shane Triplet (drafted by the Cincinnati Reds) has been assigned to the fictional minor team, the Sheaville Loggers in West Virginia.

This novel would be a good read for baseball players and people from West Virginia. But, it’s also a good read for women, too. Shane Triplet falls in love with Olivia, which could be a whole new game. I plan to read this novel soon.

Eliot Parker, the author, is an assistant professor of English at Marshall Community and Technical College (Huntington, WV). He teaches writing classes for the college, too. I plan to take one of his writing classes because I have a personal goal to write a novel next.

---

James Casto author of Marshall University (history)

James Casto is the author of several books, including: Cabell County (West Virginia), Marshall University, and Southern West Virginia: Coal Country.

Arcadia Publishing publishes his books. Arcadia is a leading publisher for local history books. They’ve got over 5,000 books about local communities in America.

Each book has many photographs that tell a story of the local community.

---

Colonel Charles D. Whitt author of Legacy (history/ biography)

Colonel Charles Dahnmon Whitt has a passion for both genealogy and civil war history.

It’s no wonder he’s written a historic story about the “Legacy” of his grandfather, David Crockett Whitt during the Civil War years.

This book explores many local areas, including: Pike County, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Greenup, Carter, and Boyd Counties in Kentucky. It covers the Tug Fork on the West Virginia side. Part of the book also covers Tazewell and now Buchanan County in Virginia.

This book focuses on faith and getting through tough times.

To purchase this book go to: http://dahnmonwhittfamily.com

The cost of this 580 page hard back is $30. plus $6.00 for shipping!

His new book out about the 1800's, civil war history and day to day living from 1836 to 1900 in south West Virginia and Kentucky. It is called "Legacy, The Days of David Crockett Whitt."

It can also be seen at: www.appalachianaga.com

---

David M. Lilly and Edwin F. Roble Jr. (co-authors) of The Swords of Athos (science-fiction)

Lilly and Roble are a grandfather-grandson team of co-authors. They’ve worked together to create a science-fiction novel.

It’s set in a university with seven worlds. Six of them are ruled by wicked evil wizards. The seventh world is under an assault.

A young adventure goes on a mission to find seven swords in order to return order to the worlds. Five men join him on his journey. This book will take you on an adventure to magical lands with ghosts, beasts, dinosaurs, and dragons.

---

Llewllyn McKernan author of several books (poetry).

Llewllyn McKernan has written several poetry books. She is also a contributing author for the recent book, Backcountry: Contemporary Writing in West Virginia. It’s a book with pomes, memoirs, and prose.

---

Jeanne Holland Crowther author of The Other Side of Fear (self-help). Dr. Crowther was present, but she isn't shown in the picture. So, I got a picture of her book.

I was personally most interested in this book as a recreational therapist, teacher, and healer. I’ve also written a self-improvement book.

People living in fear are in prison. Dr. Crowther helps reveals ways on how a person can escape fear and become free. This book focuses on various emotions, including: anger, jealous, anxiety, worry, hate, and others.

The other side of fear is love. Cowther says that “love will find a way.” This book will provide a healing process for the reader.

Dr. Crowther has a BS in English, MA in counseling and rehabilitation, a MA in clinical psychology, a doctorate in Philosophy, a certification in Rubenfeld Synergy (which is a three year program in mind-body work. She’s counseled 1000s of people over the years and has been a psychology instructor for colleges and universities.

For more information, go to her website: http://www.theothersideoffear.us/

---

Bobbie Benedict Watts author of Sunset House (fiction novel)

This story takes place during World War II.

Susan (the main character) is a grown woman with a degree in journalism from Marshall College (Huntington, West Virginia). She’s independent and successful now that she’s putting her degree to work.

But life takes a turn when she gets a call that she is needed back home in Florida.

Great book for people who are interested in history.

---

and of course, I was there, too.

Here's an amazon link for my two books:

I hope you enjoyed the blog.

Please post your comments below.

Please tell other people to read this blog, too.

Thanks in advance.