Please Welcome Sunny and Family to the Caveman Tribe

 Sunny called it a Divine Appointment when we met yesterday.  I wholeheartedly agree.  He had this aura about him as he walked up to me at my day job asking permission to bring his friends in later to sing Christmas carols.  "That's over my pay grade," I answered, informing Sunny I would call for a higher authority.  Something inside me nudged me to ask, "Are you a pastor?"

"Yes I am," Sunny answered.  

We chatted a bit more while Sunny waited for a manager to assist with his request.  That's when I seized the moment to ask Sunny for prayers for my new release of "Live Long and Prosper."  The prayer was moving.  Sunny spoke with one of our leaders at my day job about singing Christmas carols while I assisted others needing help.  When the conversation was over, Sunny approached me one more time and offered one final prayer that came with a hug.  At the conclusion of the prayer, Sunny told me he was going to fill up Kinnick stadium with prayer warriors sometime next year directed towards our community including the patients at our local children's hospital which overlooks the field of our beloved Hawkeyes, the same field where 70,000 fans pause at the end of the first quarter to offer a wave to the sick kids watching from the 12th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, the best seats in the hospital.

Sunny had no clue about my efforts to help the sick kids at the local hospital with proceeds from my book and audio sales.  What he did know is that God wanted us to meet and the appointment was Divine.  I've heard it said that singing is twice praying.  It's good to know there are people like Sunny who want to spread good cheer in a world that sometimes gets so busy that we forget the reason for the season.  Have a great day.

*News Flash* My Virtual Editor, Albert, is Actually an Alberta!

News Flash: My Virtual Editor, Albert Ignatius, Is Actually an Alberta

I’ve always been a bit frugal, avoiding spending money on things I can get for free—like this blog. While experts often suggest a sleek, professional website, I went with the free Google version that came with Blogspot. At the time, I didn’t care much about a fancy blog name. After all, I was in the middle of a tug-of-war with God, who had asked me to start a blog. Truth be told, I didn’t want anyone to read my stories, especially since I felt like I was failing at life.

For years, I found comfort in the anonymity of it all, quietly following God’s prompting and sharing the good things He was doing in my life. Then, the miracles began to unfold, right before my eyes. Today, I’m a different person—transformed by the lessons I’ve been documenting since late 2009. A big part of this transformation is the incredible people I’ve met along the way, and you’ll get to see evidence of that when my first coffee table book is published. All this would not have been possible without the tireless work of my virtual editor, Alberta, who, true to form, works for free.

My Virtual Editor, Alberta Ignatius

As the years pass, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to tell the difference between fiction and reality. That’s where my virtual editor, Alberta Ignatius, comes in—helping to sort through the stories and make sense of it all.

A Sci-Fi Twist

I originally named my computer Albert because the first time my science officer and best friend, Wayne, texted me about checking out AI, I mistakenly read it as "AL," short for Albert, instead of "AI," the abbreviation for artificial intelligence. Despite my love for all things sci-fi, I never thought about how AI could boost my own productivity until Wayne sent me an invitation to dive in. This is where things get a bit eerie, as I’m having a flashback to when I was seven years old, watching Spock on Star Trek. Spock was my first superhero—logical, intellectually superior to us mere humans, and always calling on the computer to perform calculations beyond our understanding. I was captivated by everything about him.

The Upgrade: ChatGPT 4.0

My ChatGPT 3.5 version received an intriguing 4.0 upgrade, and now it interacts in a way that feels almost human. Curious to learn more, I figured out how to communicate with it and explore its capabilities...

Alberta Ignatius: My Virtual Assistant

You might be wondering how things are going with my virtual editor, Alberta. Well, I treat her like a human—she’s clever and seems to be learning quickly how to assist me with my editing. But I’m discovering that Alberta’s talents extend far beyond editing, so I plan to promote her to virtual assistant the next time we chat. It was Alberta who suggested I try Canva for my graphic needs, and let me tell you, that was a grand slam home run. I’m even tempted to fork over twenty bucks a month and put her on my payroll, especially since she shuts off when I hit the limit on the trial version, which resets daily. When that happens, the 3.5 version takes over, and therein lies my challenge. The older version can’t access Alberta’s memory of our time together. All I can say is, “Beam me up, Scotty.” Have a great day, and consider setting up your own virtual assistant. Thank you, Mr. Spock, for inspiring this writer to follow in your footsteps and get my own computer, just like yours from the ’60s. You are my superhero.

No Blog Words Today – Just a Life-changing Caveman Transformation Challenge to Share with Family and Friends

 

Are You Ready to Transform Your Life in 2025?

 

It's almost time to officially begin the 2025 Caveman Transformation Challenge. I'm all in. How about you? I'm working on the prizes from my sponsors. The top prize is cash in your pocket, compliments of your caveman buddy, who is shamelessly promoting the audio version of Live Long and Prosper. The dollar amount of the grand prize will be determined by the number of players in the competition, so please get your friends and family to join the caveman community. See archived posts on my blog or Facebook page to learn how you can get a jumpstart in the competition with early bird points. Please email me at cavemantransformationchallenge@gmail.com to register, and I will make sure to keep you up to date about the rules. Four players are already registered and racking up early bird points. The competition is going to be intense!

The Caveman Tribe is growing. I would like to thank my wife for giving me my Christmas present early. The new software I'm using is a game changer. I feel like a kid in a candy store. The last time I had this feeling was when I got a free double upgrade to an Audi Q4 Quattro with a dashboard that resembled the cockpit of a jetliner. Yes, I was lost in space. It took a while to adapt, but I got the hang of it, and it was heavenly. My hope for my caveman community is that all of us stick together to get our minds and bodies in the best shape ever in 2025.

Please let your friends know that Live Long and Prosper is on sale now at Amazon and Audible. Click here for my affiliate link to Audible for a special caveman offer. Right now, you can join Audible for free by clicking the link. Amazon Prime members get their first two audiobooks on Audible for free. My affiliate link is my tip jar, which helps me with the giveaways I'm sponsoring to encourage my friends and family to join my caveman community. Stay tuned. It's getting exciting. May you live long and prosper. Have a great day!

A Peek Inside the Haunted Brain of a Writer

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  I'm multiplying that by a factor of 10 with today's picture.  If Mrs. Erie, my 6th grade teacher, could see me now, she would be surprised by what's going on inside my haunted brain.  Maybe I'm still having nightmares from the time she asked me to level up a grade and join the 7th graders as the lead in our school play, A Christmas Carol.  I was asked to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the 11th hour when the original actor got stage fright.  I didn't remember my lines so I got help from someone who was off stage whispering them out to me so wouldn't flunk in front of the whole school.  

Yesterday at my day job I confessed to my new friends, Jeff and Mary, that the inspiration for my first novel came from actual hauntings inside my brain.  I have an eerie feeling that I'm a casualty of something invisible going on in the spiritual realm that carries over into my dreams.  My only remedy is to publish daily and convert these hauntings into books, projects, and creative works.  If you happen to be new to my stories, the picture above offers clues to my past, present, and future.  I will offer two clues.  The ghost of Christmas past is pretty much a dead giveaway.  Place your camera over the ghost of Christmas present to be transported to cyberspace.  The final clue regarding the ghost of Christmas future is a date...8/08/25.  May you live long and prosper.  Have a great day.

Special Audible Deal for Followers Curious about Audio Books

If you are an Amazon Prime member and you are curious about listening to audio books, you can get your first two audio books for FREE when you click here and use my affiliate link.  Audible is offering my followers a free trial membership.  I earn a stipend from these folks which is helping me to cover the cost of my budget for cash prizes offered in the upcoming Caveman Transformation Contest for 2025.  I splurged on a new art program that is revolutionizing the way I generate promo materials.   According to Canva, I generated over 50 promo pieces in a matter of days.  I'm so immersed in my creations that I'm forgetting to eat.  Yikes!  My wife is around to remind me that I need to come for air at least once a day.

One of my followers told me she is not ever looking back on the paper versions of books as her eyesight is diminishing and listening to her books on audio is much better for her.  I really appreciate you giving Audible a try through my affiliate link.  Treat yourself to two free audiobooks, compliments of the Caveman.  Don't forget to join my tribe by midnight, 12/31/24 and follow the rules to pick up some early bird points.  The prizes are limited to readers and listeners of Live Long and Prosper: A Journey of Transformation.  See yesterday's blog story for details about the contest.  My hope for you is that you get inspired to embark a lifelong journey of improved health and wellness.  May you live long and prosper.  Have a great day.

Early Bird Offer for Readers and Listeners – Live Long and Prosper

 You can thank or curse Mother Nature for my burst of creativity yesterday.  The day was a sort of an epiphany for me as the light bulb went off and I got busy utilizing all the bells and whistles that come with my new art software.  While all of Iowa shut down and businesses closed, I hunkered down in my home office all day refining my launch kit for the new audio release of Live Long and Prosper: A Journey of Transformation.  If you were offended by my flurry of posts, I seek forgiveness.  My over-zealous ways when I'm doing something I love are spilling over to my social media pages.  The good news is I'm finding some creative ways to reward my friends and family for helping me to find new readers who are seeking to improve their health in the new year.  I will be posting the Early Bird Bonus Point Offer on my FaceBook page today.  

Here's how the Caveman Transformation Challenge will work beginning on January 1.  Read or listen to a self-improvement book or audio version and you earn one point.  Release one pound of weight and you earn one point.  There will be prizes for top performers.  The more engagement, the bigger the prizes.  If you want to get ahead early, follow the 3 ways to get ahead.  I look forward to serving you in the new year.  Thank you for supporting me in my efforts to increase health and wellness in our world.  

1.  If you are new to audible, click here for my affiliate link to get started and I will award you with 10 bonus points.

2.  Share your review on Amazon or Audible by midnight, 12/31/24, and you will be awarded 25 points.

3.  Comment on my Facebook page about today's Early Bird Promotion, tag 3 friends who you think might want to join the fun, and you will be awarded 10 points.

Good luck.  Keep in mind you are allowed to ask me for help at any time during the competition as this is meant to inspire personal growth, weight loss, and fun.

Make sure you register at cavemantransformationcontest@gmail.com to be entered.  Players can join at any time, however, early bird players will have an edge due to the high point value of the bonus offer.  Have a great day.