Author of The Starlight Series

No, the year’s date is not a typo; it’s the anniversary of a birthday.

Ninety years ago today my mother was born.  Two days later, her mother died,

Arthur and Ethel Mae Chinn Lee

just another casualty of the horrible influenza epidemic that swept the world.  My mother’s name was Janie Ethel Lee, fifth child and second daughter of Arthur Lee and Ethel Mae Chinn.  It’s amazing how the written word can record a simple birth announcement, while giving no hint of the emotional, physical and spiritual damage the new baby girl would survive.

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Why is it that simple courtesy and cooperation so often disappear when a business/service provider and a dissatisfied client disagree?  It seems to me that the provider would wish to retain happy customers, repeat clients, people who would refer others back to them, even if said client wishes to terminate an agreement. especially if the agreement/contract is based upon a mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, sometimes through ignorance or carelessness.  Heaven knows, I’ve made my share!  A mistake is not willful, although it can be made through lack of good judgment.  I’ve made that kind, too, one especially that I deeply regret, although the result was professionally and personally beneficial to the “wronged” party.

Last month I made a mistake through ignorance.  If I had left all the particulars in the hands of my capable web manager team, my web site/s would not be in the state they are now.  While in the process of trying to transfer my domain name from Domain Registry of America (based in Canada, I learned ), to another registrar, at a much lower rate for a longer period of time, I confused the host with the registrar. (Yeah, I’m one of those people computer nerds refer to as “computer illiterate.”)

So I ended up with two registrars: one from whom I wished to transfer and one who refused to allow the transfer…paid both of them!  When I realized what I had done, I contacted DROA and tried to cancel the transaction, within the hour.  A very unfriendly, unmovable “customer service person” refused to discuss it, said that cancellation was not an option…which I learned later was untrue.  So I contacted my credit card people and explained what had happened.  They put the charge in dispute.  Yesterday I was notified that the claim had been settled in my favor and the charge expunged from my credit card. (more…)

“Oh, you little contrary pup!”

For years I have joked that I can remember the early morning in February when I was born.  It’s not true, of course; but I am able to recall incidents from my very early childhood, even toddler years.  One of the earliest is the voice of my exasperated mother, tired of trying to convince me to either do or not do, whatever direction I was headed at the moment.  One thing is certain: I was determined to do the exact opposite of what she had told me. (more…)