SHE DID IT!
Against all odds, in the midst of a serious illness she struggled on. She had lost her job five years ago when she was stricken with massive migraines several times a week. She went to many doctors. The best. All they could offer her was medication to dull the pain, sapping her energy. She tried the holistic approach, massage, diet, whatever. It seemed all was lost. Her job, her health, even friends who could get out and go left her in the dust.
Those who loved her advised her to take the teaspoon of energy she had and write her book. You see, she had graduated from college as biology major and had worked at Cal Tech in the owl department as a young assistant years before. On Valentine’s Day, 1985, Cal Tech gave Stacey an injured four day old baby owlet who could never live on his own due to a damaged wing. He fit into the palm of her hand and needed to be fed every two hours in the beginning for several months. She was immediately smitten with him, promised to care for the helpless lump of feathers and gave him a permanent home. She named him Wesley.
And so began an astonishing 19 year journey, an unheard of relationship between a human and an owl. With a tender heart and a scientist’s eye, Stacey studied Wesley’s strange habits and even provided a mice-only required diet for him. Oh yes, many funny adventures happened to her as she shopped trying to find enough mice to meet his growing hunger.
She snapped many photos of him, as any proud parent would do, recording his antics from a helpless ball of fuzz to a playful, clumsy adolescent to a gorgeous gold and white macho adult owl with his own unique personality. He did things that went against all previous known data in the scientific world. He loved water for example. They developed a language together because she listened to him. She has a video as evidence of his responses to different phrases. He was fiercely loyal and protective of her although she could have done without Wesley’s driving away her would-be human suitors.
So, between headaches she did write her book. She attended a writer’s conference two years ago and was immediately snatched up by a good publishing agent who connected her to one of the top publishers in the country. Simon and Schuster. They fell in love with the story of Wesley. It is unheard of, or at least very rare, for a beginning author to sign on with a major publisher like that.
After many revisions, “Wesley the Owl” by Stacey O’Brien hit the book stores all over the country last Tuesday, August 19th. You can find it at Barnes and Nobles, Bella Terra, upstairs on the New Non-Fiction display table. Multiple radio interviews all over the country are happening now. Her book was reviewed last week in USA Today and the prestigious Publishers Weekly with good reviews. There will be another review in People Magazine 9/15. Last Saturday she was the keynote speaker at the LA Natural History Museum, her favorite childhood haunt.
Next week she leaves for the Denver area for book signings. Here in Huntington, she is booked for signings September 20 at TK Wild Birds Unlimited, 19680 Beach Blvd. She will be one of the main speakers for the Southern California Writers’ Conference Sept 26-28. Stacey is still amazed at all this thinking it’s a dream. It is a dream come true, a proof that tenacity overcomes every obstacle. She modestly credits the many prayers of family and friends who have encouraged her these two years for her success. They continue to pray that the book will do well. It should since it’s extremely entertaining. Any animal lover will bask in the warmth of it. I just finished reading it. I giggled and cried at the love that goes on in their journey together. Indeed, she saved Wesley’s life and as she became seriously ill, she is herself rescued from death by the insistent love and courage of this wild animal.
Stacey grew up with this saying on the family refrigerator.
PRESS ON
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve
the problems of the human race.”
As you may have guessed by now, Stacey is my daughter. More than just being proud of her accomplishment, I stand amazed at her achievement. I knew she had the talent but I didn’t know she had the physical strength to write it. She has, indeed, made lemonade out of her lemons. After all, she might never have written this if she hadn’t been so sick and unable to work... I believe it proves the theory that if you have a passion for something, the passion will carry you to your goal. We gave a reception for her last Sunday for family and friends who have encouraged her these two years. I read the “Press On” quote and we toasted her and wished her every success. She has lots of books inside her heart. A children’s book about Wesley, hamster stories from raising so many of them. (Don’t ask what her room was like as a child. That’s another story. You parents of animal lovers will know what I mean). And much more.
I invite you to buy the book because you will enjoy it. There are some things in there about me too. Some embarrassing, some funny, but never mind. You can also order it on line at Amazon.com. We’d be glad to get it autographed for you, if you like. For those of you raising children, you might enjoy posting “Press On” on your refrigerator. Who knows what will happen? She did it. I hope this is an inspiration to everyone that, against all odds, you can achieve your dream.
(Portions of this article are quoted from the book jacket.)
978 words so far
Quote at bottom of page one:
“Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, til you find your dream.” (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Inspirational Quotes:
“Out of suffering comes creativity. You can not spell painting without pain.” J. Lithgow
“Search for the seed of good in every adversity.” Og Mandino
“Just go out there and do what you’ve got to do.” Martina Naratilova
“If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.”
“Ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things.”
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” William Eardley !V
“Wringing your hands only stops you from rolling up your sleeves.” James Rollins
“It doesn’t matter where you came from. It only matters where you’re going.” Unknown
“The mind is like a parachute. It works best when it’s open”.
“One’s only security in life comes from doing something uncommonly well.” A. Lincoln
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” Chinese proverb
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.” Gandhi
L U C K equals Labor Under Correct Knowledge
HUMOR CORNER
“I’ve told you a zillion times! Don’t exaggerate.”
“According to recent findings, as a result of the baby boomer generation aging, global warming may well be caused by the number of women having hot flashes at any one time.”
“They’re not hot flashes. They’re power surges.” Ann Baker
“The cheapest face lift is a good laugh.”
Found on a customer service wall: “We have not succeeded in answering all of your questions. In fact, we have not completely answered any of them. The answers we have, however, do serve to raise a whole new set of questions about problems we had not thought of previously. In some ways we are as confused as you are, but we believe our confusion is on a higher plane and about more important matters.”
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
“I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something.” Jackie Mason
“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop.”
ADS Continue San Carlos Pending and add Alisa Lane Active.
20492 Alisa Lane, South Huntington Beach, Park Huntington
Beautiful tri-level model. 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living room with vaulted ceiling, dining room, upgraded kitchen with Salistone counters, refinished cabinets and recessed lights. It’s the only Park Huntington model with a large family room downstairs with fireplace, built in shelving wet bar and ½ bath. All the downstairs has gorgeous wood floors. Breezy sunroom opens to very large yard. Call for more information.
MARKET UPDATE
As noted in the Orange County Register, the volume of sales is up 17% in Orange County compared to one year ago after a 33 month slump. This is good news for the real estate market even though some of these sales are attributed to foreclosures. Why is it good news? Because it means buyers are starting to buy realizing that this is an opportune time due to low rates and good inventory. As these homes sell and go into escrow, the door opens for other homes coming on the market. Currently, there are only 4 single family residences in foreclosure in South HB meaning that families desiring to live in the Edison High School, Sowers Middle School area must shop among regular homes for sale.
Here’s the story on foreclosures. They are not always the best deal in town. Why? From first hand experience, I can tell you of what several of my current buyers are going through. One of my buyers has written two different offers on two different condos in HB. The first one had 20 offers, was listed by the realtor at a very low price bringing buyers and investors out of the woodwork seeking a “deal”. But, the bank is not the one who came up with the list price. The agent and seller listed it at whatever they chose to. They have no way of knowing if that is the price the bank would even consider. As a matter of fact, after they had many offers submitted, the bank countered back at a much higher price than the list price probably because the loan owed was more than the list price. We were told to counter with our “best and highest” offer. My buyer didn’t’ get the condo. It sold for almost $100,000 above list price. It’s almost as emotional as an auction. People start out-bidding each other and lose track of the real value of the property. Other properties that seem like a deal because they are lower than the comparables come with statements such as “as is” meaning no repairs will be made, no credits to buyer will be considered. In such a case, it is extremely important to have a home inspection and a good agent to protect your interests. In another case I’ve worked on, the bank allowed offers to stack up for many weeks just waiting for the highest and best offer. Meanwhile my buyer got discouraged and we’ve shopped elsewhere. I’m not saying a foreclosure is never a good deal. I’m saying expect the worst. Difficulties. Long waits. But most of all be aware that the list price is no guarantee that the bank will consider anywhere near that as an actual sales price. That list price can actually be bait to get a slew of offers on the table and see who they can get to go higher. Seems unfair but that’s how it works sometimes. At any rate, take heart. The market is showing signs of improvement. It’s a great time to get on with your life. Move where you want to move and buy your next home at a reasonable price.
Against all odds, in the midst of a serious illness she struggled on. She had lost her job five years ago when she was stricken with massive migraines several times a week. She went to many doctors. The best. All they could offer her was medication to dull the pain, sapping her energy. She tried the holistic approach, massage, diet, whatever. It seemed all was lost. Her job, her health, even friends who could get out and go left her in the dust.
Those who loved her advised her to take the teaspoon of energy she had and write her book. You see, she had graduated from college as biology major and had worked at Cal Tech in the owl department as a young assistant years before. On Valentine’s Day, 1985, Cal Tech gave Stacey an injured four day old baby owlet who could never live on his own due to a damaged wing. He fit into the palm of her hand and needed to be fed every two hours in the beginning for several months. She was immediately smitten with him, promised to care for the helpless lump of feathers and gave him a permanent home. She named him Wesley.
And so began an astonishing 19 year journey, an unheard of relationship between a human and an owl. With a tender heart and a scientist’s eye, Stacey studied Wesley’s strange habits and even provided a mice-only required diet for him. Oh yes, many funny adventures happened to her as she shopped trying to find enough mice to meet his growing hunger.
She snapped many photos of him, as any proud parent would do, recording his antics from a helpless ball of fuzz to a playful, clumsy adolescent to a gorgeous gold and white macho adult owl with his own unique personality. He did things that went against all previous known data in the scientific world. He loved water for example. They developed a language together because she listened to him. She has a video as evidence of his responses to different phrases. He was fiercely loyal and protective of her although she could have done without Wesley’s driving away her would-be human suitors.
So, between headaches she did write her book. She attended a writer’s conference two years ago and was immediately snatched up by a good publishing agent who connected her to one of the top publishers in the country. Simon and Schuster. They fell in love with the story of Wesley. It is unheard of, or at least very rare, for a beginning author to sign on with a major publisher like that.
After many revisions, “Wesley the Owl” by Stacey O’Brien hit the book stores all over the country last Tuesday, August 19th. You can find it at Barnes and Nobles, Bella Terra, upstairs on the New Non-Fiction display table. Multiple radio interviews all over the country are happening now. Her book was reviewed last week in USA Today and the prestigious Publishers Weekly with good reviews. There will be another review in People Magazine 9/15. Last Saturday she was the keynote speaker at the LA Natural History Museum, her favorite childhood haunt.
Next week she leaves for the Denver area for book signings. Here in Huntington, she is booked for signings September 20 at TK Wild Birds Unlimited, 19680 Beach Blvd. She will be one of the main speakers for the Southern California Writers’ Conference Sept 26-28. Stacey is still amazed at all this thinking it’s a dream. It is a dream come true, a proof that tenacity overcomes every obstacle. She modestly credits the many prayers of family and friends who have encouraged her these two years for her success. They continue to pray that the book will do well. It should since it’s extremely entertaining. Any animal lover will bask in the warmth of it. I just finished reading it. I giggled and cried at the love that goes on in their journey together. Indeed, she saved Wesley’s life and as she became seriously ill, she is herself rescued from death by the insistent love and courage of this wild animal.
Stacey grew up with this saying on the family refrigerator.
PRESS ON
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve
the problems of the human race.”
As you may have guessed by now, Stacey is my daughter. More than just being proud of her accomplishment, I stand amazed at her achievement. I knew she had the talent but I didn’t know she had the physical strength to write it. She has, indeed, made lemonade out of her lemons. After all, she might never have written this if she hadn’t been so sick and unable to work... I believe it proves the theory that if you have a passion for something, the passion will carry you to your goal. We gave a reception for her last Sunday for family and friends who have encouraged her these two years. I read the “Press On” quote and we toasted her and wished her every success. She has lots of books inside her heart. A children’s book about Wesley, hamster stories from raising so many of them. (Don’t ask what her room was like as a child. That’s another story. You parents of animal lovers will know what I mean). And much more.
I invite you to buy the book because you will enjoy it. There are some things in there about me too. Some embarrassing, some funny, but never mind. You can also order it on line at Amazon.com. We’d be glad to get it autographed for you, if you like. For those of you raising children, you might enjoy posting “Press On” on your refrigerator. Who knows what will happen? She did it. I hope this is an inspiration to everyone that, against all odds, you can achieve your dream.
(Portions of this article are quoted from the book jacket.)
978 words so far
Quote at bottom of page one:
“Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, til you find your dream.” (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Inspirational Quotes:
“Out of suffering comes creativity. You can not spell painting without pain.” J. Lithgow
“Search for the seed of good in every adversity.” Og Mandino
“Just go out there and do what you’ve got to do.” Martina Naratilova
“If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.”
“Ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things.”
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” William Eardley !V
“Wringing your hands only stops you from rolling up your sleeves.” James Rollins
“It doesn’t matter where you came from. It only matters where you’re going.” Unknown
“The mind is like a parachute. It works best when it’s open”.
“One’s only security in life comes from doing something uncommonly well.” A. Lincoln
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” Chinese proverb
“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.” Gandhi
L U C K equals Labor Under Correct Knowledge
HUMOR CORNER
“I’ve told you a zillion times! Don’t exaggerate.”
“According to recent findings, as a result of the baby boomer generation aging, global warming may well be caused by the number of women having hot flashes at any one time.”
“They’re not hot flashes. They’re power surges.” Ann Baker
“The cheapest face lift is a good laugh.”
Found on a customer service wall: “We have not succeeded in answering all of your questions. In fact, we have not completely answered any of them. The answers we have, however, do serve to raise a whole new set of questions about problems we had not thought of previously. In some ways we are as confused as you are, but we believe our confusion is on a higher plane and about more important matters.”
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
“I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something.” Jackie Mason
“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop.”
ADS Continue San Carlos Pending and add Alisa Lane Active.
20492 Alisa Lane, South Huntington Beach, Park Huntington
Beautiful tri-level model. 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living room with vaulted ceiling, dining room, upgraded kitchen with Salistone counters, refinished cabinets and recessed lights. It’s the only Park Huntington model with a large family room downstairs with fireplace, built in shelving wet bar and ½ bath. All the downstairs has gorgeous wood floors. Breezy sunroom opens to very large yard. Call for more information.
MARKET UPDATE
As noted in the Orange County Register, the volume of sales is up 17% in Orange County compared to one year ago after a 33 month slump. This is good news for the real estate market even though some of these sales are attributed to foreclosures. Why is it good news? Because it means buyers are starting to buy realizing that this is an opportune time due to low rates and good inventory. As these homes sell and go into escrow, the door opens for other homes coming on the market. Currently, there are only 4 single family residences in foreclosure in South HB meaning that families desiring to live in the Edison High School, Sowers Middle School area must shop among regular homes for sale.
Here’s the story on foreclosures. They are not always the best deal in town. Why? From first hand experience, I can tell you of what several of my current buyers are going through. One of my buyers has written two different offers on two different condos in HB. The first one had 20 offers, was listed by the realtor at a very low price bringing buyers and investors out of the woodwork seeking a “deal”. But, the bank is not the one who came up with the list price. The agent and seller listed it at whatever they chose to. They have no way of knowing if that is the price the bank would even consider. As a matter of fact, after they had many offers submitted, the bank countered back at a much higher price than the list price probably because the loan owed was more than the list price. We were told to counter with our “best and highest” offer. My buyer didn’t’ get the condo. It sold for almost $100,000 above list price. It’s almost as emotional as an auction. People start out-bidding each other and lose track of the real value of the property. Other properties that seem like a deal because they are lower than the comparables come with statements such as “as is” meaning no repairs will be made, no credits to buyer will be considered. In such a case, it is extremely important to have a home inspection and a good agent to protect your interests. In another case I’ve worked on, the bank allowed offers to stack up for many weeks just waiting for the highest and best offer. Meanwhile my buyer got discouraged and we’ve shopped elsewhere. I’m not saying a foreclosure is never a good deal. I’m saying expect the worst. Difficulties. Long waits. But most of all be aware that the list price is no guarantee that the bank will consider anywhere near that as an actual sales price. That list price can actually be bait to get a slew of offers on the table and see who they can get to go higher. Seems unfair but that’s how it works sometimes. At any rate, take heart. The market is showing signs of improvement. It’s a great time to get on with your life. Move where you want to move and buy your next home at a reasonable price.
posted by Ann Baker, Realtor at
3:27 PM
