Literacy, Letters, & Legacy

Carew Papritz, also known as The Cowboy Philosopher, is the author of the multi-award winning book The Legacy Letters. Though fictional, The Legacy Letters has won acclaim as a life lessons book for all generations, gaining the distinction of being the only book in publishing history to win awards in both fiction and non-fiction categories. A Renaissance Man in an age that lauds the specialist, The Huffington Post says Papritz “intrigues and enlightens, charms and catalyzes change for every reader.”  

As part of his many innovative and adventurous first-ever book signings, Carew truly lives his book’s central message to “live life to the fullest” while signing books on top of volcanoes and horses. These events and other YouTube videos, such as the “I Love to Read” series and his annual literacy-driven charity event, “The Great Book Balloon Launch,” inspire kids and adults to rediscover the joy of reading! Proceeds of the summer’s sales of The Legacy Letters went to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Proceeds from his recent “First-Ever Book Signing while Stomping Grapes” went to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.  Other charities include Reading is Fundamental and the Military Mama’s Network. 

The Legacy Letters: his wife, his children, his final gift, Carew Papritz

Smashwords online ebook store

Carewtube

Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau

Taft-Hartley Act

The Holdovers, (2023)

The Sopranos, (1999 – 2007)

All the Star Trek series

Ted Lasso, (2020 – )

National Thank You Letter Writing Day (on Kelly Clarkson Show)

Project Gratitude

I Love to Read series on YouTube

William Shakespeare

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Ernest Hemingway, Author

The Crucible, Arthur Miller, playwright

Hamilton, (Aug. 6, 2015 – Present) Lin Manuel Miranda

Steve Jobs, Co-creator of Apple Computer

The Grove, earth friendly home products 

Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesen, David’s House, Architectural Digest

Sierra Vista Public Library, Arizona

Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C.

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

Stone Cold, Sarah Humphrys, Story-Power episode 64 12/21/22, “Never to Young to Follow Your Dreams

The Bible

Basketful of Movie Suggestions and an Announcement

Natey and Katy: At the Movies podcast, Website

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Any of the versions of A Christmas Carol

Turner Classic Movies, TCM.com

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) Available on TCM, Plex, and Tubi

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) Available on TCM

Remember the Night (1940)

Coming soon: Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters

Last Minute Book Gifts

“Humans are not ideally set up to understand logic; they are ideally set up to understand stories.” Roger C. Schank, Cognitive Scientist

This has been an extremely busy few months. However, I did want to share one last blog post this year. Barry and I took a Thanksgiving trip to be with family in the Seattle area. Along the way we stopped in Idaho to chat with one of my Story-Power guests, Lisa Jensen, episode 85 about her new writing project. Lisa, you might remember is a ghost writer, novelist and now screenwriter. We had a lovely conversation. I hope you’ll take a listen and go buy Lisa’s book, published under the pen name, Maris Parker, Cedar Ridge. It’s a cosy romance which is set in Wyoming.

While we were in the Seattle area, I had a conversation with another podcast guest, Christine Herbert, Story-Power episode 81 about her book The Color of the Elephant, which is about her time in the Peace Corps from 2004 – 2006. Christine calls her writing, her torture hobby. However, she has written two children’s books since she and I chatted in 2023, and she’s working on a novel, so it must be a rewarding hobby. I loved The Color of the Elephant as you will hear as we talk about it during our conversation. It’s a great book club pick.

The Color of the Elephant

Sora Searches for a Song

Fenix and the Firework Fliers

Thanks for reading and listening. Have a wonderful holiday season! See you in 2025.

When Life Takes an Abrupt Turn

This post contains affiliate links.

Ray Hartjen is a writer and musician who lives in Pleasanton, California, where he and his wife, Lori, raised their adult children, Olivia and Raymond.

In a professional career that has spanned parts of five decades, Ray has pivoted on many occasions, from investment banking to pharmaceuticals, from consumer electronics to SaaS software. One constant throughout his career path, however, has been storytelling.

In the past, Ray has been a frequent source for quotes from the national media on both the consumer electronics and retail industries. Additionally, as a contributor to a number of online outlets and platforms, including his rayhartjen.com site, he has spun his fair share of yarn on topics as far ranging as sports — primarily football, hockey and auto racing — and business, particularly revenue team functions like sales and marketing. Ray’s previous work includes being the coauthor of Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh, published in 2022 by Morgan James Publishing and available at all major booksellers.

Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March of 2019, Ray is a cancer fighter every day of the week that ends in a ‘y.’ And, with the soundtrack of life playing continuously in his head, Ray also performs and records with his two-piece acoustic band, the Chronic Padres. 

A native of Texas, Ray holds an undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA from the University of Washington. 

As one always to welcome a chat with others, especially fellow cancer patients, please feel free to connect with Ray at http://www.rayhartjen.com, on Twitter @RayHartjen, via email at rayhartjen@gmail.com, or via voice or text at (925) 895-5441.

Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube

Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh Tom O’Lenic and Ray Hartjen

Me, Myself, and My Multiple Myeloma: A Behind-the-Scenes Look For Patients, Caregivers, & Allies Ray Hartjen

The Indy 500: 30 Days in MayHal Higdon

Scholastic Publishers

International Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Cinema Therapy with Alan Seawright and Jonathan Decker on YouTube

Ted Lasso TV series seasons 1 – 3 (2020 – 2023) on Apple+

Franklin Covey Leadership Organization

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary Edition, Stephen R. Covey

PodMatch for Podcasters


This episode is brought to you by PodMatch, the dating service for podcasters. They introduced me to Ray Hartjen, and I’m so glad they did. I hope you’ve enjoyed our conversation and remember that if you have a podcast or something to share with the world, check out PodMatch at my affiliate link at PodMatch and tell them Lucinda sent you.

Story-Power on Patreon and Apple Subscriptions


I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power podcast, Patreon Community, and Apple subscription so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. Apple subscription is $3 a month, again with content not found on the Story-Power podcast. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Or, you can add the subscription on Apple podcast where Story-Power is published. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

What to do With a Classical Education

This post contains affiliate links.

Judith Starkston has spent too much time reading about and exploring the remains of the ancient world. Early on she went so far as to get degrees in Classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cornell. She writes historical fantasy set in the Bronze Age of the Greeks and Hittites. Her five novels bring women to the fore—whether the Trojan War captive Briseis or a remarkable Hittite queen whom history forgot, even though she ruled over one of the greatest empires of the ancient world. 

Judith lives in Davis, California with her husband and a rambunctious garden.

Website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter)

PodMatch a service for podcasters

The Iliad, Homer

A Thousand Ships, Natalie Haynes

Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller

Medea, Elisha Quin, Play by Euripides

Beloved, Toni Morrison

Author N. K. Jamisin

Clytemnestra wife of Agamemnon, Aeschylus

Star Trek

Lilith, Nikki Marmery 

The Chalice and the Blade, Riane Eisler

Unesco World Heritage sites in Turkey, Hattusha and more

Author Naomi Novak, The Termeraire series (9 books beginning with Her Majesty’s Dragon)

Author George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones series (5 books)

PodMatch for Podcasters


This episode is brought to you by PodMatch, the dating service for podcasters. They introduced me to Judith Starkston, and I’m so glad they did. I hope you’ve enjoyed our conversation and remember that if you have a podcast or something to share with the world, check out PodMatch at my affiliate link at PodMatch and tell them Lucinda sent you.

Story-Power on Patreon and Apple Subscriptions


I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power podcast, Patreon Community, and Apple subscription so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. Apple subscription is $3 a month, again with content not found on the Story-Power podcast. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Or, you can add the subscription on Apple podcast where Story-Power is published. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.