Halloween Ditty

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High Rises and Plush Nature

When I was young, I was a city girl. And this was my city. ☝

Cherishing Culture

Homage to History

I posted the true history of our American Thanksgiving in 2012 and thought it was time to share it again. I’ve copied and pasted it below.

Almost Party Time

Happy Friday!

Time to flee the office and race vibrantly into the three-day weekend (Labor Day in the States).

The Unexpected

Bridge over the mighty Mississippi

Last year I wrote about sending out an intention to the Universe of something that you would like to occur in your life (or pray), and then trust it will happen. One example I shared before was the synchronicity of our move back home.

Not only does the Universe/God answer our call/prayer in due time, but sometimes we receive answers we aren’t even looking for.

The Saga Continues

Many of you know about my broken refrigerator saga (starting on November 19th!) and my subsequent nasty cold. I thought I was finished writing about that true story, but it turns out that I’m not.

Chaos and Calm

Good morning, afternoon or evening, for whichever time you read this post.

I had a brief and serene blog post scheduled for today, but then something happened. . .

A Glimpse of Halloween

What a perfect night for Halloween in suburban Chicago 2018. The temperature requires only a sweater. The sky displays layers of pale yellow to pinkish-gray, reflecting onto golden glowing trees.

Home for the Fourth

Hello. I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July week. Despite the doldrums, mine was superb. Watched fireworks, went to a festival, rocked to a couple of my favorite bands, and saw a movie (Incredibles 2).

Funky

This post is not about me playing funky music. Nope. It’s sort of the opposite. I’ve been in a funk lately. I haven’t been in the mood for posting. It’s not that I don’t have ideas, because there are several subjects and notes stewing, patiently waiting for their turn to be revealed.

A Thanksgiving Giveaway

My husband and I didn’t always have people to spend time with on the holidays. Those years were melancholy for us. This year, we are blessed to have family nearby.

Having family to spend holidays with isn’t always easy either. We might idealize the holiday gatherings and imagine the perfect scene, but sometimes relationship issues and dysfunction get in the way.

This is the case for Ava and Meg who are married to the Whitaker brothers in my novel, Whit’s End. The relationship struggles they have with their in-laws takes a toll on each of their marriages. Their difficult issues cause them to make decisions with dyer consequences. You can read further about their stories on the blurb at the above link (or click the book cover).

As a Thanksgiving and holiday special, I’m giving away two paperback copies of my novel, Whit’s End. Keep reading for instructions on how to enter the contest to win the book. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY READ THE BOOK, perhaps the paperback might make a nice Christmas gift for someone.

Baking, Thanksgiving and Dysfunction

I hope everyone is enjoying family, friends, feast and some fine goodies. May those who don’t celebrate this American holiday be blessed as well.

I just finished making pumpkin cookies for Thanksgiving treats.

American Culture

If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag.  ~Author Unknown

Does it still exist … American culture … American Patriotism?

Parentless

So, what’s a person to do who is parentless on Father’s Day?

Sweet Spot

So, what do you think of when you hear the words “sweet spot?”

Ode to Family Dysfunction

In all honesty, due to the circumstances in our world today, I haven’t felt much like blogging.

So, today I thought I’d share a clip from my finished novel that I’m shopping around. Okay, so it’s still trite in comparison to the tension in the world, but what I’d give for the days of just simple, good old family dysfunction.

Since Thanksgiving is this week, the below excerpt from my novel Whit’s End shows the Whitaker family dysfunction regarding that holiday. Perhaps some people can relate.

Bridges and Beaches

My husband and I were in our twenties when we first moved to Florida from Chicago. We settled in a nice central location. We lived 50 miles from the gulf beaches and about 65 miles from the infamous theme parks. Being so young at the time, we frequented them all.

Return to the scene of a Valentine’s Day non-Date

I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I feel like it’s a superficial way to force couples to remember each other. And, somehow it seems like it’s all the man’s responsibility to do something to celebrate. Anyway, I prefer when the love flows naturally. We ignore the holiday by attending a fun filled food affair (can you tell I like alliterations?).

Family Gratitude

Who wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving week doing this?