Dedicated to my Father

This is a picture of my backyard prayer garden, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I often go here to thank my Heavenly father and to pray for those I love, but I also think of my earthly father as well and how much he would have loved it here.

He was born in Missouri and his parents, along with him at the age of 8 and his two younger brothers, moved to the San Joaquin Valley of California.

My father told me it was hard for him to live in the valley of California.  Even at the age of 8 he had already been helping to hunt for his family's food supplement; now he was not allowed to hunt as he wished.

As my brother and I grew up, our family would go to the Sierra's twice a year to hunt deer, and made several camping trips around the lakes, creeks, rivers and Pacific Ocean near our area for fishing.

It was where my father felt most alive.  Like his Cherokee ancestors before him, he taught us all he knew of hunting, tracking and fishing, even deep Sea fishing.  
He used a bow, black powder and regular rifle.

He taught us to appreciate all of God's creation and provision for us and to never kill what we would not eat unless it was for protection and only after there was no other way; he proved it many times as we came upon bear, rattle snakes, etc. on some of our hikes into the forests.

It's no wonder one of my main characters is a skilled archer who loves the forests, rivers, glens and Sea.  And appreciates the simple things in life like music, laughter, love and family.

And it's no wonder why I dedicated my book to both my fathers.  ;)

Elves, Pixies, Fairies and a new baby Granddaughter

Life has been moving pretty quickly these days.  My Elf story ended up being 36 chapters!  I am nearing 110,000 words during my rewrites.

In the middle of my Fairytale, another granddaughter was born.  I call her my Sweet Sunflower.

Nothing like a new baby to remind you there are precious things all around us if we're willing to look, take in the beauty and smile.

Derek Murphy (CreativINDIE Covers) is who I chose to create my cover art again; he does such great work.

If all goes well, I'm hoping to publish the new story by November 1st!  ;) 

Finding Joy in the Journey: A POEM FOR FALL

Finding Joy in the Journey: A POEM FOR FALL: AUTUMN REFLECTIONS What is it that makes my heart stir In the autumn of the year The hues of gold, orange and scarlet Or the blue skies so ...

Looking through my window ;)

As I'm sipping my morning coffee and looking through my window, I can't help but hum a tune to a little song I created for my 3 year old grandson.

I wanted him to appreciate nature and to enjoy the view out his window and so a song was born:

Looking through my window

Looking through my window and what do I see?

Some mountains and some trees that are looking back at me

I wave hello and they wave in the wind

I'm so glad I have them for my friend

Now every time we're together we sing our little song.  ;)

 

Fall is around the corner ;)

I can already feel a chill in the air in the Blue Ridge.  Where I live, summer ends about the third week of August, but this year it seems like things are beginning to turn now.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year.  I guess it's because of the festivities that begin; hay rides, gathering with friends by a fire, sipping hot apple cider.

Two of my daughters are Elementary Teachers and they've just started back to school, along with some of my grands.

I'm able to write more now as life settles back into a routine.  So back at it I am!

Hope you all had a great summer and are now looking forward to a welcome seasonal change!  ;)

A Season Of Change

Transitions and changes are never easy for me.  I tend to be one of those who likes to settle in and hunker down, then God moves me out of my comfort zone.  Lol!

He often inspires me through music, forests like the Redwoods and Sierras of California and the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virgina, in all bodies of water; mountain streams, rivers and the vast Oceans and Seas with all the beautiful creatures within them.

I liken my journey through this life as sitting in a canoe and rowing through a river.  Sometimes I know the way, because I've been traveling the same course for a time.  Sometimes there's a new bend and I take it.

On other times the way is swift and I have to focus not to lose my balance.  On occasion, I come to rapids I didn't expect.

There are times God whispers to me that a change is coming, sometimes I hear Him and sometimes I'm not paying attention and I come to a bend with a rapid and am knocked from my canoe; in such cases I climb back in and hand over the oars to my Creator who knows the way I am going.  He allows me a time of rest before He encourages me to take the oars and begin the journey again.

The last few months have been such, and I'm rowing onward where no matter the course there are new experiences to have, people to meet and beautiful sights I might have missed if I wasn't willing to follow His lead.  I can be stupborn, but I learn to listen to my Captain.

I pray you'll have a safe journey fellow traveler and you'll also be willing to take a bend in the river!  ;)

Meet the Assistant Editor

To say that we're having fun is an understatement; we're having a blast!  This photo was the second day of the Leaf & String Festival and Authors on Grayson St. Book Fair.

What started as a 62 page hand written manuscript (1979), became a favorite read each summer for my daughters, then became a way of sharing my heart with my grandchildren and then two books.

Each book represents the siblings; there are two more siblings.  I plan to write at least two more books in the series.

Now to get my Assistant Editor helping me with the Elf story I hope to publish before Christmas!
;)