JULY IS NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH! Just in case you didn’t know, I felt it was my duty to fill you in on this wonderful fact. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month, with the 3rd Sunday being National Ice Cream Day. Ice Cream goes way back in time – at least iced desserts do. …

The last couple of weeks have been full of ups and downs for my granddaughter Rainy. Since I’m often asked about her and how’s she’s doing, I thought I’d share just a little bit today. Rainy has a cyst on her brain. She’s suffered brain damage and other medical issues. She is often sick, has had over 25 brain related …

Thought since Robin didn’t have a message listed today that she might be very busy with the Christian booksellers convention. I wanted to share with the readers that the 2009 Christy Awards for outstanding Christian fiction were handed out Saturday night. Here’s a list of the all the finalists and the ones in bold and listed first are the winners …

We’ve finally been experiencing summer. We only get about 2 months of true summer here in Southwest Montana, but those two months are generally gorgeous. Yesterday it rained with great gusto, but then we were rewarded with the most incredible rainbows. We often get doubles and this time was no exception. Last week we took a little Sunday drive and …

I’m so blessed to live in America! I know we have our problems, but I do love this country. I love that we were founded on Christian values–that we are a blend of so many cultures and heritages–that we are free. So often people are afraid to take a stand for freedom. They are afraid of the price–afraid of the …

Today’s the day that I type THE END on my manuscript. Finishing a project always feels good when I know I’ve done everything the way I was supposed to–given it my all–trusted God’s direction. Finishing a book, a day of work, a race–it leaves us with a sense of achievement and completion. Finishing our time on earth should give us …

. Juneteenth is the day that African Americans in Texas celebrate liberty from slavery. Just a little history lesson – Lincoln issued the Emanicipation Proclamation in 1863, but that didn’t automatically free anyone. As the Union troops moved through areas where slaves were kept, the freedom began to trickle down. When Reconstruction in Texas began in June 1865, General Gordon …

Last weekend I attended a New Life Ministries weekend seminar in Denver. It was so rewarding and refreshing. If you are dealing with grief, depression, anxiety, anger, body image, and so many other issues, New Life has a wonderful weekend of counseling and laughter. Stephen Arterburn is an incredible man with a heart for healing and encouragement. He put together …

We’re back from Texas and what a fun and productive trip. I love it when everything falls into place in such concise order. We flew into Houston and immediately drove northeast to Lufkin, TX. The next day we went to an amazing History Center in DiBoll where the staff turned out to be the friendliest and best informed folks I …

We’re Texas bound and by the time this blog comes out – we’ll be up to our necks in research material – at least that’s the plan. The next series I plan to write (it will release God willing in fall 2010) will be set in Texas. I lived there 2 years as a child and still say some of …