I’m home again. The photo is of me at the writer’s retreat a couple of weeks ago. The ladies made me a very personalized cowgirl/writer hat. We drove down to Kansas to see family – do a book signing in Anthony, KS (which went phenomenally well and was so much fun – Thanks again HIGHER GROUNDS AND LEATHER BOUND Bookstore) …

Well, we’re on the road again – this time it’s Kansas. Texas was awesome and being with writer friends was awesome. We had some incredible programs on Victorian fashion, customs, servants and medicine, as well as an awesome presentation by Carol Johnson former VP of Bethany House Publishing. So Texas was chilled, damp weather (it actually snowed which amazed the …

This week I’m enjoying a writer’s retreat in Round Top, Texas. The Round Top Christian Retreat Center is an incredible setting for rest, writing, and fellowship. When I first came to this place almost a year ago, I was immediately blessed by the owner Euphanel Goad. She is a marvelous lady and has been so much fund to work with. …

I’ve always been a fan of Handel’s Messiah. Even as a child I was enthralled by the sounds of praise and adoration. A couple of my favorites have to be the Hallelujah Chorus and Unto Us a Child is Born. However, I’m also a great fan of the opening: Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God; speak ye …

My next Sitka book just came out. Boxes were waiting for me on my front porch when I got home the other day, and boy was I excited. Ladies from my church have been calling to ask when this book would be available, so I was mighty glad to be able to tell them – NOW!! Morning’s Refrain is book …

When Judy and I were in Savannah, I heard more than one visitor say something about “southern hospitality”. At the airport in Savannah they have rocking chairs–not just in the airport, but at the pick-up location outside. When I saw that I thought it was rather like an old friend welcoming you to sit and stay a while. I found …

After going to Georgia to do research; I’m in love. Not with Georgia – although it was lovely. Not with the fried food and butter – although I suffered through with some of those tasty treats. It wasn’t even with the history…well okay I fell in love with that too, but this is different. I fell in love with the …

I’m in Georgia on a research trip, but I had to share with you some friends of mine. We have 3 cats and all are very different and have decidedly different personalities. Jim, my husband, calls them our Rocky Mountain Feline Response Team. He says this is absolutely accurate because we live in the Rocky Mountains – they are felines …

No, I wasn’t referencing enjoying the frozen outdoors, rather I was thinking of stepping outside of your comfort zone. I remember so many times when I was younger that I missed opportunities because I was either afraid or embarrassed to step outside of my comfort zone. There were so many things I wanted to try and didn’t for whatever the …

I had an encounter today that I’ll not soon forget. My mother invited my husband and I out to breakfast and while we were sitting there I noticed the woman across the aisle from me. She sat alone eating breakfast. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but a few minutes later she came clearly into focus. My …