Since school started at the end of August, life has been nonstop. Mostly good things, thank God!
I had a new release in November. My FIRST EVER science fiction piece. My story is about “The final hours of a centuries-long reality show in Earth’s orbit — “The Great Selection.” There are about a dozen other authors who took part in the anthology, and our purpose was to share the same messages that Jesus taught us in his parables through different genres. As the editor, Ben Avery, said, “Jesus’ parables used familiar elements to teach timeless truths. In these pages, you are invited to revisit his messages through the imaginative tropes of sci-fi.”
Isn’t this a fantastic cover?
Here is the purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Parabolic-Orbits-Speculative-Anthology-Anthologies-ebook/dp/B0G1HXD7QW/
Here is my sweet kitty, Iris, trying to help me make a video to promote the second novel in a series that is my brainchild — The Apron Strings Tea Tales. I am thrilled with the stories that the authors have come up with while retelling fairy tales and setting them in the 1920s and 1930s. We have Patti Wolf’s “The Princess and the Pea” retell launching mid-December.
We had a challenging time getting Patti’s story linked to the series on Amazon. Finally, we can share the series link! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKYVLW5Y
I had a lovely day with my future daughter-in-law in Pittsburgh. Ashley is an up-and-coming photographer. She just started her business and created a website towards the end of summer, and already she is booked almost every weekend for engagement and wedding photos. Often, she has multiple gigs a day. I share her adventures whenever I can — and explore different places or sit and get some writing done if my son is not available to travel with her. Check out some of her lovely photos: https://vowsportrayed.com/
Check out that door at the University of Pittsburgh. And below I show how excited I am to be in front of an actual Monet at the Carnegie Museum.
Here I am with Ashley!
This photo is of family and friends who enjoyed a craft day in Springville on my birthday. The Springville Baptist Church hosts this wonderful day every November. This year they had over 150 ladies gathering to make crafts together and then enjoy a baked potato bar.
We had our first snowfall on Veterans Day. I LOVE snow. Maybe that makes me weird, but I still go sledding — and often by myself because my kids have outgrown such things, but somehow I haven’t — ha ha!
I also went to a ball with my friend Sheila. It was a beautiful night and all of the proceeds from tickets and basket raffles went to support a biblical counselling group that supports veterans — Valhalla Services — https://www.valhallaveterans.org/
Halloween is always eventful when one is a public school teacher. This year, it seemed as though the very strange, trending 67 thing was everywhere. I definitely used it to my advantage — to help win a pumpkin decorating contest with my friend Kristina as my collaborator. We not only won the cutest award, but also the grand championship of all the pumpkins. Honestly, it was quite a surprise because they were all incredible!
As you can see, we even incorporated 67 into our “costumes” — most of the school purchased these shirts that said “Haunted by 67” on the backs.
I had another book launch in September as part of the Our House on Heather Wynd multi-author collection. The Sisters’ Tour
Natalie had always believed in happy endings—her parents’ marriage, her father’s love, and her own future… until an ancestry kit shattered everything she thought she knew.
Still reeling from her father’s death, Natalie meets Alexandra, the half-sister she never knew existed. Hoping to build a bridge, she agrees to join her on the Lochs & Legends Tour in Scotland. But castles and coastlines can’t hide the tension simmering beneath the surface. Alexandra is charming, unpredictable, and burdened by a lifetime of resentment. As the sisters clash over history, art, and whispered memories, Natalie begins to wonder if she’s been cast as the villain in Alexandra’s story.
The trip takes another turn when Jonas, Natalie’s longtime friend—and secret love—shows up unannounced at their Airbnb on Heather Wynd. His concern over the mishaps keeping her from the high-adventure outings stirs emotions she thought long buried, while his presence only fuels Alexandra’s flair for drama—and perhaps danger.
As you can see, I have worn my Highlands cow outfit on many occasions. First of all, because it’s so stinkin’ cute, but also because I’ve been in a Scottish mood quite often after spending so much time in the Highlands in my imagination. 🙂
One of the highlights of this autumn was finally making it to the top of Campbell’s Ledge. I had tried to hike there twice before and got lost. Finally, one day after school my co-teacher Dawn and I hiked. Wow, is it a hard hike. Almost an hour of incline. I had to stop to catch my breath multiple times. But it was worth every step. Check out this view! The photo does not did it justice at all.
I couldn’t get enough of the fall colors — often after school, my husband and I just went out driving so that we could enjoy God’s creation and that cycle of rebirth he designed for trees. My phone is loaded with autumn leaf photos.
And, here is our family photo from Thanksgiving. We had such a great time with family. I am still bloated from the two huge meals we ate — one with my side of the family and the other with my huband’s. God certainly has blessed us.
People often wonder where I am with my cancer journey. I have high hopes that I am still cancer-free. I have a series of scans on December 15th and then an oncology appointment on Christmas Eve with Dr. Bowen.
I hope to come back in the New Year and tell you that all is still well. However, we never know what the future holds. It’s unsettling at times to recognize one’s fragility. But the humility that comes with recognizing my life is not my own — helps me to remember that my life is here for God’s glory. There is such freedom in knowing that God’s timing and His will are the best for my soul and for those in my life — only He can see the whole picture.
Having had synovial sarcoma has changed my life in so many ways — but one of the best is that I became a volunteer with a ministry that makes a difference in the lives of people all around the globe. The training to work with Peace with God Ministries was life-changing, and I have been blessed to meet people online who are also volunteers. We meet virtually once a month, plus there are ongoing courses we must take.
There are hundreds of volunteers besides myself eager to come alongside anyone who has questions about knowing God or finding peace despite the storms of this life. Here is the link to find out more: https://peacewithgod.net/chat/
One more thing! How did I almost forget?
I just wrapped up an enjoyable project! I retold Goldilocks and the Three Bears for a book that will be published by Beyond the Bookery in January. This was SO MUCH FUN TO WRITE! This is part of the Fairy Tale Frenzy collection: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F79HZRM7
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