Busy, Busy, Busy!

I thought life was supposed to slow down once your kids leave home. I didn't anticipate all the fun trips! The posts on this blog will be very sporadic over the next few months, but they will include many photos of our adventures.

Already, my busyness has included giving a tour to Rose, my friend and editor and fellow-lover of giraffes and Scrabble.




We spent a week exploring my corner of the world . . . and ran out of time to do all that we planned. She's promised to return when I publish the sequel of A Home for Phoebe.

Then Randy and I attended the wedding of my cousin's youngest daughter. It was a great time seeing their whole family - 7 children and 20 grandchildren. There was lots of hugs and singing and fellowship.

Then we took a very relaxing and beautiful train ride.

Now we're off to the wedding of our youngest child, Abel. 

We are delighted to welcome Jenny to the family. 

 . . . and soon to welcome Baby Cora and Baby Sawyer. *smile* 

Silver and Gold

"Make new friends, but keep the old;

One is silver and the other gold"

(by Joseph Parry)

Just like Phoebe in A HOME FOR PHOEBE, I've made many friends as I've traveled through life. Each one has enriched my life. One of my highlights of my life was to meet a group of people I had only known online until I went to the Faithwriters conference. There I met a whole group of friends that thought like I did. We love words and books and understand the same kind of jokes and enjoy the same kind of games.

One of these new friends was Joy Bach. 

Take a few quiet moments to take a peek at her beautiful blog.

(click here)

Have you put your name in the drawing for a signed copy of A HOME FOR PHOEBE?  Leave a comment on her blog or  on my Facebook page. 

"I Will Be With You"

Real peace isn't a grassy field on a dewy morn; 

it's a calm heart in the midst of a storm.

Real love isn't walking together in a summer rain; 

it's a helping hand in the midst of pain. 

Real faith isn't singing hymns in a church pew;

 it's knowing the Lord is in the midst of you. 

This poem is a tribute to so many who are in pain today - suffering because of a sinful world - cancer, bombs, floods, war, terror, hate . . . death.

What can I do? How can I help?

 I can pray and hold your hand and be your friend 

and tell you about God's gift of love and life. 

"I Will Be With You"

I know you're afraid,

Because I am too;

But you won't be alone;

I will be with you.

You are uncertain,

Not sure what to do;

Trust Him who holds tomorrow;

I will pray with you.

Your tasks tower high,

There's so much to do;

You are weary and worn,

I will toil with you.

Temptations and doubt,

Trying tests to go through;

Victory over trials;

I will sing with you.

I know you're happy,

Because I am too;

But you won't smile alone;

I will laugh with you.

When you're in the right,

Faithful friends are few,

It's hard to stand your ground;

I will stand with you.

You face accusers;

They prick and taunt you.

Their words can't defeat truth;

I will defend you.

I know you're afraid,

Because I am too;

But you won't go alone;

I will go with you.

  

Nights of searing pain,

Waves overwhelm you.

Wishing I could do more;

I will stay with you.

Facing Dark Valley,

Last journey 'fore you,

With tears, I let go your hand,

For He will be with you.

"Nevertheless I am continually with you;
You hold me by my right hand."
(Psalm 73:23 NKJ)

Do you know this God of peace? Is He your Savior and Friend? 

Is He holding your hand? 

I have peace because I know I am His and He is mine. 

Do you know if you have eternal life?

  (CLICK HERE)

Romance in Serenity Cove

What better day to read a romantic book than

VALENTINE'S DAY?

Rita Garcia vividly describes her home in southern California

 with her novels in the little village of Serenity Cove. Her first novel, Kaleidescope Summer introduces us to this small town.

As she puts it -

"Romance, mystery and family drama intertwine in the small town of Serenity Cove. 

The fictional town of Serenity Cove boasts of beautiful sunsets and roaring waves. Its characters are as varied as the stars that shine on its diamond crusted-sea. Shoreview Drive provides a scenic drive along the coast, although most residents simply call it the coastal road. Serenity Cove is a contemporary town where people are still good neighbors and family and friends are an important part of everyday life. Where life is a step back in time, blending the best of both worlds. Even a town as wonderful as Serenity Cove has its villains..."

Rita Garcia's new novel

Tangerine Morning

is all about hope and a second chance.

Jezzica Shaffer, a young widow, struggles in her relationship with Christ and with starting over. She moves to Serenity Cove and purchases the Sea Glass Bookshop on Main Street.

Detective Zack Johnston, the first man her heart reacts to since her husband’s death, also represents a world that failed to bring her husband’s murderers to justice.

Can Dr. Ellie Carimonde help find her way back to Christ and the freedom to love again?

“…but they that wait upon the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

~Isaiah 40:31

You can find more about Rita and her books at

Hope Filled Fiction

and also at Amazon.com

Friday Fiction - (a riddle story)

Is it Friday already? I have the privilege of hosting Friday Fiction today. If you have a story that you'd like to add to our meme, post it on your blog or webpage. Then add your link at the bottom of this page, and let the fun begin. Even if you don't have a story to post, enjoy hopping from blog to blog reading all the other great stories. 

This story was written for a Faithwriter's Challenge (for the topic- "Our Mutual Friend"). It is about three friends on a little island and how they work out a disagreement. The words are part of a riddle. Can you figure out what they are supposed to represent? 

Ryan, Percy, and Jonathan Lee

Once upon a time on a tiny island in the middle of the clear blue sea, there lived three friends: Ryan Wheeter, Percy Butler, and Jonathan Lee. Whether the sun shone brightly or the winds of a hurricane swirled about, they were together day in and day out.

They sailed in the waves on their homemade boat and battled against gulls and crabs. They climbed the rocks and swung from trees. They played pirates on the white beaches of sand which circled their tiny island in the middle of the clear blue sea. They shouted at their imaginary foes,




"Three for one, and one for three,
Ryan and Percy and Jonathan Lee!"

Then one awful, horrible day, while they swung their wooden swords this way and that, Percy yelped. "Ouch!" He clamped his hand against his head, for Jonathan had clipped the edge of his ear.

"I'm sorry," said Jonathan. "I didn't mean to."

"I'm bleeding, you stupid boy!" Percy Butler shook his fist at his friend. "I don't want to play anymore. I'm going home." He crunched away toward the westward side of the island, where the dark waves ground the seashells into the rocks.

"I'm not stupid!" said Jonathan Lee. He picked up some sand and threw it at Percy in vain. "I don't care! I don't want to play with you either!" He turned eastward where the slippery seaweed congealed on the slimy stones.

Poor Ryan Wheeter stood by himself, alone on the white sandy beach. He looked westward and could barely see the brown coat of Percy Butler. Then he looked eastward and shaded his eyes to see Jonathan Lee scooting away in his berry red hat. Within moments, both friends had disappeared.

Ryan tossed down his wooden sword. "It's no fun playing alone." He slumped against a log that had drifted ashore. With a gray feather, he sliced lines in the sand which circled their tiny island in the middle of the clear blue sea. "Oh what can I do? Friends should be friends...all together!"

He walked and walked to the westward side of the island, where the dark waves ground the seashells into the rocks, to try to talk some sense into his friend. "Percy, please come back. Friends should be friends...all together."

Percy shook his head. "I won't come back if that clumsy Jonathan Lee is still there. He may say he's sorry, but I don't believe his sugary words. I don't need you guys anymore. Leave me alone."

Ryan walked and walked eastward over the dunes, where the slippery seaweed congealed on the slimy stones, to try to talk some sense into his other old friend. "Jonathan, please come back. Friends should be friends...all together."

Jonathan shook his head. "I won't come back until that nutty Percy Butler apologizes for calling me Stupid. He's a grouchy grump, full of salty, stinging words. I'm not coming back ever!"

It was certainly a sticky situation.

So Ryan Wheeter walked back and forth, from west to east and east to west, along the beach, making footprints in the spongy white sand which circled their tiny island in the middle of the clear blue sea. He pleaded, and he begged, but he couldn't hold his two friends together. He missed them. He needed them.

Ryan loafed on the log that had drifted ashore and tossed his thoughts to the crabs and the gulls. "Doesn't our friendship mean anything to them?"



"Three for one, and one for three;
Ryan and Percy and Jonathan Lee." 
He twirled the gray feather in his hand. "There's nothing left for me to do."

So Ryan Wheeter did nothing at all. He sat and sat and sat and sat. He rested his head on the log that had drifted ashore. He closed his eyes and thought of the times when the friends had been friends and battled imaginary foes.

A shadow blocked the sun that was toasting his face. Someone poked his left side with a wooden sword. "Hey! Are you okay?" said a voice on his right. Ryan opened one eye. Above him stood his friends, Percy Butler and Jonathan Lee. Ryan smiled. It was great. They were all together again!

There was nothing better than Ryan Wheeter with P. Butler and J.Lee on the sand which circled their tiny island in the middle of the clear blue sea.



"Three for one, and one for three;
Ryan and Percy and Jonathan Lee." 

~ ~ ~

 To find more of my writing, go to Full Sail Books where tomorrow (June 2)
 I am offering a free download of my newest e-book, "HOMEFRONT."

Friday Fiction - Ally and the Big Moose

 Ally and the Big Moose

Walking in the woods was the perfect way to spend the first day of spring. Ally had roamed their land ever since she was twelve. She knew every stream, rock, and gully. Her dad had said she was more of a woodsman than any boy. He had taught her how to mark a trail, how to build a lean-to, and how to light a fire. She even had her own compass and hunting knife.

"Ally! Wait for me!" Nicky, her six-year-old sister tried to catch up.

"C'mon, Pokey-pants." Ally hoisted the backpack higher on her shoulders. It was filled with two sandwiches, a few apples, and her survival kit with Band-Aids, her compass, some paper, and a box of matches — just in case.

They squished over the muddy paths for miles. The squirrels chattered and chased each other through the pines. The chickadees chirped their happy songs. Even though the snow still lay in patches in the shadowy places, bigger stretches of bare ground showed signs of spring. Green shoots peeked above last year's dead leaves.

"Ally! Wait for me!"

Ally stopped and looked back. Nicky was straddling the fallen log which she had so easily hopped over. She had forgotten how short Nicky's legs were.

"Ally! My boot got stuck and fell off." Her mittens were off, too. Ally hoped she hadn't lost them.

She sighed and backtracked to help her sister. It reminded her of the time when she had fallen in the creek and Dad had carried her home. He had always been so patient. Nicky didn't remember Dad. Ally guessed it was up to her to teach Nicky all about the woods.

They found some deer and rabbit tracks and ate their sandwiches on the big rock near the creek. Ally didn't dare cross the rushing stream today — not with Nicky. The melting snow tumbled and swirled around the boulders, carrying branches and chunks of eroding sod downstream. One slip and a person would be swept miles before they were rescued, if they survived the ordeal.

Ally squinted up at the sun. It dropped fast this time of year. It would be behind the hills by five o'clock. "We better head back." She wished she could stay out longer, but Mom would have a fit.

Going home was harder, since it was mostly uphill. Ally stopped to catch her breath. She turned around to check on Nicky. She was crouched and staring at something on the ground.

Look, Ally! I found some huge deer tracks."

Ally trotted back and examined the soft ground. "Moose!" They were gigantic— at least eight inches long. Ally liked moose, on postcards or in movies, but meeting one face to face in the woods was a different matter — especially in rutting season and with a little sister to slow her down. "Let's hurry. It's almost dark."

Just then, they heard a loud snort in the bushes. Ally pulled Nicky to her side. A bull moose, the size of a horse stepped into view.

Nicky clutched Ally's arm and whispered, "Ally, I'm scared!"

The moose snorted again and pawed the ground. Ally scanned the area. "Quick, climb that fir tree. Go!" They scooted up through the prickly the branches about twenty feet. The moose circled the ground below them. His wide antlers were still shaggy where the fuzz clung to the bone. He rubbed them back and forth against the rough bark.

Nicky peered down through the branches. "We're going to be up here forever!"

Ally leaned against the trunk. She could see all the way down to their farm. Her stomach grumbled, so she dug around in her backpack for the apples. A breeze picked up. They shivered there for hours before that big moose finally rambled off. The sun set, leaving a rose-colored glow to the air, but Ally knew her way home. She knew she would be scolded for being late.

Mom was waiting at the back door window when they arrived, and she did yell a little; but after she heard the whole adventure, she hugged them, and all was forgiven. "There's supper in the oven for you."

Nicky scooted into a chair. "I'm starved. Apples don't fill me up very much, but it was fun throwing the cores down to the moose."

Mom shot a look at Ally and caught the slight smirk on her lips. "Well, if I didn't know better, I'd think . . ."

For more fun stories, go to

Fiction Fusion.

Friday Fiction - Bricks and Bubbles

Yesterday, I was blowing bubbles with my grandson and remembering this story that I wrote a long time ago for the Faithwriters' Weekly Challenge on the topic, "Bridge." Our words can either be hard and rough like bricks or they can be soft and tender like bubbles. No one can be angry when they are surrounded by bubbles.

BRICKS AND BUBBLES

I’m not speaking to you anymore! What kind of friend are you…not calling me on my birthday? I’m going to build a wall. I don’t even want to look at you.

Slap, Thunk

You probably were talking about me with your other friends.

Slap, Thunk

You can keep your stupid, ugly friends!

Slap, Thunk

Hey! . . . What do think you’re doing? That’s a stupid looking wall.
Well, mine is going to be bigger and taller than yours.

Slap, Thunk

What are you using anyway? Your wall looks shimmery and shiny. Those are dumb looking bricks. Do you want one of mine? They are hard and strong and with sharp corners.

Whizzzzz . . . Scrape

Did that feel good? Well, that’s how I felt. Why don’t you say anything, instead of kneeling among those silly things and crying? Don’t you care that I’m mad at you?

Slap, Thunk

Hey! . . . Yours is leaning. Get away from my wall. Go away! Leave me alone!

Whizzzzz… Boing

Hey! . . . My brick bounced off your wall, didn’t even make a dent. I’ll show you! I’m going to build mine to the sky, so I never have to talk to you ever again!

Slap, Thunk, Slap, Thunk

How’d you get above me? Is SomeOne helping you? Hey…your wall is tipping over on me!

Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop

Your bubbly bricks are popping on mine. They’re dissolving my wall! What kind of powerful solution is in those bubbles?

Hmmmm . . . This one has some words on it.

I AM SORRY

Hmph! What’s this one say?

SMILE, I LOVE YOU

YOU ARE MY FRIEND

REMEMBER WHEN WE MADE LICORICE JELLYBEAN COOKIES?

I MISS YOU

WILL YOU COME OVER FOR A GAME OF SCRABBLE?

Sigh . . . There’s not much left of my wall. Yours has bent right over it and bridged the gap. I miss you, too. I’ll be over soon . . . on the new pathway between us.

~ ~ ~

For more great stories, float over to Pod Tales and Ponderings.

The Next Stop on Lisa's Blog Tour

Our driver has just pulled the bus up to Vonnie's Back Door, in Searsport, Maine, our next stop on the blog tour for Her Safari, by Lisa Mikitarian. Vonnie has just put on a pot of coffee. So grab a mug and cozy up to her woodstove. We have some new and interesting gossip about Lisa. She is quite the “character.”

Lisa, are you one of those writers born with characters traipsing through your mind, or did your interest develop later?

LISA: I don't know if I would call them "characters"

—but people, ideas/philosophical questions,

and storylines have been an integral part of my life.

I like putting myself in others' shoes

to try to figure out what motivates them,

what moves them and how that lines up

with universal truths.

Like many, I'm a people watcher and listener.

Bathroom stalls usually make for interesting conversation—

particularly between moms and pre-schoolers.

Lisa isn’t cut out to be a TV personality? Hmmm, I have pictures, people! Lisa not only likes imagining herself in others’ shoes, she enjoys donning these “characters” in front of an audience.






Lisa “plays” Yenta (in black)--right--like she isn’t always playing a matchmaker.














Lisa “plays” dangerous Black Barbara in a dinner theatre production--like she isn’t always dangerous.










Lisa “plays” Inez the bedraggled micro-manager who can’t win with her boss (played by Jason Wright)--another cameo role!



Not only is Lisa a star, she is an awesome and gifted writer.
I fell in love with Lisa's writing when I first joined Faithwriters. She has a gift of making you laugh and cry and learn something about God and yourself, all at the same time. "Her Safari" is a collection of some of her best stories. When you've finished reading it, you'll know more about Lisa, yourself, and some of the interesting characters God has put in this wonderful world.



THIS LINK will take you to Demme House Publishers, where you can order "Her Safari." Lisa has partnered with Heart of God International Ministries, so that they’ll receive the proceeds from books bought on their behalf. If you wish to benefit HGIM with your purchase, there’s a special button on the publishers site at check out (HGIM).
(place emblem for HGIM here)

ADDED BONUS!! FREE COFFEE!!

If you leave a comment on this blog post,

you are automatically entered to win

a $5 Starbucks card!

V, V.... Who Begins with V?

We are winding down our A2Z meme and have arrived at the letter "V." As I lay half awake in the early moments of my day, my mind wandered over the typcial words that began with "V"... vacuum, vase, valentine. I tried another approach. "V is for ... Victory!" which reminded me of "victorious" which led me to.... (well, you'll see as you finish reading this post)

I've known quite a few people

who's names begin with "V" -

Valery

Vaughn

Vern

Veronica

Vicky

but I don't have pictures of them.

I do have pictures of these special people -

VERNA
I've never seen Verna, so maybe she's just my imaginary friend. Actually, she's my very special poetical proofer. Verna is a great poet. She keeps my rhythm and rhyme in line.

(Click Here for Samples)








VINCENT
I've known Vincent since he was born. (named for his grandfather, Vince Conners, who adopted me as one of his "grandkids") Vincent was one of my students from kindergarten through third grade -
"one of my kids."








VICTORIA
Here is another "one of my kids." Victoria has been my helper in the pre-primary class at VBS Daycamp for the last 4-5 years. One little girl gave her the appropriate nickname of "Victorious."

(I told you this word would come in somewhere.)








VONDELL ALLEN
Pastor Vondell Allen has one of those slow and thoughtful ways of speaking. Whatever he says is worth listening to and treasuring, for it's probably very important. Pastor Allen lost his leg to diabetes complications and almost lost his life to a heart attack, but God blessed him (and us) with renewed strength and more years. Pastor Allen and his wife have been a big blessing to all those who know them.






VONNIE
That's ME! I was given this nickname by a dear Faithwriter friend, Laury Hubrich. I never had a nickname before, and I loved it. It has become my online/writer nickname. My family and friends don't know me as Vonnie, and that's okay. I'm a different person when I'm with my writer friends, anyway. I don't need to wear my motherly attitude or teacher's face when I'm being Vonnie.

A Highlights Highlight!

(a carving at the Highlights' Office)


On my way back to Maine from the Faithwriters' Conference in Michigan, I realized that my husband and I would be passing close to Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is the place where I send submissions to the Highlights Magazine. I contacted their office and was invited to visit.



Kathleen Hayes, the editor of High Five (a new magazine for 2-6yr. olds) gave us the royal tour of their office-a very interesting old building (History of Highlights) and introduced me to the staff. They answered my many questions and asked me about my writing, too.



We saw one of the first issues,
published in 1946.



Highlights has come a long way

in the last 60 years.



They have a variety of puzzle magazines

for those who like -
Hidden Pictures
Puzzlesmania
Mathmania
Which Way USA


Highlights is online, too!



With features for
Parents and Teachers

and interactive games for kids.
Highlights Kids




Here is a fun MadLib-type of game -

Story Twisters

They even have their High Five magazine

in audio form,
so the kids can hear the words

as they follow along.



Listen to my action poem "The Bullfrog"

HERE



Highlights has been a big part of the education of America's children. Now they are even reaching other lands as their magazines are being published in other languages.

I'm excited to be part of their team.

Poetry - Family

FAMILY

Family is anyone you love.
Maybe not in your family tree,
Sharing your name or blood.
Forever in your heart they’ll be.
No one should ever be lonely because...
Family is anyone you love.

Family is anyone you love,
Sister, brother, friend.
Shaping your life, taking a part,
Always through thick or thin.
No one should ever be lonely because ...
Family is anyone you love.

A Few Pictures of my Trip

I've been away for a whole week. In a way, it seems like it was a month. So many exciting and interesting things happened!

I packed and repacked my bags a few times before settling on what to take.
(forgot my jacket)

Smokey wanted to come with me.



Road trips are always an adventure. At one point, a train was stopped on a crossing. We had to find a detour through the cornfields. (without using a GPS)



Some restaurants are as pleasant to the eyes as the stomach.



Stopping at a fellow writer's home was like an appetizer for the conference.



The Faithwriter Conference was a whirlwind of fellowship and learning.



Despite losing power for 8 hours (no A/C),I was able to do an "elevator pitch" on an elevator to Linda Glaz, a literary agent,



teach a session on "Tips and Tools for Writing Children's Literature," and squeeze in plenty of time for hugs and visiting with my writer friends. (more pictures later)



This little cutie helped satisfy my grandkid homesickness.



My dear, romantic husband surprised me by driving all the way from Maine to Michigan in one day.



We worshiped with friends from Arizona on Sunday before heading home.