The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth
Wayne and I are making our annual pilgrimage to Leavenworth, Washington, this weekend, braving the winter passes and the forecast for snow. First we’re headed to Colville to wish his mother a happy 92nd birthday and visiting good friends along the way. Our son, Ted, wife Lana, and their family, will be joining us in this Winter Wonderland. I’m doing a breakfast Saturday morning, which is always fun, plus a signing later in the day, too. We do so love this special little town. For those of y Read more
One of God’s Little Surprises
I worked late last night. Everyone had already left the office, but I’d decided to keep writing. Read more
The Power of Positive Thinking
I was in New York last week just before Thanksgiving to speak at the Guideposts offices in Pawling for their annual Thanksgiving Day of Prayer. The highlight of my visit was tea with Ruth Stafford Peale, wife of Norman Vincent Peale, the author of THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. Back in the days when I wrote on a rented typewriter and received a barrage of rejections, the one thing that kept me going, that gave me hope and encouraged me, was this book. Later, after I sold my first novel, I wrote Dr. Read more
Happy Thanksgiving!
Like many of you, I’m getting ready for the big Thanksgiving feast. I have our turkey soaking in a brine, the recipe from Martha Stewart. The kitchen countertops are loaded down with the items I need for all the recipes I intend to cook. Later this morning, I’ll set the big table in our dining room with our best china and silverware. Then I’ll place a Bible verse by each place setting lest we forget all the things for which we are thankful. My list is long this year. I have been blessed in so many ways, and for that I tha Read more
When I’m in the Middle of a Book . . .
What’s Up, Doc?
My week has been filled with doctor appointments. Thus far I’ve been pinched, poked, and prodded, and it’s only Thursday. I still have a mammogram and the dentist to see. Because I also have physical therapy appointments squeezed in with everything else, it all got condensed into this one week.
Read more
Minnie Pearl and Me
This morning I had an early physical therapy appointment. I was feeling really good in my brand new pair of pants and new sweater, both in lovely autumn shades of beige and brown.
Read more
Veterans Day
On Monday we celebrate Veterans Day. For years my father proudly marched in the veterans parade in my home town of Yakima, Washington. He served in the Army during World War II, was captured toward the end of the war, and held as a prisoner of war in Germany.
My father was fiercely proud of his role in the war and became active in the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). My parents were part of the Greatest Generation and I am exceedingly proud to be their daughter.
Read more
A Shot in the Dark!
I was back to see the physician (the one who left his signature on my hind end). He explained that this wasn’t actually his name, but instructions on which side to give me the shot. This shot was for the last injection of the series for back pain I’ve been experiencing.
Had I been smart enough I would have had Wayne write him a little note, just for him, penned on my derriere: a smiley face, perhaps an arrow pointing in the right direction or, better yet, a note telling him…THE END IS NEAR.
Random Act of Kindness
One of the nicest things happened yesterday and it started with an accident. I was in the Newark airport, waiting to catch my flight back to Seattle. It was an early morning flight, so I stopped at the Starbucks stand to get a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I spilled the entire contents when I sat down in the seating area. I cleaned up my mess and decided I wasn’t going to wait in that long line again.
Read more