Since one of my children died in January 2021, I have begun a tradition of taking a vacation in late October over his birthday. During that week or so, I unplug from the world. It’s a time for reflection, for memory, for grieving, and for filling my mind—or distracting my thoughts. I’m no adrenaline junkie, so my adventures are mild. This year, I went with my best friend to...
I’m one of those people who sticks to my guns when I believe I’m right or on the high moral ground, despite being lambasted for airing an unpopular opinion. In fact, I’ll air it again and again. Eventually, I’ll find someone who agrees with me, right? The latest contremps centered on my response to a post in a writing group from a writer who was having difficulty...
“I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” That’s a line of the Nicene Creed that I did not recite for years as a teen, because I did not understand what certain words meant. I thought I understood, but I was wrong on two counts. The first was “catholic” and the second was “Church.” With regard to “Church,” I reasoned that, when...
Every author, especially indie authors, craves reader reviews. Oftentimes, the success of a book depends upon those reviews, so positive reviews are the most prized, even though critical (and even negative) reviews may be informational. Many authors use the feedback contained within critical reviews to refine and improve their work. I know I do. There are polite guidelines to leaving reviews, the...
On July 19, 2023, my latest book, Champion of the Twin Moons, is officially published and available for purchase. The book is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon. (I’ll have printed copies for sale at my next event, the First Friday Art Walk on August 4, sponsored by the Beech Grove Artists Collective in Beech Grove, Indiana.) The fifth book in my Twin Moons Saga, Champion of the...
Art on the Hill & Wine Tasting was held Saturday, July 8, in Mantua (MAN-TOO-AY), Ohio. Art on the Hill truly is held on a hill. Northeastern Ohio is hillier than I realized—and swampy. (I’d expect swampy areas in northwestern Ohio, remnants of the Great Black Swamp, but not in the northeastern corner of the state.) My best friend, Cindra, and I arrived late Friday afternoon. It’s...
Self-care became a big topic during pandemic lockdowns when stress and worry intensified to unheard-of levels. People receive advice to care for themselves first before taking care of others. Business (meaning: employers) don’t necessarily get on board that bandwagon when your self-care activity intrudes upon paid working hours or job performance. Children don’t necessarily care what...
I got myself into a bit of a pickle already this week, because I have opinions that don’t necessarily align with being politically correct or woke. So, here’s the scenario. An editor at a major publishing house posted her advice for inclusiveness in literature, specifically American literature aimed at children and teens. To quote from her post: “When young readers don’t...
I learned of the Ohio Authors Book Fair from a fellow author, Stephanie Ayers. Stephanie writes horror. We frequent many of the same author-oriented events. The Ohio Authors Book Fair took place at Destination Outlets located on the outskirts of Jeffersonville, Ohio. It’s only a few miles from another outlet mall which was constructed around the same time. The two malls have since been in...
The Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza is a 3-day event larger than any I have attended as a vendor. With over 1,500 vendors outdoors and countless more filling the Arts & Crafts, Annex, Mercantile, and Youth Buildings as well as several of the Clark County Fairgrounds’ livestock barns, this is a big, big event. Most of the vendors are indeed antique dealers, with...