Saginaw Series, Holiday Series, and Much More: June 2015

Getting Excited

I am starting to get excited about the new book, A Light Shines Forth, almost being done. I can actually see the end of the editing. We stopped by the lighthouse in Tawas, Michigan today to snap a few pictures. The book takes place in Saginaw and Tawas, Michigan and Okinawa, Japan.

Today is D-Day. A day when so many lives were sacrificed for our freedom. I am proud to include in the book a rich sense of military pride with Noah joining the Air Force. I watched my grandson graduate and be assigned to Okinawa. I have taken great liberties writing about his basic training and how our family felt during the graduation and his assignment. Much of it is from my heart, but truly inspired by our experiences with Robin.

Trying out new book covers

This is the part I HATE. Making the bookcover for a new book. I don't have any trouble finding a great picture, but the font and the layout - gggggrrrrr.....

I am leaning toward #1 maybe with my name in white too. The title pops out at me.

So - If you like any of these let me know - comments - suggestions - thanks, ME

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Inspiration from East Side Soup Kitchen

Webber House

Obituary Inspiration

My eyes were pulled toward this obituary in the Saginaw News. When I read the description of Rosalie I knew immediately I wanted her in "A Light Shines Forth" - after talking with her daughter and emailing her granddaughter - I was so inspired. Thank you new friends. THIS IS FROM THE OBITUARY: From homesteading the farm to owning a local eatery, she raised her children by example of frugality and superior work ethic. She could stretch a penny into the next month and could feed an army on a squirrel. (And yes, thered be seconds.) Rose was a master gardener (often times with strangers stopping to admire) and was known to sleep on a cot along the row of dill to figure out how the deer got in. A canning magician, each year would produce a family squabble over who would get the last quart of dilly beans or tomato jam. An avid outdoors and fisherwoman, she raised and sold bait, smoked and sold fish, and was known to wrestle snapping turtles (for soup, of course) into her trunk on her way to pick blueberries. She was an excellent bowler, loved liver pate and cheap whiskey, produced miles of beautifully knitted and crocheted anything (no, really...anything) and was the dog whisperer of the family. For years she refused to use a microwave and she never used credit, boasting that the only plastic she owned was her laminated AARP card. She conducted her five foot self with grace and dignity but even at 85, she could swear like a sailor and wasn't afraid to take your money at the card table (or an IOU if you didnt have it). Affectionately known as Nonnie, she will be eternally missed by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who claim that she first hung the moon and then scattered the stars.