Saginaw Series, Holiday Series, and Much More: May 2017

Inspiration

This morning I read something so inspiring I had to include it in Martha Street Market, the 5th book in the Saginaw Series. The inspiration was a post my friend, Jimmy E. Greene put on Facebook. I asked him for permission to use it in my book and he kindly said yes. This is in the dedication of the book:

This book is also dedicated to a very good friend. I have only seen him a handful of times, but on Facebook... I read his wonderful posts and pray for him to continue the good work he does every single day. Even though he is working nonstop - always at one airport or another - what makes him so remarkable is that I see him first as a wonderful husband and father.

I don't miss trips

I've never made or

places I've never been.

I don't miss jobs

I never had or

people that I've never met.

I've found remarkable peace that every place

I'm at is where

I was supposed

to be and everyone in

my life is who

I needed when

I needed them most

- Jimmy E. Greene

May 30, 2017

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Big Day for Martha Street Market!

I am so excited - today is a big day - My sister, and my cousin, Mary Lynn are on their way here to edit Martha Street Market. AND, my husband, Pat is on his way to his brother, Dan's, to drop off some pictures and description of what I would like for the cover of the book.

I can't wait to get started on this next phase of the book. After we finish the first edit my friend, Kay, will do the next edit. Then it goes to my sister, Jane.

I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people in my life. I'll take a picture and post it when we are editing.

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.