Dear Reader: A Sanity Check Throwback–On Making A Gratitude List
Please note that this is a throwback to my Sanity Check humor column that I wrote for the Dayton Daily News. And, well, the photo is a throwback, too! Just a few days ago, my 11-year-old overheard me muttering: "I have this to do... and that to do... and...
Dear Reader: Pie(s) of the Month–Multiple Pumpkin Pie Options!
At the risk of aging myself... I still recall the jingle from the Libby's advertisement for their canned vegetables. "If it says Libby's, Libby's, Libby's on the label, label, label, you will like it, like it, like it, on the table, table, table!" Well, these...
Dear Reader: Community Matters
A few weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, I was about to hop into the shower. It was still warm enough that I had our bedroom window cracked. My ears perked up at the sound of... was that, music? The marching band? We live near the high school from which...
Dear Reader: Fascinating History Books as Background for THE STILLS
Two weeks ago, I wrote about a goofy aspect of my experience doing historical research--diving down a research rabbit hole about, of all things, egg beaters! But of course I do a lot of serious background research for each of my novels. For THE...
Dear Reader: A Sanity Check Throwback–On Getting Lost on a Writer’s Retreat
Please note that this is a throwback to my Sanity Check humor column that I wrote for the Dayton Daily News. Since I wrote it several years ago, please note that this writing retreat did NOT take place during the past six months of COVID-19! But,...
Dear Reader: On Egg Beaters and Researching Historical Novels
I'm often asked at writer's workshop and book club gatherings about how I research my novels. Do I: (a) Do all the research and then write my novel? (b) Do a bit of research, and then mix writing and researching? For me, the answer is B, with a...
Dear Reader: Thoughts on Going Virtual
I have to admit, it's taken some adjusting to settle in to virtual events. After a half year of 'going virtual'--and events likely remaining that way for the near future--I'd like to say I've gotten used to it, and I'm a tech whiz now and an old...
Pie of the Month: um…. Cheesecake?
Is cheesecake a cake... or a pie? (I know, I know, either way, it's delicious!) I say... it's a pie. Why? Well, because technically, it's a cheesecake pie! Here's my reasoning. The cream cheese and other ingredients used for the filling form a...
Blue Suede Shoes (Sort of)
Dear Reader, I admit it; I felt a bit salty when our older daughter pointed out in a Skype call that I've been complaining about having trouble with find walking shoes--as in, practical tennis shoes--for years. Upon reflection, though, I had to admit... she was right....
Pie of the Month: Lemon Meringue
Dear Reader, It's hard to believe that September is already upon us and that cool temperatures will be here soon-ish. But I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, because for me, it flew by far too quickly. Well, OK, it also dragged its feet and lasted about a decade...
