Today is the day I have been waiting for so long, I can scarcely remember when the dream actually started.

Today my novel, LETTERS TO MARY, is available for sale at www.wingsepress.com.

I thank God for bringing me to this point, and know that He will direct my steps to go where He wants this to take me!   Can’t wait to see where that is!  M

What a long, lovely delightful day!  Started out early this morning, weaving my way through downtown Harrisburg looking for the State Archives building – as you see, we found it!  Spent about an hour and a half looking though the familiar letters to Mary – all the photos and documents that lived with me for 13 years!  Copies of about a dozen of them are tucked into my research folder and I am a happy camper!

After there, we went to Chocolate World, created our own custom chocolate bar, then headed back across the state.  Stopped to eat at Jean Bonnet’s Tavern in Bedford, complete with candlelight!  Very historic day, all in all – happy success, safe travels, and great company!    Blessings….. M

I am heading out shortly to spend the night with my cousin in eastern PA – tomorrow morning I will drive over to the state archives museum to get copies of some of the letters to Mary.  They are resting safely and with great comfort where they will be preserved and available for anyone to research, which is where they should be. 

It’s been a crazy week, what with a root canal, a new driveway laid, working all three jobs …  Calgon, take me away!  Not yet, but soon….  In the meantime, back to reading galley proofs.  So exciting!   Blessings.. M

For Christmas last year I received as a gift a garden in a bag.  All you did was open the bag, insert the bulb into the soil, water, and let it grow.

It did!  I was very surprised.  I sat it on the floor where it got morning light, and it bloomed several times.  Just when I thought it was time to toss it out, another little shoot would pop up.

Goes to show you that even in unlikely circumstances, beautiful things happen!  So I say, bloom where you are planted.   Have a great day!  M

Today’s morning walk was in the bright sunshine after a light mid-night shower.  So refreshing – peaceful way to start the week.

BUT – jumping right back into the week with a root canal.  Oh, joy.  In reading the letters to Mary, Lydia writes to her sister that her trip to the dentist was very painful, and that the dentist used foil to fill a tooth!  I am thankful that my very competent and professional dentist will NOT use aluminum foil!

Have a great day – M

Saturday after I dropped the girls off at their home, I decided to spend my running time down at the cemetery.  My dad, a WWII and Korean War veteran, is buried there.  The flags lining the entrance road create an atmosphere of awe and reverence, and I felt overwhelmed with a grateful heart for all of those who gave, sacrificed, and loved enough to defend our freedom.

Take a moment today, amidst the yard work, parades, picnics, and parties, to remember those who gave so much.  I, for one, am thankful for the life I have the opportunity to live, to choose where to work, where to live, to be independent, and above all, to worship in the manner in which I choose.

I especially salute my father today, and as I knelt beside his grave on Saturday and brushed away a few grass clippings, I felt a sense of pride and thankfulness for the man that he was, both as my father and as a person who served his country.  Enjoy your day, and thank a veteran!    M 

It’s a perfect day!  Sun is shining, blue sky has puffy white clouds, and the breeze keeps everything comfy.  The kids are all playing together in the lower yard, making rabbit stew.  And before you get TOO excited, they are making stew out of greens to FEED the rabbit – the one they have been unsuccessfully trying to catch for 2 and a half years now.  The rabbit’s name is Herb and he lives in the herb garden.

Logan took a minute out of his busy day and sat on the rock in my ‘word’ garden.  I explained that I grew ‘words’ that bloomed into a story. He is in advanced reading in his first grade class, and was very excited to be part of the day’s adventures!

Take advantage of this beautiful day, and give thanks!  God bless — M

Here we are, on the brink of the holiday weekend!  So nice to have so much to look forward to.  Family will be visiting, which means a fun day with the five grands.  Lots of work, too – yard work, cooking, errands, writing….  I am never bored! 

Wishing you all a safe, happy celebration – but above all, take a moment to stop and remember those who gave so much so we could enjoy the freedom of choice every day!  God bless…. M

It’s been a wild ride already today.  I think I wear too many hats!  But speaking of hats, once you read ‘LETTERS TO MARY’ you will find a significant reference to a hat that weaves throughout the entire story.  It’s a beautiful day, and I can’t wait to go home and PLAY IN THE DIRT.  We have a wonderful, Memorial Day weekend ahead of us, stretching out ahead like a ray of sunshine. 

Take time today to be thankful for one special person or ‘thing’ in your life.  Being thankful makes each blessing feel so much more significant!  Have a great day!