Sunday Inspiration: Good Fathers
I want to congratulate all the men out there who are working diligently to be good fathers whether they are stepfathers, or biological fathers or just spiritual fathers. — T. D. Jakes I like to think that another name for a good father is “Dad.” There are many men who are fathers but not always dads.…
Read MoreBook Trailer and Debut: The Swallow’s Nest
Yesterday The Swallow’s Nest went on sale at last. Hurrah! Today, behold the book trailer. I am absolutely delighted to have the book on shelves now, and I already have twenty reviews at Amazon from readers who read the Advanced Reading copies and got right down to business the moment they could. Thank you early…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Losing A Baby
Tears are the silent language of grief. -Voltaire Last week I spent five wonderful and intense days with my three brainstorming buddies here at Chautauqua, NY. Our sessions were fruitful with ideas — some of them pure gems and others more hair-brained — flying all over the room. In between we ate delicious meals together,…
Read MoreThe Brainstormers Speak
Some of you know from previous posts that my brainstorming group usually meets here in Western NY for most of a week in June going over our projects for the upcoming year. We aren’t a critique group, but we help each other answer questions about our works-in-progress, sometimes as basic as “Here’s my idea, what…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Best Advice
One reason I love this time of year — beginning of summer, beautiful weather, being with family, hanging out at Chautauqua — is because of all the inspiration in the air. What? Yes, I have found that there is enough inspiration in commencement speeches to fill the entire year. I know, many commencement addresses are…
Read MoreThe Swallow’s Nest: Ellen Randolph Speaks
Two weeks I introduced you to Lilia Swallow, one of three important women in The Swallow’s Nest. Last week you met Marina Tate, the second. This week, meet Ellen Randolph, the final piece of the puzzle. Ellen is no less complicated than Lilia and Marina. In fact she’s even more, because she’s lived more years…
Read MoreThe Swallow’s Nest: Marina Tate Speaks
Last week I introduced you to Lilia Swallow, one of three important women in The Swallow’s Nest. This week meet Marina Tate, whose path crosses Lilia’s in a wholly unexpected way. Here’s a peek into a complicated woman with complicated decisions to make and make up for. My name is Marina Tate. Tate is…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Wedding Kindness
Did you see this inspiring story? A couple who fell in love decided to have their wedding on Sanibel Island — one of my favorite places in the world. They felt so blessed to have found each other that they decided to show their appreciation and gratitude by giving back. So they asked the guests, as…
Read MoreThe Swallow’s Nest: Lilia Swallow Speaks
My name is Lilia Swallow, a name I love so well that when I married, I didn’t take my husband’s. I suspect this was just one of the things Graham’s parents, Ellen and Douglas Randolph, disliked about me. I’m not sure where it fell on their very long list of my faults. Although I was…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Good Enough
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mom’s out there. Now let’s get real. Mother’s Day consists of a tsunami of sentimental expressions of how wonderful and fantastic every mother in the universe is, how much we sacrifice for our family, how loving and giving each of us is, and what goddesses we truly are. All…
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