The Same or Different? What’s Your Pleasure?
Since I got a Fitbit for my birthday two years ago, I’ve started walking almost every morning. At first I was elated when I logged 2,000 steps, although I was often tired afterwards. But as my stamina increased, I set my goal for 5,000 steps daily. Slowly I’m working my way up to 10,000, not…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: The Next Chapter
“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” -author unknown Has this happened to you? Have you been stuck reading and re-reading a certain chapter in your life? I suspect it’s happened to all of us a multitude of times. As an author, the last thing I want…
Read MoreTwelve Elements I Look for in a Book
Last week I told you about my experiences with two books I tried to read and couldn’t. Over the next week you weren’t shy chiming in. I loved your comments. Each of you has a different “rule” you read by. Some read to the bitter end. One reader suggested that we subtract our age from…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Making a difference
I really love to find stories about individuals or groups who are making a difference by coming up with ingenious and effective ideas. Recently I ran across an article in our local Sarasota paper that renewed my faith in humanity. New Life Village is a community of retired people in Tampa, Florida, who volunteer to…
Read MoreWhen Do I Stop Reading?
Read Along With Emilie Richards has turned out to be even more fun than I expected. When I decided it would be fun to create a new Facebook Group for readers who want to share and discuss what they’re reading, I expected we’d start small and grow slowly. To my surprise we’re now well over two-hundred…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: You go girls!
“My message to young girls is that you can do much more than you ever can imagine. The only way you can imagine it is to do it. To take the first step. And if you take the first step, you can then take three steps. And then you can take 10. And someday maybe…
Read MoreCreating a Character from Real Life
Yesterday was my sweet mother’s birthday. Had she lived, she would have turned 98. She wouldn’t have been happy about it. My mom was a worrier. Know anybody like that? Or do you know somebody who’s just the opposite, who only worries if he or she is smack dab in danger? Most of us are…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: No Place To Stay
A tomb is no place to stay, Be it a cave in the Judaean hills Or the dark cavern of the spirit. A tomb is no place to stay When fresh grass rolls away the stone of winter cold And valiant flowers burst their way to warmth and light. A tomb is no place to…
Read MoreThe Swallow’s Nest Extras
I’m happily engrossed in plotting out a new book, so when it came time to blog today, my creativity was channeled in a different direction. Obviously now is the perfect time to let you in on a little The Swallow’s Nest fun that exists already, and offer an “extra” to some of you. The Swallow’s…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Woman Power
Any time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing. Whether it’s sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.…
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