In my childhood, my head was always filled with stories like the Chronicles of Narnia, the BFG, Call of the Wild and so many more. I gobbled up all the horse stories I could find. When I hit the sixth grade, I ran out of books that interested me, so I started reading Christian fiction and was hooked. Around that same time, I got my first horse and began training and honing my riding skills. My horse was a registered Arabian mare named LL Naseem. I found a book of legendary Arabian stallions and found my horse was a descendent of one of them. My very first novel was born...
Reflections on the 4th
I had the privilege of going to four rodeos, a parade and a pageant fashion show over the past weekend and my head is still a-spinnin’. But it was a wonderful time and brings about a time of reflection for me. The Fourth of July symbolizes the birth of our nation, but also a big weekend for cowboys around the country. Cowboy Christmas – the 4th of July weekend – is a where most of the men and women of rodeo make their earnings. They hit several rodeos over the course of the weekend and rack up all the points and dough they can. In our area, the grand Pacific Northwest,...
Distractions for a down day
It is a time of transition at my workplace these days and there are a lot of uncertainties ahead. I also found out a good friend of mine who moved to Texas won’t be returning for the summer conference where we first met and forged a friendship. And, it’s July and raining. (OK, normally I’m the first to say a I love the rain and prefer it to 90-degree weather, but today, it just is tipping me over the edge.) So, I want to share some fun things I do to distract myself and pick up my mood on such down times. You all know I’m a history buff. Well,...
For Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, let’s all take a moment to pause. Yes, this is a day off for many – but let’s remember those who are overseas and who have served our country without question. This is more than some excuse to sleep in or get to that to-do list at home. This is a meaningful day in our year in which we are meant to observe. Two years ago, I went with my then-fiance and his family to see his grandfather’s flag flown at the military cemetery in which he is buried. The sky was as blue as could be and the American flags flew high and proud that day....
Study on WWII Germany
Are there ever periods where you seem to have a common thread in all the books you’re reading? Lately, it’s been a thread linking the movies I’ve seen and the books I’m studying. What’s that tie? Germany during and after World War II. It began with The Good German by Joseph Kanon, which was later turned into a movie (that I hope to see soon!). This book gets to the heart of Germany’s slow and painful recovery after the Allies claim victory in Europe. The Good German is the story of an American reporter who returns to Berlin to find a woman he’d had an affair with before he fled...