Blink

A few weeks ago my husband Derek and I attended our nephew Benjamin's high school graduation. We were very tired that day because a woodpecker had been attacking our house since early morning. I sat in the stadium in a sleepy daze watching the pre-ceremony videos the class had put together. In the videos many of them wore 2019 t-shirts. I was thinking to myself, if we had done this sort of thing my shirt would have said 1989; and it slowly worked its way into my brain that there were 9's on the end of both dates, and that it has been thirty years since I graduated from high school. I found this surprising; to add to the impression, the girls in the class wore white gowns just as I had.

Blink. Decade. Blink. Decade. Blink. Decade.

The whole day was a bit surreal; here are some random impressions.

The security guard wished me happy Mother's Day (I have no children).

Graduations are always poignant with many emotions, with the consciousness of what you are losing mixed with the excitement of what lies ahead. At least Benjamin's class has social media to easily keep in touch with their friends. It was a bit harder for us.

A really beautiful "hat throw," with white and bright purple hats fluttering like confetti against the dark seats of the arena and the bright light of the floor.

Young women in white gowns bring to mind angels, nurses, spirits, saints.

Hecate is the goddess of magic and of the crossroads.

On the way home, Derek says (loudly, suddenly, without immediate context and to an unspecified audience): "Who doesn't like DuckTales? I will FIGHT you!" 

How Cold Is It?

#ItsSoCold I took my pet penguin for a walk.

#ItsSoCold my hashtag froze.

#ItsSoCold my snowman is glad he's so fat.

#ItsSoCold my snowman quit.

⛄

Wishes

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Jaleth and the Dragons at SCBWI Bookstop!

The SCBWI Bookstop is a place where Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators can showcase books published this year. I have a page for my e-novelette, Jaleth and the Dragons. I tried to have fun with this page -- there is a silly picture of me with a dinosaur! Please stop by! While you're there, have a look at the other great books by traditionally and independently published authors!

Jaleth and the Dragons, Now on Nook!

Finally have my e-novelette, Jaleth and the Dragons, available on Nook as well! It's just in time, because I will be participating in the SCBWI Bookstop next week (more details to come) and I wanted it available on Kindle and Nook before then. ☺

Jaleth and the Dragons, Now on Kindle!

Last year I had a short story, "Jaleth and the Dragons," published in an online magazine. I decided recently to publish it as a stand-alone Kindle title. It is about 40 pages long in print, so you could call it a short story, long story, novellette, or novella. I plan to release it on Nook as well, but probably not in paperback as it's not very long. If you'd like to see it, here's the link! Jaleth and the Dragons on Kindle

The Court Wizard, Still Available at Watermark Books

The Court Wizard will continue to be available at Watermark Books for at least another 90 days!

When the old apothecary’s shop blows up in mysterious circumstances, Winnifred brings him home to her aunt’s to take care of him. But when Galen wakes up, he tells her he must flee their country of Sedonia, and she must flee with him. Winnifred finds herself on a ship bound for Fortress-on-Sea, where they meet a handsome stranger, Beldon. Slowly, listening at doors and demanding answers, Winnifred learns the secret of her true destiny, and must decide whether to embrace it.

Winner of the Clare Vanderpool Work of Promise Scholarship, awarded by the Kansas chapter of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators 

 "Overall, Winnifred's tale has all the hallmarks of a fun coming-of-age adventure story. She's refreshingly less a damsel in distress and more an emerging leader as she grows up. I'd recommend The Court Wizard to any pre-teen interested in medieval fantasy novels." -- Renaissance Magazine