Happy Holidays! / Updates at Greenwood House

The Holidays are Here!

Every year, our family hosts a Friendsgiving "Holiday Dinner" where we make the main dishes, and friends each bring a side to help celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. This was our 19th year, and it was a great time. Our house isn't often this full with people, and I love hearing the laughter and stories as we all come together over a delicious meal. (If you haven't tried BBQ Pit Boys Apple Cider Turkey, you definitely should. We make it every single year. 😋)

If you're looking for a unique holiday gift for the book lover in your life, you can order personalized signed copies of any of my books! Don't want to wait for a print book? Check out any of my books available in ebook or audiobook, and have them delivered straight to your loved one!

Or maybe, like me, you love watching those holiday movies. If that's the case, pick up either of my holiday novellas, THE PEPPERMINT BARK PROPOSAL or THE GINGERBREAD SHRED, in ebook, or in print in HOLIDAY HEARTS!

What's Happening at Greenwood House?

On a sad note, we had to say goodbye to my soul dog, Macey, in October. She was with us for twelve and a half wonderful years, and I miss her terribly.

The house was so quiet the week after we had to let her go, and I was not in a good place. It's strange how you get used to the sounds of dog tags jingling and the ticking of claws on the floor. Not to mention how sad it is when you want to hug a furry family member and they're not there. Fortunately for us, I remembered that a good friend worked with Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter, and she found us Archie, a Shiba Inu mix with a great personality and extensive expertise in cuddling. Archie is now a happy part of our lives, and the house is full again with the sounds of fur family.

In between training and playing with our new pup, I've been writing in a new contemporary romance which I hope to have out next year (although I never count my chickens, because life). However you celebrate the season, I wish you a festive and happy one. Lift a cup of your favorite warm beverage, and toast good cheer to your friends and family. Happy Reading!

Practicing Gratitude

Saying Thank You ... Often

I get it. We live in a very busy world, and it seems like things are not getting any less busy no matter how many time-saving tech gadgets we throw at them. I'm guilty of dropping the ball now and then, or putting down that load for a while to decompress.

Life as an author can be stressful. We have to balance our craft, often with a family, a day job, and a social life. Somewhere in there, we might get a little sleep.

You might not think it, but there's one thing you can do which will take some time, but improve the rest of the time you spend on tasks ... and that's to practice gratitude. Before you get started with your day, you might think about three things that make you thankful. It could be something as simple as that first sip of coffee. (Or a pretty coffee cup. Or the existence of coffee.)

How to Make an Author's Day

Today was a busy day at the day job, and that's after very little sleep. It's no stretch to say I lived on caffeine today just to get the work done. I came home just about running on empty. I had a couple of things to do tonight before I was allowed to relax, and while I was at it, I popped online to check my book reviews (Yes, I do read them!).

What I found was a lovely review for WATER, and it was such a gift after a long day. Not only did the reviewer like the book, but they also mentioned how much they were looking forward to reading more of my work. That made my soul happy today. Reviews are the elixir of life to an author, and they revive flagging spirits as well as any magical potion.

Thank You

So, today I want to thank that reviewer from the bottom of my heart. It was a very kind thing to do, and while it might seem like a little thing ... it's not. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

Happy Reading, gang!

For the Love of Dogs

Leave 'em Home...

It's finally getting warm out during these spring days in New York. While I'm glad about that (and my garden is, too), I spotted an uncomfortable sight yesterday: two dogs, shut in cars in a supermarket parking lot. While the windows were cracked a bit, it was easy to see those poor pups weren't happy about the sun beating down on their vehicles. Fortunately, someone was already notifying the store staff about them, so they wouldn't be waiting for their owners' return much longer.

If you live in a sunny climate, please remember your car is essentially a mobile greenhouse in such conditions. Your dog can suffer heatstroke or even death if left in the car while you go into a store.

It's just not worth it. If you're headed to a place where your pup isn't welcome, leave them home where they'll be comfortable until you return, and ready to join you on your next pet-friendly adventure.

...Until They Can Come With You

Fortunately, there are lots of great places to bring your furry bestie. More and more establishments are welcoming dogs, because let's face it: everyone knows they're our family too.

The big box hardware stores near where I live all love to see people's dogs (maybe even more than the people). Parks and campgrounds welcome well-behaved pets. And don't forget the pet stores. They love to see your pets, dog, cat, or otherwise!

Boop That Snoot

Owning a pet has always meant taking on a big responsibility. Your dog will be with you for (hopefully!) years, and will return your care and diligence with a wagging tail and wet nose. If you're lucky enough to have a canine best friend, give their nose a kiss from me, because dogs are beyond awesome.

The Drip

This year, my mission is to clean out our house of things we don’t or won’t use, then sell them in a summer garage sale or donate to goodwill. I’m a big believer that if you keep “clutter” that you’re not using and/or don’t love, it’s only going to weigh you down. I sometimes get militant about the need to bulldoze these unused items out of our family’s lives.

I’ve been through our kitchen and bedroom, collecting things that need a new home. Among them were some pieces of jewelry, not particularly valuable, that would get better use from someone other than me. That meant going through the vanity dresser handed down to me from my grandmother, a piece that’s sentimental to me, as it connects three generations of the women in my family.

There’s a value to antique furniture, but it isn’t always monetary. Over the course of a piece’s lifetime, it collects stories. Even a scuffed old table can tell tales of family dinners, game nights, and school projects.

Sometimes when I open a little-used drawer of this vanity, a whiff of my grandmother’s perfume still drifts up from the decades it sat there. The vanity’s been mine for many years now, and I hardly use that one drawer, so weeks may go by without me actively thinking of my grandmother.

Then there’s the drip. I had seen it before, but it spent a while hiding under collected clutter in the top drawer. Once I cleaned out unused items, it peeked out again.

I thought about cleaning it up, then I remembered what it was: Grandma’s nail polish, the exact color she used to wear, tipped over in some accident prior to going out for an evening. Mental images of my grandmother, neatly dressed, hair done, makeup on, and the scent of her perfume all came rushing back, now completed with that nail color. What a treat to add that to my stash of family memories.

Because, even while you’re cleaning out the clutter, there are some things you need to keep.

Buy It, It Likes You

 Get Up and Go

It’s been a long, looooong winter. By the time February rolls around, most of us in upstate New York are going a little stir crazy even if it’s been a pleasant holiday season. Between the worries of Covid and the contention with snow, cold, and gray skies, my family and I were feeling the need to get out, walk around, and maybe get in a little retail therapy. (It’s good for guys, too!)

Our location of choice today was Ithaca Commons in Ithaca, NY. This town has a special place in my heart, as my husband and I have made many fond memories there. I couldn’t have picked a weirder day. The weather, quiet but gray the entire drive down, turned whiteout in the time it took us to have breakfast at Collegetown Bagels (our favorite stop for a hearty breakfast sandwich. Take your time; there are a ton of delicious options!).

 

Individuality and Creativity

Ithaca is what a college town ought to be: diverse, active, and full of the creative energy that happens when class is in session. Even on a snowy day, the Commons was full of people walking, shopping, or enjoying a meal. Everywhere you look, you’ll find evidence of creative thinkers and people who make their mark, which is what I love best about this town. There’s art on the buildings (keep an eye out for the sunflowers!), and sometimes, you’ll find a humorous bit of personal artwork.

...But the Shops!

The best part of Ithaca Commons is the shops. Among those we checked out was Sunshine’s Creative Designs inside the Dewitt Mall. This shop had every gemstone and fossil you could possibly imagine, including a mammoth tooth, geodes, and several pieces of bismuth (yes, it really does crystallize that way naturally, and the rainbow color is the result of oxidation):

We visited Ithaca Guitar Works next, where my husband fell in love with a Gibson Les Paul Classic. (He played it the minute we got home.) The staff there are knowledgeable, helpful, and more than willing to let you test the merchandise. While Hubby tried out the guitar, I chatted with the guitar technician and learned a few things that may make it into a future book.

Next up, we stopped at Mockingbird Paperie, home of the most gorgeous stationery and wrapping papers ever. I consider it a mark of good parenting that when our 15-year-old son saw the calligraphy pens, he got all excited. The shop assistant was very helpful in explaining the care and feeding of these beautiful pens. My son and I walked out of Mockingbird Paperie with a pen and pewter stand each: a snake stand and clear pen for him, and a Buddha stand and iridescent pen for me. If we were indulging in such awesome pens, we needed stands that were equally awesome to show them off, after all, and the stands were perfectly suited to us. (He loves snakes, and I have a small collection of tiny Buddha figurines.)

While my son already has a leatherbound book in which to write, I needed one of my own, so the last stop of the day was the one where we started: 15 Steps. This store specializes in merch created by local and national artisans. The leatherbound journal in the tall white case had whispered at me when I first visited the shop, but at the time, I wanted to see what else the day’s travels had to show me. In kismet-like fashion, the pen and pen stand agreed that I needed to go back and get that journal.

It was still waiting for me by the time I got there, so I scooped it up, thanked the lovely staff for their help, and we came home to end the day with our prizes. Now, here I sit with the snow blowing outside, ready to write in the brand-new book that was totally meant for me.

Moral of the story? Every once in a while, it’s good for the soul to spend a little “mad money” on yourself. (Might want to wait until it’s not a blizzard out there, though.) Happy hunting!

FREAK FRAT Presale / Back to Normal / ICE CREAM DELIGHTS

FREAK FRAT Presale!

Book day never gets dull. While I was disappointed to see the shipment arrived imperfect, with some bent corners, I’m in discussions with the shipper to correct it. FREAK FRAT’s first copies have officially arrived, and the thrill of seeing one’s own books in print is always special.

Back to Normal

Our son starts his freshman year of high school tomorrow, and if you’ve followed our trials, you know this is a big milestone in his health progress. I am so proud of his progress and his drive to chase the things he loves, like math and science as well as his ever-present love of snowboarding.

For me, the return to normal means going back to the day job regularly. I hope that also means a return to my routine of morning writing sprints. I often get more done in a half hour of writing than in hours of allotted time. This means (I hope) more books, sooner, for you!

ICE CREAM DELIGHTS

Finally, a happy surprise for you: SUNCATCHERS AND SHERBET is now available in print! ICE CREAM DELIGHTS is a delicious anthology in the One Scoop or Two series featuring two contemporary romances sure to help your summer linger all year long! Order it at The Wild Rose Press by clicking here: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product/ice-cream-delights

Goodbye, 2020 - Don't Let the Door Hit You

New Year's Eve Reflections

 

Like many of us, I am extremely happy to say goodbye to 2020. It's been a long, awful year, and even though I know 2021 isn't going to be better as soon as the year kicks over, the symbolic turning of the page will feel so much better.

 Themes

For 2020, I started with a word that was to be the theme of my year. I wrote it in my journal.

The irony is, I didn't know how much I was going to need this word. Everything went wrong this year, and when I tell you the one good month I had was January 2020, I'm not kidding. I had to remember, every day, to be like water and flow around the rocks I couldn't move. It was hard. It was so hard. I cried a lot. I leaned on friends and family more than I ever have. I learned a hell of a lot about gratitude. I learned how undeserving we humans are of the dogs in our lives. My Macey kept me sane that first two weeks when my son was in the hospital and my husband there with him.

Somehow, I managed to start feeling like myself again. The world is still a mess, and COVID-19 is still a thing, but there is light at the end of this tunnel, and despite what I'd been feeling, it is not an oncoming train. I don't feel as strong as people say I have been, even though it's nice they think that. But I am amazed at how many hits I can take and remain standing. More than I thought I could. It is tiring, though. I kept coming back to that theme. If I could not fight 2020, I would have to flow with it. Adaptability has never been my strong suit. I am a very stubborn, very Capricorn woman of habit. So it took the mountain that is 2020 to move me.

Back to the Beginning

These days, I find myself falling back to the things that brought me joy when I was growing up. Drawing. Reading. Watching old movies and TV shows. And it occurred to me that I needed a new theme word for 2021.

This year, I'm going back to the basics. I'm going to revisit that excitement I experienced as a kid and let it fill the things I do. Just because I am an adult, doesn't mean I have to give up the wonder and joy I felt as a girl. Instead, I'm going to dive into the things that make me happy. Getting my hands in the dirt. Sketching and reading new books. Decorating a room in a fresh way that makes me smile.

I'm going to let being happy become my goal. Nothing fancy, nothing flashy. Just happiness, wherever I can find it and in whatever measure it's there. Like a joyful scavenger hunt. You're welcome to join me. Happy New Year!

How a Construction Project Saved Our Sanity

This year has been quite a ride, hasn't it? It's been hard here at Greenwood House. In May, our son went into the hospital for emergency surgery, and he's been recovering ever since. A medical problem with your child is difficult at any time, but in this post-Covid era, it's downright scary. Our family has been struggling, no doubt.

When I looked in our living room at the hodgepodge of storage we had for books, games, gaming consoles, and DVDs, a light bulb went on. This family needed a win in this year of setbacks. It was high time to make the entertainment center this room needed. My husband never shrinks from a challenge, so when I sketched out a plan with some measurements on a scrap piece of paper, he took up the gauntlet.

During this process of building and planning, we discovered a bonus side effect: much-needed family bonding. My husband, son, and I worked together on various parts of the project, from concept to paint. My son got some experience with various power tools, and I got in some therapeutic painting.

Start to finish, this project took about a month. For all of us, it was amazing to have something to focus on that had nothing to do with pandemics or medical care. While the entertainment center is mostly complete (still needing doors on the lower front), what will last is our visible reminder of something much more important: this family is strong, and even a world with coronavirus won't beat us.

On Love

Christmas in May?

Yes. This is a very difficult blog post, but one I need and want to share with you. As you know, this has been a very difficult year, and we are all struggling. The hits seem to keep coming, and last week was, for me, the biggest hit of all. My 13-year-old son is in the hospital with serious injuries, during a time where I am afraid to have any of us in a crowd of people. During a time when what I want most is to hold close the people who are most dear to me. He can't have both his parents there, so I am without my boy and also without my husband who must be there with him. It would be easy to feel alone right now.

But I am not. And that is making all the difference.

I am with my mom and stepdad, and I have our dog with me. My husband, who is a nurse, is doing the most amazing job at the hospital, looking out for our son and explaining the complicated medical terms and procedures in a way that will make our boy feel more confident. My job has been to provide supportive videos and pictures from my temporary home base so that our son can see them and smile and know how loved he is. How loved we all are.

And we are, so much.

I know I have friends and family. It is one of those things you kind of know, off the top of your head, but never really get a chance to understand to its full extent until something like this happens. Our friends and family have banded around us so strongly that I can't help but feel the love and healing. It is what gets me through the difficult nights without my boys. It is so strong that it filters through the phone to my husband and son, a beam of light and love that fills our lives.

And it's working. Our son is taking steps forward every day. I am so thankful for every victory, and more so knowing that you all have helped create it.

To our family, thank you for always having our back. To our friends, thank you for your love and for being the family we chose. And to my writer friends? My God, I know I have been writing for a lot of years now, but to see the extent of love from all of you? People I would never have met if I hadn't answered an ad for a writing workshop all those years ago? You will never know how grateful I am to have you in my life for so many reasons, and this is just one more on top of that very amazing, incredible pile of good in my life.

Thank you all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. For helping me help our son. For loving us.

Because I promise you, when 2020 is over, THAT is what I will remember about it. So. Much. Love.

XOXOXO

Fear Itself / The Fudge Ripple Effect now available for pre-order!

Fear Itself

It's been a difficult 2020 for many of us. My day job is at a pharmacy, so in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I am faced with equal parts blessing and curse. On one hand, I am fortunate to have a job where I am needed. The virus has put some 22 million Americans to date out of work (not to mention the world numbers), and many are struggling to put food on the table both financially and logistically, given the restrictions on food purchases and days we're allowed to go out.

On the other hand, I'm terrified. The first day the seriousness hit me was the day our children got pulled out of school. I cried on the drive home. I sat on the floor of my kitchen hugging my dog, and cried some more. I didn't want to get out of bed and go to work the next day. I didn't want to get out of bed at all. The entire world is suffering.  We can't fight this virus, and can't run from it.

But.

People with sewing machines are making masks for complete strangers. Others with 3D printers are making face shields. Companies who never turned a hand at the medical industry are making ventilators. Some are sharing food or going out for their at-risk neighbors. Gardeners (including me) are gearing up for the growing season to provide food for family and friends. Still more are trying their hand at canning, cooking and baking and getting their families involved in the process. Artists are sharing their work with the world and helping us ease our worries for a little while. We're turning our attention to each other. We're remembering our connections. This is hope. And we can hang onto that.

The Fudge Ripple Effect on Pre-Order!

I am happy to share the ebook pre-order release of THE FUDGE RIPPLE EFFECT! This short, sweet read is only $1.99 on Amazon, releasing June 15th, but you can pre-order it right now!

ABOUT THE FUDGE RIPPLE EFFECT

Love is unpredictable...but it sure is sweet.

Jax Thatcher loves creating stained glass, but love can't pay the bills. After a disastrous relationship, love lands her back in Narragansett with her overbearing parents and a mountain of I-told-you-so's. Broke and brokenhearted, she's forced to abandon her romantic and artistic dreams. Fortunately for Jax, fate is making waves on her behalf.

Sawyer Hennessey, the handsome owner of a generations-old soda fountain, has been burned in love himself. When an accident shatters the stained-glass transom of his shop's front window, Jax splashes into his quiet life.

Suspicious of their growing feelings, Jax and Sawyer can't resist testing the waters. They have a lot to learn about the ripples people make in each other's lives, and how one little drop might lead to an outpouring of love.

Click here to pre-order THE FUDGE RIPPLE EFFECT!

Back to School

Are you ready for the summer to be over? I am! It's been so hot in Upstate NY, we've been stuck indoors. It's hard to enjoy the fact that it's not snowing when you're not able to get outside anyway!

My son is now in sixth grade, and I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. I took a day off to myself today. It was a wonderful and much-needed moment of solitude. I spent half the day writing and learning how to better market my books, then grabbed myself an also much-needed haircut.

I am also gearing up for a very exciting book signing coming up October 20th in Baldwinsville, NY. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by, because there will be a dozen local authors in lots of different genres, and we're all looking forward to bringing you new stories and discussions (not to mention a few goodies)!

In the meantime, I'm ready for pumpkin season. Soon, the fall decorations will come out, and my favorite season will begin. Good food, friends and family, and a reminder to be grateful for the things that make life good. Happy September!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, uncles, stepdads, and father figures! I hope you have a fun, peaceful day doing what you love with the people you love. We spent yesterday with some old friends pitching horseshoes, and today, a family friend has put together a bowling party for all the dads in our circle. This evening, it's dinner with my stepdad. It's going to be a fun afternoon! Enjoy!

Parenthood

I've been a parent for a number of years now, and it's a bit like juggling the space-time continuum.

Moms, I'm sure you get this.

I know it's 2018, and that my son is getting so tall he can just about look me in the eye. But sometimes I can't help looking at him and seeing that little baby we brought home from the hospital, with those ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. I remember how his hair smelled and how soft it was. I remember sitting on the couch with him and grinning at him, and my delight when, at three weeks of age, he grinned back. I can also look at him and see that toddler we brought to his first Renaissance Faire in his little kilt. And then when he got big enough to tote around a wooden sword at the Faire. This kid looks So Cool in a kilt. *grin*

And then, once in a while, I look at him and I can see what he's going to be like at 15, or 20, or even 30. That happens a lot more now that he's catching up to me in height.

Is it like this for every parent? I can't say. Do you forget what day it is? Do the weeks go by in a blur until you realize, holy cow, it's spring again? Are you buying shoes and pants because your kid's growing out of them the week after you got him a new pair?

Then yep. You're right there with me.

I love my son at every age. The more he changes, the more I miss that little guy. And then, the more he changes, the more I love seeing the new things he can do. I am with him every step of the way, and at the same time, I am right there with him again when he's a toddler taking his first steps, or in some slightly hazier future where I watch him graduate high school and head for his dreams. It's bittersweet, and still the best feeling I've ever had.

It amazes me every day that my husband and I made this person, this incredibly smart, kindhearted person. Part of me wants to hold onto him forever, but the other part is simultaneously looking forward with excitement to the day he jumps out of the nest and flies. He's a constant gift.

Moms, I'm sure you get that, too.

Happy Mother's Day!

House Project: Custom Kitchen Island!

I can't be the only one with this problem.

My house is a number of decades old now, and one of the things I have always liked about it is its open floor plan in the kitchen and dining area. At some point, the previous owners knocked out the wall separating the tiny galley kitchen from what was then the living room. When we moved in, it was logical for us to make that ex-living room into our dining area. My stepfather put in a chandelier to light the space, and it's been great.

Except for the lack of cupboards and counters.

The problem with knocking out that wall is that we lost all that storage and food prep space. We have been living with a tiny kitchen island which worked well when we moved into our first apartment together. We also didn't have a dishwasher, and after a big holiday dinner, we always had an overflow of dishes. Then we got a portable dishwasher, which, while adding a bit of "counter" space, just sat in our kitchen looking out of place.

For years, I have hunted the Internet for a kitchen island (or a kitchen island plan) that makes a portable dishwasher (which you can pull out and hook up to your sink tap) look like a built-in.

There is no such monster.

Not to be denied, I started sketching. After much discussion and many years of back-burnering the plan, we are finally, finally building the kitchen island I have always wanted. Lumber Liquidators had the perfect size butcher block top, already cut, to fit the island I designed. So nice of them to read my mind like that!

Hubby set to work hashing out the measurements to fit what I needed it to do. He and our son industriously sawed, drilled, painted, and stained, and this is the end result. The butcher block has to be treated several times with a food-grade mineral oil, but the nice thing about it is you can cut and prep food right on the surface, and butcher block is far less expensive than stone or granite (and weighs a lot less, too, for which I'm sure our floors are grateful).

Wanna know the best part? Some of this lumber was sitting unused in our shed. It's made with T1-11 - the same stuff we used to build our shed! It looks beautifully rustic, like shiplap. I will have to buy some taller counter stools (bar height), but I love it. What do you think? Do my boys get a gold star?

Office Redux

Remember my beautiful rolltop desk (which, strangely, I blogged about exactly two years ago)? Well, the bug has bitten me again to streamline my space and maybe get a couch in my office (or a big comfy chair) where I can kick back, so Hubby and I swapped desks. As much as I adore my rolltop, I needed some breathing space in my office if I plan to get some comfortable seating in here. This is the first of what will probably be a process for me ... but an enjoyable one! (After all, now I get to pick out new desk accessories, and what writer doesn't love that?)

Hubby is already settling in with the rolltop, and frankly, it suits him because it's a good size for him, with lots of storage. He still has a desktop PC, so the rolltop is ideal for that, too.

As for me, the new, smaller desk forces me to live minimalist, and I'm enjoying it! I've still got lots of stuff to work out, as far as what I plan to keep, what to do with my walls, and what I can live without. I want to cut down on the knick-knacks and smaller pieces of furniture in favor of just a few things: one bookshelf, my file cabinet, the desk, the couch, and fireplace. I think I need a new chair, too, 'cause this one seems a little short for the desk height now that I sit here. If that seems like a lot for a small room, you should have seen how the rolltop ate up the space. It's practically empty now!

I'll keep you posted as I continue the cleanout. Happy winter!

Happy 2017!

Happy New Year!

I would like to take this time to wish you all a safe and enjoyable New Year, and especially to take a moment to thank all of my wonderful readers for making 2016 such a treat. I am thankful for your support in helping me to do what I love to do: share stories of adventure and hope with all of you!

In 2017, I hope to keep doing just that, but in a slightly different direction. My goal is to get a brand-new book out the door in a totally new genre: New Adult. For now, it's under wraps as I get underway with writing the rest of the book. I hope you'll stick with me in this new venture, and rest assured, there is more romance in my future as well! Happy New Year!

Taking a Break

I've had a long break since finishing FIRE, and it's been extremely helpful in resetting my creative energy.  I'll be on vacation from my day job during the holiday season, and I think that will be an ideal time to soak up some real R&R before going back to my newest project in earnest.  Let's hope 2016 is bursting with ideas!

It's been a whirlwind month for me, with doctor and dentist appointments for the whole family, as well as a couple of illnesses for me which were pretty heinous for a while, there!  I am glad to be able to take a rest.  You may have noticed my posts have been fewer since June.  I'm not ignoring you, honest!  It's just been good to recharge.

It's also a good time to look back on the year and realize how far I've come in my writing.  I can't believe I've finished off the Elemental Series.  (Look for FIRE in 2016.  When I have a release date, I'll announce it here!)  I had some great guest blogs, here and at other sites, and amazing book signings where I met some really cool people.  It gets me excited about writing all over again!

What about you?  Sit down for a few minutes and think about your year, and I'll bet you've done a lot more than you thought!  Have a great holiday season, everyone.

On Bullies

I don't really use my blog to soapbox, but this is an issue that's pretty close to home, and I'm sure you'll all agree that it needs to stop.

In response to a parent's recent blog post about bullying, I wrote a little about my own experiences. Here's what I said in my Facebook response:

This one touched a nerve.

As one of the "out crowd" in grade school, I can say that being excluded from things DID hurt, but it taught me to face adversity (of which there is no shortage even after graduation). It stung when I was picked on for how I dressed (not glamorous) and because I was already very shy. Imagine being painfully shy, and getting teased or bullied. That doesn't exactly foster an outgoing attitude. Even my friends would tease me for being so shy. That was even worse.

To the picked-on and bullied kids (not just girls), I say this: You can get past these people. It's hard. It's damn hard. I ignored it for YEARS, or stuffed it down in a box. I waited it out, and it sucked. I developed a thick skin, and it sucked. In fact, it's one of the reasons I write. Art is a good vent for all that suck. Just keep getting up and being you, in spite of everyone else, because one day, all that suck won't matter so much, and what's left is what you made of yourself.

To the bullies, I say this: Stop talking and use your ears. Use your head. Use your courage. I know you're scared to stand out. I know you're scared to be the one person who doesn't go along with everyone else who piles on the unpopular kid. Use your popularity to change minds instead of destroying someone. It matters. It matters even more to KEEP TRYING to be that person.

To the parents, I say this: Your first and foremost obligation to this child you brought into the world is to teach him or her to be a good human being. Anything less than that most crucial of lessons is a disservice to your child, because it's the only way to be sure they will truly be, not popular, but LOVED.

Bullying stops with one person, the only one whose actions you can control: you.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!  I hope you're doing something fun with your families today.  Be safe, and have a great time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

There will be food. There will be football. There will be lots and lots (and lots, and lots, and lots ...) of leftovers.  Yep, it's Thanksgiving time again for Americans everywhere.  Hope you all have a safe, happy, and delicious day with family and friends.  Have a good one, everybody!