I’ve got my flag flying proudly. Do you? I was looking at houses as I walked Maggie this morning and noticed mine was the only one sporting the red white and blue. I so appreciate all the men and women, past and present, who served in the military. Flying the flag is my way to honor them. And, now that I’m thinking of it, I’d like to thank all the spouses and children who sacrifice precious time with their loved one so that he/she may serve. I was one of those. In the 1960’s we were called “sit and waits.” I can attest to the waiting part, but there wasn’t much sitting—too many farm chores to do, coal fires to tend, and diapers to wash.

Last weekend, I had my first signing for Skip Rock Shallows at Lifeway Christian Book Store here inLexington. The Lifeway staff was smart to place a big platter of chocolate-chip cookies on my table to attract people. We sold out in the first hour! (The book—not the cookies.) That’s always gratifying for an author.

My friend, Boneva, made a beautiful silk floral arrangement for me and brought it to the signing. It added a lovely touch to the table.  It’s always so good to see old friends at my events and always fun to make new ones.

Make sure to thank our veterans this weekend. If you don’t have a flag, get one. It’s a great way to say, “Thank You.”

Just got back from a trip to the park with Maggie. Even though she is petite Jack Russell, she is not easy to walk. The park we like is really just a paved walking trail. It sits on the edge of a wooded ravine and she likes to pull me right to the edge. She’ll wade through weeds over her head rather than take the easy way. I’m always steering her away from sticker weeds and poison ivy. Sometimes I pick her up and set her on my hip just to make a little progress in the walk.

During our walks, I’ve been watching a pair of Cooper’s hawks. In early spring, I saw them build their nest out of sticks. The nest is high up in a tree that doesn’t have any low hanging branches. Their home is well protected up there. Today, I saw one of the hawks flying with supper clutched in its talons. Once I saw a hawk flying with a snake. Nature can seem cruel, but all things have to eat.

I’m always amazed at God’s provision for all the creatures He created. Whether it’s a small, nearly-blind, deaf Jack Russell who has the perfect owner for her particular needs (me), or a pair of hawks who need a safe place to feather their nest, He always provides.

I pray you have a blessed week.

Let’s catch up. What have you been up to this week? I know everyone has been buying flowers for their mothers because yesterday when I went to a local plant nursery, all the beautiful hanging baskets were gone. I did find what I went after though, and came home with a flat of cheery, yellow lantanas along with lavender geraniums and pink impatiens.

Right before dark, I took a rake and a hoe out front to my flower garden. My house is a ranch so there’s a long expanse of beds to fill. I have some perennials: day lilies, iris, a lovely bleeding heart, but I like some annuals to brighten up the beds. Spring just doesn’t feel right until I plant some posies.

The soil in my garden bed is easy to work. (I just have to watch to make sure I save any fishing worms I displace so that I can put them back.) But just as I planted the first lantana, it began to rain. I thought of my father who was a farmer and how he never stopped working because of a change in the weather. I got a little wet, but I finished the job.

I brought one pot umber-colored pot full of white geraniums inside to put in the kitchen window. It is to honor my mother who has been gone for many years.

Enough for now, catch you next week.

Blessings, Jan

Hello Friends,

Welcome to my brand spanking new blog. I wonder what is on your mind today. I wonder if you need a comforting word or if you have comforting words to share.

By now you know that I’m an author, but there are many more facets to my life. I’m also a former registered nurse, a widow; and one of my sons is autistic. I am an animal lover. (I once revived a dried out butterfly with a cotton ball soaked in sugar water, and I’ve raised a few wild rabbits to release age with a diet of lactose free formula and jars of mixed-vegetable baby food. I named my last rabbit Q-Tip because that’s how he took his food. You probably know about my eleven pound terror (excuse me, terrier) Maggie. She’s a short-legged Jack Russell and she runs the house. You’ll hear more about her in future blogs. Please tell me all about your furry friends.

As for my other facets, (smile) I’d love to hear how you cope with your disabled children (or disabled friends or relatives), and also the blessings you’ve received through them. My autistic son has definitely humbled me and taught me that there are things that I can’t fix, and that there are many things in this world that shouldn’t be fixed. My mantra for my adult handicapped son is, “He’s okay just the way he is.”

As for that other facet, widowhood, I don’t like it one little bit. My husband died in 2005 and I still dream about him. Last night I dreamed I was trying to call him on my cell phone. I woke up aggravated because he wouldn’t answer. Don’t you wish there were cell phones in heaven? Wouldn’t that be cool? Yesterday, I would have called Chuck and asked him why there was no water coming out of the kitchen faucet. He would have known the answer. Chuck could fix anything. Thankfully, I have son who is like-gifted. Stephen figured it out in less than thirty seconds.

Are any of you writers? Do you have questions we could discuss? I’m late to the publishing business, and I’m still learning even though I have published six books.

Enough of my thoughts for now, I want to know what’s going on in your world. Watch for my blogs each Sunday. Gotta run, Maggie wants a walk.

Blessings, Jan

“The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” Isaiah 50:4 KJV