(Originally posted January 27, 2019) A while back I found my old five-year diary. A Christmas present from my mom, I began writing in it in 1970 (when I was 11) and finished in 1974 (when I was 16). It’s interesting (and, at times, embarrassing) to re-read the things I deemed important at those ages….
Author: Joan
Author Spotlight: Brent Gill
(Originally posted January 7, 2019) I’m chatting with Brent Gill about his newly published middle-grade novel, Fire on Black Mountain. Before we get started, congratulations on your book! This is a major accomplishment. Thank you so much, Joan. It sure feels like a major accomplishment to me. It has been a five-year process. It’s quite an experience…
Family
(Originally posted December 30, 2018) Our Christmas celebrations started on December 26 this year. By noon, the house was full of family. Along with David and I, my daughter Michelle visiting from Oregon, my son Brian from Ventura County, and my son Matt and his girlfriend Lauren filled my heart with Mom-joy. We ate, opened gifts,…
Happy Trees
(Originally posted March 25, 2018) A few years ago, on Mother’s Day, my kids took me to the garden department of a local home improvement store. Keeping within their budget, I picked out two of my favorite trees – a self-pollinating Pomegranate (for the fruit) and a Japanese Maple (for the brilliant crimson leaves). Soon…
Numb and Number
(Originally posted March 23, 2018) When I first thought about writing this post it was going to be about how much I hate my teeth and how much I hate dentists. Instead, it’s about how my new dentist became my hero. I inherited a lot of things from my father. The love of reading and…