Eau d’ Skunk

There are definite advantages to living in the country: plenty of room to grow vegetables, fruit trees and chickens; an abundance of wildlife (I love falling asleep with hoot owls and crickets as background music); room for our one cat and four dogs to roam; fresh air, lots of trees…the list is endless. There is nowhere I’d rather live than …

A Study in Characters

As I finish up the edits for my latest novel, Surrendered (which, if it gets contracted, will be under a different title, I’m sure) my focus needs to shift toward the next story. That means creating characters with enough issues and angst to make them interesting without bordering on a diagnosis that can be found in the DSM-5—the fifth edition …

White Hot Imperative

Last December, my husband started working with a new chiropractic coach—think life coach for business. Jim guides Chris in maintaining a healthy chiropractic business. But what’s different about this coach than the one Chris worked with previously, is Jim understands a healthy practice starts with a healthy connection to God and family. Not a new concept, but one I believe …

Gone in a Blink

This summer has been a whirlwind of activity. We’re in week ten of a ten-week remodel project, I completed my latest novel last Thursday and my husband’s been working more than ever. Aside from a four-day road trip to visit family, we haven’t done much relaxing. I don’t write this to complain—it is what it is. We all make choices. …

The Power of Dreams

On page 74 of his book The Hope Quotient, Ray Johnston wrote the following statement: Jesus was not focused on what people were like. He was focused on what they could become. It doesn’t matter if we’re five, fifty or ninety, if we’re still walking on this earth, God’s not done with us yet. I believe He desires every one …

The Hope Quotient

Last week, my husband and I were visiting family in Idaho. We like to wake early each morning and spend some time in the Word, and my family has a wonderful backyard in which to do that. As the sun was rising behind us, we sat at the table, our books and Bibles spread out around us. To be more …

On Vacation

I’m heading out to visit family. See you all back here next week. God Bless!

Prayers of the Heart

Last week, a young Christian man told me, “I would give just about anything so my wife wouldn’t have to work.” They have two very young children at home. He’s self-employed, and the only reason she works is to provide them with health insurance. My response was, “Have you prayed about it?” He hesitated a moment before explaining that he’s …

The Art of Story

Tess O’Shay is in her mid-30’s, has red hair, green eyes and a feisty temper. She says what she thinks, which I love about her, and has a deep wound that has held her in a bondage of her own making for ten years. She’s lost her mother to cancer, her father to a heart attack and is the only …

Phase Two: The Framing

We’ve been in the construction process for 3 ½ weeks now, and aside from being without a stove top for two days, there has been very little disruption. I know this is God’s timing, as everything is. I don’t generally do well with chaos, but in the busyness of life over the last several months, I’ve had to let a …