ENCOURAGEMENT

How many times have you felt down in the dumps over…well, anything? It could be that you have been sick too long, your last job interview didn’t go well, or you’ve had writer’s block. The last one occurred to me recently. I prayed about being stuck, but apparently, I...

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TEACHING & ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES

Teaching out West was important to settlements with five or more children. Despite some of our images of the Wild West, education was important to help the future generations expand the western United States. Children would receive a free education (first-eighth...

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REJECTION

Years ago, my draft manuscript was rejected by a publisher who insisted I find an agent. When I couldn’t find one (it wasn’t easy), they assigned one to me, and I didn’t particularly care for him. After much criticism and nonacceptance, I shared with others that I had...

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WORDS

I’ve been reading a romance book with Old English wording. Many words are no longer used in daily communication, but I thought they’d be fun to share with you. You might even know their meanings.   Arras -  Agog - Countenance - Ebon - Emend - Gonfalons - Roweling...

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ALMOST THERE…

ALMOST THERE…

November is a busy time of year for me and perhaps for you, too. Especially with the holidays right around the corner. For me, it’s been finalizing my second book in the series Cowboys of the High Desert. Natalie’s Cowboy is “almost there.” I realize it has been a...

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CONDITIONALLY COLD

How many times a day do you open your refrigerator? And take for granted that it sits (most likely) in your kitchen doing its thing? I love this convenience, but what did civilization do before electricity to keep their foods cold or chilled to preserve them,...

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RODEO

My husband and I recently attended the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo in Colorado. As part of my next book, Natalie’s Cowboy, soon to be released, the hero is a “retired” saddle bronc rider. Here are some fun facts about rodeos: Rodeos started with the Spanish in...

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LAWMEN IN THE OLD WEST

How many of you picture the Old West as being lawless? That concept was promoted by movies and pop culture. Perhaps you visualize it as being overrun by gun-slinging outlaws. The reality was NOT! Yes, there were bank robberies, cattle rustling, and historical records...

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MOUNTAIN HIGH

How many of you have been to the mountains? I’ve been blessed to live in Colorado. I’ve also seen the Appalachians and been to the Alps. If you haven’t been, I truly hope you have the chance to see them in your lifetime, even from afar. Here’s a pic you might enjoy....

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WRITE ON

How many of you have written letters in the past? Thank you notes? Maybe a poem? Emails? Blogs? I’ve written all of these, and they do take a bit of thought beforehand. Since they are all different types of writing, you would put your personality in the letters to a...

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