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...

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...

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....

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...

The Cowboy: This job was not like what TV and movies have glamorized. The cowboy in the old west worked long hours, not our typical eight-hour day nor a forty-hour week. Their main job was to protect cattle. Thieves and outlaws stole cattle to sell on what we would...

This month has so much going on. Groundhog Day—the belief that Punxsutawney Phil really predicts winter—at least back east. Valentine’s Day—a holiday promoted by greeting card companies but really started by St. Valentine. Susan B Anthony’s Birthday (15th). Canada’s...

Most of you probably know we use the Gregorian calendar. What is it? In 1582 it was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII (Google) to coincide Easter with the spring equinox. Compared to the Julian calendar which was used previously, it still had 12 months, but February now...

What’s normal for this time of the year?  Do you continue your everyday tasks like any other month? I know, I try to. The holidays are a time of celebration. For me, it’s the birth of Christ and why he came to earth to save us for his heavenly realm. The...

When was the last time you laughed? Really laughed from deep down in your core. Science tells us that laughter is a potent endorphin releaser. It acts with our homegrown receptors, much like an opioid would work. Ooh! Let’s not go there but return to laughter. Quite a...

PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES How many of you remember the movie with the above title? I have to write about getting on a plane in a few days to head to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Annual Conference. I’m excited! However, I don’t recommend reading...