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My Mother’s Plant: the Will to Live

posted on: August 4, 2016

When my mother died in 1976, my brother and I voyaged to Harrisburg Pennsylvania to clean out her apartment. She was only 62, and, in spite of having several heart attacks for almost a decade, continued to work as Commissioner of Mental Health for the state of Pennsylvania. We donated her clothes to the state… Read more

The Pit Fire: the Four Elements, Serendipity, and Me.

posted on: April 19, 2016

When my ceramics teacher, Anita Sinclair, told us we were going to do a pit fire, I was thrilled. And it was at the beach! I had always wanted to turn the earth into a pot as humans had done for tens of thousands of years. The archaeological digs I was part of consisted digging… Read more

The Christmas Cookie Club starts a new tradition!

posted on: December 23, 2015

I few days ago, my twitter feed notified me  that the novel that launched The Christmas Cookie Club series inspired a tradition.   Annette Hannah and Becca’s Books were gracious enough to let me share the story with you. So here it is: Christmas on Becca’s Books | Festive Reading Recommendation by Annette Hannah ~… Read more

Virtual Cookie Party

posted on: December 6, 2015

  I’m spending the winter in Long Beach, California. Every morning, I open my door and the sky is blue, and the air warm. Snow, blistering wind seem far away. Don’t miss the bitter weather, but I’ll miss my cookie club and the traditional holiday parties. So this is my way of compensating…sharing a virtual… Read more

Giveaway of audio version of His Eye Is on The Sparrow

posted on: May 28, 2015

I was so excited after hearing the wonderful Audible recording of His Eye is On the Sparrow, my short memoir published by Shebooks that I want to share the experience with you.  I listened to it on my phone as I walked my neighborhood, the sun warming me, a breeze rustling the leaves around me. Once again,… Read more

How THE LOTTERY Came to Be

posted on: March 9, 2015

To tell the story of how The Lottery came to be means going back a few years to the winter of 2008.  It was a bitter winter, the cold especially harsh after almost a decade of global warming instigated mildness. Snowfall blanketed the Midwest for months.  Thermal underwear under layers of clothes did not prevent me from… Read more

Another Wonderful Christmas Cookie Club!

posted on: December 10, 2014

Another exciting, wonderful, loving, fun and delicious Christmas cookie club! Our party this year reflected lots of changes. Marybeth Bayer, who was the hostesses, organizer and head cookie bitch for over twenty years, moved to be closer to her family.  Her friend, Karin, gladly picked up the reins and had the cookie exchange at her… Read more

Let’s Decrease Violence in our Society

posted on: September 24, 2014

We live in a violent society. This summer we witnessed the murder of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer as well as domestic violence and child abuse perpetrated by our athletic heroes.  A student killed 7 and wounded 14 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Military machines from our wars now… Read more

A Labor Day Free Story for You: Snake Patterns

Books to wear posted on: August 30, 2014

  A juniper bush is beside the stairs leading to my front door. Its needles are so tiny and regular, they appear to be a soft green cloud. I walk toward the steps. A sudden motion catches my eye. A baby snake, no more than 5 inches, explores the shrub. The small diamonds and triangles… Read more

A Gift for My Sister Wins Best Fiction Award

Gift for My Sister, paperback posted on: August 12, 2014

Once again the Internet brought me surprising news.  I was Googling myself to fulfill a request from my agent. I guess this guilty curiosity is something many do,  but I had not indulged in well over a year. I checked through the pages to ascertain that the information was not about the several other Ann… Read more