Teaching Kids to Value Quiet

Quiet and kids seem like opposites. In fact, many parents get nervous when their kids are too quiet, because it may mean they are up to something. But even kids need quiet, and quiet can be hard to find in today’s world. When I was a kid, television was our evening...

How Far Have You Come?

I hacked at the weeds filling the main path in my garden with a hoe, as my arm muscles complained. Straightening up, I stared in discouragement at how far I still had to go. How long was this going to take? Then the thought came to me, “Don’t look at how far you have...

Summer Through a Child’s Eyes

Maple seeds Summer is here! As a kid, I enjoyed school. In fact, I was one of those nerdy teacher’s pet types that the other kids hate. (Sorry if you were one of those other kids!) But I was as excited as anyone on the last day of school. Summer meant freedom—freedom...

New Book News!

Exciting news! My next book is due out in December with WhiteFire Publishing. It is another middle grade novel, aimed especially at girls ages 8-13. I am very excited because this is an updated version of the first book I ever wrote, many years ago. It has been...

The Story Behind Picture Imperfect

Fiction often arises from two places: experiences of the author and the results of asking the question, “What if?” Picture Imperfect is no exception. Picture Imperfect is the story of 12-year-old JJ, a girl who loves photography and has an opportunity to win the...

Following Our Calling

As I dug rows for the corn, sweat dripping down my face, a robin chirped from a nearby tree. What a simple life that robin has. Not easy necessarily, but simple. His goals are to feed himself, avoid predators, find a mate, and raise a family. Then he flies south for...

Grandparent Time

We returned recently from a visit to our son and daughter-in-law and their two amazing little boys, ages three and almost one. For twelve days, we read books—again and again—and played blocks, changed diapers and fixed “snacks” for the boys. The older they get, the...

Award-winning Children’s Novel: On Sale until May Day

Picture Imperfect, my middle grade children’s novel, has been selected as Book of the Year in its category by the Christian Small Publisher Association. I am excited and humbled–and have to keep checking to make sure it’s true. My sweet cat, Fiona,...

GRACE

When my sister-in-law adopted a kitten from the animal shelter, she named her Grace. That little kitten was constantly on the move— getting into anything within reach, scattering mail around the room and chewing it into oblivion, waking her owner by jumping on her at...

Goodreads Giveaway for Picture Imperfect

Fiona and I would like to announce a Goodreads Giveaway for a copy of my book, Picture Imperfect, a middle grade novel featuring a girl, a camera, an annoying aunt, and a wayward cat, along with a mystery or two. Five Star reviews on Amazon! The Giveaway will begin at...