Belizean Breezes – Impressions

Only three weeks have passed, but already I feel them fading.  Those Belizean breezes, gentle off the ocean, or roaring over the lagoon, or still as a statue.  Heat and humidity that should weigh a ton but instead brought a blanket of comfort.  People so friendly, they felt like friends from the first hello.  Food…

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A Conference AH-HA Moment

I’m sure you’ve had them.  Those moments when a concept examined on a regular basis morphs into a new framework shouldn’t be unusual.  It feels like being struck by a lightning bolt. I attended the Emerald City Writers Conference last weekend, an annual event sponsored by the Greater Seattle chapter of Romance Writers of America. …

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Catching Up to Overwhelm

(Please make sure you read to the end to take advantage of free giveaways and contest info.) Sometimes, I think taking a vacation should come with a label: WARNING:  Your week of bliss will be followed by weeks of mad scrambles to catch up on what you would have been doing if you hadn’t taken…

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Smoke and Mirrors

“Gorge smoke crept in through our bedroom windows last night. The stealthy intruder stole our breath and brought acid tears to our eyes.” That’s how I began a Facebook post on Saturday.  People complimented me on the great description, though I can’t claim the credit.  I give that to my sleep-deprived, coughing subconscious.  Smoke and…

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When It’s Time to Unravel

My maternal grandmother taught me to crochet at the tender age of 7.  Despite limited formal education herself, she taught me many things over the decades – about making due with what I have, about self-confidence and bravery, about baking and cooking, and about being creative in all aspects of my life.  She also taught…

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Oregon Trail to Century Ranches – Part 2

Distances between houses often number in miles.  A single spread may sit in a valley, surrounded by mountains and hills.  Few trees dot the landscape, offering cattle and horses little escape from the summer heat.  Bighorn sheep scamper up the rocks.  Deer meander across the roads.  Bald eagles perch on tree snags, surveying the rivers…

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