RJ’s Journey got me started writing fiction in 2017.  I thought I was writing one book as a gift to my grandchildren.  But, there was more to RJ’s story and life, so RJ’s Valley was written to continue her saga.  I decided the books were for a wider audience than just my own grandchildren.  And, there was more to tell, so RJ’s Legacy was written in the voice of her children and others who were impacted by her life.  I wrote for young people, but I had in mind that adults could read the books to their children and enjoy them, too.  That seems to be how it has turned out.  RJ’s story includes history, geography, faith, family and romance.  Rebecca Jemima (RJ) is a fictional character, but her story can be a supplement to American History, Geography or Language Arts classes.

Matthew Hartmann and the Pony Express and The Year of the Hawk Rescue were written for the same audience as the RJ series.  They are set in approximately the same historical time period.

Nelson’s Pond is a departure from historical fiction.  There are three books in one that feature animal families whose habitat was on or near a pond.  It is written with the animals telling their own story.  It is fiction of course, but some of the stories told by the wild critters of Nelson’s Pond really happened.

I started writing for publication in 2011.  At that time I was only writing 40 Day Devotional Journals based on the Bible.  Jesus Said is the most recent of those and the only one currently on amazon.com.  It is 40 days with Matthew 24, where Jesus talked of things to come.

These seven books are available on amazon.com.  I have a few in my inventory which can be ordered through this website.  Currently, I have six more books in various stages of development.  Be watching for Owen Hartmann and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, The Madisons, The Story Most Precious and the first three books in a series about 10 year-old twins Maya and Max. (If my editor sees this, I hope she doesn’t get overwhelmed!)

We keep the grandkids for overnights.  They come one or two at a time.  It was Nava’s turn most recently.  I don’t know what Gracie was thinking when she jumped into the car seat, but I guess she is one of the kids.  It was a beautiful late spring day and Gracie was not about to be left home alone.

      Creation speaks of a Creator who makes beautiful things.

I have several favorite places where I have enjoyed a certain peace not afforded in day-to-day life.  One of those places is a friend’s horse and cattle farm in Texas.  Many times I was there at the farm to visit my friend.  But, I, also, had a standing invitation to “be” there on the place to just “be.”  When I wasn’t there to visit her or ride any one of a number of horses she let me ride, I sat on an old chair at the back door of the barn to study and write.  The view out that door was of horses and paddocks and a big blue sky.

Recently, my husband and one of the grandkids went back there with me.  It was great to be back even for a short time.  I’m thankful for my friend and her generosity in sharing her place with me during the years I lived in that part of Texas.  I’m thankful for all my friends in Texas and the memories we share.

Do you have places of peaceful “being?”

In memory of all who served and sacrificed in defense of our nation.

Sometimes when tragedy strikes family or friends, it is important just to “be there” with them.

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Here’s the second audio file of my granddaughter asking me a question about the RJ’s Journey book. Enjoy!

 

My husband and I went to our land in MN on Wednesday, May 10.  It snowed.  But we were only going to be there for a few days, so we worked anyway.  We have plans to build a cabin-in-the-woods.  Our goal this trip was to plant the Norway Pine seedlings we ordered.  We did.  The little trees are about 6-8 inches tall.  I felt sorry for these little ferns who were hoping for spring.  They weren’t the only ones.  We planted 45 trees, sowed grass seed and trudged through the snow.  Next trip we hope to have a driveway and spot for the cabin cleared.

It was beautiful even if it was cold.  The birds were singing their morning songs.  When the sun came out it was warm and inviting.  The smell of the woods and the crisp air brings back memories.  We, also, saw a pair of trumpeter swans, some Canada geese and ducks on a nearby pond.  We have enjoyed many MN springs in the past when we lived and farmed there.  It was fun to be there in springtime again, but now in our retirement.

Northern Moz has recently experienced a devastating cyclone.  I am aware of this region because of the ministry Orphans Unlimited.  My daughter spent three months in 2008 at the mission serving widows and the orphans they care for.  I spent five days there also and subsequently served on the board of the mission centered in Texas for 10 years.  Because of the cyclone, much damage was sustained by mud brick homes and food storage buildings and crop growing areas.  Knowing what they have experienced makes me realize the abundance of rain we have been having is only a minor inconvenience.  Their growing season is compromised and it is a matter of life and death for them.  orphansunlimited.org

In RJ’s Journey, RJ was able to bring two possessions with her on the Oregon Trail. She chose to take her journal and her “Hannah doll.”  All I know about the doll pictured above is she belonged to my mother.  I can observe that she has wooden hands and maybe a paper mache head.  She isn’t fancily dressed like the china dolls I see on the internet.  She looks like a little pioneer girl.  My mother was born in 1917, so I’m guessing this doll is approximately 100 years old.  I don’t know what Mother called her, but let’s call her “Hannah” in honor of RJ and all the pioneer girls who settled the American West.