>It's another beautiful day in this neighborhood. The temperatures and humidity are much lower than last week.When I take Libby out early in the morning and see the cottonwood leaves, shimmering translucently in the morning sun, I marvel to think they will be even more beautiful in the new earth. This sun is only temporary; … Continue reading >Real Light

>Where's the basis for those old song lyrics, "Summer time, and the living is easy"?Grass and weeds grow at a phenomenal pace. Some of my work deadlines are farther apart in the summer, but extra business trips eat up free time. And summer is always full of family gatherings, which are great fun. Home, work, … Continue reading >Summer Time

>Yesterday was the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Our current heat and humidity leave no doubt about summer's arrival.As the sun was setting about 9:00 last night, its last rays caught a towering thunderhead in the east. The cloud glowed and reflected rays of soft, golden light. It was … Continue reading >Summer Solstice

>Matthew One (my “book boy”—thanks, Grace!) has grown up and gone off to the big city to make a name for himself.Like any proud parent, I’ve been concerned and anxiously waiting to hear news of him. I worried that he might seem immature and his acne might break out.Last week I hear that he made … Continue reading >Matthew in the City

>My friend, Betty, sews beautiful and bright hooded towels for children. My mother bought one for each of her great-grandchildren at Christmas. I have a special one for each of my grandsons when they visit. Betty also sews these cute hooded towels for pets! Libby had a precious pink one when she was a puppy, … Continue reading >Libby’s New Towel

>Those readers wondering about my progress on the series of four novels about Matthew may be interested to know that Matthew (aka Book Boy Two) has become mired in Valentine's Day mush.I'm trying to pry him out.

>For several days, I've been trying to shoot a video of an oriole spinning on our hummingbird feeder. He has broken off one of the bee guards and likes to perch and sip nectar. We've put out oranges for the orioles, which they eat, but this particular bird likes the hummingbird's sugar water. The hummingbird … Continue reading >Oriole Go-Round

>My husband, Dave, took this picture of Libby and me last evening in front of the clematis that is beginning to bloom on the south side of our front porch.I can take no credit for its beauty. I do nothing special during it's growing season and I have only once cut back dead branches. In … Continue reading >Violet Flowers and Violet Eyes

>Today I'm taking Matthew to school.This morning I'll be reading from Matthew Muddles Through to the combined fifthgrade classes at Pella Christian Grade School. The half hour slot immediately before their end-of-the-year outing will be just enough time to read the first three chapters with plenty of expression.Matthew Muddles Through is the first book in … Continue reading >"Matthew" to school today

>Now that Matthew One is fairly fit, I've been working on the second book in my juvenille fiction series about Matthew. Matthew Two has a frame of about 25,000 words, but like Matthew One this Matthew needs some fattening. The real challenge has been to craft a beginning to this second novel that provides the … Continue reading >The Challenge of Matthew Two