This is the screen saver on my cell phone. Every time it comes up, I smile. How I love each of those dear little faces. There is something precious and special about all of them, and I could fill pages sharing everything I love about my grandchildren. I remember the…
I come from a creative family. Daddy writes poetry, does amazing woodworking, and gardens. Mom tantalizes our tastebuds and stitches threads into lovely flowers and whimsical cats. My brother composes music. My daughters are singers, artists, poets. Oldest Grandboy has already written his first book (I shared about it here). And…
By the time you've lived half a century, you better have learned a thing or two. I remember telling my fifth graders it's important to study history because it keeps us from making the same mistakes former generations made. Well, in order to safeguard you from future errors, I'm going…
I spent most of Monday and Tuesday watching the news coverage of the tornado damage in Moore, Oklahoma. I would imagine others also felt compelled to scan the televised images for signs of life amid the wreckage. There's something about a tragedy, even when it isn't our own--or maybe even…
See the little crowns? My middle daughter, Mom, and I attended the mother/daughter event at our church this past Tuesday evening. Everyone was given a crown and encouraged to wear it in preparation for our program. I'd never worn a crown or tiara of any kind before, and I have…
Nearly every week I get reader email telling me how much my Amish books are enjoyed. I always smile. It's nice when a reader enjoys the books. Then I think, "But I write Mennonite." Not meant to be an insulting thought at all, but an observation. We tend to put…
Have you ever noticed the truth of the title? Recently we've had three "threes" within our circle of family and church--three home-goings for dear saints, three get-togethers with grandkiddos, and three reasons for celebration. I'd like to share the celebrations with you. Celebration Reason 1 -- My first full-length historical,…
Irena Sendlter was born in 1910 in Otwock, a town 15 miles southeast of Warsaw. She was greatly influenced by her father who was one of the first Polish Socialists. As a doctor his patients were mostly poor Jews. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and the brutality of the Nazis accelerated…
In Courting Miss Amsel, schoolmarm Edythe Amsel tried to attend a rally in which Susan B. Anthony was the speaker, and she met with tremendous opposition from the high-minded men in her community! Although my character was completely fictitious, the concept of battling for equal rights was quite real. And Susan…
Be honest--how many are you now humming the tune from The King and I? Heh heh heh... I hum it a lot when I start a new novel, because the start of a new novel means becoming acquainted with a set of new "friends." It helps for me to be able…