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 Good morning!

Well, um, I don't know what to post. This week has been crazy busy with opening the gates of camp, and having already reached and passed our record for the number of campers. Plus, our book "A Homewood Christmas" is having its launch tour this week. And I've been trying to write, and we found out yesterday that my aunt and grandpa are coming down today and will be here through Saturday. My oldest niece and the 4 oldest nephews all have volleyball games tonight and tomorrow and grandpa wanted to see his great grandchildren playing. I also had training for the upcoming election. Anyway, it's been crazy and I just realized this morning that today was Friday and I was supposed to post something. I'll have to see what I can find.

The weather this week has been more fall. It's warmer than it was last week, but we had two lovely days of rain, which we really needed. Now we've had sunshine and temperatures in the 60s in the day time. Makes for lovely walking weather.

But that's that. I don't have time to give you a big long post about my day to day life this week. But I know today will be busy. Tomorrow my aunt, best friend and I are going on a 5 mile hike at one of the State Parks nearby. Then I'll probably have at least Goosey Girl (my 2-y-o niece), and maybe Busters and Ti-K that afternoon/evening while the others have games. And then on Sunday my sis and I are singing in the ladies ensemble for church and then we have a fellowship meal afterwards. (We'll be celebrating the church's 80th year.) So busy keeps going.

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    Kevin and Kenzie stood by the brown picket fence which separated their aunt’s house from the neighbors.
    “‘Tis a lovely house entirely,” Kenzie sighed. “So different from our cottage back home.”
    “Aye,” her brother nodded. “Sure and everything here in this country is new and different. We aren’t likely to be seein’ fields of heather, an’ the crags of these mountains are different sure.”
    “But it’s not the crags I’m lookin’ at Kevin, ‘tis that house. Don’t you think we might go over an’ give them the top o’ the morning?”
    Kevin shook his head. “Aunt Shelia said we were to stay in the yard until she is ready to go out with us. Sure and it wouldn’t be a good way to start our visit by leavin’ the yard after that.”
    “But,” persisted Kenzie, staring at the brown, weathered house, “t’would only be next door just.”
    “Aye, but she didn’t say not to wander off, she said don’t leave the yard. Those are different things entirely. But we can look at the house from here. Have ye ever seen stairs like them on the outside of a house? Tis curious indeed where they lead to. Aunt Shelia has no such stairs.”
    “Aye, an’ look at all the window panes, Kevin, it’s glad I am not to be havin’ the washin’ of them entirely!”
    Kevin nodded.
    “Kevin! Kenzie!”
    The brother and sister turned from the fence and ran to the door where their aunt stood.
    “I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to take you out this morning. That phone call just put a wrinkle in my plans. I’ll have to stay here and take care of some things. But if you two would like to go wander the village, I’ll let you go alone. Kevin, you have a watch, don’t you?”
    “Sure and he has a watch, Aunt Shelia.”
    Aunt Shelia smiled. “Very well then, you two can run along but be back by noon if you want some lunch. Another day I’ll pack you a lunch to take with you.”
    As the siblings started toward the gate, Kenzie said, “Sure and now we can go and see who lives in that old house entirely!”

How was your week?

What do you think of this short story?

Any ideas of what happens next?

Monday's Mystery - Part 2

 Good morning and Happy Friday!

This month is flying! It's rather strange. I was working hard to get things done so I could relax and enjoy fall, but other things keep popping up that need done. But I am getting a lot done. I actually have blog posts (for Read Another Page) except for a few links done for the rest of the year! I'm ready for writing camp, the books I wanted to publish this year are published, and I almost have my lines memorized for the Christmas play.

Last weekend was really busy with kids here and stuff, but it was also fun. I didn't get any writing done last weekend, but I've been able to get some writing in this week. So many stories want to be written! I am trying to finish up "Finding Home" (not sure if it will get a different title or not), and "Kate & Kylie" want me to keep working on their story. But I have to get a Christmas story written to put in our Christmas cards this year. I am working on one, but it might end up too long, so . . . If it is too long, I'll have to write another one. And then I got an idea for another Homewood Christmas story for next year. Ha! Crazy. "A Homewood Christmas" releases on Monday (though I'll tell you a little secret: it's already published!) and some of us are talking about another collection. Hopefully this first book will sell well.

Okay, the weather. We had temperatures drop down into the 20s one night, and into the 30s two other nights. But today it's supposed to be 81º.  Maybe that cold snap will make the rest of the trees change colors. Some already have, but others are still holding on to their summer dress of green.

Registration for KDWC is open now and we have over 80 campers signed up. The gates open on Tuesday. Busy times are starting. But it's a good busy. Lots of writing. I'm hoping that I can get a lot written during camp. And now I'll quit talking and let you read the next part of this story. One of these days maybe I'll get back to it and finish it. If you have any suggestions for why Bets needs her brother, let me know, because right now, I don't know.

 

Monday's Mystery

Part 2

 

    “Hang on, Bets, I’m coming,” he murmured.
    Arriving home, Lucas went inside and looked around. How long was he going to be gone? What sort of things should he pack? Should he let anyone know he was leaving? There were no parents to worry about his absence, and he only really knew one of his neighbors, but there would be some people at church who would worry when he didn’t appear for choir practice.
    “Lists,” he muttered. “I need lists. But I should know where Wimberley is and how to get there first.” Logan Lucas Kent was nothing if not practical. He sat down at his desk and opened his laptop. Soon he had the route to the small town figured out. He printed the directions, just in case he couldn’t remember them later, and tucked them into the pocket of his laptop case.
    “Now for the lists.”
    Quickly he grabbed a legal pad and sat down at the table. Soon several pages written in his neat hand were spread before him. There was a list of who he needed to contact about his absence, a list of things he needed to take with him, a list of things that needed done at the house before he left, like making sure the fridge was empty of anything that would spoil in more than five days and taking out the trash, and he had a list of food items for the trip. He was thankful his work could be done anywhere and that he was his own boss.
    After looking over his lists and feeling fairly satisfied that he hadn’t forgotten anything, Lucas began to get ready in an orderly, steady way. There was no jumping between tasks or leaving one half done because he’d suddenly remembered another thing. Clothes were packed quickly but neatly in his large suitcase. He had debated for a moment about how much he should take, but decided to be on the safe side in case he had to stay a little while. His sleeping bag and pillow were added to the growing stack by the door. A few books, his Bible, a few of his favorite CDs, and a newly filled water bottle all resided in a plastic tub. Everything he needed for work, his laptop, planner, notebook, and power cords were loaded into his laptop case and set near the other items.
    Next he headed to the kitchen. The small cooler was packed to overflowing with items from his fridge. “At least I haven’t been to the grocery store this week,” he muttered, shaking his head when the lid wouldn’t shut. Finding it difficult to try and repack the cooler as he crouched on the floor, he took everything to the dining room table and spread it out. The small amounts of leftovers he dumped since he wasn’t sure he’d have a way to heat them up. Sandwich things like meat and cheese, lettuce and avocados, along with the half gallon of milk, jelly, hard-boiled eggs, and mustard now fit nicely in the cooler. “But I’m going to need salt and pepper and plates and– My camping stuff!” Lucas rushed into the garage and grabbed a sturdy box. He knew there were more things in the box than he needed, but he didn’t want to take the time to sort it out. Before he returned to the kitchen, his eyes landed on his inflatable mattress. “I don’t know if Bets will have enough beds. Better be on the safe side and take it with me.”
    He packed another box in the kitchen with things like fruit, bread, some snacks, and the last bag of chips. “This ought to last me.”
    The visit to his neighbor didn’t take long. The older man promised to keep an eye on Lucas’s place while he was gone. He didn’t ask any questions about why he as heading to Texas and told Lucas to have a good trip. As he walked back to his house, Lucas called up the choir director at church.
    “Hey, Seth, this is Lucas Kent. I’m well, but I wanted to let you know that there’s been an emergency, and I will be leaving town for an unknown number of days . . . Yes, I am too. No, I’m not sure. Hopefully not too long . . . Thanks . . . Sure, I’ll let you know . . . You too. Bye.”
    “I can text Nate later.” Shoving his phone into his pocket, Lucas began the task of loading his car. This only took a short time, and a quick walk through his house assured him that he hadn’t forgotten anything important. He’d taken the trash out, the fridge was empty, the AC was turned down, lights were off, and he had everything packed and loaded. Upon seeing his lists and leagal pad still on the table, Lucas grabbed them and carried them out to the car. “Never know when you might need some paper.”
    Just before he pulled out of his driveway, Lucas paused. Was this a crazy idea? His practical side said it was. How was he going to find his sister even in a small town? Was he going to have to go to every house, knock on the door, and find out if Bethany Jordon lived there? It all sounded wild and ridiculous, not something someone as organized and methodical as Logan Lucas Kent would do. And yet he couldn’t get the words out of his mind.
    “Key, I need you.”
    He’d do almost anything to help his baby sister.
     “Even leaving my orderly life for the unknown.” Bowing his head on the steering wheel, Lucas prayed, asking for help and safety, and for wisdom on how to help his sister. “And, Lord, please keep Bets safe right now. Be her strength and shield.” 

 

Have you been busy?

Are you planning on coming to camp?

Do you have any ideas for this story?

Monday's Mystery - Part 1

 Good morning,

It's a chilly morning here. Not freezing, but in the 40s last night. Today is supposed to be sunny and in the mid to upper 70s. Yesterday was really windy, and we're supposed to have some wind today, but maybe it won't be as much.

This week has been good but busy. I'm still working on finishing up (I keep thinking "finishing" and something else comes along) the prep for the release of "A Homewood Christmas" which has been fun. Be on the lookout for a video promotion about the book because each of the authors are reading a little blurb about their story, so yes, you can hear what each of us sound like! 

I've been writing more of "Kate & Kylie" and more of "Finding Home" (which is my story-I-shouldn't-be-writing story). "Kate & Kylie" is now over 30k words, and "Finding Home" is over 15k.

I've also been working on blog posts. I am almost done with all the posts for this year! And I'm hoping I can get some for next year done as well. 

This afternoon all 8 of my nieces and nephews are coming over. They'll eat supper here, then the two oldest boys have volleyball games. Some kids will go watch that, others will stay here. Then most of the kids will spend the night, and we'll have at least the youngest one probably all day tomorrow. It will be fun but busy. 

Today's story is the first thousand words of my Monday's Mystery. I have not written much on this story, so don't expect to get very far. It has been very nice and quiet waiting its turn while I work on my other stories. And since it was being so nice, I thought I'd let you read the first part of it.

 

 

Monday's Mystery

Part 1

    “Key, I need you. Bets.”
    Logan Lucas Kent stood on his front stoop and looked at the postcard in his hand. He hadn’t heard from his baby sister in years. Flipping the card over he looked at the picture on the other side. It was a log cabin set in the woods, and it said “Daniel Boone National Forest” across the bottom.
    “Hmm.” Lucas turned the card over again. It looked old. “Like one of the ones we might have gotten as kids when we visited so many national parks. But why would Bets be writing to me now?” He reread the message.
    “Key, I need you. Bets.”
    A frown settled over Lucas’s face. He knew two things. One, his sister hadn’t called him Key since they were kids. And two, she wouldn’t have asked for help unless she was desperate. Absently he tapped the postcard on his hand and stared across the quiet neighborhood.
    Turning abruptly, he stepped back inside and shut the door to keep out the heat. “Okay, Bets, you must really need me. But why? And why didn’t you just call me?”
    With one stride, he crossed the room and picked up his phone. Quickly, he scrolled through his contacts until he found his sister’s number.
    “We’re sorry,” an automated voice answered at the first ring, “the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected.”
    “No phone. Is that why you resorted to the U.S. Postal Service?” Picking up the postcard again, Lucas scanned it. No return address. The postmark was faint, but it looked like some city or town in Texas. Or was that Tennessee?
    “If you wanted help, why didn’t you give me an address, Bets?” Lucas groaned. “I’m not a detective, and the last birthday card I tried sending you came back saying you’d moved and had left no forwarding address. How am I supposed to help you?” He squinted again at the postmark.
    “Nate! He works at the post office. Maybe he can tell me where this was postmarked.” Then he groaned. “But he’s working. I’ll have to wait until this evening. Can I wait that long?”
    After tapping the postcard with its request for help on his hand for half a minute, he suddenly reached for his phone again and sent a text to Nate.
    “Hey, I need help knowing where something was mailed from. Can’t quite read the postmark. Can you help?”
    Lucas had started a list of things he needed to pack when a message came back.
    “Take it to Sharon at the PO. She knows her postal marks.”
    “Thanks.”
    Snatching his keys and the postcard, Lucas almost ran out the door, pausing only long enough to lock it, then hurrying to his car. “Please, Lord,” he prayed as he drove the ten and a half blocks to the post office, “let someone help me. Bets must need me.”
    The post office was empty when he arrived, and he hurried to the counter. A moment later someone came out of the back room.
    “Can I help you?”
    “I need to see Sharon.”
    The woman gave a nod. “I’ll go see if she’s available.”
    Apparently asking for Sharon wasn’t uncommon, and Lucas found himself half smiling.
    He was studying the poster of stamps on the wall when an older woman with short, curly gray hair came from the back room. Her smile was bright and friendly.
    “I’m Sharon. What can I help you with?”
    Lucas placed the postcard on the high counter. “I need to know where this was postmarked. Nate Higgins said you could help.”
    Without a word, the woman picked up the glasses which hung around her neck and put them on. She bent over the postcard and studied it. “Well, it’s Texas, but the town is a bit hard to read. Postal workers really should keep an eye on the ink of their cancellation stamps. It would save a lot of trouble.” She turned away from the counter and opened a drawer. After rummaging through it, she pulled out a book and returned to the counter. “Let’s see, Texas–” And she flipped to near the back. “It doesn’t have all the tiny towns–wish it did–but maybe . . .” Her voice died away as she pulled the postcard closer and began comparing the faint stamp with names listed in the book.
    Lucas could only wait and pray. “Please help her find it, Lord. Help me know where to look!”
    “Well, I’d say it was mailed in Wimberley, but the mark is so faint that it could just as easily be Woodcreek. They are close to each other . . .” Her voice died away as she tipped the postcard to get a different light. “I think it’s Wimberley. And it was mailed–” She peered at the cancellation stamp again. “Looks like four days ago.” Sharon looked up. “Wimberley doesn’t have an airport. You’d have to fly to somewhere like Austin or Dallas and then rent a car.”
    “I was planning on driving.”
    Sharon nodded, her glasses slipping down on her nose. “I’d say it would be about a seven hour drive depending of course, on how many stops you make.” She slid the postcard across the high counter to him.
    Lucas picked it up. “I haven’t seen my sister in four years.” He shook his head. “Thank you for your help.”
    “You’re welcome. I hope you find her and can help her.”
    “Me too.”
    “Oh,” Sharon said, “if you are going away, would you like your mail held for you?”
    “I hadn’t thought of that. Yes, please. Though I don’t know how long I will be gone. Can I change it if I get home early?”
    Sharon nodded, and the form was quickly filled out.
    Then Lucas, after another word of thanks, turned and walked away.
    Wimberley, Texas. He had no idea where that was nor why Bethany was in Texas to begin with. The last he had known, she and her husband and son were living in New Mexico. 

 

Did you enjoy this first part?

What would you do if you were Lucas?

Have you ever wondered what I sound like?

Five Fall Favorites

 Good morning!

I forgot I was supposed to post today, because I forgot it was Friday and that I didn't have anything picked to post. That's what happens when you are really busy doing all sorts of things in the week. The weather this week has been lovely! It's gotten warm in the afternoons, but it doesn't stay warm for long. And the mornings are in the 50s. Today is supposed to only be in the 60s! Yay!

But what have I been doing this week? Take a look and see.

Friday – I was busy cleaning the house and then trying to help one of the authors for our Christmas story get her story edited (her computer was freezing up on her). We got that done that evening.

Saturday – Worked on all sorts of things at first, and then my sister and I did a deep cleaning of my parents' bathroom. Prepared to teach Children's Church on Sunday, and worked on some other things.

Sunday – Taught Children's Church and then had Ladies Ensemble practice after church. I got to read in the afternoon at hom.

Monday – I spent a lot of the day working on getting covers done. I got the cover for A Homewood Christmas done, and covers for the camp Journals and Trail Trackers done. I also published the Journals and Trail Trackers.

Tuesday – Worked on this project and that project. Read over my lines for the Christmas Play, tried my hair out in a 1960s style for the play (it actually doesn't look too bad), and did some other things.

Wednesday – More work on things for A Homewood Christmas, worked on the devotionals for Camp, and wrote 2k words! That was fun.

Thursday – More work on A Homewood Christmas prep. Had to fix some things with the cover, reread another story, worked on devotionals again, and I managed to get 1,200+ words written.

And, with all of that, I've been attending the Five Fall Favorites blog party. LOTS of books being shared. And, Kate talked me into doing a special post sharing some favorite Historical Fiction books today! So, instead of reading something more on here, why don't you hop on over to my other blog and read that post. 

How has your week been?

Have you been attending FFF?

Do you ever have weeks that are packed with all sorts of projects?