September 2025 Author Update
Family Dog Update
Well, we said goodbye to our dog, Taz, after eleven mostly good years because of the loss of control over his back legs. It was a very, very hard thing to go through—especially for my husband, Ed. Here’s an old picture of him plowing through the winter snow in our backyard.
But we’ve moved on. We missed our furbaby and wanted to add one more dog to our lives. We found Maggie at Wayside Waifs. She’s a combo of husky and German shepherd. Some people call this a breed: Gerberian Shepsky. Google it! We adopted her at 8 weeks, and she’s 11 weeks now—and has almost doubled her weight. Hope she doesn’t grow as big as Taz. He was 90 lbs. Those ears! (Maybe we should have called her Batgirl.) She’ll grow into them.
Young Emeline Progress Report
Miss Emeline
I have written a bunch of scenes and random character moments, which is great because I’ve climbed over the wall of writer’s block. Now, to pull it all together. Hopefully next month, I’ll have a chapter to share. But for now, it’s marinating.
Here’s an example of what Miss Emeline might have looked like at ten years old. I’m sure Claudia Gadotti will make her look more like herself, though.
Her ma, Kate O’Connor, will take after Dorothy McGuire (Old Yeller, Swiss Family Robinson), and her pa, Tavis O’Connor, will take after James Stewart (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington).
Upcoming Events
Kansas Book Festival, September 20, 2025. Topeka, KS
Lansing Fall Festival, October 11, 2025, Lansing, KS
MAACS Educator’s Conference, November 6-8, 2025, Kansas City, MO
Mid-Continent Local Library: Local Author Fair, November 15, 2025, Kansas City, MO
Schedule an author visit at your school or homeschool group! Click HERE.
Chickadee Cheer September Winner
Congratulations, Mark S.! You’ve won this month’s drawing. Let me know which book you’d like me to send your way in the email I’ll send you. Please also provide your shipping address.
Other News
My wonderful friend, L. K. (Katy) Houk, has gone through a multitude of health-related issues over the past two years. I’ve helped her get all seven of her bilingual children’s books into the world. She’s officially finished publishing her series: Down Home on the Farm.
In order to help her spread the word, I’ve included her books in my shop. I’ll be the contact for the sale of her books, but she will sign and ship each one. Please take a moment to browse through her series of homespun fables, which are written in both English and Spanish, adorned with beautiful full-color illustrations, and bound in durable hardcovers. For more information, visit her website.
Also, my illustrator, Claudia Gadotti, needed a portfolio website, but has been too busy to work on one. So, I helped! It’s now live and ready for viewing. If you know anyone looking for an illustrator extraordinaire, send them her way.
Enjoy the cooler weather, school days, and apples!
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash
