Say I Love You

My beautiful niece Brea snapped a photo of the Le mur des je t'aime in Paris, France. I'd never heard of this, so I clicked the link. The web site was in French, so I still didn't know. Thankfully, Brea filled me in. The wall has the words "I love you" written in 160 languages. What a beautiful sight. 

That made me wonder. How can I show people I love them in 160 different ways? Here are a few.

• Write a letter
• Tuck a note in a lunch box (I did this for my kids and they did it for me) 
• Hug more
• Encourage-- not just when they're down, but everyday (my husband does this)
• Give a smile
• Share a cookie
• Send a card-- especially to kids in college or folks in the military
• Serve a favorite food
• Listen
• Say I love you...

These are easy ways to share love. And there are so many more.

I'd love to know how you "show" I love you. Share please--

Worth Remembering

I spotted this at the doctor's office the other day. A saying worth remembering.

Arbuckle Mountain Original Fried Pies and Coffee

Tim and I like to try out different eateries in the area. After we grabbed a cheese burger at Five Guys, one of the best hamburger joints ever, we checked out Arbuckle Mountain Original Fried Pies and Coffee. They serve several fruit and cream pies plus pecan. We tried the blackberry and it’s delicious.

According to the gentleman working, a fried pie has fewer calories than a glazed donut. Plus they are big enough to split with a friend. I don’t think I could eat a whole one by myself.

Tim sipped coffee with his half of the pie and I tried the Earl Grey Lavender tea. Both got a thumbs up.

Later, I googled Arbuckles and the Original Fried Pie shop, and discovered that a grandmother first created the pies for ranchers and ranch hands in 1893. They’d pack well and be easy to eat on the job. I can envision her rolling out the round dough stuffing it with meat and vegetables or sugared fruit, folding them in half and frying them up. I love the ingenuity of grandmas. According to my grammy, her widowed mother (my great-grandma) sold her homemade pies at the local grocery to help support their family.

If you’re hankering for pie and you live in the area, check out Arbuckle Mountain Original Fried Pies and Coffee next to Jungle Jim’s in Eastgate. Yum!

If you’re not in Ohio, find other locations on Google by typing in Original Fried Pies or Arbuckle Mountain Pies.

What kind of pie is your favorite?

Random Birthday Thoughts

My daughter Hannah woke me up at 6:30 this morning to sing Happy Birthday. That's how I used to wake up my girls every year on their birthdays. I still do sometimes :). What we do in our children's lives leaves an impression. She remembered the tradition and took joy in croaking out the song in the wee hours, on a Saturday morning. As much as I don't like waking up early, I loved hearing her voice and knowing that she remembered her mama. 

After 57 years of birthdays, I pretty much accept that I'm getting older. My body feels the creaks and aches even as my mind tricks me into thinking I'm still forty. 

Blessings (in no particular order):

• Tim and I traveled to South Carolina and Northern Ohio. 
• We discovered a lovely place called Kelleys Island. I fell in love with this quaint, calm village in the middle of Lake Erie. I want to go back.
• We have a new granddaughter, Ella Cate. She's pure joy. 
• Enjoyed our other seven grandkids as they grow and learn.
• Watched lots of baseball from T-ball to MLB. Love those Reds!
• Visited family and celebrated our nieces graduations. One from high school and one from college. 
• I spent a week with my daughter, her son, and brand new daughter.
• I've shared books with Dylan. I love to encourage reading.
• Work is good.
• I've gotten lots of hugs.
• Kept in touch with friends.
• I'm still writing, slow but sure. 
• I love my critique group. 
• Church is inspiring.
• I'm thankful for Jesus and his love for me.
• And I know there's more to come...

I'm not looking forward to knee replacement surgery in August, but I am looking forward to positive results. 

So here I am. Fifty-seven years old. Three years from sixty. Thankful for the wisdom I've gathered along the way. 

Before I close, I want to share my life verses:

1 Thessalonians 4: 10-12
And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

         
1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Is there a Small Town You Love?

I grew up near a small town and to this day, I'd say that's a good thing. 

We lived in the country and traveled to town for groceries at Woody's, named after the owner. Hardwood floors held metal shelves filled with items like the latest Jell-O-Dream Whip treat. My brother worked there and the butcher knew the cut of meat my mom wanted before I asked. 

My sister worked at O'Dell's drug store. Sometimes after school, I'd walk to the store to wait on her. He had the best comic book display in town. Down the street, stood the local library. Another place I spent many hours. One librarian kept the place running. Many a treasured stories went home with me, where I spent hours on the front porch with the characters, who rode horses, solved mysteries and lived in fascinating places.

As I write my own stories, I try to weave in some of the small town charm I remember. America still touts many villages and communities that offer folks a quaint, friendly experience. Check back to read about some our countries wonderful small towns and the delights of living there.

Is there a small town you love?  

Turtle Creek ~ Where I Live in My Imagination

In the series I'm currently writing, I've created the community of Turtle Creek, Ohio. I used elements from three towns close to the area where the imaginary Turtle Creek is located. Over the winter one of the small towns upgraded their downtown and created a lovely small town environment. Here are a few pictures of the beautification:

The majestic court house.

Black fencing with new trees.

I love the brick walkways-they sparkle.

Islands of foliage and flowers.

A hometown feel.

Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard

BlindTrust by Sandra Orchard

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money and can't believe that it came from her sweet elderly neighbor. Or that it has landed her in the middle of another of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and one that strikes too close to home for comfort.

As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But then will it be too late for her and Tom?

Review:
Kate Adams is in trouble again, and Detective Tom Parker wants to protect her. In Book 2 of the Port Aster Secrets series, Sandra Orchard sets the pace of this page turner in the first paragraph. As Kate struggles with accusations and the mystery that shrouds her father’s death, Tom works to catch counterfeiters. As the two become entwined in intrigue and secrecy, the story races to an intense end and leaves the reader anxious for book 3.

If you enjoy fast paced suspense with a bit of romance, you’ll enjoy Blind Trust.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary  copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing this book honestly.