A Day in the Life of an Author

Yesterday I visited my granddaughter Mairin's fourth grade classroom to read two of my storybooks LET'S TAKE A WALK ON THE BEACH and LET'S TAKE A WALK IN THE CITY. Mrs. Connie Dean, the teacher, also provided me time to teach the students how to structure a picture book of their own. They decided to write LET'S TAKE A WALK IN THE ZOO. I'm eager to see the result. What a great group of kids. We had fun talking about ideas, thinking up names for the characters, and deciding which sensory details to include. I started my career as a fifth grade teacher right after graduating from college. Since then I've been a visitor to many classrooms but I don't often get to teach a lesson. It was especially fun for me to visit Mairin's classroom. It's a memory we'll both share for years to come.

A Day to Remember

Happy Memorial Day! Last night my husband Charles and I watched on television the annual Memorial Day Concert from Washington, DC. It was one of the most touching tributes to the men and women who have served our country we've ever seen. The music, the words, and the images brought tears to my eyes--tears of gratitude, patriotism, pride. I'm so thankful to be alive at this time in history, regardless of the struggles and challenges our country faces. God is with us. Therefore, who can be against us. It says in scripture that the prayers of the righteous avail much. Today I renew my commitment to pray for our country and this great land.

Patriotism!

Last weekend my husband Charles and I attended our grandson Brian's high school graduation from St. John's Military School in Salina, Kansas. As I watched the young men march in formation in full uniform with the flag waving overhead, my heart swelled with pride and patriotism. I'm especially proud of Brian who finished third in his class. The world is in good hands if future leaders come from the ranks of such fine young men.