Joplin Journal Volume 11-6, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

It's a lovely morning right now. We had a bit of rain last night and things cooled down. Sarah and I went out and walked about 6:45 this morning before it got hotter. It was perfect! Now I'm trying to get some things done before breakfast so I can go out and do some work in the yard. The quince bush needs trimmed, and there are many small trees growing where trees ought not to grow that need cut out. Maybe I'll even remember to trim a few dead branches.

Weather Report:

We've actually had some really nice weeks, weather wise! It seems like summer had come and then decided it wasn't quite ready so we got spring. Temperatures would be in the 70s most days, and we got rain and sun. Last week a man came over and cut down two dead trees for us. It was interesting watching him climbing with spikes on his shoes. Then Dad and I spent last Friday afternoon cutting up the dead pine, and dragging some branches to the driveway in the lot, and loading Dad's truck to take the logs to Jimmy. But this week it's gotten hot. We've been turning the AC on by noon usually.

"Genius Burns":

This story is actually moving! I'm over 7k words into it! But I do need to figure out what comes next in it. I have actually been doing pretty good at getting back into writing. I still can't seem to get things written at the end of the week, but maybe today will break that streak of not writing on Saturday. :)

Project Prognosis:

Have I made any progress on my projects?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – Slowly but surely I'm getting posts written. I have them figured out for June and July, and two for June done. Then I just need to write or finish the others.
• Update Website – I'm still working on keeping this updated. I've added my newest books to the All My Books page.
• Prepare for KDWC – I uh, really haven't done that yet. But at least I have a checklist of what I need to do.

Visitors:

Grandpa came down last Thursday and worked at Jimmy's for a while and then came over here for supper, games and bed. He left the next morning. It's been good to see him more often even if they are short visits.

Babysitting:

We haven't had the kids over for a while. Maybe next week Jimmy & Megan will decide they want a longer date and the kids can all come over. I have some lego (that's not really lego since it's different brands) that need put together.

The Music Stand:

HERE's the link for the Ladies' Ensemble.

And HERE's the instrument ensemble that played last Sunday for prelude.

Tomorrow the bell group is playing for church! It feels like we've hardly practiced, but the run through we had last week was perfect, so I think we're ready.

And just when you think the music has stopped, we have something more! This time is for the Sunday before the 4th of July! The orchestra is playing prelude, and then our National Anthem while the congregation sings. And then, any of us who want to can stay and play for all the patriotic songs being sung! Yes, please! That's going to be fun! So I have fun music to practice.

KDWC:

On Sunday, May 21st, I got to meet one of the camp aunties for the first time! I had not met a single one in person! She is also the first person that I met first online and then in person afterward. Two of the campers who live in the area met up with us too. (One goes to church with me, and the other did go to church with us.) We met at a park in Neosho. This auntie and her family live in Arkansas.

Then last Saturday, May 27th, I got to go to a park in Webb City and meet another camp auntie for the first time! This one is from Minnesota, so that was extra exciting. She and her family were heading down to TX. It was so good to meet her in person. We might try to meet this evening again on their way back, but we'll see. It might end up being too late before they arrive.

Sewing Room:

Sarah finished the wedding dress and it looks so pretty! You wouldn't guess that the alterations weren't part of the original dress. Now she's busy trying to catch up on other orders.

Read Another Page:

I published another book. This is a novella (shorter than a novel). It's called

Finding Home

And, that's not all. I'm also working with two readers to get two more of my books produced on audio! I should have Summer Light ready for listeners in a few weeks. This reader if fast! And then in September I should have By Paths Unknown ready. Exciting! And stay tuned for another novella release in July.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

Yep, I'm still reading. I'm sure you are shocked at that confession. Ha! I have actually found that I write better if I read every day. But on to the list.

Side by Side (Golden Text book), Random Acts of Shyness (actually a fun read),

Baby Island (oh, the memories of this one!), The Last Bookshop in London (interesting read), One Day in the Prairie (good), One Day in the Alpine Tundra (good), Uncommon Sense (actually liked it better than I thought I would), One Day in the Woods (okay), One Day in the Desert (she killed the tarantula again! Not happy about that.). And there you have my list. I have one story to read for the Another Homewood Christmas the KDWC aunties are writing, and then I have an ARC of another series to read.

Farewell:

But now it's time to get to work. Breakfast is over, and I need to get the trimming done while it's still nice out. Today is Sarah's birthday and Mom & Dad's anniversary. I think Dad's picking up supper, but we don't know what yet. Sarah gets all these birthday deals, so we might have something from here, and something from somewhere else. We'll see. Have a wonderful weekend! I won't write next Saturday as we'll be helping with a wedding (yes, the same one Sarah was altering the wedding dress for). So long!