Joplin Journal Volume 11-5, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

It feels like I just wrote and sent a Joplin Journal. I know it was back in April, but that really doesn't seem so far away. We've just been busy and the days are going by way too quickly.

Weather Report:

Let's see, we've had summer heat in the 90ºs, and a week of rain, and now it's not up to 60º yet. The grass was growing like crazy, and I got it mowed Thursday morning. It needed it! Now the weeds in the flower gardens are sprouting like, well, like weeds. :) We had rain again yesterday, but it's supposed to be sunny for the next few days at least.

"Genius Burns":

I restarted the story I had started before. After doing a bit of research I realized that the idea I had first wasn't going to work, so I had to rethink things. But now it's started. The first chapter is written (I know, I don't usually write by chapter, but this first chapter is different), and I'm over 1k into the next part. I've also been working a little on another short story. I'm trying to get back into writing regularly again because it's been hit and miss. With more miss than hits. :D

Project Prognosis:

Have I made any progress on my projects?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – I am making progress on these. Just two little things to add for next week's post, and this month will be done. And I have a start on June's posts.
• Update Website – I did! I actually updated my audio page! And I updated a few other pages that needed audio samples or new graphics added.
• Format Books – All 4 books got formatted, proof copies got ordered, and one book is published in paperback. I need to get it in kindle today.

Getting Together:

I had been wanting to get together with two of my heart-sisters for some time, but it just hadn't happened. We tried to do it the day before my birthday, but some got sick, so we ended up doing it on the 5th. Sarah came with me and got picked up by Rebekah, while I stayed at Elisabeth's with her and Hannah. (These are Megan's sisters.) It was good to get to see them and catch up a little, as well as seeing their kids.

Visitors:

On the 5th, Grandpa came down and worked at Jimmy's, then came over for supper, Dominoes, and bed at our house.

On the 12th, Grandpa and Aunt Marty came down for supper. They spent the night in a hotel, and the next day they joined us and Jimmy & Co. for some fun at . . .

Diamond Grove Adventures:

Diamond Grove Adventures was a lot of fun! They had animals you could pet. (That's where Kailyn spent most of her time.) A small train you could ride. (Kinsley was SO excited and almost in awe that she got to ride "Joe," as she called the train. She rode it twice.) There were some pillow-things the kids could jump in. A small one that Grant and Kins enjoyed, and a larger one that the older kids did (Grant even jumped once). There were slides, and a water sluice where you could wash the dirt and rocks (that you could purchase in bags in the shop) and find all your rocks. All the kids except Krista did that. Krista was the photographer for the day and enjoyed taking pictures. Speaking of pictures, here's the group photo we got before we got all hot, sweaty, and sunburned.

Babysitting:

Last evening Joel, Lucas, Grant, and Kins all came over while the others had dress rehearsal for the choir performance that's tonight. We pretty much spent the time building and playing with lego. Kins and Grant got some stories read to them. Actually, Grant wanted Papa to read "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" but Lucas and I ended up quoting the whole thing. :)

Out of the Mouth:

You never know what Kins is going to say. Yesterday she was playing with some little dogs I had gotten for her and some lego guys. She decided that some lego guys were "bad guys" and they were going to rob the house. She made all the "bad guys" get into the dog pen and the dogs "ate them all up."

When we were telling them all goodbye, I had picked Kins up and she suddenly said, "You got curly hair!" I guess she'd never noticed before. :P

Programs:

The kids final school program went well. Afterward we went to Andy's for ice cream and sat outside to eat it while we talked.

The Music Stand:

The Ladies Ensemble sang on Sunday. I was going to give you a link, but it doesn't look like it's up yet. So maybe I can give you two next time.

Tomorrow the flutes and violins will be playing prelude.

Bell practice is going well. I think we're playing the first Sunday in June. At least that's the plan now.

KDWC:

Tomorrow afternoon I get to meet one of the other camp aunties in person! I'm excited! She and her family were going to be in Branson and wanted to meet. So I'm heading to Neosho after church to meet her. Two other campers will be there as well. One attends church with me, and the other used to attend Prairie Flower. It will be good to see her again too.

Sewing Room:

The sewing room is staying busy. Sarah's made some cute dresses lately.

Read Another Page:

The paperback of "Wherever He Leads" is published! (This used to be called "Kate & Kylie.") I don't have it in kindle yet, but hopefully before the end of the day I'll have submitted it. Here's the cover:

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

Here we go again! So many books! Okay, some were shorter ones, but still. This is a lot of titles.

Palace Of Healing (Interesting), The Trolley Car Family (so much fun), Duncan's War (not a favorite), Iris (I liked this), Sage (another good one), Tutor, Nanny, Spit-up, Spy (fun!), A-Spying We Will Go (so much fun comes after "Tutor . . ."), Once Upon a Dime (this comes next and is just as much fun!), Right Number (Christmas in August? Sure!), Five Star Spy (one of my absolute favorites of the Emily Abbott series), Not Until Christmas Morning (liked this one), Fear the Shadows (good), Mrs. Red Pepper (old book but fun), The Rich Mrs. Burgoyne (another old but good book). And there you have it.

Farewell:

Now I'm done. I have things I need to do. And I want to go walk. Maybe it's warmed up some. The kids' concert is tonight. James and Kailyn are both playing prelude. James and Krista are singing in a small ensemble. And those three plus Drew are all singing in the big choir at Taylor auditorium at MSSU. It's going to be fun to see and hear! Enjoy your weekend!