Joplin Journal Volume 11-1, Issue 1

From the Editor's Desk:

I don't know about you, but I hit the ground running when January started. I spent the first week catching up on all the things I didn't get done in December. Or November. And this week I have been catching up on the last things as well as diving into new things. Mom and I got all the boxes of Christmas stuff packed away and I have my writing room back. I'm also working on the plans for the Widows' Luncheon since February is coming awfully quickly. But let's get busy. Shall we?

Weather Report:

We've had a dusting of snow this week, but we've also had days in the low 60s, and Sarah and I have gotten out to walk. Unlike the last two years, January 1st didn't start off with snow. Does that mean we'll get a lot of snow later or are we looking at just cold and no snow?

"Genius Burns":

Last week I ended up with over 6k words written! And this week it's been pretty good. Some days I haven't gotten as much written, but that's okay. So far this year I have written this year's Christmas Collection story and gotten a good start on Another Homewood Christmas story. Yes, we are working on another collection of Christmas stories set in the same little Minnesota town of Homewood. These will take place in different decades, and we have a few new authors. My story takes place 8 years after my first one and is about some of the same people. But I have so many ideas for other stories! I am hoping this Homewood story gets written quickly so I can work on other things.

Project Prognosis:

Let's see how my projects are coming this week.

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – I am almost done with the posts for January. Then I need to start work on February.
• Work on my Name List – I haven't added all these names to one list. That will be interesting.
• Update Website – *crickets chirp*
• Undecorate the House – Done! Undecorated, packed up, and boxes put back in the closet.

In the Hoop:

Last Saturday Mom, Dad, Sarah, and I all went to basketball games. The first one was Drew and Lucas's game. They were playing a team who really wasn't very good, though they were better than the first time, and so it was no surprise that our boys' team won. Then Dad went home and Mom, Sarah, and I watched another boys' team (two older boys from church are on it). That was a good game and they managed to win. Then in the afternoon we all went back and watched James and Joel play. It was a tight game. First one side would be ahead and then the other. Joel was really on his game and made a lot of points for his team. And he's pretty good at stealing the ball too. James was having a harder time finding the basket, but he got better later. Today is another day of games. Mom and Sarah are going to go watch one game.

Babysitting:

We haven't had the kids over since last year. But here's a picture of all the kids taken at Christmas.

Back Row L -R: Drew (11), James (almost 15), Grant (5), Krista (16), Joel (13)

Front Row L - R: Kailyn (will be 8 this month), Kinsley (almost 3), Lucas (almost 10)

The Music Stand:

The Ladies Ensemble has started practice.

KDWC:

Camp may be closed, but I have been busy creating graphics for this year's camps.

Sewing Room:

Sarah is staying busy with sewing. One lady has a list of dresses she wants Sarah to make whenever she can fit them in, and since the fabrics are always different, it's fun to see what gets picked.

Read Another Page:

Perhaps I can get a novella published in the next few months. It's written, but no cover or synopsis.

Teacher's Lounge:

I am teaching a 3 week class on essay writing. It's been fun so far since I almost never get to get far into teaching about essays because my students usually quit before then. Or at least shortly after we start working on them.

Book Nook:

Books. Yes, I'm still reading books. I'm not going to give you the rather long list of children's Christmas books that I read at the end of last year. Instead, I'm going to start with this year. The Hope We Hold (really enjoyed this one), Scottish Highland Adventure (this was good), Woe Is I (any writers or lovers of grammar or English should read it), Railroaded in Key West (I learned about Florida), The Breakup Project (it was okay), Outlaw Fever (short stories). And that's my list for now. I don't have any book started at the moment.

Farewell:

And this brings the Joplin Journal to a close for now. Now to get on with the rest of my to-do list. I hope you are having a great beginning of 2023. Enjoy your weekend!