2018 NEWSLETTER

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying each day of your summer. Here in central Pennsylvania, we have had our share of rain, but we feel for those in the west who have had devastating wildfires. I'm so sorry for the losses they have encountered. Hopefully, there will not be many lives lost as they try to control the flames. 

With all the negativity in our world right now and the divisions in our society, I find comfort in my private world of writing. It's sad to watch as events pull us apart, and as many others feel like I do, a helplessness sets in. Not only writing, but reading as well, helps. Oh, that we could learn from the past.

I'm presently working on a new Amish book, but I've been distracted by other events in my life and I need to buckle down and get this one finished. I'm debating about making it the first of a series or a larger book, which stands on its own. Time will tell.

When I'm not writing, I'm either selling antiques in my shop or adding to my Etsy merchandise. I sell vintage and antique jewelry and other goodies on line.  Jim and I have decided to get out of the antique business within this next year. I prefer writing and it's difficult to do both. In the month of May we had an on-line auction, but we still have many more antiques, which we've accumulated over the years.

When in Pennsylvania, Jim stays busy with apartment rentals and gardening, so retirement is busier than ever.  We love the way the English people garden, which we observed when we visited their beautiful country a few years back. They fill their gardens with perennials, crowding out the weeds. That's our goal, but so far, the weeds are winning the battle. Especially with all the rain we've had this year. It's now August as I write this, and the gardens look tired as many of the perennials have lost their blooms. The Cleome are amazing this year though and the violets and purples save the garden from lacking color.

Hard to believe it's 2018 and before you know it, it will be autumn with the crisp, cool days and under-blanket nights upon us. We'll wait until the holidays are over before heading south. We have a second great-granddaughter we haven't met yet, but plans are being made to get together right after Christmas. 

We try to escape to Florida each winter. I couldn't handle the hot summers there, but it certainly is pleasant to walk in 70 degree weather in February.

​May God put his blessings on you and your loved ones.



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A few pictures of our garden over the last few months. I love the grasses.

A few shots of our garden as it looked a few short months ago.