Brain Dump

A friend told me her psychiatrist had a plaque on the wall that said “Normal is a setting on a dryer.” My third counselor told me “You don’t want to be normal. You want to be healthy. What was going on in Sodom and Gomorrah was normal but definitely wasn’t healthy.” We have abandoned all concepts of healthy in favor of do what feels good. Eating a whole cake can feel good, at first. Wisdom is recognizing that feeling good is not always healthy. 

Tomorrow is Friendship Day

Celebrate with a story.

Just Friends

The sixth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

After Mindy Harper's life crashes, she cuts off her friends. What other choice does she have? She doesn't fit in anymore. Holidays commemorating friendship fail to convince her she should celebrate them. A handsome ranch hand won't change her mind.

Cowboy left most of his past behind, with no regrets. The moment he sees Mindy he knows where his future lies. Friendship is the best place to start, but what is he supposed to do when she declares they're acquaintances?

God opens closed doors to those who knock, if it's His will...

http://www.amazon.com/Just-Friends-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B017FSC4WG/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015.

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=s

 

Quote from Just Friends

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for creating this: 

 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visited a dear friend

~ Kneaders with a couple dear ladies 

~ Hope

~ Found a live BB but God is still good. 

~ God's grace            

Sunday is All or Nothing Day.

Celebrate with a story. 

All or Nothing 

The tenth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Secrets? Angela Goodrich owns a few. Moving to Holiday is her dream come true. As Holiday Sweets' new manager, she wants a fresh start even as she wants to share the truth of who she is. Will she still be welcomed?

Anger issues? Caleb Bronson denies it despite the fact he'd like to throttle his EMT partner's new fiancé for wronging his sister. What does it matter if his anger is dominating his life and spills over on the attractive and newest resident of Holiday?

The truth will set you free, if you're willing to endure the discomfort of letting go of the lies. God knows the pain hidden in the soul anyway...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7MZC9M/ref=sr_1_1

 For those who prefer paperback: Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

  

Quote from All or Nothing

All or Nothing Day is on the 26th.

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for creating this:

 

Go to Medieval Times

If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend the adventure. It was so much fun. The Andalusian horses were gorgeous. Dinner and a show. Dinner is served without silverware, so you're eating with your fingers. Garlic bread and tomato bisque, roast chicken, corn on the cob, roasted potato, and an eclair. I chose lemonade. They do provide wet towelettes at the end. Six knights, three fight for the king and three fight for the queen. I was on the king's side. Each section cheers for a specific knight. I was seated in Black and White. The knight also happened to be my friend's youngest son. Awesome. Falconry, dressage, an 8-horse cavalry. The competition between the knights ranged from lancing rings to throwing spears from horseback into a target, jousting, and fighting with medieval weaponry. The splinting of the wood on shields during the jousting was startling. The sparks flying during the sword fighting was amazing. We laughed, booed, cheered, and had a fantastic time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ God watering my plants for me

~ Visits with family and friends

~ God's mercy

~ God's grace           

Brain Dump

More than half way through July, already. It's been a relatively cool summer compared to the last few. Blessedly, the "normal" monsoon is back. Thanks God for watering my outdoor plants for me.  

Midweek Encouragement

The world will knock you down plenty. 

You don't need to be doing it to yourself.

~ Elizabeth Scott

REAL 13 July 2026

Not many walks; too hot. Better at doing PT. Eating better, I think. Sleep is as good as can be expected; not waking up worried about monsters first thing. The worry comes but is less and shorter terms; learning to turn it over to God. Yard work done, trimming pygmy palms, lantana, oleander, and Chicklet orange trumpet bush. Thanks God for all the help. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Air conditioning, fans, and ice

~ Good movies

~ Inspirational sermons

~ Delicious food

~ God's grace           

Brain Dump

Watched Meet the Press without sound. The interviewer was looking for a fight; her body language screamed aggression, contention, and anger. Not a pretty look and nowhere in the vicinity of professional. If you, as an interviewer for a supposed news show, are unable to control your emotions and rein in your personal opinions, you are in the wrong business. Unless you really want to go into acting, and this gig is just a stepping stone to doing drama on a show that's honest about being fictional. 

Wednesday Encouragement

 

Free from Holley Gerth

REAL 6 July 2026

Really too hot to walk but tried to take a few short ones. Took a short walk on Independence Day; it seemed the thing to do. Physical therapy isn't consistent but improving. Eating fewer sweets, shocker. I used to have trouble with portion control, especially ice cream, but one Fat Boy ice cream sandwich is satisfying, for most of the day. Sometimes, a cookie in the evening is an extra treat. I'm trying to be more consistent in drinking milk as my fingernails are so brittle. I thought raspberry leaf tea was helping to control the feminine issue, but I took a break from supplements - C, D, and B-complex - and the problem returned; so back on consistent supplements. I miss sleeping in a bed with my feet up; however sleeping in the recliner is better than nothing. Most important exercise: Practicing, nourishing, feeding faith. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Cooler temps, around 100. Nice. Thanks God

~ Air conditioning, fans, ice

~ Family and friends

~ Independence Day! And enjoying all the celebrations of freedom available on YouTube.

~ God's grace           

Happy Birthday America!

250 years young. Well done! Celebrate tomorrow. 

TBR 2026

71. Treasures of Falcon Point (Falcon Point series Book 5) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. It was a fun surprise when a brief scene took you to Finsbury Park; the summer I lived in London, Finsbury Park was the closest tube station. Heartwarming. Page-turning. A satisfying end to the series. I'll be rereading this series, again.  

72. An Engagement of Convenience (Summer House Party/Timeless Regency Collection Book 4) by Regina Scott Regency romance. First book by this author for me. An enjoyable read. I want to read another of her books.

73. A Perfect Match (Summer House Party/Timeless Regency Collection Book 4) by Donna Hatch Regency romance. Delighted to learn it's a prequel to a longer novel. Added to my Wish List.

74. The Paupers' House Party (Summer House Party/Timeless Regency Collection Book 4) by Sarah M. Eden Regency romance. Delightfully hilarious. Loved this story! 

75. The Elijah Project: Workbook by Andrea M. Polnaszek, LCSW, inspirational nonfiction based on aligning life with Elijah's, his courage, discouragement, and worship.