Home is where the heart is. Home is where I park it. And home isn’t always where I live. The concept of home is evolving within me. I was steadfast all my life in saying West Virginia is my home. And, by all rights, besides being where I was born, it is the home of my heart. As my grandchildren grow and my family thrive, my home is with them which happens to be in Colorado. And, my house is my home and it happens to be on wheels so home may be in South Dakota or a driveway in Arvada or a beach in South Carolina or a bluff overlooking the Ohio River. My view of “home” is expanding. It is fluid yet at its core is love, comfort, security. That security is my family, including my son in law’s family.

This “home” that I’ve come back to is on the banks of the Ohio. I love it here. But man, is it ever cold!!! I got in this afternoon and cuddled under the electric blanket to warm up and promptly fell asleep. Then visited with a friend.

The two speaking engagements went very well this weekend. As a matter of fact, after the Salon was completed on Sunday my friend, Marion, gifted me this painting of my view of the Ohio! I am so touched! What a beautiful gift I’ll treasure always and give a prominent display space in TOW-Wanda
My hostess, Jamie, was an absolute charming woman. She has been a widow only slightly longer than me. I was so happy she was with me at the Salon on Sunday. She always adds such insight to conversations. And her beautiful fur babies, Reba and Maggie made me almost wish I had one of my own.

And now there is some very intense work to be done in the next few months. I’ll be doing a ton of writing, editing, and rough drafts. I’ll be learning about introductory letters and proposals and writing real life blogs. I’ll be learning how to optimize social media exposure. There is a great deal of infra structure that has to be built in order for the books to be released seamlessly. In the midst of all this, I will try my very best to continue writing daily as I always have. But if you notice a little slip in quality or content, I do apologize in advance and I do hope you will stick with me as we go through some inevitable growing pains the next few weeks and months. I promise, the results will be worth it!

❤️

“How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”

Psalm 137:4-6 NIV