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As a consequence of his Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, Nick’s mobility has decreased over time and he has experienced regression of many skills that he worked hard to master. So of course, because of this regression, his personal care needs have increased and sometimes it is hard work for us to do everything for him, especially
Looking at the world through Nick’s eyes is interesting. I am often surprised at what he does know and also what he doesn’t. This evening while watching the sunset at the beach, Nick turned to me and asked, “Where is the sun going? Will it come back?” Nick is 38 years old and although we
Tonight was wonderful. We walked the streets of Florence and had a wonderful dinner. Talking for hours, we finished the evening sitting in the roof garden at the top of our hotel. Arden and I felt like we were a long way from home and then we saw a small bar called the “Burian Bar.”
I was reminded today that a movie I had seen years ago was filmed in Florence. The movie titled “A Room With a View” was released in 1985. I saw it a year or so later on TV. At that time in my life, I was working with my father to get my career as
Images representing the statue created by Michelangelo and unveiled in 1504, are everywhere in Florence. You can purchase small statues, pictures, postcards, even aprons and potholders. There have been many great artists, architects and scientists who have lived and worked in Florence. The city is very proud of two of them, Leonardo da Vinci and
I really enjoy spending time with the attendees at the MIRCI Conferences. They are women from all over the globe who come together once a year for three days to discuss current issues surrounding women, feminism and motherhood. It is inspiring to be in the presence of such dedicated, intelligent women, to discuss their concerns
Today was our 41st wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful day, exploring and learning new things. We had made arrangements for a special evening, dinner and a concert. After dinner we were waiting to go into the church about 45 minutes ahead of when the concert was going to start. Just in front of us,
Arden and I were traveling for 19 hours from the time we left our home in Carnation to when we finally were able to rest at our hotel in Florence Italy. We were exhausted and excited to finally be at our destination. The journey can be daunting. Some people recently confided to me that they wished they
It is a popular greeting in our culture when we are finishing a conversation with someone else. Take Care of yourself! Often we are sincere but sometimes it is just something that we politely say. This next week, Arden and I are taking this to heart. We are leaving today on a dream trip to
When I was a young mom, I was not naïve; I knew that life has it ups and downs. I expected a Merry-Go-Round, and got a Roller-Coaster. I thought that my life would go up and down, up and down, in gentle expected cycles of highs and lows. I didn’t anticipate the sudden terrifying plunges,
Announcing that I have finished a book with the working title of “The Fairy Fort.” I am currently pitching it to publishers. Keep checking back to watch the progress of my newest novel.
Here is a quick glimpse of the story.
Sarah Doherty is an 18-year-old living in rural Ireland at the tail end of the Great War. Plagued by severe epilepsy, she is protected by her parents and lives a sheltered, secluded, lonely life. The Fae, local Irish fairies, interfere with her life. She falls forward a century in time through the local fairy fort of standing stones. She had a seizure in 1918 and woke up in 2020. The 21st century world includes life-saving prescriptions, physical comforts and the independence and freedom she seeks. The locals are welcoming and Andy Mclaughlin, a handsome young historian, is intriguing. She doesn’t want to return home.
Then a letter arrives from Boston divulging the story of Sarah and Andy’s lives that are deeply entwined in the previous century. They are not yet in love but as they seek to verify the letter through online resources, they feel a growing obligation to their unborn family and to each other. What would happen to their posterity living in Boston if they don’t return to 1918? Even if they do make it back, her parents can never know what happened to her or that would change everything.
This Young Adult time-travel romance explores the question: Do we have the freedom to make choices or is free will an elaborate illusion?
This is my third book. I love reading time travel romances. I am an advocate for epilepsy awareness because my 43-year-old son has intractable epilepsy. As a genealogist specializing in Irish research, I live part of the year in the village where the story is based. I wrote the book to help young adults understand that difficult situations can change your life. Sometimes miraculously.
