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Posted in Personal Observations, Uncategorized

The Gratefulness of a Dog

Posted on by Lori

We have a lovely rescue dog named Sandy who we adopted last Mother’s Day. She is an immigrant from Tijuana, Mexico. We don’t know a lot about her except:

  • She is terrified of loud noises. The second day we had her a broom fell over making a loud pop. Sandy immediately ran outside and hid under a bush. Bushes turned out to be her safe place. It took us a month or so to figure this out. There was much house searching before that.
  • She pretty much hates sweets and carbs. Exceptions will be made for pork rinds. My mom loves to sneak Sandy food. If it is any form of bread, we will find it hidden under a couch or behind the piano. I think Sandy doesn’t want to hurt my mom’s feelings and hides these things rather than directly refuse them. The exception being if Mom gives her sweets, the dog will take it and give it to my dad as if to say, “Hey, I’m trying to watch my figure, but Mom keeps giving me sweets!”

Sandy is the most honest dog we have ever owned. She doesn’t sneak around, if she finds socks on the floor she will give them to Dad. Every other dog we’ve had destroyed socks, ate the sweets and bread, and behaved, well, like a dog. Being half corgi and half golden retriever, she loves nothing more than herding us. Everyone gets a personal Sandy escort from room to room. Once you are at your destination, she will go back to whatever she was doing.

We all think that Sandy’s life was so hard before we got her that she just wants to be loved and is unwilling to do anything to jeopardize the wonderful home she is in now. There are days where her gratefulness puts me to shame. I’m not nearly as aware of the blessings I have around me: family, friends, God. I am working on being more aware of the good things that are in my life and not take them for granted. I owe it all to Sandy.

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A Visit With Author Kathy Nickerson

K Nickerson 1Yesterday I reviewed Kathy’s new book, Thirty Days to Glory. Thanks to technology, I got to ask Kathy Nickerson, author of Thirty Days to Glory, some questions about life and writing.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? If so, what was it about? 

Yes! I was in high school and already planning my career as a happy wife and mother of ten children. That summer I went to an auction and tried to buy a set of china for my hope chest. An antique dealer squashed my babysitting-money-bid first thing. So, my first attempt at a novel was based around that event – with a completely different outcome! (I got the china, the boy, and a home in the Rocky Mountains.)

Every writer has their own personal timeline in which they develop their skills. What was your journey from writing as an educational exercise to writing as a passion? 

My journey was long, but wonderful. I basically spent twenty years enjoying writing as a hobby. I studied, practiced, and puttered. I even had several articles published. Then, one day I woke up and thought: You better do this before you get too old to remember the stories. So, I took an online course in writing fiction, and I got busy.

We’ve known each other for about a quarter of a century. I’ve watched you go through highs and lows in your writing journey. Tell us how you have learned to deal with the rejection every writer faces. 

At my first writer’s conference in the 1980’s, an editor from Tyndale House told me, “The words on the page are not your flesh and blood. They are just ink.” I’ve tried to remember that when someone says, “No thanks” or “Revise” or “What the heck are you trying to say here?”

What are your 3 favorite books and why? 

Hmmm. That is a tough one, but here are three of my favorite novels: A Tale of Two Cities. I love unraveling the language in those long, complicated sentences. It is almost like a puzzle. And the ending is just so beautiful and heart-rending. I think you have to really believe in redemption and in Heaven to enjoy it, though.

Heidi – I know this is a children’s book, but the story of family and relationships crosses all ages. Once again, redemption plays a major role.

The Help – A modern favorite. The first time I read this, I felt I was literally sitting in the kitchen with Abilene, Skeeter, and Minnie during the scene where violence breaks out. I caught myself holding my breath. This one wins for good writing, good story, and a topic that made me think. And pray.

Who are your 3 favorite writers and why? 

Serenity Bohon, Felicity White, and Charity Long. Is that cheating since they happen to be my daughters? I also enjoy a little Charles Dickens and some Jane Austen. I am a big fan of Jan Karon’s Mitford series.

Are there new books in the works? Are you still submitting articles to periodicals? 

Yes, to the books and the articles. Characters from the next book have been talking to me. They seem eager to get on with their story. And some other novels are waiting their turn. I also plan to submit more articles this year while Thirty Days to Glory is floating around in the world.

Is there a message you would like your readers to take away after reading Thirty Days to Glory? 

Prayer works. Relationships matter. We are never too old or too lost to make a change or make a difference.

Thanks, Kathy, for answering all our questions.

With Christmas just around the corner, Thirty Days to Glory is the perfect present filled with hope and joy. You can purchase it at Amazon and CrossRiver Media.

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Review: Thirty Days to Glory

Posted on by Lori

Thirty Days Cover sm

I was thrilled to receive a review copy of Thirty Days to Glory, Kathy Nickerson’s first published novel. As a long-time friend of hers, I had been hearing bits and pieces of this story for years. To actually get to hold this novel in my hands was a great feeling. With all this said, the question to ask is: was this novel worth the wait? I can only respond with the most enthusiastic of yes’s. I was so wrapped up in the book I read it in one sitting, finishing it at 1:27a.m. It is truly that engrossing!

Thirty Days to Glory is a novel that immediately draws you into the worlds of Catherine, an elderly widow, and Elmer, the most broken of men. The paths of these two strangers cross in a way that only Heaven can arrange. The setting for the story is Christmas time in a very small town in the Midwest. Kathy, having lived in such a town for her whole life, captures the rhythm and relationships flawlessly.

Catherine misses her husband, Edward, more each day. The holidays only make his absence harder to bear. She wonders if there are any more adventures for her or if life is over. Faced with pressure from her children to move to senior housing, far from her friends, Catherine must face the awful realities that growing old bring. I felt so sorry for this vibrant woman who represents an increasing segment of our society. Her choices will soon be mine.

Elmer is a man so tormented by PTSD that he has spent years insulating himself by crawling to into a bottle of booze. Much to his surprise and consternation, he begins to lose his taste for alcohol. Real life starts to surface, as Elmer struggles with facing the truth of the shattered life he has lived. I found myself rooting him on, hoping that he made the right choices every step of his journey.

Serving as the best type of Greek chorus are the Glory Circle Sisters, friends who have been together for decades. These lovely and hilarious ladies not only take care of each other, but also serve as prayer warriors who bring the power of heaven to earth for each other. The Sisters know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, yet love with a commitment that is all too rare these days. My favorite sister is Madge, the loud, blunt, redhead who dares to say what others won’t, or shouldn’t. She provides comic relief in the midst of this serious drama.

The characters in this book are so realistic that I mourned the loss of them when I reached the final page. Kathy has an amazing talent for making you feel like what is happening to Catherine’s life is happening to you. Elmer’s story is one that is all too common in real life. The struggles he faces seem insurmountable but God has not forsaken him. I found myself wishing I could jump into the book and help him find his way.

Thirty Days to Glory will stay with you long after the story is over. It highlights the lives of our most marginalized citizens and asks us to become more compassionate and understanding. This story also reminds us that God loves us and is actively involved in our lives, even when we can’t see it. I encourage you to read this book. It will change the way you view the world. Also, be sure to pick up a few copies for Christmas presents to give to those who are facing their own life-altering decisions.

Thirty Days to Glory is available through Amazon or CrossRiver Media.

Tomorrow I will be posting a great Q & A Kathy and I did.

*I received a copy of this book from CrossRiver Media for review, but was not financially compensated in any way. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and are solely based upon my experience while reading this book.

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Adjustments

Posted on by Lori

<I wake up. Sunshine fills the room, which is much bigger than I expected. The light on the ceiling is different and the walls are cream colored. Harold lies next to me softly breathing. Why is the dresser in the corner? I get up. There is a large double closet. Next to the closet is a long counter with a sink and a space where a small, padded stool is tucked underneath. A door leads to a room that contains a toilet and a roomy shower.

It’s disorienting. We have been in our apartment for 14 days. I still wake up with a bit of a start to the not yet familiar surroundings. Last Thursday my best friend, Patty, flew out to help me finish unpack and decorate the apartment. It seemed even stranger picking out rugs, pillows and wooden giraffes to scatter through our space.

Before we moved we sold most of our furniture, which was pretty old, and bought new things last week. While all this was a huge amount of fun, in a way it added to the bit of strangeness we are feeling. We have been finding our way around, which Harold is much better at than I am. We have settled on a preferred bank, grocery store and gas station. There is a Starbucks on the corner a couple of blocks away. The vast number of places to shop is crazy, and I’m from Los Angeles!

Through all of this we feel the continuing grace of God and are acutely aware of his presence. We have been received with such love by Bread of Life church and for that we are most grateful. Everyone has been so kind and are a big part of helping us adjust to our new surroundings. Moving to a new city is one of the most stressful things you can do but when you are surrounded by friends near and far who support you and pray for you makes all the difference. Thanks to all!