Best Laid Plans by Laura Hunsaker

In my little corner of the world, school just got out for the summer. The last week of school was incredibly stressful for me, so I took a few days off, now that there are no students. I had so many plans! I was going to do so many things! And it's Memorial Day weekend!

I wound up binge reading some books.

This came about because we got the carpets cleaned, and one of the things we do when we get them shampooed is to get everything off the floor, as much as possible, anyway. This prompted a big spring cleaning, and one of my kids brought out stack upon stack of books that she wasn't interested in keeping anymore. Well, you know, before we could donate them, of course I had to check them all out.

Back in 2016, she came with me to RT Vegas (it was a great book con!), and she was given so so many books! I don't think I've ever seen her so thrilled. So, of course as I saw the stacks of books come out of her room, and I see the RT books that were so exciting that night, I went through them all. I read probably 4 and apparently 2016 was the year of post-apocalyptic YA.

She wound up taking 2 or 3 books back to her room, and I think we had fun reminiscing. So, while I'm kind of bummed to see the books go, I'm glad we got to hang out and chit chat about books together.

So, I wouldn't say I wasted my time off by any means, but I will say that none of my plans got done. ;)

And a quick note! Dark Past is on sale for $.99 right now and until the end of the month, so grab it on the sale price!

Amazon Link

The small town was supposed to be safe...

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.

But someone is following Kate...

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...

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Memorial Day by Bea Tifton

Filling in for Beth Trissel, and I apologize for the late posting. Totally my fault, not hers. 

 

I have a friend who gets upset when people chirp, “Happy Memorial Day!”.  She’s a veteran, and she feels that the day should be regarded more seriously. It is a day for mourning those who gave their lives for our country, after all. I do think we should celebrate their lives, and that sometimes the original purpose of Memorial Day can get lost in picnics and cookouts. But aren’t we celebrating that we can still celebrate? That we are a free country, ravaged as it is by politically-driven cultural divides.

Memorial Day began in 1868 as a day to recognize the Civil War soldiers who died in combat. The day was called Decoration Day because people would observe the day by going to gravesites and cleaning up the area and leaving wreaths and flowers at graves. New York was the first state to declare Decoration Day a national holiday in 1873, and due to public requests, most states followed. As a result of World War I, the day was firmly established in the country as a day to recognize those veterans who died in wars.

In 1971, Congress passed a law that Memorial Day would be a national holiday occurring each year on the last Monday of May. Today, people leave a wreath on each grave at the Arlington National Cemetery and the president or vice president will leave a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

But, while I firmly believe that we should recognize and remember those who have died in wars, I still think its okay to celebrate. Celebrate by coming together.  Putting aside political differences and sharing a meal, a day, some fellowship.  This is still America, after all.

                                                   How do you celebrate Memorial Day? 

Pexel Photo Credits: 

Askar Abayev "Two Men Grilling Meat Together"

Mizuno K "Two Teenage Girls Having Picnic in Park"

Public Domain Pictures "Purple Red White and Orange Fireworks Display"

Nadi Lindsay "Selective Focus Close-Up Photo of Red Poppy Flower"

This Life by Kara O'Neal

At night, when I pray, I start by thanking God for all the good things in my life. 

He's blessed me so many times over -- my family is in good health, we have what we need, my children are happy, my husband and I have stable jobs, we have wonderful friends...

But over the last several years, I've also thanked Him for the peace He has given us. And that would not have been possible if others hadn't made the ultimate sacrifice. There are even soldiers out there right now keeping us safe. Even the Ukrainian men and women who are fighting daily are doing it for more than just their own kin.

And here I sit, peaceful, writing this post to share with y'all.

I'm glad we have this day where we can remember and honor those who have fallen. It grounds us, makes us acknowledge that there are things more important than the next television series or Marvel movie. (Although, my cousin who is a veteran would scold me and say, "Kara, we fight for your ability to enjoy your life without fear. So enjoy it and don't feel guilty.")

He's right. I know it.

So...yes. I will spend time with my family. We will play cards, and we will eat good food and be silly together. And we will give thanks to the soldiers.

And....I will make Apple Butter today! (For those of you who don't know, it's a kind of jelly.)

Now, it's not apple pie -- and I do make a glorious apple pie -- but it's the next best thing. Apple Butter is a staple in my father's family. My grandpa loved it and always had butter and jelly on the table at EVERY meal. 

So, today I will be up to my elbows in apple peelings, sugar, maple syrup and a few other ingredients. And I will be singing this lovely poem I made up many, many, many years ago...

Oh, apple butter. 

Oh, how I love you.
Your apple cinnamony sweetness gives happiness so true.

The way you melt with peanut butter is so fine,
I cannot wait until you get in that mouth of mine.

When I see you sittin' on my grandma's table,
my stomach growls and is unstable.

Until I can spread you on a biscuit so fluffy,
my temperament is terrible and I'm a little huffy.

Oh, apple butter.
Oh, how I love you.

Thank you for the sweetness that always rings true.

Visit Kara O'Neal at www.karaoneal.com