I am siting here at my desk, looking out my window at the rain coming down and thinking about my journey through the writing process This is a very exciting time for me. Since I retired from the Blackfoot School District in 2001, I have been writing stories from my past. If you have not already check out my blog Series Life Behind the Scenes and “I remember”. My first book was titled “There Was a Moose on Clifford Street.” I remember the day Hailey come running into my sch

If you have pre-ordered my newest book BUMMER and the Nanny Goat, you will be receiving the tri-fold brochure Real Life of BUMMER our Pet Bighorn Sheep. In this brochure you will learn that: In the spring of 1966, my husband Jim and I moved to Challis, Idaho with our four children, because Jim took a job as a Bighorn Sheep Biologist with the Idaho Fish & Game. Jay P was ten years old, Sheri was eight, Kendon was six, Kelly was five. Because I was a teacher with the summers of

A while ago I was thinking about “Why do I Write”. I finally happen upon the real reason. It is important to me that I write about the adventures, the trials and the love we had in our home. I do not want these events be forgotten. As I sit here holding my newest book BUMMER and the Nanny Goat in my hands, I am so overwhelm with the emotion and the magnitude of having written this book. This brings me back, remembering, BUMMER, my four small children, the Nanny Goat. and the

I am sitting here at my desk looking out my window. The sun is shining brightly and my phone tells me the temperature will reach somewhere in the 60s today. I believe it is goin to be a wonderful day. As I am looking out my window I observe two big Canadian geese circle over out yard and land in the neighbors pond. They come in about the same time every morning stay a little while and then go on their way. I feel blessed to live in an area where I can observe and enjoy these

My friend and I visited the Trailblazing Women of Idaho Exhibition at the Idaho State Museum. What a great legacy to have this type of museum here in Boise. A visit like this can help us to understand the greatness that has gone on before us. The diversity that makes us great. The mistakes that have been made in the past, and reflect on how we can be a part of continuing our progress as a City and State. We had a fantastic time and learned a lot about outstanding women who we

The month of March has three special days that I want to blog about: Read Aloud 21 day challenge, Dr. Seuss’ un-birthday, and Women’s History Month. Read Aloud Month is designated in March to emphasize learning more about the importance of reading aloud to your children. The 21 Day Read Aloud Challenge has been added to help us form a habit of reading aloud to our children for 15 minutes every day. Take a look at the website https://www.readaloud.org/21daychallenge.html. T

The month of February is Black History Month. My objective in choosing some of the books is to give a better understanding of what people of color have gone through in the past and what they are still facing in the nation today. The Undefeated Written by Kwame Alexander illustrated Kadir Nelson I am going to start out with this beautiful book. I couldn’t believe it, there was two metal stickers on the front of the book. This means that the book won both The Caldecott Medal Aw

Happy Holiday, hope you have been enjoying Jylene’s last two blogs on Family Christmas Read Aloud Books. Due to a death in Jylene's family, she asked if I would send out this blog with the Classic Christmas Read Aloud Books. She was thinking of all of you and wanted to make sure you received this week's recommendations that she had written in her book the 12 Days of Christmas, A Christmas Family Read Aloud. In these two books, she gives some great background knowledge into th

What is your Christmas Tree Tradition? And does it include a Christmas Family Read Aloud. For me the writing of the 12 Days of Christmas, A Christmas Family Read Aloud has three main purposes. First, purpose is for us to become aware of quality read aloud books that can be enjoyed as a family or classroom at Christmas time. Second, is to create opportunities for bonding times, especially during the hectic Christmas season. By snuggling and bonding with our children we show

In all the flurry (hustle and bustle) of December and Christmas, remember, taking the time to Read Aloud to your children 15 minutes a day is one of the most important activities you will do for them. My next several blogs include Christmas read-aloud books from my collection in the book 12 Days of Christmas, A Christmas Family Read Aloud that I am working on publishing. I invite you to merge the Christmas Holidays with the 12 Days of Christmas, A Christmas Family Read Aloud,