Lurch at Rocky Ridge Refuge http: http://www.rockyridgerefuge.com/ 2004 Click on photos to enlarge

When my family comes to visit each year from Naperville we are always looking for unusual places to explore. August 10, 2004 we read an article in The Baxter Bulletin newspaper that Lurch was placed in the Guinness World Records book. I knew from that article this was the place to explore on October 23, 2004. We had a great time. The brave girl in the photos is my granddaughter Nicole Hoekstra. To remember this and other events I created Nicole a scrapbook with a story titled, Ozarks Vacation.

Later, I wrote an article on this visit with Lurch and the refuge for The Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine. It was published in the Jan/Feb 2006 issue. http://www.ozarksmountaineer.com/ From this visit and article my son-in-law purchased the Guinness World Record Book.

To learn more about the exciting and wonderful things happening with Janice Wolf, the caregiver and the refuge click on their website . Other websites to click on is: Ellen De Generes Show http://ellen.warnerbros.com/, http://www.zootoo.com/, and http://www.baxterbulletin.com/.

Each day is an new adventure-walk the trails around the Twin Lakes area this winter. I love the walking the trails. This is what I have on my winter list to do.

Book signing at "Authors' Day" 2 December Sunday 2-4 pm at the Baxter County Library at Mountain Home. To participate you have to registered your name and book at the library. To learn more go to www.baxtercountylibrary.org. It will be an exciting day for writers. My most exciting moments at my book release in Branson was my two sisters and their husbands who drove nine hours to surprise me. They tested my heart. Short of a heart attack I verily regained by breathe to say "hi." Our friends and neighbor Larry and Virginia surprised us. They purchased our book and books from other authors sitting near us. Plus, I would like to thank family members and friends who sent best wishes. All of this means lots of wonderful memories to add to my memory book.

The colors of Autumn and Spring in my Woodland Garden makes my heart sing for joy - God indeed is the blue ribbon artist of all.

This morning five large does entered my garden. At the frightening bark of the neighbor's fenced in dog they quickly turned, with running leaps headed east. They never had the chance to linger to prune my bushes. I allow native plants to come up where they please for the wildlife and me.

God is wonderful. He always reminds me there is a bright light that always shines above the dark clouds. It is up to me to allow that light to shine for me as I go forward or stay in the shadows of gloom. Well, I have always enjoyed the sunshine with a breathe of fresh air.

I wish I could have met MWSA children's book award winner Jenny Sokol. She wrote I'm a Hero Too.

It is time I get back to the business of writing. I am working on several exciting projects: books for children and adults. I still have four children's book manuscripts, three poems and a garden essay floating in never, never land or should I say in the land of hope. We mailed 16 of my books today; a sign people are enjoying the stories in my book.

Let the sun hit your back feeling the warm comfort knowing each day is a new beginning.

Submarine book updates, PR beware information for writers and interesting new books will be placed on this website. Right now I am snowed under after returning from my book signing in Branson November 5-7. In the meanwhile check updates on my other blog http://submarinestories.blogspot.com. Enjoy the warm weather and the artistic work of God.