Author of the book — Abilene — The Interview Response From the Author I was asked to review Abilene and then to send a few questions to the author. I was delighted to receive this detailed response. She generously shared her influences and thought processes for the book. The rest of this article is copied directly from the email I received. Email Response “Thank you…

One step at a time completes a journey that seems overwhelming. — Too Much of a Good Thing I’m a worrier, and I allow myself to get overwhelmed by the weight of little things. It’s because there seem to be so many. I make lists, which is good because I can work through them. I find it super satisfying to cross off a line item on a crowded…

A story of manipulation, mental abuse and resilience. Abilene I expected a story about a single mother and her struggles. I didn’t expect the story to delve so deeply into loss, sorrow, and abuse. As I read, my emotions were tested between anger, pity, and sorrow. Domestic abuse has many faces…

I’ve always loved art and creativity. It’s part of my personality and my daily routine. However, I didn’t always feel supported. — It Was Always Part of Me · I was a very creative child. I sewed my Barbie doll clothes from my granny’s scrap fabric stash instead of buying them. · I made my aunt a vase out of ice cream sticks when I was seven. · I drew pictures to give away as gifts. · I…

Response to our October monthly challenge for Black and Orange. — I’m Always Amazed by Art Hacks I have a habit of watching a few art videos before I go to bed at night. They make me happy and it’s a relaxing way to end my day. I particularly enjoy the art hack videos because they inspire my curious mind. I love to experiment creatively. Sometimes, it…

This is such a wonderful way for individuals to help save endangered or rare plants. Our gardens can be a haven for bees, butterflies, and birds. — My First Introduction I ran out of my aloe vera juice and logged onto Mountain Rose Herbs to order more. As the web page loaded, I saw a promotion for free seeds. If I bought one regular item, I could choose to receive one packet of free seeds. It gets better, though. The…

I mistakenly dropped water on a sheet of paper. Instead of throwing it out, I embraced the mishap. — Oops and Yay I was experimenting with food color again as a watercolor alternative when I accidentally dropped some water on the page. I didn’t realize it until it had dried and left a bleached mark right in the middle of the page. This is what I call a happy accident because it…

You can buy gelli plates at almost any hobby store, but you can make your own too. — Just a Few Ingredients I’ve played with the idea of making my own gelli plate for a while now. I just didn’t get around to it until recently. Now, I could kick myself for not doing it sooner. It’s so easy and it’s fun to make prints with it. I scoured the internet for…

We all know that water is hydrating, but food high in water content can do the same. A Response to ‘Sipping Ice Water’ submission invitation from DIY Diaries. Importance of Hydration Drinking a healthy amount of water or similar is important to keep hydrated in the heat. …