Last week I received a text from a friend who lives in Florida: "Lisa, I am sending you something. It won't fit in your mailbox. When I saw it, I instantly thought of you. My friend made it...I hope you like it. Love to you..."

I must confess, the anticipation ignited and I couldn't wait. I had no idea what it was. This afternoon my Dad called me while I was tutoring, "Your package arrived!" After tutoring I went to my Dad's house, text my friend, and then opened the package while on the phone with her. Once open, I had tears in my eyes. This photo doesn't do justice for this painting yet the message it brings is still visible.

The first thing I thought, "This is Heidi and I when we reunite one day.", then my friend shared, "I saw this and thought of you and Heidi." The dampness in my eyes quickly turned into tears of joy, love, and hope. As she shared about seeing this painting and her first thoughts, I kept staring at it. The beauty captured combined with the love and friendship that came with the gift remind me of how precious time, friendship, and hope is. 

We spent half an hour or more visiting, catching up, and enjoying each other's company. We wrapped up our conversation and I hit the "end" on my phone yet I couldn't stop staring at the painting. It entranced me, and still does. I don't know if it's the that I thought of Heidi as soon as I saw it, or was it that not only had I thought of Heidi but so had my friend. My friend said when she saw it, she thought of the bond, love, and sisterhood between Heidi and I. It doesn't matter why, all that matters is that God used my friend to bring me hope in the very moment I needed it the most. God knows what we need, when we need it. He used my friend, and her friend (I don't know the artist's name) who painted it, as messengers to me. For this, I'm very thankful today.

Hey there! How is everyone doing? For those enjoying the weekend rest and relaxation, what do you plan to do today to refresh yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually this weekend?

If you are looking for a new podcast, check out mine, One Sister's Journey: Keeping it Real (powered by Anchor FM). It's available on more than a dozen podcast apps.

On Fridays I try to do a different series and that is VERY FAITH BASED. My faith is within all my podcasts yet Friday is dedicated to sharing a message, usually a series. My recent series on Fridays is focusing on The Lord's Prayer. Check it out today - you can go back and start with the first one - taking a closer look at this prayer, verse by verse. 

What is your favorite podcast? Share its name and link in a comment below - why is it your favorite and what is it about? Happy listening!

One of the joys experienced the past two Saturdays was the quiet of the roads and the beauty of the sunrise. Life offers us opportunities to choose. I had a choice to pull over and absorb this beautiful sight or continue bugging down the road. I chose to pause. In life, we need more opportunities to pause and enjoy the beauty of nature around us. One of the books I'm working on now focuses on slowing down and being more mindful of the opportunities and beauty placed before us.If you need to leave five minutes earlier, it will be worth it. Give it a try.

 The past two Saturdays were spent at Craft/Vendor Fairs. The first in Utica and this past weekend, Rome. It has been a few years since I dedicated time to these type of events but within the first couple hours last weekend, I knew it was time and was glad I went.

Here's the deal, authors don't typically sell a lot of books at craft/vendor fairs so why do we go? It's an opportunity to meet our readers and build relationships. I'm more apt to read a book if I've met someone who recommends the book and if I can meet the author, the likelihood increases even more. 

As a child, I remember my Mom and aunts bringing me books signed by the authors after attending different book signings. Maybe this is one of the foundations for my passion to write and meet my readers. It is fun and energizing to meet my readers and those who attended events I spoke at. This weekend I had the opportunity to meet a women who heard me at her church's Fall retreat a few years ago. Her words encouraged me more than she realized, God used her to bless me. 

It's amazing to see the way God works and uses us, isn't it? Anyway, in November I have two more events, one in Fulton, New York and another in Oswego, New York. In December I'll be at Christmas in Mexico, then a break until Spring. The amount of time required to prep, plan, travel, and pack can be intense while the actual hours spent sitting can feel long BUT, at the end of the day, it's about the relationships renewed or created that make it all worth it.

In life, so many people are looking at their screens to communicate, I find events like this invigorating because of the one on one contact, eye contact, and real conversation (you know, using our voices and body language). It's great! If the conversation and 1:1 isn't enough, by shopping at local events like this, you are supporting your local creatives. I still find the homemade gifts, books, and goodies my favorite treats to receive (and give). 

As you move forward into the holiday seasons, I encourage you to slow down and visit the variety of local craft and vendor fairs. Here are a few benefits you'll receive:
*Meet new people
*Run into people you haven't seen in awhile
*Support local people, possibly your neighbor
*1:1 contact with a variety of people
*Unique & personal Gifts at your fingertips
*Free parking (usually)
*You can do it with or without the kids (it fits your mood)
*Make a girl's (or guys) get away for a couple hours then grab lunch
*Most have food choices so it's one stop shopping
*You learn about new items on the market
*Autographed and personalized books 
*You'll get steps and make your heart and Fitbit happy (you can't do that shopping online)
*It's fun and each craft/vendor fair is different and variety is the spice of life. 

About the Author
​Antoinette Truglio Martin is a life-long Long Islander, teacher, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer—a memoir chronicling her first year battling breast cancer as a wimpy patient.

​Personal experience essays and excerpts of her memoir were published in Bridges, Visible Ink, and The Southampton Review. Martin proudly received her MFA in creative writing and literature from Stony Brook/Southampton University in 2016.

Antoinette had also written the children's picture book, Famous Seaweed Soup (Albert Whitman and Company), and was a regular columnist for local periodicals Parent Connections (In a Family Way) and Fire Island Tide (Beach Bumming). Her blog, Stories Served Around The Table, tells family tales and life's musings. She lives in her hometown of Sayville, New York with her husband, Matt, and is never far from her “Everyone” and the beaches she loves.

Since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2012, she strives to not let cancer to dictate her life. Follow her at Facebook and her website.

In the past I've shared a review for Elaine W. Miller's book, Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. When I saw this book available for review, I signed up. As the caregiver to more family than one should have to care and say goodbye to in a life time, authors like Elaine and Antoinette are encouraging - they firsthand stories of being survivors and fighters, offering hope to others in this battlefield and their caregivers.

Antoinette's book is written in journal format for the most part, as she shares emails between her and "My Everyone" as she calls her support network. I'm a fan of diary type books like the Diary of Anne Frank or the Dear America series, so I related to Antoinette's real and personal accounts in the midst of her journey.

The love and bond between she and her daughters brought tears to my eyes and also had me laughing out loud. The honest connection and feelings shared are a tribute to the foundation she and her husband instilled in their family and all who knew them. One of the funniest parts is when Antoinette wants to try marijuana as a treatment and reaches out to her daughters and their response left Antoinette with this, "I had to admit, I did not expect such seamless resources and enthusiasm." 

The subtitle of the book, "A year of community, courage, and cancer" is a perfect summary of one woman's journey through the unknown with her "everyone" by her side every step of the way. As Antoinette shares the emails and the commentary between each, I felt like I was sitting in her living room sharing a cup of tea and brownies with her.

This is a personal and heartfelt memoir of hope and encouragement for those going through a difficult and challenging journey, helping us to remember to go through and not get stuck in the pain and disease.

Thank you Antoinette, and thanks to all who took time to learn more about this great book.

I spent a good part of yesterday in my Writer's Cottage enjoying time reading, researching, and even doing some writing. It was wonderful to escape from the to-do-lists, laundry, and pet hair for a few hours. A day off from school equals a day of writing and work at the cottage. These moments haven't been plentiful, actually, I think yesterday was the first time since school started that I was able to spend a substantial amount of time.

Upon my departure, I let off a fogger so Mr. Spider and family, taking up residence, understand whose cottage it is. Did I mention I'm allergic to spider bites, as one landed on my arm while writing, it was a comical scene. Thankfully no one else was around to witness my scream, spider toss, and jumping out of the chair. I don't typically freak out but that spider startled me and I let it know.

Anyway, I shared on Monday's podcast, that I've put my fiction book on hold for a time. I feel God calling me to write something different. While at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference in July, then at the Oswego Writing Institute in August, I felt God nudging me in one direction but I couldn't pinpoint where He was leading (Holy Spirit nudge #1). I believed it was this fictional story yet, as fun as this process is, I didn't feel like it was what God wants me to write yet I didn't know where to go with clarity so I kept writing the fiction because at least I was writing.

In September, a conversation stirred something in me (Holy Spirit nudge #2) and lead my thoughts, prayers, and writing mind in a different direction. I brushed it aside until last week when a third conversation (Holy Spirit nudge #3) opened my eyes during a time of quiet, mindful, reflective prayer. It was as if The Light came on within me.

I understood the first two nudges and the direction to move forward. The human within me second guessed the Holy Spirit's leading but thank goodness, my faith and quiet time helped to shed understanding, direction, and purpose to this new writing project. This past Saturday I didn't make it to my cottage but I banged out 1,745 words for this new project and spent time reading and researching on Sunday. Monday offered the opportunity for time to continue the work done at at home and some serious writing at the cottage.

It was because of my time spent in prayer and being open to hear from God that I recognized the direction He was leading. I made a mindful and conscious effort. I want to thank my Dad again for making my writer's cottage a reality, it is a HUGE blessing and inspiration!! Love you Dad!

One thing I've prioritized with the new school year is making sure to get my workouts in. I'm not there four or five times a week like I'd like to but at least I'm getting there three times a week. I hired a personal trainer for the summer to learn how to use weights and other equipment to improve my health. It was a success.

At the start of the school year, I went to twice a month instead of weekly. I miss the weekly training sessions yet my wallet can't afford it so a change was necessity. The every other week is working but I'm saving in hopes of going back to weekly. Below is a funny comedy clip about going to the gym and he jokes about paying for a trainer at the gym you pay to belong too. I used to have a similar philosophy but since this summer, I get it.

It's because of my trainer that I know how to use the weights and other equipment safely and have a routine that is toning my body. My trainer gets my stressers and helps to guide me in healthier eating and habits to combat stress. In a sense, my trainer is a counselor, my health insurance covers counseling, they should cover my trainer, he is both training my physical fitness and mental fitness. 

What do you think? Should health insurance put some money towards our fitness club memberships and trainers? I do...but it's because I notice the health benefits of working with my trainer weekly versus every other week. Maybe one day insurance will be proactive.

Hey there and happy Tuesday!
Two weeks since I've been on but here I am, kicking off the return on a Tuesday.

I'd like to say I was spending every free minute in my writing cottage after work and on the weekends but this isn't the case. 


What have I been up to?
*Adjusting to the back-to-school schedule and routine
*Getting at least 3 workouts at the gym in each week
*Cleaned my house (finally LOL)
*Found the top of my kitchen table & dryer (my two drop spots - what are yours?)
*Reading a book for fun, "Lost and Found" by Gayle Roper (it's so good, I need more time so I can finish it, yes, it's that good)
*Read a book for a blog review on October 26th, "Hug Everyone You Know" by Antionette Truglio Martin - she is also guest blogging on Oct. 26th so make sure you check it out
*Leading our Fall Women's Bible Study, "Having a Mary Spirit in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver - we are learning so much and getting to know each other better too (We are reading the book along with the video Bible study)
*Reading a book to improve my writing and speaking by James M. Watkins, Communicating to Change Lives: In Person and Print - highly recommend
*Eliminated the magazines-to-read-pile until today's purchase of a new one, lol
​*Cleaned out my closets and donated 3 bags of clothes so far (it's a work-in-progress)
*Then of course the everyday this-n-that of being a mom, wife, niece, and educator

I apologize for not blogging every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday yet after typing this list, I've been busy. Have you ever noticed that we might not realize we did anything but once we take time to reflect (and write it down), we recognize there is a reason some things haven't been done. Something I've learned is to prioritize what NEEDS to be done and put my family and friends first, then the stuff. Tomorrow is not promised. I want to know the people who mean the most to me KNOW they come before any "thing" in this world.

I have a lot on my list that isn't connected to my family yet it is through doing some things for myself this year that I'm more relaxed and better able to be there for my family. We need to remember to care for ourselves or we won't be able to care for our loved ones. It feels good to get some reading and writing done. It might not be here or on the podcast, but God is at work and I'm listening and trying to prioritize and stay focused. 

Next Tuesday I'll talk about the feedback I received on my work-in-progress (WIP). I'm trying my hand at fiction. I have the first 16,000 words finished so I entrusted it to my daughter, an avid reader and honest critic. You'll have to wait until next week to see how it went. Until then, come back on Thursday and Saturday to see what else is going on.

The last corner of the writer's cottage is my writing area, when I opt for a desk. Auntie M stopped to see how the writer's cottage was coming along and said she had the perfect table/desk, "It's just the right size, it will fit perfect." .She was right. In addition to the table, she had a small desk lamp not being used. The combination dressed up the last part of the cottage.

The pencil/paper organizer at the end I've had for a few years and found it at a thrift store for $2. The drawers hold my paperclips, allowing all my essentials at my fingertips yet look neat at all times The chair is from my grandmothers, with a cushion made for my daughter many moons ago.

The last item added was a new dog bed for Faith. Faith wasn't a fan, she prefers my chair when I'm sitting on the floor BUT my dad's dog enjoys it. The cottage isn't big yet the two dogs and I fit nicely and the first day I worked in my new space I banged out over 3,000 words. 

The days when I stopped at the lake or the library after working out, I only wrote between 700 - 1,000. Now I can leave out the notes and such when I'm done for the day and pick up where I left off. No more packing it all into a notebook and binder, and then my bag before driving home. The time saved from not driving to and from my writing spot, setting up to write, and then having to clean up when I'm done so I can drive home equaled about 2,000 words. Woot Woot!

The added bonus is the company I have while working, two dogs and my Dad. Life is good and the writing is even better. Mom is smiling and my daughter likes my writer's cottage, she couldn't believe the transformation. A little insulation board, contact paper, and a lot of love.

This summer I didn't work summer school. Instead I invested time, energy, and money into my writing and speaking. The biggest part was attending the 2019 Montrose Writers' Conference in Montrose, Pennsylvania. The drive was uneventful, beautiful, and quiet. This was a great feat and a fear-facing experience in itself.

​Since 1994, the farthest I've traveled solo is to Clay, New York which is only twenty-five minutes away. I did a happy dance upon my arrival when I got out of the car. It was a good that I was early because other attendees may have avoided the weirdo dancing outside her car. 

After a week of reading, writing, learning, networking, and relaxing I returned home with a renewed energy and spirit. I reconnected with God and myself. This was a much needed time. My family noted the difference before I shared verbally and encouraged me to attend every year. I hadn't realized how much I needed to stop doing and to just chill.

Hubby and I spend a few days traveling locally on his days off and experiencing New York. He had extra days off due to an unexpected lay off. Instead of stressing about this, we prayed and God was faithful. His new job offers more potential for advancement and his mood has been better. God knows more than we do and could see what we couldn't. Hubby and I both needed a change and time of rest and renewal We wouldn't have chosen a job lay off to reconnect with each other and focus on trusting God yet God knows what we need, and gives us this. Needs versus wishes and wants is a good thing. 

The biggest adventure and news all summer is that our baby turned twenty-one years old and starts her senior year of college. I'm not sure how this happened because I still feel like I'm in my twenties but it has. She is a strong and determined young woman with goals and the determination to see it through to completion. We couldn't be prouder of her and we look forward to watching her continue to grow and succeed. 

While wrapping up this final year of her Bachelor's Degree, the hunt for the right Master's Degree program and school is underway. Application submissions open on September 1st, and she is working hard to narrow her choices down to afford the application fees while also ensuring acceptance in at least one. I have a feeling she'll have at least a couple and will have to weigh the pros and cons to choose the Assistanceship best fitting her career goals. Go get em' girl!

A week from today I'll be back in school with a new group of cherubs to educate, inspire, motivate, and encourage. I love my career and look forward to meeting this next generation. I'm glad I took the summer to relax, recharge, and write. The family visits in August wore me out and lifted me up at the same time. We are saving to make the trip to Florida and Indiana next year, and to help our girl move to her final higher education destination. Let the saving begin.

When my Mom was young she won this encyclopedia set. I can't remember exactly how, maybe writing something? I bet my aunt or uncle will remember and be able to tell us but until then this old set of encyclopedias is special to me for a few reasons:
*My mom won them
*My mom valued them and never wanted to get rid of them
*You don't see encyclopedias much anymore since the introduction the Internet

I took this set off my bookshelf at home a couple years ago to make room for more books. I reorganized my shelves and needed the space yet couldn't part with the encyclopedias so I boxed and stored them in Mary's playhouse. As we cleaned out the playhouse and I saw the boxes I told my father I was going to keep the in the writer's cottage. His response, "Of course you are." We both laughed. He asked, "How or what are you doing to do with them? You don't have much space." I shook my head because I had no clue.

Fast forward a week. As I put the contact paper on the walls and ceiling, moving the books from side to side, Dad came in and shared an idea. I needed a bookshelf to store my writing resources and Bibles on yet the monies for shelving would need to wait until fall when school started. Dad's creativity solved these problems. The encyclopedias became the bookshelf, with a little help from Dad.

Dad went to the New Haven Building Supply and purchased a pine board. He cut them to the length of the wall, routered & rounded the edges, and sanded them. I rearranged the books until I had even piles. My Auntie M called to check in and I told her what we were doing, she added her creativity to the mix. She suggested spelling something on the side. I liked the idea and went back to work to make new stacks that would spell a word or two. This took a bit but now the outside spells "Lisa_Wrter" So cool!

Who knew two boxes of encyclopedias would end up making this beautiful and special bookcase. Many minds make light work and creative uses of old and cherished items.

My husband and I visited the Salmon River Falls early in July and were amazed to see a Bald Eagle's Nest. We saw a couple heads pop up on our way by the first time and on our return home. I know my father enjoys birds too so one day, Dad and I went for a drive.

The nest is huge. I took this first picture to show the size of the nest in comparison to the pole it's stationed on, on Route 13 outside of Pulaski, New York. Once Dad and I arrived, we parked on a side road and kept our distance after reading a few facts on the Bald Eagle, if you'd like to learn more, click here.

While watching the nest, I visited the Internet via my phone and read some of the information on the DEC Fact Sheet and about New York State's Bald Eagle Program. One of the first things we realized, we didn't choose a prime movement time to see the parents bring food yet we still sat for about thirty minutes watching the babies. It was a nice time spent visiting with my Dad and learning about the birds we were watching at the same time.

I used my zoom to capture some closer pictures, keeping a safe distance. We didn't want to spook the babies or their mother. The amount of traffic speeding by just below them didn't seem to bother them until a larger dump truck revved its engine, this made their feathers flutter.

​An article on LIVESCIENCE tells, "Bald eagles are large birds of prey native to North America. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been the United States' national emblem and mascot. The bald eagle isn't actually bald; it gets its name because its white head against its dark brown body makes it seem bald from a distance." Read Entire Article Here It's an interesting read.

I've always wondered why the Bald Eagle was our national emblem and mascot, I found an informative article on the American Bald Eagle:
"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.
   On the backs of our gold coins, the silver dollar, the half dollar and the quarter, we see an eagle with outspread wings. 
   On the Great Seal of the United States and in many places which are exponents of our nation's authority we see the same emblem.
   The eagle represents freedom. Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond."
To read the entire article, click here.

The author of the first article debates if the Bald Eagle is the correct bird for our mascot yet the second article offers the reasons it was selected in 1782. Regardless of where you stand on the appropriateness of its selection, I find it to be a beautiful bird and feel blessed to have experienced watching these four babies for a time. I also was twice blessed by the conversation with my Dad as we sat, watched, and took pictures (from a safe distance using the zoom lense).