Aug

Yes, Kansas temps have been in the low 80s most of the month. We have only hit 100 degrees once during the entire summer. I do have to share, that the one day our temperature was 99 degrees this month (and only lasted one day) my a/c snapped and I had to put in a complete new a/c and heating system. Lucky for me, the person I called returned my call immediately and the system was installed within two days. But that said, our summer has been one of mild balmy days with just enough rain to keep our flowers blooming and beautiful.
I traveled to Maine in June for the usual ten-day stay at Higgins Beach. The weather couldn’t have been better with only one day of rain. We searched out new places, ate lobster every evening and washed it down with Champagne, had third row seats at the Ogunquit Playhouse’s Mamma Mia performance, found new shops, and daily walked and meditated on the beach. I started the last book in the A Plane Tree in Provence series, and also wrote a couple of devotionals. I’ve always said, my yearly trips to Maine is my therapy and cost about the same as a therapist, but oh so much more fun.
In July, I took a bus trip to Pawhuska,OK to visit Ree Drumond’s place to shop and eat at the Mercantile. Fun getaway day. It is truly something to see how this Food Network chef has brought new commerce and hoards of tourists to the small town of Pawhuska. Also this summer our travel group had another excursion to Dr. Ron’s farm by Fall River. He is quite the gardener and gave each of us a choice of plants to take home. On the way back, we stopped at Beaumont, KS where small aircraft used to fly in for dinner at the steak house there, and also toured the Elk River Wind Farm.
I am working hard on the new book, but also revising my Devoted to Traveling book due to the publisher going out of business. I’ll do a new cover, change some things around, and add a few new devotionals. Take care, and check out my Facebook page and mucho thanks for leaving a “like” if you do.

Sep

Fall has finally arrived and we’ve even had rain, which fights to repair all the damage those 108 degree temperatures did to our plants and yards in the summer.

My daughter, Penny, is making steady progress, and while frustrating for her, as she would love to have this recovery thing over, we are thankful we are going forward instead of backward. She is now volunteering at her son’s school during lunch, and has a brand new computer to keep her challenged.

I’m currently on a writing retreat and my writing partner and I have made a list of five wishes for ourselves. More often than not, as we forge our efforts toward others, we forget about our own wishes. We thought this would motivate us in accomplishing even more in our lives. I won’t list them for you, but as I arrive at each wish I’ll let you know what it was. For this retreat, I found this wonderful little place in Newton, Kansas that is surrounded with beautiful gardens chock full of sculptures. It is a delightful small bed and breakfast in a once working silo. It is now on my repeat list of places to visit.

My second novel is almost ready to format and my daughter, Carey, has sent two possible choices for the cover. If I do say so, she is one talented woman. Check out her website at Tallgrass Studios, Lawrence, Kansas. Can’t wait for all of you to see my selection for the second novel in the Plane Tree series. My target date for release is October 15.

Keep your fingers crossed for me as I have several submissions out to publishers. It’s been seven months since that dreadful day in January when Penny fell down the basement stairs and our lives were changed forever. It is only now that I’ve been able to write a couple of devotionals about the experience. If published, I’ll let you know where to find them.

Until next time, arlene

Sep

Fall is finally here and for Kansans this is huge news. After 54 days of 100 degree temps we are so ready for the blessings fall brings.

My novel, A Plane Tree in Provence (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JFBUPK) is doing well as an ebook and I thank all who have purchased it. Take five women who would like to change their lives, but don’t know how, and a three-week vacation to France, and aside from delectable food, wonderful wine, and a sampling of adventure amidst squabbles-they get their wish.

I have to confess, that last year when my children asked what I wanted for Christmas, my answer was interesting. “I know what I don’t want. Don’t even think about an electronic reader.”

Now, less than a year later, I published my novel just that way. Who knew? Not me! And, in less than a few weeks away my second novel, Angel on My Shoulder will be published as an ebook. Never say Never.

Seriously, in less than one year, Amazon reports that  ebook sales are three times larger than last year and are outranking both hardbacks and paperbacks. Don’t you just love change?

Aug

My the summer is almost gone. The world is in chaos, and right here at home, earthquakes, hurricane Irene is pounding away, and the economy has gone south. Still we live in the best country in the world and I never forget that. I have great news! My novel was just released as an ebook and available on Amazon and Smashwords. http://smashwords.com/books/81473 and http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JFBUPK and also at BarnesandNoble.com. If you don’t have a reading device just download it on your computer.

I truly enjoyed writing A Plane Tree in Provence and hope women of the world will both identify and join my characters in fulfilling their dreams.

You’ll be able to read my Bio and a sample of the book also on these websites. Enjoy.