Friday, October 25, 2024

Storyteller's Journey

 Family Ties

In the past I've mentioned the balance I employ to juggle my work as a writer and my life as a wife, mother, and daughter. Well, now I'm blessed to add another role to the mix: Grandmother!

While I've shared the extraordinary news of my granddaughter's arrival on a few other social media sites, I've not mentioned it here on Writ of Whimsy. 

Adeline Joy Zimmerman was born on October 2, 2024. She and her parents - our son and daughter-in-law, David & Jessica - are all doing well.
Needless to say, we are all overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and joy for this little bundle of magic!

Prior to Adeline's arrival, David and Jessica took a "babymoon" in Seattle. We are so proud of them for the way they have taken on the responsibilities of being great parents!

Becoming grandparents was something that we thought might never happen. However, we are so glad it did! Michael and I already have plans to introduce Adeline to the woodland countryside around our home, as well as to literature, art, and music.
It's interesting how Adeline's presence in my own heart has invigorated and inspired my writing. With all that's going on in our world, she has brought a bright light to our little corner of the country.

At nearly the same time Adeline was arriving, my mother took a terrible fall that left her with a broken hip and shoulder. So last week I flew to Arizona to see her. While I was there, I also saw my son Kevin. My mother and son are like two peas in a pod! It was wonderful to see my mom recovering so well. And since Kevin has now returned to South America, it was great to see him again before he left.

While I was in Phoenix, I stayed with my brother and his wife, Kim. They are always so generous with their hospitality. Sadly, I failed to photograph my brother, D.J., my niece, Emma, and my nephew, Joseph, who I also enjoyed seeing!

With all the excitement for the branch of the family that lives on the West Coast, it's been difficult to keep in touch with our youngest son Brian, who still lives in New Jersey. Thankfully, he'll be home in a few weeks to meet Adeline and to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of us.

Brian loves to cook, so I'm hoping he'll help out with the turkey - since I've never claimed to be much of a cook!

Now that I'm back home and things are beginning to settle down (before they ramp up again for the holidays!), I've made good progress on the second novel in my fantasy children's book series.


If you live in the Portland OR/Vancouver WA metro area, I'd love to see you next Friday! P.S. That's my brother's pool, not mine. 😀

Friday, October 18, 2024

Storyteller's Journey

Fight for the Freedom to Read!

While I usually attempt to be a peacemaker, a few things can get me pretty riled up: like banning books!
As a mother, part of me sort of understands the concerns about the type of books my child reads. However, I cannot for the life of me understand why other parents feel it's their duty to ban my children (grandchild) from certain books. Fighting for this freedom right now reminds me of other freedoms that are currently being challenged.

The freedom to read is no less important than other freedoms we cherish. Think about it: Having an authority tell a child what she can and cannot read is a backdoor way of brainwashing. History tells us how that went last time!

Tomorrow libraries across the country are sponsoring a "day of action." Click here to learn more. Ultimately, the freedom to read may be settled at the ballot box, so be sure to vote!


"He who destroys a good book, kills reason itself."
John Milton