Changing Seasons

Is this the season of spam?

I don’t mean Spam as in the potted meat. As nasty as that is, I’d prefer it over the spamming taking place right now. Maybe I’m the only one, but it seems to have gotten worse.

Pretty sure I’m not the only one.

Spammers are even on Pinterest. Pinterest! The sacred place of looking at cool stuff and learning new things. Where I go for haircut ideas and ways to dress for my upcoming headshot.

You feel my pain, I know.

I just want to spend my time reading and maybe writing a book. I don’t want to waste my time deleting and blocking these bots. Because that’s what they are.

This isn’t my most upbeat Changing Seasons post, but it’s real life. Like I said, pretty sure I’m not alone!

Be back soon, Jen

PS – a reminder for me (& maybe you): Phil 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The season of love

February is the season of love, the month of love. For my husband and I it includes our anniversary! I’ll be honest: I’m not a big romantic. Usually, a card suffices (I don’t wear much jewelry either). This year, we celebrated on Super Bowl Sunday with our kids and grandkids. No cards, nothing “big.” But it was what we wanted.

I think it’s about what makes me feel loved – I just want to be with my family. Other than maybe some candy, we won’t do much for Valentine’s either! I know, it’s weird.

I don’t mind being weird. 😉

The world has been so … heavy and in need of MUCH love, kindness, civility, grace, forgiveness. I keep thinking – if only we could all put these awful things down and just care about each other. This is something I struggle with daily though.

See, I have this dog that lives behind me. He is such a pain. He bays and barks ALL DAY LONG. Seriously. He tests my kindness, grace, and forgiveness. Well, his owner does. Because ultimately, it’s the owner’s fault, isn’t it?

That makes me think about my own responsibility for when I “bark” or “bay.” Oh boy, this seems like something to discuss another day. Hmm. But, in the end, I’m thankful for God’s amazing grace, His kindness, and love. Where would I be without it?

Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Be back soon, Jen

End of the year

December 15, 2025

I love the end of the year. Looking forward to a new year, clearing the slate, starting over. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I do love planning for the new year.

In the past, I’ve chosen a word for the new year. Honestly, I often forget it. 😉 It’s a cool idea, though, especially if it’s something specific that you want to focus on.

For 2026, my focus is on the 2 books I have coming out from Scrivenings Press, plus the women’s fiction novel I want to self-publish. Beyond that, I’ll get my creative juices flowing and see what to work on next.

Or I might take a writing break. (Kind of doubt that, though).

Anyhow, 2026 is almost here, and I’m ready!

Be back soon!

Jen

Crepes and pancakes

November 25, 2025

Do you know the difference between a crêpe and a pancake? I can tell you if you wanna know.

It’s a month until Christmas, and what I found out tonight is that I’d like to try a crêpe. It’s funny to me how one little word can send you down a rabbit trail. Or maybe that only happens to me.

Somehow, I don’t think I’m the only one.

I went from looking up the difference between the two delectable delights and ended up playing several games on my phone.

Once I went back to reading, I saw the word crêpe again. And that’s when I realized how long I’d been hopping down that bunny path.

In the grand scheme of things, I may not have learned much tonight, but I did have fun. Taking the evening off before all I have to do this week was worth it. Even if all I really did was find out about something else I’d like to try.

Be back soon,

Jen

Thinking my thoughts

October 28, 2025

I listened to someone today who said the average person has 10,000 thoughts a day. I beg to differ!

If you could see the inside of my brain … well, I’d have to apologize for the mess. There are too MANY thoughts going on in there – and I’d imagine well over 10k.

The point of what I was reading, though, was so true. If we (I) think about lousy things, that’s not only how we feel, but it spreads into other areas of our lives.

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV; emphasis mine)

That’s what I’m talking about. Changing what we’re thinking about from just positive things to the TRUTH in God’s word. It’s such a powerful thing to do. I often have to remind myself I’m a child of God (& sing the song), to remember not to beat myself up about silly things.

Take responsibility – yes! But in that, hold on to the truth! I’m challenging myself to continue to do that daily.

Be back soon,

Jen

What motivates me

October 22, 2025

I often struggle with motivation. Once I stopped homeschooling and teaching at the community college, I had all this … time.

What to do with it?

Well, I chose to stop teaching to write. But how to stay motivated without some kind of deadline??

It’s a problem, I tell you.

I have a deadline for my next novella and it’s FAST approaching! I know that I have to write; there’s no other way to finish the thing. And I really love my characters, the setting, and the story.

But sometimes that motivation fails. Do you ever feel that way? It’s frustrating.

I’ve been reading my Bible (I use the Bible app most often), and hearing God speak to my heart and my mind. He is my motivation – to share His hope, His love, His grace. I think I need a sign on the wall in my study:

Need motivation? Ask God!

Be back soon,

Jen

Learning from the hard stuff

October 4, 2025

Like most of you, I’ve faced some difficult challenges in my life. It’s so tempting to categorize the hard things. Losing my stepmom to suicide is definitely higher on the scale than when I miscarried. Is that because it happened four years ago compared to over 25?

Maybe.

In the moment, the really difficult things I’ve faced are THE thing. They’re all-consuming.

Not only did my stepmom take her life, but my dad attempted to. Being a caregiver to elderly parents; loving someone who struggles with addiction; wrapping my head around getting older (aches, pains, autoimmune issues); oh, yeah, the autoimmune issues: they’re all challenging.

This isn’t a list of all the things I’ve experienced, and I know you have your own list.

I guess what I’m saying is what I’ve gone through, what I’ve learned from, who I am now compared to who I was then – these are the things that make me who I am.

The things that shape me, and that shape my writing.

Although I would have loved to never experience anything hard, I truly believe God has brought good from each and every thing. He’s shaping me into the woman He wants me to be.

And that’s something to think about.

Be back soon, Jen

Change – not my motto

September 24, 2025:

I remember one of our moves, I decided I’d adopt the motto – I like change, change is good.

Not.

Change is hard. Let’s be real.

Whether it’s going from summer to fall when school starts back and the temperatures change or going through “the change,” things can be hard.

One of the biggest changes I’ve faced is when I lost my dad. I was blessed to have had him for many years (he was almost 89 when he passed away). I don’t think you can prepare for losing a parent.

Back to that move – I don’t even remember which one it was! We were a Navy family, and although we didn’t move too much, none of the moves came at the right time. Learning to go with the flow was better for me than trying to force myself to like change.

Now that was just way too hard.

Be back soon, Jen

The kids are growing up

September 20, 2025:

When I was in Florida, I took my 23-year-old and two of her friends out to dinner. This place, Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse (highly recommended), is laid-back and incredibly fun. I had this amazing Italian sandwich, and we sat outside.

Anyhow, back to the story. I’ve known my daughter’s friends since they were tweens. Now they’re adults?? How did that happen? Time flew, or something. I don’t feel any different from how I was in my 40s.

My body may argue that point, but anyhow…

We were talking about when they were in high school and had to take the ACT. I remember taking the GRE when I was in my 30s. I was going back to college for my master’s degree (thanks, Dad), and I hadn’t taken math since 1978!

It got me thinking about taking tests and all the things we had to do at the end of high school that supposedly measured our ability to grow up and “adult.” We had to figure out what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives by the time we were 18.

So silly when you think about it. Those expectations. Way too much! I think I was in my late 50s when I figured out what I wanted to do, and all along, I’d been doing it. I may write books now, but being a wife and mom are my greatest accomplishments in life.

I may have come from an era of expectation, but in my 60s, I’ve lowered my expectations and try to live for each day as it comes. I want to love my family and friends and offer kindness and hope to all.

That’s my expectation for today: live, share the love of Jesus, and be kind.

Be back soon, Jen