Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Aloha!

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I've been traveling since I last blogged here at Inspired by Life!  I arrived home to Dallas yesterday and thought I'd take this opportunity to give you a peek into my Travel Journal. I don't do much writing during the summer months when my kids are out of school.  For one thing, my kids are out of school.  For another, I typically turn in my manuscripts at the beginning of June, and after the … [Read more...]

Giveaways, a Video, and More

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Today I thought I'd do something different and give you a little look into one of the other hats I wear. By day, I'm a full time lecturer at Purdue University, a job I absolutely adore. I feel most alive when I'm teaching and writing. So here's a video I made this week on Facebook that shares a bit about what I'm reading right now for that job. I didn't include the Corporate Governance textbook. … [Read more...]

The Purge

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I think most authors go through periods of time, due to approaching deadlines, when many things in their lives get ignored. I am guilty of that. To the max. Confession: I can let some things go without attention for years. There always seems to be something else more important to do with my time, including naps. My office and my walk-in clothes closet are two things I have needed to purge and … [Read more...]

Girls’ Getaway

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A few weeks ago, I traveled with a group of old friends. Most of us met at an early childhood education class soon after our first children were born, and we’ve added two dear friends along the way. We planned to drive a few hours north to Duluth Minnesota to tour the Glensheen Mansion together. We decided to make a weekend of it—a girls’ getaway—something we had not done together before, if you … [Read more...]

“When it rains, it pours.”

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“When it rains, it pours.” Yes, it’s a cliché. But it’s a good one. And according to Dictionary.com it means: “When something good or bad occurs, it usually occurs more than once and often within a short period of time.” So far this summer I’ve experienced the cliché in a bad way. I’ve had a deluge of difficulties. My month of June began with my twin daughters graduation from high school. … [Read more...]

My Summer Watch List

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I admit it. I enjoy watching television. My husband and I unwind almost every evening with a show or two previously recorded on the Tivo while we sit in our recliners--he with his computer in his lap, me with my cross-stitch. It's relaxing, entertaining, and helps maintain my creative well. The only problem is that there are some shows I enjoy that Wes refuses to watch. So my compromise is to … [Read more...]

Oh beautiful for spacious skies …..

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Hello. I hope you had a great Fourth of July. I thought it might be nice to take a thankfulness tour for the freedoms we hold so dear in our country. So here are some of the things I'm grateful and thankful for because I live in a country that I love and cherish. Beautiful sunrises: Interesting friends: Those who forged our freedom: Gardens that grow: Those who protect … [Read more...]

4 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence

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Happy 4th of July, friends! Here are 4 things you may not know about the U.S. Declaration of Independence… Did you know that… The Declaration of Independence wasn't actually signed on the 4th of July in 1776?  Three days earlier, on July 1st, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the next day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of the motion for independence. But … [Read more...]

When Plans Change

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My husband and I planned our summer vacation months ago. All spring, we’ve looked forward to exploring the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with our friends, seeing Tahquamenon Falls, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and taking a boat tour through the Soo Locks. But then a family medical emergency cancelled our plans. We’re thankful that God … [Read more...]

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