What do you think about when you think of childhood Christmases? I think of thick, fat snowflakes falling down. Driving to my grandparents' mobile home. Sitting by the woodstove, eating homemade enchiladas, and opening a large pile of presents. I grew up in a small, mill town of Weed, California. All my favorite childhood memories are centered there. Why am I thinking about Christmas in … [Read more...]
Stepping out of Comfort Zones
Life is full of choices. Sometimes the biggest choice is whether to move forward or stay where we are comfortable. This week I'm making a presentation in Nottingham, England, at the Society of Legal Scholars conference. It's a definite step outside my comfort zone. Now, don't roll your eyes. Yes, I teach a couple times a week at Purdue University, but I don't teach other professors. … [Read more...]
Why I Love Writing About World War II
Growing up my favorite uncle was my Uncle Joe. He was a bachelor and lived in a small house in the mountain town of Weed, California. Uncle Joe had a beautiful garden and a house plant with vines so long that they wrapped around his kitchen. He bought us kids mini cans of 7-up, and he always had records with Mexican music playing. He had so many records that they were stacked from floor to ceiling … [Read more...]
Birth of a Book with Giveaway
As an author there is something magical about that moment when one of my favorite people (the UPS man) drops off boxes. Regardless of what's in the box, it feels like Christmas. What did I order and forget about? What new treasure awaits wrapped inside a nest of bubble wrap? Then there's the time when he drops off a couple boxes and I note a label that suggest it's more than just another box. … [Read more...]
Back-to-School Adventures
One of the unique things about me is that I'm a second-generation homeschooling momma. That means I was homeschooled and now homeschool my kiddos. Yesterday morning, my heart was in my throat as I watched my baby girl board the school bus. She may be 13, almost 14, but this was the first time she's stepped outside our homeschool to take classes. Let me tell you, it's a big step. And for this … [Read more...]