The Boise area has had some major snow over the past ten days. We normally don’t get a lot of snow that is deep and lingers long. This is one of our snowy years. Deep and lingering. And while it makes for horrible driving, it is beautiful to look at.
My oldest is a teacher in Boise, and she’s had two snow days over the last week. When I was a kid (also in Boise), we never had a snow day. Not one. We went to school, no matter the weather. Yes, and we walked 12 miles barefoot, uphill both ways. LOL!
Seriously, I remember my surprise when my kids got a snow day (different school district from where I grew up, out in the country, bussing required). It truly was unexpected for me. It isn’t unexpected any longer. Boise is more than five times the size it was when I graduated from high school. It’s a very different place for school kids today than when I was young.
And need I say, I am ever so thankful my work allows me to stay at home and off the roads when the weather turns cold (it was below zero this week).
Because of my planned trip to Israel in the fall (that sadly didn’t happen), I skipped taking a college class for the Fall 2023 term. But I am back at it for the Spring 2024 term. This semester, I’m taking Introduction to the Study of History. From the syllabus I received on Tuesday of this week, it’s going to be an intense sixteen weeks with a ton of writing. More than any class I’ve taken in years.
But hey, I only have two novels to finish during the same time period. How bad could it be? Right?
And speaking of the two books I need to finish, I’m trying something I’ve never done before. I’m writing two books at once. The contemporary Christmas romance is 50% done. The biblical novel, which I started writing this week, is 10% done. I’m hoping the two very different time settings will make it easy to keep the stories separated in my brain. But if the history class messes with my schedule too much, it is the Christmas story that will have to wait until summer for completion because it’s due date is a little further out.
Here’s the image I’m using as inspiration for the biblical novel. Oh, how I am loving this story that is set around the time of the birth of Jesus! Updates about this book will follow in future posts.
I hope you are warm and safe wherever you are this January.
Now, before I go, please tell me what book you’re currently reading. I’m always on the look out for something good to add to my list. Especially when it is cold and snowy and a fire is going in the fireplace.
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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Great post, Robin. It is icy and snowy here in Nashville as well. But give me snow any day over this ice. We are certainly ready for a thaw here in the south. I am currently reading Michelle Shocklee‘s newest novel for endorsement. It won’t be out until later this fall (or early 2025?) but it is truly wonderful—All We Thought We Knew.
Stay warm and cozy, and happy writing!
I love Michelle’s writing. I’ll be on the lookout for that new book.
Im reading “If the Boot Fits” by karen Witemeyer for review.
Oh, from the moment I first saw that cover (maybe even before I read the first book in the series), I have been waiting for that book!!! Not that long to wait, but it still feels too long.
I am currently reading Sarah by Jill Eileen Smith. I’ve had it for a while, but as I started reading through my Bible this year, when I got to Sarah and Abraham in Genesis and remembered this book and decided to read it. An oldie but goodie!
I’ve enjoyed Jill’s books so much. Don’t think I’ve read Sarah though.
I went to high school in Montana, and snow days were unheard of. There was no such thing! 😊
See. They grew kids tougher back then (whenever back then was). LOL! Right. Twelve miles. Barefoot. Uphill both ways.
“Double Take” by Lynette Eason
Thanks!
We’ve had the cold but no snow. I still want to huddle inside under a blanket, though. 🙂 Writing two books at once is a challenge. I’ve dont it a couple times when squeezing in an unexpected novella in the midst of my regularly contracted books, but it’s not my favorite way to work. Although, when something’s not flowing in one story, it can be nice to jump into a different one and build a little confidence.
Thanks, Karen. I’ll keep that as encouragement.
I’m in Illinois and we have wind chills -20 and a few inches of snow. My current read is Doublr Take by Lynette Eason.
Oh, that’s two of you reading Double Take. I really need to look for it now.
The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar. It’s so very good. Have a hard time putting it down.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Getting ready to start volume 3. Vol 1 & 2 were delightful.
Oooh. Thanks for the recommendations.
I’m reading He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox, her books are wonderful! And I’m also reading Let Sleeping Vets Lie by James Herriot and None Like Him by Jen Wilkin. I don’t usually read more than one book at a time but I recently retired and it’s really cold here in Indiana. Stay warm!
I added He Should Have Told the Bees to my wish list a week or so ago. Glad to know it is as wonderful as always. And I love James Herriot stories. Haven’t read the title you mentioned. Or is it one of them that was combined to create All Creatures Great and Small?
Hi Robin: I live where we never get snow so I’m always excited to hear about other people’s snow stories. I’m currently listening to Laura Frantz’s
“The Lacemaker” and reading “A Bouquet of Brides Romance Collection”. And I’m enjoying both. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed Laura Frantz’s books. Will look for that one.
Brrr it’s been quite the cold snap! I’m from Alberta and we are crawling out of -47 Celsius last week (which I think is around -52 F). Books and tea are such a beautiful amenity to have when it’s wintery. I’m in the middle of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park right now, a good, dense read for all this time spent inside. 🙂
Okay. Confession here. I found Mansfield Park hard to read. I have read Pride and Prejudice many times. Same for Sense and Sensibility. But Mansfield Park was a struggle for me to get into. Don’t remember why any longer. Maybe I just didn’t connect with Fanny Price.
That is understandable, Mansfield Park definitely isn’t my favourite Austen, it is a lot slower than P&P and S&S. It’s just been staring at me from my shelf for so long lol.
Double Take for me too:) Might have something to do with Karen Witemeyers Posse January book challenge
I have added Double Take to my Everand queue because of all these recommendations.
Just finished Into the fire by Irene Hannon. Great book.
Haven’t read Into the Fire, but Irene is a great author!