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Sparks of July

Jan Goldyn —

Sparkling, shooting colors,

fascination in the air.

All of us are children

as they cast their sizzling spell

The night turns to excitement.

Couples hold hands under the moon.

Babies’ big eyes wonder

at the skies popping red and blue.

We take this gift to our hearts

and ponder the beauty above.

Its radiance rests inside

Like a glowing ember of love

July Update

July is time for swimming, eating watermelon, picking blueberries and Fourth of July parties!

Our July weekends when I was little were often spent at a local state park. Picnic tables were shaded by huge stately pines and the lake water reflected the wooded hills on the other side.

That view was awe-inspiring to me as a child, almost the same as what one feels when approaching the ocean for the first time.

In recent years, I’ve hoped to capture that same feeling when visiting the park. Most often, although I find it beautiful, I don't catch that childhood thrill .

However — just once in a while — I’ll forget about trying. That’s when that sense of the extraordinary gift of Mother Earth washes over me.

I feel Her peace, the water’s quiet beauty, the mystery of the woods on the other side. Then gratefulness for being wrapped in a perfect summer day.

I had often taken my own children and their friends to this magical place when they were young. They loved to play forever in the sand, swim the edge of the lake and catch small minnows in a net, then release them.

When it came time for our picnic, we relished the cool pines, the smell of charcoal that told us hot dogs were near. Aunts, Grandmas and Paps would sometimes join.

Each of us, I believe, were caught in our own spell of the July afternoon, not needing to speak of it, but letting Nature change us all as She does with each endowment bestowed.

Prequel, Julia

My vision for the unveiling of “Julia” had been on a Spring 2025 horizon. I’m now focusing on Summer 2025. But I promise I will update you regularly well in advance!

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I am so excited to be working on my Prequel — Julia. You’ve all given me such super feedback on Coal Town Girls! Those of you who have grown up locally have been sharing your excitement at seeing the landmarks of your youth (or your present!) showcased within its pages.

Now, with Julia, I’m taking a journey further back in time to the people, places, struggles, triumphs and dreams of those who came before Joan and Mary. I can’t wait for you to join me.

July Sneak Peek

-Excerpt from Julia

“No sooner had Francis’ greeting left his mouth than a young, capable looking man came down the front steps, shotgun hanging from his left hand. “She do fine. I reckon you oughta tell me your business.” He spit tobacco out the right side of his mouth onto the ground then looked at Francis with leery eyes.

“I mean you no trouble.” Francis placed his satchel on the ground. “Jumped off the Union Pacific this mornin’ back in Sharon Springs. Heard tale some farms out this way might be in need of a hand.”

The woman resting her hands on the ax looked at him the way a child might look at a magician, at once watchful but pleasantly curious. Her eyes were a deep black-brown. Dark strands of hair whisped around a noble, stately sort of face. Stately yet gentle.”

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Jan’s Reading Nook

Throughout history, our ancestors gathered around fires telling and soaking in the magic that is “story.” This primal need continues and has not left us! I love to share thoughts on nuggets of literature I’ve been enjoying and exploring. For me, a main focus has been historical fiction, literary fiction, family sagas. Although all genres have their own jewels.

Twenty Wishes

— Debbie Maycomber —

I always have a sense of positivity and satisfaction after reading one of Debbie Maycomber’s works.

Her tales are of women of all ages (and often men) facing varied life changes and challenges — together. The sense of community Maycomber brings to her stories makes one feel somehow comforted, inspired.

In Twenty Wishes , we see Anne Marie Roche in her Book Store on Blossom Street.

It was six o’clock on Valentine’s Day, an hour that should have marked the beginning of a celebration — the way it had when she and Robert were married. When Robert was alive. But tonight, on the most romantic day of the year, thirty-eight-year-old Anne Marie was alone.

Turning over the closed sign on the door of Blossom Street Books, she glanced at the Valentine’s display with its cutout hearts ad pink balloons and the collection of romance novels she didn’t read anymore. Then she looked outside. Streetlights flickered on as evening settled over the Seattle neighborhood.

Anne Marie hosts a book club at her Shop on Blossom Street. She and a few other widowed women become quite close, deciding to meet separately on occasion and share their anxieties, triumphs and discouragements. Lillie and Barbie are mother and daughter who each lost their husband in a private plane crash. Elise’s husband had succumbed to cancer.

The women decide they will make a list of things they can do to help themselves. Lillie is determined that if she is to make a list, it will be about fun, exciting, challenging things. The project “Twenty Wishes” is born.

Some of the wishes are quite colorful — hot air balloon rides, buying red cowboy boots, getting tattoos. Each wish brings its own surprises and gifts. Barbie acquires a new male friend when living out her challenge of visiting more movie theatres, for example.

Anne Marie stretches beyond her normal boundaries when agreeing to fill in for a friend on “lunch buddy” duty. She develops a strong bond with her “lunch buddy,” a young girl named Ellen.

By the end of the book, the women have learned and received in abundance. Anne Marie gains the beautiful wish of having a child in her life:

Anne Marie … marveled anew at the changes in Ellen since the child had come to live with her. When they’d first met, only three months ago, the youngster had barely spoken a word. These days it was difficult to get her to stop.

“Have I introduced you to Ellen?” Anne Marie asked Jim and Paula and tucked her arm around the child’s waist. “This is my daughter, Ellen Falk.”

“I’m getting a new name soon,” said Ellen.

“What do you mean,” relied Paula.

“I’m adopting Ellen,” Anne Mare said, “and when I do, her last name will be Roche, the same as mine.”

Be inspired in your own life and situation — pick up a Debbie Maycomber book and enjoy.

Coal Town Girls

Coal Town girls was an idea that bubbled up over the years and finally found its way to paper. My mother, Joan, and her best friend, Mary, were often found on our back porch, telling stories of their youth -- the town, the river, the people, the adventures, the sadness's, the joys. 

Each month I’ll try to highlight a tidbit of history from Coal Town Girls!

—-Excerpt from Coal Town Girls—-

More ladies in glorious evening dress visited Madam Fiona’s table that evening. By the end of the night, she professed, “It's time to be goin’. You’ll have you some sandwiches on the car, girls.”

Joan had hoped to stay the night, imagining the luxuries that awaited fortunate guests in the upstairs bedrooms. But she knew Granny and Aunt Elly had planned to take the late car.

“First, girl, I’m gonna toss a cup for ya,” she said to Mary. “That way I can teach ya exactly what you’ll be lookin’ for in the patterns.”