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January White

— Jan Goldyn —

The white of January

sparkles on the hill.

Smooth glassy pond

speaks of skating thrill.

Soft downy mounds

cover Hemlocks’ rest.

Cardinal flits above

its striking scarlet breast.

Slow at the woods’ edge

blue and pink light

whisper, “if you linger,

you’ll spend with us the night.”

^{_{January Update}}

Lately I’ve been thinking about renting a woodsy cabin on the edge of a beautiful nearby lake. This cabin has running water, heat and all the amenities. So I’m not truly “roughin’ it!” ☺Though at times in the past I have!

My husband and I love the quiet intimacy of our temporary timbered home. It’s so peaceful making a fire, sitting out in the chill of the air, cooking our steaks and potatoes. The only sound is the crackling of logs and wind through the trees. The cold is crisp and fresh.

Its even nicer when we bring our supper inside to be smothered with mushrooms and butter!

We light a few candles and warm ourselves under fluffy blankets, watching a favorite movie while listening to wind buff at our wooden walls knowing we are safe inside with each other.

Morning is spent lying in bed with curtains open, hoping for new-fallen snow and the flutter of a chickadee.

Soon there will be mugs of coffee and being snug on the couch — maybe a book or even a snowy walk.

But for now, we’ll lay content, letting our little nature get-away embrace us.

Times like these make us feel more real to each other and ourselves. Get-away time with our get-away people is a primal need. Nothing could be sweeter ♥

January Sneak Peek

-Excerpt from Julia Prequel to Coal Town Girls--

As they walked to the bleachers, Julia felt a man leering at her, taking in her every move – she felt naked. She did a double-take. He had on high laced leather boots and straddled an Indian motorcycle. His jaw was chiseled and square and his eyes were deep and penetrating.

He looked dangerous, Julia thought.

As she walked past, he leaned forward in is seat. “Where you goin’ girl?” he asked.

Julia lit up a Lucky Strike. “To join the circus. Wanna come along?”

“If you’re the main attraction.” he smiled wryly.

Julia gave him a cool laugh and walked off with Sarah.

“Do you know that man?” asked Sarah.

“Don’t have a clue” said Julia.

“I’ve seen him around, Julia, over at Letassie’s.” Sarah said.

“That dive?” Julia asked.

“I was there with my brother once. He bloodied up some egg just for spittin’ chew too far in his direction. And I hear tell he’s down at the jail some nights, sleepin’ one off,” Sarah said wide-eyed. “Lot’s of people seen him.”

“So lots of people see him at the jail, you say?”

“That’s what I hear,” said Sarah.

“Interesting." Julia smiled.

* * * * * * *

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.

Coal Town Girls started with a seed planted in a young girl’s mind by two remarkably strong, funny, witty friends who shared their stories of growing up in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania. The little girl was me and the women were my Mother Joan and her best friend Mary — friends from the ages of five to ninety-two!

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.

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.

Picking up “Peony in Love” at a local garage sale started my full-on obsession with Lisa See. It only made sense. See loves period pieces involving her own family’s struggles and triumphs. She loves bringing us into the interior world of her characters.

Based on historical events, the book is set in Seventeenth-Century China. Peony is a sheltered young woman living at an elaborate villa on the Shores of West Lake. One night at a theatrical production at the villa, she is drawn immediately to a man she sees and is overcome with emotion.

What follows is her journey through love, sorrow and the afterworld. Three generations of women are enmeshed in the story, uncover secrets and learn that love conquers death. Women were not always heard in this culture. We hear them clearly in See’s beautiful work.

— Excerpt from “Peony in Love” —

…I didn’t excel at anything — not foot-binding or embroidery, painting, zither playing or reciting poetry. How could I go to my marriage now when I loved someone else so deeply…

It was my sixteenth birthday. Tonight in the heavens, the Weaving Maid and Cowherd would be reunited in our garden. Liniang would be resurrected by Mengmei’s love. And in the moon-viewing pavilion I would meet my stranger. I may not have been the most perfect young woman in all of Hangzhou, but under his gaze I felt I was.

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—-

Joan’s Grand Pap, Adam, had once endured the life of coal mining, though in Poland he had been a shoemaker. And a shoemaker he had eventually become to the townspeople of Holsopple and Benson Borough. He and his Wife, Celia, had built their dream in Holsopple – a home on Thomas Street. This vision became a sanctuary for Joan with its fruit trees, picket fence and cool wooded paths – something stable amid her rocky relationship with her mother, her mother's tumultuous nature.

The home was on a portion of land once purchased from American Indians, Joan knew. Had they, too, thought of it as a dream? Had the sight of wild bee balm silhouetted against mist-covered mountains caused an unexplained aching to stir inside of them as it had her? Joan wondered. The handshake that had sealed the land deal was now remembered only by old lady McBee who was one hundred and two years old. She liked to point out the log cabin on Route 403. “Right there in the front yard stood an Injun and my grand pappy."

Guest Authors

Each month, I plan to bring to you a wonderful guest author. Published, unpublished, aspiring authors will share their journeys, goals and snippets of their work.

This month I feature

— Michael Sanchez — 

Thank you so much for being my guest, Michael! Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in South Jersey near Philadelphia and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, located in Camden, NJ. I graduated from the University of Phoenix with an MBA and Bachelors in management.

When did you become interested in writing?

I began my writing career in 2014 but did not publish my first book until 2018. Writing has been a passion of mine and I always had a great imagination but it took many years until finally, I built the courage to write a manuscript that would grab readers’ attention. And I never looked back.

Tell us about some of the books you’ve published.

My first was “Vine Street.” It takes place in the summer of 1978 and takes a dark course that would have the main character running for his life, or at least appear that way. It leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat.

I published “Somber Town” in 2020. Let’s just say all small towns hold secrets.

“Vine Street: What Lies on the Rooftops?” was done in 2022. It follows the first story but takes an even darker turn with people disappearing.

Then came “Stevedores: What Lies They Tell.” A controlling business man runs the docks like a mobster using lies, fear and intimidation. A change of events makes it clear that there is something even darker lurking at the docks, ready to strike horror.

Wow, those sound exciting! When we’ve spoken in the past you’ve mentioned a very unique gift that helps you with your writing. Want to share?

Well, yes, Jan, I’ve come up with most of my plot lines strictly from what I’ve seen in my dreams. I know it’s weird, but it’s great.

Give me some of that gift — that would be awesome! Where can readers find your books?

They can go to Amazon.com and search my titles. Thank you so much for having me on today.

You’re so welcome, Michael. And note to the readers — check out Michael’s podcast on Podbean, paulieboyk9.podbean.com I’ll be on again on Thursday February 20 at 10:00 am. Thank you, Michael!