The Awkward, Awkward Ask

Well, I am glad I pre-wrote this post as I'm currently experiencing the worst bout of diverticulitis yet.

That's not to play the sympathy card (cliche, I know), but can you help an author out?

Side note: If you're a member of WriteOn Joliet, you can stop reading here. The ask if not for you.

Here goes.

In 2024, WriteOn Joliet participated in Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet for the first time.

We gave away nearly 90 locally authored books for kids and adults, which I purchased with my manuscript editing funds.

In fact. those 90 books were gone in the first 90 minutes of a five-hour event.

We also gave away approximately one hundred bookmarks people could color at home.

We distributed eighty-five special subscription offers to The Herald-News in Joliet.

We gave away word finds and crossword puzzles based on some of the books.

In 2025, WriteOn Joliet gave away 300 books, as well as bookmarks and handmade "write-your-own poetry books from Holly Coop. Only 50 books remained three hours into the five-hour event.

Both years, our word blocks were hugely successful, especially after the books disappeared. Kids and adults enjoyed manipulating our 48 double-sided blocks (so 96 words in all) to create fun sentences and simple short stories.

On Aug. 1, WriteOn Joliet will participate in Kidz Fest again this year with the same activities.

So this year, WriteOn Joliet is planning to give away 500 books.

And this year, I have the books of nearly every WriteOn Joliet author sponsored (a few are still pending).

This is the "awkward ask" part.

Because of my role in the community, I'm not comfortable seeking sponsorships for my BryonySeries books, which we will also give away on Aug. 1.

In addition, the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will provide free kids games with prizes and free  BryonySeries books at the Independence Day celebration on  July 3 at Bicentennial Park in Joliet, for the fourth year in a row.

The first year, we gave away 33 books, the second year we gave away 82, and last year we gave away 135 BryonySeries books at the July 3 event.

Now, I'm not completely self-funding the books this year as one of my B.L.O.C.K.S. team members has actively solicited her contacts to help us out.

But we still have some BryonySeries books to go. Please see "How to help" below 

Why are we doing this?

Because reading scores are low at both the high school and the grade school level.

Because not all families can afford new books.

Because even when families can afford new books, a free book is a no-risk way to explore the works of unfamiliar authors and books.

Because families should read together.

Because when kids see adults enthused about books, they will often naturally follow.

Because the level of our excitement at our table as familes scooped up the books was off the charts, and we wish to create that experience again, both for the families and the WriteOn Joliet authors.

How to help

1. Browse my list of BryonySeries books.

2. Purchase the book(s) you'd like to gift for the giveaway at Bicentennial Park on July 3 and Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

 We especially need more books in the Bertrand the Mouse and The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series. If you can believe it, ALL of the Girls of the BryonySeries books have been sponsored.

3. Mail to: Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.

4. My one non-BryonySeries book "Nine Months of Kindness" is also available for purchase or sponsorship.

Can I deduct my purchase at tax time?

Unfortunately, since neither WriteOn Joliet nor BryonySeries is a nonprofit, you will not be able to write off your purchase at tax time as a donation.

But that isn't necessarily true if you are sponsoring books. If you are interested in a true sponsorship, email me at dunland@bryonyseries.com. 

Please know your purchases place locally authored books into the hands of readers and nonreaders alike.

For kids who struggle with reading or who aren't enthused about reading, simply taking home a book written by someone in their community can help strip the mystique sway from books.

Perhaps it may spark their own creativity, knowing writing a book is really, really possible.

And it can't hurt when reading and writing are presented in such a fun way.

BryonySeries: New Calendar Features

We typically feature a recipe from Sue's Diner on Wednesday's BryonySeries blog.

But since many people couldn't access the recipe due to severe storms and power outages, I'm leaving last week's recipe up another week for you to prepare and enjoy.

Instead, I'm encouraging you to check out the new calendar page on the BryonySeries website, which now looks different than this old calendar screenshot.

Timothy recently updated it to include at-a-glance BryonySeries-related events (top calendar) and our usual listings of BryonySeries-related daily activities (now called Mini Activities), all hidden behind little doors reminiscent of the Advent calendars.

These activities may include games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

Happy exploring!

More Food Truck Friday Fun: Bring the Kids!

Members of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will be providing a changing array of kids games every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays.

The last two Food Truck Fridays will take place 4 to 8 p.m. June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

The first event took place June 5, where we engaged kids with good old-fashioned backyard games under the tent (Carter Realty Group provided some of the games) and across the grassy field. 

We also provided a coloring station (with stickers) for winding down.

June 12 was a "special" night. We will set up "tentless" closer to 4 p.m. and then left 6-ish since I had a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

But we had plenty of giant bubble fun and Timothy engaged the kids with simple ball games in the field.

We also left bottles of bubbles at the Carter Realty Group tables for kids to enjoy and added a special guessing game to keep the kids enaged.

On June 19 and June 26, we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse.

Finally, we'll also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays features a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.

Weathering the Storms

Like many, many others, I lost power, time, and money when a derecho and other strong storms ripped through the parts of Illinois last week.

I lost the same in 2020, when a derecho also ripped through the area, smack in the middle of the COVID-19 shutdown.

At the time, I was writing nine months worth of daily reflections on kindness (finding opportunties to be kind and finding kindness in others where I might have missed it otherwise), which I published later that year.

Here's what I wrote on two of those days in 2020.

AUGUST 10 

Be kind: Be thankful for the luxuries we take for granted.

A derecho blew through Will County this afternoon.

            Shortly afterwards, I was wandering through rubble, taking pictures of the aftermath for The Herald-News

            This single, brief storm uprooted trees, damaged homes and properties, and cut power to thousands of homes. Many people were especially angry about the loss of power and internet.

            Offering prayers and thinking good thoughts for the safety of the workers who bring us such luxuries as refrigerators and hot water might be a better use of time while we’re eating crackers in the dark than griping.

AUGUST 14 

Be kind: Spotlight someone else’s good works.

An injured baby squirrel will live another day because a kind person picked it up after the derecho and found a local squirrel rescue to accept it.

            That might not sound like a big deal to you.

            But you are not a squirrel.

            Yes, I wrote a story about it. And I’m glad I did. Because I added a postscript to this post.

            A few weeks later, someone I know in another state rescued two baby squirrels and didn’t know what to do.

            By connecting the novice with the expert, two more squirrels are now doing well.

From "Nine Months of Kindness"

Peder B. Helland - Memories (Official Audio)

Anyone new to the BryonySeries blog might wonder why I post piano music on Sundays and how that fits into the BryonySeries world.

That's because one character - John Simons - was a nineteenth century world-renowned pianist and composer before he died and became a vampire.

Here is another piano piece by Peder B. Helland, whom I "discovered" on January 7, 2022, when a song on YouTube played through to this song. 

I sat on the bed next to my calico Faith and petted her, while the music quite spontaneously locked my year-long writer's block for this BryonySeries novel.

This slightly dark yearning in this piece perfectly echoes some of the scenes in "Call of the Siren," the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy.

Enjoy!

Sue's Diner: Cucumbers and Tomatoes

 This week's recipe is for a cucumber and tomato pasta salad, which Justine Evirs submitted for the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

The cookbook is available on the BryonySeries book store and on Amazon and is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

This recipe is also referenced in the Bryony, the first book in the young adult "drop of blood" vampire trilogy. 

Here's what the cookbook said:

Melissa is thrilled when John finally invites her to a picnic away from the mansion, just the two of them. Of course, John feels Bryga packed enough food to feed them for a week, but even that careless remark couldn’t completely dampen Melissa’s excitement of being alone with John.

This pasta salad is the perfect side dish for any hot weather, summer meal.

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

All proceeds from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.

Kids Fun at Food Truck Fridays in June

Members of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will be providing a changing array of kids games every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays.

Food Truck Fridays will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 12, June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

The first event took place June 5, where we engaged kids with good old-fashioned backyard games under the tent (Carter Realty Group provided some of the games) and across the grassy field. 

We also provided a coloring station (with stickers) for winding down.

June 12 is a "special" night. We will set up "tentless" closer to 4 p.m. and then leave 6-ish since I have a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

But we have two special kids activities planned and will leave a few more activities behind to keep the kids occupied and having fun.

But  June 19 and June 26, we work until 5 p.m. So we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse.

Finally, we'll also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays features a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.

And before you praise us for any of our efforts, please know we left richer than when we arrived since one young artist named Chase provided us with original art he created under our tent.

The Last Chocolate Rabbit of 2026

As I've previously written, I have an affinity for these gold-foiled chocolate rabbits, which is more about their expressions than the actual chocolate beneath the foil.

I like them so much, I tend to save the last one wayyyyyyyy past Easter.

On June 1, I contemplated this little rabbit, all alone with its brothers and sisters (duly consumed) and wondered how the rabbit felt.

Did it feel safe from human devouration?

Lonely at the loss of its siblings?

Or perhaps unfilled, since its purpose is not to sit on a shelf but to be eaten?

I'm sure it's painful and scary for a chocolate rabbit (if it could actually feel) to be chomped away.

I'm sure sitting on a high shelf feels much safer.

But just as cats are not meant to hide under the bed most of the time, chocolate rabbits aren't meant to sit on the shelf forever.

In a few years, this chocolate rabbit would  likely be good for nothing except the trash.

Fulfilling one's purpose isn't always easy, is it?

Our responsiblities may consume us.

People may not understand us, leaving us alone and lonely.

And because we stretch past our comfort level in the process of becoming, we leave something of our old selves in the growth.

But what happens if we choose the safe, sure road (and really, no road is safe and sure), if we choose to just "sit on a shelf," and let our talents slowly decay?

Just so you know, on that first day of June 2026, I ate the rabbit.

❤ A Tribute to David Bowie ❤ - Space Oddity Live Piano Improv/Cover

Anyone new to the BryonySeries blog might wonder why I post piano music on Sundays and how that fits into the BryonySeries world.

That's because one character - John Simons - was a nineteenth century world-renowned pianist and composer before he died and became a vampire.

This is a brisk, haunting piece that fits the mood to "The Phoenix," I think, and one I've never heard as a piano cover.

Enjoy!

Dark Island / Mason's Apron, The Irish Rovers

Since the beginning of this blog on August 1, 2010, Saturdays has been a day to celebrate BryonySeries author and Irish vampire character Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and all things Irish.

While this piper in this selection is neither Irish or features a tin whistle, it has a "Glorna" feel to it (to me), which you might understand if you're read "Staked!" or any of Ed's books in his BryonySeries Ruthless series ("Ruthless," "The Fifth," "Recovering Ruthless"). 

Either way, enjoy!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 30 through June 5

 Good morning!

I have ten stories online to share with you today, with more stories likely going live over the weekend. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

In addition, I have seven "Everyday Hero" stories below those.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26: B.L.O.C.K.S. will be hosting children's games at Food Truck Fridays, which runs 4 to 8 p.m. at Carter Realty Group, 1214 Essington Road, Joliet. We're hoping to be set 5:30-ish on all days except June 12, when we will run games from 4 to 5:30-ish p.m. In addition to children's games, we will offer BryonySeries books for sale during the games. Not in the mood to read? Buy one (or more) books and place it in our collection box for our book giveaways at the July 3 and Aug. 1 events.

June 27: "Presentation 101: An Overview for Authors Entering the Industry" 1 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. Joliet. 

July 3: Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration: 6 to 10 p.m., Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities by B.L.O.CK.S., the BryonySeries umbrella brand. B.L.O.C.K.S. will also have limited giveaways of BryonySeries books for all ages and WriteOn Joliet's upcoming "Shoe" anthology. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 1: Kid Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

And if  you missed it, please check out the "Shades of Noir" photos.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is nearly drafted with some partial editing already begun. We plan to release this book in 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But we plan to release a BryonySeries Christmas anthology around the holidays. This will be Christmas excerpts from existing BryonySeries novels along with a few bonus chapters only available in this anthology.

We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events and another sampler cal;led "Angel or Demon" that is also only available at select events.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I'm gradually reviving BryonySeries on Twitter/X at x.com/BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

‘There is nothing easy about food’ - What it’s really like owning and operating a food truck

‘Everyone thinks it’s going to be fun, easy and profitable’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/06/03/there-is-nothing-easy-about-food-what-its-really-like-owning-and-operating-a-food-truck/

Joliet Junior College, Head Start help fill need for early childhood educators with apprenticeship program

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/06/01/joliet-junior-college-head-start-help-fill-need-for-early-childhood-educators-with-apprenticeship-program/

Retired Plainfield EMS coordinator dies after brief illness

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/30/retired-plainfield-ems-coordinator-dies-after-brief-illness/

Minooka baker creates passport to promote regional farm stand road trips

‘I think people will find something different at all nine stops’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/29/minooka-sourdough-baker-creates-passport-to-promote-regional-farm-stand-road-trips/

Crest Hill meal prep company expands product line

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/29/crest-hill-meal-prep-company-expands-product-line/

Ottawa Street in Joliet reopened after truck strikes viaduct

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/breaking/2026/05/30/damaged-semitruck-closes-ottawa-street-in-joliet/

Plainfield home ‘uninhabitable’ after Sunday-morning fire

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/31/plainfield-home-uninhabitable-after-sunday-morning-fire/

Joliet Chamber hosting ribbon-cuttings for LongHorn Steakhouse, Love’s Travel Stop

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/30/joliet-chamber-hosting-ribbon-cuttings-for-longhorn-steakhouse-loves-travel-stop/

New Joliet cannabis dispensary hosted grand opening event

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/29/new-joliet-cannabis-dispensary-hosting-grand-opening-event-on-saturday/

Will County Pets of the Week: June 1, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/06/01/will-county-pets-of-the-week-june-1-2026/

EVERYDAY HEROES

Everyday Hero: Joliet foster care superheroes battle their own health challenges

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-care-superheroes-battle-their-own-health-challenges

Everyday Hero: Joliet foster grandparent has volunteered almost 20,000 hours and ‘goes above and beyond with the children’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-grandparent-has-volunteered-almost-20000-hours-and-goes-above-and-beyond-with-the-children/

Everyday Hero: Longtime Joliet District 86 clerical aide said she tried to ‘always be helpful

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/everyday-hero-longtime-joliet-district-86-clerical-aide-said-she-tried-to-always-be-helpful/

Everyday Hero: Joliet grassroots community activist makes low-income seniors feel like superstars

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-grassroots-community-activist-makes-low-income-seniors-feel-like-superstars/

Everyday Hero: Paraprofessional at Plainfield District 202 brightens lives of veterans and military members

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/paraprofessional-at-plainfield-district-202-brightens-lives-of-veterans-and-military-members/

Everyday Hero: Coal City woman with disability puts others with disabilities ahead of herself

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/coal-city-woman-with-disability-puts-others-with-disabilities-ahead-of-herself/

Everyday Hero: Fairmont cafeteria manager ‘goes above and beyond to enrich the school environment’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/fairmont-cafeteria-manager-goes-above-and-beyond-to-enrich-the-school-environment/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Take a Reading Journey with WriteOn Joliet this Summer

Several years ago, a member of WriteOn Joliet brought a photograph of a black pump in ditch to the meeting as a writing prompt.

That inspired shoe-themed stories of all kinds and many sugggestions that we compile a special WriteOn Joliet anthology based on "shoes" and "journey."

Well, we finally did it, and we had a good reason to pick this year, too.

"Write Where We Are: Tales Our Soles Tell" is now available for purchase on Amazon.

And Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara (BryonySeries author and character and WriteOn Joliet member) and his wife Nancy Calkins (an artist who designed this cover) generously offered to sponsor 100 copies of this book as their gift to the community.

We plan to offer limited copies of this book for free at the following events:

June 27: "Presentation 101: An Overview for Authors Entering the Industry" 1 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. Joliet. 

July 3: Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration: 6 to 10 p.m., Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities by B.L.O.CK.S., the BryonySeries umbrella brand. B.L.O.C.K.S. will also have limited giveaways of BryonySeries books for all ages and WriteOn Joliet's upcoming "Shoe" anthology. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 1: Kid Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

WriteOn Joliet will also offer copies at a special "shoe" event for writers on Sept. 24 at the Joliet Public Library. Details to come later!

We also have a few events this summer where a few copies MAY be spontaneously gifted (depending on available supplies, of course).

Here is the book's synopsis:

For 150 years, Joliet Public Library has been a place where stories begin. For the last 14 years, the Joliet Public Library has given space to WriteOn Joliet, for writers to begin and refine their stories, too.

In that spirit, WriteOn Joliet presents this special shoe and journey-themed anthology to entertain, inspire, and connect with readers on their journeys.

As Judy Quilty Smith wrote in this anthology, we hope readers “remember their Shoes and Journey stories because we all have them. I hope they remember the shoes that hurt and the shoes that felt beautiful, the shoes that looked lovely, and the shoes they received as a gift from one of their loved ones.”

Enjoy!

Sue's Diner: Buttermilk Bread

A loaf of homemade bread is so delightful no matter the season - wouldn't you agree?

So we have a delicious, easy-to-make bread recipe to share with you today, which has been a family favorite and the signature bread in the Baran-Unland home for decades.

In Bryony, Melissa is thrilled when John finally invites her to a picnic away from the mansion, just the two of them. 

Of course, John feels Bryga packed enough food to feed them for a week, but even that careless remark couldn’t completely dampen Melissa’s excitement of being alone with John. Packed in this basket was, of course, a loaf of this wonderful buttermilk bread,

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our bryonyseries.com/merchandise.

B.L.O.C.K.S. Kids Games at Food Truck Fridays in June

Join members of the B.L.O.C.K.S. team every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays, where we were asked to provide children's games for two hours of the four-hour event.

Food Truck Fridays will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 5, June 12, June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

We work until 5 p.m. so we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

The only exception is June 12, where we will set up closer to 4 p.m. and then leave 6-ish since I have a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

We will engage kids with good old-fashioned backyard games, a coloring station for winding down, and maybe a few surprises we haven't devised yet.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse (who will not be hanging around any food, despite the photo below).

We will also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays will also feature a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.

The Hall of Laundry

"Don't air your dirty laundry," the old saying goes.

Well, we air our CLEAN laundry.

This photo is actually missing one basket.

One of our refrains at home is, "How does everyone else do life?"

We're pretty organized and effficient. We really get a lot of "things" accomplished in the time allotted to us.

And yet, we find outselves chasing ourselves on many days.

By the time all the laundry is sorted, folded, and put away, the laundry bins are full.

How does this happen?

What typically happens is that, once we are on top of "things," another emergency happens or too much of life happens in one week.

Some weeks, I have a meeting every night after work.

Or we're juggling four doctors appointments in a single week and working late.

Or we spend an entire day in an emergency department and running back and forth to the hospital should a hospitaliztion occurs.

Sometimes other life "projects" take precedence

And sometimes, we get that rare day off when laundry and housework is the farthest from our minds.

Also, these laundry baskets are sitting right outside our laundry closet (not a room), which hasn't the floor space for a basket (or two or three or four).

So on a high laundry day, the clean laundry simply piles up until we can free up a moment to address it.

But you know what?

We always have clean clothes.

We never run out of towels.

And we always empty those baskets.

Sunny Days: Peaceful Morning Music by Peder B. Helland

Anyone new to the BryonySeries blog might wonder why I post piano music on Sundays and how that fits into the BryonySeries world.

That's because one character - John Simons - was a nineteenth century world-renowned pianist and composer before he died and became a vampire.

Here is another piano piece by Peder B. Helland, whom I "discovered" on January 7, 2022, when a song on YouTube played through to this song. 

I sat on the bed next to my calico Faith and petted her, while the music quite spontaneously locked my year-long writer's block for this BryonySeries novel.

This sweet piano piece fits the peaceful and poignant discovery of the forgotten and abandoned Fisher Farm in the third novel of the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, "House on Top of the Hill."

Enjoy!

Peder B. Helland - Secret World

Since the beginning of this blog on August 1, 2010, Saturdays has been a day to celebrate BryonySeries author and Irish vampire character Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, and all things Irish.

While this flute selection is neither Irish or features a tin whistle, it has a "Glorna" feel to it (to me), which you might understand if you're read "Staked!" or any of Ed's books in his BryonySeries Ruthless series ("Ruthless," "The Fifth," "Recovering Ruthless"). 

Either way, enjoy!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 22 through May 29

Good morning!

I have just six stories online to share with you today, with more stories likely going live over the weekend since I'm working through until Tuesday and finishing a very large project today. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

In addition, I have seven "Everyday Hero" stories below those.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26: B.L.O.C.K.S. will be hosting children's games at Food Truck Fridays, which runs 4 to 8 p.m. at Carter Realty Group, 1214 Essington Road, Joliet. We're hoping to be set 5:30-ish on all days except June 12, when we will run games from 4 to 5:30-ish p.m. In addition to children's games, we will offer BryonySeries books for sale during the games. Not in the mood to read? Buy one (or more) books and place it in our collection box for our book giveaways at the July 3 and Aug. 1 events.

June 27: "Presentation 101: An Overview for Authors Entering the Industry" 1 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. Joliet. 

July 3: Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration: 6 to 10 p.m., Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities by B.L.O.CK.S., the BryonySeries umbrella brand. B.L.O.C.K.S. will also have limited giveaways of BryonySeries books for all ages and WriteOn Joliet's upcoming "Shoe" anthology. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 1: Kid Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

And if  you missed it, please check out the "Shades of Noir" photos.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is nearly drafted with some partial editing already begun. We plan to release this book in 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But we plan to release a BryonySeries Christmas anthology around the holidays. This will be Christmas excerpts from existing BryonySeries novels along with a few bonus chapters only available in this anthology.

We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events and another sampler cal;led "Angel or Demon" that is also only available at select events.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I'm gradually reviving BryonySeries on Twitter/X at x.com/BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Risk of hantavirus low in Will, Kankakee, Kendall counties

https://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/2026/05/23/risk-of-hantavirus-low-in-will-kankakee-kendall-counties/

Will County forest district, Romeoville partner to reclaim land for nature

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/28/will-county-forest-district-romeoville-partner-to-reclaim-land-for-nature/

Silver Cross Hospital receives top rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/25/silver-cross-hospital-receives-top-rating-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid/

5 ways to celebrate Memorial Day weekend on a budget

https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/05/23/5-ways-to-celebrate-memorial-day-weekend-on-a-budget/

Shorewood board game cafe hosted 2nd author fair

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/22/shorewood-board-game-cafe-to-host-2nd-author-fair-saturday/

Will County Pets of the Week: May 26, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/28/will-county-pets-of-the-week-may-26-2026/

EVERYDAY HEROES

Everyday Hero: Joliet foster care superheroes battle their own health challenges

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-care-superheroes-battle-their-own-health-challenges

Everyday Hero: Joliet foster grandparent has volunteered almost 20,000 hours and ‘goes above and beyond with the children’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-grandparent-has-volunteered-almost-20000-hours-and-goes-above-and-beyond-with-the-children/

Everyday Hero: Longtime Joliet District 86 clerical aide said she tried to ‘always be helpful

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/everyday-hero-longtime-joliet-district-86-clerical-aide-said-she-tried-to-always-be-helpful/

Everyday Hero: Joliet grassroots community activist makes low-income seniors feel like superstars

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-grassroots-community-activist-makes-low-income-seniors-feel-like-superstars/

Everyday Hero: Paraprofessional at Plainfield District 202 brightens lives of veterans and military members

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/paraprofessional-at-plainfield-district-202-brightens-lives-of-veterans-and-military-members/

Everyday Hero: Coal City woman with disability puts others with disabilities ahead of herself

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/coal-city-woman-with-disability-puts-others-with-disabilities-ahead-of-herself/

Everyday Hero: Fairmont cafeteria manager ‘goes above and beyond to enrich the school environment’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/fairmont-cafeteria-manager-goes-above-and-beyond-to-enrich-the-school-environment/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"