Auld Lang Syne performed on Scottish piano from 1790 circa Rabbie Burns time!

Auld Lang Syne, The Irish Rovers (w/ lyrics)

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 23 to Dec. 29

Good morning!

Today I am sharing ten news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I worked last weekend and through Christmas Day. So I've been off work, wrapping up some end-of-year projects, writing some recap blogs still hanging in draft mode, and getting ready for our family Christmas on January 7.

I'm also finishing the editing on "The Fifth," the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara. Other than that, I have no further BryonySeries updates to report. For a list of projects in progress, check out last week's story roundup.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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 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 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 used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @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.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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

Silver Cross NICU baby finally home for the holidays: Krystal Acred, mother: ‘We got him right before Thanksgiving’

Lockport’s Springview Sweets owner giving back while in Greatest Baker contest: If she wins, owner Megan DiCaro plans to donate part ofprize to brain cancer research

Joliet dance team fundraising for nationals competition: Maddy Smietanski, USF head dance team coach: ‘Anything that we can get helps for sure’

Grundy County residents experiencing greater food insecurity: Inflation, reduced SNAP benefits are contributing factors

Cancer patients focus on family, hope at Christmas

Joliet West’s Jeremy Fears Jr. reported shot early Saturday: Michigan State University freshman ‘resting comfortably’after surgery

Joliet’s Hufford student orchestra takes holiday music intothe community: This was the 14th year for the holiday tour

RE/MAX throws pizza party for Joliet Boys and Girls Club: Ryan Behrens of RE/MAX also donated $10,000 to the club in2023

$1 million lottery ticket sold in Lockport

The Local Scene: Tour Joliet’s houses decorated for theholidays: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Merry and Bright Indeed

On December 14, I received a lovely surprise gift from Angie Aegerter, owner of the Fit Foundation in Crest Hill.

In 2023, Angie purchased 30 copies of  the WriteOn Joliet 2022 anthology and gifted them to The Timbers of Shorewood book club.

I invited Angie to WriteOn's annual holiday gathering at Cemeno's so she could meet some of the writers. She was unable to attend - but popped in to give me a gift bag with this lovely card you see below.

Yes, let that sink in. She bought books from us and then brought me a bag full of gifts. The card itself is so pretty, I've left it propped against my computer monitor these last two weeks, just so I can keep looking at it.

And here's what was in that bag.

But first, the fun bag, just so you can get an idea of her generosity.

The first item was this towel with a pickup truck. I regifted it to Timothy, who has Christmas decor in his house with red pickup truck themes. That's not because I didn't like or wouldn't enjoy it, but because I knew he appreciated it more.

Also, Timothy lives next door. So it's not like I wouldn't see or use the towel.

Next, I received this bag of chocolate. How did she know I love these?

Angie also gave me this Christmas candle with three amazing scents. I am a very sensual person in that I love items that please the different senses. 

Writers sometimes refer to "smell" as the forgotten scent. But good smells can do much to lift spirit and evoke and happy memories. I love the right scented candles and the right incense.

At any rate, I am enjoying this candle.

Here is the same candle from behind, so you can see how pretty it is.

But the very best part of this gift is...

...is the new friend I've made through our love for serving the community through using our respective talents. 

Happy Thursday!

Sue's Diner: Bohemian Biscuits with Jam

Today's recipe is most likely older than both of our ages together (mine and whoever is reading this - and if you're young enough, triple that!).

It's adapted from the Bohemian-American Cookbook by Marie Rosicky, published by the Automatic Printing Company.

Side note: My mother owns a much older version of the current cookbook. It's still in print and the company gave me permission to modify some of the recipes and republish them as long as it approved the modifications.

Here is the back story of this really fun cookbook (along with you you can get your own copy).

The recipe is referenced in chapter 27 of Bryony. In that chapter, (spoilers), Melissa develops a crush on Henry and boldly approaches him for a date. So Henry seizes his chance to enlarge Melissa’s world and gives her a kaleidoscope evening of theater, historical landmarks, and peasant food.

Because Timothy is working on the website this week, I'm sharing the recipe directly in the blog today. 

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

Like many recipes from this time period, the amount of ingredients is vague. So the yield will vary, too.

Enjoy the adventure - and tasking a bit of history, too. 

Bohemian Biscuits with Jam

A piece of butter

2 cups tepid milk

2 eggs

A pinch of mace

Salt

Compressed or dry yeast dissolved in tepid water

Flour

Lard (optional)

Prune jam

Cottage cheese or grated marzipan

Melted butter or thick sweet cream

Melt butter in milk, add eggs, mace, salt, yeast and enough white flour to make dough softer than for dumplings. Beat until smooth, let it rise, turn out on a floured board, roll and cut into rather large biscuits. Let them rise, then bake on both sides or fry in lard. Spread with prune jam, sprinkle with cottage cheese or grated marzipan and melted butter or thick, sweet cream.

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?

From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com.

A Faith-Filled Christmas

 In early October, the health of our fifteen-year-old calico Faith started declining.

After a short, intense, and very expensive health crisis, Faith was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma in early April 2022.

We opted for palliative care instead of treatment after she stabilized and after we had consulted with experts and our finances.

But Faith has continued to do well - until October. It was strange since her bloodwork was perfect. But we adjusted to the mindset she would not be with us for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Her treatment was modified. But that didn't help. So we made a decision for humane euthanasia in the home.

An hour before the veterinarian arrived, Faith responded to her new care plan, and the euthanasia was canceled.

She has continued to do well and her weight had continued to climb, 10.9 when Rebekah weighed Faith a week ago. In fact, Faith is chomping away at her food bowl as I write these words.

Faith was with us for Thanksgiving. And she was with us for Christmas, too.

For that reason, I asked Rebekah to take a photo of us by the Christmas tree last night. 

Faith hates being held, although she will tolerate it for brief moments.

You'll see a much more relaxed photo of her beneath this one.

May your own holiday season be filled with faith, whatever "holiday" and "faith" mean to you.

She's such a ham for the camera!

My Mother's Nativity Set

The best nativity set in the entire world (for me) is the one my mother bought in the 1950s.

She was still single at the time (she married my father on September 3, 1960) and working at Continental Insurance.

She always placed this nativity set underneath the artificial tree in the finished basement of our home: 2108 Belmont Avenue in Joliet. A smaller, sleeker, three-piece scene sat below the real tree in the living.

My sister and I would come home from school and listen to our parents' Christmas records, which were stacked on the turntable of the console, which included two upright speakers.

We would lean our ears against the speakers for better sound quality, our way of enjoying headphones before we actually owned any.

Sometimes we played with the figures, too, the reason why they are chipped.

My mother said that Joseph was actually a shepherd because the set she bought was missing the Joseph figure.

I don't know if she bought the Christmas tree in the back at the same time or she added it later. 

I do remember the paper folded angels (with tabs and instructions for folding) were always part of the scene.

At some point, she added the Styrofoam snowman and stapled glitter star either my sister or I made, mostly likely when we attended the former St. Bernard Catholic School in Joliet.

When my sister gave me the set earlier this month, it was still packed in the nearly seventy-year-old gift box with what has to be the original bag of straw, judging from the disintegration of the bag.

The old can of snow was gone. But the snow you see sprayed on the cardboard stable is the snow from my childhood.

This nativity scene, as well as this beautiful piece of the first Christmas by Perry Como, are forever linked in my mind. 

You can listen to it now as you scroll through the photos.

Christ is Born! Let is Glorify Him!

O Holy Night / Ave Maria ft. Lexi Walker - The Piano Guys

Books, Chocolate, and Candy Canes

However one celebrates Christmas and the holidays, many would agree these days of rejoicing are also times of giving.

I received these delightful little gifts at WriteOn Joliet's annual holiday party at Cemeno's Pizza on December. 14.

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, arrived as Santa (as he typically does this time of year) and distributed candy canes to all (as he typically does this time of year).

Janet Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill, brought a box of miniature chocolates wrapped in WriteOn's logo and that of her store. She is very friendly to local authors and helps promote and sell their books. Janet said she had stayed up until 1 a.m. the previously night to prepare enough to distribute to all.

The Book Market in Crest Hill and the Joliet Public Library, where WriteOn has met since 2013, are both partners of WriteOn Joliet.

Sure the candy tasted terrific But do you know what's sweetest of all?

The friendship behind the gifts. Have a wonderful Saturday - and may true friendship always reign in your hearts.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 16 to Dec. 22

Good morning!

Today I am sharing just six news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend, especially since I am working through Christmas Day. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Next week FOR SURE (I keep saying that), I plan to (finally) share a recap of the second The Timbers of Shorewood held a second "Meet The Author" night and also WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 7.

I am happy to report collected and donated 150 books for Santa Services this year. Santa also moonlights as the Easter Bunny. So we will be starting a new campaign after the holidays.

We have recently published three new BryonySeries books: "Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville," "Karla Joins In," and "Welcome to Munsonville: The People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries." We will have copies of those titles (and other BryonySeries books) for sale at The Book Market on Tuesday.

No updates (yet) on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So if the emergencies would just settle down, please and thank you, I will get back to the downtown branch very soon and finish the project.

Speaking of radio plays, Bicentennial Park actually scheduled WriteOn Joliet's radio play for TWO days in 2024: April 19 and April 20 (mark your calendars).

We also have more exciting news in the works. Stay tuned!

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

The Fifth: This is the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, author of the BryonySeries novel Ruthless. He has sent me all chapters except one, which I hope to start editing the beginning of November. He is hoping we can release the book in time for Calkins Day on February 13, so I have my work cut out for me.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and two chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. Writing on this book is paused until I finish editing "The Fifth.". We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We had scheduled a "Cornell breakfast" for Halloween morning, but...well, you know. We do plan to schedule one over the Christmas holidays.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait.

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.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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 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 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 used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @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.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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

How families, caregivers affected by dementia can navigate the holidays: Experts advise adapting to the situation in the moment

Snowmen brighten windows of Lockport businesses: Voting for “Snowmen on State Street” closes Jan. 14

Joliet’s University of St. Francis hosting family holiday concert Sunday: Tim Placher, organizer: ‘Every song is a new surprise’

Sherlock holiday whodunit takes Joliet stage this weekend: Nicole Kaestner, director: ‘Anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes should like this show’

Pets of the Week: Dec. 18, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Fish fry on Joliet’s East side: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Caught in the Wild

Timothy snapped this photo of me snapping a photo of Bertrand the Mouse in a coffee shop in Chicago.

It was almost 8:30 on a Saturday night (December 14, 2019). We had met my niece Rachel, her boyfriend Michael (now husband) at Del Seoul for bipimbap (which I love) and stopped for coffee before getting back on the road.

The hat, which I eventually lost, was an impromptu gift from Daniel. It had a large picture of a cat on the front and a battery operated LED light. 

The scarf I bought my first winter walking back and forth to work.

The coat I bought on sale for $150 at Marshall Field in December 1998, my first winter as a single parent and my first winter as a freelance writer, because I didn't own a decent winter coat.

And, of course, that's original Bertrand perched on top of my coffee. Original Bertrand jumped out of that coat pocket eighteen months later for adventures that no longer included me.

We had no idea how the world would change in just one month - or that in three months, the world would lock down.

We were just living life.

Let's live life today, OK?

Happy Thursday!

Sue's Diner: Kale Fritters

Although kale fritters (with bacon) sound as if they're from a decade ago when kale was super trendy, they're not.

This week's recipe is authentically nineteenth century and originally featured in the Bohemian-American Cookbook by Marie Rosicky, published by the Automatic Printing Company (www.autoprintomaha.com).

The recipe also appears in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

The recipe is referenced in the novel Bryony. The BryonySeries cookbook explains it this way:

When Melissa develops a crush on Henry, she boldly approaches him for a date. Henry seizes his chance to enlarge Melissa’s world and gives her a kaleidoscope evening of theatre, historical landmarks, and peasant food.

These kale fritters are full of bacon and super savory. They would make a great appetizer (who can resist bacon)? The first time we made them, they were gone in a few short hours.

You can try our modified 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 bryonyseries.com/general-store.

A Pop-Up Christmas

 Greeting cards are so commonplace anymore that many people don't give them a second thought.

But I've always been one to carefully the consider the right card for the right person - and Rebekah is that type of person, too.

Ever since she discovered my delight for intricate and detailed pop-up cards, she gifts me with one (just because) so I can enjoy looking at it.

Perhaps it's because my godmother worked with miniatures that I delight in pop-up cards so much. Or because it's because my sister and I grew up playing with Kiddles and dollhouses.

Whatever the reason, I'm quietly thrilled with the Christmas pop-card Rebekah recently brought home. If I were to place its Victorian design in the BryonySeries world, I'd have to place it in Jenson.

So if you haven't read the series and have no idea what/where Jenson is, you now have an idea.

Either way, do scroll through and enjoy a bit of Christmas magic today.

Happy Tuesday!

Friends of Bertrand The Mouse

Shortly before WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party last week. Cindy surprised me with this box and said she made something for the event.

To my surprise, Cindy had taught herself to crochet mice by watching YouTube videos. So she made a boxful of Bertrand's friends to offer as gifts with select purchases.

If people really wanted a mouse but not books, Rebekah sold them for $10 and donated two Bertrand the Mouse books to our Santa Services campaign.

Cindy said she had lots of fun accessorizing them. As you can see, each little mouse is unique; no two are alike. So we can't promise which ones we have left.

But you can come see for yourself Tuesday at The Book Market in Crest Hill, where Rebekah and I will appear with books (and mice) for the last time in 2023.

We also have a few more Cookie Christmas Trees. These are also a gift with select purchases.

OR, you may purchase one for $10 and we will donate two Bertrand the Mouse books to Santa Services.

Speaking of Santa Services, that campaign ends on Tuesday. We will take the display down when we pack up. But we will be running a second campaign after Christmas for Santa's "other" role.

But that's a surprise for now.

We will be at The Book Market in Crest Hill from 11 a.m. to 3-ish p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19 (tomorrow).

The Book Market is located at 2365 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill.

Stop out and say, "Hi!" And then browse thousands of other book selections in this treasure trove of a store of new, used, and rare books.

Happy Monday!

O HOLY NIGHT - CHRISTMAS SONGS | Piano Version

Christmas in Killarney

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 9 to Dec. 15

Good morning!

Today I am sharing twelve news and feature stories. But more will be posted over weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Next week FOR SURE, I plan to (finally) share a recap of the second The Timbers of Shorewood held a second "Meet The Author" night and also WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 7.

The fun and good will of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash, which happened in August at The Book Market in Crest Hill, is continued this fall at The Book Market in Crest Hill with a special display to help Santa distribute books to children and special needs adults this holiday season.

We have collected and donated approximately 150 books to Santa this year. The display will come down on Dec. 19 after my final appearance at The Book Market for 2023. So time is running out if you'd like to contribute.

For bulk rates (or if you live out of the area), message us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

We have recently published three new BryonySeries books: "Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville," "Karla Joins In," and "Welcome to Munsonville: The People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries." We will have copies of those titles (and other BryonySeries books) for sale at The Book Market on Tuesday.

No updates (yet) on the WriteOn Joliet radio play recording, which we recorded at digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library in the beginning of August.

WriteOn Joliet almost finished editing the radio play that eight members (including me) presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.and at the Joliet Public Library on Sept. 9.

One section didn't save and needs to be re-edited. So if the emergencies would just settle down, please and thank you, I will get back to the downtown branch very soon and finish the project.

Speaking of radio plays, Bicentennial Park actually scheduled WriteOn Joliet's radio play for TWO days in 2024: April 19 and April 20 (mark your calendars).

We also have more exciting news in the works. Stay tuned!

Here is a quick recap of BryonySeries projects in progress:

The Fifth: This is the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, author of the BryonySeries novel Ruthless. He has sent me all chapters except one, which I hope to start editing the beginning of November. He is hoping we can release the book in time for Calkins Day on February 13, so I have my work cut out for me.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and two chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. Writing on this book is paused until I finish editing "The Fifth.". We are estimating a 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We had scheduled a "Cornell breakfast" for Halloween morning, but...well, you know. We do plan to schedule one over the Christmas holidays.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait.

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.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.

Rebekah is also 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.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

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 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 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 used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @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.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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

 Lori Bergman of Joliet remembered for philanthropy, compassion: Jay Bergman, husband: ‘We just wanted to give something back to the community’

Joliet’s Polka King ‘loved making people happy’: Bob Doszak’s career spanned more than 70 years

Gordie Gillespie’s daughter to open new Joliet eatery in Thayer Bros. space: Remnants of Thayer Bros. will remain in Magpie’s Joy of Eating

Joliet’s University of St. Francis hosting family holiday concerts: Tim Placher, organizer: ‘Every song is a new surprise’

Lockport brewery lets you tap into artwork through vending machines: Product changes every 2 to 3 months

Joliet Central to host ‘breakfast with Santa’ on Saturday: Tickets available online or at the door

Joliet Central student to portray St. Lucia on Sunday: The community is invited to celebrate Lucia Fest

Joliet fire chief promotes city’s free mental health services for all ages: The program is open to all Joliet residents, including children and adults

Bolingbrook CosMc’s opens to long lines, hours of waiting: Francisco Comas, customer: ‘At least I can say I’ve been tothe first CosMc’s that was open’

By Gary Middendorf and Denise M. Baran-Unland

Joliet USF art professors venture to China for teaching trip: Classes were part of USF’s partnership with Sichuan University of Science & Engineering’s College of Fine Art

Pets of the Week: Dec. 11: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: New Lenox ‘Christmas in the Commons’: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"