Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 14 to Dec. 20

 Good morning!

I have just eight stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

And quite a bit more stories will go live this weekend, especially since I'm working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

But before the stories, I 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!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area while shopping for some great, last-minute holiday gifts.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

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."

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.

And finally...

I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

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 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 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.

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

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need

Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/19/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Support downtown Joliet businesses and earn rewards

The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/earn-rewards-for-supporting-downtown-joliet-businesses/

Joliet proposes grant to help Chicago Street businesses

Plan goes before City Council on Tuesday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/15/joliet-to-propose-business-grant-at-tuesdays-city-council-meeting/

Shorewood Home & Auto celebrates 50 years

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/business/2024/12/13/shorewood-home-auto-celebrates-50-years/

Joliet Witches Night Out raises $1,108,000 in 15 years for local nonprofits

The 2-day event attracts 3,000 attendees, sponsors and volunteers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/14/joliet-witches-night-out-raises-1108000-in-15-years-for-local-nonprofits/

Joliet Police Department collecting nonperishable food

Donated food will be given to local food banks

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/18/joliet-police-department-collecting-nonperishable-food/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 16, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/16/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-9-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Joliet, Plainfield

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/19/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-performances-of-a-christmas-carol-in-joliet-plainfield/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Open Mic Night 2023: Tom Hernandez

Sues Diner: Easy Santa Cookies

 This week's recipe is perfect for last minute Christmas gifts, treat for holiday gatherings, or an all-age activity, since they are simple enough to prepare that even the youngest child can help.

This recipe isn't featured any BryonySeries cookbook. But we have made this recipe almost every year since my own children were young. In fact. my young grandchildren made the cookies in this photo.

Just so you know, the cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony. 

The cookbook makes a great gift for people of all ages who like to cook, love history, or are simply curious as to the foods people once liked to eat.

Two other fun cookbooks with recipes easy enough for children to make (with the help of an adult), have mouse and cheese-themed recipes and werewolf-themed recipes. 

You can try the recipe Easy Santa Cookies 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.

Special BryonySeries Gifts With Select Purchases TODAY at The Book Market

If you're out and about the Crest Hill area today (Dec. 17), be sure to pop into The Book Market between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

You can check out our BryonySeries Christmas display of eleven curated BryonySeries books, Cindy's backpack bear Ribbit-Ribbits, free purple music roses with select purchases, three Christmas mice that still need adopting, and beautiful mystery gift boxes from Cindy (all free with select purchases while supplies last). 

Even the boxes themselves are gorgeous and sturdy enough for keeping other treasures inside them.

And who can turn their backs on these sweet little crocheted homeless mice?

Rebekah and I will be hanging out with the rest of the books in the series, too. We'll be able to answer your questions about the series and maybe read an excerpt (or two) of your choice.

The Book Market owner Janet Staley is super-friendly, too, and always ready and willing to help you find the perfect book in this family-owned bookstore of new, used, and rare books.

Maybe we will see you there.

Happy Tuesday!

Playing Santa

A good acquaintance of mine put out a call for help on social media this weekend.

Twenty-five children living in a local motel were in need of Christmas cheer. Who could help?

I immediately asked Rebekah if we could afford to donate twenty-five of our BryonySeries children's books (Bertrand The Mouse, The Adventures of Cornell Dyer, Girls of the BryonySeries, etc.).

As Rebekah was figuring that out, we had a bit of a Christmas miracle.

Let's just say someone dropped in, heard about our plans, and offered to buy the books. And then the offer was modified. This person said the kids should get TWO books a piece.

Then that person called another person, who also offered to donate two books to each child, for a total of four books per child.

Then that social media was modified: Approximately sixteen adults were with the twenty-five children and in need of Christmas cheer, too.

So my two donors bought WriteOn Joliet's last fifteen Christmas anthologies, as well WriteOn Joliet's last two "Cheetah" anthologies, and even my copy of the Cheetah anthology, for a total of eighteen books (in case the count was wrong).

Now I had the challenge of wrapping all those books. I REALLY needed to finish the hard edits of the third book in Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his BryonySeries Ruthless trilogy - and I wasn't sure if I could get those edits done if I spent every waking minute this weekend on them.

It's been that kind of autumn/2024, ya know? 

So Timothy and Daniel, on their way out the door for their Saturday morning bro-breakfast together, offered to help.

They came home a couple hours later with gift bags, lots of tape - and then Timothy custom-designed large gift tags that would hold all the important information: Gender, age, room number.

And then the boys got busy and started wrapping, making sure that rooms with multiple children didn't get "doubles" with the books.

You should know both boys just completed a busy week at work, along with finals week for their master degree programs. They submitted the final final on Friday night and REALLY looked forward to a quiet, relaxing Saturday.

Instead, they spent the day wrapping one hundred and eighteen books. And then they delivered them.

In the meantime, Rebekah had gone to Cindy's for a Christmas bakeoff since Cindy was making gift boxes of baked goods for presents this year.

Instead, the girls baked all day and then professionally wrapped an assortment of their goodies in individual packs to accompany the books.

That left Cindy without any baked goods for her gift boxes. And she was OK with that.

I should also add we do not even have our Christmas tree up. Heck, it's not even out of the garage yet.

We also have not celebrate St. Nicholas yet (that feast day was Dec. 6).

But I actually DID finish the hard edits on Ed's book late Sunday night.

And Timothy, Rebekah, and Daniel chilled on Sunday.

Most importantly, we brought a bit of Christmas to people who can't bring it to themselves this year. And they can enjoy stories written locally by writers who care about writing good stories and sharing them with the community.

I love the amount of good people can bring into the world when they work together. And social media, for all negativity sometimes associated with it, was the catalyst for it.

Besides we can always bring the Christmas tree out of the garage another day.

Happy Monday!

What Child Is This (Piano & Electric Cello) The Piano Guys

O Holy Night - On Tin Whistle

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 30 to Dec. 13

Good morning!

I have twenty-two stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

Why so many? Because I paused "story roundup" last Friday to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on this blog instead.

And I also have five stories that were part of The Herald-News' second "Thank You, Veterans" edition, also at the bottom of this post, the last week I will share those. So now is this time to read them - or bookmark them for a later date.

And more stories will go live this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

But before the stories, I 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!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is now up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

And ByronySeries is hosting one last event this year. I will be hanging out at The Book Market in Crest Hill from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

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."

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.

And finally...

I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

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 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 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.

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

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need

Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/19/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Will Country Trail Riders will ring bells for Salvation Army this weekend

Free photos with local horses

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/will-country-trail-riders-will-ring-bells-for-salvation-army/

Lockport H.S. to host 10th annual Veterans Night on Friday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/lockport-hs-to-host-10th-annual-veterans-night-on-friday/

Cookie Store in Plainfield goes for out-of-this-world flavor

Space-themed bakery selling 500 to 1,000 cookies a day

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/05/cookie-store-in-plainfield-goes-for-out-of-this-world-flavor/

X-Golf Shorewood golf simulator and sports bar now open

Jeff Bass, owner: ‘And we have gift cards for the holiday season’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/07/x-golf-shorewood-golf-simulator-and-sports-bar-now-open/

Earn rewards for supporting downtown Joliet businesses

The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/earn-rewards-for-supporting-downtown-joliet-businesses/

Troy Township offering residents mental health care services

Thriveworks provides in-person and online therapy and psychiatry services

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/29/troy-township-offering-residents-mental-health-care-services/

How to help Will County people, pets in need this holiday season

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/2024/11/27/help-will-county-people-pets-in-need-this-holiday-season/

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie office closing until January

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/07/midewin-national-tallgrass-prairie-office-closing-until-january/

Silver Cross New Lenox auxiliary donates $100,000-plus in support of hospital

The Advisory Board had made a 2-year pledge to support the Homer Glen Emergency Department expansion

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/silver-cross-new-lenox-auxiliary-donates-100000-plus-in-support-of-hospital/

Crest Hill church will celebrate Lucia Fest

Lucia Fest will include fellowship, coffee and Swedish pastries

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/crest-hill-church-will-celebrate-lucia-fest/

Joliet American Legion Band to host Christmas concert Sunday

The ‘Sounds of Christmas’ concert began in 1982 to support the community

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/joliet-american-legion-band-to-host-christmas-concert-sunday/

Joliet church to host ‘Behold Your King’ Christmas concert

The concert is free and open to the public

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/04/joliet-church-to-host-behold-your-king-christmas-concert/

Integrity Fire Equipment in Joliet gets Community First Accelerate Grant

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/30/integrity-fire-equipment-in-joliet-gets-community-first-accelerate-grant

Diamond and jewelry store opens in Shorewood

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/08/diamond-and-jewelry-store-opens-in-shorewood/

Lockport real estate company donates to Honor Flight Chicago

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/08/lockport-real-estate-company-donates-to-honor-flight-chicago/

Scooter’s Coffee opens New Lenox location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2024/12/05/scooters-coffee-opens-new-lenox-location/

Smoothie King opens Crest Hill location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/29/smoothie-king-opens-crest-hill-location/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 9, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/09/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-9-2024/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 2, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/02/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-2-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: A Merry MAR-y Christmas 2024

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/12/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-a-merry-mar-y-christmas-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: 48th Festival of Gnomes at Bicentennial Park Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/05/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-48th-festival-of-gnomes-at-bicentennial-park-joliet/

THANK YOU, VETERANS

 Michael Collins of Plainfield proud of service to country, community

Collins said he always tried to ‘make the right decisions’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/michael-collins-of-plainfield-proud-of-service-to-country-community/

Service is paramount to New Lenox physician and veteran

Dr. Joseph Hindo, Silver Cross: ‘Everyone should try to be of service to others.’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/service-is-paramount-to-new-lenox-internist-and-veteran/

Joliet veteran ‘can’t do enough for veterans’

Dan Miller can’t imagine not serving in some way

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/joliet-veteran-cant-do-enough-for-veterans/

Cancer leads Joliet Army veteran to service twice over

Skip Hoechbauer: ‘I love helping veterans and making them feel they’re not forgotten’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/cancer-leads-joliet-army-veteran-to-service-twice-over/

New Lenox veteran gives back through craftsmanship

Regina Lattuca, vice president of K9s for Veterans: ‘He really wants to help his fellow veterans.’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/new-lenox-veteran-gives-back-through-craftsmanship/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Open Mic Night 2023: Cynthia Martis

Sue's Diner: Spiced Hot Chocolate

Snow, cold temperatures, and the holiday season is upon us - and for some of us, the first two are happening today.

So this week's recipe is perfect for all three. Furthermore, this recipe even serves up a touch of nostalgia since it's more than one hundred and fifty years old.

The weeks' recipe for Spiced Hot Chocolate is adapted from Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy,

This recipe is also featured 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.

This recipe is referenced in the novel Bryony. Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

Melissa, as Bryony, had a close relationship with the housemaid’s little daughter, Anna, much to John’s chagrin. They shared spiced hot chocolate at bedtime, and Melissa looked the other way when Anna sneaked candied orange peels.

You can try the recipe for Spiced Hot Chocolate 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.

Count the Wins or Count the Losses?

So is this cup half empty or half full?

As I've previously written and certainly more than once, our family has experienced an unrelenting slew of challenges and emergencies since the second half of 2021, enough that we often struggle to keep up with them and the rest of life.

I think that 2024, for many in my family, has just blurred past in discomfort and actual pain. It's hard to believe 2025 is on the horizon.

One day in October, while in the midst of several of these events, Rebekah and I waded through some very neglected BryonySeries paperwork. With the end of the year in sight - and having no idea what else might befall us, given the history - we had to address it.

As we backtracked through the entire year and recorded our successes, we finally paused and looked at each other, asking, "How?"

How did we have such a good "book" year when everything else (including us) was falling apart? 

On Saturday I received an award from the community for my features writing with my fiction works being acknowledged as well.  I was one of ten people being honored that evening, so the ceremony was several hours long.

I was also on Day Ten of some of the worst and absolutely unrelenting back pain that I've ever experienced. And it definitely showed in my eyes in the "selfie" Timothy took of us at the end of the event.

But when I'm passed this challenge as well (as I'm sure I shall be - because I'm not at the time of this writing), I'll remember the event more than the pain.

So our really horrible year wasn't completely horrible. We just can't feel those facts yet.

Obviously, no one is going to feel elation when going through health emergencies and grief.

And yet - blessings are often interwoven among the thorns. And when the storm passes, it's nice to see the rainbows.

So is this cup half empty of half full?

Should I be sad I only have half a cup left to drink?

Or should I be happy because I have drunk deeply of really good coffee - and I still have half left to enjoy?

'But I Didn't Die'

A few weeks ago, WriteOn Joliet charter member Duanne Walton shared a piece he'd written that most people around the table felt was very relatable.

In that piece, Duanne shared a series of hard times that had befallen him over the years and ended each anecdote with the refrain, "But I didn't die."

Since mid-2021, our families have experienced an seemingly unending, unbroken line of challenges that have included numerous health emergencies and deaths.

The latest for me, was a back injury along with the almost simultaneous death of our black cat Midnight.

After ten blurry days of some really horrible pain on top of a very full work and life schedule, I remembered Duanne's piece one night and shouted at the mirror, "But I didn't die!"

Some Tylenol is finally mitigating some of the back pain (from PAIN to pain), and I'm figuring out how to squeeze another doctor's appointment into this week without using a sick day (I have two others already and this week is very, very full).

And I'm repeating, "But I didn't die," quite a bit.

Maybe Duanne's refrain will help you, too, if you're experiencing some tough times. And if not, tuck the thought away somewhere for when those tough times show up.

Thank you, Duanne, for sharing such a great piece - and great insight.

Happy Monday!

O Holy Night · Peder B. Helland

Santa, Beeman, and More!

"Costumed characters" are often part of community celebrations - and no Christmas party is complete without Santa Claus.

And as we wrapped up WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party on Dec. 5 at the Joliet Public Library, Santa and Beeman took a photo for posterity, with Daniel (who "manned" the anthologies near the party entrance) gave his solid approval.

Now who is Santa and Beeman? (Yes, keep scrolling).

Beeman, of course, is WriteOn Joliet charter member Duanne Walton, who played the "bumbling" newbie superhero in a skit  called "Bomb Threats and Bee Stings," written by WriteOn Joliet member Steve Cordin (left of Duanne), who played Ultra Bomber.

"Bomb Threats and Bee Stings" was one of the original pieces in "Fragments of Time," a WriteOn Joliet radio theater-style performance held twice in April at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater in Joliet.

And now Santa...

Santa is really Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: man, myth, newspaper carrier, BryonySeries character, and author of three books, as well as "Meta Ed" in the radio play, where Ed played himself in all these roles, along with other roles.

Here is Ed giving a stunning delivery of WriteOn Joliet member Mauverneen Blevins' "Time Piece."

And finally...

I make sure to take my annual-ish photo with Santa before we all headed out the door for the night.

Have a super Saturday!

St. Nicholas Feast Day Hymn

Tonight: WriteOn Joliet's 8th Anthology Release Party

If you live in the Will County area, consider popping into WriteOn Joliet's 8th Anthology Release Party tonight.

The open house-style event is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet, and will include FREE chef-created heavy appetizers and photos with Santa, along with one-stop checkout, courtesy of Jan Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Read this post for ten reasons why you should attend.

Read this post for tonight's menu (and this post for more food photos).

Read this post for the purple music roses at the BryonySeries table - and how you can take one home.

The BryonySeries tables will also have some free giveaways - and Cindy has prepared "mystery boxes" for BryonySeries, which she can explain when you stop by our tables.

But wait - there's more!

And to find out what "more" is, you'll have to to attend the event.

Happy Thursday!

More Photos of the Free Appetizers at WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party on Thursday

The show, as they say, must go on - and Timothy's been hard at work (after his regular work hours), prepping food for WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party - despite losing Midnight on Monday.

The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

The party includes FREE chef-created heavy appetizers and photos with Santa, along with a wide variety of locally authored books and one-stop checkout, courtesy of Jan Staley, owner of The Book Market in Crest Hill.

This post has ten reasons why you should attend.

And this post has the menu Timothy created for this year's party.

Below are a few more photos of some of the desserts. This is by no means all of the food (most will be prepared on Thursday)

For more information about WriteOn Joliet, visit writeonjoliet.com. 

We look forward to meeting you!

Midnight Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Yesterday

After receiving a "stay of euthanasia" twice, Midnight declined Saturday afternoon and kept going.

I contacted Dr. Beechler on Monday morning, and she only had one open time - and that was in thirty minutes.

In a very surreal, quick pivoting hour, the four of us jumped off work to send Midnight onto her final journey and then jumped back onto work an hour later.

The passage was slightly less smooth than we'd hoped, but in exchange Midnight received nearly three more weeks of life, where she saw the Christmas tree one more time (Timothy put it up early because she loves the lights), frolicked outside in the unseasonably warm weather (maybe God arranged that just for her), frolicked outside in the snow (maybe God arranged that, too, because Midnight also loved snow), ate a huge variety of wet cat food to tempt a capricious appetite (a wider variety in her last three weeks than her other eighteen years total), and reveled in many snuggles and pettings.

Midnight started her life in a horrible way with being dumped with her siblings in a carrier. But my oldest son Christopher just happened to stumbled upon that carrier and brought the kittens to his home.

Christopher found homes for all the kittens except Midnight, who was little and scared and skittish and full of ear mites and tapeworms (yes, tapeworms). So when she was sixteen weeks, he asked us to take her.

When we arrived at his Elwood home, she bolted, much the same way she bolted yesterday when she saw Dr. Beechler. But Christopher pulled her out from hiding and gave her to me. To help Midnight feel secure, I curled up in his recliner and just tightly held her. The sun was warm, and I was overtired from the route (I was always overtired in those days; we had so many short nights and long days) that we both nodded off.

I told the kids not to get attached, that we were proving hospice care. It took months to to get rid of the tapeworms, just long enough for Midnight to dash outside at one o'clock in the morning at nine months of age when the mercury registered eighteen below zero and get pregnant with the kittens Ron would later name Faith, Hope, and Charity.

But none of the kittens had worms, and by the time of their birth, neither did Midnight. And in due time, we sent all four for a mass spaying and neutering.

So Midnight had a rough start to her life, but that's not how she lived the rest of it. Sure, times got a little rocky during our homeless period after Ron got the dementia and lost his job (which led to the eventual loss of our home and years of juggling and scrambling).

But somehow we all managed to survive, and we met some wonderful people along the way that we'd never have met otherwise. And that includes Dr. Beechler yesterday.

For, again, Midnight had a rough start to her life, but she didn't go out that way.

Instead, she went out on soft blankets, held with reassuring hands, and surrounded by four people who loved her.

Menu for WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party on Dec. 5

Good morning!

WriteOn Joliet will host its 8th Annual Anthology Release Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Joliet Public Library, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. 

The chef-created heavy appetizers, coffee and water (we might have hot chocolate, too) and photos with Santa are also free. 

In fact, we have ten great reasons why you should attend.

But today's blog is all about the food. Here's what Chef Tim has planned for you on Thursday.

Tomato Jam Bites

Crunchy crostini, garlic herb cream cheese, bright tomato jam with fresh thyme

Mini Taco Cups

Seasoned ground turkey, fresh red onion, roasted corn, fresh cilantro, hand-shredded cheese

Deviled Eggs

Devilled eggs topped with crispy bacon and fresh herbs

Meat, Cheese, Cracker Plate

Summer sausage, Cheese (Swiss, Cheddar, Colby Jack), and three types of crackers (butter, flaky, pita).

Marbled Dark Chocolate Mint Fudge

A childhood favorite with a grownup, celebratory flair (pictured below)

Spiced Pumpkin Pie Squares 

Each square topped with an optional dollop of hand-whipped cream.

Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread

Just like Grandma makes

S'mores Shooters

Dark chocolate espresso ganache, fluffy marshmallow, toasted graham cracker crumble 

Freshly Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies To Go

Individually wrapped for your convenience. Enjoy with a a hot-off-the-press anthology.

This pre-Calkins Day 2020 video Timothy created for the virtual event gives you an idea of his culinary skills.

Happy Monday!

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.