Where's my love - SYML (Piano Solo)

Happy Birthday Musical Mice - played on the piano

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 23 through Aug. 29

Good morning!

For my third part-time back-to-work week, I have seven stories to share with you today - and more stories will go live over the weekend.

So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

BryonySeries appeared at two Joliet events this past weekend: New Orleans North (today, Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (tomorrow, Aug. 16) and softly rolled out B.L.O.C.K.S.

So if you were not one of the lucky one hundred people who chatted to Timothy and Daniel and received the information, you will have another opportunity on Aug. 30 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Timothy and Daniel will be greeting guests and patrons at Bertrand's Back-To-School bash in On Aug. 30 in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. 

They will also chat and give out information about B.L.O.C.K.S, in case you missed talking with them a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, readers of all ages are invited to attend, since the BryonySeries offers phantasmic books for all ages.

However, purchases are not required to celebrate with us.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

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 stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm having surgery July 17, so I'm hoping we can make that happen before then, just to get the process moving and give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books).

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 last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

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 I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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 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

‘The most terrifying bolts of lightning’: Readers relive destruction of 1990 Will County tornado

Much of Plainfield, parts of Crest Hill, Joliet suffered massive damage

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/28/readers-share-their-stories-from-1990-will-county-tornado-the-memories-lived-long-on-forever/

Coffee business remains hot across Joliet area as more shops keep opening

Here’s where you can grab a cup

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/23/coffee-business-remains-hot-across-joliet-area-as-shops-keep-opening/

Silver Cross surgeon gets high ranking by Newsweek

More than a dozen Silver Cross Hospital medical staff recognized

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/26/silver-cross-surgeon-gets-high-ranking-by-newsweek/

Joliet Junior College, Joliet Central alum wins Food Network Show

Another JJC alum named Top Young Chef in the United States

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/23/joliet-junior-college-alum-wins-food-network-show/

Red Robin closes Plainfield location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/26/red-robin-closes-plainfield-location/

Joliet police investigating Sunday-morning shooting

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/24/joliet-police-investigating-sunday-morning-shooting/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 25, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/25/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-25-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Peder B. Helland - Raindrops

Sue's Diner: Stewed Fruit with Cream

Although the original recipe calls for stewed fruit, we used this delicious sauce over fresh fruit, which shows how versatile this vanilla sauce is.

You might find other ways to use it, too.

Today's recipe appears in the cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

Here is the background on where this week's recipe falls in the BryonySeries novel 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.

This recipe was adapted from the nineteenth century cookbook Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy.

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

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone 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.

A Good Day to Read a Poem

 This scroll of ages paper tied with black yard and labeled "cursive" patiently waited to be read until this morning.

Joliet's first poet laureate Uxmar Torres distributed these poems during the tear down of the 2024 Ye Olde Mayfest at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet.

For the last several years, my family and I have battled one emergency after another. So I set the poem aside for a day where I could calm my mind and read with clarity.

I've finally had some pockets of time that felt "normal." So today, I untied the poem and read the words.

It was worth the wait.

May you discover good poetry today, in writings and in your life.

Happy Tuesday!

Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash is Saturday

Ever sing Happy Birthday to a crocheted mouse? Here's your chance!

Bertrand the Mouse's Back-To-School Birthday Bash will be from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

We will have refreshments, party hats, BryonySeries books for sale, birthday games-to-go, and crocheted mice for adoption (while supplies last) with the purchase of any Bertrand the Mouse book.

We will also have complimentary BryonySeries tumblers with the purchase of any BryonySeries book, perfect for fun, back-to-school reading on the go.

And Timothy and Daniel will also be there, chatting to guests about B.L.O.C.K.S.

Now, here's what Bertrand wants for his birthday.

For those who don't know Bertrand (yet), Bertrand's always on the go and happy to lend a helping…paw…to bring the joys of reading to children.

All Bertrand wants is for people of all ages to experience the joys of reading. 

So the best birthday present you can give Bertrand is to bring home a book (or two) to read and enjoy.

Even better - buy a book (or two or more) and leave them with us. We will slip them into a Little Free Library in a low-income neighborhood.

So he's inviting YOU and all your friends and family to his Back-To-School Birthday Bash.

Hoping this post makes you smile on this first day of the new week.

Happy Monday!

[Piano Solo] Newsies ~ Santa Fe

Two Irish polkas on tin whistle and guitar... 10 years later!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 16 through Aug. 22

Good morning!

For my second part-time back-to-work week, I actually have seven stories to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend, especially since I am working this Saturday and Sunday.

So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

BryonySeries appeared at two Joliet events this past weekend: New Orleans North (today, Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (tomorrow, Aug. 16) and softly rolled out B.L.O.C.K.S.

So if you were not one of the lucky one hundred people who chatted to Timothy and Daniel and received the information, you will have another opportunity on Aug. 30 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

That's because both boys will be greeting guests and patrons at Bertrand's Back-To-School bash on Aug. 30, in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. 

Of course, readers of all ages are invited to attend, since the BryonySeries offers phantasmic books for all ages.

However, purchases are optional next Saturday.

We will have more details about the time on Monday (mostly because Daniel was out-of-town on business this week, and he needs to catch up).

What is the BryonySeries?

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

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 stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm having surgery July 17, so I'm hoping we can make that happen before then, just to get the process moving and give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books).

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 last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

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 I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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 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

Lockport’s Nik & Ivy Brewing hosting anniversary weekend events

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/21/lockports-nik-ivy-brewing-hosting-anniversary-weekend-events/

American Heart Association awards Silver Cross Hospital’s stroke program

Medical center provides ‘high-quality stroke and diabetes care’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/14/american-heart-association-awards-silver-cross-hospitals-stroke-program/

Joliet hospital launches new advanced cardiac technology

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/17/joliet-hospital-launches-new-cardiac-technology/

Plainfield business donates 12,000 pounds of pet food to shelters

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/17/plainfield-business-donates-12000-pounds-of-pet-food-to-shelters/

Tacos Before Vatos in Morris partners with Meals on Wheels

Grand-opening celebration is Aug. 21

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/17/morris-tacos-eatery-partners-with-meals-on-wheels/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 18, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/18/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-18-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Smile

A co-worker snapped this photo of me in 2017 at the first and last time of seeing an eclipse.

I was struggling to meet many deadlines while fighting a migraine. Rebekah and I were leaving for a week in Raleigh the following day, so I was running out of time to get everything done.

But my co-worker encouraged me to step away for a few minutes and try her glasses, which I did, reluctantly. 

And then she snapped this photo of my reaction. 

So many times, we get bogged down with our obligations and can't see past our immediate struggles.

Just for today, look beyond them for a few moments.

You just may find reason to smile.

And you just may return to your duties with a clearer mind and a lighter heart.

Happy Thursday!

Sue's Diner: Haluski

I was instroduced to this week's recipe for haluski many years ago from my first husband's Ukranian family and extended church family.

It uses the simplest of ingredients in a most delicious ways. Try it and see!

Amerika Adamowski submitted her version for 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, where the protagonist, a 1970s teen named Melissa Marchellis, encounters it at a potluck dinner for her grandmother's memorial luncheon.

I've tasted (and prepared) many variations of this recipe over the years. Some substitute cabbage for the potatoes. Others use mash the potatoes and use elbow macaroni. 

You can try Amerika's 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.

BryonySeries: Girls of the BryonySeries

The "Girls of the BryonySeries" is an eight-book subseries of the BryonySeries world.

Sarah actually first gave me the idea for this subseries nearly twenty years ago, which has slowly developed over the years, since she, Rebekah, and I all loved "girl" books when we were growing up.

Each book features one eleven-year-old girl with a seemingly insurmountable problem only she can solve that the people in her immediate world do not understand.

All eight of these protagonists first appeared as teens in the BryonySeries "drop of blood" trilogy.

I wanted the art simple: a portrait, a style my daughters and I loved in the many "girl books" we read over the years, since it immediately helped "make friends" with the protagonist.

I wanted to actually write three books before I launched the series - and four of the eight books are currently published and available for purchase. Simply click on their titles.

The artist for these portraits is Jennifer Wainwright, whose creative skill obviously extends beyond werewolf art.

Rebekah is designing all the covers.

One book takes place in the late nineteenth century and is a slight repackaging of a chapter from this BryonySeries novel.

Six books take place in 1969.

One book takes place in 1989.

I have back cover summaries for all eight.

I have outlines for all eight.

Here they are.

Girls of the BryonySeries

Julie and the Too-Hard Homework

Eleven-year-old Julie Drake impulsively choose “psychologist” as her lifelong career after becoming fascinated with one in a thriller she wasn’t allowed to see. But despite studying hard, Julie only makes so-so grades – and college isn’t in her family’s budget. Even worse, Julie’s mother is pressuring Julie to take piano lessons, which Julie hates. 

Julie doesn’t know what to do – until she gets her first client.

Katie and the Big Fear

Eleven-year-old Katie Miller has lots of fears. She’s afraid of the dark, strange noises, strong winds, and thunderstorms. And Katie is especially afraid of the big house in the woods. The villagers say it’s full of ghosts, and the stories they tell gives Katie nightmares. 

So Katie decides to stay home, where she thinks she’s safe – until fear comes looking for her.

Summer Sisters

Eleven-year-old Bryony Marseilles and her strict father live alone in a big house. Bryony doesn’t realize she’s lonely until she spends three months with a large family of girls at their farm. For the first time, Bryony can run free and enjoy the company of her peers. She learns people and situations aren’t always what they seem – and that people, even Bryony, can change.

Karla Joins In

Eleven-year-old Karla Dyer has one goal in life: to be like everyone else. But that’s hard to do when your father was killed slaying a vampire, and your mother is making it your mission to take his place in the world. Karla and her mom live in his old motor home, which is rotting away, and Karla must study grimoires and crystal balls after a full day of school. 

Karla just wants to hang out with her friends. Is that too much to ask?

Brainy Ann (Available late 2025 or early 2026)

Eleven-year-old Ann Dalton has everything a girl could want. She is pretty and smart. She has her own room with bookshelf walls filled with her favorite books. Her parents are loving and kind; her friends are trustworthy and loyal; she’s teacher’s pet; and even her little brother isn’t bad for a brother. But her support is collapsing, and everyone says it’s Ann’s fault. 

Ann thinks they’re just jealous of her. Is she right?

A Room for Laura (draft)

Eleven-year-old Laura Jones lives in a small house with her large family. No one seems to mind, except Laura, who loves to draw and dream. Laura is frustrated with her lack of privacy and jealous of her friends who have their own bedrooms. 

But then Laura comes face-to-face with the one person in the world who can help her – and things begin to change.

Changes for Shelly (draft)

Eleven-year-old Shelley Gallagher loves both her parents equally. That’s the problem. Shelley’s parents fight a lot. They scream and throw stuff at each other, which scares Shelley and makes her cry. Even worse, they expect Shelley, an only child, to choose sides. 

One day, someone really gets hurt. Now Shelley must decide whose side she’s really on.

Melissa and the Hidden Treasure (draft)

Eleven-year-old Melissa Marchellis has a terrible life. Her little brother is too annoying. Her father is too old and too sick. Her mother is too busy working and caring for Melissa’s father to pay much attention to any of them. And way too often, Melissa can’t hang out with her friends because she must entertain her brother or sit with her father – literally sit with her father, since he hates television and conversation. 

One day, she finds a dusty old box. And life is never the same again.

For more information about other books in the BryonySeries, visit Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview.

BryonySeries: Meet B.L.O.C.K.S.

When the world shut down in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebekah suggested she and I use this time to really dig into the study of sales and marketing - and then apply our knowledge to the BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet.

We took some online classes and workshops AT THE SAME TIME as our morning walks (the only time available to watch the videos together), formed a business relationship with two mentors that has grown over time, and took baby steps in executing our newly-learned knowledge and skills.

And we've done this while continuing to create new products for the BryonySeries, WriteOn Joliet, and selected clients, working our day jobs, and navigating several very challenging years.

I'm not sharing this because we're so amazing. I'm sharing it because doing all this well is simply not possible, not if we wish to keep growing.

So as Timothy and Daniel were finishing their Master of Business degrees this spring, Timothy suggested I back off SOME of the sales and marketing for BryonySeries and let him and Daniel help, especially since I tend to prioritze the sales and marketing for WriteOn Joliet over BryonySeries.

Now Timothy and Daniel had heard about our mentors but hadn't actually interacted with them...yet. 

The first step was inviting Timothy and Daniel to join a pitch and idea session they were hosting - and the second step was a one-on-one meeting.

And, in Timothy's words, he and Daniel "failed" the elevator pitch during Meeting Two.

After some reflection, Timothy realized the problem. The BryonySeries brand and the BryonySeries products were two different "things," which needed separate identities.

They easily could discuss the products. But they couldn't easily summarize their spirit, i.e. their brand.

To succintly explain these products, Timothy needed to identify and then clearly communicate the brand. 

Back in 2010 when Sarah created the first BryonySeries website, Sarah wanted to create an author page, which I refused. Rather, I wanted a page that showcased the creative talents of everyone who contributed to the products in some way.

As Timothy analyzed the branding in the BryonySeries, from collaboration to result, he saw these six key areas, which we've manipulated in all our projects as one manipulates building blocks.

This led him to create three cards, which are at the bottom of this post.

The first shows our building blocks.

The second card has both elevator pitch and mission for B.L.O.C.K.S.

And the third card, which I don't have in shareable format yet, pulls out three distinct areas: Sue's Diner, BryonySeries books, and Midnight Ink, the platform where Rebekah and I edit and format books for select clients at more-than-afforable prices.

The fourth card is the BryonySeries logo, which you've likely seen.

Timothy and Daniel then remet with our mentors at the beginning of this month to test out the B.L.O.C.K.S. 

And BAM! They nailed it!

So Timothy worked with the wonderful Kent at Fast Printing in Joliet to create these three cards.

And then Timothy and Daniel softly rolled out B.L.O.C.K.S. this weekend at New Orleans North and the Porch & Park Music Fest to nearly one hundred total attendees.

We had a slight uptick in visitors both days on our website, which is encouraging.

Now, we obviously have more work to do before the rollout is completed. And the real sales and marketing work will begin anew and in earnest. 

Also everyone is still very busy.

But we now have a brand that explains our mission.

And that can lead into a deeper conversation about our products.

Happy Monday!

Waltz of the Sirens, by Alma Deutscher

Ed Calkins: The Question of Cah

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, wrote a literary nonsense trilogy for the BryonySeries (and he's currently working on his fifth book) called Ruthless.

Ed, as an Irish vampire, is also a primary - and very unreliable - character in the Ruthless trilogy and also in the BryonySeries original "drop of blood" young adult vampire trilogy.

To give you a "taste" of Ed's writings, here is chapter one of his third Ruthless book, "Recovering Ruthless," where he's talking to a "mind worm."

All chapters do not read like this, of course. The character development is stunning and the plot is intricate with delightful threads running through the story.

You may also enjoy chapter 3 from "Recovering Ruthless" and chapter 14 from "Recovering Ruthless" to give you a better idea of the reading adventure that awaits you.

Finally, here is a poem from "Recovering Ruthless" that Ed attributes to one of his characters.

Happy Saturday!

RECOVERING RUTHLESS, BY ED CALKINS, STEWARD OF TARA

CHAPTER 1: THE QUESTION OF CAH

 

 

I probably should think of something else if I’m going to hold your attention. I don’t think you’re interested in the problems with the scientific theory of time travel. Maybe you feel that a story riddled with brownies, vampires, leprechauns, and other fairies shouldn't contain scientific theory at all.

 

              You're hurting my feelings, not to mention the feelings of Eircheard, the leprechaun who tried to explain the universe in all its four dimensions. I'll retaliate later. Better to explain how the four-dimensional universe is really two sides of a coin so only one side is perceivable to anything with consciousness. On the one side, electromagnetics is stronger than gravity thus pulling the universe wider, expanding as it does, creating time, and pulling the pieces apart. On the other side, gravity is stronger than electromagnetics. It pulls the scattered energy and matter towards its center, creating time as it does, and contracting the entire universe into a humongous black hole. On each side, the dominant energy gets spent, the other recharges, each side ends as the other starts, and the coin flips all over again.

 

              Is that easy enough to understand?

 

              Wrong.

 

I didn’t ask if you could dismiss it, I asked if you could understand it, because there is more. While time is merely cosmic motion, the experience of time is completely subjective. Perhaps, if you've studied philosophy, you've heard the nonsensical question: “If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it does it make a sound?” The question pretends to be philosophical when it's actually a vocabulary question. Are we defining “sound” as audible by vibrations or this experience of perceiving them? And that's just one part of what sends a leprechaun into fits of rageful rants about the shortsightedness of the larger folks’ feeble brains.

 

There’s a letter on the desk? Don’t distract me.

 

I’m on my way to explaining one theory of time travel and the best ways to do it. One is easy enough. Wait. No, not you. I mean “waiting” is the easiest way to get to any time you want. Don’t you see? Its all circular. The universe expands then contracts, destroying and creating like it did the last time and you'll find yourself in your own past or future, doing the same thing you did the last time for the same reasons.

 

You don’t like that, do you? Do you find it disappointing? Trust me, disappointment is the defining experience of time travel and waiting is the safest way to that disappointment. True other ways are quicker, but you risk contracting Deep Time Psychosis. How do I know that? Not important. The other part of what time is takes priority. How many times has the universal coin flipped? How is the universe on the first flip different from the second or third? I’m sure you’re now ready to explore this new question with an open mind and heart.

 

No? What’s about the letter on the desk?

           

Who are you to interrupt me? Better yet, who are you at all? Somehow, this feels familiar. You are some kind of consciousness in my brain but you're not me, which begs the question of, “Who am I?” I'll tell you what I'm not. I'm not some old man experiencing dementia. While it's true that – for the moment – I’ve forgotten who I am, forgetfulness is understandable when you realize how many more things I have to remember. Think of my brain as a powerful early 1980’s micro-computer with 256 ram and a hard drive it's near an MB. As impossible as it might be to imagine, my hard drive is running out of space. I have to back it up regularly, putting all pertinent information 5 1/4 floppy disk. Then I format the hard drive only to fill it again with other stuff. What is a 5 ¼ floppy disk? Well, it's a disk about five and a fourth inches in diameter and it’s so floppy that they had to put cardboard around it.

 

Forget that.

 

The point is I have so many things to remember, having traveled time as much as I have, sometimes I have to reload my hard drive to answer questions that you consider basic. Who I am will come back to me as soon as I boot up this metaphorical floppy disk. I'm confident I'll remember the five things that are essential. Then I'll deal with you.

 

Oh yes of course, I am Ed Calkins the one and only. If you doubt my fame, may I remind you that you knew who I was before I knew who I was, and we haven't even cared about who you are. Did I make you feel small just now? That's because of the second thing: I am very ruthless. I'll hurt your feelings without a second thought. Try not to be afraid. The third thing seems ridiculously obvious. Newspaper delivery is important. Who doesn't know that? Either I exist because I deliver, or delivery exists because of me…something circular like that. I’m sure I’ll have a better handle on it when the rest of the floppy loads.

 

Cah, I’m having trouble with the next two things. Wait. Did I just call you ‘Cah’? YOU! You’re the mind worm that wanted a story. I was going to tell you the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Either you wanted a different story, or I couldn’t remember how that story started. Something tells me I haven’t always been nice to you and that we have unfinished business.

 

Where are we? Seems like we’re in the same place we were when we first met. If I’m getting this right, I named you Cah – the anachronism for “courageous and honest” – because I didn’t want to call you an idiot when you admitted you never heard of Ed Calkins. That could only mean you’ve never read this book that’s right next to the letter you’re so keen on. It’s called “Staked!” Cah, this is the first book in a series written by Denise M. Baran-Unland that’s all about me.

 

You think the book wasn’t here the last time? So what?

 

What? I can’t hear your thoughts over the leprechauns and merrows shouting at me to do something about the other. Do you need me to tell you that merrows are the Irish version of mermaids, expect they have legs…quite shapely legs I might add.

 

Oh. The fourth thing I always remember is that I have many wives all over the place. Yes, you might even be a wife of mine. What’s that? You don’t think so. Maybe you are and I never told you…that or you’re male. Either way, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Except for one, there’s no ceremony or sex in my marriages and that’s an unbreakable rule set by Wife Number One: Nala.

 

The letter? Don’t you want to know about the book? I stole it from some future…or the past. I can’t remember now. The important thing is the timeline in the book. You see, everyone thinks the book is a work of fiction except the people in the book. There’s a Sheriff Matt, who is not in the book but in the timeline. He needs to know what happens so he can be ready to handle the things that are. If I travel to the right place/time/year, I’ll give him the drop on a very difficult Christmas.

 

Now I know the fifth thing. I’m a time-traveling, dyslexic, psychotic, Irish vampire, but you might have guessed that already.

 

What?

 

We never found out why the leprechauns and merrows are yelling?

 

The letter was going to be the key to it all, but I never followed through. I just went on to other things without reading it. I remember now, Cah. It was for your benefit. I have a hard time not thinking thing out loud to a mind worm, and I didn’t want to spoil the ending of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” I was afraid that I would start thinking how Mama Bear put Goldilocks in a pot with carrots and peas, Papa Bear put a sign above the home reading “free room and board to slow running children,” and Baby Bear never had porridge again.

 

Yes, Yes, the letter. Cah, I promise this time, I’ll get to it. But first, I have to deliver this book. It will only take a second…or several lifetimes depending on the time-travel traffic. It’s all the same to a dyslexic, psychotic, time traveling Irish vampire when he tries to answer the question of Cah.