Mother's Day Brunch on a Working Weekend

My standing Mother's Day mantra to my kids is "No brunch."

Meaning, I don't want anyone losing any hard-earned time and money earned taking me out to brunch.

No one disagrees, especially since anyone in my family who's worked in food service feels the sheer volume of food being rapidly prepared on Mother's Day increases the risk for food poisoning.

But as the work gods would have it, my spot in the weekend rotation came up on Mother's Day weekend for at least the third year in a row.

And the "family" part of it started when the initial checking of email and social media for breaking news ended, and I responded to a text Timothy had sent in the middle of the night (we're poor sleepers here), and he sent me a weird response.

Timothy: "Why are you up?"

Me: "Why wouldn't I be up? It's 7:35 and I'm working."

As the compassionate gods would have it, Faith wanted a snuggle a few minutes later. That's what prevented me for heading downstairs to start dispensing cat and dog treats (long story) and start my own breakfast.

Because I heard voices as I was about to descend the stairs. When I reached the kitchen, Timothy, Daniel, and Cindy were laying out "brunch."

Had Faith not wanted a bit of cuddling, I would have made and been eating breakfast.

Anyway, scroll through the photos and feast your eyes on the 2025 Mother's Day brunch.

Rebekah also prepared homemade cinnamon rolls later that morning - but I was working and they forgot to take photos of those.

Sausage (not homemade)

Blueberry waffles (homemade, including the mix)

Corn muffins (because Timothy had two small boxes of mix he wanted to use up).

Fresh fruit salad

Trifle (a double batch, half of which should have gone home with Cindy and didn't)

And did I mention I will be enjoying leftovers today?

Happy Monday!

Isn't She Lovely (Mother's Day Version) | Anthem Lights

Irish Gifts for Mother's Day: Unique and Special Old Photographs

BryonySeries Mother's Day Special at The Book Market

Last week, Rebekah curated six books that she thought make a perfect gift for the mother (or mother figure) on your Mother's Day shopping list because of the mothers portrayed in the books.

In fact, "Visage," the second book in the "drop of blood" trilogy, even has a forward by a parent coach with suggestions for navigating a teen's poor choice in a romantic partner.

All six books are currently displayed  at The Book Market in Crest Hill, which you can pair with a handmade purple music rose (piano music and purple roses are motifs in the series) or with a one-of-a-kind bookmark, handmade for Cindy ($6 with a BryonySeries book purchase or $12 without the book).

Here's a peek at the books, along with their descriptions below the photo.

Nine Months of Kindness: They say “kindness” begins at home, and home starts with the person in the mirror. In “Nine Months of Kindness,” writer/editor Denise M. Baran-Unland spent part of 2020 exploring ways she could become kinder to herself and the people in her life. She shares her experiences, and her reflections, in this book.

Before the Blood is a five-novel prequel to the BryonySeries Gothic trilogy. Told in multiple points of view with Faustian elements, "Before the Blood" centers on the lives of four key characters and the choices that ultimately lead to tragic ending. In Book Three, read how little Bryony Marseilles, spoiled sheltered, and sickly, uses her introversion and imagination to make sense of her Utopia. 

"Summer Sisters" is the story of eleven-year-old Bryony Marseilles and her strict father, who 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.

Bryony: A 1970s teen trades her blood with a Victorian vampire for a trip back into time as his wife. The bargain doesn't go as she'd hoped.

Visage: While grieving the abrupt end of her blood bargain with 19th century pianist John Simons, 18-year-old Melissa flings herself into a relationship with a college music professor, a man with a shady reputation and an uncanny resemblance to John.

Staked!: A teen music prodigy who lives in a remote fishing village, works for a newspaper delivery uncle and a funeral director stepfather, has a princess in his mirror, and his father was staked by his best friend’s father. And that's the old normal.

Just so you know, the free purple roses and the special price on the bookmarks with purchase apply to any BryonySeries book, not just the ones displayed.

The other BryonySeries titles are located in the local author section, which is slightly behind and to the left of the display table. 

Or just ask Jan Staley, owner of The Book Market to help you find the other books.

Jan is super friendly and always ready to stop whatever she's doing to assist customers.

And for BryonySeries customers who live out of state...

...please visit our promotions page and reach out to bryonyseries@gmail.com with any questions.

At this time, we do not ship "swag." But we are happy to work out discounts on BryonySeries books to promote the love of reading to all ages.

Happy Thursday!

"That's Part of the Mother's Day Magic"

Timothy presented these flowers to me on Saturday night, in advance of Mother's Day and in the middle of an extremely busy working weekend.

They're lovely down to the vase. I asked him where he bought these and he refused to divulge, saying, "That's part of the Mother's Day magic."

Scroll down for a few personalized closeups that make this gift extra special (as if the gift weren't enough).

For instance, blue is my favorite color. And I love flowers Timothy included a blue vase with floral designs and blue flowers.

Roses are my favorite flower. And purple roses is a motif in the BryonySeries.

Gorgeous, right?

Happy Monday!

Yann Tiersen-Mother's Journey (long version)

Joy in the Details

When walking through Walmart with Rebekah one day, I reiterated my standard, "No gifts, no Mother's Day brunch" tagline I utter every year around this time.

My reasoning is that money is tight, everyone works hard, and we do so much for each other the rest of the year. So my Mother's Day wish is that we all rest.

It didn't turn out that way, but that's OK and not the topic of this post.

Now as we're walking through the store, Rebekah said she was planning to get me a pop-up card for Mother's Day.

If you're as old as I am, a "pop-up card" is one where a figure unfolds and stands when you open the card.

But the pop-up card Rebekah had in mind resembles a diorama and the miniature shadow boxes my godmother used to make and sell.

We walked past one such display, and I fell in love with one of the cards, getting close to it and examining all its intricacies. 

Rebekah immediately scooped it up and set it in the card. She joked to people over the next few weeks on how I picked out my Mother's Day card.

Six photos of the details follows.

So here's the point of the post.

We're always cautioned not to miss the forest for the trees. But sometimes each tree is breathtakingly lovely. And we forget to see the trees for the forest.

In a day of challenges, we might not notice pockets of beauty and joy.

So I hope you see them today and that they bring a touch of magic to your life.

Piano Music for Mother's Day

Daniel O'Donnell - Medals For Mothers

Mothers Day Piano Music Simple Special Gift | Beautiful Solo Piano Songs

Rock Me To Sleep, Mother

Steward Setback Saturday: How to Talk Like Ed Calkins on Mother's Day

Here's a fun post from 2012 that links to another site with fun Gaelic phrases you can use for Mother's Day.

And Happy Mother's Day in advance to any moms reading this post - and to the moms of the rest of you reading this post.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

How to Talk Like Ed Calkins on Mother's Day

Although one may find it difficult to imagine, even Ed Calkins, the Steward of Tara, has a mother, and he remembers her on Mother's Day.

Now, Ed has never shared whether he brings her flowers or chocolates, but if you want to honor YOUR mother on Mother's Day with a Gaelic expression or two, check out this site.

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html#Gael32

A Very Sweet, BryonySeries Mother's Day

A very tiny "throwback" today to Mother's Day this past Sunday.

On Monday, I shared the "bitter" part of the bittersweet. Now let's have the sweet - with most of the spoiling coming from Timothy's girlfriend Jasmine.

And when I say "sweet" I do mean actual items that were very sweet (and very delicious). So, yeah, I did ignore, somewhat, the prediabtes this week.

Also, Daniel's girlfriend Cindy stopped my the house on Friday to drop off A LOT of masks and hand sanitizer. We did a window visit and fake hugs. I haven't seen in her in a couple of months, so that was a wonderful surprise as she rose down from Chicago to do that.

The rest of the items gave a very lovely nod to my BryonySeries. And because we are still in the middle of the pandemic and are still social distancing, the rest of the festivities came in the form of texts, gifs, and snaps.

So here's the roundup. First off, this lovely purple box from Jasmine. And inside it contained...

A stunning "purple rose," very worthy of Henry.

A homemade mask, made with material that hinted at my made-up variation of bryony vines and little purple flowers that we'll pretend are roses - again, from Jasmine.

A variety of homemade treats: banana bread (most of which is gone), something with peanuts (which I shared with the rest of the family as I can't eat peanuts), chocolate-coffee macaroons (delicious!), apple scones (all gone), butter pecan Gloria Jean coffee (which I have not tried yet because I don't like flavored coffee - but it IS Gloria Jean's and it did come from Jasmine, so I will try it), and jelly cream cheese bars (also all gone).

Yes, these were all from Jasmine.

Now you're probably wondering why cleaning supplies are lurking in the background. Well, that's because...

...Jasmine also bought A LOT of cleaning supplies. Not the typical Mother's Day gift but very much appreciated in the middle of a pandemic.

And speaking of appreciation, Rebekah voluntarily assumed all of the cleaning since she was furloughed in mid-March. So she was also very happy to see them.

Speaking of Rebekah, she made these homemade chocolate chip cookies with homemade double chocolate mousse (white and dark), which chilled in the refrigerator on the tray because of the mousse.

As of this morning, only one remained. Even that may be gone now...

The real purple roses (and other roses, for John grew the other varieties at Simons Mansion) came from Timothy.

And finally my own mother texted me some flowers she has in front of her fireplace. She lives in North Carolina. I called her that day and sent her a picture of the flowers from Timothy.

A Bittersweet Mother's Day

Before I discuss all the great aspects of this past weekend, I'd like to share the bittersweet ones.

Yesterday a friend from high school lost her battle with lung cancer. We'd reconnected strongly over this past year, but she was given just a couple months to live just as this coronavirus broke out, which meant "no visitors" to those hospital visits and eventual move to nursing home.

However, we did stay in touch via text and phone calls, and I talked to her briefly Friday morning. I could tell, then, that the end was near.

Her name is Sue, if you'd like to remember her with nice thoughts and/or prayers.

Sue's mother died from the same cancer, so I'd like to think that, on Mother's Day, her mother was waiting with open arms on the other side, and they had a lovely reconnection.

Also, our "original" cat Frances is having some health issues. All blood work is perfect, except for a smidgen of anemia, but she's suddenly started losing weight these past couple weeks, nearly a pound, so she's seeing the vet for weight checks.

We're expecting a call today for the next step as she's lost a little more during her weigh-in on Saturday.

She had been a stray at the I and M canal near our former home in Channahon when she appeared at our back door on October afternoon in 2005, and Daniel fed her a can of tuna (all unbeknownst to me) while I was upstairs working.

We've often wondered if she abandoned or if someone lost her, for she was about nine months old at the time and wore a red collar with a jingle bell.

If she was lost and the owner is reading this blog and wondering what happened to her, please know she's loved and she's been having a wonderful life. In fact, we invested in a $3,500 invisible fence just for her.

Since the canal is Frances' favorite place to be, Timothy and Daniel took her down there the day the state parks opened back up.

Tomorrow, I'll be less gloomy since I otherwise had a wonderful weekend. I hope you did, too.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 24 through May 8

Good morning readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans!

I have more than a dozen stories to share this morning (and two more that haven't gone online yet), so you won't need any editorializing from me; plenty to read here.

I hope everyone checking into this blog is doing well: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.


We are living in unprecedented times and making history as we live it.

Go forth and live well today.

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

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

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts. 

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at bryonyseries.com.

Newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

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.

Will County teen did not die from coronavirus

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/02/will-county-teen-did-not-die-from-coronavirus/asp6bof/


Illinois hospitals prepare to restart elective surgeries: You'll need a COVID-19 test before surgery

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/03/illinois-hospitals-prepare-to-restart-elective-surgeries/adu3obz/


Will County reports 97 more cases of COVID-19

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/03/will-county-reports-97-more-cases-of-covid-19/a3ljmpj/


An Extraordinary Life: Joliet #chaplain was 'greatest man in the world' 

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/04/29/5f3cab2c2c294fb7a21d201ffa99b2b8/index.xml?page=1


Northern Illinois Food Bank not running out of food, seeks monetary donations

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/02/northern-illinois-food-bank-not-running-out-of-food-seeks-monetary-donations/accj2go/


Coronavirus putting routine childhood vaccine schedule at risk
Pediatricians urge parents not to delay shots, offices have safety measures in place

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/02/coronavirus-putting-routine-childhood-vaccine-schedule-at-risk/aanl0hi/


Joliet's 'Bagels for Bravery' program went the distance on Tuesday
A community parade will accompany the weekly donation of bagels and cream cheese, 2nd parade is next week 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/03/joliets-bagels-for-bravery-program-going-the-distance-on-tuesday/awtgo2k/


Social distancing parade held for 72nd birthday of Joliet woman on dialysis 24 years

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/05/03/3e3fb16adc5b46bc8f91307354b96ea5/index.xml?page=1


Why there are shortages in acute care nursing
Joliet area experts give insight into this evolving profession 

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/05/05/23681d4643c648999fa0054dc750208d/index.xml?page=1


Surprise 'adoptions' make Channahon, Minooka 8th-graders feel special 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/05/03/surprise-adoptions-make-channahon-minooka-8th-graders-feel-special/dj9xs3s/


OLA in Joliet has no cases of COVID-19
Here's what this independent, assisted and skilled nursing community is doing to prevent it

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/04/23/ola-in-joliet-has-no-cases-of-covid-19/apcjwof/


Treat your mom to a drive-in church service this Sunday
Crest Hill church offering 2 events in 1 week to bring community together

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/05/07/b0f824f04fab40d88a7b1988ee842749/index.xml?page=1


LocalLit: Resources from libraries in Will County 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/04/29/locallit-resources-from-libraries-in-will-county/apvsor5/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for Visage.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: My Favorite Poem about Mothers

Friday, May 13, 2011 

My Favorite Poem about Mothers

(along with flowers that Rebekah and Jasmine brought to  me last year).

Rock Me to Sleep

By Elizabeth Akers Allen 1832–1911



Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,

Make me a child again just for tonight!

Mother, come back from the echoless shore,

Take me again to your heart as of yore;

Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,

Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;

Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!

I am so weary of toil and of tears,—

Toil without recompense, tears all in vain,—

Take them, and give me my childhood again!

I have grown weary of dust and decay,—

Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away;

Weary of sowing for others to reap;—

Rock me to sleep, mother – rock me to sleep!



Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,

Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you!

Many a summer the grass has grown green,

Blossomed and faded, our faces between:

Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,

Long I tonight for your presence again.

Come from the silence so long and so deep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Over my heart, in the days that are flown,

No love like mother-love ever has shone;

No other worship abides and endures,—

Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:

None like a mother can charm away pain

From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.

Slumber’s soft calms o’er my heavy lids creep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,

Fall on your shoulders again as of old;

Let it drop over my forehead tonight,

Shading my faint eyes away from the light;

For with its sunny-edged shadows once more

Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;

Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!



Mother, dear mother, the years have been long

Since I last listened your lullaby song:

Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem

Womanhood’s years have been only a dream.

Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,

With your light lashes just sweeping my face,

Never hereafter to wake or to weep;—

Rock me to sleep, mother, – rock me to sleep!


Posted by Denise M. Baran-Unland at 5:10 PM

Mother's Day Weekend Snapshots

I had just five plans for Mother's Day weekend: work, stopping at The Book Market for Jennifer Russ' book signing (which went extremely well, eleven copies sold), Phyllis' memoir, working on my werewolf story, and copy editing the fourth installment of Before the Blood, as it was due on my doorstep on Saturday.

And walking, but that's a given. And I had a tentative breakfast with Timothy on Saturday to plot out the fourth book in the Adventures of Cornell Dyer series.

Here's what really happened.

Timothy and I did meet for an early breakfast on Saturday morning. After a couple hours, we were still in chapter three of Cornell Dyer and the Never Robbers. But we did pick it up for about four more hours on Sunday afternoon. We are still not through chapter five. And we had a great time!

Then I went home and worked for a few hours, and Timothy ran errands. When I found a ride to take some photos for a story in Monday's Herald-News, I also stopped at The Book Market to take photos of Jennifer Russ for the WriteOn Joliet Facebook page.

When I'd met all my deadlines for work, I turned my attention to the memoir for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, I did not pick this back up the rest of the weekend. So I did not accomplish as much as I'd wished.

When I went downstairs to reheat my coffee and check the mail, the Amazon truck was pulling up. I am now halfway through the proof copy of a book that's over 90,000 words. BTW, the font isn't crooked, the cover is now curled from frequent handling and resisted staying in place for the photo.

After Jasmine and Rebekah got off work, we went to my oldest son's house in Mazon for an impromptu birthday party for one of my grandsons, who turned 7 on Friday and did NOT want to smile for my camera.

On Sunday, while I accompanying Timothy on some of his errands, I received this "BryonySeries" sweet from mall staff. I saved it to split with Rebekah. It's actually a Rise Krispies treat.

In late afternoon, I forsook my usual Sunday work (I usually spend the afternoons working to get a jump on Monday) in favor of a long "Cornell" talk with Timothy (and to drink the Gloria Jean's coffees he bought for us, and to eat up nearly an entire loaf of the banana bread with chocolate chips Rebekah baked after the birthday party) and housework after he left with Jasmine for a Mother's Day celebration on her side of the family.

But I also received another Gloria Jean's coffee from the Rebekah and Jasmine when they arrived (so now I have leftovers for today). I should also mention Timothy bought me a dark roast from Brewed Awakenings in Morris on the way to Mazon (the dark roast of the day was from Honduras. And it was delicious).

Along with this card and gift card:

And plenty of flowers: from Jasmine, Rebekah, and Daniel. Don't judge the plastic pitcher/makeshift vase, LOL. The baggie on the left is the remaining banana bread. BTW, We had banana bread because Rebekah made two loaves as a Mother's Day gift for a woman at her work. She also made two pumpkin pies on Saturday night, one for us and one for another woman at work, also for a Mother's Day present. I just wanted to add this because Rebekah and Jasmine have worked twelve to fourteen hour days since Thursday because of the holiday. 

I also talked to my own Mon via phone and twice with Sarah (Saturday and Sunday). And her son Lucas called me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.

After I did housework, I popped popcorn, Rebekah grated cheese, and we sat down to hear about her day. Then Daniel came home with more flowers (we were out of vases, having lent one, so we used the pitcher) and a gift from him and Timothy.

I foolishly abandoned the Sunday work for the evening and settled down to watch four episodes with Daniel (whose favorite character is Bert), Rebekah (who also loves the show), and Timothy (who was mildly surprised we started without him) when he returned from his event.

From time to time, we had to pause the viewing for one last lovely surprise: updates on the cover for Cornell Dyer and the Eerie Lake (the third book, which is just waiting for art), from illustrator Sue Midlock, which I kept showing to Timothy for his comments, too.

I woke up this morning to a nice Mother's Day text from Joshua. And I received (and sent) texts from other mothers I know and love.

I did not get any work done on the werewolf story, but one can't have everything. But I DID have a lovely writerly weekend filled with family time and sprinkled with delightful surprises.

I didn't write this post to brag about the terrific weekend I had. But I did want to give those who follow this blog a glimpse what I value in life: giving and receiving love. And this past weekend was filled with examples of it.

Because, yes, even my books qualify. My ability to write is a talented I've worked hard to develop to ultimately inform, inspire (my feature stories for The Herald-News, Phyllis' memoir), and entertain (readers of the BryonySeries).

And now Monday is tightly packed because I didn't work yesterday.

But I will have plenty of Gloria Jean to help me through it.

Have a blessed Monday, readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans! :)

Bridie Gallagher - A Mother's Love's A Blessing

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 5 through May 10

A BryonySeries weekend awaits me!

I woke up this morning to a message from Amazon that the proof copy for the fourth installment of Before the Blood has shipped and should arrive tomorrow.

If deadlines weren't enough to keep me motivated today, this was!

Timothy has scheduled a planning breakfast tomorrow morning for the fourth book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer chapter book series.

After that, I'll stop at The Book Market to replenish my books and chat with WriteOn Joliet member Jennifer Russ, who will be selling and signing books from noon to 2 p.m.

By then, "Henry" should be on my doorstep. If not, I'll get to work on the memoir.

Basically my plans for the next two days are to alternate copy editing BTB with finishing up (I hope) the first draft of the memoir.

Cannot wait!!!

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

 Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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.

Impacting the people she serves
Antoinette Morris recognized for her work at Trinity Services in New Lenox

Antoinette Morris said:"Knowing I make an impact on the people I serve on an everyday basis so they can eventually do everyday things independently is enough of a reward for me."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/05/01/impacting-the-people-she-serves/a5c6tkf/


Help keep someone else's light on
Minooka woman hosting Zumba event in #Joliet to raise money for suicide awareness

"This is a Christian family, a solid Christian family," Sonya Dejirolami said. "They adopted a girl from China. You'd think they're an All-American family. But this hit them and it hit them hard. It was just shocking to the community. Sometimes mental health can be disguised as something else and people give up on these people."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/01/983faa5b4b3b456bb5fd7fcffd704b6b/index.xml


Joliet hospice chaplain writes guide for living life to the end

"We all have challenges," Rev. Jim McGuire said. "How do we remain calm in the midst of them? In the book, I will give you some ideas on how to maintain calmness."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/30/809c5c5b645248ffaf2048fce98d0a92/index.xml


One of the girls
Special needs girl joins Brownie troop and volunteers at Joliet thrift store

Thanks to Vicki Gacki, a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul thirft store on Jefferson Street in Joliet and former co-leader of New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208, a special needs girl became a Brownie and a helper all in the same day.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/07/380d255a4dbb48e7ac55df3c33141753/index.xml


VIDEO: Helpers for a Day

Ron Moore, store manager at a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Joliet, explains the store's mission to New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/8b5a0091-0465-476f-ade2-cb9fa6de4181.html


VIDEO: Welcoming Abigail

New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208, along with honorary Girl Scout Ron Moore, store manager of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store on Jefferson Street in Joliet, welcome a special needs girl into the troop.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/0d7bd795-42a0-4830-b789-339e0d1cbfc2.html


The many shades of David Gray
He's managed food services, transportation services and much more for D. 204 in 
Joliet 

As Gray prepares to retire, check out the many roles he's assumed, many of them simultaneously.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/07/27d0cfc9d4634e899ad7d0646f06ec00/index.xml


Joliet area artisans offer ideas for Mother's Day gifts

About half a dozen suggestions for you.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/09/2fdf23d6ea014aca94fa895f6d82e23b/index.xml


Artworks: quilts that break traditional quilting rules
Darcy Berg is exhibiting her art quilts at Joliet cafe

Where traditional quilts must meet perfectly; art quilts are praised for their perfect imperfection.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/08/642b86ebe7ae406499a9914695d10f01/index.xml

LocalLit book spotlight: 'Fang Face' by Norm Cowie of Chicago

So knowing I'm a fan of good vampire stories, Chicago author Norm Cowie sent me a copy of his young adult novel "Fang Face." Last week, I finally had a chance to read it. In this Tuesday's LocalLit newsletter, I'll review it.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/09/d74886909e2c46dba11bebfc33703b55/index.xml?page=1

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Post-Mother's Day Reflections

People talk about their bucket lists and things they'd like to do before they die.

Every day, I meet people with amazing talents and abilities.

I smile during the reading of the parable of the talents. I totally relate to the dude with the lone talent that he buried in the ground.

Whereas others have many abilities, I have few. My deficiences are many, and, often, overshadow the abilities. I've quipped that when God was distributing talents, I was probably in the bathroom.

From my earliest recollection, I have known God me made for three purposes in life. My fear from my earliest recollection is that I will get to the end of my life with those purposes undone, that I will be the dude burying his talents in the ground.

And yet, the exercising of those talents are often so dependent on working cooperatively with another.

So my bucket list is small: just three items. One is to raise a large family, another is to write for a living. I'll write about the second tomorrow.

When I was a little girl, I always said I would have ten children. When I was expecting my oldest, I had a dream where I saw all six of my children: their looks, their personalities. Now this being a dream, some of the details were off, but most of the particulars were exact and have come true.

It took a lot of courage and determination and overcoming of challenges to realize this dream. I have six biological children, three stepchildren, and one child in heaven. I suck at math, but I can add.

My view looking backward is a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

Each one is someone I am proud to know.

Can I take credit for it? Well, no, not until God obliterates free will.

But I can take, and do, take tremendous satisfaction in choosing, moment by moment, to pray and to labor and to grow and to try again, to be an example of what (and to what not ) imitate, to not falter, to set the environment, the big decisions and the many little decisions to do and be something positive that, somehow, the children could assimilate into their own to becomes the adults they are today.

Everything I did, somehow, fed back into the family, and I was always conscious of it.

Empty-nest blues? Not I.

I love watching my children working hard at shaping their lives, talents, families, all of which takes time. I love observing the spin they put on carrying their own torches.

For me, every day has been a Mother's Day.

And I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Thankful, thankful, thankful.