Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 14 through Aug. 20

Good morning!

I have fifteen stories (features and news) to share with you today and another ten not yet posted, so watch for them over the weekend.

Nothing has changed, fiction-wise, in the last couple of weeks, but I'll quickly recap.

We have another book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series to share (Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, co-written by Rebekah, who also needs surgery now). Our artist Sue Midlock is currently working on the chapter. Thank you for the good thoughts. She is recovering nicely now from that surgery but may have another issue, ugh! So please keep the good thoughts coming.

Timothy has Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones mentally worked out. We just need our schedules to sync up and the boxes to be unpacked.We have acutally scheduled half a dozen "Cornell" breakfasts this summer, which kept gettting pushed out due to work, moving, medical issues, conflicting schedules. We have one scheduled for tomorrow, but the weekend is already full, so we shall see.

And then, for down the road, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. But she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse is still missing, but Bertrand's Uncle Bartie is in town to help find his mischievous little nephew.

I'm currently working on tons of character outlines for all the new characters (and returning minor characters who now have secnodary or major role) in the second book of the Limbo trilogy: Call of the Siren. Last weekend, I also wrote the first and last line for every chapter. 

This weekend, I'm hoping to get a little more granular on the outlines. Since I'm not going to Raleigh this year AGAIN (I'm so bummed), I'm planning two at-home writing retreats with my vacation time and want to make good use of that time as we'd like to release the book in 2022.

I also have in my possession the first piece of completed cover art for the "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls. It's beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! She's working on art for the next two books (I have eight planned in all).

I have one book ready for editing, a second in progress, and some really skeletal outlines for the rest. So I'm not lacking in projects, just time. And coffee.

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

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

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

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

Each Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this 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 support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 do post the briefs 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.

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

Plainfield church celebrated 25 years of faithfulness to the vision: Harvest Church began in pastor’s ‘field of dreams’

Pets of the Week: Aug. 16: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Free screening helps prevent sudden cardiac death in teens: Morris Hospital’s free Rhythm of Our Youth cardiac screening seeking volunteers

St. Rose in Wilmington to host traveling exhibit of Eucharistic miracles: Gargol: ‘We invite everyone to take this opportunity and see with their own eyes’

JJC completes $1.75M renovation project for new respiratory care therapy program: Police station renovations and landscape modifications are next

Crest Hill gated community celebrates 20th anniversary with mayoral proclamation: Singles club at Carillon Lakes also collected school supplies for Chaney-Monge and Richland schools

LocalLit book preview: ‘Eva’s Heart’ encourages people to hold fast to their dreams: Illinois author based picture book on her experiences with adopting a rescue dog

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet real estate appraiser, teacher received Senate proclamation: Nanette O’Hara earned two masters degrees, began 2nd career in her 50s

Forest fire management officer in Wilmington fought forest fire in Oregon: Chris Lundgren part of emergency team that brought the fire under control

Joliet pub closed its doors on Tuesday after 40 years of ‘great memories’: Patrons reminisce about their experiences at O’Charley’s Irish Pub 

Troy 30-C to dedicate Troy Middle School gym in Plainfield to former board member on Friday: J. Terry McFadden was ‘the voice of everyone who needed to be heard’

10 tips for keeping kids safe from COVID at school: Crest Hill pediatrician offers down-to-earth advice 

LocalLit book review: Explore Route 66 with book and app: Authors say ‘Route 66 Chicago to Santa Monica’ is ‘the only Route 66 guidebook with a fully integrated app’

5 Things to do in Will County: A whole lot of walking, talking and singing: Open mics, outdoor markets, Elwood Days, nature walks, country music

Check out fun and books at a Will County library this weekend: Will County Inside/Outside Guide 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Shaw Local Commercial v1

Chalet on the Lake

Good memories, I think, contributed to the reason why I set the BryonySeries in a fictional fishing village in Northern Michigan.

Just four times, my family vacationed in Michigan, and three of those times was a trip back to the same place.

We stayed at a place called Chalet on the Lake in Stevensville, Michigan. Here is an overview: https://www.michigan.org/property/chalet-lake

We stayed the July I turned eleven the week after I came back from Girl Scout camp, and I could practice my newly taught swimming skills in one of the resort's two swimming pools.

We stayed the July I turned sixteen, and my sister and I were each allowed to bring a friend (below).

On this occasion, we also went to Warren Dunes, the first and only time I've gone.

And then we stayed the July after my first son was born. 

Each time I went, more and more of the beach had disappeared. I'm assuming not much of it is left.

It seems as if many people have never heard of Chalet on the Lake.

But I did find some videos on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOPwfDgDpl0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3l8ZX4llWs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHlhQ76BGtc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFuhOEB5KYA

BryonySeries Moment of the Day: Cornell Ditch

My BryonySeries super fan recently pulled over on a highway to snap this picture of Cornell Ditch in Indiana.

She sent it to me over the weekend. It certainly made me smile.

The crazy coincidence about "Cornell Ditch" is that supernatural super sleuth Cornell Dyer had his motor home stolen in Indiana at the end of his"Eerie Lake" book. He then trudges down the hot highway in the opening pages of "Never Robbers."

Apparently, these chapters in Cornell's life are considered historic and marked with a sign.

For your amusement today, here are excepts from those chapters.

"Eerie Lake"

Four hours later and enjoying his favorite Wagnerian opera on his favorite classical music radio station, Cornell was far, far away from Marbleheart and pondering where he might find his next supernatural mystery.

            Up ahead, he saw a car leaning to one side. Two of its tires were flat. Steam was rising from its hood.            

            After parking his motor home safely at the side of the road, Cornell shut off the engine, grabbed his all-purpose fix-up-a-car magic wand, and lumbered to the stranded motorists.

            Immediately a snow gun jammed into his side.  The wand dropped. Cornell froze. He caught a flash of the gun as his assailant rushed away.

            The side of the gun read: Made in Toyland.

            Amateurs, Cornell thought.

            He figured a spell from such a gun would not last long. And he was right.

            He spun around in time to see his motor home speeding away.

            In the back, a girl with curly red hair held up a sign.

            The sign read: HELP ME!

            Cornell waved to show he understood.

            "I'll help you!" he cried. "Just as soon as I have a snack!"

            With that, he headed to the broken-down car and began rummaging for food.

"Never Robbers"

Cornell Dyer felt very miserable indeed.

          For over two hours, he'd trudged down the dusty shoulder of Highway 52, blazer slung over his shoulder, in pursuit of his motor home and the thieves who drove away with it.

          He spun around in time to see his motor home speeding away.

          In the back, a girl with curly red hair held up a sign.

          The sign read: HELP ME!

          The blinding sun stung Cornell's eyes, even as sweat rolled into them from his forehead, and scorched his bare forearms.

          The top of his damp curly black head practically sizzled in the heat.

          His stomach rumbled. The jelly snack cakes and cheese curls he'd rummaged out of the glove box of the thieves' broken-down car were only a memory.

          His dry mouth tasted like a wad of cotton. The bottle of cream soda he’d retrieved from under the car's front seat was also a memory.

          How dare anyone, much less a group of anyones, steal the motor home belonging to the great Professor Cornell Dyer, supernatural super sleuth of supernatural mysteries?

          Just wait until he caught up with them. Just wait.

          His motor home had better be intact. Not not one scratch. Not one dent. Not one fizzy potion or sandwich cookie missing.

          He'd long passed the Indiana border. But the farther he walked, the stranger the landscape became.

          No cars zoomed past.

          No people on bicycles whizzed past.

          No joggers zipped past.

          The air was strangely silent. No hum of an airplane or twitter of birds.

          Cornell reached inside his pocket for his enchanted everywhere map and brought up gloop.

          The gloop smelled bad and smeared the lines of the map into all the wrong directions.

          Cornell had forgotten, again, to throw away the old mayonnaise packets. Well, when one is busying solving important supernatural mysteries, one cannot remember everything.

          He shoved the map back inside his pocket and felt it squoosh against the mayonnaise. But Cornell did not believe in littering.

          Then he squatted, dragged his fingers across a grassy patch to remove the smelly goop, and resumed his trudge.

          He hoped the girl was unharmed, but she, at least, was inside his motor home. Cornell trusted the motor home to protect her.

          As soon as Cornell reached a town, he would go straight to the police. He would report the theft, and he would report the kidnapping.

          If he had known thieves would steal his motor home, he would not have left Larry the Llama in Marbleheart.

          If he still had Larry, he would not be hot, tired, and still walking.

          But, no, the llama wanted to stay with Mrs. Horsehair. Ungrateful beast.

          The view up ahead blurred into squiggles.

          Cornell stopped.

          He shaded his eyes.

          He squinted through the sunlight.

          And then he blinked. Was that a lake?

          Yes, that was definitely a lake, shimmering irresistibly, just past the highway.

 

 

 

Call of the Siren: Chapter Titles, Back Cover Copy, and Cover Art

Good Monday morning!

Here is a glimpse of my latest major fiction project (minor projects are The Adventures of Cornell Dyer, Bertrand the Mouse, and Girls of the BryonySeries books).

This is my latest novel, and it is coming along very slowly but surely, as the saying goes. Part of that reason is because I limit my time to working on it to Friday nights and Saturday, my "fiction writing" habit for many years now.

It is the second book in the new BryonySeries "Limbo" trilogy, and all three books have supernatural themes as well as a theme of "rebirth."

The first book in the series is called The Phoenix, and it is available on Amazon and on the BryonySeries website (print only, free shipping for now).

The third book, in very scant outline status, is called House at the Top of the Hill.

So, for the curious, here is my back cover copy, chapter titles (all chapters are outlined, some are drafted), and cover art, which Nancy Calkins (wife of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara), created for me a few months ago.

Sue Bass is haunted by dreams of her father, who died in a boating accident before she was born, alluring dreams of water and song. But then a soft-spoken outside man with an inside plan comes to town, and Sue's sleepwalking stops, only to resurface with greater magnetism when he leaves.

Two voices beckon. Which one will she heed?

Prologue

PART ONE: WATER

Chapter 1: Lullaby

Chapter 2: Music or Madness

Chapter 3: Town Mouse

Chapter 4: Country Mouse

Chapter 5: Water, Butter, and Wine

Chapter 6: Little Girl Lost

Chapter 7: The Lure of Their Eyes

PART TWO: FIRE

Chapter 8: Flames and Frost

Chapter 9: Even The Sparrow

Chapter 10: Bewitched By Her Sweetness

Chapter 11: House Calls

Chapter 12: Coin for the Passage

Chapter 13: Plaintive Cries

Chapter 14: As Sharp as Spears

Chapter 15: A Meadow of Skeletons

PART THREE: AIR

Chapter 16: Gates of Horn and Ivory

Chapter 17 Ask, and It Shall be Given You

Chapter 18: Seek, and Ye Shall Find

Chapter 19: Knock, and it Shall Be Opened Unto You

Chapter 20: The Stain No Storm Could Wash Away

Chapter 21: A Stone and a Serpent

Chapter 22: Treading Water

Chapter 23: Last Dream of my Soul

PART FOUR: EARTH

Chapter 24: On Solid Ground

Chapter 25: Ideal – and Worthy of Envy

Chapter 26: Sue’s Diner

Chapter 27: In Dark Depths Lurking

Chapter 28: The Abyss Beckons

Chapter 29: : No Breath of Wind, No Ripple of Water

Chapter 30: Ferry and Scythe

Epilogue

 

 

Goblin 도깨비 OST1 - Stay With Me by CHANYEOL (찬열), PUNCH (펀치) - piano cover w/ sheet music

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: Random Thoughts on "The Phoenix"

Late last Saturday afternoon while on deadline, Ed Calkins, Steward the Tara, started texting me about

 The Pheonix, the first book in the new BryonySeries Limbo trilogy.

He sent the following texts and then just called. I chatted for a just a few minutes and told him we could schedule a time for conversatin after Nancy had read the book. 

They both had wanted to discuss Before The Blood when they finished all five volumes a couple of months ago. But between a lot of life stuff in both our families, we kept pushing it out. So we'll do it...soon.

Anyway, here are Ed's initial impressions. My BryonySeries super fan left the book's lone review on Amazon, if you'd like a more focused point of view.

The disheartening part of ending the phone call so quickly is that the opportunity for basking in the "just finished an amazing book" moment will have passed by the time we do talk.

I still expect Ed to be enthusiastic when we do catch up, but the immediacy of that enthusiasm will be gone.

For obscure indie authors like me, those opportunities don't come too often. 

I did make deadline, though. 

Here are Ed's texts. A few minor spoilers, nothing that should "spoil" the books.

I have finished the book phoenix my wife will read it next 

Enjoyed it immensely with so many questions and so much to reread and so much too elaborate on we will have much to talk about 

Dr. Parks you meet his parents in before the blood find out they have a secret child they're ashamed of and then you're introduced to him pulled into his medicine and still wonder where he is and how he gets his power even after understanding That Henry family lineage is no doubt funding him 

I had always thought that after John's death the only one powerful enough to pull Kellen's Strings would be Satan himself 

Wow The series continues easily moving in both directions along with some sideways places 

I also assumed that George gets the big scoop he wanted and I assumed that would've been the return of John Simons 

You just hint at that or is the scoop Dr Park's Success in healing him I could go either way 

With Girard's power Coming that from his immense wealth But some supernatural power to subjugate vampires 

 

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 31 through Aug. 13

Good morning!

I have two weeks of stories (features and news) to share with you today for a total of thirty-seven (and about six not yet posted). Last Friday was moving day, and our internet was shut off at some point while we were asleep.

Nothing has changed, fiction-wise, in the last couple of weeks, but I'll quickly recap.

We have another book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series to share (Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being) as soon as our artist Sue Midlock is up to working on illustratins. She had surgery in June and is still struggling, so please send up some good thoughts for her.

In terms of actual composition, this book was the first ever written - and by Rebekah, not me, as a piece of fan fiction. I expanded it; she approved it; and we are eager to share it.

Timothy has Cornell Dyer and the Calcium-Deficient Bones mentally worked out. We just need our schedules to sync up and the boxes to be unpacked.

And then, for down the road, Sarah had a crazy dream that sounded perfect for An Adventure of Cornell Dyer mystery. Bur she wants time to draw some sketches, a map, and write the "rules." It's called Cornell Dyer and the House of Broken Portals.

Bertrand the Mouse is still missing, but Bertrand's Uncle Bartie is in town to help find his mischievous little nephew.

I'm currently working on tons of character outlines for all the new characters (and returning minor characters who now have secnodary or major role) in the second book of the Limbo trilogy: Call of the Siren. 

However, I haven't used any of my vacation time this year, so I'm planning a couple at-home writing retreats to get a decent first draft of the book completed, as we'd like to release it in 2022.

I have in my possession the first piece of completed cover art for the "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls. It's beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! She's working on art for the next two books (I have eight planned in all).

I have one book ready for editing, a second in progress, and some really skeletal outlines for the rest. So I'm not lacking in projects, just time.

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

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

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

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

Each Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this 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 support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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 do post the briefs 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.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

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

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events-1.

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

Plainfield Park District requiring face masks inside its facilities: The requirement is regardless of vaccination status

Plainfield Boy Scout earns Eagle rank: McGwire Andrew Holman created sensory stations at the Pilcher Park Nature Center

Will County confirms its 1st West Nile virus-positive mosquito sample: Sample was collected from a health department mosquito trap in Homer Glen 

Joliet Unity Movement to host free party in the park: Annual family friendly event is meant to uplift and support youth

Pets of the Week: Aug. 2: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

An Extraordinary Life: Wilmington mom fostered hundreds of children:‘She was a really good role model for being a good human being’

12 local students receive scholarships from Joliet Junior College Faculty Union: Total amount awarded was $7,200 

LocalLit book preview: ‘Traveling the New, Historic Route 66 of Illinois’: Classic book by Will County Route 66 expert now in its 9th edition

Morris Hospital honors surgical technician Rob Chaplin: Surgeons often choose Chaplin for their ‘most difficult cases’

Baran-Unland: Who are your everyday heroes?: Please tell us about yours so we can honor them, too

5 Things to do in Will County: 5 outdoor events and 3 have water themes: Boat fun, festivals, music, plays and waterskiing competition

Find a furry woodchuck mascot, celebrate Dog Days of Summer: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers suggestions for enjoying your weekend - and all of August 

Aneurysm was just the start of health woes for #Bolingbrook father of 8: ‘Anything bad that could happen it happened to him’

Village of Shorewood breaks ground on new public works facility: Construction is expected to begin in August

2 more West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples found in Will County: Samples were collected from 2 different health department mosquito traps in Bolingbrook 

Detectives removed ‘evidence’ from senior facility: copsSource said computers seized from resident 

Joliet vendors hit it big during ballpark fair: ELEVATE Vendor PopUp Shop was held this past weekend

District 202 held ribbon cutting ceremony for 18th elementary school: Wallin Oaks was part of a larger plan to offer full-day kindergarten for all eligible students in the district

Amateur bodybuilder killed in Lockport: Will County Coroner’s Office said Richard T Labus Jr. was shot in chest

Another West Nile-positive mosquito found in Will County: This makes 3 West Nile-positive mosquitoes confirmed for Bolingbrook West Nile 

LocalLit book preview: ‘Route 66 Chicago to Santa Monica’: Book bills itself as ‘the only Route 66 guidebook with a fully integrated app’

Pets of the Week: Aug. 9: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet native was New York Times bestselling romance author: Sandy Kleinschmit authored 37 books over a career that spanned decades

Joliet Block Party canceled; supporters back East side businesses: Garland Mays: ‘It’s always open doors for everyone but us’

Crest Hill City Council to discuss restructuring TIF district on Monday: Proposal could help development on Crest Hill’s northwest side

Rockdale native is 1st recipient of Will County Legal Opportunity Scholarship: The scholarship program encourages diversity within the legal community of Will County

Come out and ride for the mental health of 1st responders, veterans: 7th annual motorcycle run aims to raise money, awareness for suicide prevention

Kelly Rohder-Tonelli receives community service award from Project Acclaim: Award named in honor of the organization’s founder

Morris Hospital recognizes Jon Wiechen for excellence in engineering technology: Wiechen named Fire Starter of the Month for June

Mystery Diner in Joliet: Heroes West big on portions and flavor: Sports bar prides itself on ‘great food with excellent service’

Parents: help students adjust to ‘new normal’ with free program on Thursday in Plainfield: Registration not required; professional development credits available 

D202, Aramark to offer free meals for all students in 2021-2022: Students with allergies? Review the menu before ordering 

New app keeps families connected to Sunny Hill residents: Loved ones need only check their smartphones or tablets

Five Things to do in Will County: cars, carnivals, culture and more: From back-to-school bashes to food festivals, residents can have fun in the sun this weekend.

Channahon’s Three Rivers Festival offers a jam-packed weekend: Will County Inside/Outside Guide offers suggestions for enjoying your weekend

1st responder needs response from the community: Anna Hernandez: ‘My husband is dying in front of me’

Silver Cross, St. Joe’s not mandating COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers, for now: Udovich, Hill stressed the need for more education and one-on-one conversations 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Five Big Werewolves | Nursery Rhymes | Kids Songs And Kids Video

Steve Saint | Five Years After

A Few Photos From Moving Weekend

The Great Move of 2021 was an adventurous one. Just six of us (Timothy, Daniel, and me, along with Jasmine and Cindy) moved the contents of two townhomes into two more townhomes on Friday.

Yep. Just us.

The fun began a couple weeks ago when the developer called and said he had a delay on the units. That was potentially a problem because four of us and three cats would have no place to go. But by some minor miracle, the units were done, minus a few pieces (one bannister for Timothy and no screens in my bedrooms windows).

We also didn't have garbage and recycling cans, so that was addressed yesterday, too (by Timothy). Turns out the wait for them can be a while, too, because the units are new.

However, the real fun started last Wednesday when Rebekah spent the day in the ER due to her first and intense gall bladder attack, folllowed by my mother making a trip to the ER for a CT scan of her head after a fall.

Crunch time began Thursday as Rebekah and I scrambled to catch up at work - with the rest of the packing waiting for us on Thursday night.

What a blessing for us that Jasmine offered to spend her day off on Thursday to help pack. She left sticky notes on cabinets and closets that she emptied, helping to streamline the process.

Cindy came down after work on Thursday and spent the next couple of nights (one in the old home and two in the new, leaving a couple hours before she was due back at work). They were so efficient that I was able to pop in and out of WriteOn Joliet's Zoom meeting.

On Friday, we helped load a moving truck. We had to be at the units at 12:30 for the walk-through.

Cindy, Rebekah, and I stayed at the new homes to move boxes out of the garage and up the flights of stairs, which could be two to three flights of stairs per unit, depending where the boxes had to go (they were all marked).

Timothy and Daniel did ALL of the heavy lifting, which was hours worth of HEAVY lifting.

Setting up my work area was a priority since I was working Saturday and Sunday - and that included covering two events.

First up is a photo of the main floor of the newspace before we started filling in, followed by random photos of boxes, bags, cats, and items lurking just about everywhere. 

Rebekah and I were both off work yesterday and we used the time to get some unpacking done, although, until the heavy furniture makes it upstairs, we won't be able to finish.

Although tempers were short a couple of times, we really had no major arguments, another minor miracle considering the sheer amount of work that got done.

And finally, the best photo of all: Cindy leaving The Birches (where we've lived since May 2014) on the way to the new space. She's carrying the necessities of life: food and toilet paper. 

"Someone Sent Me a Dead Squirrel!"

Tomorrow I will share some topsy turvy photos of our new space (I'm sure we won't be settled until it's time to move again).

But first, here is a blog I wrote last week that I haven't shared yet.

Why is the title "Someone sent me a dead squirrel?"

Well, that was the message Timothy sent me one day as he opened a mystery package one day that he didn't order.

As you can see, it is not a dead squirrel. But what is it?

Well, in perfect "click bait" story fashion, I will tell you.

When I was writing Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardrobe, I needed a visual for this lion:

Cornell hoisted the backpack onto his shoulders and headed for the castle. He had just entered the courtyard when he saw a giant ceramic lion.

             This was much larger than the knickknacks in the woods and the knickknacks inside Mrs. Peabody’s curio cabinets.

The lion was painted a golden brown. The lion’s mane was a deep, rich brown. The lion had painted hazel eyes and an open mouth, ready to bite and tear.

But Cornell knew ceramic knickknack lions did not attack anyone.  So he walked through the courtyard up to the castle door. The door opened by itself, as if something past the doors expected him.

So I searched online for a visual for the scene and found this lion. Isn't he beautiful?

So I took a screen shot and sent him to Timothy, since the entire story idea was Timothy's.

It's a good thing I took that screen shot. Because when I tried to click on the link later, it was broken.

You've probably guessed where this story is heading.

Yes, Timothy ordered the lion. And then Timothy forgot he ordered the lion.

So when the lion arrived beneath the packing, it looked like a dead squirrel to him. He sent me a frantic message and brought the package over to my house, where we carefully examined it and realized, it was not a dead squirrel and that he, in fact, had sent it to himself as a surprise for me.

We were both suprised, in our ow ways. And we were both happy no one sent him a dead squirrel.

The end. (please buy the book).

Moving...Again: Some Random Thoughts

As someone who loves permanence, I never thought I'd be the one to move multiple times in my life, especially over the last few years.

When we moved to Channahon to start a new life as a blended family in the house my husband's parents built, I never thought I'd move again.

But I also didn't expect early-onset dementia in my husband and having to make the care decisions one typically reserves for my parents. By contract, my parents are 86, don't have dementia, (although my father is now in the very early stagers of Alzheimers), and are in pretty good health, even considering their age.

However, when my husband lost his job, we knew moving would only be a matter of time. My three youngest children and I (two at Joliet Junior College and one recent graduate) spent nine months at my parents, then nine months in an apartment, then four and a half years in a two bedroom townhome and then the youngest two and I moved three doors down into a three bedroom townhome, where we will all spend our last nights tonight.

We went to my parents because we had nowhere else to go.

We moved to the apartment when Shaw Media hired me as the features editor of The Herald-News and I rolled out of freelance work. The apartment was a strategic move because we only had one vehicle of iffy quality - and Timothy needed it for work. Rebekah and Daniel bussed to JJC, where they worked and went to school, and I walked to work.

Unless the weather was below zero, I walked. Unless I was working remotely, I walked every single day for about a mile and half each way to and from work, from May 2014 until we were sent home to work remotely in March 2020.

In the heat. Layered up and on ice. In the rain.

We walked our cats to the vet. We walked to Walmart for food and household items. We walked to the pharmacy. We had everything we needed in walking distance.

In those early years, I voluntarily shouldered most of the financial responsibility, with the kids taking on more as they graduated, moved into better paying jobs, and made more money.

During that time, Timothy was able to save for a new car. And then Daniel saved for a new car. And now Rebekah is nearly ready to buy a car.

Where is my car, you may ask?

When Timothy buys the new one, the older one will come to me for local trips, and that is a good start. If not for COVID and his holding off in buying a new car, that would have happened a year ago. 

I feel it's amazing what can be done, and the level of recovery that can be had, when people work together.

We are not moving far. But the space is definitely another upgrade. For one, these townhomes right next to each other are completely new contructions. They are three stories high. Each unit has a garage. Each unit has a hookup in the garage for a hose. These common place items to others are luxuries for us.

Timothy is moving into a two bedroom. We are moving into a three bedroom - with three bathrooms. The complex is beautiful.

Jasmine came down last night to help pack. She will be back this morning on her day off while Rebekah and I work upstairs. Cindy will be here tonight and back in the morning. The help is wonderful, especially since I threw out my back while favoring my injured knee while lifting something heavy.

I am working the weekend, so we need to get a lot done on Friday.

Everything felt organized until last night. Ugh.

I don't like packing or unpacking.

But I am excited for new beginnings.

During our marriage. Ron and I had two vans that we ran like taxi services when we ran a youth group for our church. Anyone who needed a ride, not just in the youth group but anyone, could get a ride from us.

And in my van-less years, I have been equally blessed by friends and family who've given me rides.

Rides to and from work assignments. Rides to work when temperatures were 20 below zero. Rides to the doctor or medical tests. Rides to and from WriteOn Joliet (with coffee and dinner ALWAYS included, thanks to my wonderful co-leader Tom Hernandez). Rides to miscellanous events that are too numerous to be named.

Not one person, not a single one, every asked a penny for gas. Ever.

So I feel with this move, we are headed in the right direction to meet a future we cannot see.

But because God, not me, is in the driver's seat.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Rock Flowers: Heather

So on July 23, I received one last birthday surprise.

An unopened Rock Flower doll, Heather, Ironically, Heather was the first Rock Flower I ever saw (a friend had her) or owned.

The Christmas I was in the fifth grade, which we spent at my cousin's house in Naponoch, New York. I received two and my sister received two. I don't quite remember who received which doll, but by the time we traded, I had Doug and Iris (a little more rare than the other three), and my sistser had Heather and Lilac.

We never owned any of the other clothes, and we never owned the fifth doll, Rosemary, as much as we begged for her.

Each doll came with a plastic record with two songs (A side and B side) and a plastic stand that went on the record, so the doll could "dance" with the song.

To see how that works (with Heather) and to hear her record (and, yes, I can still "sing along" - every word), watch this video. 

And here is the song on the flip side.

So, of course, I have the same dilemna as I have with the Kologne Kiddles.

Because, you see, Daniel bought me a turntable for Christmas.

So if I open the box, I can place the doll in her stand, set her on top of the turntable, and...

Or, I can just start collecting some dolls that are not in the box.

But I'll bet they won't come with the little shoes (the first thing to be lost) or with the sunglasses (the first thing to be broken - they are attached with string).

And now I want a Crissy doll (which I always wanted and never owned). And a Velvet doll (never had one of those, either).

And a Timey Tell.

But did have a Charmin' Chatty. And now I want one of those, too.

A Trio of Kologne Kiddles - Never Opened

Years ago, my sister posted a picture of all nine Kologne Kiddles that someone was selling on eBay for $1,200.

Of course, neither one could afford to buy them, not even halvsies. Nor would we justify that amount when we were in the thick of raising children.

But she and I loved Kiddles when we werwe growing up. We were heartbroken when her Apple Blosson disappeared and, even as kids, we did the whole, "she's got to be here somewhere" routine from time to time and spent entire afternoons rummaging through our possessions looking for the missing doll.

The Kiddles never left the house. So it made no sense that Apple Blossom was gone.

My sister also had Sweet Pea, which I now have, too, thanks to Rebekah gifting one to me. I had Lily of the Valley and Violet. We both had Honeysuckle, the first Kolgone Kiddle for both of us in our Christmas stockings more than fifty years ago.

Now I always wanted Rosebud. Our friend had Rosebud. But I never did. And right before the pandemic, Rebekah suprised me with Rosebud, the first Kiddle she bought for me.

Then ffor my sixtieth birthday, Timothy, Rebekah, and Daniel surprised me with an unopened box of THREE Kiddles: Honeysuckle, Rosebud, and the missing Apple Blossom.

And I apologize for the photo being so poor. I snapped it right after I opened the gift. But we are moving in a few days, so the dolls are already packed, and I can't take another.

Now here's my dilemna.

The fun of Kiddles is holding them, smelling them (I can still remember their scents), and PLAYING with them.

Of course, I have no idea what Kologne Kiddles that are nearly sixty years old smells like, if anything.

However, the momentary value of these little dolls will rapidly decline the second I open that box.

And since three of my kids pooled their money for this gift, this box of Kiddles wasn't cheap.

I'll probably leave them in the box.

And see if the kids will buy me some that are out of the box already.

What do you think?

Sue's Diner: Haluski

 This week's recipe was submitted by Amerika Adamowski for the  BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permament 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, enounters it at a potluck dinner for her grandmother's memorial luncheon.

You can try our modified recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

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

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.