The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Sue's Diner: Cindy's Chicken and Gravy
Cindy Phan, who makes all the Ribbit-Ribbits for the BryonySeries, often treats us to her special chicken and gravy recipe (center) when she stays at our house.
So upon request from the Sue's Diner staff, Cindy shared the recipe with us, so we could share it with you today.
This recipe does not appear in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
But you may find the recipe at bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner-food.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
We'll be sure to pass those onto Cindy!
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.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A Simple Post
I worked last night until almost eight-thirty and then had to switch into care of the animals, shower, counting out medication, etc.
So the post I wanted to finish last night for this morning - well, let's just say I was really "worded out."
And since I MUST finish the copyedits for "Recovering Ruthless," by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara TODAY (for I won't have another day off until Tuesday), I need to reserve a few brain cells for the task.
Instead, here is a post of original Bertrand at the former Panera at Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet on this date in 2017.
Original Bertrand is gone, the Panera that had full dining is gone, and (of course) the dark roast coffee that I drank there is long gone.
How quickly life those moments that feel like forever come and go.
Savor today, even if just for today.
Soon today will be a memory you won't remember in all its details.
But that's OK.
Although each moment is precious, we're supposed to be overly focused on that. Otherwise, we would miss living the dailyness of life.
Still...we should retain, at the very least, a hazy awareness in the background of our busyness of the actual worth of our steps.
Savor today, even if just for today.
OK?
Monday, January 13, 2025
Nightmares
I read something years ago that said children often have nightmares, but they grow out of them; adults only have them occasionally.
I was surprised to read this because I've had nightmares all my life. The night I don't have one would be the exception.
But the nightmares have been really bizarre since I came down with a respiratory virus shortly after Christmas. And they've stepped up their vivid strangeness during my recovery period.
I know it's temporary. But - WOW!
And, no, they're too disjointed to use as fiction material.
Researchers still aren't sure why we dream and or the purpose of dreams. One theory that makes the most sense is that our brains are clearing out their "cache" while we sleep, which explains the random impressions of our lives that reassemble in very peculiar ways while we sleep.
Mostly I'm curious if anyone else reading this post regularly experiencing nightmares or has nightmares when sick.
Thoughts?
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Friday, January 10, 2025
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan 4. to Jan. 10
Good morning!
I have eight stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, which is not bad for having two days off work this week (and much of last week off): Old Calendar Christmas, which is our family Christmas, and a day off to address various "life" things.
And I accomplished it while still dragging from this wicked virus (I feel a bit "normal" today).
Also, more stories will go live this weekend, too. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Before the stories I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.
Also, if you live in the Will County, Illinois area, consider checking out WriteOn Joliet's anthology display at The Book Market in Crest Hill - and purchasing one (or two) to add to your winter reading list.
And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
Event Updates
Calkins Day 2025 will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.
I am currently working on the copy edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless.
Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
The goal is to have books for our Calkins Day celebration on February 13.
Stay tuned for details!
BryonySeries books-in-progress
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon and already has its first organic review. Copies are also available at The Book Market. And check out this first review on Amazon.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due). But it was postponed AGAIN because I got sick (grumble). So...soon?
I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'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.
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
More than 20 downtown Joliet businesses participating in
Winter Rewards program
Joliet Central to host open house on new culinary arts
addition
The addition includes 2 state-of-the-art culinary labs
Volunteers needed for Joliet’s annual MLK Day of Service
Even families can volunteer to work side by side
Crest Hill’s Jitterhead Brunch & Coffee Co. serves up
fresh take on breakfast, lunch
Jitterhead also has a full-service bar
Plainfield Maple Butter Cafe owner serves up decades of experience
Joliet Noon Lions thankful for business partnership on
winter clothing collection
Will County Pets of the Week: Jan. 6, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/06/will-county-pets-of-the-week-jan-6-2025/
5 Things to Do in Will County: Eagle Watch
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/01/09/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-eagle-watch/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
My First Christmas Address
In terms of money spent for Christmas this year, 2024/2025 was an extremely lean year for my family and me.
And in terms of some of the really expensive technology items I've seen my grandchildren want and receive for birthdays and holidays, well - I will never be able to meet those wants and expectations no matter what kind of year it is.
But the last way I want to present a gift is with an apology that it isn't more - or see crestfallen faces when something at receiving something insignificant.
So I put some very hard thought and time into Christmas this year, despite being sick.
On Sunday, I spent an entire day, wrapping and decorating some really modest gifts for all the grandchildren, which went into small Christmas bags.
But several days before that, I wrote this Christmas speech. If you can believe, the speech held everyone's attention. Two of my kids actually recorded it.
And the excitement that followed when the paper started flying really surprised me. Not only did the mood remain elevated the rest of the day, I believe the speech set expectations (in a good way) for birthdays and holidays going forward, recementing the element of surprise and delight in giving, receiving, and sharing.
So if you need a dose of inspiration today, I'm including the speech in this post.
Happy Wednesday!
As a grandma with lots of grandkids and little
money, it sometimes breaks my heart that I can’t afford all the expensive technology
things my grandkids love and really want.
But then I read this article last month called, “Why the Best Gift You Can Give Your Grandchild This Christmas is a Book.” And this paragraph really stood out to me.
If there’s one thing grandparents understand, it’s the fragility, the brevity of life. We need to keep giving books as if we missed the memo that ‘technology rules.’ We know that big, sullen teenage lump really wants something techie, or cash — mostly cash, and that you are just a means to providing the latest gadget. But teenagers are sullen and oafish because they’ve learned a thing about life, so you can play them at their own game. Keep handing over books.
And this got me thinking. Yes, I know reading is
often presented as a chore, something we “should” do that really isn’t very
fun, like eating raw broccoli instead of chocolate chip cookies. We all know
kids need to read to become successful students and successful adults in the business
world.
Well, that reasoning would turn me off reading,
too.
And the more I thought about it, the more I
felt bad for kids who prefer technology over books and reading. And I feel
especially bad for kids who can’t read, struggle with reading, or hate to read.
Because the non-reading kids are missing out
on so much.
I really feel bad for kids (and adults who used to be kids) who haven’t spent hours of their childhood reading.
I spent hours of my childhood reading because
I had a mother who’d bought a subscription to the Weekly Readers Children’s
Book Club, where we got a book in the mail each month.
And I had a father who used to read those
books to my sister and me until we were old enough to read books ourselves.
I feel bad for kids who didn’t grow up having
a father who made up tunes to sing along with the ditties in the books, “I’m
the gift bear for the king. I won’t stop for anything!” or the snake’s song in
the “Crows of Pearblossom” (for those who didn’t know Aldous Huxley wrote a
children’s book): I cannot fly; I have
no wings; I cannot run; I have no legs. But I can creep where the black bird
sings And eat her speckled eggs, ha, ha! And eat her speckled eggs.”
I feel bad for kids who never felt the rejection
the Witch of Hissing Hill felt from her witchy customers (who came from miles
around to buy one of Gizelle’s cats)
Far back in the hill country is Hissing Hill.
It's a bare lonely spot, with one twisted
house
and a tall fir behind it.
Once upon a time the hill was aswarm
with black witch cats.
Cats arching their backs on the rooftop,
cats chasing up the fir tree,
cats yowling on crooked fence posts,
cats hissing in every corner of the shackly
house.
And all of them black, black, black.
Her cats were the witchiest, the wickedest, the
very worst, wonderful witch cats in the world…until
the day one of those cats birthed a yellow cat named Gold.
“Now Gold was yellow and Gold was nice, but
she had a bit of mustard in her yellow for spice.”
I feel bad for kids who never met Little Devil
when he got sick or tasted the hot spider soup his mother made him (“Wait for
the gloom to come, my son!”) or took the advice of his best friend Fritz, who
said Little Devil was sick because he wasn’t doing enough good deeds (Ollie
ollie zonka choo!).
I feel bad for kids who’ve never met Stevie
and his Seven Orphans or played impossible hide and seek or tasted “salty” beet
greens or had to obey dinner rules that included no more than one elbow and one
knee on the kitchen table in “Good Ole Archbald.”
I feel bad for kids who never saw golden windows
from afar, longed to be part of the Knights of the Silver Shield, met Marty from
Mars, or felt the longing Danny Drake had for a dog named Bozo – and since
their house was too small for a dog, Danny instead brought home mice, frogs,
and ants – all named Bozo. Spoiler: Danny eventually gets the dog.
I feel bad for kids who never experienced “earning
a playground” or accomplishing a “five-dollar yard,” who never cheered for
Bunnyboy when he saved the columbine, mourned with King Charlemagne at the
death of Roland the Noble Knight in battle, felt the fear of meeting Grendel
the giant in the celebration hall for a fight only one would win, or saw the
miraculous pitcher with their very own eyes.
I feel bad for kids who never saw Curious
George make a fishing pole from a mop handle and wall hook and then bait the hook with a slice
of cake and who never left Old Bohemia with Nanka and to learn – in America –
that a pancake is sometimes also a hat.
I feel bad for kids who don’t know that one is
the engine, two is the boxcar, three is the covered hopper car. I feel bad for
kids who never survived nearly drowning because the terrible Miss Dove wouldn’t
let them get a drink of water in class.
I feel bad for kids who never experienced the
world from the vantage point of the Poky Little Puppy and his four siblings after
they dug a hole under the fence and went for a walk in the wide, wide world through
the meadow, down the road, across the green grass and up the hill, one after
the other.
I feel bad for kids who never felt the
discontent of Scuffy the toy Tugboat (Scuffy was sad. Scuffy was cross. Scuffy
sniffed his blue smokestack. “I won’t sail in a bathtub. I was meant for bigger
things”). I feel bad for kids who never learned about boundaries on their behavior
with Tootle the Train and “red flags waving,” or felt the loyalty of Mike toward
his steam shovel Mary Anne, a steam shovel that could “dig as much in a day as
one hundred men can dig in a week.”
I feel bad for kids who didn’t know that Mr.
Willowby’s Christmas tree came by special delivery, full and fresh and glistening
green, the biggest tree he’d ever seen.
I feel bad for kids who do not even know that where
they walked to school each day, Indian children used to play, all about their
native land, where the shops and houses stand. and the trees were very tall, and
there were no streets at all, not a church, not a steeple —only woods and
Indian people.”
I feel bad for kids who never slept beneath a
sidewalk with Booker T. Washington or watch him sweep a floor so well that its
lack of even one speck of dust earned him a college education. I feel bad for
kids who never hung out with George Washington Carver as he invented face
powder, shampoo, shaving cream, hand lotion, insecticides, glue, charcoal,
rubber, nitroglycerine, plastics, and axle grease all from peanuts.
I feel bad for kids who were never “snowbound”
with John Greenleaf Whittier or who never slept in the house with James Thurber
the night the bed fell, or who never got deathly ill in the drenching rain the
night the last leaf fell.
I feel bad for kids who’ve never felt the
heart-stopping terror of Pew the blind pirate tap-tap-tapping his way down the
sidewalk, who’ve never stolen a hot air balloon with other escaped prisoners
only to be blown off course and land on a mysterious island having to fend for yourself
with these strangers, or felt sorry for the frog who was in love with the jailor’s
daughter, who knew in his little frog heart his love for her couldn’t not work because
he was a frog and she was a woman.
If you haven’t guessed by now, I love reading
books. And I like writing books, too.
Uncle Tim helps write some of my books. And Aunt
Rebekah takes all the writings and turns them into books.
You’re probably not too curious about what we
write or why we do it. You’re probably more curious about what’s in the little
bags – and maybe disappointed that we don’t have many gifts to give this year.
But circling back to the beginning of my Christmas
speech, “if there’s one thing grandparents understand, it’s the fragility, the
brevity of life. We need to keep giving books as if we missed the memo that
‘technology rules.’”
Last year we had lots of gifts for you under
the tree. This year, a lot of money went to pay medical bills.
So this year, we have some smaller gifts for
you that we hope you’ll like.
And I am giving you the option (and you don’t
have to do it) of picking out one book that I wrote (note: most picked out two, actually...surprised we even wrote and published books) to take
home with you.
You
can read it or give it away or throw it away.
If you can’t read it by yourself (or if you don’t
want to read it yourself), I can read it to you, a chapter at a time, over a video
call. This way, we can enjoy the story together.
And if that sounds like a boring gift, I don’t
care.
It’s not only what I have to give this Christmas;
it’s what I WANT to give this Christmas.
I’m giving the gift of self, of imagination,
and the opportunity for us to experience something together you can’t get
anywhere else.
Merry Christmas!
P.S.: Copies of this speech are available to
take home upon request.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Monday, January 6, 2025
"Read Local" This Winter
As you line up your "winter read" this month, be sure to pop into The Book Market in Crest Hill and pick up a WriteOn Joliet anthology (or two).
WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of
writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes
professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians
and poets.
And WriteOn Joliet has published an anthology of original poems, essays, and short stories since 2017.
We have copies of each edition of "Write Where We Are" currently for sale except for our two bonus anthologies: the "cheetah" anthology and the holiday anthology (we are currently out of copies).
But both are available on Amazon.
Not only is each anthology a uniquely wonderful read, each purchase supports local authors and a local small business.
And you might just discover a new favorite author, one that lives and writes in the community.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Friday, January 3, 2025
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 28 to Jan. 3
Good morning!
I have six stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.
Not bad for a week off from work, in theory to get ready for my family's Christmas celebration on January 7 (I made progress). In reality, I got sick (although I'm starting to gradually feel better).
More stories will go live this weekend, too. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Before the stories 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!
Event Updates
The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill, although it may very well come down this weekend.
Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.
It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area and find some wonderful books for your winter reading pleasure.
BryonySeries books-in-progress
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market. And check out this first review on Amazon.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due). But it was postponed AGAIN because I got sick (grumble).
I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
And finally...
I have completed the hard edits Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless." and am eagerly awaiting the proof copy so I can check for lingering errors.
Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
The goal is to have books for our Calkins Day celebration on February 13. More details later.
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'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.
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
Joliet Chamber announces its ‘2024 success’ award recipients
Tickets available now for celebration event
Remembering when Joliet church burned to the ground on New
Year’s Eve
Elvira Balog of Joliet: ‘We could look out the back window
and see it burning’
Crest Hill’s Jitterhead Brunch & Coffee Co. serves up
fresh take on breakfast, lunch
Jitterhead also has a full-service bar
Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 30, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/30/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-30-2024/
5 Things to Do in Will County: Winter Break Skate Night
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Sue's Diner: Recipe for Happiness
I featured this week's recipe on the BryonySeries blog back in 2012. And I'm featuring it on the Sue's Diner page today, in honor of the new year that is 2025.
This recipe does not appear in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
It's simply my wish for you today.'
Check out the recipe at bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner-food.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
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.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
We Missed a Million Views
Monday, December 30, 2024
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 21 to Dec. 27
Good morning!
I have nineteen stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.
Nineteen!
No wonder I've felt so busy lately!
And more stories will go live this weekend and into next week, even though I won't return to work until Jan. 2. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
We finally got the Christmas tree up at our house. It now has a lights and even a few ornaments (courtesy of several grandchildren, who kindly placed them on Christmas Eve. So here's hoping today's the day!
Before the stories 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!
Event Updates
The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.
It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area and find some wonderful books for your winter reading pleasure.
BryonySeries books-in-progress
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).
I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
And finally...
I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."
Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'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.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need
Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’
Support downtown Joliet businesses and earn rewards
The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards
Community rallies to save a Shorewood board game cafe
Dana Buxbaum, Critical Grind co-owner: ‘We’ll be making some
changes in the new year’
Eyes on Enterprise: Downtown Joliet holiday window contest
winners announced
Will County to welcome Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
$16 will enable a child to receive 1 year of free books
Will County residents have access to free mental health
resources over the holidays
Emergency and non-emergency care is available
Free microchipping for Will County pets during December
Owners must have proof of current rabies vaccination and
proof of Will County residence
Plainfield opens 143rd Street West extension with
ribbon-cutting
The total project cost $12 million
Plainfield Park District receives $260,000 from state for
Creekside Crossing South
Lockport Duly Health office adds 3 new primary care doctors
New Lenox building now named Town Center Bank Building
Crest Hill meal prep company seeking donations for Christmas
dinners
Joliet Witches Night Out raises $1,108,000 in 15 years for
local nonprofits
The 2-day event attracts 3,000 attendees, sponsors and
volunteers
Semi falls off I-55 bridge in Plainfield blocking train
tracks
Tow truck driver goes into cardiac arrest at the scene
Police raise awareness of ‘brushing’ scam
QR code scams aren’t limited to packages, can send info to
scammers
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/22/police-raise-awareness-of-brushing-scam/
Police: Joliet man’s death under investigation, seemed to be
‘under influence of an unknown substance’
Joliet police: Man arrested following domestic disturbance
that involved woman getting shot
Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 23, 2024
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/23/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-23-2024/
5 Things to Do in Will County: GLOW Holiday Festival
https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/26/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-glow-holiday-festival/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"