BryonySeries

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Peder B. Helland - Our Happy Home

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Sue's Diner: House Salad

This is my favorite side salad in the entire world, as served in the fictional Sue's Diner in the fictional Munsonville, Michigan of the BryonySeries world.

Timothy actually created it when he was a student at Joliet Junior College's culinary arts program.

This house salad delicious any time of the year, but especially this time of the year when temperatures are warmer and salads are even more welcomed.

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

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

This house salad recipe also appears 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.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

All proceeds from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

BryonySeries: Bertrand the Mouse

Have you met Bertrand the Mouse? He’s always on the go and happy to lend a helping…paw…to bring the joys of reading to children.

But how did Bertrand come to be?

Here is our initial "Meet Bertrand" post from 2013, which gives a brief introduction to Bertrand. A more comprehensive post will follow at a later date.

Bertrand first appeared in the BryonySeries in "Staked!" as part mouse (a real mouse, not a crocheted mouse) and part red herring.

His entire mission is to make books approachable and fun for children (and the young at heart).

In 2021, Bertrand was joined by his Uncle Barty when Bertrand went missing.

Kids naturally love Bertrand, at least from my experience at events, and love to get their photo taken holding him (Bertrand loves that, too).

You can also follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

Bertrand's books will be among the other books by WriteOn Joliet authors that we will be giving away from the WriteOn Joliet booth at Kidz Fest this year.

I am purchasing most of the books we will be distributing into the community. If you'd like to help, please read, "Help Us Promote Reading in Will County this Summer."

Here is a list of our Bertrand the Mouse books (so far).

Bertrand and the Lucky Clover

Bertrand is tired of fighting for his share of cheese. But when Frances, a very wise cat, offers a solution, Bertrand's luck begins to change.

Bertrand's First Book of Numbers

In this first book of counting and addition, Bertrand shows the joy of playing with numbers. And when he runs out of items to count, he turns to the reader for help.

Bertrand Gives Back

Bertrand puts the "fun" in fundraising by showing young readers the different roles they can play in working for a good cause.

Bertrand's Silly ABC Book

Learn the ABCs with Bertrand the Mouse. Bertrand poses with examples of each letter in this rhyming alphabet story.

Bertrand Spends the Night

Some children enjoy spending the night at a friend's house. Some are still uncertain about leaving home. Either way, they can experience the joys of a sleepover when they "stay overnight" with Bertrand and his best friend.
Bertrand's First Book of Adventures 1

What do adventures look like for a crocheted mouse? Take a pictorial journey with Bertrand in his first compilation of experiences and see.

Bertrand's Second Book of Adventures 2

What do adventures look like for a crocheted mouse? Take a pictorial journey with Bertrand in his second compilation of experiences and see.

Bertrand's Day at the Lake

Bertrand can't wait to spend a day at the lake. He learns that safety comes first and that water fun has hidden treasures.

Bertrand Faces His Fear

Bertrand was enjoying fall until he saw a scary Halloween decoration. But with Uncle Barty’s help, Bertrand confronted his fear and found the fun in the holiday.

Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise

It's Bertrand's first Christmas, and he can't wait to meet Santa. But instead of the man in the red suit, Bertrand comes face to face with a bit of Christmas magic.

Bertrand and the Hunt for the Great Golden Egg of Cheese

One night, Bertrand dreamed the Easter rabbit left a golden egg in the grass, just for Bertrand. He woke up that morning wondering if it were true. So he decided to find out for himself.

Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs

Learn the ABCs of Shakespeare with Bertrand the Mouse. Bertrand sets the stage to understanding Shakespeare by posing in scenes that correlates with alphabetically arranged elements of the works of William Shakespeare.

Squeak: Twelve mouse-themed recipes

By Rebekah Baran

Wash your hands, put on your apron, and join Bertrand the Mouse in preparing twelve recipes that will delight humans and crocheted mice alike. Recipes either feature cheese or mouse shapes. Cooking safety tips are included.

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

Monday, June 9, 2025

The Young Woman's Part-Time Job

Many, many years ago, I wrote a story about a young, single woman in her 20s who, unlike many people today, worked two jobs.

However, her purpose was not the typical reason.

The full-time job was for her.

The part-time job was for everyone else.

With the funds from the part-time job, this woman ran a clothing closet and a food pantry out of her garage.

I don't remember her name or how long ago I wrote the story. But my office was the attic office in Channahon and likely before Ron and I started The Higher Ark Youth Group for our church..

So I'm guessing approximately twenty-five years ago.

Her story inspired me because it proved that one person through hard work can make a significant change.

I don't recall why she chose to tackle this on her own. She may have run into obstacles that led her to simply fund it herself.

But that's how Ron and I got things done.

We rolled up our sleeves and made changes at our church.

Ron painted, using paint we bought.

Ron and the kids cleaned out, painted, and organized the pantry.

Ron stripped all the floor wax in the large and small halls and rewaxed everything.

I created an entire Sunday School program with our money, organized it, and paid for it.

We did the same thing for the youth group, remodeling three outbuildings (two garages and one attached wooden shed) on our property, hiring an out-of-work constractor to construct a fourth, and buying a shed for the "stuff."

The kids jumped in and stuffed Sunday inserts for newspaper carriers to help buy snacks and pop, etc. for the youth group.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a writer comrade contacted me and asked me to edit his second book. I'd always turned those opportunities down, mostly because my schedule was tight between family, my own writing work, WriteOn Joliet, my own fiction writing, and because editing is expensive, and I knew writers on the independent level would likely never make that money back, ever.

But he insisted he would not take "no" for an answer. So I took on this project and then a few more, charging far, far, far below industry standard rates, more of a stipend, really.

And that inspired the beginning of the book giveaways, including this book giveaway.

When my oldest son Christopher was born in 1982, we found few pamphlets by an organization called The Christophers that we began collecting for when he was older.

The Christophers had a motto that has always stayed with me: "It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

Lighting one candle doesn't dispel the darkness in the world.

But it can light up a room enough to see.

Happy Monday!

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Glenn Ballantyne plays Boyce & Hart Medley at Steinway Hall

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Was It Henry Matthews? (BryonySeries Moment of the Day)

So on Monday, Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, sent me the following photo and text:

Ed: Look at the name. It has to be Henry Matthews. I think he bit my wife last night.

Me: Oh no! (Or, "oh, yes" if that will help with marketing).

So...

Is Henry still around, organizing pub crawls?

Could this be one of Lord Girard's lingering projects?

What do you think?

Friday, June 6, 2025

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 31 through June 6

Good morning!

I have just eight news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, as well as six Thank You, Teachers stories from our special edition on May 8.

More stories will go live this weekend, especially since I'm working through the weekend. 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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

I have no events booked this weekend since I am working and will be (hopefully) out-of-town next weekend.

However, please read how WriteOn Joliet authors are supporting reading in Will County.

And consider helping us in our efforts.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. That's all I'm saying for now.

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

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Joliet Boys & Girls Club investing in teens with new space, expanded programs

Building renovations made with teenagers in mind

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/30/joliet-boys-girls-club-commits-to-giving-teens-their-space-with-new-programs/

Baran-Unland: Kankakee County reptile rescue needs community’s help

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/01/baran-unland-kankakee-county-reptile-rescue-needs-communitys-help/

Chet’s Hair Studio in Joliet celebrating 70th anniversary

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/30/hairs-to-you-chets-studio-in-joliet-celebrating-70-years/

Joliet Rotary raffle supports early childhood literacy

The club received 15 applications for the raffle proceeds

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/31/joliet-rotary-raffle-supports-early-childhood-literacy/

Joliet’s Bicentennial Bluffs neighborhood held annual community cleanup

Raffle, lunch and bake sale part of the day

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/15/joliets-bicentennial-bluffs-neighborhood-holding-annual-community-cleanup/

Joliet Chamber’s Boulevard Banners for businesses are up

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/05/joliet-chambers-boulevard-banners-for-businesses-are-up/

Will County Pets of the Week: June 2, 2025

Rescue groups have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/02/will-county-pets-of-the-week-june-2-2025/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Old Canal Days

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/06/04/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-old-canal-days/

THANK YOU, TEACHERS

Five Joliet District 86 couples juggle work, home lives teaching at same schools

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/08/five-joliet-district-86-couples-teach-at-same-school/

Couple dedicated to teaching bilingual education at Plainfield school

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/08/bilingual-couple-teaches-at-same-plainfield-school/

Shorewood teacher ‘has a heart that is bigger than the school’

Joey Ancel decided in preschool to become a teacher

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/08/shorewood-teacher-has-a-heart-that-is-bigger-than-the-school/

Plainfield ELA teacher recognized by state as one of south suburbs top educators

Jennifer Gruca personalizes literature for her students

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/08/plainfield-ela-teacher-recognized-by-state-as-one-of-south-suburbs-top-educators/

Troy District 30-C bilingual teacher ‘is very aware of what her kids need’

Sandra Almazan also wants ‘kids recognized for their accomplishments’

https://www.shawlocal.com/thank-you/teachers/2025/05/08/troy-district-30-c-bilingual-teacher-is-very-aware-of-what-her-kids-need/

St. Mary in Plainfield teacher creates ‘community of caring’

Lisa Phad makes ‘every student feels valued and motivated’

https://www.shawlocal.com/thank-you/teachers/2025/05/08/st-mary-in-plainfield-teacher-creates-community-of-caring/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Help Us Promote Reading in Will County This Summer

Last August, WriteOn Joliet participated in Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet for the first time.

We gave away nearly 90 locally authored books for kids and adults, which I purchased with my manuscript editing funds.

We also gave away approximately one hundred bookmarks people could color at home.

We distributed eighty-five special subscription offers to The Herald-News in Joliet.

We gave away word finds and crossword puzzles based on some of the books.

And our word blocks were hugely successful, especially after the books disappeared. Kids and adults enjoyed manipulating our 48 double-sided blocks (so 96 words in all) to create fun sentences and simple short stories.

On Aug. 2, WriteOn Joliet will participate in Kidz Fest again this year with the same activities.

Except this year, I'm hoping to give away even more books. You see, those 90 books were gone in the first 90 minutes of a five-hour event.

Now, I do have one small sponsor (so far) to help with said book costs.

But otherwise, I'm planning on self-funding the books again.

Would you be willing to help my efforts to connect local writers with local readers?

Why are we doing this?

Because reading scores are low at both the high school and the grade school level.

Because not all families can afford new books.

Because even when families can afford new books, a free book is a no-risk way to explore the works of unfamiliar authors and books.

Because families should read together.

Because when kids see adults enthused about books, they will often naturally follow.

Because the level of our excitement at our table as familes scooped up the books was off the charts, and we wish to create that experience again, both for the families and the WriteOn Joliet authors.

How to help

1. Browse our list of WriteOn Joliet authors (below) with links to their books.

2. Purchase the book(s) you'd like to gift for the giveaway at Kidz Fest.

3. Mail to: Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.

4. Add a note for the author if you like. I'll make sure he/she/they recieves it.

Can I deduct my purchase at tax time?

Unfortunately, since WriteOn Joliet is not a nonprofit, you will not be able to write off your purchase at tax time.

But your gift will encourage local writers to keep writing.

And your purchase will place locally authored books into the hands of readers and nonreaders alike.

For kids who struggle with reading or who aren't enthused about reading, simply taking home a book written by someone in their community can help strip the mystique sway from books.

And perhaps it may spark their own creativity, knowing writing a book is really, really possible.

Because someone in their own community has written the one they are reading.

WriteOn Joliet Authors

Books links in bold are for young children and up.

Book links in bold and italics are suitable for middle grade and up.

Most adult books are suitable for young adult, except where adult themes are noted.

Finally, if you are unable to help, be assured we will have plenty of books to give away. I've worked on extra projects over this past year to raise the necessary funding.

Happy browsing!

Mauverneen Blevins

Original photography and text of local birds for young children

I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard

Edward Calkins

Literary nonsense, adult themes

Ruthless

The Fifth

Recovering Ruthless

Denise M. Baran-Unland Irish Genealogy

Holly Coop

A Cup of Inspiration To Go Please: My Heart Runneth Over

Heart Strings: Forever Wanderer

Locks of Love: A Book of Encouragement

A Line in the Sand: A Journey Towards Forgiveness

The Rooster Diaries - Nuggets of Wisdom, Whimsy, and Woe

Russ Enfire

Slasher romance novel, adult themes

The Kindler

Diana Estell

Fantasy novel

Abyss of the Fallen

Dale Hansen

Inspirational

Always Moving Forward: Who is Running your Life?

When Life Gets Shaky: Parkinson's and Life's Trials

Tom Hernandez

Short fiction, slice of life essays, poetry

Chocolate Cows And Purple Cheese: And Other Tales From The Homefront

Abundance: A Collection

The Edge of Middle: Thoughts from the top of the hill

The Weekly Fruit And Vegetable Report: Tales andTidbits from a New Grandpa

Brothers: and other stories

Cean Magosky

Local history

Historic Impression Volume II: The Second Year ofArticles

Schools by F. S. Allen

R. Michael Markley

Christian crime novels

Necessary Death

Necessary Blood

SusieB Midlock

Line's Big Discovery

Rudy's Terrible Fright

Sue Mydliak

Paranormal romance novels, Southern humor

Rosewood Collection: The Complete Series

James Pressler

Colleen H. Robbins

Young adult fantasy, slice of life essays

Return to Ganagar

Night Breeze and Moonbeams: Stories and Poems of Myth,Magic, and the Medieval

Invasive Species and Other Light Horror

Daraga’s Quest

Stories of a Sheltered Suburbanite

Jennifer Russ

Young adult novel

The Heart’s Bone

Chris Sarcletti

Travel books

Bits and Pieces of a Tasty World

See, Live, Eat: Globetrotting with a Fork and a Conscience

A Family Travels as One: A North American TravelMemoir

Kevin Trusty

Supernatural short stories, baseball stories

Beyond Silence and Light

(Not) Just Another Ballgame: Stories from Baseball's Past

The Mournful Threads

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Inspirational

Nine Months of Kindness

For a list of BryonySeries books, visit "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview" and select books there, ordering in the same way as the above books and mailing to the same address.

The Bertrand the Mouse books are suitable for young children.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer and The Girls of the BryonySeries books are suitable for age eight and up.

For bulk rates on BryonySeries books or if you'd like to purchase an entire trilogy or subseries, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Pictured: WriteOn Joliet Mauverneen Blevins happily shows off our empty table, less than two hourts into Kidz Fest last year.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Sue's Diner: Vanilla Ice Cream

Who doesn't love ice cream, especially when temperatures are summer-like in the Midwest.

And our family has eaten a lot of ice cream this last year, although we really haven't bought any from the store.

However, we've been frequent visitors to Walt's Ice Cream in the last twelve months.

I'm not necessarily one for comfort food. But we've taken so many punches these last few years, our mantra has become, "We need ice cream." Walt's Ice Cream is consistently delicious and never fails to lift our spirits, even a smidge.

Back to Sue's Diner.

This week's recipe, homemade vanilla ice cream, is authentically Victorian complete with a hint of vagueness in its yield - so we made a reasonable estimate.

This ice cream recipe is featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

It's also adapted from Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy.

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

Ice cream was John Simons’ one culinary weakness. Each lunch at Simons Mansion ended with a dish of it.

You can try the vanilla ice cream recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

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

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. 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, June 3, 2025

Doctor Tikyll Introduces Duanne Walton (Me!) at Open Mike Night 2015

Monday, June 2, 2025

Slugs for a Day (NOT!)

By slight design, all members of the Core Four had Friday off work, presumbably to rest since we were working Ye Olde May Fest all weekend.

We mostly did not rest.

And that's not because we weren't tired - or because we got busy with housework. (we swore off most housework for the day).

Trust me, we were not busy with housework at all. No, it's all still waiting for us.

But you know how it goes. One thing and then another and then another and just one more thing popped up until the day ended.

Now, Friday was definitely a low-pressure day. No one was moving at top speed. We just had "stuff" to do here and there.

Still, I'm conflicted. The day off didn't happen. And now we've got all this work in the house to do.

At least half of us are working next weekend, too.

I often say that life is an adventure. Maybe the quest for a sluggish day is, too.

And life - and maybe rest, too - happens only in the moment.

You can take an entire day off from life until life is no more and all the days are gone.

This photo of two of my grandsons is six years old. The location is no longer part of our lives and one boy just graduated from high school last week.

Friday was not a sluggish day. But it wasn't a bad day. It was a productively relaxed day.

So thankful I didn't miss it.

Happy Monday!

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Juliet - Shakespeare on the Piano - Barbara Arens

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Celtic Medieval Music - Kingdom of Bards

Friday, May 30, 2025

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 24 through May 30

Good morning!

I have thirteen news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, as well as six Thank You, Teachers stories from our special edition on May 8.

More stories will go live this holiday weekend. 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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

Ye Old May Fest 2025: May 31 and June 1, Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Free Bertrand Shakespeare ABCs to the first twenty-five attendees each day. Free photos with Sir Bertrand, too.

BryonySeries also has a special graduation special at The Book Market, 2365 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill. The special will run through early June.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. That's all I'm saying for now.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it!

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

‘Death is forever, freedom is not’ Vietnam veteran says at Crest Hill Memorial Day service

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/26/death-is-forever-freedom-is-not-vietnam-veteran-says-at-crest-hill-memorial-day-service/

PHOTOS: Crest Hill observes Memorial Day

https://www.shawlocal.com/gallery/2025/05/26/photos-crest-hill-observes-memorial-day/

Joliet Boys & Girls Club hires branch manager

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/29/joliet-boys-and-girls-club-hires-branch-manager/

Shorewood bridge to remain down to 1 lane indefinitely

Construction awaiting final land acquisition

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/05/25/shorewood-bridge-remaining-1-lane-indefinitely/

The Patio building new restaurant in New Lenox

Site of former Silver Cross professional building