Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 9 through Aug. 15

Good morning!

Most of my news and feature stories have only run in print this week but will go live over the weekend; however, Pets of the Week is live and at the bottom of this post.

You may read the print stories in our e-edition at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I hope to have more to share next week, as I returned to part-time on Monday and will gradually increase the hours as I continue my recovery from surgery. Oh, and I'm working next weekend, too, but just part-time.

I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

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

And have a great Friday!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

BryonySeries will appear at two Joliet events this weekend: New Orleans North (today, Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (tomorrow, Aug. 16).

When I say "BryonySeries" that means any combination of our team members. I'm hoping to pop out for a bit but will likely not stay for the entire time as my recovery from surgery has certainly been an adventure. Stay tuned!

I'm also hoping to schedule Bertrand's Back-To-School bash in September in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. 

What is the BryonySeries?

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

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

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

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

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

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

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

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

ARTISTS

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

NEWSLETTERS

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

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

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

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

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

FEATURES

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 11, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/13/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-11-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

River flows in you - Tin Whistle

Sue's Diner: Strawberry Ice Cream

This week's recipe for strawberry ice cream is authentically Victorian, is vaguely mentioned in the BryonySeries novel Bryony, requires just three ingredients, and has an incredibly fresh strawberry flavor.

Best of all, it's very simple to make.

Here is how the BryonySeries cookbook references it:

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

This recipe for strawberry ice cream 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.

You may try the recipe for strawberry ice cream on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

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

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

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

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

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

Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.

Book Lovers and Other Creatives: Why You Should Come Out to Porch and Park Festival

For the very first time, five members of WriteOn Joliet will be part of Tim Placher's Porch & Park Music Fest in Joliet - with a sixth member returning for the second year.

They are Mauverneen Blevins, Holly Coop, Barbara Eberhard, Cean Magosky (who appeared at last year's event, too), Sue Midlock, and me, displaying and selling BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet books and other products, such as BryonySeries baseball caps and water bottles.

You'll find original poetry and photography (Mauverneen and Holly), handpainted greeting cards that benefit Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet (Barbara), local history (books and postcards, Cean), paranormal romance and Southern humor (Sue), and phantasmic books for all ages (BryonySeries).

And that's in addition to some outstanding music in a really fun and lowkey atmosphere. 

Now, you might not see me as I'm still recovering from surgery, which is disapointing, since I worked the weekend of the first Porch & Park Music Fest - and covered the event for The Herald-News in Joliet, which was awesome to behold.

So although I'm hoping to pop out for a small bit, other members of the BryonySeries team will be handling BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet products and keeping an eye on Uncle Barty and Bertrand the Mouse, as well as WriteOn Joliet's very special mascot, who will be ready to party once again (two events in a row only tire the humans, not the non-human stuffies).

Timothy and Daniel will also be unveiling information on B.L.O.C.K.S. Don't know what that is? Stop by the BryonySeries booth at 616 Western Avenue and see!

And if you come out to New Orleans North on Friday night, you'll enjoy two consectutive days of very unique, very Joliet events for free or very low cost.

The Porch & Park Music Fest will take place 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 on and around porches Joliet's historical Cathedral Area. 

For a festival guide, a map, and overall information about the event, porchandparkmusicfest.com.

Book Lovers and Other Creatives: Why You Should Come Out to New Orleans North

For the second year in a four WriteOn Joliet authors will be part of the Artists Row at New Orleans North. 

They are Mauverneen Blevins, Cean Magosky, Sue Midlock, and me, displaying and selling BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet books and other related products, such as BryonySeries baseball caps and water bottles.

Under our portion of the tent, you'll find original poetry and photography (Mauverneen), local history (books and postcards, Cean), paranormal romance and Southern humor (Sue), and phantasmic books for all ages (BryonySeries).

Organizers have offered once again to place the four of us together. So in keeping with the spirit of the event, I'm dubbing that section the "WriteOn Joliet Quarter."

BryonySeries also participated in the 2022 New Orleans North event and the 2023 New Orleans North Event. So we are thrilled to return again this year.

Now, you might not see me as I'm still recovering from surgery. Although I'm hoping to pop out for a small bit, other members of the BryonySeries team will be handling BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet products and keeping an eye on Uncle Barty and Bertrand the Mouse, as well as WriteOn Joliet's very special mascot.

Oh - wait! You haven't met WriteOn Joliet's special mascot? Well, you will Friday night!

Timothy and Daniel will also be unveiling information on B.L.O.C.K.S. Don't know what that is? Stop by the BryonySeries booth and see!

New Orleans North will take place 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Art Schultz Drive in Joliet.

For a festival guide, a map, and overall information about the event, visit jolietchamber.com/new-orleans-north. 

Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche

Walk at Dusk - SOOTHING PIANO by Roy Todd

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 2 through Aug. 8

Good morning!

If you can believe it, I have four news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post (all written before surgery three weeks ago). More stories may go live this weekend.

So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I hope to have more to share next week, as I'm scheduled to return part-time on Monday and gradually increase the hours as I continue my recovery. Yes, I'm super happy about it!

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)

BryonySeries books will be among more the three hundred and fifty locally authored books that members of WriteOn Joliet gave away from its booth at Kidz Fest tomorrow (Aug. 2) in downtown Joliet.

BryonySeries will also appear at two other Joliet events this month: New Orleans North (Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (Aug. 16).

When I say "BryonySeries" that could mean me or any combination of our team members. That depends on my recovery from surgery, which has certainly been an adventure. Stay tuned!

I'm also hoping to schedule Bertrand's Back-To-School bash in late August (or September, most likely September) in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. But that, too, depends on my recovery.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

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

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

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

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

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

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

ARTISTS

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

NEWSLETTERS

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

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

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

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

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

FEATURES

Lincoln-Way business group awards scholarships to young women

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/31/lincoln-way-business-group-awards-scholarships-to-young-women/

Rehab/physical therapy facility opens in New Lenox

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/02/rehabphysical-therapy-facility-opens-in-new-lenox/

Will County Pets of the Week: Aug. 4, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/08/04/will-county-pets-of-the-week-aug-4-2025/

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Before the Storm

On July 25, Timothy and I were standing on my porch for a a few brief moments before the storms began.

I'd had surgery the previous week and during a heat wave, so it felt good to stand outside and feel the breeze.

While we chatted, he snapped photos of flowers near the porch and the threatening skies.

I thought they were gorgeous, so I'm sharing the seven best images with you today.

Enjoy!

Sue's Diner: Bohemian Biscuits with Jam

Today's recipe is most likely older than both of our ages together (mine and whoever is reading this - and if you're young enough, triple that!).

It's adapted from the Bohemian-American Cookbook by Marie Rosicky, published by the Automatic Printing Company.

Side note: My mother owns a much older version of the current cookbook. It's still in print and the company gave me permission to modify some of the recipes and republish them as long as it approved the modifications.

Here is the back story of this really fun cookbook (along with how you can get your own copy).

The recipe is referenced in chapter 27 of Bryony. In that chapter, (spoilers), Melissa develops a crush on Henry and boldly approaches him for a date. So Henry seizes his chance to enlarge Melissa’s world and gives her a kaleidoscope evening of theater, historical landmarks, and peasant food.

The amount of ingredients is extremely vague (not unusual for the time period), so you might need to experiment with a batch or two.

The result reminded me of English muffins and very worth the efforts.

This 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.

You can also try the recipe for Boehmian Biscuits with Jam 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.

BryonySeries: Sue's Diner Through The Years

Sue's Diner is the fictional "go-to" eatery in the also fictional Munsonville, Michigan, a depressed fishing village in the northern part of the state, in the additionally fictional Beulah County, which is the primary setting in the BryonySeries.

Sam and Sue Barnes opened Sue's Diner on Sue's 30th birthday: October 29, 1926, according to the BryonySeries novel "Call of the Siren."

Sue had already gained the reputation of being the best cook and baker in the entire village, all skills she learned from her mother Sally Bass, who oversaw the kitchen at Munsonville Inn and previously held the "best" title.

Sue's Diner withstood the Great Depression and Munsonville's steady economic downturn through the next few decades, Nevertheless, Sue's Diner was still drawing customers from outside the village when Melissa Marchellis (the main character in "Bryony") moved to the fishing village in August 1975.

This was Melissa's impression of Sue's Diner (and then scroll past this first photo).

Her mother parked in front of a dingy, squat-looking building, Sue’s Diner. Brian turned and rolled his eyes. Melissa mouthed back, probably get food poisoning.

For a small, lakefront village restaurant, throngs of people packed the dining room. There were men in overalls and plaid shirts or business suits; women wearing faded, print dresses; and kids in jeans. Darlene asked the gum-cracking, pony-tailed hostess for a table, and the girl led the trio to a booth by the picture window overlooking Main Street. Melissa slid close to the fingerprinted window and glanced down. Clear tape sealed cracks in the vinyl blue-green seats. The table’s smooth top was speckled with gold and imbedded with coffee stains.

This next image is one Sarah altered back in 2009 (maybe 2010?) when she created the original BryonySeries website.

At the time, we had very little original art. So the hosting site we used at the time allowed us to purhase images from that site - and this was one of them, as it was the closest to a diner that Sarah could find.

We estimated the year Sue's Diner was established (we were off by a few years), and Sarah created its banner. Even today, Sue's Diner still serves fresh fish straight from the waters of Lake Munson (the diner's back yard), although Sam and Sue Barnes are long gone and Sue's Diner is owned and operated by the couple's stepgrandson Brian Marchellis.

.At least, that was true up until 2020.

Through the years (and the novels), Sue's Diner was the location where many characters in both "Call of the Siren" and "House on Top of the Hill" either worked at the diner, found it a terrific gathering place for gossip and news - or both.

Besides, the food was always good. 

Ed Calkin, Steward of Tara, enjoys eating at Sue's Diner with his wife Nancy.

Sue's Diner is also the to-go place for the fictional Ed Calkins and his comrades in all three of his BryonySeries Ruthless books: "Ruthless," "The Fifth," and "Recovering Ruthless."

It was late in the lunch rush at Sue’s Diner. Sheriff Matt was sitting near the counter of the lakefront venue having a quick burger, and several parties had finally had enough coffee to order their top of the mid-day meal. Ruthie seated the two suited men. Although they weren’t really regulars, she already knew they were barely ten percent tippers. Today was slow, and half the wait staff had gone home, which meant one waitress called it a day and the hostess/manager was now the one waitress covering all the tables. This included Matt, the two cheap suits, and the party of five that had all gone to the restroom at the same time, a strange thing for them to do because Sue’s Diner only had a single restroom. (From "Ruthless")

              I can’t think. I’m too hungry, which should explain why I’m here at Sue’s Diner. But, wait, Cah…I can smell the kitchen where eggs are beaten with milk and vanilla for French toast. I can smell the whole ham cut off from the bone and pieced onto a buttered pan. But none of that makes me hungrier. It’s the chicken they are preparing for lunch. I can smell the blood. (From "The Fifth")

The next instant there were in a different restaurant, already seated with two more guests who were startled but not surprised at the new arrival. The waitress who poured coffee into the four still empty cups, barely batted an eye.

“Late enough,” a short leprechaun of man said as he glared Ed. The man wore an orange suit and matching derby hat and tie and smoked a pipe that smelled like cherry tobacco. A woman with a notepad, pen, and smile sat beside him.

“I went to the wrong place,” Ed explained.

“Well, I’ll be paying for breakfast, but I already ordered your meals, as I have a store to open. I’ve ordered steak and eggs for Patrick, rare and scrambled; steak and eggs for Karla, well done, and easy over; mushroom stew for the nasty wood sprite…”

“Good to see you too, Eircheard.”

              “…and Ed…”

              Ed held up his hand. “Can’t eat yet, sorry. I had to forfeit my rightful share of blood last night in Trudy’s dream.”

              The short man growled at the interruption. “…. I ordered you czernina.”

              “What?”

              “Duck blood soup, hold the duck broth, extra blood, cooked rare. Didn’t you tell me your wife was Polish?”

              “Some of them.”

              “I ordered the corn beef hash, and the reporter here ordered pancakes with fresh strawberries and blueberries and a side of grilled ham. Now that we got the meal introduced, it’s time to start the meeting.” Eircheard leaned forward and folded his hands. “Each one of you has a superpower. Mine is paying for breakfast, something that seems in short supply around here. My name is Eircheard, I live near here, which is Sue’s Diner in Munsonville, which is in Northern Michigan. The reporter here has a name, but no one uses it. She’s known as The Goddess, and her superpowers are her vast vampire knowledge and her immunity to how vampires distort time. Both she and I belong in this time-scape and this geographic location. This contrasts with the two of you that had a bad dream last night and prompted my leprechaun ass to sit among you, reserve Sue’s Diner, and borrow staff from another time, to feed you all before the place opens.”

              “Wait…you said your name was Eircheard, as in Eircheard’s Emporium?” Karla interjected.

              “Please hold all applause until the introduction is complete, but yes. That is my shop and if you know something about it, keep it to yourself as anything you know would be in my future.”

              Pigface looked around. “So where are we now?”

              “I told you. A small, depressed fishing village small in Northern Michigan in 2008 at a diner that will be opening too soon if you kept launching questions at me. We’ve got to be out of here by 5 a.m. local time; it’s 3:10 right now thanks to Santa Claus’ ability to follow directions.”

              The Goddess took a sip of her coffe. “You were introducing our visitors from 2023?”

              “Yes, I was. This is Karla Dyer from Texas, whose superpower is finding portals and telepathy. She is accompanied by Patrick O’Patrick, who is an expert on submarines and finding financial activity. If things go favorably, both of you will return to your own time and place less the time you spent here. I expect you’ll be in Texas by 7 a.m. Texas time. Now, I would say to ignore the wood sprite over here because he wasn’t invited although we did expect him. His superpower is eating people and being a pain in the ass, and he doesn’t have a time or place because, according to him, he doesn’t exist except in your imagination.”

              “Eating people?” Karla asked skeptically with a sidelong glance at Glorna/John-Peter.

              “I’ll explain later,” the wood sprite told her, then looked to Eircheard and Ed. “I’m not going to say much; my six shooters do all the talking.”

              “And lastly, we have Ed Calkins, whom I called Santa Claus a moment ago,” Eircheard spoke loudly, annoyed by all the sidebars. “His superpower is being confused, which comes in handy more often than you might think…”

              “What’s with the waitresses’ feet?” Karla blurted out pointing to her iridescent. duck-like webbed feet.

              Eircheard threw up his hands and puffed angrily.

              “They are merrows,” Ed explained calmly. “Eircheard is far too cheap to hire human workers. Instead, he persuaded Irish mermaids to come through his portal and fix us breakfast. Of course, he had to borrow Sue’s Diner because he lacks the right kitchen.”

              “In other words, we’re trespassing.” Pigface said as he reached for the sugar bowl.

              “And breaking some labor laws too.” Ed assured him. “Are we going to get to the part where I’m ruthless?” (From "Recovering Ruthless:)

              

(Keep scrolling)

 

Today, readers stopping by the BryonySeries blog and website can visit Sue's Diner by preparing our recipe of the week, which we almost always feature on Wednesdays.

Most of those recipes come from the BryonySeries fundraising 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 is also a companion to the BryonySeries novel "Bryony," as it features recipes for all of the food references in both the 19th century and 1975, the time periods of the novel.

Some of the Sue's Diner recipes also come from our two other cookbooks (so far): "Squeak!" and "GRRR."

And some recipes are simply exlusive "specials of the week" - and then gone.

As Sam Barnes once said ("House on Top of the Hill," Chapter 2: Roundtable), "Sue’s Diner (is) the best place in Beulah County to eat.”

Stop in and see for yourself.

Hapy Tuesday!

Recap: WriteOn Joliet at Kidz Fest

On Saturday, WriteOn Joliet participated in Kidz Fest in downtown Joliet for the second year in a row, hosted by the Joliet City Center Partnership.

We talked to passersby about WriteOn Joliet and invited them to play our "build-a-story" word blocks.

We gave away more than one hundred handmade "write-your-own" poetry books, created by WriteOn member Holly Coop.

We came out with more than one hundred colorable book marks. We did still have bookmarks left over for next year. That's OK.

Because we gave away approximately three hundred and fifty books for kids, tweens, teens, and adults, all authored by WriteOn Joliet authors.

This post "Help Us Promote Reading in Will County This Summer" has details on those books (who wrote them and how to get your own copies).

The original goal was three hundred. But we had some surprise donations - including nine random BryonySeries books someone ordered and shipped to my P.O. box at the eleventh hour.

And Mauverneen Blevins' "bird" book went so fast, she returned to her car to donate five additional copies - and those were quickly scooped iup, too.

Now, when I say "we" did this, I meant "we" as a group. I came out for the initual setup (although I set up nothing) and was onsite for probably less than fifteen minutes.

No, "we" was Rebekah Baran, Mauverneen Blevins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Sue Midlock, and Judy Quilty Smith.

By noon, we had less than fifty books left - and even those were gone before Kidz Fest ended at 3 p.m.

By noon, not a single poetry book remained.

From my perch on the couch with Tiny, I cheered each update from the behind the scenes: less than fifty books left, twelve books left, five, four, three, two, one and NONE!

We look forward to being a bigger and better blessing in 2026.

Photo my Mauverneen Blevins

Passacaglia - Handel/ Halvorsen (Relaxing Piano Music)

The Song Of The Books (Amhrán na Leabhar) - Traditional Irish Air

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 26 through Aug. 1

Good morning!

I have four news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post (all written before surgery two weeks ago). More stories may go live this 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)

BryonySeries books will be among more than three hundred locally authored books that members of WriteOn Joliet will be giving away from its booth at Kidz Fest tomorrow (Aug. 2) in downtown Joliet.

I'm hoping (depending on how I feel at the time) to pop out for the set up and take down, since I am coordinating the WriteOn Joliet portion of the event.

However, Rebekah and other volunteers from WriteOn Joliet will be overseeing the booth for the duraion of the event.

In addition to the book giveaway, we will be giving away one hundred colorable bookmarks AND more than one hundred handmade books to encourage kids to write their own poems.

Our very popular, handmade word game will also return. Make up fun sentences and several-line short stories on the spot by manipulating the words on the blocks.

So if you come out to the event, be sure to stop by our booth!

BryonySeries will also appear at two other Joliet events this month: New Orleans North (Aug. 15) and Porch and Park Festival (Aug. 16).

When I say "BryonySeries" that could mean me or any combination of our team members. That depends on my recovery from surgery, which has certainly been an adventure. Stay tuned!

I'm also hoping to schedule Bertrand's Back-To-School bash in late August (or September) in honor of Bertrand's birthday and his mission to bring the joys of reading to children. But that, too, depends on my recovery.

What is the BryonySeries?

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

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

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

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

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

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

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

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

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

ARTISTS

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

NEWSLETTERS

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

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

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

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

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

FEATURES

Silver Cross Hospital Foundation appoints 2 new board members

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/31/silver-cross-hospital-foundation-appoints-2-new-board-members/

‘Cars Behind Bars’ at Old Joliet Prison a fundraiser for local museum

Organizers seeking show vehicles

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/18/cars-behind-bars-to-support-old-joliet-prison/

New Joliet health and rec center for veterans opening this week

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/23/new-joliet-health-and-rec-center-for-veterans-opening-this-week/

Will County Pets of the Week: July 28, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/07/28/will-county-pets-of-the-week-july-28-2025/

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"