Sandra Lou Taylor Writes

I am home from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The first picture is of us in the car on the road trip from North Carolina to Wichita. The second is taken in front of the home of author Lauren Brandenburg who writes fantasy books for children. She graciously invited us to stay in the apartment over her garage after the first day of our travels home. I had wonderful, entertaining author travel companions: Lauren Hildebrand, Mikayla Young, Kara Swanson.

Writer's retreats with friends are the best.

Join my newsletter "Joyful Living in a Messed Up World." Sign up now for its launch on June 15.

Sandra Lou Taylor Each edition will have something to ponder, something to laugh about, something about rural Kansas, and something from my writings. I’m looking forward to connecting with you.

Look what the dogs found on the north side of the greenhouse. He was about 3 feet long. So glad he will be controlling the rodent population. Do you have a snake story to tell?

As a part of we're partnering with some other amazing Central Kansas bookstores to do a Central Kansas Bookstore Crawl. Stop on at any of the participating stores next Saturday (April 27), pick up a bookstore passport, and make your way to ALL the others to get your passport stamped. Turn in a full passport to get a chance to win a prize package including gifts and goodies from ALL participating bookstores! So make your plans now to grab your friends and pick up your passport to celebrate your favorite indies and explore new ones next weekend!
Twice Told Tales Watermark Books & Cafe Reliant Bookstore Eighth Day Books Blush Bookstore

November 29: Today, I am thankful for memorial services and family visitation times. These events provide friends and family an opportunity to celebrate the life of one they loved and to remember how that person influenced them. Family is warmed by knowing their loved one touched lives.

November 28: I am thankful for the beauty of the snowy landscape. Now that the roads are clear, I will be out and about again. But I did enjoy an excuse to stay home and enjoy my dogs.

November 27: Libraries and bookstores are such a blessing. They teach us, entertain us, and provide many services. We have several good ones serving the needs of the community in Butler County.

November 26: I am very grateful to the road crews who do excellent work treating and clearing snow-covered roads.

November 25: I am grateful for birthday parties to celebrate the passing of years with family and friends. Today Ray and I helped his aunt celebrate her 90th birthday. What a great family time it was.

November 24: Today I am thankful for family reunions. I was able to hug and visit with relatives I've not seen in years.

November 23: Today I am thankful for Thanksgiving. A day devoted to focusing on thankfulness, family, food, games, and parades. What's not to like about such a day?

November 22: I am thankful for a warm winter coat, hat, and gloves as cold weather is coming this weekend.

November 21: Today I am thankful for cell phones and text messaging. It is nice to stay connected with my husband when we are miles from each other.

November 19: I am thankful to attend the wedding shower for my great-niece and her fiance. What a privilege to bless their future life together.

November 18: I am thankful for the silliness of corny jokes.
What did the teddy bear say when he was offered dessert?
No thank you. I'm stuffed.

November 17: Paved roads--We gripe when they are rough or have potholes, but my world (rural address) is a whole lot better with paved roads. And mostly the roads I travel are in acceptable condition.

November 16: Readily available education--what a blessing. We have so many opportunities to learn. Our physical schools and institutions of higher learning are reasonable distances from our homes. Online opportunities abound. So, get out there and enrich your life through learning something new.

November 15: What a blessing a good night's sleep can be! Sleep is something I took for granted when I was younger. No more. I cherish the nights I sleep soundly until the alarm goes off.

November 14: My mobile phone has become an integral part of my life. I am thankful for its amazing technology.

November 13: Today I give thanks for songs. They inspire, relax, and energize me. I love the old hymns and the new praise music. I must admit one of my favorites is the secular "Jingle Bells." I often hum it when I am down. It never fails to raise my spirits.

November 12: Today I give thanks for coffee. I thoroughly enjoy sipping a cup of hot, freshly brewed coffee as I do my morning Bible study.

November 11--Veterans Day: I am thankful I live in a community of people who respect the service of our veterans. El Dorado offers much on Veterans Day. Meals free to veterans (biscuit and gravy breakfast, hot dogs at Gordy Park, and dinner at the KS Oil Museum), Victory on the Home Front Display and presentations sponsored by the local DAR at the KS Oil Museum from 9-1, Salute to Veterans at the Performing Arts Center starting at 10:15, WWII reenactment at KS Oil Museum at 12, afternoon activities at Gordy Park, Veterans Day Parade at 3, and starting at 4 at the KS Oil Museum is the presentation of 3 war movies. More activities are scheduled for Sunday. Join the celebration if you can. If you can't, thank a veteran for their part in guaranteeing our freedoms.

November 10: Rural settings bless my soul. I am thankful for the beauty of the expanse of God's creation. Viewing the landscape calms my mind.