Barnes & Noble Book Signing

Thank you,Rochester Hills Barnes & Noble (especially CRM MacKenzie), for hosting a Quilting Patches of Life Book Signing, Thursday, June 12.


Pictured at top left: contributing authors Maria Taormina, Evans Bissonette, Jeanne Grief, Carolyn McKenzie and Lori Wagner sign away. Top right, contributing authors: Alan Hahn and Brad Erlandson chat between signings.

As always, it's great to meet new people and share the encouraging message of Quilting Patches of Life. All involved received a warm reception, and the cookies and coffee from Starbucks topped off a fun evening.

Ladies Conference - Covington, KY

What a treat to be with the ladies in Covington this past weekend. Thanks to the Turners for their kind invitation, and to all the church for their hospitality.

In the picture at left, I'm sandwiched between two Sis. Turners, both from Kentucky, but not related. It was great to be with "home folk." You can take the girl out of Kentucky, but you can't take the Kentucky out of the girl.

In the picture at right, my new friend and contributor to Quilting Patches of Life, Florence Koski made the connection for this speaking engagement. Thanks for your friendship and recommendation...and for sharing your story "Hens and Chicks."

Remember, submissions are being accepted for QPL2, and the book signing for QPL1 is at Barnes & Noble in Rochester Hills, Thursday, June 12.

A Blast from the Past aka "Chipper the Squirrel"

It's amazing the delight a little squirrel can bring into the middle of a difficult struggle. During my husband's battle with cancer, the visits of one bushy red squirrel taught me an important spiritual lesson.

At the request of The Surrendered Scribe, I went through my archives and submitted the story for all to read. Hope it is a blessing to you.

Quilting a Patch of Home...Paducah, KY

I was thrilled to return to my hometown, Paducah, Kentucky, April 23-26 for the annual quilt show. For those who don't know, Paducah's the quilt capitol of the world, and the American Quilter's Society's show attracts people from as far away as Japan.

I arrived Tuesday evening, and Wednesday started a whirlwind of activities. At 7:30 a.m. a morning show reporter from WPSD-TV met with me at the Expo Center for an interview. As the crowd swelled outside the doors, I got a sneak peek at some of the quilts. The doors swung open at 9:00 a.m., and throngs of excited people came through. The quilts were truly breathtaking. The best of show winner forfeited her $20,000 prize to keep her quilt. It was beautiful, a reproduction of her grandmother's handkerchief.


Bob and Betty of Quilt Books Unlimited graciously shared their jam-packed booth on the main floor of the Expo Center with me. So many people came through. I heard someone say up to 35,000 people come to Paducah for the show. We had a great time.

Contrary to the photo bottom left, I did wear shoes on Wednesday when I sang and spoke at Northside Church of God. The good people of the congregation opened their doors to the community and outdid themselves on the refreshments and Southern hospitality. It was such a treat to have my mother and two sisters at the event.

Each day from 11:00 to 3:00 I spent at the Expo Center signing books. On Thursday afternoon, the local Christian radio station, WGCF, asked me in for an interview. Glen and the staff were great.

A big thanks goes out to my sister and professional photographer, Tina Harper, for following me around with her camera so I can share the happenings with you.

CIA Girls, I'm Coming Your Way

Hey, young ladies in the CIA (that's Christians in Action at Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills), I'm looking forward to being with you again Wednesday, April 30. The young men have a special speaker coming in, and GIRL TALK is the order of the day for us.

I have an important message for you -- one that could change your life forever! I hope to see you there, and don't forget to invite your friends for "Inspire" week.

Thumbs Up!

If you live outside Michigan, you might not get the play on words, but it was a "thumbs up" time in the thumb area of the "mitten" that is Michigan this weekend.





Saturday, March 29, the Corner Store in Harbor Beach hosted a book signing and talk as the inaugural event for their new work/special events room. It was a lovely time and I enjoyed sharing the inspiring message of "Quilting Patches of Life" with a room full of avid quilters (and two husbands). Thank you, Pam and the staff of The Corner Store, for all your hard work and making me feel so welcome. You all outdid yourselves on the refreshments, too.



To my delight, Maria Taormina, one of the contributing authors to the project, was in the area and able to attend, as well. Her story, "Pig's Tail," is one of my favorites--a touching story that makes you smile and consider the importance of faith and family.

Sunday was a whirlwind. I spoke at the morning services of the two First United Methodist Churches in the area: one in Harbor Beach and one in Port Hope. Thank you, Rev. Paula Timm, for your invitation and hospitality...and definitely your guidance to our next stop.

After a great lunch at The Pasta House with Rev. Paula, my husband Bill and I traveled to the First United Pentecostal Church in Bay City. Pastor and Sister Mike Wood welcomed us into their service. What a beautiful presence of the Lord we experienced there and a great time of fellowship afterwards. Oh, yeah, Cracker Barrel and fried okra afterwards. Yum!

You may have noticed a pattern here: talk, eat, on to the next place; talk, eat, on to the next place. Well, it's the way it happened, and it was all good. I forgot to mention that I tried frog legs for the first time. They tasted ok, but just the thought of eating those hopping critters from the pond was enough to make me skip on over to the other side of the buffet table to the BBQ ribs.

Thanks again to all who made the trip possible. I pray all who purchased "Quilting Patches of Life," "Gates & Fences: Straight Talk in a Crooked World," and "Gateway of the Sun" will be entertained, educated and encouraged as they read.

"Gateway of the Sun" is in stock!

Yeah! The long awaited first shipment finally arrived. Pre-orders have been mailed, and new orders are welcome.

This historical fiction book is targeted to upper middle school/young adult readers. It's really chock-full of fascinating information and a storyline that will surprise readers as it twists and turns like a knotty pumpkin vine on a Peruvian terrace.

The picture at right is my hero, Huallpa, a thirteen-year-old Quechuan boy, drawn by my illustrator, Noelle Wagner-Kalajian (my baby girl).

To read more about this unforgetable story immersed in the culture and conflict of the Inca Empire, click here.