Davalynn Spencer here, and I’m pleased to welcome guest author Susan G. Mathis with insights shared from her newest historical release, Devyn’s Dilemma. Transformed from Caterpillar to Butterfly By Susan G. Mathis Nature has its unique way of drawing you close to the Creator. Whether the fragrance
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer A world-famous athletic clothing and equipment supplier copyrighted its check-mark logo and three words into an unforgettable identifier. You probably know who I’m talking about. But did you know that someone else used two of those three words and the emphasis behind them long
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer Did you grow up like me, feeling like the day after Christmas was anticlimactic? What about the day after your birthday? Downer, right? I once heard a world champion bull rider say that after winning the fancy gold and silver, ruby-encrusted belt buckle at
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer On the first morning of my state’s official stay-at-home mandate due to coronavirus, I walked to the end of my country lane and discovered a few other official things. The sunrise pushed shadows out of the valley. Deer meandered through the yard, unhurried and unworried.
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer Cancelled weddings Invitation-only funerals Online church services (exclusively) Closed restaurants Empty schools Social distancing/quarantine/lock-down Our routines have been upended and some people have panicked. Some have apologized for last minute changes, many are frightened, and others are just plain angry. Novelists, however, may be
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer I recently had a cord of wood delivered to my home. A cord is roughly a stack that is four feet high and eight feet long. The depth of the stack, or length of the logs, varies and, therefore, affects the price. Find a
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer Do you read? Today is National Read Across America Day. As an author and educator, this is a national observance I can get behind wholeheartedly. Words and stories take us places and afford opportunities that may otherwise be unattainable. For example, the ability to
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer When the lights go out – and they will – who or what will be your power source? The power went out last week in my neck of the woods, but thankfully, the outside temp had warmed up to a balmy 30 degrees. I
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer I have treats for you. Snacks – gotta love ’em, right? Especially if they’re shaped like little animals, have been around for 149 years, and can march across the top of the keyboard while you’re cooking up another novel. Today I’m posting on Heroes,
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer As a novelist, my life often intersects with my fictional characters—or theirs with mine. A challenge they face may be one with which I’ve wrestled. A discovery they make could mirror one of my own. This was the case with my recent novella, Just
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer One of my favorite promises in the Bible is found in Isaiah 40:31 where new or renewed strength is assured for those who wait on the Lord. “They shall soar high on wings like eagles,” says the New Living Translation. I’ve written quite a
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer New beginnings. Technically, that’s a redundant phrase – like tuna fish. If something is a beginning, then it’s new. And if it’s new, then it’s the beginning of something different. However, our ears seem to like the sound of “new beginnings.” It rings with
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer Shadows of the Season My baby’s hands so fine so perfectly formed hiding crease and fold within their tiny grasp as though from years of bending. What shadow do I see across his palm as he lies gently sleeping? My baby’s face so pure
By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer I’m a Christmas-carol fan. The music takes me back to my childhood and all those candlelight Christmas Eve services we attended. From there I went on to high school choir and church choir and – okay, I admit it – I know all the