Thoughts About Older Women at Home

 

Hello Dear Homemakers,

I hope you are doing well at home and have great plans to make it pleasant.

Today I shared the sketches I made for future sewing,

and talked a little about this pattern from 2002 that I have often looked at and always

have the intention to sew:

Plaid shirts are much loved in this area, and here are some ways I might wear this shirt:

Remember those stretch belts back in the 1980's? They are still available in clothing stores and online. The one on this outfit is shown above.

The shirt can be worn as a cardigan,

It is worn over a black outfit...

...or tied on like a shawl.

My little granddaughter has published her first novel. The picture on the cover is actually a photo of her, dressed in something she sewed.

I have recently interviewed this author, below:

What is your book about?

I'm so glad you asked! The Lawman's Daughter is a mystery, a Western adventure story, and a coming-of-age story. If you combined a Janette Oke novel with an old western like Gunsmoke, you'd be in the right genre for this story!

Open the book and you'll meet Maryan, the daughter of a legendary sheriff and a young woman who struggles with discontentment, bitterness, and envy of her best friend, who is leaving for a big life in the big city while Maryan is left behind to help care for her large family. But if Maryan thought that was what life going wrong looks like, she's in for a big surprise. When challenges test the very core of her strength, will her character be refined or will bitterness at an unfair situation take over?

The Lawman's Daughter actually has two main characters, and if authors are allowed to play favorites, the second protagonist is probably my favorite.

Meet Alan McKinnley. A young man who introduces chaos into Maryan's life just by moving into town. Thinking he's landing a good job in a good town, he is excited to be hired as a deputy to Maryan's father. But he's got problems of his own. He's not exactly happily accepted in Currentsville - which seems like the least of his worries when things start to turn serious. Arson. Robbery. A gang who he's not a match for. What started as a simple deputy job becomes an all-consuming life that requires more courage, strategy and maturity than Alan thinks he's got. He's not alone in that opinion, either. As time goes on, the townspeople's distrust of him becomes more and more evident. What happens when protecting the town depends on their support?

Does right always triumph over wrong?

Will love take root in chaos?

Meanwhile, a mystery is brewing that Alan and Maryan never expected. You'll want to read all about it!

How long was the writing process? Is this your first book?

I started writing this book four years ago! I wrote on it sporadically for a while, then in early 2025 I finished the manuscript. I spent the next 11 months editing, formatting and publishing!

Yes, it is my first published book.

Would this be a good book for my homeschooling daughters? How will it influence them?

Definitely! The themes in Maryan's life - selflessness, respect, family, and good character - flow in tandem with Maryan's journey to find what is truly important in her life. Readers will find Maryan's growth inspiring, sympathize with her weaknesses and rejoice in her victories over self. (Warning: reading this book may also cause young women to want to marry upright and courageous men like Alan...)

You can find The Lawman's Daughter on Amazon in paperback form. Kindle E-book version to come soon!

Thanks so much for interviewing me today!

Please enjoy your home today while you listen and please leave me some comments.