Sharon Struth's Blog, page 2
April 17, 2018
The Story Within the Story & Release Day Giveaway
Most writers will tell you that inspiration happens when we least expect it. When our minds are untethered from the computer and allowed to roam free.
Thus is the case with my April 17th release. Three unexpected paths I took inspired
View of The Circus, Bath, England
The firstwas a trip to England, where we visited a region known as the Cotswolds. This area in southern-central England includes not only gorgeous countryside, but the city of Bath� home to Jane Austen. The region is known as an in the UK–meaning an area designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. As we toured the region, the writer inside of me knew someday this incredible place would end up in my one of my books. For more on the area, here’s a post I wrote about a national trail in the area called
Jillian & Milo, inspiration for Jilly & Henry in Willow’s Way
The secondcame in the very early stages of writing , while I still fleshed out my plot and characters. One of the children in my neighborhood came to play with our puppy (Milo) and gave me an excuse to stop working and go outside.
I relaxed and watched the pair playing. Then, like magic, I knew fictional character Owen Hughes (tour guide/grounds keeper) needed a daughter whose trusty sidekick would be a Petit Basset Griffon like my puppy. () It was a real joy writing the scenes with both Jilly and Henry (aka, Jillian and Milo). Jillian showed me how dogs and kids “get� each other, and Milo showed me that a pooch with personality is good in any book.
The thirdcame from deep within. I have struggled my whole life with my weight. That number on the scale can take me down in an instant if it’s too high, and make me feel like a queen when it’s low. But as I get older, I’ve been thinking a great deal about seeing the best in myself–no matter what’s on the scale. The people who love me and the friends who like to be with me don’t ever change how they feel because of my weight. Up or down, they care about ME. Willow’s weight journey is a personal one that I am taking with my own self-acceptance.
I hope this gives you some insights into an author’s process. If you have questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you.
LET’S CELEBRATE
To celebrate the release of Willow’s Way, I’m giving away two-$25 AMAZON GIFT CARDS. Join the scavenger hunt () for up to 22 chances to win!*
*No purchase necessary to enter or win.
If you’re interested in more about the book, a blurb is included below.
ABOUT WILLOW’S WAY
The breathtaking promise of the English countryside can lift even the heaviest spirits . . .
Willow Armstrong, the once-famous “Queen of Weight Loss� and president of Pound Busters, succumbed to stress eating after her divorce. Now the scandal of getting caught on camera binging on pizza, and the internet-wide mocking of her new curves, may destroy her career. Add in a business advisor who drained her finances, and Willow is out of options—until she learns she’s inherited a house in England’s most picturesque locale, The Cotswolds.
Willow’s trip across the pond to sell the property and salvage her company soon becomes its own adventure: the house, once owned by grandparents she never met, needs major work. Plus, single dad Owen Hughes, the estate’s resident groundskeeper and owner of a local tour outfit, isn’t thrilled about the idea of leaving . . . Yet as Willow proceeds with her plans, she’s sidetracked by surprising discoveries about her family’s history–and with Owen’s help, the area’s distinctive attractions. Soon, she’s even retracing her roots—and testing her endurance—amid the region’s natural beauty. And the more she delves into the past, the more clearly she sees herself, her future, and the way home . . .
BUY:|||
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April 11, 2018
“A petit what?� and Other Questions People Ask About My Dog
My husband and I both have a type� type of dog, that is.
We’re not committed to a specific category, like terriers or sporting breeds. But we always seem to like dogs that have tousled or wiry hair. Thus, two years after our beloved Wheaton Terrier passed away and it seemed our miniature schnauzer might again like a sibling, we decided it was time to get another dog. We selected one that had been on my radar for over twenty-five years�
A Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (pronounced “Puh-TEE Bah-SAY Gree-FOHN VON-day-uhn�). Or a PBGV. Or a Peeb. Or simply, a petite.
Here’s how the describes the hound breed:
Petit: Small
Basset: Low to the Ground
Griffon: Rough Coated
ձԻé:Region in France Where Breed Originated
The picture above is our Milo, now two years old. The breed is one most people don’t recognize. Whenever we go out for a walk in the park, someone will inevitably ask us, “What kind of dog is he?�
“APetit Basset Griffon Vendéen.�
Blank stare. “Oh, so he’s a mix?�
“No. It’s an AKC breed. They also call them PBGVs.�
“Heebie Jeebies?�
“PBGV. He’s in the hound family.� We launch into the meaning behind each word in his long name, then always add, “He’s like a basset hound with long, wiry hair.�
“O�.�
The entire time we are trying to avoid an identity crisis for our charming little fellow, Milo is eagerly wagging his tail and smiling at his new friend. Because everyone he sees is his newest and best friend. If they haven’t noticed him yet (nearly impossible because he “woooooooos� a rather loud, friendly greeting the second he sees anybody), most people lean over to pet him and he’s in doggy heaven for a few blissful moments.
I like to write dogs into my books. Dogs have always been a big part of my life and it feels natural to include them in the lives of my characters. In my April 2018 release, , I decided to include a lovable PBGV as sidekick to the caretaker’s daughter, a five-year old who has recently lost her mother.
It was fun to think about ways to include this particular breed into the story. They have such personality. They’re also known as the happy breed, with tails that never seem to stop wagging–even during a reprimand. You can imagine how that goes�
Warning: This dog is high energy and needs owners who “get� him/her. He’s big on shenanigans, and has even taught our miniature schnauzer the fine art of digging and eating dirt. But negatives aside, you will be duly rewarded by the laughter and love this breed brings to your household.
PBGV Henry is featured in , my April 17th release.
It’s available in print and ebook, and can be ordered at the links below.
Happy National Pet Day!! What’s your “go-to� dog type and what do you love about the breed?
The breathtaking promise of the English countryside can lift even the heaviest spirits . . .
Willow Armstrong, the once-famous “Queen of Weight Loss� and president of Pound Busters, succumbed to stress eating after her divorce. Now the scandal of getting caught on camera binging on pizza, and the internet-wide mocking of her new curves, may destroy her career. Add in a business advisor who drained her finances, and Willow is out of options—until she learns she’s inherited a house in England’s most picturesque locale, The Cotswolds
Willow’s trip across the pond to sell the property and salvage her company soon becomes its own adventure: the house, once owned by grandparents she never met, needs major work. Plus, single dad Owen Hughes, the estate’s resident groundskeeper and owner of a local tour outfit, isn’t thrilled about the idea of leaving . . .
Yet as Willow proceeds with her plans, she’s sidetracked by surprising discoveries about her family’s history–and with Owen’s help, the area’s distinctive attractions. Soon, she’s even retracing her roots—and testing her endurance—amid the region’s natural beauty. And the more she delves into the past, the more clearly she sees herself, her future, and the way home . . .
BUY:||||
April 3, 2018
Walk this Way by Sharon Struth � Hobby Reads
[image error]It’s two weeks away from the release of Willow’s Way, second book in my Sweet Life series () and set in the Cotswolds of England. To learn a little bit about what inspired the setting for this novel, follow the link below to “Walk this Way–Hobby Reads.�
What readers are saying about Willow’s Way:
“…Struth has done that thing she does again–like she brought me to Tuscany in The Sweet Life, she delivered me to Bath, England in Willow’s Way, and dropped me right in the midst of all that beauty and history.�
“This was my first book by Sharon Struth, but it won’t be my last. A very enjoyable read, good writing, a believable story with appealing characters and a breathtaking location. �
Preorder in print or ebook � (release date 4/17/18)
On a trip to England several years ago, I visited the city of Bath, located in a region known as the Cotswolds. Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 1st century AD by the Romans, who used the natural hot springs as a thermal spa. The ancient baths still stand today, and[…]
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February 19, 2018
3 Reasons Why you Should Read THE SWEET LIFE by Sharon Struth #sale #TheSweetLife #99centbooks
Happy 2018!
I’m popping in to announce a sale on The Sweet Life, series book one. For a limited time it’s only 99 cents* (e-book only)!
Now, why would you want to read The Sweet Life? I’ll give you three reasons why. But first, here’s the book’s cover blurb:
In Italy, the best attractions are always off the beaten path . . .
Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.
But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.
As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours . . .
3 Reasons Why You Should Read The Sweet Life�
#1. One editorial reviewer wrote: �IfEat, Pray, LoveandIf It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgiumhad a love child, it would probably be this book.The Sweet Lifehas that element of searching for one’s bliss mixed in with the whirlwind tour aspects (a small whirlwind) as that long-ago comedy movie.� (Reading Reality.)
Mamie Weber, our heroine, struggles for normalcy after the loss of her husband and daughter to a car crash that she survived. When her employer offers to send her to Tuscany to review a tour run by Wanderlust Excursions, she takes it. She’s beginning to see how squandering the life she’d been spared is an injustice to the loved ones she lost. Little does she know what she’s about to walk into�
View from Siena Tower
#2.A second reviewer states: �I liken this read to a cross betweenUnder the Tuscan SunandMy Life in Ruins.Mamie is reaching for an uncertain future, while Julian is hiding from his past.As we travel with this wildish and wizened group (to include the Woodstock Wanderers), we get a history of some of Italy’s greatest known landmarks as well asa peek at those places one can only discover by walking off the beaten path…sort of like the way we find OUR true selves and, in the case of our leads, the power of forgiveness.� (Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers)
Let me take a minute to talk about the Woodstock Wanderers, a group of Woodstock survivors who hire Wanderlust Excursions to show them the wonder of Tuscany. Mamie is assigned to review the tour. The tour’s director is reluctant to let her join them, for valid reasons. But the Wanderers welcome her like she’s their long-lost daughter, chant for Julian to let her join the group� despite the fact she didn’t attend Woodstock (not even born yet!). The Wanderers are a colorful group, who befriend Mamie and secretly watch the growing bond between Mamie and Julian. Over the course of their journey, Mamie learns from her older friends, paying attention to the wisdom that comes with age and the power of love found in decades together.
Siena Duomo
#3.Here’s a third reason to pick up this book� The reader takes a journey through Tuscany. No passport, flying, or packing required 
October 24, 2017
Three Reasons Why You Should Read THE ASTONISHING THING by Sandi Ward
All right animals lovers, have I got a book for you!
Fellow author Sandi Ward is visiting my blog today to share three reasons why you should read her October 31st release, The Astonishing Thing. If the cover alone hasn’t pulled you in, take a look at this blurb and Sandi’s three reasons�
In her inventive, sometimes bittersweet, ultimately uplifting debut, Sandi Ward draws readers into one extraordinary cat’s quest to make sense of her world, illuminating the limits and mysterious depths of love . . .
Pet owners know that a cat’s loyalty is not easily earned. Boo, a resourceful young feline with a keen eye and inquiring mind, has nonetheless grown intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. Several days ago, Carrie—or Mother, as Boo calls her—suddenly went away, leaving her family, including Boo, in disarray. Carrie’s husband, Tommy, is distant and distracted even as he does his best to care for Boo’s human siblings, especially baby Finn.
Boo worries about who will fill her food dish, and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, she’s trying to uncover the complicated truth about why Carrie left. Though frequently mystified by human behavior, Boo is sure that Carrie once cared passionately for Tommy and adores her children, even the non-feline ones. But she also sees it may not be enough to make things right. Perhaps only a cat—a wise, observant, very determined cat—can do that . . .
Wonderfully tender and insightful, THE ASTONISHING THING explores the intricacies of marriage and family through an unforgettable perspective at the center of it all.
“A unique and poignant tale of a family’s struggle as witnessed by someone who sees everything…a triumphant debut for Sandi Ward.”� Helen Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Cleo
Sandi’s Three Reasons�.
Thanks very much Sharon for hosting me on your blog! I would love to share with readers 3 reasons why they should read THE ASTONISHING THING.
A cat’s point of view. Have you ever noticed your cat staring at you and wondered what she was thinking? Here’s your chance to get a look inside the mind of a cat. My narrator Boo is very loving, but she can be sassy too, and has a wicked sense of humor. She finds human behavior perplexing at times! (Don’t we all?)
The setting: northern Massachusetts. This novel takes place in the cold woods north of Boston, a perfect setting to read about this holiday season. While you learn more about Boo getting snow on her paws or playing with the decorations on the Christmas tree, you can be warm and safe curled up under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa. Perfect!
Hope for families struggling with serious issues, like mental illness. Boo doesn’t understand why her family can’t stay together forever, and why her humans don’t always act in predictable ways. When her human mother suddenly leaves the house one day and doesn’t return, Boo has no idea how the family is going to cope. But she comes to learn that families are worth saving, in whatever shape or form they take in the end. Humans are very adaptable, and cats are too.
FIND THE ASTONISHING THING AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER, OR Preorder at:
ABOUT SANDI
Sandi Ward grew up in Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts. She attended Tufts University, and received her MA in Creative Writing at New York University, where she studied with E.L. Doctorow.She now lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, teenagers, dog and a big black cat named Winnie. Sandi is a medical writer at an ad agency in New Jersey, specializing in psychiatry and pain management.
Her first novel for Kensington Books is titled THE ASTONISHING THING, and it launches October 31, 2017.Her second novel is titled SOMETHING WORTH SAVING, available November 2018.
Learn more at:
September 21, 2017
In Queso Emergency, Lower the Cheese� #WeightWatchers #cheese
The young Moe’s employee glanced up at me as she plopped a bag of chips next to my lunch salad, one I’d carefully crafted with just enough toppings of Weight Watcher’s points to stay on target for the day.“Would you like free queso with your chips? I put one in the bag already.�
“No, I shouldn’t.� As she reached in to remove it from the bag, I said. “Free?�
“Yup. Queso is free on Thursday.�
Who knew? Not me. “I really shou–you know, just go ahead stick that back in.�
Just a taste. That’s all I wanted. My plan was to eat a few of the chips with a tablespoon or two of queso. No fowl, no harm. Right?
The second I got inside my kitchen, I tore open the chip bag, removed a few, and yanked the lid off the queso. Creamy, cheesy, a hint of spice. Everything I’d dreamed about on the drive home. A few chips turned into a few more. And a few more. It finally tore myself away to eat my salad at the table, far from the peninsula, where the queso and chips remained. Certainly the delicious salad would fill me, keep me away from unneeded cheesy treat.
But you know what happened?
I ate about half the salad and returned to the queso. With each queso-dipped chip, I’d say inside my head, This is the last one, but it wasn’t. My conscious nagged at me, but I didn’t stop. Finally, at along last, I committed to the end and removed my last two chips. Without hesitation, I picked up the rest of them, quickly walked to the trash can, and dumped the remainder into the garbage. To make them super-unappealing, I squashed them down.
With a heavy sigh, I turned back to the last two chips. I gobbled down the first.The last chip beckoned and I picked it up. Determined to get a memorable amount of queso, I lifted the cup from the counter. Just as I dipped in the chip, the cupslipped from my hand. A hefty glob of the creamy mixture lifted into the air. I watched in horror (I swear it was in slow motion!) as it splashed on the counter, the front of my shirt, and all over the kitchen floor.
For a moment, I didn’t move. No more last taste. 
September 19, 2017
Win a Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Gift Cards & more: THE SWEET LIFE Launch day has arrived!!!
Savor gastronomic delights?
Get lost in a world ofsecond chances and romance?
*
Find your escape with…� The Sweet Life
**LAUNCH DAY GIVEAWAY **
INCLUDES:
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
1- $50 Amazon Gift Card
2-$10 Gift cards
E-books listed below**
In Italy, the best attractions are always off the beaten path . . .
Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.
But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.
As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours.
* * * *
Acclaim for The Sweet Life
�Struth’s novel is a great debut for a potential series…The story overall is intriguing, and of course, a setting in Italy is always something that makes for a great book. It comes with a strong recommendation and is worth picking up for a nice treat.� RT Reviews
�The sights, the sounds, the smells and the food. Oh, the food! I had to make spaghetti and meatballs the day I started the book. Sharon Struth puts you right in Tuscany in a way that not only transports you to the crowded streets and vineyards, but surrounds you with them. Masterfully done.� ŷ 5-star Review
�You will like this if you’d like a nice tour of Tuscany (food, wine, just delightful), a little romance, and a happy ending. Perfect relaxation...� ŷ 5-Star Review
* * * *
To Purchase Print or E-Book:
~ CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENTER RAFFLE* ~
*no purchase necessary to enter or win
Enter between 9/19/17 � 9/22/17
**Additional prizes include these books:
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Visit Kensington Publishing for more great books!
September 13, 2017
The Secret Ingredient #TuscanyTravels
“The name garlic is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from gar—a spear, and lac—a plant…� We hung on Roberto’s words while inhaling in the universal aroma of good cooking. Our Sienese guide led us to a doorway in a blemished, white stucco building with aging-evergreen shutters. A sign read Trattoria. Long gold fabric cords hung from[…]
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September 11, 2017
Bill & Sharon’s Excellent Adventure � The Gateway to the West: Cumberland Mountain Gap
Here’s where our 2017 summer journey begins�
“Mom, I got a job in Austin, Texas but only have one day between jobs. I’ll need to fly there to start on time, but I need my car.�
That was the phone call I got back in June from my youngest, Katie. Now, we could’ve shipped the car. But luckily, Katie has parents who love a good road trip, so, without an ounce of hesitation, I said, “Dad and I will drive it out.�
The best way to get a sense of a place is by driving through it. You get the lay of the land, a glimpse of an area’s historic sites you didn’t know existed, an idea about the people who live there (I need to stop every two hours for a bathroom break), and even get to sample where the locals might eat.
Bill and I scoured the map, marking the trail from Connecticut to Texas and then finding landmarks to visit–even if they were a little out of our way.
The first landmark we detoured to see after an overnight in Blacksburg, VA (where we were wowed by a quick tour of Virginia Tech!) was the infamous A little history:[image error]
The Cumberland Gap is nature’s passage through the Cumberland Mountains between Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. One of three natural breaks in the rugged Appalachian Mountain range, it served as a gateway in prehistoric times, when Native Americans used it as a footpath and buffalo used it to seek greener pastures.
In 1769, Daniel Boone explored the area and in 1775 he blazed the 200-mile trail known as Boone’s Path or Boone’s Road. The trail, beginning at the Gap, passed through Virginia to Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.
[image error]
Our GPS as we climbed to the Pinnacle
After a beautiful drive headed west, we reached the western tip of Virginia and crossed into Kentucky. Soon we reached the Cumberland Gap State Park, where a drive filled with twists and turns led us to to the pinnacle, an overlook into the path used by the settlers after Daniel Boone blazed the trail. Please note our GPS, a Dramamine inducing sight for me.
There’s even a spot up here where a short hike lands you in the exact spot where the Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee all meet! So, technically, you could stand in three states at once.
The gap was a detour from Nashville–a more direct drive to our final destination of Texas. But it was well worth a few extra hours of driving. Besides gorgeous views, this area has a rich history that includes many Civil War stories.
In short, these two history buffs loved every second of our visit to the Cumberland Gap. Here are a few pictures from our day, but they don’t do justice to the beauty we saw through our very own eyes.
Our next stop will be Nashville. Has anybody else been to the gap? I’d love to hear from you.
* * * * * *
Sharon’s travels to Europe have inspired her latest women’s fiction series. The first is The Sweet Life, set in Tuscany, a place near and dear to her heart�
[image error]In Italy, the best attractions are always off the beaten path . . .
Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.
But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.
As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours . . .
For more visit her .
August 30, 2017
Bill and Sharon’s Excellent Adventure � In the Hurricane Path
Janice Joplin’s Car
Our AAA agent tapped her finger on the map spread out on the counter. “Now here’s an interesting little town. Port Arthur. Janice Joplin was born here and there’s a Gulf Coast Museum.�
And just like that, Port Arthur, Texas became a stop on our 2,400 mile drive to deliver my daughter’s Honda Civic to Austin, Texas from Bethel, Connecticut. We made many stops along the way, the subject of future blog posts. Posts I’d planned to write by starting at the beginning of our journey.
Instead, I’m starting at the end�
Little did I know, as I drove from New Orleans to Port Arthur, that my trip would return to me a just two weeks later while I watched Hurricane Harvey wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast from the comfort of my home. Harvey swirled and twirled along the very path we drove on during one of the final days we’d traveled. A day so hot and dripping with clingy humidity that each time I left the cool air conditioning and went outside, I had worried I’d spontaneously combust.
[image error]
Oil Rigs at Night
Port Arthur, TX (near Beaumont) was unlike any place I’d ever seen before. The plains were flat as paper and pockets of water collected everywhere the eye could see, some large waterways necessitating bridges. Every so often, we’d encounter lines of oil rigs jutting from the earth, towering over the land like angry transformers during the day, but glistening with lights in the evening. An almost magical sight one minute, yet a little eerie the next.
As you can see from this map, there’s a lot happening in this small town.
Later we drove through Houston, a city that went on forever, and ever, and ever. Flat. Man-made. Large. New. At least newer than your typical Northeast city.
Now, just over two weeks later, as I sit here in sunny Connecticut watching the news, a hurricane is hitting many of the places I saw or visited in both Louisiana and Texas. Normally, a tragedy like this would make me sad for the residents. And I am sad. But a thin thread has connected me to these places, mainly because of the people I met while I traveled.
I find myself wondering if they are riding out the storm without problems, and even feel worried for them.
Like the informative director of who greeted us with open arms and a friendly conversation about the famous people from Port Arthur. He’d introduced us to his staff, a former elementary school teacher and a security guard. The museum was a quiet place, in fact, we may have been the only people visiting that morning. But we enjoyed what it had to offer, and they’d made us feel at home with the kind of hospitality a traveler always remembers.
[image error]
Fried Green Tomatoes
Or the two twenty-something sisters we met while waiting for a table at a roadhouse in Port Arthur. They told us the roadhouse had the best fried green tomatoes around, worth driving from their hometown of Beaumont to enjoy. (yes, they were delicious!)
When we said we were from Connecticut, one of them said, “It’s a small state right? Near New Hampshire?� Yup, all of New England could fit inside of Texas.
Are they all safe? I wonder, but I’ll never really know.
My daughter is in Austin. Thankfully, the city has weathered Harvey’s blow. As for those impacted, the rest of us will do what we can to help, along with assistance from FEMA.
And I hope that people who believe in less government take a moment to see that sometimes we NEED an overseeing parent organization to help us in a crisis. Our federal government is there to assist by using our tax dollars to restore life to normal when tragedy strikes. Because that tragedy could happen to any one of us, depending on Mother Nature’s plans.
This tragedy feels a little more personal after having been so close, so recently. I met folks from a state very unlike mine. What I learned is we have more in common with each other than we don’t, no matter if we are from a red or blue state. It’s a good take away from any adventure. In fact, I’ll always remember the really nice people I met along the Gulf Coast and am glad the AAA agent suggested the detour.
Time to move on Hurricane Harvey. You’ve done enough damage�
Keeping all those impacted by this storm in my thoughts and prayers.
To help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, visit these websites:
