February: Mohs surgery for skin cancer on my forehead, turns into a Harry Potter lightning scar.
March: Favorite indie author Craig Matthews stopped by on his way to do some research the World War I museum in Kansas City. We had supper at our favorite Machine Shed Restaurant (which carries my books).
April: I finally met Robin Grunder, my coauthor on Leora’s Letters who has also shepherded my next four books through covers and publication. We had lunch at the Machine Shed. Meadowlark Songs: A Motherline Legacy was at the end of the publishing process and “went live” later that month!
Dan, Renee, and Kate (age 8) came from the Twin Cities for Easter. They spent much of the weekend bidding on a different house, without success. Kate and I played with paper dolls, even though I was miserable and starting through doctor visits.
May: I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Guy played four concerts with the New Horizon’s Band.
June: Spent several miserable weeks trying several oral medicines, none of which helped and one made everything worse. But during this time, ten book clubs ordered from 12-16 copies of Leora’s Letters. What a delightful blessing while I was at my worst.
July: Received my first biologic infusion, which gave partial relief and hope for more. I’m gratefully receiving infusions every eight weeks now. #5 is today!
November and December: Dan’s family finally found a house in the Twin Cities and moved Thanksgiving week. Two weeks later their aging rescue dog was attacked by two pit bulls, no no Christmas visit to Iowa.
New Horizons band played only three concerts because of bad weather during the one out of town.
My Favorite Guy continues with treatments for Parkinson’s and a blood disorder. One of the hardest symptoms for both of us is fatigue, but we manage to coax each other to take a walk/mosey. He still does all the grocery shopping (ever since my shoulder was replaced during early COVID outbreaks) and mows the yard.
Two new stories produced by Our American Stories this year. No radio interviews because of the Crohn’s excitement, but a couple are pending.
We are blessed with a warm home (cool in summer), vehicles and appliances that work, modern medicine, and one another. We’re looking forward to the New Year. We’ll celebrate our 60th anniversary in late May. Amazing.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
I love the photos you added to this post. Congratulations on all your writing successes and I wish you a happy, much healthier 2026!
Linda, thanks so much! The infusions are keeping the worst symptoms at bay. I’m so grateful.
It sounds, on balance, that 2025 wasn’t too bad. Pretty good, in fact. Both you and your favourite Guy faced serious challenges and yet, you kept on making art .. writing and playing. You two inspire so many of us! I thank God for you in my prayers. I didn’t realize that you had been together so long. Was yours a child marriage? Yet another inspiration! Doug and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year, and the 36th anniversary of our first date. Since I’m nearly 80, I kind of doubt that we’ll make it to 60!
Happiest New Year to you, Joy and Guy. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and give you peace.❤️🙏🇨🇦
Blessing to you, Gail! We’d just finished college and the Vietnam war was looming.