Around the Fire: Stories Under the Stars, Campsites, and Chapters Ahead

​Welcome back to Around the Fire. This is a place where we can discuss all types of things. Books, yes, but also life. Our “glamping” seasons are Spring and Fall. I’m going out a little early this year by heading to the Saratoga Springs area, more specifically, Corinth, New York. We love Upstate. The Adirondack’s the Catskills. Just like New Jersey, when you mention NY to people unfamiliar with it, they think of the city. But NYS is huge and so historical. One of the places we go is near Corinth, which has no light pollution. One night, we sat out at camp with friends and overhead we could see the Milky Way, satellites, and shooting stars. But even here in Northern NJ, you and still look up and enjoy creation. I love walking out on my deck and seeing the moon and stars. On my phone, I installed an application that scans the sky and tells you what’s what. The heavens make me feel very small.
This visit, we’ll be parking at a more amenities-based campground. My husband, Pete, is volunteering to help replace a roof at a nearby girls’ summer Christian camp. I usually join them, but this old gal is not getting on any roof, so Hali and I will be enjoying camp life, and I’m looking forward to some pool time. I’ll be making a couple of trays of food ahead of time for the workers so I won’t feel guilty for not contributing.
In November, we head to one of our favorite places, Lancaster, PA. My daughter-in-law bought us tickets to see Noah at the Sight and Sound Theater.

After this trip, I have a busy fall with several appearances scheduled and a few more possibilities. I’ll be in Branchville, Hackettstown, Hoboken, Ledgewood, and Newton. I need to order more books. I no longer do the huge author/reader events. As someone who is hearing impaired, the noise becomes almost unbearable. Hitting the road and meeting new people in a more intimate setting is fantastic. You never know where a conversation will go.​

What am I working on now? I needed a palate cleanser. My works in progress were not progressing. Frustration built, and with that came stone walls. After shutting my laptop down in defeat last week, my mind went to someplace I enjoy. Where? Lake Unami.
My novellas, Rainbow Sprinkles, summer. Sophia’s Magic Beans, spring, and A Christmas Storm, winter, make me happy. Like I said above, Fall is my favorite. So I’m returning to the lake for fall. And I’m enjoying the trip. Initially, the story was going to be an Agent Sam Carter Mystery.
Though as I delved into the history of one of our local Sussex County historical buildings, the idea became something different entirely. That’s the life of being an author. The story reveals itself. I’ll keep you posted on this, but here’s a teaser.

​Red Gate Farm
Where tradition runs deep, tomorrow blooms bright, and new love finds fertile ground.

Until next time, have a great day, and don’t forget to look up at the sky. ​