Greetings, Parablites. (Parablonians?) 
First, last week’s winners: Teri S and Evelyn Dinunzio. Congratulations, ladies! For those of you who are not, alas, Teri or Evelyn, do not despair. The new round starts today, and all you have to do is comment.
What have I been up to? Well, now that I’ve emerged from my own personal dark night of the soul, I’m doing quite well, thank you. Catching up on all manner of things–I had a badly needed haircut yesterday, courtesy of my future son-in-law, Jeremy, a man of many talents. (He also helps out with the horses and takes care of the yard.)
As indicated by today’s blog title, we are enjoying (really enjoying) a spate of beautiful summer weather. Blue skies and sunshine–and I’m relishing both.
I was only down two tenths of a pound last week at Weight Watchers, but it’s all good. I’m well on my way to goal–even if I haven’t decided yet exactly what ‘goal’ will be–and wearing smaller sizes, too.
I’m still listening to the Daily Audio Bible and still having a pretty hard time with the Old Testament. For now, I’m hanging in.
My reading has been mostly listening lately–one of you recommended a book called THE TALIBAN CRICKET CLUB, and I’m nearing the end of it now. What a gripping, heart-wrenching story–the heroine is a young Afghanistani woman trying to cope with life under the iron thumb of the regime, and sometimes my heart breaks for her–she is not allowed even the simplest personal freedom. As a lifelong resident of a free country, I am grateful for the reminder of the countless blessings we enjoy in the Western hemisphere, even with all the current problems. We enjoy an abundance of material things, like clean water and electricity and grocery stores overflowing with an impressive variety of food, but there is much more to be thankful for, of course: we are valued as human beings, we can speak our minds and wear make-up and have careers. Tragically, this is not the case in much of the world.
Lest you get the impression that the abovementioned book is a complete downer, let me say that it is beautifully written, a story well worth reading, and God knows the heroine is someone you’ll definitely be rooting for.
I’ve also been doing a lot of ‘art therapy’, as I call it. Making artist trading cards, both for swaps and just because. There are new issues of some of my favorite magazines, SOMERSET STUDIO, SOMERSET GALLERY, ART JOURNALING and, last but never least, CLOTH, PAPER, SCISSORS. I am totally inspired!
Best of all, I have a book to write. And I’d better get at it.
Smile at someone today. Say something kind. After all, the smallest gestures can make a BIG difference.
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Great to hear that you are having lovely sunny weather, we just had a thunder storm roll through west central Indiana and thank God for every precious drop!!
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It is nice to know everything is going well with you. We have been having rain these past few days but with some sunshine. I am not conplaining though we needed the rain. Most the of rain was just missing us in the past so was glad to get some rain.
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So glad to hear you are able to move a little closer to relief of all the stormy issues concerning your life at the present!! We will always have storms & clouds, but the sunshine on the other side is so welcome!!
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I can almost “hear” the return of joy as you write this post. It sounds like life is beginning to return to “normal” whatever that is
I applaud you for your success with Weight Watchers. I joined WW June 2nd, BUT I made the terrible mistake of pulling a few weeds from the flower bed earlier that day. By the time I register at the meeting, took a seat I was covered in Poision Ivey. Long story short ,my doctor gave me a prednizone shot and 36 pills to take over a weeks time. 4 days later I was covered from head to toe with more rash– I developed an allergy to Prednizone, I tell you all this to say inspite of the normal weight gain with Prednizone I have still lost 51/2lbs:-). Thank you for sharing your life and WW journey with us. You are a great encouragement to many. Have a blessed week.
Dixie J. Hadley
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My earlier post about my weight loss at WW looked a little “strange” so I thought I’d clarify that I’ve lost five and one half pounds. When I reread my post I thought “Gee whiz,that could look like 51 /2 pounds” It would be nice if weight came off that easy, but only in our dreams would that happen
Congrats to last weeks winners.
Dixie J. Hadley
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Linda. I’m officially down 20 lbs on Weight Watchers! You inspired me to join. Still don’t know what my goal weight is either. I am enjoying The Marriage Pact immensely!!! Have a great and powerful day!
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Linda
Keep up the good work with WW you are doing great
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The easiest thing in the world to do is walk around with a smile and say hello to someone. You may make an upside down day turn right side up. I do it all the time, even if doing a job I hate such as grocery shopping.
Have a great day Linda,
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Congratulations to Teri S and Evelyn Dinunzio. Enjoy your win.
Linda, I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Take care and have a good week ahead.
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I forgot to ask…How is Larry, and the new baby? Is the baby out of the hospital? And, how are the baby’s parents?
I pray all are well.
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Gloria thank you for my beautiful get well card, it came at a time I needed it a lot. So grateful for you my dear friend I found on here.
Love in Christ,
Norma
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You are so welcome, Norma. If we all, in “Parable”, say a prayer for you, God would have to answer our combined prayers for you to get better.
Take care and keep your spirites up.
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Your blog is always so uplifting. I love to open my email and see a letter from you. Thank you for sharing your generous spirit with us, your readers and fans.
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Congrats to the winners,
The sun is out here in the Willamette Valley again too. I do so enjoy it. Sounds like you’ve been busy as usual, Linda. Have a wonderful week. Blessings.
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Dear Linda,
I have read dozens of your books and have really enjoyed them. I was able to obtain The Marriage Pact from my library, although there was a long waiting list. I must say I loved it. I ordered it from Harlequin so that I can have my own copy to read again and again. It is so beautifully written. I love the way all of the characters are good, and the conflict is a very subtle one of moving forward and more deeply into love.
Thank you,
Georgia
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Don’t we all love beautiful sunny days!! It is a beautiful hot sunny day here in NJ. Wish it was like this year round. Continue the good work with WW. Happy 4th
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Have a wonderful sunny day and enjoy outside as much as possible. Have a great week.
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Feeling blessed today – thank you for the gift but moreso for the encouragement you give us all to do better. Keep up the good work. I will cherish my gift.
Evelyn D.
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Glad to hear all is well. Congrats ladies. Summer has come in this week. It is hot and humid. It is suppose to rain later but that is good. Have a good day.
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Get to writing! Glad everything is getting better!
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I relate to your comment:”Dark night of the soul” and will tuck it away in my memory for the next time I go into a “Slump” —Not too soon, I hope. I also relate to your advice about smiling—My Mother always told us “A REAL LADY is nice to everyone, even those she doesn’t like”. I have carried that in my mind and tried to live it all thro my life.
Happy Monday!
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I am listening to my copy of” Marriage Pact” as I quilt, I am enjoying it thoroughly, My favorite way to savor a book I truly enjoy.
thanks for the enjoyment.
Rita C
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Glade everything is going ok. Have a good week.
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Even with it’s faults, I am so GRATEFUL to be living in the USA. TYG ! (Thank-you God)
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Hi Linda, so glad you are back on here again. You are truly miss when you are not on here.
Congratulations to Teri S. and Evelyn Dinunzio, you are very lucky winners.
Linda glad you loss some more weight keep up the good work.
Blessings to all and have a great week.
As always your friend,
Norma
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Hang in there on the WW. Plateauing is a common phase. Just the way our bodies work.
Congrats to Teri and Evelyn. Enjoy your winnings
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Linda, I forgot to ask you how is your great nephew doing , is he out of the hospital yet
Hope he is still praying for him. God’s blessings to him and his family.
Norma
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I love your books thank u for them all
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We attended the finals at The Reno Rodeo on Saturday. I saw so many handsome cowboys and pretty cowgirls there that reminded me of the characters in your books. I have enjoyed reading your books. Thanks for so many hours of enjoyable reading.
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I am glad you are feeling better. You are doing good at WW. Any lost is a win for you. Especially with all you had to do with lately. I am hoping your grand nephew is doing well.
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Thanks for the update! Enjoy your books and can’t wait for the new ones.
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As a life time member of WW it is a work in progress, but well worth the efforts to get there. So congratulations on that. I enjoy all your books and always look forward to the next one! Thank you so much for what you do!
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What a blessing you are Linda. Sharing your personal and weight struggles inspire us that think we’re the only one. Love all of your books and have so many saved to read again!
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Love your books and blog. Thanks for always remembering us.
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Nice to hear you are enjoying sunny wether.
Congrats to this weeks winners.
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I struggled with the Old Testament as well, until I discovered “The Amazing Collection”. It was both video and daily study and made all the difference to me in understanding. Good luck!
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Congrats to the winners !! I know you are one busy lady, but was so glad to hear from you. Hope you have a great week and keep on writing.
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You are my favorite author by far! You have such a way with words it is unbelievable! I love reading about you as well. You have such a fantastic relationship with your fans, it is quite refreshing!
Jana
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Love it when your blog is in my emails – miss you when you’re not there. Glad things are getting back to normal for you. Happy 4th of July to all my American friends as we prepare to celebrate July 1st, our Canada Day holiday!
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Hi Linda, glad you enjoyed The Taliban Cricket Club. Cheers Linda
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So happy to see you back on her Linda, miss you when we don’t hear from you! You are such an inspiration to so many. Thank You!
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I’m glad you’re doing well. We have been having sunshine here in Missouri today too.
Unfortunately ours comes with extremely high humidity. 
Will have to look into that book. Sounds interesting. Good luck everyone and have a great day tomorrow. Blessed be.
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Lindaglad your feeling better. Congratulations to the winners.
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That book sounds fascinating. Sometimes it’s hard to remember how lucky I am living where I do. I hit traffic or am rushed or can’t find the shoes I want to wear and all of the sudden my day isn’t as bright. So silly. It’s nice to put things in perspective.
You never know when the little things brighten someone’s day. Just today I tipped the gentleman that made my sushi and he was so sweet about it AND he let me hit the gong which in turn made my day 
Am I highly agree with the smile comment
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So glad you are feeling better. Just finished The Marriage Pact and I can’t wait for the next one!!! Hope you have a blessed week
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keep writing and smiling Linda!! us readers love ya
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So glad you are back on line. We missed you!
Hope the baby is doing well. Still praying for him.
How is the book coming along?
Hope you have a great week writing.
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Keep up the good work with the weight watchers. I’ve heard that when you’re about to lose the last extra pounds to get to your ideal weight that the pounds are a little harder to shed.
Have a Great 4th of July!
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I desperately need a haircut, thanks for mentioning it.
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I am so excited that Mojo Sheepshanks is back in the new “Deadly” books. I loved reading about her in earlier book. Thank you for writing more of her story!
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“Smile at someone today. Say something kind. After all, the smallest gestures can make a BIG difference. “
This is SO true! Someone once told me (and I’m paraphrasing here) that a smile costs nothing, but can mean everything to someone. I’ve been going through a lot lately, but the news that I was one of last week’s winners sure brought a smile to my face and really made my day. Have a great (safe) July 4th, everyone!
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Congrats to the winners! I read marriage pact in one night, couldn’t put it down, love it! Happy 4th to you! I have to work but still can watch the fireworks after I get off! Sure hope you have a wonderful holiday!
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I am so glad to hear you are getting a great son-in-law. He sounds like a winner. For several years I did the children’s message in our Southern Baptist Church. I found myself using the OT quite often. I told my pastor I could ALMOST be a Jew – that got quite a good laugh. Hang in there for the long passages of laws and begats!
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Hi Linda-I haven’t had a chance to catch up with you for a week or 2, but I am back now. When you listen to your daily Bible reading, who is the narrator? Here in Houston, I listen to Max McClean, the Listeners Bible on the radio every morning. He brings the Old Testament alive! He read Psalms 22 this morning and it blessed my heart. I just picked up The Marriage Pact yesterday evening. Looking forward to spending time in Wyoming. Blessings to you!
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You’re doing so great with your weight loss! Keep up the great work!!