2025 Wrap-up

Here's my long overdue wrap-up of 2025! I'll try to keep it short, since it's already well into February.

I spent the first half of the year revising and fine tuning The Star of Moon Village to get it ready for publication in January 2026. Reviews for the book started coming in as early as the fall, including recognition as a Gold Standard Selection by the Junior Library Guild!

On October 4, I participated in International Observe the Moon Night (see previous post). I was hoping to take a really good close-up photo of the moon, but I couldn't get my equipment together, so I ended up with a so-so photo from a medium distance.

My photo of the moon.

Author events included a January book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Rehoboth Beach and a February appearance at North Dover Elementary's Black History Month Celebration. In the spring/summer, I presented at Milford Library's Homeschool Hour and Milton Library's Middle Grade Reader's Club. Rounding out the year, I attended the Friends of the Harrington Public Library Book Fest and the ROOTS Farm and Forest School Holiday Book Fair.

Me about to play "guess that bird" at the ROOTS Farm and Forest School Book Fair.

So, what else happened this year? Well, I started a new job teaching English as a Second Language at Delaware Technical Community College. It's been a challenge, since my last steady teaching gig was back in the late 1990s. At the same time, it's been an extremely rewarding experience helping immigrants improve their language skills.

And my Purple Martin condo experiment? Well, not one Purple Martin showed up. Instead, it became the "in" spot for House Sparrow families. The condo really needs to be moved to a wide-open space to attract Purple Martins. I'll regroup and see what I can do. Or I may just give it away to a more fitting owner.

Purple Martin House fail.

Okay, I think that's it for highlights. For a steadier stream of current news and photos, check out my Instagram page (that's where I hang out the most)!

Observe the Moon!

International Observe the Moon Night is October 4, 2025 (Photo credit: NASA/Vi Nguyen)

I'm so excited to take part in International Observe the Moon Night this October! Why not join in the fun? Click on the link above to learn more about the event and to register to join the worldwide community of moon watchers!

I plan to observe the moon from my backyard and will try to get a few snaps through my binoculars. I'm new to astrophotography, so that should be a challenge. I hope to turn the photos into posters. Might even try my hand at a painting or drawing.

It would be cool to focus on the landing site of my upcoming novel, The Star of Moon Village, but on that night it'll be on the unlit side of the half moon. Although it won't be completely unlit. Earthshine--which is sunlight reflected off of Earth--will give that side a little bit of glow. We'll see how much I'll be able to make out.

Let's just hope for clear skies. (Although . . . a few small clouds could add some artistic drama to my photos, wouldn't they?)

Why All the Jitters?

Me looking nervous at my very first book-related appearance

Restarting the blog for the fifty-seventh time!

Since you last heard from me, I was celebrating the release of my debut novel, Bird Nerd. Since then, I’ve slowly been making the rounds of promotional events (they’re listed on my home page, btw). As an introvert who just happens to be good at faking extroversion, I had to deal with a lot of nerves before my very first outing, which took place at the Kent County Public Library in Dover. I was only one of about ten writers who had tables at the event, and no official speeches were required…and yet I was petrified.

And guess what? It was fine. Everything was fine. And I even sold a few books.

Then came a book signing at the brand-new independent bookstore that opened up in my town. Also terrifying. Why? Because although Milford is technically a city, it still has a smallish town feel to it. If I embarrassed myself, I most certainly would have to move.

The Crafty Reader, Milford's fabulous local independent bookstore

And guess what? Everything was fine. And I sold even more books.

Barnes & Noble came next, and the scary part of that was—well, it was Barnes & Noble! Although by then the nerves were starting to be less of an issue.

How did it go? Well, see above.

Me getting set up at Barnes & Noble

But soon I would have the fright of all frights—a school visit! Although I didn’t have to show up in person (it was virtual), this would be the first time I had to actually plan and deliver a presentation. I started off that morning with a round of yoga, then spent the remaining pre-presentation time rehearsing, praying, taking nerve calming aids, etc.

If only I had known that the hour with the kids would fly by! The third through fifth graders at Gallaher Elementary Virtual Academy asked lots of questions, were enthusiastic about the bird ID game, and sent me the most wonderful thank you notes via Google Slides.

Just days later I had a great time at North Dover Elementary’s Black History Month celebration. It had been a while since I was actually inside an elementary school, and being there gave me the warm fuzzies! I even got a tour of the school library, which was fabulous!

So by now, I really shouldn’t worry, right?  Of course, I know there’s no guarantee that every event will go as planned or be a resounding success. But worrying isn’t going to change anything. I’m reminded of Matthew 6:27—which, by the way, is right after Jesus speaks about observing the birds of the air: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

Almost forgot--I also appeared on a podcast!

Sure, having a few jitters is natural, and it’s not necessarily bad. Often that kind of nervous excitement keeps us on our toes. Worrying, on the other hand, is really the epitome of being unproductive. It takes up energy but produces nothing. Well, at least nothing worthwhile.

So that’s one lesson learned…for now. I have a feeling I’ll be coming back from time to time for a bit of re-learning.