Julie Ellen Watermelon... I miss you so much!

On August 23, 2016, my beautiful sister Julie Ellen Bowman passed away. There was, is, or will never be any person more forgiving, sweet, generous, unconditional love-giving, and long-suffering than Julie.

I really want to write a loving tribute, but I can't seem to find the words. Instead I will share information about the memorial that her daughter, Jenny Lynn prepared for her.


Jenny dedicated a wall in my parents home with pictures of Julie. In between the photos were decorations of butterflies. Jenny also ordered live butterflies for all our  family and friends to release during the memorial. Then, Jenny shared with me something I never knew; she told me that Julie loved butterflies.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Julie loving butterflies because when I was a teenager I would call her things like brat, or crybaby, something that I wasn't supposed to say. One night my father heard me teasing her. He reprimanded me and told me if I didn't say something nice, I wasn't to say anything at all. From then on whenever Julie and I fought I'd call her BUTT-er-fly.

I want to share more, but my emotions won't let me. It's taken this long to type this entry without completely falling apart.

How I miss you, Julie Boo! I miss texting you good morning every morning, especially because my morning starts at 5 am, which is 3 am California time. But she was always up--mostly because she spent each night trying to get comfortable as she dealt with her crippling edema--and would text me back.

I promise I will write more another time. There is soooo much to say, but right now I can only say, "I love you Julie!"

Julie Ellen Bowman
September 26, 1970 - August 23, 2016

My son, John, my beautiful sister Julie, and my daughter Lucy
July 2016

Free YA 1st page critique contest...

I was browsing through my writing website subscription emails, and something caught my eye. Since I haven't thought of my YA novel for over a year, I'm surprised I'm taking action, but I thought I'd dust off my manuscript and send in my first page.

The contest is offered though Writer's Digest and I think anyone who writes YA should enter. The contest is being judged by agent Andrea Morrison of Writers House. More information can be found at:   http://tinyurl.com/z7e9rsc 

Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted.

Me

Morning Walk with Four Boxers and a Cat

During the filming of this video, I tried to film the animals walking behind me. Alas, I didn't realize that the footage was sideways. It corrects itself, but bare with me for a few seconds.

How I miss my kitty :(

Lil Miss and her new bone

 Any guesses on what bone this is?

Jinx and Lil' Miss playing

Missing our Jinx...

Everyone in our family is sad about the loss of our kitty, Jinx. Especially, my little blood hound, Lil' Miss, who I believe knows where Jinx may have been snatched by coyotes.

Whenever we walk through the fields behind our house, Lil' Miss always sniffs out bones, dead birds, etc. On the walk following the night our cat failed to come home, Lil' Miss's hair stood on end down her back and she took off following a scent. I called her back, but I couldn't stop her nervousness.

Even weeks later, she sniffs around the house and the rose bushes where he used to hide.

Jinx was such a great little guy. He made friends with all the dogs, often kissing their faces when they were laying on the bed or couch. There was nothing funnier than sleeping with my husband, four boxers, and a kitty through the night. Often, Jinx would want me to pet him in the middle  of the night, so he would lightly pat at my nose.

He was the sweetest cat I've ever had and I miss him.

Lucy Photos...

                                      Kindergarten, 2004