We hope you enjoyed the December 2022 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Many thanks to Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, and Linda Cahill for their contributions to each issue.
It’s a new year full of possibilities even though we carry some unfinished business into 2023.
My latest manuscript is with another beta reader before I make the final tweaks to my finished product. I still don’t know when it will be ready for publication, and I still haven’t decided if I’m going to self-publish or follow a more traditional publishing path. My home reno projects will start again at the end of this month or in early February, so I’m taking advantage of the quiet while I can.
The theme for our January issue is Quiet. It was suggested by Lilly Kauffman and It’s the perfect way to start a new year – listening and taking a moment to appreciate the wonders of nature, the dearness of friends, or our own inner strengths before the hustle and bustle kicks back in.
Lilly enjoys the quiet. Perhaps that’s why she became a librarian. In this month’s issue, she gives us some insight into her quiet world.
Orlando Bartro is back with an interesting article about Finnegan’s Wake.
This month I reviewed Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. It’s an eye-opener and I wish a book like this had been around when I was growing up.
With winter upon us curling up with a good book, watching TV, or listening to music seem like safe bets when the temperature drops. I found an exciting new drama series on Amazon and a Hallmark trilogy that caught my eye for January streaming. For your listening pleasure, I recommend checking out covers of famous songs on YouTube. You won’t like every cover, but many talented musicians have reimagined some classic tunes.
“Dare to Believe,” is proud to feature an author who survived the Nazi occupation of Holland and grew up to write about the silent resistors who worked behind the scenes to save their neighbors and family members. We are also featuring a Japanese diplomat assigned to Lithuania during World War II who quietly defied orders and helped thousands of Jews flee to safety.
We have a collection of words for you related to quiet places and quiet pursuits.
Our first salad of 2023 is Celery Salad with Apples. It’s light and crunchy making it the perfect alternative to the rich holiday foods that filled our tables in November and December. Best of all, it’s simple, quick to make, and delicious!
Linda Cahill shares delicious recipes to warm up any occasion courtesy of The Pampered Chef. Don’t miss our “quiet” reading recommendations for kids and adults and our January Quiz featuring all things quiet. Also check out our Author page, January in Pictures, and our preview of the February issue.
I know we have most of the year before we have to think about voting again, but the 2023 elections will include gubernatorial, and state legislative elections in a few states and numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and local offices. Please keep showing up and voting. We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will keep telling you to vote and do your homework! Vet all candidates and insist that all political parties do the same. Vote for the candidates who are the most qualified and who will safeguard our democracy.
Samantha Sayers has been missing since she disappeared on August 1, 2018, after a day of solo hiking at Vesper Peak near Seattle, Washington. Sam grew up in the Erie, Pennsylvania area where her parents Ron and Lisa still live. Her family is exploring all avenues of inquiry to find and bring her home. In the face of such an enormous challenge, they have chosen hope. Please keep sending positive thoughts to Sam and her family. As promised, we will be displaying a yellow ribbon for Sam on the opening page of each issue of This Awful Awesome Life until she is home.
If you are a person of faith, please pray for her safe return to her family. Because we are an online publication, we can update this article with any news. We will also post information on our Facebook page. Thank you!
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Happy Reading,
Fran