We hope you enjoyed the January 2023 issue of This Awful Awesome Life.

Many thanks to Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, and Linda Cahill for their contributions to each issue.

Editing for my manuscript, Everything in Between is complete.

I still haven’t decided if I’m going to self-publish or follow a more traditional publishing path. Now that this issue is complete, I can give more attention to my manuscript. My home reno projects will start again in mid-February. It’s exciting, but also nerve-wracking because I hope the tile and fixtures will arrive on time.

The theme for our February issue is “The Power of Words.” How we think of words and how we use them can have a lasting impression on our lives and the lives of others. It’s the perfect complement to our celebrations of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month.

If you wonder why we need a Black History Month, this quote by actress/activist/author Karyn Parsons explains it perfectly,

“Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.”

Lilly has an entertaining article about the “F-bomb” which is definitely not one of her favorite words.

Orlando Bartro will be discussing “false foreshadowing” in Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, one of my favorite authors.

In honor of Black History Month, I reviewed an anthology of short stories written by Black writers, Children of the Night: The Best Short Stories by Black Writers 1967 - Present (1995). Gloria Naylor edited this anthology and hand-picked the authors for their diverse backgrounds.

This month, we’re changing up the way we do a couple of our columns. “What’s in a Word?” will feature quotes by famous Black writers, politicians, activists, and entertainers. For our streaming column, I’m sharing the songs from my Valentine’s Day playlist. Each song is available on YouTube for your listening pleasure. I hope you check them out.

“Dare to Believe,” is proud to feature two young Black leaders who use words in powerful ways.

Our February 2023 salad is Strawberry Avocado Salad. It’s colorful, delicious, and the perfect salad to serve at a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two.

Linda Cahill shares delicious recipes courtesy of The Pampered Chef to serve for your Super Bowl Party, and she didn’t forget about Valentine’s Day. Don’t miss our reading recommendations for kids and adults and our February, “Sing Me a Rebus” Quiz.  Also, check out our Author page, February in Pictures, and our preview of the March 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