If you haven't noticed, I have a new book out. Influenced by my time spent living in the Shenandoah Valley and my school exchange trips to Russia, I created a fun story that follows a down on his luck therapist who is unable to find the right woman. I always enjoy books and movies where families meddle and are eager to set their loved ones up on dates. Knowing this often creates  a train wreck, I wondered what it would be like if this one therapist is fed up with his family's suggestions and wants to revisit his past. After that premise, I wrote the story fairly quickly. Fast forward a few years, after several rewrites, titles, and book covers, we have From West Virginia, with Love.  Take a look at the cover below and the summary if you feel inclined.  

​Meet William Chase Jones, a successful therapist plagued by bad relationships. The good doctor is looking everywhere to find the right woman. His family, especially his constantly scheming brother Paulie, want in on the action. After another horrible date and the recurring memory of a Russian woman from his past, Chase decides that he needs to go overseas to find the woman that haunts his dreams. While he is optimistic of finding her, he must come to grips on how reality is quite different than a memory seventeen years in the making.

From West Virginia with Love is a fun, quirky love story. Not everything is what it seems and sometimes it takes traveling halfway around the world to realize who you are and who you want to share a life with.

We had a wee bit of snow in central New Hampshire on Thursday. In a throw back to life prior to Covid-19, at work we had not only one snow day, but two snow days. The students were confused as to why we got two consecutive days off, but then again they might have been tired from shoveling out of this epic snowfall. 40 inches of white stuff in a short period of time can set anyone back. I know there are muscle groups in my body that are a bit thrown off not only from being used, but used to exhaustion.

I'm calling it now that the remaining snow storms of this upcoming winter season will be either nonexistent or we will get slammed every time.  Here's hoping to the next storm being well under 40 inches. Then again, the forecasters said we would only get 3-6. They can't be wrong again can they?
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Some say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Knowing this, here are some pictures from the Christmas tree I picked up on Wednesday. I will share that this is the first real tree I have purchased alone as an adult.

There was one time in Florida, maybe 7 years ago, where a friend and I bought a real tree, so aside from those two instances fake trees have been the norm since college. Whether it is due to the pandemic or just the uniqueness of living alone, I appreciate the beauty in this small purchase. I can feel the spirit of the season. The tree truly lightens the mood, especially as I trudge like many of you through this challenging holiday period sequestered away from family and friends.

Enjoy the photos! Please remember it is okay to take one day at a time.

Make no doubt about it, winter has arrived. Some in the northern hemisphere are thinking it's still a few more weeks away, but mother nature has spoken. As I type this, a nor'easter is visiting my home. We started off with rain and now the snow is coming down. Granted 8 inches is nothing to balk at, but I'm familiar with storms where we get dumped on. I'm talking 20-32 inches of snow in a given storm.

Since I returned from Italy, I have yet to experience one of those storms, but I think we're due here in New Hampshire for a big one. For readers that might wonder what a storm of that magnitude is like feel free to see my face in the picture above. I think fondly on when I ran during one of these bigger storms. I didn't go out for 2 hours, but I did go out for about an hour, fighting through the snow and wind. Really the wind is the bigger of the two issues. 

When a big storm comes in you really shouldn't be out and about driving around. As for today's baby storm, the hardy New Hampshire population is still driving around despite the accumulation and the slick roads. I saw one guy towing his boat because you know it's December and clearly it was time to get it out of the water.

In my youth I was known to follow such trends, but now I race around before the storm to get groceries and check off errands. It's far better to sit at home and watch the snow fall, then worrying about whether I'm going to drive off the road. Now a walk, sign me up for that, as long as the wind isn't whipping. There really is something magical about the falling snow hitting the ground and the peacefulness of the entire scene. Think Narnia and you'll get the picture.

If you are lucky enough to participate in this weather, please enjoy it safely. And for those that are in warmer climates, I'll make sure to tell you how much I miss and love you when February comes around.