Although I love reading, it has become increasingly difficult to make time for this quiet activity in my life!

The Road: Cormac McCarthy

First of all, I love to read almost as much as I love writing! The only problem I have is finding quiet time to read or write. I've been so busy with all the horses and farm work that it has been extremely difficult to find time for reading or writing. We now have 7 horses to care for, a mess of dogs and cats, and of course there's the gardening and other chores. I'm begging for more hours in the day!

A few days ago I started reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. Unfortunately I'm only 30 pages in so far...there just isn't enough time in the day, haha. I like the book (despite the kind of weird writing style) but nothing really exciting has happened yet. Although not much has happened so far, it is one of those books you just can't put down once you've picked it up. I want to keep reading it to find out when something DOES happen. I also really want to know why the world is so cold and gray in this book.

After I finish that book, I was planning on reading "Shy Boy" by Monty Roberts again. I read it ages ago when I was very young, so I don't really remember it. The book has some gorgeous photography coupled with a true story about taming a wild mustang.

Other than that, I don't have a lot of reading plans! I'm hoping I can finish these two before summer starts...if I can find the time.

Our childhoods are often defined by where we lived. Those early years help shape us into the people we are today.

Fields and Footpath nearby to Lower Vicarwood farm, Mackworth, Derbyshire

My childhood home rested on a large farm, nestled among rolling hills back on the bend. We lived near a big creek and our pasture had a natural spring in it as well. There were lots of things to do and plenty of places to make memories on that farm.

The house itself was nothing special, just a temporary living situation while our real house was being built on the property. My Dad was determined to build that house all on his own without taking out a loan or mortgage to help with the cost. As a result, the house house still is not complete 20-some years later. Anyway, we lived in a small mobile-type home beside the house being built.

It was small and ugly, but it was my home. Our rooms were tiny, the walls were paper-thin, and the doors seemed like cardboard. Although much of my time was spent outside playing, tending to the animals, or going horseback riding, sometimes we did play inside. We would roller skate up and down the hallway, do gymnastics on the couch in the living room, and build forts by the piano.

My favorite memory involves my best friend, Emily. We used to play a special version of "hide and seek" that was perfect for the small space. One of us, the "hider," would go hide down the hallway somewhere while the other walked down the hall. When walking down the hall, the "seeker" had to close their eyes tightly and run their hands along the hall walls.

At just the right moment, the "hider" would jump out and grab the "seeker." This usually resulted in frightening the "seeker" silly, complete with shrieks, screams, and giggles. It was great fun for us because we liked scaring each other.

Being scared was a fun feeling and getting to see your best friend scream and jump was hilarious! We played this modified version of "hide and seek" quite often.

Do you have a favorite game, activity, or special memory from childhood? Is it a traditional game, or did you make up your own version?

I've been a storyteller for most of my life. Before I could write I drew stories! Now I spend a great deal of my time contemplating stories, writing, and book ideas for several age groups and genres.

Macro of red HB pencil peeking through a book

Ever since I was a young child I have dreamed about writing a book. At the young age of 7 I started writing my first book on our family computer. It was a story about wild horses living on an island. The horses endured many adventures throughout my story. It was called, "The Rage Pony."

Unfortunately some time ago that old computer crashed and all of the files were lost. It is sad because I worked on that story for many years as a child. I wish I could go back and re-read what my young mind had written. Anyway, I have always dreamed about being an author.

Recently I decided that I WILL become a published author. Lately I have been writing down concepts and trying to brainstorm new ideas for children's books. I have lots of ideas and I can't wait to turn each of them into a new, interesting book for kids!

I have written the text for my first book and am still working on completing the illustrations. For some reason I still can't decide how I should color the pictures...should I use paint, pastel, colored pencil, or a combination? I just don't know what would look best.

Maybe you can help! :) The story is about two fish, a big one and a little one. The big fish thinks the little fish is "just some little fish." Upon hearing that, the little fish demonstrates to the big fish that he is unique and special, not just some little fish! What do you think would work best for coloring an underwater scene? I'm thinking bright, vibrant colors...

There are other books I have started writing as well. When I was a teenager I started many stories but never wrote any endings. I have a hard time with endings, hahah. Although I tried to write many short stories or novellas, I have not successfully finished one yet. Eventually I would like to publish my poems into a collection of poetry. Once I get a few children's books finished I might be motivated and inspired to publish some of my older works.

Have you ever started writing something with the intention of publishing it one day? What do you prefer to write: stories, articles, essays, or poems?