EARTH DAY 2021 by Sarah J. McNeal #TheWildingsSeries

 

There is so much I want to say about celebrating Earth Day because every living thing on Earth depends on what we humans must do before it’s too late. We are at the precipice of disaster. If we humans don’t change what we’re doing, we will ultimately kill the ecosystem on our planet and ourselves.

Many of us live in cities where tall building, highways, and traffic give us the feeling we are separate and more elevated than the other living beings on the planet, but nothing could be more untrue. It won’t matter if the economy dries up and Wall Street crashes if we don’t have clean water, food free from poisons, and soil and oceans rich with life. It is imperative that we take major steps to change right now. It’s on us, in this moment, to prevent the Earth and all living things on it from dying.

So, I hope you will join me in celebrating Earth Day by taking a step toward cleaning up our mess.

Until Next Time...

Sarah J. McNeal

Author of Heartwarming Stories

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The Raccoon Aftermath

 

 

As you may know, three raccoons invaded my attic by going through the roof leaving roof damage in their wake. The raccoons, 2 babies and their mama, have all been safely removed and taken to a wildlife refuge in Clover, South Carolina.

 

So, my roof had to be repaired as soon as possible before more catastrophe occurred. In order to fix the roof, the overgrown quince and red tip shrubberies had to be removed. Matthew and Tracey, my nephew and niece-in-law, removed the scrubs near the oak tree in the back yard. I thought I was done, but the roofers wanted the scrubs that were overgrown at the end of the house where my study and bedroom are. Well, I kinda hated that I had to do that because I liked the privacy those bushes provided, plus I enjoyed the bird nesting in them and my little squirrel friend, Twig, who climbed up those quince bushes (which had grown into practically trees) searching for Quince berries. I took some pictures of him that I’ll post so you can see the overgrowth at the study windows.

 

My lawn care guy, Al and his son, Jake, came and cut all those bushes down to the ground as requested by the roofers so they could get their ladders in to work on the roof. It took a long time for them to get all those bushes down and, by the time they laid out all the debris for recycle pickup, it looked like they had taken down a huge oak tree. I was astonished at the amount.

 

Twig, the squirrel, peaking in the study window. (Notice all the shrubbery behind him.)

But now that the bushes are gone, I can hear every word my neighbors speak when they are out in their driveway and I have a view of the entire street. One good thing is I can see the huge oak tree in my neighbor’s yard 2 doors down and I’ll be able to see the fireworks when that neighbor celebrates the 4^th of July this year. I intend to focus on the plus side of cutting those bushes down even though I’m going to miss Twig and the birds building nests. I’ll adapt because I would rather miss out on the privacy and wildlife than to have raccoons living in my attic.  

  Now the neighbor's huge oak tree is clearly visible from the study window.  

THE WILDINGS: A FAMILY SAGA (BOXED SET) only 99 cents

Prairie Rose Publications

BY SARAH MCNEAL

Buy Link: THE WILDINGS

THE WILDINGS is a wonderful collection of western romance stories that follow the Wilding family through generations of love and loss, joy and sorrow, and wins and losses in life. Get lost in this exciting boxed set of full-length books and novellas that trace the adventures of the descendants of the Wilding family. From the lawless old west days of the early 1900’s in ruthless Hazard, Wyoming, through the generations forward, the action, romance, and suspense is nonstop.

Follow the saga of the Wilding family from the early days that begin with a haunted house, a trunk, and a date with destiny in Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride. Can Joe and Lola’s unlikely romance last? Next, the dangers of World War 1 in For Love of Banjo, and a Prohibition-era kidnapping with Fly Away Heart will have you on the edge of your seat. Hollow Heart is a post WWII short story with a surprise twist, and The Beast of Hazard will touch you with its romance between a veterinarian and a beautiful circus performer facing danger. In Unexpected Blessings, a couple overcomes a seemingly insurmountable problem, and in Home For the Heart, a determined young woman must find a way into a confirmed bachelor’s heart. A conversation at a wedding spoils everything in It’s Only Make Believe, and in I Dream of You, a recurring dream, a kiss, and deadly secrets could unlock not only love but a very dangerous outcome for everyone. Three Christmas novellas, A Husband for Christmas, When Love Comes Knocking, and A Christmas Visitor are also included to round out the series and bring it to a very satisfying conclusion.

 

This wonderful collection will keep you entertained with richly-woven stories filled with real-life excitement, danger, and love from the heart of romance author Sarah J. McNeal. THE WILDINGS will enthrall you and keep you turning pages as you follow the multi-faceted characters and the stories of their lives! Don’t miss it!

Sarah J. McNeal

Author of Heartwarming Stories

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My EASTER MEMORIES

 

MOM: Hilda Charlene McNeal

While Pop was the master of gardening, nature, science, and bird watching, Mom’s super power was celebrating holidays. She had an innate gift for making them joyous occasions no matter what. Easter was one of those special happy times she created.

 

It all started with the dying of Easter eggs. It was quite a production. While the eggs were boiling we gathered the magical kit of dye tabs, metal look, paper stickers with pictured of bunnies and chicks, and that wondrous was crayon we could use to write our names and greetings. There were usually 6-8 color tabs in the packet, so we got the same number of old cups we would use to dissolve each tab using water and vinegar. We dipped the eggs into the dye using the metal loop and placed it on a rack until it dried. When we finished we had quite a pile of colorful and decorated eggs. Of course we sampled some along the way.

 

Mom made her own chocolate covered eggs. The filling was made using cream cheese, powdered sugar and something to flavor it. Our two favorite fillings were peanut butter and cherry. Ohmagosh, those chocolate covered sweets were so yummy good.

 

Even after my sister and I were grown, Mom still had those Easter baskets waiting for us on the dining room table every Easter. She crammed it full of jelly beans, marshmallow peeps, some kind of funky hard marshmallow eggs with a colored sugar coating, and of course, that great big chocolate rabbit. There would be fuzzy chicks and other toys in there when we were younger. I still have my basket and some of the toys that she put in it. The chicks with cowboy hats and bonnets are a bit faded now, but most of them are still there. I use it as a center piece for my dining table these days, but with it also comes the memories of Mom and how she made Easter a wonderful happy time.

Sarah J. McNeal

Author of Heartwarming Stories

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