If all goes as planned, this Wednesday, July 15, 2026, another adventure drops!

Modo & Jiblet: The Stuck Stone will officially be available in both paperback and Kindle eBook, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with everyone. Every story in this little forest has taught me something, and this one is no exception.

Lately, I’ve been asked how these books seem to come together so quickly. I wondered if they thought illustrations were AI‑generated.

The answer is NO! ~ not even a little.

These stories have lived with me for years, many of them pulled straight from my own childhood. Long before they became picture books, they were bedtime stories I shared on YouTube for my grandsons and any little listener who found them. The words have shifted and grown, and now they’ve finally landed on the pages.  I’m simply giving them a home in a book of their own.

On Illustrating the Forest

As for the illustrations, I’m constantly working on them ~tweaking, learning, erasing, trying again, and asking for feedback along the way. I’m the first to admit I’m not a professional illustrator, and someone with years of experience could probably point out plenty of things I could improve.

The squirrels already do. Loudly. From the trees. With commentary like: 

“THE TREES NEED MORE DRAMA.” 

“WHY DOESN’T THIS CHARACTER HAVE SNACKS?”

 “WE DEMAND REPRESENTATION.” 

“WE WANT A MUSICAL NUMBER.” 

That’s okay. Every book teaches me something new.

After a disappointing experience with an illustrator who wasn’t able to follow through and cost me money, I made the decision to learn this part of the process myself. It hasn’t always been easy, and sometimes I question my sanity.

Will my illustrations get better over time? I certainly hope so. But that’s part of the journey. Every page reflects not only a story I’ve wanted to tell, but also the courage to keep learning something new. 

And honestly, after already working for a company that outsourced my job, why would I outsource to AI? We all need to recognize that outsourcing everything has consequences. Creativity matters. Craftsmanship matters. People matter.

The squirrels agree so strongly they staged a protest in the driveway. 

They had signs; one said, “NO ROBOTS IN THE FOREST,” and another, “WE BITE.”

They had chants. 

They blocked traffic. 

A delivery driver is still emotionally recovering. 

(🐿️We would like to call out the company our human worked for before dealing with us daily below)

🔥🐿️ Mini Press Release from the Squirrel Coalition🐿️🔥

FOR IMMEDIATE HUMAN CONSUMPTION  (Real article in the KC Star)

The Squirrel Coalition would like to address the recent headline regarding Lockton’s new headquarters and the removal of mature trees near Leawoof Dog Park.

We squirrels describe the event as:

“THE GREAT WOODLAND BETRAYAL OF 2026.”

Dozens of our homes, snack vaults, gossip branches, and emergency escape routes were clear‑cut in a single swoop. Some humans called it “traumatizing.” We called it:

“A LEVEL‑10 ACORN EMERGENCY.”

We hereby issue our official demands:

• Immediate replacement of all fallen trees
• More peanuts
• Fewer bulldozers

Until further notice, we will continue to monitor the situation from the remaining branches, file complaints with the raccoon union, and steal snacks from anyone who parks near the construction site.

We are watching. We are organized. We are the squirrels.

My human response to this is… Message Approved, which the squirrels are NOT used to hearing from me. Only one of us can be unhinged at a time!

Which means my official response is this: 

“Having lived through my own job being outsourced, it’s hard not to question how public incentives are being granted without any clear focus on protecting local jobs.”  ~Tricia~

Back to the Business Side of a Dream

Before one book is even out in the world, my mind has already wandered back into the forest. I’ve started working on the next adventure, and while I’m keeping most of it a surprise for now, I can already tell it’s going to introduce someone very special. I can’t wait until the day I can properly introduce you.

(🐿️We have been whispering about it. She doesn’t trust us, since we’re terrible at keeping secrets, so stay tuned.)

One lesson this journey keeps teaching me is that creating something you love and turning it into a small business are two very different things. I love creating stories, but I’ve also had to learn that every book, bookmark, magnet, or button represents time, supplies, and countless hours of work.

Supporting a small business isn’t just buying a product; it’s helping someone continue creating.

The squirrels encourage me too, but mostly by stealing my pencils, so I have to buy more. 

I’ve always been someone who loves giving. That hasn’t changed. But building a small business has taught me that generosity and sustainability have to live side by side. If I want to keep creating these little forest adventures for years to come, I also have to treat this like the business it has become.

The next time you’re deciding between a handmade item, a local author, a family-owned shop, or a big-box store, remember there’s often a person on the other side hoping their dream will survive one more day. Every purchase, every share, every recommendation, and every kind review matters more than you probably realize.

(🐿️We leave reviews too, but mostly just leave acorns and run away.) 

Life Outside the Forest

We’re getting ready for family to arrive, there’s plenty of yard work waiting for us, and we’re preparing for my father‑in‑law’s celebration of life. Like so many families, grief has a way of bringing out both the very best and, sometimes, the not‑so‑best in people.

It reminded me of a few things I’d love to see us normalize:

• Ask before adding someone to a group text. Not everyone wants their phone buzzing all day. Some people still use flip phones (and yes, they’re making a comeback), and a quick “Would you mind if I added you?” is a simple courtesy.
• Stop asking adults how old they are. It’s one of those questions that rarely improves a conversation, kind of like asking who someone voted for or about private medical information. Back in the day, it was considered rude to ask these questions. 
• Remember that grief looks different for everyone. People don’t always respond with calm words or perfect reactions. Sometimes they’re exhausted. Sometimes overwhelmed. Sometimes simply heartbroken.

Before judging someone’s response, pause for just a moment and imagine what it might feel like to stand in their shoes.

A little grace can go a very long way.

Home, Dogs, and Ordinary Magic

Our oldest pup has had a few small health hiccups that remind us he’s not as young as he once was. The other two are happily keeping everyone entertained, and they’re all soaking up every boujie moment they can together.

Life keeps moving.

Books get published.

New stories begin.

Lawns still need mowing.

Dogs still ask for treats.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that, we keep showing up.

The squirrels show up too- usually when I’m not looking and usually with questionable motives.

Thank you for following along on this journey with me. Whether you’ve been here since the very beginning or you’ve only recently wandered into our little forest, I’m grateful you’re here.

The squirrels are grateful too. 

They told me so. 

Then they stole my snack. 

I suppose that’s their version of a five-star review.

🍃 Tricia ❤️