One Year Later: Meet Snugsquash

June 18, 2026

A year ago, I sat in a meeting that changed my life.

After more than five years with the company, I was told my position was being outsourced. I remember hearing the words “it’s not because of your performance,” but that didn’t make the uncertainty any easier.

(🐿️ If her performance wasn’t the problem, then maybe ~ hear us out ~ the problem was the people making the decisions. We’re naming no names. But we COULD.) 

(🐿️ “Not your performance” is corporate code for “we made a bad decision to take financial advantage of others, and we’re too cowardly to own it.” We said what we said.) 

Like many people who suddenly find themselves without a job, I worried about everything.

How would I pay the bills?

What would I do next?

What if no one hired me again?

(🐿️ We offered her a position in the tree‑hollow communications department. She declined. Something about “no Wi‑Fi.”) 

(🐿️ We offered her acorns. She said that wouldn’t cover utilities. We disagree.)

What I didn’t know then was that this greedy corporate decision would push me toward something no one can take from me:

~Creating children’s books~

(🐿️ We supported this career pivot. We voted 7–1 in favor. The one dissenting vote was from a squirrel who thought she should open a nut bakery.) 

Over the last year, there have been plenty of moments when I questioned myself. There were late nights learning new programs, figuring out publishing, building a website, creating social media accounts, designing bookmarks, making buttons and magnets, and learning more about Amazon KDP than I ever thought possible… oh, and their inconsistencies, which are no longer a surprise.

(🐿️ We have a running list of KDP inconsistencies. It’s longer than our tails.)

(🐿️ We have a 42‑page document titled “KDP Shenanigans: A Field Study.”)

 There were mistakes too.

Pages that needed to be corrected.

Books that needed to be re‑uploaded.

Files that disappeared.

(🐿️ She deleted the entire Home page. We screamed. We fainted. One of us needed emotional support sunflower seeds.) 

And most recently, a little character named Snugsquash who temporarily “lost his spine” when Amazon decided my book wasn’t thick enough to print text on the spine ~ even though it was required on the previous books.

(🐿️ We no longer panic. We simply sigh and add another line to the Shenanigans Document.)

I laughed… eventually.

(🐿️ We heard the pre‑laughter words. We cannot repeat them. This is a family‑friendly blog.) 

Because that’s what this journey has taught me:

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan.

But that doesn’t mean you stop.

You adjust.

You learn.

You keep moving forward.

(🐿️ Forward is good. Forward usually leads to snacks.)

And now, one year later, I’m excited to introduce the newest member of the Modo and Jiblet family.

Meet Snugsquash

Snugsquash is a shy, wide‑footed forest friend who feels different from everyone around him.

He worries about fitting in.

He worries about what others think.

He worries about being accepted.

(🐿️ We told him he could join our tree anytime. He said he needed to “emotionally prepare.” We respect that.) 

But through kindness, friendship, and a little courage, he discovers something important:

Being different isn’t something to hide.

It’s something to celebrate.

I think many of us ~ children and adults alike~ can relate to that feeling.

(🐿️ Especially those of us with unusually fluffy tails. We embrace it.)

Thank You

To everyone who has supported me this past year, especially my family and close friends.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for sharing posts.

Thank you for purchasing books.

Thank you for encouraging me when I wasn’t sure what came next.

(🐿️ We also thank these humans. They give her snacks. When she has snacks, we have snacks.) 

(🐿️ We would also like to thank ourselves. We worked very hard supervising this human.) 

And a huge thank‑you to my friend Patty ~ my unofficial editor and official typo‑catching superhero.  

The squirrels insist she has personally prevented at least three panic‑inducing acorn‑flinging episodes per book.

(🐿️ Three is the minimum. We have receipts.) 

Every message and kind word has meant more than you know.

This little dream continues because of people like you.

(🐿️ And because of us. We would like partial credit. Maybe a corner of the acknowledgments page.)

And while I still don’t know exactly where this path will lead, I do know one thing:

I’m grateful I kept going.

Here’s to one year of learning, growing, creating, and believing in new beginnings.

And here’s to Snugsquash. ❤️

May you always find friends who use their words with kindness.  

— Tricia

(🐿️ And may your squirrels always be loud, loyal, and only slightly unhinged.)

🌿 Lately, life has looked less like “children’s author” and more like “Granny versus yard debris.”

I swear I picked up sticks for hours.

I’d clear one area, turn around, and somehow it looked like I had never even been there. At this point, I’m convinced the squirrels are waiting in the trees, throwing more down the second I walk away.

I can almost hear them now:

“Hey Larry, she made it to the fence line… DROP MORE.”

Thankfully, I finally got a new battery for my golf cart and hooked a wagon behind it. Let me tell you… The setup looked a little questionable. Somewhere between “yard maintenance” and “hillbilly parade float.”

🐿️ “She’s the one called ‘Granny’ off The Beverly Hillbillies. Why is she complaining?” (The Union would like to note that Granny’s reputation for feistiness predates this yard and us.)

But wow, did it save my back.

Of course, once the grandsons saw the wagon attached, all responsible behavior immediately disappeared. Apparently, the goal became driving around the yard as wildly as possible while Granny attempted to maintain some level of dignity.

I’m not sure we succeeded.

🐿️ “She has no one to blame but herself ~ she’s the driver after all!” (The Union agrees. The wagon did not attach itself.)

Somewhere between staining furniture, painting outside pieces, cleaning everything up, and battling the squirrel‑stick conspiracy, I’ve also been finishing up something exciting…

Modo and Jiblet Meet G.G. the Frog will officially release on Amazon on May 25, 2026.

And a little behind‑the‑scenes note: G.G. is inspired by my mom ~ peaceful, steady, and always decorating or rearranging something until it looks “just right.” Basically, the opposite of the squirrels, who rearrange things by throwing sticks at me. This book is dedicated to her. I hope you enjoy it. 

Between the storms today and the squirrel union working overtime, I’m preparing myself for Round 47 of Stick Pickup 2026.

I can’t wait to share the next adventure with all of you.

Until then, if anyone needs me, I’ll be outside pretending I’ve finally won the battle against the sticks…after the rain stops, of course.

P.S. If the squirrels suddenly disappear from future stories… we all know why

🐿️ Who is she kidding? Have you seen the number of trees out back? Good luck, Granny. This will be entertaining. We will definitely keep you updated on the situation as it unfolds. 

🐿️ Official Statement from the Squirrel Union

(Released at 7:10 a.m. CST, under protest, during peak stick‑distribution hours)

To Whom It May Concern (primarily Granny):

The Squirrel Union would like to address recent allegations regarding excessive stick deployment, strategic limb placement, and general woodland mischief occurring on the property known as “Granny’s Yard.”

After a thorough internal review (and one heated acorn‑throwing debate), the Union has determined the following:

1. We deny all accusations of intentionally dropping sticks the moment Granny turns her back. Any such timing is purely coincidental and absolutely not coordinated by Larry.
2. We acknowledge that today’s storms may result in an increased volume of sticks. This is an act of nature, not an act of the Union. (Although we admit we will be observing the chaos with great interest.)
3. We request that Granny cease referring to our activities as “the squirrel‑stick conspiracy.” The preferred term is “forest floor enrichment program.”
4. We are aware of the upcoming release of Modo and Jiblet Meet G.G. the Frog. We wish to clarify that any comparisons between G.G.’s calm demeanor and our own behavior are unfair, inaccurate, and frankly insulting.
5. We remain unafraid of Granny. However, we will be monitoring her golf‑cart‑wagon setup closely, as it appears to be evolving into a tactical retrieval vehicle.

In conclusion, the Squirrel Union will continue its regular operations, including but not limited to: stick distribution, nut relocation, fence‑line surveillance, and judging Granny’s yardwork from the trees.

Respectfully submitted,

The Squirrel Union Executive Committee🐿️

Trying to finish Book 3…

While preparing for the barbecue/car show…

While working on the yard…

While cleaning the house…

While organizing life…

All while my brain runs around like a group of squirrels holding tiny clipboards shouting:

🐿️“DON’T FORGET THE ISBN PAGE!”

 And

🐿️“GET THOSE WEEDS PULLED!”

But wait, there’s one more!

🐿️“YOU MISSED A WEED!” (while holding a magnifying glass.)

And honestly?

I wouldn’t trade this crazy, creative little life for anything. 🤎🍃

Mother’s Day this year was perfectly imperfect ~ tiny painted flower pots, forest creatures, messy tables, laughter, my grandsons playing tetherball on the same pole I used as a child, and everyone simply enjoying the moment.

Sometimes the best days are the ones you forget to take pictures of. 🌿

Everyone who wanted to paint ~ whether flower pots or forest animals ~ made something fun and beautiful.

Even my son ended up painting. 😊

(🐿️ A third squirrel tried to paint a flower pot. Results were… abstract.)

No staged photos.

No fancy plans.

Just simple memories.

And those are usually the ones that stay with you the longest. 🤎

Now it’s back to illustration mode as I try to finish Book 3 in the Modo & Jiblet series this week… while also getting ready for a big backyard barbecue and car show. Because why do one thing at a time when you can do twelve!

(🐿️ They also insist Book 3 be finished before the barbecue. They’re very bossy.)

My blog today comes from a place of gratitude, reflection, and~ if I’m being honest, a foggy head from a cold that decided to tag along after I got home.
(🐿️ She’s dramatic. It’s a cold, not the plague.)

My daughter and Paul’s wedding in Maui was everything I hoped it would be for them… and more. It was beautiful, meaningful, and full of moments I’ll carry with me forever. But what surprised me was how much the people we met along the way became part of the story too.

There’s something about Maui that opens people up. Conversations felt easier, smiles came quicker, and connections just seemed to happen naturally.
(🐿️ Her daughter will tell you she talks to almost anyone sometimes. We can confirm.)

Ornery Kindness & a Mystery Gift

There were a few moments where I felt just a little… spoiled~and maybe slightly suspicious.

At one point, my daughter and Kim convinced me (no, instructed me) to go to a resin clock‑making activity. It sounded fun~and it was~but what made it unforgettable was that neither of them would admit who paid for me.

To this day, I still don’t know who to thank… which feels intentional, and I love them both for their ornery kindness.
(🐿️ She bragged about those two ornery girls the entire time. We heard it. Repeatedly.)

Throughout the trip, there were so many small, thoughtful gestures~drinks picked up, meals shared and bought, little kindnesses that didn’t go unnoticed.

(🐿️ She tried to solve the mystery. She failed. We enjoyed watching.)

The 3:00 a.m. Adventure

And then… there was our Haleakalā Sunrise Best Guided Bike Tour.

A group of us signed up, and while the sunrise was stunning, what I remember most is the ride back down. All but two people in our group chose not to bike down the mountain.

Barb and I did not.

Because really ~ who else besides us two moms was going to look out for everyone properly? 😄
(🐿️ Translation: they didn’t trust the others to behave unsupervised.)

Our driver was amazing, but I like to think we helped keep him in check… although he was just as ornery and fun as we were. Then the bike guide traded spots and drove us for a bit, and yes, he fit right in, too.

There were three guys total, and every single one of them matched the energy: fun, playful, and just the right amount of ornery.

(🐿️ We approve of this chaos. It was tasteful chaos.)

Honestly, Barb and I should count ourselves lucky. They had us in a white van at 3:00 in the morning. I’m pretty sure I’ve been mentally preparing for this moment for a while now. I only ask that my jacket have some bling and the buckles in the back be velcro, because I’ll probably clean and care for the other patients to stay busy. 

(🐿️ She has. We’ve seen the signs.)

Once we made it back, another guy we hadn’t met told me to have a good day… and to behave.

Now, where in the world would he have gotten that idea 🤣
(🐿️ We might’ve told him.)

The Magic of Small Moments

It’s those in‑between moments~the laughter, the kindness, the unexpected fun~that stay with you long after the trip is over.

And of course… a few special little travelers came along too.

Several copies of Modo and Jiblet made the trip. One found its way into the hands of a little boy on the plane, another to a sweet little girl, and a few were gifted to staff at the resort.

(🐿️ We supervised the gifting. We approve of spreading the love.)

One day, I hope I can hand out free books just because. It may take time, but I’m working towards it
(🐿️ Manifest it. We’ll help. We’re small but mighty.)

A Little Piece of Grandma Bernice

There was one more thing I carried with me on this trip ~ something small, something simple, and something that’s always meant a lot to me.

My Little Grandma Bernice’s Hawaii coin purse.

She brought it back from her own trip over 40 years ago, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve kept it safely tucked away.

From the moment this trip was talked about, I knew I was taking the coin purse with me. It honestly had to go; I wouldn’t have felt right leaving it behind. It felt like I was bringing her with me. 

Throughout the trip, I shared the story of that little coin purse with the amazing staff at the resort I met, strangers who became friends 

(🐿️ We guarded the coin purse. We took this job very seriously.)

I think she would’ve loved that.

(🐿️ She definitely would’ve told at least three strangers about it. Runs in the family.

Coming Home to Chaos & Community

Coming home was a different kind of adventure.

Between travel exhaustion, weather, and a tornado moving through my town, it was a whirlwind of worry.

(🐿️ She didn’t sleep. We tried to tell her to rest. She ignored us.)

Our homes were safe, but many families in the community weren’t as fortunate. There was damage and loss, but also something incredibly powerful: people showing up for one another.

(🐿️ Humans can be pretty great sometimes.)

Somewhere in the middle of this, I came down with a cold that completely wiped me out.

(🐿️ We told her. She didn’t listen. Again.)

Then, just when I thought my heart couldn’t feel any fuller, my daughter and son‑in‑law surprised me with a delivery of: “Get Well” balloon, a candy bouquet, and two small desserts.

(🐿️ We approve of these children. Keep them.)

A Shift in Perspective

Looking back, I realize something shifted for me on this trip.

I used to say, “This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip.”

I won’t say that anymore.

Instead, I’ll say this: I’ll be back.

(🐿️ We’re already packing.)

When I was presented with a Kukui nut lei, I learned that when you return, you add a white Kukui nut to your lei~continuing your story. And I fully plan to do just that one day.

No more limiting beliefs.

It may take practice, but I truly believe this: anything is possible.

(🐿️ Yes. Even us behaving. But don’t count on that one.)

The past few years have taught me a lot—some hard lessons, some beautiful ones—but through it all, I’ve learned that life isn’t about having everything perfectly together.

Sometimes it’s about living right in the middle of it all…
the joy, the chaos, the setbacks, the growth.

The messy middle.

And maybe that’s where the magic really happens.
(🐿️ We live in the messy middle. It’s cozy here.)

Places & Activities I Loved in Maui

If you ever get the chance to visit, here are a few experiences I highly recommend:

• Outrigger Resort — Beautiful property with amazing staff
• Haleakalā Sunrise Best Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui
• Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling aboard Pride of Maui
• Wailele Luau with Fire & Knife Performance and Dinner

(🐿️ We would also like to recommend: more snacks, more naps, and more trips where she talks to strangers.)

Some of the best stories don’t start on paper.
They start in real life.

This week brought back one of those moments that makes me smile every single time I think about it.

🦨 The Spring Skunk Made Another Visit

The Spring Skunk made his second appearance, sneaking around, hiding eggs, and leaving behind a trail of giggles and excitement for the boys.

(🐿️We tried hiding eggs once. It did not go well. Acorns everywhere.)

What started as a silly, playful moment has turned into something more.
It’s becoming a tradition.
And now… it’s becoming a story.
A real children’s book ~ The Spring Skunk will get started after Modo and Jiblet Meet G.G. the Frog. 

(🐿️One minute you’re giggling, the next you’re working on another story. Happens to the best of us.)

Because here’s what I’ve realized:

✨ The little things we do today become the stories we tell tomorrow.

 I write these stories so our family memories stay alive, especially for my grandsons ~ so they’ll always have these moments to look back on, even when they’re grown.

(🐿️ We’re keeping notes too. Someone has to maintain the official squirrel archives.)

As well as my private family collaborator, D.D.M, who brings even more heart into these stories, weaving in real family and friends, turning familiar faces and shared adventures into characters that feel alive on the page.

They’re inspired by real moments.
Real laughter.
Real memories with our family and friends.

(🐿️ We’ve seen the sketches. We approve. Especially the snacks.)

And there’s something really special about taking those moments and turning them into stories~because then they don’t just live in our memories.
They live on pages.
They get shared.
They get passed down.

And maybe… just maybe…
they become part of someone else’s memories, too.

📖 Cozy Updates From This Week

⭐ Last Chance Reminder

Tomorrow — Tuesday, April 7 — is the final day to download
Modo and Jiblet: The Stormy Day on Kindle.

✨ New Stories Today on YouTube

• The Spring Skunk 🦨
• Modo and Jiblet Meet G.G. 🐸

Perfect for a cozy little break or a bedtime routine.

🌱 A Little Teaser…

Modo and Jiblet have been busy…
Packing.
Preparing.
Whispering about something new.

But I’m not quite ready to tell you where they’re going.

So I’ll leave you with this:

🌴 “Soft sand, small steps, and a breeze that sways~
Where do you think they’re headed these days?” 🌴

(🐿️ Operation: Find Modo & Jiblet is officially underway. Bring coconuts.)

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for being part of this journey with me.
These stories may start with us…
but they grow because of you.

💛
Tricia Alayne

🦨 A Little Behind-the-Scenes…

Now… here’s something I didn’t mention earlier.

Before Easter morning officially began…

before the eggs were hidden…

before the Spring Skunk made her (my) grand appearance…

I sent a message to a couple of my neighbors.

Just a quick little heads up.

Something along the lines of:

“Just so you know… there’s about to be a 5-foot-3-inch skunk running around the backyard hiding eggs and possibly being chased by children with Nerf toys.

I figured I should warn you before the white van shows up to take me away and fit me for a jacket with buckles in the back.”

You know… just normal neighborly communication 😄

But here’s the best part…

One of my neighbors messaged back to let me know

they were planning something too…

Apparently…

there may have been a Sasquatch hiding eggs in their backyard.

Now, we didn’t actually see each other in action~

(we’ve got a little space between us out here)

…but I like to think somewhere between the trees…

a skunk and a Sasquatch were both out there,

doing their part to make Easter a little more magical.

And honestly?

That just makes me smile even more.

I told my neighbor, Lori, I was thankful I was NOT going to be alone in the white van wearing the white jacket with buckles in the back!

Also, in the picture below ,the fan fell out, so the poor skunk is deflated. No worries, it’s fixed for the next visit!!

It’s been a full week over here ~ books, brownies-that-aren’t-brownies, coloring pages, and a home improvement project for the squirrels. 

So let’s jump in.

Modo and Jiblet: The Stormy Day ~ Paperback is Here!

I’m excited to share that the paperback edition of Modo and Jiblet: The Stormy Day is now available on Amazon. And starting tomorrow, the Kindle eBook will be free for a short time.

 (🐿️ We recommend downloading it immediately. We love free things. Especially snacks. But books are good too.)

🤪 April Fools’ Day: Ace Strikes Again

Yesterday was April Fools’ Day, and Ace decided to prank his Grandpa Chris with a pan of “brownies.”

Except… they were literally brown E’s cut from brown construction paper. In our defense, we didn’t have much plan time so we worked with what we had. 

I’ll post the picture below, because honestly, the commitment to the bit deserves an award.
 

(🐿️ We would’ve eaten them anyway. Paper is a food group.)

🎨 Coloring Pages & A Little Lesson on Creativity

Ace and a few of Lori’s kiddos have shared their colorings of the Modo and Jiblet page, and it was adorable seeing them bring the characters to life in their own ways.

But then Ace told me something that stuck with me.

He showed a boy at school a picture and asked, “Do you like it?”
And the boy said, “No.” 

So I asked Ace, “Well… did you like it?”
He said yes.

And that’s the part I want every kid to hear and what I told Ace:

If you like what you create, that’s what matters.
Not everyone will understand your art, your ideas, your imagination, and that’s okay.
Creativity is personal. It’s yours.

(🐿️ We create things all the time. Most of them are questionable. We still like them.)

🦁 A Quick Zoo Adventure

The boys also got to spend a day at the zoo with their mom, their little friend, and her mom ~ and from all reports, they had the best time. I’ll include their adorable face paintings below, because honestly, they’re too cute not to share. And since their faces are painted, it feels like a safe way to show the fun they had.

(I also checked in with their moms to make sure they’re comfortable with it, which is always important.)

The little friend also has a story on the YouTube page wrote about her💛 

(🐿️ We have never been to a zoo. We assume it is full of giant creatures who would not appreciate us stealing their snacks.)
(🐿️ But we support face paint. Especially if it makes you look and feel silly.)

🐿️ Squirrel Home Renovation: Phase 2

Speaking of creativity… the squirrel setup is coming along nicely.

Their soon-to-be renovated home is now safely inside a little fenced area, and I’ve added a few “accessibility upgrades.” Including ~ and I’m not kidding ~ a set of dog steps my daughter gave me years ago.

They now function as a tiny squirrel staircase.

(🐿️ We did not approve this construction. But we will absolutely use it.)
(🐿️ Also, we expect snacks on every landing.)

I’ll share the picture so you can see their new “luxury entrance”… for their dilapidated apartments 😂

(🐿️ We prefer the term “historic charm.”)
(🐿️ Also, we are filing a complaint with management about the draft in Unit 3.)

⭐ A Tiny Note About Reviews (and Downloads!)

If you or your little ones enjoy Modo & Jiblet: The Stormy Day or The Floating Leaf, leaving a quick review on Amazon truly helps more than most people realize. Reviews help other families discover the stories, and they mean the world to small authors like me.

And even if you’re grabbing the Kindle version while it’s free, just downloading it helps too ~ those downloads tell Amazon that people are interested, which boosts visibility and helps the book reach more readers.

(🐿️ We also download things. Mostly acorn inventory spreadsheets. Very important.)

💛 Wrapping Up

Books, pranks, zoos, creativity, and squirrels ~ honestly, that’s a pretty accurate snapshot of life around here.

Thanks for being here for all of it.
And if your kids (or you!) color any Modo and Jiblet pages, send them my way. I love seeing what you create and would love sharing them here as well. 

(🐿️ Also, we would like to formally request more coloring pages.)
(🐿️ Respectfully. But also urgently.)
(🐿️ The children need them. WE need them.)
(🐿️ Please create more immediately. This has been a message from the Squirrel Committee for Artistic Expansion.)

(🐿️ We will also be reviewing submissions. We are very qualified.)

🎨 More Coloring Pages Coming Soon!

Today I’m going to have Ace pick a page or two for me to create and upload. My little break has lasted long enough, and I don’t want to lose momentum now ~ especially when the kids are having so much fun with these.

(🐿️ YES. Excellent decision.)
(🐿️ We have been waiting patiently. Well… squirrel‑patiently.)

I started today with a simple plan: yard work.
Clean things up. Fix a few things. Maybe even feel a little productive for once.

(🐿️ If she doesn’t lift her head from that iPad soon, we’re installing a posture alarm. Don’t test us.)

There’s an old wooden martin birdhouse in our yard that the squirrels claimed years ago. It originally belonged to my parents, so I’ve held onto it, but between the weather, the wind, and some very determined chewing, it has slowly turned me into what can only be described as a… slum landlord.

It was leaning.
It was worn.
And honestly, it looked like one good wind gust away from disappearing entirely.

So today was the day.

I was finally going to swap it out with a new metal martin house and give the squirrels something a little more… up to code.

That metal house has its own story. It came from our previous neighbors, who have both since passed. It’s something we’ve held onto, something we care about, and something we want to take care of just as much.

And then~

A baby squirrel jumped out.

Right into the middle of everything.

And my dog Ivey almost got it.

Everything stopped.
Chris grabbed gloves and gently placed the baby back inside that very questionable, falling-apart house… while I rushed the dogs inside, trying to calm the chaos.

(🐿️ SQUIRREL COMMITTEE EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION)

(🐿️1: She almost replaced our entire housing complex today.)

(🐿️2: WITHOUT A PERMIT.)

(🐿️3: And without snacks.)

(🐿️1: Focus. A baby fell out.)

(🐿️4: He didn’t fall. He was conducting a surprise inspection.)

(🐿️2: He is three inches tall and shaped like a potato. He was not inspecting anything.)

(🐿️3: Ivey tried to eat him.)

(🐿️4: She was greeting him enthusiastically.)

(🐿️1: We need a safety plan. A relocation plan. A renovation plan. A snack plan.)

(🐿️2: Why are snacks always part of the plan?)

(🐿️3: Because morale matters.)

(🐿️4: Also, she called our house “falling apart.”)

(🐿️1: It IS falling apart.)

(🐿️4: It’s VINTAGE.)

(🐿️2: It’s a hazard.)

(🐿️3: It’s home.)

(🐿️ ALL: We accept the temporary fence.)

(🐿️1: But we reserve the right to file complaints.)

(🐿️2: And requests.)

(🐿️3: And snack orders.)

(🐿️4: And emotional support walnuts.)

(🐿️ END OF TRANSMISSION)

Needless to say, the project changed directions immediately.

We are no longer replacing the house.
We are now… renovating.

I set up a temporary fence (the one I usually take camping for the grandkids and the dogs) around the area to keep everyone safe—for now.

The plan is to slowly move the setup to a safer spot in the yard, fence it off properly, and let the squirrels keep their home while we build them a new one that isn’t one strong breeze away from collapse.

The dogs still get their yard.
The squirrels still get their home.
And I get to redeem myself from my slum landlord status.

We’ll also be adding a little water dish for them—and honestly, with all the walnut trees out back, I think they’ll be just fine.

It wasn’t the yard work day I planned.

But it turned into something a little more meaningful.
A little more thoughtful.
And a reminder that sometimes, right in the middle of trying to “fix” things…
life asks you to slow down and take care of something smaller first.

Moments like this always find their way into my stories… even when I don’t realize it right away.

💛 And speaking of stories, our newest adventure, The Stormy Day, is now available on Amazon. 💛

(🐿️ We approve this message. Also, we would like to request a porch light, a welcome mat, and possibly a tiny mailbox.)

So… it looks like I’ll be evicting the gnomes and giving the squirrels their belongings.

Pretty sure that’s illegal in at least three imaginary jurisdictions, so I’ll need to find a way to sweeten their deal to keep everyone happy.

(🐿️2: We expect a formal notice of gnome displacement. Preferably handwritten. Preferably with walnuts.)

(🐿️4: Please note: the gnomes knew this day was coming. They’ve been squatting rent-free for years.)

(🐿️A Book, Some Boundaries, and the Squirrel Committee)

There’s a moment when you realize you may have said something

a little too confidently.

For me, that moment sounded like:

“Challenge accepted.”

My husband casually suggested, “Why don’t you do another book

before your trip?”

And instead of giving him a confused look as if to ask, “Are you crazy?”

and laughing like a normal person… I took it as a personal mission.

(🐿️ She gives him that look often; she probably realized it wouldn’t help.)

Fast forward to me, after what felt like months of staring at my iPad,

adjusting tiny details, zooming in, zooming out, questioning every leaf,

every line, every choice ~ pretty sure I was one blink away from going

cross‑eyed. Since it hadn’t been months, just days/weeks.

And to really round out the experience…

I decided it would also be a great time to try fake lashes and then tint

my eyelashes and eyebrows when those didn’t feel right.

Because clearly, what I needed in that moment was                                 

more things near my eyes.

At one point, my eyes were watering, the fumes were strong, and I

texted my friend something along the lines of:

“I’m really glad I got to see you recently…” 😄

You know… just in case.

I won’t even mention her response. I just love her for who she is! 😄

(🐿️ “Lesson learned… until next time. We’ve seen her repeat things.”)

(🐿️ “And we thought she was a mess, Lori is a different kind of mess!)

With all of that my first children’s book is already on Amazon, and this one is so close to joining it.

If everything goes smoothly with the upload and approval, I’m hoping it

will be live in the next week or two.

(🐿️ “We make no promises about our behavior, or hers, during the approval process.”)

But here’s the thing…

I’m still learning.

And I want to say that out loud.

Not in a “put myself down” kind of way, 

but in an honest, growing, figuring‑it‑out‑as‑I‑go kind of way.

Because these stories?

They didn’t just magically appear last week.

They’ve been sitting in notebooks, in drafts, and even on YouTube for a

couple of years now ~just waiting for their turn to come to life.

Now I’m finally bringing them into the world in a new way.

Polished (mostly 😄), illustrated (with lots of learning curves), and

filled with the same heart they started with ~ the love I have for my

family and my amazing grandsons. 

And yes… there will be little changes along the way.

But something else has been on my mind this week…

And it’s a little different.

I don’t use this space to preach.

(🐿️ “She really hates when people try to do that to her.”)

I don’t tell people what to believe.

And honestly ~ everyone gets to live their life their own way.

But I do care about how people are treated.

And I think it’s important to talk about something that doesn’t always

get talked about enough…

or that people avoid because they don’t 

want to get involved.

But I’m tired of that mentality.

Sometimes we need to bring awareness ~ to protect those who might

be unaware, unprepared, or unable.

Let’s not be part of the problem by staying silent.

Let’s be helpful where we can.

(🐿️ “Some people already know this message… but she’ll keep sharing it softly so newcomers don’t walk in unaware.”)

Paying attention to behavior.

Not labels.
Not those we could diagnose, but can’t.

(🐿️ “We could name a diagnosis… but we’ve been told that’s not polite.”)

Just… behavior.

Sometimes, you’ll come across people who:

   ~Try to control decisions that aren’t theirs to make
   ~Speak with authority they haven’t earned, or are not theirs to begin with.
   ~Make you question your own choices
   ~Or quietly push their way into situations where they don’t belong

(🐿️“We witnessed this once. It was… not their finest moment.”)

(🐿️ “We did get to witness “Chris” and “Floyd” work together to destroy the evil plan though!)

And it can be subtle at first.

It might sound like “advice.”

It might even sound helpful.

But underneath it… it doesn’t feel right.

And if it doesn’t feel right?

It probably isn’t.

I’ve seen situations where someone tries to step in and influence

decisions that have nothing to do with them ~ telling others what they

should or shouldn’t do with their own things, their own plans, their

classic car(s), their own lives.

(🐿️ “I like what she did there, she’s hinting at someone to take notice of this toxic behavior.”)

(🐿️ “Some people collect hobbies. This person collects vulnerable people.”)

And that’s where I just want to say:

   ~You are allowed to pause.
   ~You are allowed to question.
   ~And you are absolutely allowed to say no.

(🐿️ “Honestly, we hope people say no. The reactions are… educational.”)

Especially to those who may be more vulnerable ~ whether that’s

someone going through loss, navigating life changes, or just trying to

figure things out…

Some people will show up with kindness.

And there are people who show up with an agenda.

Learning the difference matters.

Not in a fearful way…

But in a protective way.

Because not everyone who sounds confident… has your best interest

at heart.

So if I ever “push” anything in this space, it’s this:

   ~Trust your gut
   ~Pay attention to patterns, not just words
   ~And don’t let anyone take control of something that belongs to you, your choices, your voice, your classic car(s), or your life

(🐿️“She’s not naming names… but if you’ve seen the pattern, you already know.”)

(🐿️ “She’s trying not to shout this from the rooftops, but she will whisper it loudly if she has to.… but make no mistake, she means every word.”)

I’ve also been reminded this week that sometimes life doesn’t follow a

neat, creative schedule.

Just as some relationships finally started to mend due to the loss of a

family member, life added another unexpected challenge for one of the

other family members. 

And even though I’m not directly in the middle of it, I’ve watched from

a distance as someone is stepping up with quiet support.

It reminded me that healing doesn’t always look dramatic.

Sometimes it’s simply offering help when it’s needed, even after years of silence. 

Because in the middle of everything- goals, books, work, and plans…

What really matters shows itself pretty clearly.

Showing up.

Being there.

Offering support when it’s needed.

No big speeches.

No perfect words.

Just… being someone others can count on.

(🐿️ “Healing looks good on people.)

As for me?

I’ll be over here… finishing a book, double‑checking pages, figuring out

the measurements for the spine, waiting for the ISBN number to take

hold for the next book, deciding what to pack for my trip and

apparently learning not to multitask eye fumes with

coloring illustrations. 

I’m still learning.

I’m still growing.

(🐿️ “Still faster than that illustrator who claimed they went ‘over and beyond.”)

(🐿️  “Embarrassing for them, honestly.”)

Still in the messy middle.

And honestly?

That’s where real life happens.

If this post made you smile, think, or feel a little less alone, please

consider sharing it.

(🐿️ We appreciate it. She feeds us better when the blog does well.)

And if you’re curious about what’s coming next…

The Stormy Day is an adventure where Modo, Jiblet, and their new

friend Splat discover that even the wildest storms feel a little less scary when you face them together.

(🐿️ “We approve of Splat. Excellent energy. Very cute.”)

Sometimes the Loudest Anger Starts as Quiet Hurt

There’s something I’ve learned about people, especially in families.

Sometimes the anger people see today didn’t start today.

Sometimes it started years ago ~

when someone felt left out, pushed aside, or forgotten,

and nobody ever really talked about it.

Holidays came and went.

People adjusted.

New routines formed.

Time passed.

Life moved on.

But the hurt didn’t go anywhere.

It just got quiet.

And then one day, something happens ~

a phone call, a message, a moment where everyone acts like everything is normal~

and the person who never forgot what it felt like all those years ago reacts in a way that surprises everyone.

They get loud.

They get angry.

They say things they probably shouldn’t say.

And sometimes the loudness you see in that moment isn’t about the moment at all.

It’s the sound of years of quiet hurt finally having somewhere to go.

It’s the volume of a story no one else bothered to hear until it exploded.

And everyone else wonders,

“What is wrong with them?”

But sometimes nothing is wrong with them.

Sometimes you’re just seeing the part of the story that started a long time ago.

When you don’t understand someone’s reaction, try placing yourself in their shoes for a moment.

Not because you would react the same         ~ we’re all different ~

But because none of us know how something feels until we’ve lived it.

And if we’re honest, most of us have moments we wish we could have handled differently, too.

Two Kinds of Hurt

Hurt doesn’t look the same in every family.

For some people, the hurt doesn’t come from one moment.

It comes from years of being quietly pushed out.

Years of watching someone else slip into their place.

Years of holidays they weren’t invited to, traditions they weren’t part of, and memories that went on without them.

Even when they build a good life somewhere else, that kind of hurt doesn’t disappear just because time passes.

It settles in.

It becomes part of the background of who they are.

And when they’re suddenly pulled back into a situation that pretends none of that ever happened,

the reaction can be louder than anyone expects.

Then there’s another kind of hurt.

The kind that comes from loving people whose choices keep tearing the family apart.

Choices you can’t fix.

Choices you can’t reason with.

Choices that leave you holding everything together while others walk away from the mess.

I’ve seen both kinds of hurt.

And both stay with you.

But they don’t feel the same.

One feels like rejection.

The other feels like a loss…

even when the people are still alive.

When Loving Someone Pulls You Into Chaos

Sometimes the hardest hurt doesn’t come from being left out.

Sometimes it comes from loving people who keep making choices that pull you into chaos with them.

There were times in my life when helping meant giving up my family’s routine,

giving up my time,

setting aside my own plans,

giving more than I could afford to lose.

Giving chances.

Giving the benefit of the doubt.

Over and over again.

There were times I wanted to believe things would be different next time.

Sometimes they weren’t.

Sometimes the lies kept coming.

Sometimes the promises didn’t last.

Sometimes the same patterns repeated until I realized that wanting someone to change doesn’t make them ready to change.

And there comes a point when you have to make a choice too.

Not a choice about who you love ~

but a choice about what you can keep living with.

There are people I haven’t had in my life for many years now.

Not because I stopped caring.

Not because I forgot we were family.

But because I had to choose peace in my own home.

I had to choose stability and safety for my children, and now my grandchildren.

I had to choose a life where I wasn’t always waiting for the next crisis,

the next phone call,

the next situation I would have to fix.

What People Don’t See

People on the outside don’t always understand that kind of distance.

They say,

“I don’t know why they cut them off.”

“I don’t know what happened.”

“I don’t know why things aren’t the way they used to be.”

What they don’t see is how many chances came before the distance.

How many sleepless nights came before the boundary.

How many times you tried to hold everything together before you finally realized you couldn’t do it alone.

Walking away isn’t always about anger.

Sometimes it’s about finally choosing a life that feels safe.

The Part We Don’t Talk About Enough

Hurt, when it isn’t talked about, has a way of staying alive long after everyone thinks it should be over.

So when I see someone react with anger,

or pull away,

or put up walls that didn’t used to be there,

I try to remember that I might not know the whole story.

I might not know what they carried.

I might not know what they forgave.

I might not know what was said behind their back,

or how many times the truth was twisted before it reached me or others.

I might not know how many chances came before the moment I’m seeing.

And I’ve learned that sometimes the strongest thing a person can do isn’t holding on.

Sometimes the strongest thing they can do

is finally choosing peace,

even when it means loving people from a distance.

That’s the part of life we don’t talk about enough.

The part where things aren’t perfect,

aren’t easy,

and don’t get tied up with a neat ending and a bow.

What I’ve Learned in the Last Few Years

Over the past five years, I’ve learned something important about people.

Most don’t set out to hurt anyone.
Most are just doing the best they can with what they know.

However… I’ve also learned to quietly pay attention.

Not in a suspicious way ~
but in a pattern‑watching way.

Because once you start noticing patterns, you learn a lot you didn’t want to see before.
You learn who keeps stirring the drama pot.
Who keeps feeding division.
Who twists situations just enough to keep people confused.
Who says one thing in one room and something very different in another.

And I’m not pretending I’ve never been caught up in it.
Most of us have, at some point.
It’s easy to get tangled in other people’s emotions, especially when the situation is already messy.

But I’ve learned that staying in that kind of chaos isn’t worth it.
I’ve learned to step back.
To listen more than I speak.
To watch what people do, not just what they say.
To protect my peace instead of trying to manage everyone else’s storms.

And in situations where stories get twisted,
where people repeat what they heard from someone else,
where emotions run high and the truth gets stretched thin.
I’ve learned to stay grounded in what I know,
not in what gets whispered around.

It doesn’t make the situation easier.
But it does make my nervous system quieter.

(🐿️ “And for the record, it keeps us calmer too. Chaos stresses out our tails.”)

And at this point in my life, that matters more than anything.

~So here I sit in The Messy Middle~

Where people are still healing,

still learning,

and still figuring out how to live with what happened. 

The Messy Middle: When Life Reminds You to Be Prepared

Some lessons don’t come from books ~ they come from the moments that catch us off guard.

This week has been one of those reminders that life doesn’t wait until we feel ready.

The paperback version of Modo and Jiblet: The Floating Leaf comes out tomorrow, and I should probably be thinking only about that ~ the excitement of holding the book in my hands, the feeling of finishing something I worked so hard on, and the fun of starting the next story.

(🐿️ Her book is sitting behind the curtain, fully dressed, waiting for the stage lights.
On Tuesday morning, the curtain opens ~ and then you can grab all the copies you want.
Squirrels love a dramatic entrance.)

And I am excited.

But life has a way of putting big moments right next to hard ones.

Recently, our family experienced the loss of someone who meant a lot to many people.

I won’t go into details because every family has its own story, and those stories deserve privacy.

But being close to the situation has been a strong reminder of something most of us don’t like to think about until we have to.

What happens after someone is gone.

Not just the sadness.
Not just the memories.
But the decisions.
The paperwork.
The belongings.
The questions nobody wants to answer.

Who handles what?
Who decides?
Who gets which things?
Who is supposed to be in charge?

When everything is written down and planned ahead, those moments are still hard…
but they don’t turn into confusion.

When nothing is clear, even good people can end up stressed, hurt, or overwhelmed just trying to do what they think is right.

It made me very thankful for something my husband and I decided to do a while back ~ we set up a trust so that when our time comes, the kids and grandkids won’t have to guess what we wanted.

They won’t have to argue.
They won’t have to wonder.
Everything will already be decided, not because we expect the worst, but because we want to make things easier for the people we love.

Planning ahead isn’t morbid.
It’s kindness in advance.

Not every family situation is simple, and that’s something I know firsthand.

Some families get along easily, and some don’t.
Some have old hurts, some have distance, and some have situations where you already know that if things aren’t planned out clearly, it could turn into confusion, stress, or even conflict.

Because of that, I’ve learned that having things in order isn’t just about paperwork ~ it’s about protecting the people you love from being put in the middle of something they never wanted to deal with.

When relationships are complicated, clear plans matter even more.

They take away the guessing, the arguing, and the chance for things to go in directions no one intended.

None of us like to think about those possibilities, but pretending they won’t happen doesn’t make them disappear.

Being prepared isn’t negative ~ it’s one of the most caring things you can do for your family, especially when you know life isn’t always as simple as we wish it could be.

Another thing I’ve been reminded of this week is how emotional times can make everything feel heavier.

Even small decisions can turn into big ones, and even strong families can feel the pressure when everyone is tired, grieving, or unsure what to do next.

Watching all of this from the side has made me even more sure of something I already believed;
the best gift we can leave our family isn’t just memories.

It’s clarity.
It’s knowing our wishes.
It’s having things in order.
It’s making sure the people we love don’t have to figure everything out while they’re already hurting.

Life doesn’t stop while these things are happening, though.

In between all of it, I’ve started working on the illustrations for the next Modo and Jiblet story, the one I hinted at in the back of The Floating Leaf.

Sitting with my iPad, sketching leaves and little forest creatures, has been a quiet reminder that even when life feels messy, it keeps moving forward.

And maybe that’s the real lesson this week.

We don’t get perfect timing.
We don’t get everything in neat chapters.
We get excitement and sadness, progress and frustration, hope and stress ~ sometimes all in the same few days.

That’s life.
That’s the part nobody really prepares you for.
That’s the messy middle.

Not perfect.
Not finished.
Still meaningful.

(🐿️ The messy middle is also where squirrels keep rearranging the plot. They can’t help themselves.)