Kim McMahill

“Here, let me help you,” Morgan said as she draped Devyn’s arm around her shoulders. Morgan tried to relieve as much weight as she could from Devyn as she helped her hobble to the waiting vehicle. Once Devyn was seated in the cramped back seat, Morgan dug out her emergency supply bag. She handed Devyn a blanket and a bottle of water. “I have a first aid kit, but I think you need something a little more than a bandage.” “It’s just a few scratches. I’ll live.” Morgan could see why Nick trusted Devyn with his back. As she looked at the battered and bruised woman, who had taken off into the desert in the middle of the night in bare feet to prevent a criminal from getting away, she had to admire her. Devyn had to be in extreme pain, yet not a complaint escaped her lips. “Make room in the back,” Nick huffed. Morgan looked up to see Nick trudging toward her with an inert man slung over his shoulder. She raced to the tiny back cargo area and moved a few items around so Nick could sq...

I'm pleased to announce that the 2nd Annual N. N. Light Holiday Gift Guide is live. Check it out at https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com/holiday-gift-guide/

Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, to put differences aside and celebrate. In 1621 the first Thanksgiving was celebrated between the Pilgrims and the Indians to give thanks for the bounty of the fall harvest. They prepared a huge feast including a wide variety of animals and fowl, as well as fruits and vegetables they had grown.  This early celebration was the forerunner of today's holiday tradition. However, after that first Thanksgiving the observance was sporadic and almost forgotten until the early 1800's. In 1941, Congress made it a national holiday and set the date as the fourth Thursday in November. I hope everyone takes time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. 

The unmistakable haze of smoke filled the valley below. Snow covered the ground and weighed heavily on the pine boughs lining the highway, ruling out a forest fire as the source of the dark billows. The old rancher rolled down his window despite the bitter cold, and inhaled deeply. The air smelled of fire, death, destruction. With the last switchback navigated, he shifted up and pressed the accelerator down as far as he dared while driving on icy roads. He tried not to let his imagination get the best of him, but he couldn’t help but fear the worst. Someone, maybe him, was suffering a loss. As he approached the turnoff to his ranch he realized immediately that the nightmare belonged to him. A Dose of Danger - Book 1 in the Risky Research Series

Travel has the ability to change a person’s perspective on the world.  Experiencing different cultures, seeing in person the impacts of issues you hear about on the news, and making connections or new friends can deeply impact one’s views. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to see much of the U.S. and the world. I hope you have enjoyed my glimpses from around this country and around the globe. Travel has inspired and educated throughout history and will hopefully be available for many generations to come. Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. - Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain

You can find the tallest dunes in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. This amazing and unique national park is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado. There are no trails in the dune fields since the shifting sand would quickly make them disappear. Visitors can hike anywhere on the dunes as their footprints will also vanish. The park is open twenty-four hours a day year-round, but it can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter, so plan accordingly. If you haven’t hiked in sand before, take plenty of water and don’t over-estimate your ability. Each step in sand takes more effort than a step on a solid surface and can be very tiring. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/grsa . 

Wűrzburg was heavily damaged during World War II, but has since been completely restored, including its imposing Bishops Residence. The city is also a major wine-making center, surrounded by Franconian vineyards and it is home to one of Germany’s oldest and largest vineyards.

Friday, November 11, 2016, is the day specifically designated to honor and show our respect to all Veterans and their families for their selfless sacrifices for our freedom, though our gratitude should be expressed 365 days a year. The fact that so many are willing to serve is one of the many things that makes this country great. Thank you.

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings time ends today, November 6. You’ll need to fall back an hour in the fall, which will give you an extra hour of sleep, but it will be darker earlier at night. The U.S. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8 this year, Veteran’s Day is November 11, and Thanksgiving is on November 24.    Other little known, but important dates this year are Caregiver Appreciation Day on November 13, the Great American Smokout on November 17,  and Universal Children’s Day on November 20. Happy November!

Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town, and it's home to the magnificent Heidelberg Castle, situated over 300 feet above the Neckar River. Heidelberg is a charming and beautiful city filled with stunning baroque architecture.

Located at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, Koblenz is a traditional German country town with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and wood-beamed houses.