Kim McMahill

When I looked for major holidays in June, I didn’t find many, so I dug a little deeper for the more obscure. What I found was a very large number of fun, silly, and senseless designated dates. Here’s a sample of what I came across. Please share your favorite or add to the list if I missed any.   So, no matter what day it is, have a “happy….Day.”   June 1 - Dare Day and Flip a Coin Day   June 2 - National Bubba Day and National Rocky Road Day June 3 - World Bicycle Day and Repeat Day June 4 - Applesauce Cake Day, Hug Your Cat Day, National Cheese Day, National Doughnut Day, and Old Maid's Day June 5 - Hot Air Balloon Day, National Trails Day, and World Environment Day June 6 - D-Day, WWII, National Gardening Exercise Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day, and National Yo-Yo Day June 7 - National Chocolate Ice Cream Day and VCR Day June 8 - Best Friends Day, Name Your Poison Day, World Ocean Day June 9 - Donald Duck Day and National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day June 10

This past weekend, even though the weather predictions weren’t great, we ventured into Yellowstone National Park and it was a stellar day with warm temperatures and beautiful blue skies. The wildlife must have also enjoyed the lovely day as we saw a grizzly bear, three black bears (one alone and one with a cub), bison (many new calves), elk (one new calf), deer, pronghorn, and three moose outside the northeast gate. On top of the wonderful wildlife viewing, the temperatures were perfect for some hikes. We always try to get into the park before Memorial Day to avoid the bigger crowds. It is starting to fill up, but at least we could find parking spots and a few moments of solace. If you get an opportunity to visit, I hope you can find you moment of peace and calm as well.

“ May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”  Edward Abbey

I hope you enjoy A Measure of Madness, the fourth installment in the Risky Research Series. Download your copy today at https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/ . Not sure about trying a new series? Download a free copy of Midnight in Montana, a prequel micro-read for the series at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YZ53XKJ .

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt

I hope you enjoy A Measure of Madness, the latest release in the Risky Research Series. Download your copy today at https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/ . Not sure about trying a new series? Download a free copy of Midnight in Montana, a prequel micro-read for the series at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YZ53XKJ .  

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”   Henry David Thoreau

I’d like to welcome Leslie Ann Sartor.   We’ve been lucky to know each other for many years, and it’s been fun to watch our career’s grow. We have both written adventure fiction (I really enjoyed her Carswell Adventure Series), but are evolving and taking on new challenges. I don’t do interviews on my blog often, but I thought it would be a good way to find out what Leslie Ann (LAS) is up to while providing a little background for those who aren’t familiar with her work. So, here we go. First, tell us how you started out writing: LAS: I started writing as a child, really. A few things happened on the way to becoming a published author … specifically, a junior high school teacher who told me I couldn’t write because I didn’t want to study grammar. That English teacher stopped my writing for years. But the muse couldn’t be denied, and eventually I wrote, a lot, some of it award winning. However, I wasn’t really making a career from any of this. My husband told me repeatedly that

National Teacher’s Day is recognized each year on Tuesday of the first full week of May. Teachers do such critical and valuable work that they certainly deserve a day in their honor. The last year has exposed many things, good and bad, in American society. One of the biggest is the crucial role that teachers play in not only educating the nations’ children, but also in being part of an environment that promotes social, emotional, and physical well-being.  We’ve also seen how important it is for citizens to be well-versed in national and world history to ensure mistakes of the past (worldwide) are not repeated in this great country.   So, take a moment today to tell a teacher how much you appreciate their hard work, patience, and commitment to our nation’s children. Give them the support and tools they need, because remember, the future of America is in their hands.

I love spring, especially May. In May I usually plant my garden and that means summer is unofficially here. Along with the arrival of spring flowers and prepping the garden, here are some other reasons to celebrate this marvelous month.   May 1 - Kentucky Derby Day and May Day May 4 - Star Wars Day and National Teacher’s Day May 5 - Cinco de Mayo May 8 - VE Day, WW II May 9 - Mother's Day and Lilac Sunday May 15 - Armed Forces Day  May 24 - Victoria Day (Canada)  May 31 - Memorial Day