I HAVE NEWS!

Thanks to everyone who came by and either bought one of my books or said hello on Saturday at my booksigning with Barnes and Noble.  We had a great day.  If you didn't come join us, you missed meeting lots of authors with wonderful books -- and we shared lots of chocolate.  Barnes and Noble were fantastic and treated us like royalty.  I so appreiate the opportunity to talk to so many readers and enjoy the time with the other fantastic authors!

I got a contract from The Wild Rose Press for my short story, One Stormy Night.  I wrote this story after my husband told me about a hunting trip that went bad in the west desert.  I put my characters into a sticky situation that just got worse when they witness a murder and have to flee for their lives.  In the story it's winter, they have two flat tires, and I can't tell you what happens.  You'll just have to read it for yourself.

Oh, Happy Mother's Day!

For more about me and my books, check out my website at:  http://KRBailey.com

Wise? Or Is It Just Old Age?

I never gave much thought about getting old.  Oh, I remember thinking 25 was old -- oh how foolish - right?  I remember hearing my mother's friend complain about being 45 and I thought I never want to get that old.  Guess what?  I am that old.  In fact, I passed that number awhile back.

Isn't it funny though.  I don't feel any older now than I did years ago.  Oh, I have more aches and pains, but mentally, I feel the same.  I still like alot of the same things.  I still feel like I can do what I used to do.  Too bad my body doesn't always agree.

I remember hearing people say you gain wisdom as you age.  Well, I must have missed the boat because I don't feel any wiser.  But when my granddaughter asks me questions, I can draw on experience to answer her.  Sometimes I even find great answers.  Whatever I say, she looks at me like I'm so smart so maybe wisdom is something you acquire and don't even realize it.

I have to admit, each day brings new experiences.  These experiences are determined by the decisions I make.  Perhaps that's how we gain wisdom -- learning from our past experiences, and at my age, I've had alot of past experience.

What do you think -- what has brought you wisdom?

For more about K. R. Bailey and her books, check out her website:  http://KRBailey.com

Have a great day!

Life Is Short

A friend send this saying to me along with these cute pictures and I wanted to share them. Hopefully, they'll brighten your day.


Life is short - Break the rules  

Forgive quickly
Kiss Slowly 

Love Truly
Laugh Uncontrollably

And never regret anything
that made your smile.

 

May you all have a beautiful day.

 

For more about me and my stories, check out my website at:

http://KRBailey.com

 

Is It Really Spring?

The calendar says its spring.  Usually Easter signifies it's spring.  I know I'm ready for spring.

This was taken on Easter.  Doesn't look like spring much to me, does it you?

My family took a ride to the mountains to see how close we could get to our cabin.  We never get in until Mother's Day or later, so even though there's still snow on the ground, it was wonderful for us to get to our gate.  This time of year we're always anxious to get on the mountain and to enjoy our cabin.  We always look forward to seeing the animals and hummingbirds.  So, even though there's still snow, it was a gorgeous spring day in the mountains (about 7500 feet in elevation). 

We had a great ride and a very nice day and as you can see, my husband drove out of the canyon with a smile on his face.

I need to tell you, that a few miles down the road the snow was totally melted and we were able to see deer grazing on the hillside and some fish jumping in the creek that runs alongside the road.

Don't you just love spring flowers?  My neice posted these on her facebook page and I just had to share them. 

Once we drove out of the snow and got back to our house, my daffodils were starting to bloom, the hyacinths were starting to grow, and they are definitely a sign telling me spring is here.  I love it!


We, in the west, are lucky because we have different seasons, and they each offer us so much.  Spring is the beginning of life as calves are born, colts arrive, flowers spring up with their beautiful colors, and the rains help everything turn green and lush after the long cold, snowy days of winter.  I guess it's alot like life.  Each of our seasons bring us something to look forward to, and so does the various seasons. 

Take time to look around you and enjoy this marvelous time of year.  Push the dark moods away and embrace the new bright days.  Let them inspire you to create something new, reach out to another person, finish something you started, or just get out and find something to smile about.

Me, I'm working on another story.  I'm getting really close to submitting it to my publishers.  While you are waiting for it to be released, check out some of my other stories.  I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy.  My website will give you all the info.  http://KRBailey.com

Enjoy your spring days.

A Fantastic Story

Fire Rescue

This is beyond a "nice story"--it's fantastic!!!

During an early morning response to a house fire, firefighters were amazed... A Mother dog risked her life to save her puppies from the fire surrounding the burning house... The Mother dog, Amanda, raced back and forth between the house, putting her 10 day old puppies in the Safest place she could find - a Fire Truck! ...

As an onlooker photographed it with his cell phone after she already had a few in one of the truck's equipment compartments. She didn't stop racing back into the smoke and fire until all of her puppies were safely away from the fire.

The firemen on scene could not believe their eyes. Most people have never seen a dog this smart or this brave! Bringing each one out, six trips into the fire and no one could stop her.

All the firemen could do was to try to keep a little water spray on her to keep from singing as she kept making trips running through the open door. You can see some of the singed hair on her back end, forehead and lower legs. Aside from one puppy being treated for serious burns, the entire family are alive and well! Thanks to the bravery of Amanda!

After rescuing all of her pups from the blaze, Amanda sat down next to them to nurse, protecting them with her body. Onlookers called an emergency veterinary service, and she and her pups were rushed to the hospital.

What a heroic mother! How Great!! !

Don't You Love Old Barns?

I remember going to visit my grandparents in Cache County and passing a big old barn with a sign painted on its side.  I was always fascinated with that old barn.  It made me wonder what types of tales it could tell me. 

 Last spring I took a two week road trip with my sister back to Kentucky, and we passed many cool old barns.  Most of the ones I took pictures of were called “quilt barns”.  Now, I had never heard of the term “quilt” barns but my sister is an avid quilter.  She has a long-arm quilting machine and lives and breathes quilting.  Needless to say, I get to talk about quilting a lot when we’re together.  I’m not complaining because I love spending time with her, and she gets to listen to me talk about writing, so in the long run, I think we’re even.

 I remember spending time with my mother as a young girl and helping her hand quilt the beautiful quilts she made.  Now, I hate making quilts, but I definitely do appreciate all the hard work that goes into them.  So, when we were traveling and came across some cool old barns with quilts painted on them, I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.  As I thought about the barns, I got to thinking that they remind me of the life we live and the lives of those who have passed on.  They are so rich in history.  Wouldn’t you just love to hear about their history?

 Here’s a beautiful old barn. 

 

Notice how pleasing it is to look at.  It’s painted and well kept up.  It’s obvious the owner loves his barn and is proud of what he has.  Wouldn’t you just love to go inside and see what treasurers are housed in it?  Keeping this barn looking so meticulous definitely would require a lot of work, and that is my first thought:  You have to work hard to succeed.  It doesn’t matter if you want to write a book, sew a beautiful quilt, look nice, keep your house and yard up, or become the CEO of a company.  Everything takes a lot of hard work to obtain it.

 

This second barn is big and sturdy and well made.  Even though it’s not fancy, it looks trustworthy.  That’s my second point:  Be trustworthy.  Whether it’s in your dealings with others, writing a book, borrowing money, or just in your everyday life as you work and play, you have to be trustworthy.  Make your word your bond.  Let everyone know they can trust you, depend on what you say, and rely on you when you say something.

 

This third barn is definitely old, but it has character.  It’s one of a kind.  My third point is:  it doesn’t matter how old you are or how young you are, build your character.  Let each day help you become the person you want to be.  You are unique.  Enjoy your differences.  Everything you do helps you become a unique person with character that makes you that much more interesting.

 

One thing they all have in common is they are great to look at and each one is different from the other.  They bring joy to anyone who passes by with their bright colored quilts painted on them.  So my last point is:  Be happy.  Bring joy to others and to yourself. 

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my quilt barn pictures.  If anyone has pictures of interesting old barns they’d like to share, I’d love to see them.   

For more about me, visit my website at http://KRBailey.com

Have a great day!

Happy Valentines Day

The heart can see what's invisible to the eye.
                  ---unknown

Valentines Day is traditionally the day for love.  When I saw the above thought, I realized how appropro it is right now.  Everyday I see couples and wonder what one sees in the other--a hunky guy with an ordinary woman; a tall woman with a short guy.  You know what I'm saying?  I think the thought above says it all.  It reinforces that beauty is only skin deep or beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Aren't you glad?  We need all types of people to make the world go round, and isn't it great that it doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, what your background is--there is someone out there who will love you and appreciate your inner beauty.

As you celebrate Valentines Day, take time to let those you care about know you love them.  Let your family members know you care.  Tell your wife, husband, or significant other that they're special.  Give your kids and grandkids hugs.  Recognize your neighbors and let them know you appreciate them.  Find time to help a sick person.  I think everyone loves to be acknowledged.  Don't be stingy with your hugs, and most importantly, don't forget yourself.  Appreciate you for what you are.  Love knowing you are a special person.

I wish you all a very loving Valentines Day.  May you find love and peace.  May your day be full of happiness.

Find out more about K. R. Bailey at http://KRBailey.com