The garden is my passion. I fall in love with it and then have a break up in July when it's too hot. We always make amends in the fall. There is something healing and deep working in the soil. Maybe it is the child in me, who likes to get dirty. I doubt it though. That would limit the exchange that I have with the land, sitting on my stool and working to create a place of beauty for reflection. Virginia soil is pretty much red clay. We've brought in a number of trailers full of dirt. This load was particularly rich and full of dark color. My husband told me it was leaf compost. Leaf compost made sense. The best dirt, is the one that has broken down the natural growth through time and rain and heat to get the nutrients that the plant borrowed back into the ground. Shoveling and hauling the compost to fill my newest rose garden, I began to think about composting and forgiveness. We've all been hurt by those we trust. It's part of the human condition. Waiting for someone to say they are sorry can be like Horton waiting for Lazy Maisy to return to her nest. So what do I do with the hurt and the need to acknowledge the fact that I have been wronged? I am learning to will my will to forgive. Like the rain that breaks down the fallen leaves, I need to consciously redirect my thoughts when they wish to nurture heartache. I'm not ignoring the fact that I hurt. I am acknowledging and choosing to let go. For the soil to be enriched, the leaf must let go of what it once was for new life to be sustained and grow. This Good Friday, I consider the heat that Jesus experienced. He prayed in the garden, not my will but His father's will. He went before false accusers who humiliated Him, caused pain that would crush me, and then, according to the Greek translation of the word, as they nailed Him to the cross, Jesus continued to repeat, "Forgive them" over and over. With each hammer's blow, His words were of forgiveness. That was the mantra that He focused on to get through the pain until it was time to let it all go and claim it is finished. While I am not superhuman, I can continue to focus on what is really important. For mercy to grow, I need to share mercy with others. For love to blossom, I need to dig deep and love those who are broken much like myself. I need to will my will like the shovel moving the dirt to let go and live free. Peace be with you and Happy Easter!

Ötzi's life ended in a seemingly insignificant manner. His impact, however, tells a much different tale of a mountain legacy. Here's one of the top impacts I like about Ötzi: It took 100 lbs. of malachite to extract enough copper ore to pour his copper axe, which can fit easily in the palm of your hand. The copper is traced back to Southern Tuscany. He lived and was murdered 350 miles away from the copper mines indicating the trade routes were open. 5000 years ago, people were moving, people were talking, and business was booming!

This past July I found myself on the side of the Similaun Mountain wondering what I had gotten myself into. I earned an Excellence in Education grant from my county that supported the cost of getting me into that predicament. The purpose - to see what Ötzi saw and get a better feeling for how to end book 2, Shroud Of Ice, with his actual murder. What I found was a wonderful friendship with my advising archeologist, Dr. Walter Leitner, I found beautiful views, I experienced the fury of the mountain, and I got to meet Ötzi himself. Here's what I now know - an author will go way beyond a comfort zone if the itch of the story calls to do so. The mountain climb up started at 8am on July 24 in a slight rain. By 10 am we were quite wet. We were passed by herds of sheep wandering the slopes and path. Springs gushing down the side of the mountain created waterfalls that pushed downhill to the raging river below. The 75 varieties of moss and lungwort that mapped out Ötzi's final hike were green and amazing with their innate ability to grow in rough terrain. The mountain always has been available to life in its various forms. When we trek outside our comfort zone, we see the strength in beauty that keeps life rather simple. How grateful I was for the crucifix marking the proximity to a hutte where we could stop for a bowl of soup. How warm a friendly smile from another hiker felt when we met. How incredibly stubborn I am when the need arises. Life as it should be - simple. With two hours to go before reaching our final destination of the day, we had to decide - go and see where Ötzi was found or head straight to shelter. From being wet most of the day, we headed to the Similaun Hutte. The last hour and a half, assured us that was the best decision. If we had taken the path to his monument, I would have suffered even more from hypothermia and possibly not made it. Sometimes those simple decisions are the best.

In less than three weeks, I will have hiked to where Ötzi was found and be heading down the Italian side of the Similaun Mountain. If all goes well, I will not have gotten lost in fog, or succumbed to altitude sickness, or been inhibited by storms. Yes, my imagination tugs at everything that can go wrong. It's human nature. What I have found, however, is I need more mountains in my life. Facing these fears has forced me to focus, to take risks, to get out there and do something about the deficits I see coming between me and reaching the place where Ötzi was murdered. My mountain has made me better. It's a lie to say I'm not nervous. I'm a 55 year old English teacher, not an athlete. I'm also a believer in walking through the open doors and knocking at least once on the ones that are closed. If someone had told me three years ago when I began the publishing journey with Iceman Awakens that I would be climbing up 9000+ meters, I'd laugh. What I have learned from training is simply this: climbing a mountain is literally thousands of smaller steps aimed at something I cannot not see. When I have gone out to Skyline Drive on the Blue Ridge Mountains, I follow the path, I notice the scenery and the challenges along the way, I talk with people on the same path and am encouraged to see the individuals going beyond me by hiking the full Appalachian Trail. When I do finally emerge from the tree line, I am impressed with the amazing magnitude of God's grace and goodness bringing me to this point. Standing on the rocks, viewing the tops of birds soaring, identifying landmarks in the sprawling valley below all give a sense of belonging. I'm fully saturated in sunshine and oxygen, which opens my understanding, chases away my anxiety, and brings my perspective into balance. This is why I do believe I need more mountains in life. Next week I'll note the different hikes in Blue Ridge that I recommend, but for today it is sufficient to accomplish the steps I have to take to reach my goal.

Writing Iceman Awakens seemed like the hard part. Not true. Everything that happened after the book was bound became a series of challenges. Always baby steps, the risks grew as my confidence did. I have heard that our dreams should scare us, at least a little. There is something about being on the edge where possibilities and opportunities intersect. Book 2 - Shroud of Ice is on my laptop and almost finished, but one thing is missing - I need an ending I feel passionate about. What did Ötzi see? What was his path? What can I leave my readers with that I am proud to write? Google could only do so much. I needed to travel to Europe to answer my questions. In March, I learned that I am one of the recipients of this year's Fauquier Excellence in Education Grants. I will be flying to Austria to follow my dream of meeting those who have helped me as well as climbing Ötzi's mountain. The adventure is about to begin. Stay tuned right here for more information regarding, training and preparation for my trip as well as the experience of seeing my book come alive.

The Beatles sang it best, I'm poor yet I want to be a paperback writer. The path to writing can be daunting. Here's one new boost I've treated myself to. Thoroughly enjoying spending time since 6:00 am est with writers from around the world zooming into this convention in England. So far I have learned about book cover trends, marketing strategies, where the blending between nonfiction and fiction lies in writing, but most importantly I have learned I am not alone. Many people when they find that I have published will quietly express their wish to get their story published as well. Writing is an incredibly isolating path, yet it doesn't have to be. Since Covid 19, people have been using platforms to connect and are finding the encouragement they lacked previously. If you are interested in growing your writing, then drop me a line and let's see if we can't find a way to encourage that story inside to come out and play.

Obligation dims many passions, but in the harness alongside responsibility a mother plows a field of harvest for her children. On this brisk, winter Sunday, considering what it is that I have sown and still need to sow. May your gardens sleep with seeds germinating under the leaves and chill to surprise you with a beautiful bounty in a few weeks.

Teachers helping teachers! That's the thrust behind this new addition to Iceman Awakens. We just celebrated our two year publishversary last night and revealed the latest endeavor to help teachers use Iceman Awakens effectively in the classroom. Four teachers, four creative problem solvers have activity options to challenge critical thinking. Wendi Pillars inspired the Visual Mind Mapping activity allowing students to doodle their connections and demonstrate understanding in a very different format. Kassidi Gray contributed the One Page - a dynamic end of the book project that takes students through the symbolism and features of a plot. Audrey Swain contributed the True Colors essay, the rousing schoolwide scavenger hunt, and the Mandala Mask project connecting a spirit animal to a character. So much creativity can only sprout from a solid foundation of critical thinking. Creativity at its finest is really problem solving. Critical thinking at its finest is an opportunity for students to inspire themselves and in the process those witnesses near enough to see it - the teacher and classmates. This powerful moment, known as the aha moment, captured in a project, is what allows students to truly shine and when they shine, they are very beautiful, stunning even! Want to know what keeps me teaching? It would be that transformation just describe. Take a moment to check out the Teacher Workbook. Coming soon will be some videos explaining the extra activities and in the new year a webquest to learn more about the real live (okay he's dead) but the real mummy Ötzi the Iceman.

Barnes and Nobles Manassas is where my adventure began on February 27, 2022. Since that time I have had the honor of being at seven other Barnes and Nobles in the Northern Virginia area. Woodbridge included me in their Grand Opening and had me back two other times! Short Pump invited me down. Fredericksburg just had me back a second time. I've been to Ashburn, Fairfax, Potomac Yards, Springfield. Saturday, October 22nd I'll be at the beautiful two story Tysons Mall B&N. Soon in December I'll add Libby's Place in Richmond on the 10th and then we're crossing the Potomac River to Frederick, Maryland on the 11th! I'm stunned and truly fortunate to be embraced by such a gracious and wonderful book store. Standing in a shared space with so many other titles and so many amazing authors never grows old. The absolute best part of the day is when I find a young author. That's an amazing moment I can't quite describe. I feel somehow the gift of encouraging voice is one that germinates with time and repeated affirmation. I can only hope that our brief encounters stirs a familiar flame that will challenge both of us to return to the page for edits and refined ideas. The writers community is one of hope that together we will change the world with tales of courage and friendship. The act of writing is solitary and challenging, which is why I always love meeting other writers especially the ones at the beginning of their journey. How about you? What story is inside of you waiting to be told?

What defines the strength of beauty? This is my faithful Lenten rose. Every year in the dead of winter, this beauty finds the courage to bloom. No matter snow or frost, my Lenten rose reminds me to face my cold in style. One thing I noticed in me this year is a complaining spirit fighting to push me down. The roots are deep in the realm of it's not fair. When left unchecked, perceived unfairness can lead to anger and resentment, not lovely qualities. A student, who had every reason to complain because her life had incredible odds stacked against her, once shared her understanding. She said, "Life is fair because it's unfair for everyone." I think my student's understanding defines the strength of beauty I admire. When life deals us a harsh wind or frozen reality we can choose to bloom. It requires courage, but that's fair. Isn't it?

What comes between us and our ability to wait? Have we come to believe results define success as a rule rather than one method? This orchid reminds me that somethings truly deserve the wait. My oldest daughter gave this green-tinted orchid to me her freshman year in college. The gift came with the worry that I would kill the tropical beauty. Almost seven years later, the signs of thriving are evident, but the orchid is only blooming for the second time. Over the years, I transplanted it, changed window lighting, came ever so close to throwing the orchid out because the plant itself is small and scraggly. Hope for change and a chance to once again see the spectacle open, the orchid dodged the compost pile. My mother had orchids. She wore an orchid corsage every Easter and Mother's Day to church on her dress that she had made. Usually her dress was not newly made as the midnight's before Easter, her hands would be guiding a new frock for one of us daughters through the stitches. We had to go to church in a new dress. We made sure she went to church in an orchid. Her one favorite orchid didn't bloom for ten years. She moved the plant from the farm in Missouri up to Michigan hoping to see the deep magenta one more time. The artistic display of this tropical parasite fostered the spirit of waiting, a trait I have apparently inherited. During this season of Lent, the orchid blooms once again reminding me that waiting is not a bad process. When we wait too long, our way can feel lost, doubt can work havoc on nerves and focus. Waiting, however, is the path to trust. Trust is the element of freedom that promises the wait will be worth while. Contemplating the complete aloneness of Christ's final hours from the garden to the cross, I see his trust carry him through the extreme, hideous nature of humanity. His trust in a greater plan, brought acceptance through sacrifice of His role in a greater mystery. God asks us to trust Him in the good and especially the difficult times, but trust is a two way street. He needs to trust that we won't just give up on Him and walk away because we are waiting for something more. If I can learn this Lent the freedom that comes through trust, then nothing I wait for will be enough to devour my hope to see God's glory in my life, and that is worth the wait.

Iceman Awakens just earned a 5 star sticker! I am very excited. Please enjoy the following review written by Readers Favorite. Reviewed by Hayley Haun for Readers' Favorite “We will never know the truth of his death regarding the motivation or circumstances. Yet we as people are designed to question and wonder, which in turn leads to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding about his culture and our own.” (Author’s Note, XIV). In September 1991, deep in the Italian Alps, a mummy was discovered. But this was no mere mummy. Ötzi, or Frozen Fritz as he came to be known, is the oldest cold case in history (as far as we know). Questions abound about his existence. Why did he die on those mountains? What did he do in his life? Simply put, who is Frozen Fritz? Iceman Awakens by Sharon Krasny explores his story through fiction. Before the ice claimed him, Gaspare was a young man on the brink of manhood. In his tribe, Gaspare faces four distinct trials in his initiation into manhood. Chealana, the wolf pup he helped to raise, is at his side through all of it. Her presence is like a spirit guide. The gods seem to smile down on Gaspare through these rites of passage, proving his worth and strength. However, it is not enough for men to question why. Some would have him gone. Creating a story about an unknown man from the past is intriguing. Krasny has built upon what archeologists know about Ötzi and breathed life into this corpse. Iceman Awakens highlights Krasny’s skill as a storyteller. Just as her bio says: “…she has spent years encouraging students to take risks, look closely at the smallest details, and determine hidden meaning found within the text.” So too are readers encouraged to look closely and find meaning.