Happy First Day of Spring 💐
It's the time of year when winter grants us glimpses of warmer weather, the gophers come out, and we start searching the ground for the Tulip buds. In Montana, it will be a while before we see the colors. Still, the air is full of that sense of freshness and newness and lovely.
In one of my favorite bookish small towns, Ashbrook, Montana, spring is extra special because it's when people feel hopeful and start new adventures, just like the flowers start to grow again.
Finding Happiness Again
In a story about a place called 324 Hope Road, we meet the Darlings and the Timmermans. They are families that work together to keep the community close. Janine, the oldest cousin, by sowing the seeds of love in a teenage girl’s life will find the gift reciprocated from the girl and her father.
Brave Enough to Try Again
Spring teaches us that it's okay to start over and try new things, just like plants start growing again after the cold winter. It tells us that we can get through tough times and come out stronger and ready for sunshine and new dreams. Janine and Matthias will encounter the opportunity in some interesting ways to build their bravery.
Keep an eye out for those flowers, the birds making their way north, and the neighbors taking a walk because it’s finally warm enough outside. It’s also a good time to start a new hobby, call a friend to catch up or embark on an adventure. (Just last week I visited the San Antonio Riverfront. It was warm and gorgeous and I left with lots of ideas for stories)
I'd love to hear from you! What are you excited about this spring? Is there something new you want to try or a goal you want to reach? Share your stories, and let's celebrate the season of new starts together.
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Keep an eye out for those flowers, the birds making their way north, and the neighbors taking a walk because it’s finally warm enough outside. It’s also a good time to start a new hobby, call a friend to catch up or embark on an adventure.
Last week, I visited a friend in San Antonio. We spent some time exploring the Riverfront. It was warm and gorgeous, and I left with lots of ideas for stories)
What are you excited about this spring? Is there something new you want to try or a goal you want to reach? What kinds of flowers are you seeing where you live? I'd love to hear from you! Make sure to comment below.
Mr. Peterson announced they would have a group working on general projects like tacking baseboards and touching up paint with the maintenance man. It was down to the two other women. He said, “Lastly, we will have a group beautifying the girls’ bathrooms. I’ll let you sort yourselves into groups. The only thing I’m asking is that you don’t have more than twelve to an activity. If you finish early, you’re more than welcome to join another group.”
Two boys bounded down the bleachers and stood beside the two women leading the upgrades to the girls’ bathrooms. Mr. Peterson’s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear him say, “Parker and Carter, I don’t want you anywhere near the girls’ bathrooms.”
The boys in the stands pointed and guffawed. The two boys’ exaggerated headshakes of disappointment drew laughter from the group. Even Mr. Peterson joined in the good-natured chuckle. He patted the boys on the back while guiding them to join the maintenance man.
Janine and Marianna waited to move until the girls around them had risen to go to the project of their choice. All had left except for one. Matthias’s daughter watched the other girls but hadn’t motioned to move. To Janine’s curious glance that asked what Matthias’s daughter was waiting for, she replied. “My name is Rebecca. I don’t want to work with my dad, and I don’t want to clean windows. If it's okay with you, I'd like to be on your team.”
Earlier in the morning, Aunt Tee mentioned that Janine would be the village Auntie. Janine believed it when her aunt said it, but hadn’t expected it to come to fruition so soon. And of all people, the daughter of the man Janine was slowly learning to despise.
There was a hint of fear behind Rebecca’s expectant eyes. It said she had been rejected and was prepared for it to happen again, but had to ask.
She is just like me. Janine’s heart connected with Rebecca’s.
She didn’t know how things were going to work out, but she had a feeling in her heart of hearts. It told her that she and Rebecca were going to be a part of each other’s lives in the days to come. Somehow, they’d sort out what to do about her bear of a father.
She said, “Rebecca, my name is Janine. I think you and I will have fun today.”
Rebecca’s shoulders dropped and a slow smile spread across her face. “I think so, too.”
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324 Hope Road is the starter story for the Ashbrook, Montana series.
| Get A Copy of 324 Hope Road |
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