Welcome to July, friends around the world, and Happy 4th to my fellow Americans!
Yowza, July already! June whipped by thanks to summer school for the kiddos. Biff and Bash have been doing a class to help them get ready for 1st grade, which means time with the three R’s and some extra socialization. It also means me going through all their kindergarten work to pack up the most memorable bits, including their writing. After going through their pieces, I couldn’t help but ask Biff and Bash about their favorite work.


For a girl reticent about meeting new people and trying new things, it was a bit of a challenge getting Blondie to participate in summer school. With the bribe of a computer gaming class, I was able to sign her up for photography and geocaching. Lo and behold, she’s found those courses way cooler than playing ol’ computer games!








(This isn’t the only chat I’ve had with Blondie lately! Moss Whelan interviewed us both for his Story in Mind podcast. Check out our awesomeness!)
For some, summertime means going on adventures in far off places. But my experience with Blondie in the Horicon Marsh was a beautiful reminder that one doesn’t have to travel far to escape to other worlds.

So often we think we have to travel miles and miles to escape the humdrum.

We presume the truly fantastic is beyond the horizon, just out of reach.

But if we take a moment to step outside, we might just discover adventure awaits us in the here and now, be it in the nearby marshlands…

…or with the imaginations frolicking in our own backyard.

What are your imaginations up to this summer? Any recommendations of fun daytime-adventures with kids? Let’s chat!
Looking for some summer adventures? There’s free fiction to explore on my site as well as a fantasy novel on Amazon that’s free via Kindle Unlimited. Many thanks to Ronel Janse van Vuuren for her recent review!

Did you miss my monthly newsletter? Catch the July edition here, and subscribe here so you don’t miss another update.
Stay tuned… I’ve got some terrific interviews lined up this summer, starting next week!
Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!

The marsh area is beautiful. A great place to have real good experiences and adventures.
Enjoy the 4th!
Neil
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Thank you! We had a blast. π
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jean, they are getting so big!!! Lovely pics and sounds like it is gonna be a great summer. Happy 4th to you all. Raise those tea cups HIGH xxxxxxx
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I know! I love capturing these moments when I can to preserve them. Just thinking how much they’ve changed over four years makes me tear up. π
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They grow up so fast. Feels like they start to catch us up. Hope you are getting some quality time as well. Love the yellow family car, looks a great drive. You live in a wonderful area. So many stories can be born there. We are talking about creating a story over summer. Each day seeing where it takes us. xxx
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Oh, do make the story, do! That sounds like a perfect creativity break for you both.
And thanks. We’re fortunate to be only a short drive away from so much beauty. It’s just a matter of pausing life to appreciate it xxxxxxxxx
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Hope you find that pause button on the remote control soon. It would do you the world of good. I forget to ask how is the Santa meets Transformers book coming along. You know itβs a winner… xxxxxxxxxxxx
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LOL! I don’t think inspiration will come back for that until snow flies. xxxxxxx
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It is great.
Best wishes
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RE-posted on twitter @trefology
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Thanks!
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What a beautiful place you live in!
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Thank you! It’s easy to forget to get off the beaten highway sometimes and just *see* what’s out there, you know?
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It sounds and looks like you’re having a fabulous summer. Love the interviews, and the pictures make me feel quite envious – I’m still working. Horicon Marsh looks amazing.
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I’m excited to take all the kids there next time. π Hoping to get some writing in this summer too. Gah, July’s on me too soon!
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On me to, and disappearing before I’ve got to grips with it!
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How lovely to record them at this stage in their lives, and yes — adventure is never far away, if we think about it. Happy summer!
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Thank you so much! Yes, I’m so thankful I’m able to save these little moments. π
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OMG, I was just talking about Ghostbusters with my mom today!
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LOL! Biff ADORES Ghostbusters. I’m so stoked I found a used proton pack for a bday present in September π xxxxx
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Happy July (and belated 4th), Jean et al β€ Noticed your podcasts after clicking the "like" buttonβoops… sorry, can I blame it on my poor vision? ππ§ Listened now, though and must say you all are so sweet! π€π Jackie@KWH
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Aw, thanks, and a happy summer to you, too!
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Sweet kids are all grown up π I am delighted Blondie has such interested in photography.
Enjoy the rest of the summer – I hope it is not that terribly hot in where you live.
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Hello hello! We’ve had our hot spells, but thankfully they’re never too long. Yes, I hope she embraces this love, too. It’s an amazing passion. π
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Isn’t it crazy how fast they grow up and pick up ‘passions’ π
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