Unexpected Surprises

Cindy Romero November 30, 2025

This month was all about taking care of business. Whether it was annual health exams, a wedding, scheduling holiday markets, chasing strange lights, delivering books, attending an art exhibit, or just getting ready for Thanksgiving, we were busy!

The month started with a friend’s wedding. The bride and groom were married at a venue named Hanks Garage. It’s a car collector’s garage with an assortment of pristine cars, trucks, and motorcycles. This garage is tucked away in an industrial park across some railroad tracks, and if you didn’t know where it was, like us, you wouldn’t find it. Thank goodness for MAPS on my phone. The upstairs had an open bar, checkered food tables, and disco ball lights. Dinner was served downstairs along with a live band, photo booth, and an old fashion barber shop in case one needed a last minute shave. (for the guys of course.) There was a dyno (dynamometer) demonstration with one of the cars. And for any of you, like me, that don’t know what that is, it measures a car’s power and torque. And it is very loud! It was also nice seeing friends we hadn’t seen in a while. The highlight was when the groom gave his new bride, and all us guests, a surprise dance Magic Mike style! It was hilarious. I’ve got to say I’ve never been to a wedding like this. It was a lot fun and we really enjoyed it. If you are into cars, this museum is a must.

We received great news when we got all the yearly exams taken care of. We both came out A-O-K. Surprised, but not surprised. Now let’s keep this party going!

We scheduled two holiday markets for next month. One is at the Stansbury Elementary School, right here in our neighborhood on December 10th. The other is at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Cottonwood Heights, Utah on December 12th & 13th. These will conclude our markets for the year. During the winter months we will work indoors on our next projects. I’ll focus on my writing and Tim on his artwork.

There was a huge surprise this month and one that doesn’t usually occur in Utah. We witnessed the Auroa Borealis in our northern sky for a few days. I thought these beauties were exclusive only to Alaska. How beautiful they were! I am cheating on the picture I’m sharing with you as it isn’t mine but a friend’s. There were some gorgeous shots from the western part of our state that were just incredible. Just like the amazing sunets and sunrises we get, this was nature at its best.

We got a surprise call from a new bookstore wanting to carry Skip Thomas Adventures. Wholesome Books is located in American Fork, Utah and owned by Janice Hunter. This is a small bookstore that has helped home-schooled children in the area. Though not just for kids, they also stock out-of- print historical books which they print right there on the premises. I was quite impressed.

We were invited to the A-Gallery for a holiday art exhibition this month. We made it a date night as we don’t get out to the city very often, Salt Lake City that is. The hosts were warm and welcoming. It was a casual evening served with snacks, cocktails, and smiles along with great conversations. Some of the artists were there for us to chat with and take pictures with. At one point, we thought this might be a gallery for Tim’s show, but the longer we were there, we decided maybe this wasn’t the place for him. His style doesn’t fit there. So, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for just the right place. Don’t get me wrong, this is a beautiful gallery. It was a great night out and we really enjoyed it.

Thanksgiving had me preparing our feast for three days! I don’t know why I do it, it’s only the two of us. I guess it’s because it’s one of my favorite holidays. I always remember the family gatherings at my grandparents’ house in New Jersey when I was young. All my cousins, two aunts, and one uncle would be there for dinner. My dad’s side was small but intimate. They would wait for me to get home from cheerleading at the high school football game. Grandpop made the best mashed potatoes ever and Grandmom’s pies were the best. Thanksgiving always ended with a card game of canasta and spending the night.

Now we visit friends less fortunate than us and bring them something for their Thanksgiving table. And there’s always plenty of cheer to go around at our house if anyone stops by. This year the sun was shining, the temperature cool, the Packers won, and a drink or two around the firepit made it a great day. I am grateful for my family and friends far and near, a warm bed and a roof over my head, food in my belly, clothes on my back, and a husband that doesn’t judge me for my quirky ways of doing things. I am thankful for God, my country, our military and first responders, and our President. May God bless you as he has blessed me.

Until next time,

Skip’s mom, Cb

Our Auroa Borealis taken by the Great Salt Lake

One of the cars used in the dyno demonstration

At A-Gallery with sculpter Roland Thompson

An acrylic painting by Gary Ruddell in the A-Gallery.

Acrylic painting by Marci Erspamer at A-Gallery.

Fall Festivals

Cindy Romero October 30, 2025

In my July blog I told you about something I was working on and couldn’t share with you yet, as I was sworn to secrecy. But not anymore! One of my stories was chosen for the 2025 Oct/Nov issue of Mary Jane’s Farm Magazine. It was such a surprise, and I am honored to grace page 23 of this issue. It’s called “Becoming a Bookworm.” I tell the story of my love for books and some memories of the town I grew up in. I hope you enjoy reading it.

The fall festivals came and went, with one being canceled due to high winds and monsoon rain, and the other with beautiful sunny days. It was nice seeing other vendors who I’ve gotten to know throughout the years. When I saw their names on the vendor list, I wondered if any would we be my “tent buddy.” (By that I mean my neighbor.) It’s a lot of fun being next to one of your friends. I always look forward to seeing them at the events as I only see them a few times a year. Now, if only we could pick our own weather and make every festival perfect. Sometimes you must take the good with the bad and move on. Better luck next year.

We had our first snowfall on October 4th. This is quite early for us, but the dusting of white powder on the Oquirrh Mountains across the street reminds us that Santa is on his way. Wait, did I just say that!? NO! Not yet! Though, we are signing up for Christmas markets now. Time waits for no one, including us. The early bird catches the good booth spaces, that’s for sure. I’ll fill you in when I know which ones we will be attending.

Our last camp trip for the year was at Deer Creek State Park. The temperature was perfect in the 70’s, the fall colors were at their peak, and fishing was good. We met some new local friends that we hope to keep in touch with, while others we wished safe travels. I love meeting people traveling across the country, they have so many stories to tell. And we sell books! Now the motor home is winterized and I am sad because there will be no more trips this year. But come January, I will be looking at Reserve America once again to plan our getaways in 2026.

It’s almost time to turn the clocks back an hour and that means it’s time to put my flower garden to bed for the winter. I hate cutting down some of my perennials before the first frost, but it is needed. The same goes for the annuals that just don’t want to leave me. How I love my flowers. I do enjoy them all for as long as they want to stay. Now some new bulbs are planted, the mulch is down, the sprinklers are drained, and the fountain is dry. I keep feeding the birds under the plum tree all year long. They love the suet cakes I feed them and they are happy, as am I.

Tomorrow is Halloween. The trick-or-treaters will be coming by, and we will enjoy seeing the little ones once again in their costumes. There are some really cute ones out there and I can’t help myself by taking pictures. It’s fun to look back through the years and see how big the kids have grown. Some are parents themselves now and bring their little ones by. They always say, “Do you remember me?” “Of course!” we say. It’s like watching my own children grow up and it tugs at my heart. I love seeing them, though I think they just like seeing Frankie! Lol

That’s it for October. Hope you enjoyed the cooler temps and fall colors like I did. This is one of my favorite months and I hate to see it go. But Thanksgiving is on the way and I love that, too.

Til next time, take care and God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Enjoying Skip’s books at the Fall Festival.

Last camping trip at Deer Creek State Park

Changes

Cindy Romero September 29, 2025

Changes are inevitable. Just when you get all comfy and cozy, and things just fall into place, a gust of wind slaps you in the face. It’s like a wakeup call telling you to get ready, things are about to change. I like predictable though, the comfort of knowing something will always be there. But, alas, that’s not life, nothing stays the same forever. And so, this month comes with changes, not all bad, but with adjustments.

The Petapalooza Pet Adoption Event at Wheeler Historic Farm was a great success. This year there were more animals looking for homes and the good news is 127 animals found their forever homes. :)

We weren’t looking to replace our Tuco just yet, but we came real close to taking in a puppy. A flyer was passed out stating puppies were looking for a home. Their story touched our hearts. They were found in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest after a rancher moved his sheep herd while a mother dog was having puppies. She spent three weeks alone starving in the mountains protecting her puppies before she was able to be rescued by the campers who found her. This is so similar in how we found Bear in the mountains ten years ago. After careful consideration, we changed our minds on adopting right now. With such a busy schedule and limited time to raise a pup, we didn’t think it fair for us to commit at this time. I am happy to say they all found loving homes and the kind people who found them kept the Great Pyrenees mom and one of her pups. :)

The owners of Signature Book Printing are retiring at the end of this year. This is going to be a big change for us as they are the printers of our books. It’s sad for us, but I am happy for them. After 39 years in the book printing industry, we wish them all the best and a happy retirement. We are so grateful for all they have done for us and cherish the friendships we’ve established throughout the years. Happy trails Phil Nanzetta, Linda Wood, and the rest of the gang! We will miss you.

A new book printing company will be taking over where Signature is leaving off. They will have all our layouts and information from before, and changes are coming. We are confident they will do a great job just as Signature has done for us in the past.

What else changes in September? Why the leaves of course! I love the colors of Fall and the cooler temperatures. We scheduled trips with the motorhome this month just so we could enjoy the changing of the season. Right now, it’s an excellent time to find campsites and meet new friends doing the same things as we are, enjoying the beauty of the mountains.

One more change I’ve noticed this month is my feathered friends, the hummingbirds. They have packed up their summer home on my porch and flew south, without even saying goodbye. (Probably because we were camping when they decided to leave.) I love those little guys and will miss them, too. I wish them safe travels and look forward to seeing them again in the late spring.

I guess it’s how we adapt to change that matters. We can be miserable and stay stuck in the past or accept what’s coming and look ahead. It’s like the saying goes, “If you rest, you rust.” That goes for the mind as well as the body. I want to be “forever young,” too. But we all know that’s not going to happen either, but I can try. I’m an adventurous spirit at heart. Though sometimes I need a good kick in the ass to get it in gear. So, I think it’s time for me to learn a new skill and keep my mind occupied. After all, change can be good.

That’s all for now. And my advice, if you choose to accept it, is this: embrace change, be positive, look ahead with a clear conscience, be happy, and enjoy life. Because you never know where it will lead you. :)

God bless,

Skip’s mom, Cb

At the Petapalooza Pet Adoption Event, Wheeler Historic Farm, Murray, Utah

Dug, the yellow lab, waiting to be adopted.

Being introduced, hoping for an adoption.

Our Lucky Month

Cindy Romero August 27, 2025

This month turned out to be one of good times and good luck. There were birthdays, an anniversary, contest winnings, and community celebrations.

These are the “dog days of summer,” with the heat so hot you just don’t want to do anything except stay inside. Utah’s fires are burning all across the state, some are out of control, and it’s sad that we go through this every summer. We did things outdoors in moderation but took advantage of the festivities when they arose.

We had ten friends and family members birthdays to celebrate this month, including our own. There were maybe more, but I lost count. Even so, all were happy times.

We celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary and took advantage of it with a nice golf competition between the two of us. I came in second place, but that’s ok since the hubs has more experience at this game than I do. :)

Stansbury Days was a great event, like always. Friday the 15th kicked off the start with Pickleball, food trucks, and movie night for the kids.

Saturday morning came with a pancake breakfast cooked by our awesome fire fighters, and a triathlon. Next, our parade with floats of local businesses and rival schools showing off their colors and marching bands.

We had sixty cars in the car show this year! This is always a big hit and it’s getting bigger and bigger every year. Even our neighbor had his 1949 Pontiac Chieftain on display. I just love that car.

The afternoon gave way to craft vendors, an art show in the club house, live music on the pavilion, food trucks, and the famous cardboard boat races in the lake. The boats are only allowed to be made with cardboard, duct tape, and paint. It’s a hoot watching these young sailors compete; some made it around the buoy, and some fell apart before they started paddling. It’s a labor of love, a great competition for the kids, and always great to hear “the winner!” upon making it back to shore in one piece.

The weekend closed Saturday night with fireworks over the lake and a star party afterwards at the observatory. We love coming together with our neighbors in the community and enjoying this special time once a year.

I’ve had a lucky streak this month, too. I won a few contests that I had entered and they couldn’t have come at a better time. I am so grateful. I’ll keep entering, you just never know when your name will be picked.

Schools started up again this past week, which means our first Fall book market starts up in two weeks. We’re excited to get back out there and support animal adoptions. We will be at the Petapalooza 2025 Event on Friday September 12th from 3pm - 7pm, and Saturday September 13th from 9am - 4pm. This will be at the Wheeler Historic Farm, 6351 S. 900 E., Murray, UT 84121. Come out and adopt a new best friend.

Well, that’s it for now. I hope you all enjoyed this hot August month, and your kids are happy to get back to school.

Until next time, stay safe walking to class! God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Celebrating at The Pie Pizzeria where we had our first date.

Our neighbor’s 1949 Pontiac Chieftain at the car show.

Serious paddlers in the cardboard boat races.

Great way to end the weekend with fireworks over the lake.

It's Rewarding

Cindy Romero July 31, 2025

Our hard work and dedication to Skip Thomas Adventures is paying off. We are now getting noticed in the community more. Just this month, we’ve been invited to share our business at author events, book readings, and do volunteer work.

Skip Thomas Adventures is an IAPO (International Association of Professional Organizations) Business Awards Nominee for Best New Creative Business in 2025. It’s quite a rewarding experience and very exciting! We will find out who wins at the end of the year.

This month we participated in the Simply Books Author Event at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton, Utah. Sheree Bingham and Britney Mills were our hosts and did an amazing job setting up tables and chairs for all the authors. They orchestrated everything from getting t-shirts printed, getting raffle items organized, filling up grab bags, and taking group pictures of us all. On top of all that, they both had their own books to sell. I believe this year there were forty authors. What a great turn out!

We have a new ballpark in South Jordan, Utah. It replaces the downtown Salt Lake City ballpark which our Triple-A baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees, has outgrown. Besides ball games, the area hosts all kinds of things to do, from summer concerts on the Rio Tinto Kennecott Stage, new restaurants opening up, fitness and yoga mornings, movies at the Megaplex Cinema, and storytelling in the America First Square, just to name a few. This is all brand new so things are just starting to happen. It’s a beautiful place in the Downtown Daybreak area. The Trax Line runs parallel to the many venues so it’s easy to get to. You local folks should check it out, it won’t disappoint.

We were invited to do Storytime in the Square with a book reading. Having never been there before, we went to check it out a few weeks before thinking this was at the little stage where they do the Farmers Market. OMG! It was not what we thought! We were literally speechless when we saw the Rio Tinto Kennecott Stage. It was huge. This is where they want us to read? We were flattered; they chose us to be one of the first to kick off the summer readings. We went to the first two to get an idea of what to expect. It was nice to meet other authors and storytellers.

We decided to do something different than the others to stand out. After reading each Skip Thomas Adventures book, we played a game to see how well kids were listening. If they got a question right, they won a prize. After all four books were read, we gave out coloring sheets and crayons. It was a hit and we were invited to come back again in September. The staff was great and we all had a lot of fun.

Other events are coming our way this fall. We were just accepted to be a part of the Petapalooza Animal Adoption Event on September 12th & 13th at the Wheeler Historic Farm in Murray, Utah.

After that, we will be at the Utah Honey Harvest Festival on October 10th & 11th at the Clark Historic Farm in Grantsville, Utah.

Next, the Benson Grist Mill Fall Festival (formerly call the Pumpkin Walk) on October 17th & 18th in Stansbury Park, Utah, our home town.

As you can see, we are staying busy. Tim is consumed with his latest endeavor called Toys of a Boy which is artwork of his, well, his toys! They are amazing and they will be in an art gallery one day.

I am staying occupied with my writing and can’t wait to share with you what I am doing next. But until then, I hope you are enjoying your summer.

Stay safe & God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

One of the authors I got to meet, Angela Bricker, historical-fiction writer.

(May/June) Ecclesiastes: The Meaning of Life

Cindy Romero June 22, 2025

I find Ecclesiastes to be my favorite book in the Bible for explaining to me the meaning of life. I think we all search for or question the meaning of life and its purpose at some point in our lives. What are we looking for? What does it take to make us happy? Why am I here? Is there an important lesson to learn? These are just a few probing questions in my mind.

Chapter 3 tells us, “There is an appointed time for everything - And there is a time for every event under heaven.”

Verse 2 says, “A time to give birth…”

In May, we celebrated Mother’s Day. This is a yearly event so there is no surprise when this takes place; a gathering of family members, old and new, to feast, drink, and laugh. It’s also a time to reminisce and tell stories. We’re happy to remember the good times. We celebrate our moms and are grateful to them for giving us life, even those who are now in heaven.

Verse 4 says, “A time to laugh…”

The following weekend we were with friends and their families at Palisades State Park. We all met on a Friday to spend time together and catch up with whatever was going on in our lives. We played golf, shared meals, and giggled like school kids. We met Carl and Paula three years ago at this same park and have kept the friendship going. So, every year now we try to meet up and have a laugh or two for a few days leaving our hectic work lives behind.

Verse 2 also says, “A time to die…”

That weekend, we found out Gregory Castle passed away at age 83. He was one of the Co-Founders of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. What a remarkable man with vision, dedication and drive back in 1983 to help start what is now the most treasured “Save Them All” movements. His work has saved millions of animals. From 2009-2018 he served as the CEO of Best Friends. “He was a voice of reason and reconciliation among grassroots rescue groups, animal shelters and national animal organizations.”

Verse 4 also says, “A time to dance…”

The first week in June we went to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. I had planned this trip back in January of this year. We were there three years ago and were excited to return bringing more of our books with us. This time we camped in one of the RV sites in Angels Canyon. Our site was beautifully situated overlooking a canyon of red rocks and caves. We danced in celebration with a toast, happy to be back.

Our first tour was at the Horse Haven with a girl named Christy. She knew all the horse’s names and their backgrounds. Some had happy endings and some did not. All were rescues. And they are all being very well taken care of and live in gorgeous surroundings. There are some looking for forever homes and that means they have overcome some hardships. The ones that can’t be adopted have a forever home in the beautiful red rock canyon with lots of love. And that’s a wonderful thing.

We met Ann, who gave us the story of a mustang named Prince. He was very smart and quite a prankster, which made us laugh. She showed us how he was able to overcome anxiety and shyness by training him with mental telepathy. With just one look, this magnificent horse was dancing through the arena. It was quite amazing.

While we were there, we met with Erin who is a Planned Giving Member. She worked in Dog Town for many years before joining her current position. She was fun and shared humorous stories with us about the dogs she worked with as well as her own. She has a bully that looks just like our Tuco did, though a different color. His name is Cinnamon. He does some crazy “dancing” when he’s happy, like Tuco did, as only a Bully can do, if you know what I mean.

Verse 7 says, “A time to be silent…”

Gratitude Garden is sacred grounds in the upper canyon, a place for all to come walk or sit and meditate. There are sculptures and fountains along the paths. The beautiful desert landscape is marked with inspirational signs and benches along the way. There is an amazing overlook of the canyon below where you see Angels Rest and can hear windchimes. We were told the burials in the upper canyon are for the animals that resided in the sanctuary.

Angels Rest is in the lower canyon. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of animal burials in this area; dogs, cats, horses, birds, pigs, rabbits, etc. The first time we entered through the gates we were speechless. It literally made us cry. There are thousands of windchimes that will blow your mind when you hear them; all sizes singing in the same key together. Tread lightly here among the spirits, for this is holy ground.

Verse 4 says, “A time to weep…”

This one came as a surprise and literally took our breath away. Thunderstorms came and went throughout the week; downpours lasting through the night at times. But the most amazing thing happened in between storms one night when the sunset reappeared. We witnessed the most magnificent, beautiful, glorious double rainbow arching over the whole canyon. How lucky for us to be in Angels Canyon with the Rainbow Bridge and all the animal spirits. It brought awe and tears just thinking about all the souls that crossed over and are now at rest. It was the most touching experience I’ve ever felt.

Verse 5 says, “A time to embrace…”

The following weekend was the memorial for Gregory Castle. We watched the celebration of his life on a live YouTube channel while others attended in person at the sanctuary in Angels Landing, a huge amphitheater nestled in the rock canyon. The ceremony was beautiful with rememberances from other co-founders, family, friends, and musicians. It was an emotional testimony embracing a life well lived.

Verse 8 says, “A time to love…”

We celebrated Fathers Day this month. I hope all you dads out there had a day surrounded by love with your kids. Those of us who live miles apart, like me and my dad, had to send cards and send our love over the phone. To those dads in heaven, our love is eternal.

And this brings me to the conclusion of my thoughts about the meaning of life. No one said it would easy. Life is a mix of good and bad, highs and lows. Struggles will always be with us, as well as our triumphs. We’re all given choices and will be made accountable for our actions and reactions one day. If we work hard providing for our families, helping others in need when we can, and treating everyone with dignity, kindness, and love, then I feel we’re on the right path to happiness. Find the good in others. Know that every good thing on this earth is a gift from God, so treat it with respect. So, the meaning of life to me is doing good in one’s lifetime, loving one another, and being happy.

Read the book of Ecclesiastes. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I think you’ll know what I mean. Until next time, God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Co-Founder of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Gregory Castle

View of the red rocks and caves from our campsite

One of the fountains in Gratitude Garden

Looking over the upper canyon from Gratitude Garden into Angels Rest below

Just a glimps of the windchimes and burials in Angels Rest

Doesn’t do it justice, The Rainbow Bridge

Our Podcast

Cindy Romero April 28, 2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1QofVEOMYbeNdbjjpexfnD?si=mzyIdazQTZygY5LhxloO8g

This month we want to share with you the Podcast we did with Keyhole Conversations. We’d never done anything like this before and it was fun. Our host, Marcus, was great and made it easy for us to open up and share things about ourselves. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it.

April showers bring May flowers, and yes, they did. This crazy Utah weather is still with us leaving traces of snow here and there, too.

Easter was a beautiful time, and we celebrated at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. We took part in the Good Friday service which is always a somber event for Christians believing in the crucifixion of Jesus. Though we know on the third day, he will rise again and bring us hope and joy. The Easter sunrise service is our favorite mass as the sun always seems to shine through the gorgeous stained-glass windows at just the right time. The angelic voices of the choir are uplifting and make me wish I could sing. Alas, I cannot, so I enjoy them even more. Lol

Our Pope Francis passed away the next day after giving a blessing to the people at the Vatican on Easter Sunday. Many are sad but also happy that he had a good life and got to celebrate Easter with the faithful. We now await the vote of a new pope.

We are getting ready for our first market of the year. Barnyard Babies is one we haven’t done before, and we are looking forward to it. It will be at the J. Reuben Clark Historic Farm in Grantsville, Utah. It is this Friday May 2nd from 12 pm - 6 pm. And Saturday May 3rd from 10 am - 4 pm. Address is 378 W. Clark Street. Come by and see the barnyard newborns.

People are constantly asking us what our next book will be about. Though I have many already written, I am working on a book about grieving the loss of a pet for children. It’s been hard, with a lot of sad memories of our fur babies that have climbed the Rainbow Bridge, but it’s coming along, little by little. Tuco’s spirit is going to tell it like it is. Be patient, it’s coming.

So that’s it for April. Please listen to our Podcast and feel free to leave a comment if you want. We’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, enjoy the fresh air and smell the flowers. God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Marcus, our Podcast host with Keyhole Conversations.

Some of the beautiful stained-glass windows in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

One of the Barnyard Babies waiting to meet you.

First 2025 Spring Event

Cindy Romero April 1, 2025

We sprang ahead on March 9th with another episode of changing the clocks to a new season. The birds were plenty, singing their joyful songs to the promise of Spring just around the corner.

The bulbs that we planted last fall are poking their heads up through the snow covered ground. As always, the crocuses are first. The soft petals of purple, white, and yellow stretch out their faces to the morning sun. In the evening, when the sun goes over the mountain, they close their petals and tuck themselves in for the night. But not to worry! They will repeat this ritual again come the morn.

“March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.” That’s the saying, and it hasn’t disappointed so far. We started out with roaring winds with snow and rain. By March 20th the first day of Spring showed up and we were spoiled with temperatures in the low 70’s. As we near the end of the month, rain and snow are called for again. Typical Utah weather.

Our first Spring book event took place at Marissa’s Books & Gifts. This whimsical store was perfect for a book signing. What makes it unique is the treasure trove of rare old books: first editions of Louisa May Alcott, Beatrix Potter, and Jane Austin to name a few. I could browse in this wonderland all day. They have beautiful antique furniture and one of a kind gifts you won’t find anyway else. If you are ever near, you’ve got to stop in and indulge. (3302 S. 900 E., Millcreek, Utah 84106)

We were treated like royality. The friendly staff greeted us at the door with smiles and showed us to our table. They set us up near the entrance so people could see us immediately.

We met some very nice dog lovers who shared their stories with us. A little boy and his family had recently lost their beloved fur baby, and we could totally relate. It’s still hard for us after losing our Tuco. I think a story for kids on grieving the loss of a pet will be our next children’s book.

We met some other interesting dog people who bought our books and want to do a Podcast with us. We will let you know when that is available so you can listen in.

So, that’s it for this month. And as always, God bless, stay safe, and Happy Spring!

Skip’s mom, Cb

The Interview

Cindy Romero February 27, 2025

Here we are back again in the month of love. What is love? This word can mean many things to many people. Love can be a strong feeling or attraction to another person or thing. Most of the time it is a positive thing, but it can be a negative emotion when we become attached to money, material possessions, or the egotistical self. “It’s a virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection - the unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another.” We can say we love pizza for example, or my car or my house. But these are just things, things that can’t reciprocate the same kind of feeling that one gets from another human or animal. I’m going to come back to that word “love” in a bit.

John Franchi with FOX13 News interviewed us this month for a story about Skip Thomas Adventures. We met him at the Best Friends Strut Your Mutt event back in 2022 in Liberty Park. Being a huge dog lover himself, he was impressed with our mission on adoption and rescues. He got to know more about what makes us tick.

Tim’s interview was first, downstairs in his studio. I thought he did a great job and I was very proud of him. He showed our children’s books and the artwork that goes with them. He showed how the illustrations for each book come together. I write him a short description of what I see in my mind for each page and then scribble a quick sketch of how I want it to look. My sketches are quite comical. I leave the final illustrations up to him. He also got to show the artwork he is currently working on, namely his Indy car collection. He will be doing an art show soon in a Salt Lake City gallery. I’ll let you know when.

My interview was upstairs in my office. I don’t speak well in front of cameras or people I just met. I freeze like a deer in the headlights. I think I portray my thoughts better in writing. So, I want to clarify some of my answers to the questions I was asked in the interview, things I wanted to say but didn’t.

When asked why I thought literacy was important, I should have said this: John, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you today if you didn’t think I had a story to tell. I believe reading and writing are everything in a person’s life if they want to achieve a goal and go far. Education and knowledge are powerful things. The more you know, the more you grow. Challenging the mind can take you places you’d never dream of. I say read a lot and write your own story. We all have one. Carve your own path. Even if you’re scared, do it anyway. The possibilites are endless.

Are my stories hard to write? What do I want people to know about my stories? I should have said: No, not at all! Skip Thomas was real. Theses are the stories of a rescue dog’s life, his life, and the unconditional love he gave us. I can look at any of his photos and recall exactly what happened and when. He really was rescued from a farm. He really had a girlfriend named Abby. We really did have a surprise birthday party for him with all the neighborhood dogs and friends. We really did have a cat pinata, a magician, and Tim cooking cheeseburgers for all the dogs. I have a list of twenty or more stories waiting to be illustrated. Tim has a lot of work to do! So, writing Skip Thomas’ stories is easy because they are all true.

Why do I think rescue and animal adoptions are important? Because there are so many animals in shelters that don’t deserve to be there. They didn’t ask for that kind of life. They need to be loved and cared for. They can’t do that on their own. Many have been abused and left to die in harsh elements for no reason. It makes me angry. We found our Bear left to die in the mountains. He was physically in bad shape, sick, starving and abandoned. He was in dire need of help. We couldn’t leave him there so we brought him home with us. We were told he was probably too far gone and was given maybe six months to live. We gave him a second chance in life with a good retirement home full of love and we had him for five more years. He was the best dog ever and gave us so much love in return. I want to say to people, if you can’t commit to an animal for its whole life and love it unconditionally, then don’t get one. It’s not fair to them. I am also against those breeders who breed for profit repeatedly, especially those trying to cross breed. This is a form of abuse. We rescued a beautiful Pocket Bully, our Tuco, who was bred improperly. We lost him just before Christmas due to faulty breeding. All his siblings passed away before they were two years old. Tuco almost made it to three. This was hard on us because we was just a baby. We speak up for those who can’t, and we donate part of our book proceeds to animal causes.

Now, getting back to that word “love.” FOX13 News reporter John Franchi loves what he does, and it shows. His concern for the good of others is admirable. He is kind and compassionate about animals. We know this because we’ve talked with him and seen him report stories at animal rescue events in the past. Love is easy to spot when it’s genuine, and he is genuine.

So, thank you John for believing in us and giving us a chance to tell our story. And thank you to Eric our cameraman and the whole GDU team for making this possible.

Til next time, God bless you all and share your love.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Happy New Year!

Cindy Romero January 30, 2025

We start out every January 1st with Stansbury Park’s annual Polar Plunge. It takes place as scheduled, no matter what the weather, in near sub-degree temperatures. It attracts “the crazies,” as they are called, which is a very appropriate title for these daring creatures. This year’s turnout was quite big. Our local news station, FOX13, was there to capture the excitement. We had arrived early and got to meet news reporter Darienne DeBrule, along with the camera men. The North Tooele Fire District was there to keep everyone safe from drowning and freezing to death. It was a fun afternoon seeing friends we hadn’t seen in a while. But you won’t catch me doing any plunging into that icy cold lake! Not all of us are crazy you know. We’ll see who shows up next time.

Our calendar is getting filled up with events and trips we want to take this year. It’s best to get these scheduled asap before spaces fill up. When I get these lined up, I will post the events for you. I am excited to have something to look forward to.

We were invited back to the Excelsior Academy Literacy Night event again this year. The theme was the circus, and it was fun. There were balloon artists, storytime readings, our local libraries, drawings, and of course the book fair. We love taking part in this event because we believe in the importance of reading. Our latest book, Skip Thomas’ Birthday, was a big hit with the kids.

There is a void in our lives without our Tuco. We miss him so much. So, the decision to start dog sitting seemed like the thing to do. We met a couple at the park where we used to take Tuco, and they had a beautiful little schnauzer named Cricket with them. It came to be that she needed a place to stay while her humans went on a short trip. We got to know them all and it just so happened, we got to have her stay with us. And what a joy she has been! I hope this is just the start of more to come, it will make our hearts happy.

I have no new year’s resolutions for 2025. I only want to be happy, stay busy, learn something new, lose weight, eat healthier, travel, write more, etc.. Sounds like maybe I do after all! I hope whatever you do, you have a great year ahead.

Until next time, stay safe my friends and God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Two happy children with their balloon animals

The Love of Christmas

Cindy Romero December 28, 2024

As this month rapidly comes to an end, I can only look back and ask myself, “Is it really over?” It seems like we just put up the Christmas lights and decorated the rooms. The outside is beautifully lit up letting visitors know they are welcome at our home on a cold winter night. “Come in!” we say and offer spiked eggnog and tell stories.

This is our first Christmas without our Tuco, and it is very hard. But we keep our minds occupied with happy thoughts and stay busy.

We started the month out by spending time with our good friends Dan and Laurie. They treated us to a magical night at the Desert Star Playhouse with a funny performance of GRINCHED! The cast of happy actors kept us entertained and laughing. The story was of the Grinch whose heart grew with love and spread happiness in the spirit of Christmas. At the end of the show, the performers changed clothes and sang Christmas carols in a more serious tone. All of them so blessed with talent. The pianist and guitarists really made it an enchanted evening. This was the start of our Advent season.

As with every holiday, there is baking. Our house smells delicious the whole month long. There is my traditional orange-cranberry bread for the special few I don’t want to forget this time of year. As a former delivery person myself, I know what it’s like to be out there in the elements all year long doing a sometimes-thankless job, so my mail deliverers and my garbage collector are always my number one folks on the gift giving list. And to see their faces light up when I give them this special gift, well, that is my gift to me.

Then there is a monumental amount of cookies and fudge for our friends and family. Decorating the cookies with my Sweetie is a tradition we started when we first met twenty-five years ago. We uncork a bottle of wine and get our artistic minds working. Well, maybe more Norbert’s than mine, but I try! And of course, we always have fun.

Our church services are more uplifting during Advent. The priest’s garments are more colorful and the altars are elaborately decorated with Poinsettias and Christmas trees. We celebrate our Lady of Guadalupe in the beginning of the month and the Nativity of Our Lord at the end. The children’s play with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, star, wisemen and gifts is precious. Though not meant to be funny, kids say and do the most hilarious things.

Since we are without our Tuco this Christmas, we did what we know he would have wanted us to do. We gave the treats and toys he got from his Bark Boxes to his friends in the neighborhood. It made our hearts happy to see the excitement and smiles on his canine buddies faces when they opened his gifts. We know that we will have the gift of seeing him and his brothers again one day, but until then we will continue on our journey.

We had snow on Christmas eve and Christmas day! What a nice surprise as this month has been extremely warm. The next day it all melted, but hey, for a little while we got to experience a white Christmas.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with those you love. And remember, it’s not about what you get but about what you give; a smile, a hug, compassion, or even your time. Keep the love of Jesus in your hearts all through the year and treat everyone with kindness. Until next time, God bless and hold each other tight.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Cindy Romero December 4, 2024

I’m a little late with this one. The month got away from me, getting ready for the holidays and all.

But I love November. The days get shorter, the sunsets more brilliant, and the trees still have their colors. Though the temperature got cooler, we didn’t mind, for it gave us a chance to rake the fallen leaves before our big willow prepared itself for winter.

The Christmas lights got hung on the eaves before Thanksgiving this year. We had a very warm fall and took advantage of it. (It’s always best before the cold truly sets in and you’re freezing your butt off.) We got lucky this year.

My favorite time of day is the late afternoon when the sun creeps across the sky and heads towards the western mountain range. I can still sit on my front porch with my brandy and eggnog and watch the sunset. My soul is wrapped in a serene blanket of peace as the last ribbons of pink, purple, and orange sky tuck themselves in for the night. Tomorrow the show will repeat itself and I’ll be there to enjoy it.

We had a holiday market this month and had looked forward to it since September. Unfortunately, sales weren’t great as the event center had other things going on at the same time. We made new friends with some of the other vendors and that was nice. We are thankful for those who came to our booth, but we won’t be back to this one next year.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving at the Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant in Midway, Utah. This B&B is in the Wasatch Mountains, and we love it there. The room themes are of famous writers and there are thirteen in all. We stayed in the Elizabeth Barrett & Robert Browning room with a private patio balcony and a view of the snow-covered mountains. All the rooms have fireplaces, bold furniture, and big jacuzzi tubs and showers. The dining rooms and pub are beautifully decorated with antiques and fine art. This was a gift from my parents and we were very thankful for it.

So, there you have it, short and sweet. Until next time, always be thankful for what you have and give when you can to those less fortunate.

May God bless you all.

Skip’s mom, Cb

The Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant, Midway, Utah

Part of a dining room with original art work from Paris 1852

Enjoying a walk along the Wasatch Golf Course, Midway, Utah

Enjoying the outdoors with a gorgeous view of the Wasatch Mountains.

Re-adjusting

Cindy Romero November 3, 2024

October seemed like a blur to me as time appeared to stand still for a while. We’ve had to re-adjust our lives and schedules after losing our Tuco. We were busy as usual though, but I found myself asking, what did we do this month?

We started the month with a book reading at our Stansbury Park Library. The library is in the lower level of our Club House situated at the edge of our lake. The view from the reading area was beautifully enhanced by the sun and the falling yellow leaves. We had a good turn out of kids and parents. This library has come a long way since we were last there. I was happy to see the wide variety of books on the shelves and displays. We contributed a set of SKIP THOMAS ADVENTURES books and are proud to be a part of our community.

Our next event was at the Grantsville Library where they let us do a book launch. We liked it there. The focus was us in the middle of the library when you entered. We had our posters and balloons throughout areas to guide readers to our book tables. It was fun. We met some fun kids that were excited to meet us and get their pictures taken with the author and illustrator. I loved seeing the young kids get so pumped about books and reading. There was one little boy that just amazed us with the questions he asked us. We gave him some balloons to take home and he was ecstatic!

We took one more camping trip before the weather changed. Deer Creek State Park is close to home and this time we took our mountain bikes. There is a new area there now called Fox Run with full hook-ups for motorhomes and trailers. The view from this campground was beautiful. All the sites have a great view of Deer Creek Reservoir. They are very spacious, but also cost a bit more. We were happy in the Chokecherry campground.

Halloween didn’t disappoint either. We had a lot of new faces come trick-or-treating this year. Being a school night, there weren’t many street walkers after 8 pm and that was ok with us!

We are slowly adjusting to our quiet home. It was a long four weeks of sorrow and waiting. Tuco finally came home and was reunited with his brothers on our dresser. Josh, Skip, Bear, and Tuco are all together again. Time will heal our broken hearts; I just hope it’s not too long.

Until next time, God bless and hold your fur babies tight!

Skip’s mom, Cb

At the Stansbury Park Club House book reading

Deer Creek Reservoir - Chokecherry Campground

Our Broken Hearts

Cindy Romero October 1, 2024

While summer was still with us, it brought fun and laughter. But the beginning of fall left us with tears and broken hearts.

In the beginning of the month, our local newspaper, the Tooele Transcript Bulletin, ran a two-page article about us in the Hometown section. It was a nice write up with pictures and a schedule of our events. It was a happy time.

Our book launch at the Tooele City Library was a great success. We met lots of people who supported us and bought books. The turnout was better than we expected. Surprise visits from friends and family we hadn’t seen in a long time brought smiles to our faces. And it too was a happy time.

Our second event of the month was the Petapalooza 2024 Animal Adoption Event. This was held in Murray, Utah at the Wheeler Farm. There were a lot of animal shelters from around the state that brought dogs and cats for adoption. At the end, there were 98 dogs that found their forever homes and 54 cats that found their forever homes. There was lots of fun things to do for the kids and lots of give aways from big name sponsors. All in all, there were over fifty vendors selling merchandise to animal lovers. We did well and are looking forward to participating again next year. Once again, a happy time.

Our next event was to be the Barktoberfest, another big event put on by the Humane Society of Utah. We looked forward to it, but we had an unforseen tragedy.

On our way home from Kodachrome Basin State Park, we lost our little Love Bug, Tuco. Without going into the details, I will just say we are still crying oceans of tears. There was no warning. Our hearts are broken and we’re still trying to process what happened. He was our life, our joy, our everything. Our world rotated around him. He would have been three years old this Thanksgiving. It’s so unfair that he was taken from us at such a young age. He was such a good boy who loved everyone, and everyone loved him. I want to thank everyone who gave their condolences. Your thoughtfulness and kindness means everything to us. This was the worst time.

In closing this month, I would like to share a quote with you.

“Someone once told me you may not have got to spend the rest of your life with them, but they got to spend the rest of their life with you, and there is beauty in that…”

unknown

Run free my son. Tuco, you were loved more than you will ever know. We will catch up with you soon.

May God bless you all.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Stop the Clock!

Cindy Romero August 24, 2024

This has been the busiest month of the year so far. The new edition arrived! Dad turned 90! Norbert, I, and ten other friends had birthdays this month! We celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary! Our book launch and author events have been scheduled! We got interviewed for a newspaper article! Stansbury Days happened! I got to see my family in New Jersey! We got to go camping! Tuco met new friends at the park! Norbert is busy drawing, I am busy writing, and we’re selling books! Whew, I’m pooped…

I guess this is better than the alternative. We could be bored with nothing to do. But that wouldn’t be us. We always have something to do.

Our books arrived on August 2nd, Dad’s birthday. I was in New Jersey with my family celebrating his 90th birthday. This was the first time only one of us was there to welcome the XPO delivery truck with the latest edition of Skip Thomas Adventures. But it was appropriate as the book is titled Skip Thomas’ Birthday. Norbert’s birthday was the 3rd. Even though I missed his special day, he had a lot of packages to unwrap, 2,000 books contained in 70 boxes! Lol

I did make it back in time for our anniversary on the 11th. We had a nice reunion and celebration dinner for two along with the company of our baby, Tuco.

Our community celebrated Stansbury Days the same weekend. Each town has their own community event in the summer and it’s always a fun time. Ours starts out with a triathlon and a parade. We are lucky to have our golf course and lake to use for competitions, too. There’s always a residents golf tournament. And we always have cardboard boat races for different age groups, which are a hoot to watch. Then there’s the annual car show, multiple food trucks, craft tents, art shows, music, and dancing. The observatory is open at night for star gazing and to top off the event we always have the best fireworks display.

We hope you will be able to attend one or more of our upcoming book events. Here is our schedule so far:

Book Launch - Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 10am - 2pm

Tooele City Library, 128 W. Vine St., Tooele, UT 84074

Petapalooza - Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 9am - 4pm

Wheeler Farm, 6351 S. 900 E., Murray, UT 84121

Author Event - Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 10am - 3pm

Grantsville Library, 42 Bowery St., Grantsville, UT 84029

Benson Grist Mill Fall Festival, Fri. & Sat., Oct. 18 & 19, 2024 Both days 10am - 6pm

Benson Grist Mill, 325 Pole Canyon Rd., Stansbury Park, UT 84074

So, there it is for now. Until next time my friends, stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer. God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Our XPO driver, Kent, standing in for me!

Dad, me and Martha at the birthday boy’s party.

Some of the cardboard boats in the lake.

Tuco at the park with one of his new friends, Chance.

Books, Books, & More Books!

Cindy Romero July 30, 2024

What a busy month this has been. Skip Thomas Adventures has been to author events and is waiting for shipment of Skip Thomas’ Birthday.

Our first event, hosted by Sheree Bingham and Britney Mills, was Simply Books in Tremonton, Utah at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds. We were among some very impressive writers and felt honored that we were invited. There were over twenty authors showcasing multiple genres. I loved getting to know my fellow storytellers and finding out just how they got started. Also, where they got their ideas for writing. Not gonna lie, I did buy a book. Despite the long drive, 198 miles round trip, we were very successful.

The next weekend we were at the First Edition Bookstore in Tooele, Utah for an author meet-and-greet and live reading event. Abigail Hall and fiance Darren Golliet, owners of the bookstore, were gracious enough to invite us back to their event. Here we met more talented writers. And yes, I did support a few and bought some more books. The hubs gets mad at me, I’m sure, but I just love to read!

Here’s a little history for you. Many years ago, the building housing the First Edition Bookstore was the Tooele Valley Hospital. It was first built in 1873 as a residence for Samual F. Lee’s family. In 1913 it was converted into an old folks home, called the “County Poor House.” Then in 1953 it became a poorly funded hospital. Some very sad stories about the hospital and rest home have been told throughout the years. There have been many reports of ghosts inhabiting the premises. Though the original building no longer stands, the hospital closed in 2002 and is now called Asylum 49. This haunted building is great at Halloween. While another section now hosts multiple artisan shops, spirits are said to still be roaming the halls and showing their presence in certain hospital rooms and other areas. It’s come a long way from the days when I delivered Fed Ex packages there or visited the nursing home. I remember it well and don’t doubt any of the paranormal activities that have been reported.

July 25th gave us great news from Signature Book Printing in Maryland. Skip Thomas’ Birthday books were shipped! Yay! Delivery should be sometime soon, the last week of this month or the first week of August. We will keep you updated.

This has been a fun month for us. We have more events planned to come soon and will keep you posted as they get near.

Until next time: God bless, stay safe, and enjoy your summer reading! (for more pictures, visit our facebook page)

Skip’s mom, Cb

Group pic of the authors at Simply Books

Carpe Diem

Cindy Romero June 30, 2024

The sun is just starting to rise over the mountains and a warm breeze is blowing. The leaves rustle on the trees and my fountain is bubbling. As I look to the beautiful blue sky, the sun tipped clouds slowly drift to the north. Tuco lies on his cot next to me while I sip my coffee. We share our quiet time together in the early morning hour. It’s quite serene, my backyard oasis.

Today is Sunday, the last day of the month. I inhale the warm morning air and wonder, where did the time go? This month of June is over, and I can’t remember exactly what we did. It seems as though every fleeting moment is speeding by me. I try reaching out, but I just can’t catch them. Is this normal or is it just this thing called “aging”? Whatever it is, I want it to slow down. I’m not ready to be old.

So, you might be wondering, what did we do this month? Well, once our book was off to the printer, we took off to Bear Lake State Park in northern Utah. This gorgeous lake is massive and shares a border with Idaho. The turquoise water is deep and breathtaking. We were quite surprised at how warm the water was, as it’s usually quite cold this time of year being this far up north. The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular.

We enjoyed our first two days alone, sharing the beach with no one. Tuco ran along the sand for the first time and got his feet and belly wet. That was a huge accomplishment for him, as he’s not a waterdog and doesn’t swim. We were proud parents. Baby steps, baby steps…

The circus came to town as the campground filled up on the weekend. Lots of people, kids and dogs included, entertained us with an array of excitement and colors. This lake is great for all kinds of water recreation: fishing, wave running, paddle boarding, waterskiing, sailing, swimming, or just floating. And of course, people watching. Some pelicans flew in to show off their fishing skills. They were quite majestic and humorous as well. We met new friends and sold some books. Tuco made some new friends, too. It was a great week.

We are preparing for our new arrival by making room in the shed. It’s funny, or sad however you want to look at it, as to how much stuff one can accumulate. We took inventory of the existing books, reorganized some storage tubs, and did some much-needed house cleaning: vacuumed, broke down empty boxes, stacked signs and displays. We are excited about our new edition. Shipping is July 24th. Can’t wait to get them home!

So as this month closes, I just want to say carpe diem, “seize the day.” Enjoy the pleasures of the moment and live each day as if it’s your last. Get outside, meet new people, find your joy and make some memories; have no regrets, be happy. As it’s said, yesterday is past and gone, the future is unsure, but today is present, make the most of it, carpe diem.

Until next time, God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

How close to the beach we really were. Best campsite.

Book 4 - Complete

Cindy Romero May 30, 2024

May has come and gone, and with it a lot of accomplishments.

In the beginning of the month, there was a dog adoption event. It was held at the England Acres Park in Tooele, Utah. It went better than we expected. There were many dogs with their humans in the park, along with a handful that needed forever homes. The turnout was good. All the vendors were dog oriented with give-aways, raffles, canine training, and sales of muliple items. There were even food trucks to feed the hungry. We met many different breeds of dogs and book sales were great.

Next came the Coyote Night event at the Copper Canyon Elementary School in Tooele, Utah. It was a good night watching parents support their children’s interests. We met some wonderful families that encouraged reading and book sales, once again, were great. Principal Chynoweth and some of the teachers present made us feel right at home. I think they enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed them. Thank you so much! And now that the school year has ended, I am happy we were able to contribute to summer reading.

Tim is offically retired this month. Yay! We were able to finish Skip Thomas’ Birthday book on schedule and it is off to the publisher. Our part is completed. The next step, after our publisher does her magic, is off to the printer. Then the waiting game begins. We will keep you posted when books arrive.

Time to relax, a little. We have some motorhome glamping trips planned starting in two weeks. We definitely need a break to rest the mind and body. Tuco, too. We feel as though he has been neglected these past few weeks. Luckly, he enjoys glamping also.

We have some summer events planned as well. When the time gets near, we will let you know what, when, and where.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy your life and your friends. God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

Patience is a Virtue

Cindy Romero April 28, 2024

“The capacity of calm endurance or having tolerance of something or someone over a period of time.” That’s the definition of patience from my American Heritage Dictionary. Not everyone is blessed with this amazing gift, but I believe I am.

This month our patience was being tested. For instance: waiting for the Solar Eclipse, for my flowers to bloom, the rain to stop, and finding the perfect weeks to pick to go camping. And on a more serious note: waiting for the Government to let us know if the hubs is entitled to a pension from forty years ago, and last but not least, working on the next book that needs to be finished on our end by mid-May so it can go to the publisher. That’s a lot of patience. Though not easy to endure, it is necessary.

We are super busy, as usual. SKIP THOMAS’ BIRTHDAY is coming along as planned. Norbert is drawing his heart out with the illustrations, and I have to say, they are beautiful. I can’t wait for you all to see the next book. My part is revisions, editing, and writing a press release and flyer. Tuco’s role is to be patient with both his humans as he can’t figure out whether he should be upstairs with mom or downstairs with dad. At lunchtime, we all meet in the middle and then take off to the park.

I am excited to be back on my porch again to find my voice and write the next chapters of my stories. Tuco accompanies me and we listen to the birds sing. He waits for the mail truck to come by with anticipation, hoping this is the day his BARK BOX arrives. I hear the train’s whistle and the railcars squeal on the tracks as they slowly chug along the hillside. Soon, the hummingbirds will be back to claim their Airbnb and I can’t wait to welcome them back.

Next week we will be attending a pet adoption called Bark In The Park at the England Acres Park, 880 North 400 East, Tooele, Utah. That will be Saturday May 4th, 2024 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Come check it out if you can. This will be fun for us, selling books and seeing dogs. Maybe we’ll even find a suitable pal for Tuco, you never know.

We will also be attending an author/illustrator event at the Copper Canyon Elementary School in Toole, Utah on May 15th. We are looking forward to seeing the kids before school lets out for the summer.

So that’s it for this month. I hope you all are enjoying your Spring and I can’t wait to let you know when the next book will arrive.

Until next time, smell the flowers and be safe. God bless.

Skip’s mom, Cb

This was from the news channel, we didn’t get to see a full eclipse.

A Month of Changes

Cindy Romero April 2, 2024

The saying goes, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Well, it began that way and by the time Spring got here it was definitely “a lamb.” The flowers were blooming, the birds were singing, and the grass needed cutting. But what happened after the 19th was unacceptable. That pesky “lion” came back roaring with winds, rain, and graupel. That word “graupel” I found out means half hail and half snowflakes, which we most certainly had a lot of! If you live in Utah, you can expect this kind of behavior every year and you will get used to it.

Last year I took an editing class to help me write our children’s stories. This year I earned my publishing certificate from the IAP Career College. I wish I had started this career years ago, but who knew I would be writing books for children? Not I. I currently have a wonderful publisher who understands my search for knowledge. She supports our efforts and helps me move forward with our business. I have a long way to go, but it’s nice to have a friend to teach me the ropes. In the meantime, Katie Mullaly with Surrogate Press is still my amazing publisher.

There is a new bookstore in town! We are so happy to have them carry our books and look forward to their Grand Opening on April 6th. The First Edition Bookstore is in the Marketplace at 140 E. 200 S., Tooele, Utah. They will have a variety of new and used books for all ages. We are so excited for them and wish them luck with their new business.

Since I am late in posting this blog, I am going to end here. Until next time, God bless and be happy!

Skip’s mom, Cb

Unexpected Surprises

Fall Festivals

Changes

Our Lucky Month

It's Rewarding

(May/June) Ecclesiastes: The Meaning of Life

Our Podcast

First 2025 Spring Event

The Interview

Happy New Year!

The Love of Christmas

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Re-adjusting

Our Broken Hearts

Stop the Clock!

Books, Books, & More Books!

Carpe Diem

Book 4 - Complete

Patience is a Virtue

A Month of Changes

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