Dear friends, you get a special treat this year. Not only do I have a new Mrs. Claus story to share, but I wanted to also share with you the story I wrote last year in 2023.

Today I wanted to share with you the work of an artist who has captivated me for years. It has long fascinated me to see the ways, large and flamboyant or small and subtle, that an artist or creative transforms their own life and surroundings into an extension of their creativity and personal magic.

Folks, it has been a really hard year for anyone working in the creative arts. Between the constantly mutating virus of AI “art” and “writing,” wind storms rampaging through more than one festival, and Helene destroying so many beautiful small business and artist spaces throughout a region known for its distinctive folklore and creative language…we’re hurting.

One of my favorite books I’ve read in the last year was Lissa Sloan’s debut novel, Glass and Feathers. And I am honored to be a stop on Lissa’s blog tour.

"I was scrolling through Facebook, dodging alarming posts about the current pandemic and liking posts that were more distracting, a toxic habit of my own, I suppose. However, as I scrolled I came across a pretty image with fancy lettering that said, 'it costs nothing to be kind.'"