Jason Willis, my friend for years, teaches English at Maple River, and last week, he invited me to visit his Creative Writing class Friday afternoon. We only had an hour, but what great kids. Great questions, great thinkers, obviously lots of passion for stories in...

Slider's Son is one of three finalists for a Midwest Book Award--in the Young Adult Fiction category! I'm thrilled and honored. And now we get to go to the gala on May 12. Ironically, it's at Luther-Northwestern Seminary. I haven't been there in more than 30 years.

Today, the entire Mankato community has a snow day. All schools and colleges and many work places are closed. Teachers and students alike rejoice as soon as the closing announcement hits our news source. My husband has to plow snow for MnDOT, so that's the one...