“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”  ― Charles Dickens Painting: Winter by Emile Eisman Semenowsky Happy Wordless Wednesday, readers! It’s time to enjoy some seasonal paintings. Enjoy!  “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off … More The Most Beautiful Time of the Year

Christmas Cheer Giclee Print by George Sheridan Knowles  “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, … More A Victorian Christmas: Wordless Wednesday

Gerald Harvey Jones, Western Painter Happy Wordless Wednesday! California is finally receiving some well-needed rain after weeks of devastating wildfires. The storms are a true blessing for my home state. I’d like to celebrate by sharing some of my favorite rainy-day paintings. Enjoy! Gustave Caillebotte, Paris Street; Rainy Day Pierre Auguste Cot – The Storm, … More Wordless Wednesday: Rain in California

https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=79879 Happy Giving Tuesday! After years of long-distance jogging, I developed arthritis in my knees. The pain made it difficult to participate in my favorite sport. Happily, I’m back on track and eager to raise awareness of this challenging disease. This holiday season, I’m participating in the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run. This family-friendly, fun … More Giving Tuesday: 2018 Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run―Pacific Grove, California

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/autumn-lady-annemarie-dapp/1126165869 Give the gift of “Autumn Lady” this holiday season! Barnes and Noble is offering a 10% off sale on paperback editions today. Travel back in time to 1870 San Francisco! ❤️📚🎄 Mara McClain is a young Irish immigrant looking to begin anew in Victorian-era San Francisco, after the California Gold Rush. She struggles for … More Cyber Monday

Good morning, readers! Paperback editions of my historical romance novel, Autumn Lady, are on sale for $10.45 this Black Friday weekend! That’s 35% off the cover price. It’s the perfect holiday gift. Travel back in time to 1870 San Francisco! Are you ready? ❤️📚🎄 https://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Lady-AnnMarie-Dapp/dp/1635966868/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543084203&sr=8-1   Autumn Lady “His eyes flickered with a touch of mischief. … More Autumn Lady Black Friday Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!  Today, I’d like to honor my wonderful turkeys―Ichabod,  Pumpkin, Momma Maize and Baby Acorn! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2erGcX2CB50 Turkeys make fabulous pets. They’re intelligent, sensitive, and entertaining. At Sock Monkey ranch, we celebrate our beautiful birds by providing  extra love and yummy desserts for their special day. Every year, my family enjoys a delicious meal … More Thankful for Turkeys

Last week we welcomed a new edition to Sock Monkey Ranch!  Momma Ruth, our Nigerian/Pygmy goat, delivered a darling girl, Baby Miracle. It was a bittersweet event. The mother had a complications, which ended in a Caesarian section and breech delivery. Our vet explained that the baby’s sibling passed away days before the birth.  In spite … More Baby Miracle

“The mayor made his way over to Mara and her friends. A middle-age woman with a snowy puff of white hair followed him. She looked intently at the group, taking them in with an appraising air. She held their gazes, shaking hands firmly as they were introduced. Mayor Selby offered warm greetings and introduced them … More The Suffrage Movement