July’s Unexpected Detours: Healing, Family, and Blueberries

July did not go quite as planned.

Then again, some of the most memorable stories begin that way, don’t they?

The month started with an unexpected emergency appendectomy—the day after my very first colonoscopy. That certainly wasn’t on my summer calendar! Instead of tackling the long list of writing and book-release plans I had made, I spent a good portion of July recovering on the couch, rewatching favorite movies, and rereading some favorite stories.

Apparently, my body decided that if I wasn’t going to slow down on my own, it would take matters into its own hands.

Thankfully, recovery gave me a chance to rest, read, and reflect. It also reminded me that sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to pause—even when our to-do lists are insisting otherwise.

A Family Adventure in Vermont

Three weeks after surgery, I took my first post-recovery trip.

This family gathering had been almost a year in the making, and I really didn’t want to miss it. My husband’s family traveled to Vermont to revisit some of their old haunts and share a little of their family history with the children and grandchildren.

All twenty-nine of us took over a lodge in the small town of Killington.

Yes, you read that correctly. Twenty-nine people. In one lodge.

It was crowded. It was rainy. It was loud—especially during our very competitive family game nights.

And it was absolutely wonderful.

Because I was still recovering, I couldn’t participate in all the hiking and outdoor adventures. My family made sure I could still enjoy some of the beautiful scenery, though, and I was able to visit one of Vermont’s waterfalls without pushing myself too hard.

Sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most.

Blueberry Picking with the Best Teacher

One of my favorite experiences from the trip was going blueberry picking for the very first time.

What made it even more special was having my four-year-old granddaughter teach me how to choose exactly the right berries.

Let’s just say she took her job very seriously.

I learned there is a definite art to selecting blueberries—and that I apparently needed a little more supervision than expected. Thankfully, my granddaughter was more than willing to inspect OUR bucket and correct any mistakes.

There is something pretty special about seeing the world through a child’s eyes. What might have been a simple stop at a blueberry farm (in the rain) became one of the moments I’ll remember most from the entire trip.

Bookstores and Ice Cream—Two Travel Essentials

We also spent time wandering through several of Vermont’s charming small towns, where I discovered two things that always make a vacation better: bookstores and ice cream.

I managed to visit three different bookstores during the trip.

Naturally, I couldn’t leave any of them empty-handed.

I came home with books and a few special gifts for my granddaughter. Visiting bookstores is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. Each store has its own personality, and I love exploring the displays, discovering local authors, and seeing which books the staff recommends.

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I also ate more ice cream during our Vermont adventure than I think I’ve eaten during the entire rest of the year.

Since I was still recovering, I decided it was practically medicinal.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Returning to the Drool Worthy Series

July also brought some exciting writing progress. After far too many years, all seven parts of my Drool Worthy series are finally written!

This sweet, connected series follows Marianne and Jason from their unexpected first meeting through every romantic—and occasionally complicated—stage of their relationship. I’ll begin releasing the newly revised stories this month, with the remaining installments following soon.

I’ll be sharing the story behind Drool Worthy, introducing the characters, and revealing more about the complete series in my next blog post. Stay tuned!

Want More Updates and Behind-the-Scenes Stories?

If you’d like to be the first to know when each installment of the Drool Worthy series becomes available, be sure to join my newsletter. That’s where I share new releases, writing updates, book news, and occasional glimpses into what is happening in my life beyond the pages.

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For readers who would like to come a little farther behind the scenes, my Patreon Front Porch includes the longer, more personal version of my July adventures—including my cozy Vermont finds, more blueberry-picking lessons, and the story of one extremely curious bear who had absolutely no respect for dumpsters, car doors, or personal boundaries.

Yes, there was a bear.

And yes, it gave us a family story we’ll probably be telling for years.

Join me on the Front Porch: {{Patreon link}}

Finding the Stories in the Detours

July wasn’t the month I planned. I didn’t expect surgery, weeks of recovery, or my first big outing afterward to involve twenty-eight family members, rainy Vermont weather, blueberry lessons, multiple bookstores, and enough ice cream to last me well into winter.

But perhaps that is the lesson July wanted to teach me.

Sometimes we need to slow down.

Sometimes the people we love will find a way to bring the adventure to us.

And sometimes the unexpected detours become the stories we most enjoy telling.

Thank you for following along with my writing, travels, and everyday adventures. I’m grateful to have you here—and I can’t wait to share Marianne and Jason’s complete story with you very soon.

Until next time, here’s to continued healing, wonderful books, family adventures, and knowing which blueberries to leave on the bush!

Warmly,
Tami