I feel like a kid in a candy store – finally able to update my weblog! My server has had problems for a number of weeks and unfortunately, I had no way of letting anyone know who visits this website. But I’m back now, and I hope you’ll stop on by again and visit often.

There is so much to do when you’re playing catch-up, but I’ll start by saying that I have a new Spotlight up! Please check out my “spotlight” on Kathleen Fuller and find out more about this wonderful author than you ever did before! I’ve been Kathy’s critique partner for a number of years and didn’t know her like I thought I did. So please check out her interview.

What else? Well, Randy and I spent a few days last week visiting Marshall, Michigan. We got to tour some historic homes and visit some cool shops. My treasure hunting in antique stores landed me an out-of-print book about the early 19th century homes in Marshall with pictures and a bit about their history. Fun!

One of the most interesting tidbits of information I discovered however, was the history behind a phrase I knew growing up. For Christians who didn’t believe in swearing, an alternative phrase was “What in the Sam Hill…?” Rather than saying, “What the…” among other things.

Well Marshall, Michigan has the answer to the meaning behind that phrase. In fact, Samuel Hill (yes, that Sam Hill) is buried in Marshall’s Oakridge Cemetery, and he used to live in one of the houses in town. He was a surveyor and spent his summers in the Upper Peninsula and wintered in Marshall. Word has it that Sam Hill had such a foul mouth that his own name became a byword for swearing. A rather fitting end to his cursing legacy, I think.

Besides Sam Hill, the town is rich in history. Michigan’s public school system was planned under one of the oak trees that still stands as a memorial to those men who developed it. I’m not sure they actually did Michigan a favor in that regard, but that’s an opinion for another day.

The townspeople are quite friendly – one man even let us tour his home (a gorgeous octagon house that has fallen to disrepair, but lovely just the same) and a policeman stopped to chat and offered his help while we were strolling down Michigan Avenue. If you’re ever between Detroit and Chicago, I encourage you to stop by Marshall for a visit. And don’t forget to eat at Win Schuler’s Restaurant along the way.

All for now…(boy is it good to be back!)