Melissa Westemeier

Winter doesn't really reach its stride until January, so 31 days of cold and snow feels new and fresh. February is short, plus I have a...

We've hit what I refer to as "Deep Winter." February smacks us full in the face with bitter cold and only the unseasoned and stupid...

I ran some errands yesterday and as I drove around I was treated to a lot of Christmas decorations propped outside people's houses. Some...

A couple of bird feeders hang outside my window and flocks of visitors arrive all day long. Even on this dreary winter day, sparrows,...

The report from Room 209: This first week of the school year was ... really different. My students' desks are arranged in rows per CDC...

I'm different than I was yesterday. Every day I learn new information or have a new experience, and my knowledge expands and my...

This strange summer I have worn down a path moving through my daily routine. Kitchen to make coffee. Library to write. Garden to pull...

This quiet summer means I get to swim nearly every day. In order, my strokes of preference are: back stroke (my best and fastest), breast...

Last summer an idea for a story squeaked around the edges of my brain and I articulated it to my writing group. "Possibly my next book...

Long-time followers and friends know about Mr. D's strange proclivity for acquiring critters. He's responsible for one of our stray cats...

It's human nature to pull in tighter when we feel fear. Instinct makes us curl in to protect ourselves from a punch, we wrap ourselves...

This pandemic has revealed a few sobering truths to me. That's bound to happen when isolated with your own thoughts, there's no...

A few early reviews of my new book have come in and they are very flattering (special shout-out to Musings of a Bookworm!). Thank you to...

It's strange to share a bed with someone while they read the book I wrote. I can't focus on my own book because my gaze keeps moving over...

While pushing out my new book and keeping up with teaching online, I've enjoyed some pretty eclectic reading in my spare time. Most...

My new book will be available April 1st! It's been printed and shipped and you can hold a copy in your hands in just a few short days!...

Today the Creative Writing Club I advise at school met. We're focusing on developing voice in our writing this year and over Christmas...

a Christmas escape

cover reveal for Through the Channel!

The world learned yesterday about Toni Morrison's death. Tayari Jones shared her thoughts about Toni Morrison's contributions on NPR, and...