View this email in your browser

The Love Edition

February 2021

Hello Friends,
I hope these notes find you safe and well as this pandemic drags on. Are you doing anything different to liven up your daily routine?
Often the highlight of my day is a walk through the country with Mr. Ernie. Yesterday I saw the first budding peach blossoms which is a sure sign that spring is on the way. Our home is on The Blossom Trail which will be in full bloom in a couple of weeks. If you are in or near California's Central Valley, I suggest taking a drive or bike ride to experience it.

Word of the Year
Do you have a word of the year? This is a guiding word you choose instead of making a New Year's Resolution (which most of us don't keep.) I try to choose a word that will help with things I feel I need to do, change, or focus on. You can find lots of suggestions on this Pinterest page or you can let a word find you. This is my eighth year and each word has really made a difference in my life. The most life-changing was in 2016. My word was YES and I spent the year agreeing to every opportunity that came along. I was exhausted by the end of the year but I was transformed, physically, creatively, and spiritually.

This year, I chose another big concept word. I was very discouraged at the end of 2020 by the anger and dissension that seemed to be everywhere. As I was struggling to figure out how to deal with people with people who look at the world very differently than I do, I listened to a sermon where I heard the answer. We are called to love. But how? That's what I'm going to try to figure out with my word this year, Love.

Amazingly, I was driving with my family, rounded a corner, and there was my word! And I fit perfectly between the V and E.

Book News

I've been able to do some zoom readings of EVIE'S FIELD DAY: More Than One Way to Win. I visited a second grade classroom in Sacramento and had a great time discussing the book. The kids asked great questions and sent me instructions for games they invented.

My publisher, Cardinal Rule Press, sponsored their authors on World Read Aloud Day. Families and classes all over the USA and several other countries zoomed in to listen to us read and discuss our books.

Next Wednesday, February 10th at 6:30 pm Pacific Time. I'll be joining two other picture book authors for a virtual Pajama Party. Put on your jammies, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and join the fun. You need to get a ticket to this free event. (There are donation options but there's no need to pay. We're doing this for fun!)
Click on this link for more details and to rsvp.

An Instagram Contest!
Let's see where Evie can go during the month of February!
Please download a copy of the coloring page, color, and fill in with where you live. Then take a picture and post it to Instagram with and tag it:
@clairesfieldtriplife
#eviesfieldday (no apostrophe)
@cardinalrulepress
extra entries if you follow my Instagram page and/or tag a friend.
This is open to everyone, including dogs and other pets. Winners will be announced on March 1, 2021.
Let's see how many states and countries Evie can visit.

I can't wait to see where Evie ends up!

Happy Trails - even if they just take you through your neighborhood.
Claire Annette

Download here

Follow on Facebook

Follow on Twitter

Follow on Instagram