Category: The Swiss Family Carlson
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Mining for Gems
This Fall I spoke to my son’s English class and explained to them editing is 75% of writing. I may have underestimated this percentage. I’m on my sixth significant edit of my 3-POV novel. POV = point-of-view. That’s right. I’m writing a mystery from three different points of view. In first person. It’s … challenging.…
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How Following My Dream Made Me a Better Parent
As many of you know, I not only write mysteries, I also write parenting advice articles. I guess it was a natural journey. What bigger mystery is there than parenting? Deciding to write a book–really write a book and get an agent and get it published–was one of the scariest things I’d ever done. But…
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Back to School After a Pandemic
I received the back-to-school supply list email this week. My youngest child was quietly resigned at this first sign of the end of summer. My oldest child told me to delete the email. I was sorely tempted. It’s been since March 2020 since my kids have been inside a school building. They’re returning to school…
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In the Midst of COVID
COVID-19 is here. We are in the thick of it in Maryland. Our governor has just announced we will be at home and schools will be closed until May 15th. I highly doubt that, come May 16th, we will be free to join crowds, hug strangers, and go back to our favorite restaurants. I think…
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Somethings really do need explanation
Let me recount a phone conversation I had the other day. “Hello, ____ Vet Hospital, can I help you?” “Yes. I need to make an appointment for our new kitten.” “Great! Last name?” “Carlson” “And the pet’s name?” “Lord Durin Thunderbolt Orc Slayer.” “….. Say again?” “Lord. Durin. Thunderbolt. Orc. Slayer.” “Lord? -” “Durin Thunderbolt…
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SFC Trip to Banff, Part 2
In my last post I told you all about fishing and hiking around Lake Louise. It was beautiful. Now I’m going to introduce you to Johnston Canyon and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. After the big hike at Lake Louise we (I) wanted something a little flatter (for my knee). Barbara and I bent over…
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The Swiss Family Carlson go to Banff!!
Just when you thought our travels were over, we went off to Banff, the onomatopoeiadic capital of Canada. It’s the sound an exclamation mark should make. It’s also one of the most beautiful places in the world. The trip got all planned when I was on a Skype call with my friend Barbara. As you…
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Transforming the House into Our Home (with Chandelier Update!)
The move has happened!! It was weeks of taking small loads in our minivan and then a long and hard 4 days of “real” moving with a moving truck (and a few very excellent friends), but we managed to clear out our rental house and move to our new home. Our house looks like Boxlandia…
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The Move has Begun!
OMG, people! It’s official! We can finally move into our house!! I’m going to hyperventilate and faint. The previous owners have just moved out and as of this week we can start bringing boxes into the house. And boy! do we have boxes! We didn’t bother to unpack most – at least I hope it’s…
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OY! My LIFE!
Things are crazy here. Spring break was a disaster. We were supposed to fly back to Iowa and Minnesota and got caught in that whole Delta Flight-Canceling Fiesta that was going on. We were there. Ready to go. Bag checked. Mickey-D’s food choked down. And then …. Flight canceled. We were alerted to this fact…
Mindy Carlson 