GLIMPSE
October 2025 - Connections
This monthly newsletter, arriving the first Friday of the month to your inbox, offers an exquisite glimpse at updates on my current writing projects, and the latest writer-related happenings in my world.
(Disclaimer: No affiliate links, unless noted.)
My Project Updates:
This month I’m completing personal development training that I started this summer. (The “Necessary” Retreat hosted by Zenja Glass.) It has been eye-opening, and personally transforming especially in my mindsets. When this training is completed about mid-month, I will next begin business branding training. All these in preparation for a focus shift in my writing business.
It has been beneficial to take this “break” from scheduled, intentional writing in order to do some exploration personally and professionally. Periodically, I believe we need to lift up our heads from the work we are doing to see where we’ve come from and also look ahead to ensure we are moving in the direction that we and God intend.
What’s NEW:
The Little Library I mentioned in my August newsletter, was successfully installed in our yard in September and has received various visitors in our neighborhood since! Also folks have been very generous in sharing their gently loved kid’s books in the box to keep the joy going. Here is a front view of the box:
This project was such a labor of love as our whole family got involved. We celebrated with neighbors the library installation, in memory and honor of my mother, Judith Simms, who was an educator and ongoing resource connector. We hosted an outdoor open house style gathering; with music, light refreshments, and free giveaways! This has been an amazing way to connect with my neighbors and our community.
I’m very grateful to our daughter who generously provided the hand painted artwork: a different image on all panels of the box. You can view all the panels here.
What is Keeping Me Organized:
Click here: Planapalooza - The time is approaching! Oct. 15-16, 2025 Get all the planning help you need for 2026!
(Pink Bee affiliate link)
What I’m Eating / Drinking:
Eating: Last month I was singing the praises of Capello’s brand. Those generous folks sent me some coupons for their products! I’ve been able to try their cheese pizza (with almond flour crust) and I will also try their butternut squash stuffed ravioli. I had no idea they had those additional offerings!
Drinking: My daughter and I also tried this Blood orange flavor Italian soda recently during one of our Mom/Daughter dinners together. This brand also offers lemon and pink lemonade options.
What’s in my “Reading Stack”:
This month: The Gift of Being Yourself - David G. Benner
The old saying “Be yourself, everyone else is taken!” comes to mind. But I’m also interested in being the person God created me to be. Without all the layers that life has put on me: other people’s opinions, belief systems, mindsets, others’ fears and worries that I’ve absorbed, and the like. Even peeling off my own thought processes and beliefs I’ve come to adopt (sometimes without reflecting or questioning them) about myself from experiences, successes and failures in life.
This should be a good introspective and hopefully growth producing read!
Question of The Month :
As we move into Autumn (in North America), who or what are you focused on staying connected to?
Reply here
What’s on my phone - “Favorite Photo of the Month”:
Friday, 10/03/25, is Butterfly and Hummingbird day! Shown here is a natural art piece, screen printed on fabric, from an original piece done by the creative artist Shane McCallister. He uses flower petals, leaves, feathers, and other natural elements as “paint” in his digital creations. (take a closer look.)
It reminds me that there are so many different ways to showcase and appreciate God’s creation that we are connected to!
Have a great month!
Connect with me: info@hawkhousepress.org
For Writer Resources: hawkhousepress.org
My Books discovered here
Created by Julie E. Barton -
Writer, Author, Founder of Hawk House Press, LLC
“Where Creativity Soars” - Offering inspiration for new writers and writer-related tidbits.