I’m back, but I won’t be sharing where I’ve been just yet. Stay tuned!

Today, I’m honoring Jupiter Hammon’s life and work. Yesterday, October 17, 2025, was his birthday. While I knew that, it still slipped my mind until this morning, or did it? All last week, I nagged my husband about going to an apple orchard. We’ve had several rainy weekends, and the forecast this weekend looked rain-free.

Off to Hudden Gem Orchard, in Southbury, CT. The farmstand was not too busy, and we were able to check out several varieties of Apples. I made my selections, and we were off to the next stop. My husband had a sightseeing list planned for the day. Lots of leaf peeping and walking. It was a beautiful day.

It wasn’t until this morning, while I looked for my apple cider recipe, that I thought about Jupiter.

Was my constant urge last week to go to an apple orchard a sign from my friend? Had I subliminally felt the need to be in an orchard because of Jupiter? I can’t be sure, but he did send me back to my writing drafts, and I found this poem I wrote earlier this year for Jupiter.

Jupiter’s Apples

Some sweet, some tart

Blossoms reveal the autumn fruits

That sustain his life

Apples to sell

Apples to eat

Cider to drink

For his life of servitude

Not selfishly held, but shared while on earth

Enough for him, and no one else: Jupiter’s apples.

Apples: Esopus Spitzenburg, Newtown Pippin, Ribston Pippin, and Pink Pearl

by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickley – Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

I read this book before the Christmas holiday and although it is not a Christmas book, it filled me with the holiday spirit. I re-read it for this post and I love this book today as much as I did when I originally read it.

Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney have captured the Christmas Spirit in a very comforting, pure, and relatable story. The idyllic illustrations by Eugene Yelchin bring readers into the story.
The story follows Samuel and his father, looking to secure a source of milk for their family. They embark on a series of trades beginning with a knife to be traded for assorted other valuables. Everyone seems to have a valuable item that means more to the person looking to trade it than the owner. The trading continues as the storm rages on. Until Samuel’s father finally trades for the item his mother wants most, a milk cow.

Follow this father and son as they work to accomplish a seemingly endless goal. Through snowstorms, cold weather, they work to accomplish their goal – all on a Long Road on a Short Day.

I’ve been absent from this blog for several months but it has not been far from my mind. As we move even deeper into this election season, I’ve been trying to keep my emotions and feelings from getting away from me. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the noise. Here is one of my tips for keeping my happiness levels up. http://www.actionforhappiness.org

Give it a try. I’ll start – For October 1 – My most important goal this month is to complete a new manuscript. Your turn!

 

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Contact me at pjonesnill@gmail.com to book your school visit today!

Happy Birthday USA!

Happy Birthday to those of us who value the rights and privileges that being a citizen of the United States of America allows.  Those same rights and privileges that we as a country fought for and defend when necessary.  Those rights that were promised to us at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  Those rights that were offered to ones fleeing from persecution and atrocities.  Those rights that we share not only with those native-born Americans but those coming here seeking the security and future of one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.