Author: Midwest Storyteller

First Friday Freebie – a Sample of Things to Come!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ Leave a comment

May always brings warmth, flowers, and a perfect excuse to lay the indoor chores aside and head outside and make the world a more beautiful place by adding that one extra pot of blooms or trimming up a scraggly bush.  This month’s Freebie will give one of you an excuse to relax on the porch for a while. I’m giving you a free book!

Here it is  –

Well Versed 2019 www.midweststoryteller.com

If you saw my last post, you know that the first book in my “Morgan’s Landing” novel series is coming out soon – hopefully next month.  I’m excited about that, but there is much to be done in preparation for the upcoming books in the series.

When asked what comes next for me after the “Morgan’s Landing” series, my answer comes without a second thought.  I plan to write, in novel style, the true story of my Aunt Martha’s life.  I interviewed her extensively before she passed away and what a story! She and her husband were married for over 80 years (that is not a typo) and had a rare and special love story that needs to be told.

I told a small portion of it in a short story entitled, “The Brown Wedding Dress” which was published a few years ago in “Well-Versed”, the annual anthology of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild.  This month, I am giving away a free copy of this book in order to give you a little taste of what you can look forward to after you finish the “Morgan’s Landing” series. If you don’t happen to be this month’s winner of the First Friday Freebie, you can also obtain this book on Amazon.

The 229 page book is a collection of poetry and prose written by various authors.  My story begins on page 139.  Various genres are included in the book, so I can’t promise you that each and every one will be your cup of tea, but I think you’ll enjoy “The Brown Wedding Dress”.

To enter to win the “Well Versed” anthology, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I do love a good book!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, May 2nd, 2025.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

You need to be an email subscriber to Midwest Storyteller before entering to win.  If you haven’t already subscribed, head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.  You’re not officially subscribed until you confirm by email.

Smuffy and I have our own brand of romance on my “Life with Smuffy” page and you might enjoy my “Laugh!” page.

Remember to be sure to share the content you enjoy here on your social media such as Facebook, Instagram and “X”.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, May 2nd, by leaving a comment which says, “I do love a good book!”   

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

“The Brown Wedding Dress” is definitely a romance, but a bit more sober than most of the stories you find here.  I’m curious to know what genres you enjoy reading.  Please leave a comment and let me know.

Upcoming Book Release!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 4 Comments

Though I know you can’t possibly have been waiting as impatiently as I have, I thought perhaps you’d like a quick update on my “Morgan’s Landing” novel series. (I’m thinking that by now some of you have come to think I’m fibbing about the whole thing.)

The first book in the series will be entitled, “Hear My Whisper”. I am painstakingly reviewing the final proof as we speak and have another set of eyes on it as well. After you’ve spent this much time writing and editing a manuscript, you learn not to trust yourself.

I am awaiting the arrival of what I hope is the final cover design. This has been a struggle, as the artists doing the work haven’t actually read the book and you can just imagine what it might be like to give them ideas as to the feel of the thing when they don’t know the characters or the setting from a hole in the ground.

Once the proof of the internal manuscript and the cover design get the thumbs-up, “Hear My Whisper” (Book 1 of the Morgan’s Landing series) will go to print!

The release date is projected for June (or perhaps July). I am praying fervently that it will be in your hands in June. It’s a fun read and I think you’re going to enjoy it.

It’s been a long road and while the journey isn’t over, I’m starting to see the finish line. I remind myself, however, that there are at least two more books in this series that must undergo all these processes, so I just hum that little tune about the mulberry bush and press on.

The screenplay for “Morgan’s Landing” is a whole different matter than the actual books. It’s in the hands of several well-known studios and updates are encouraging.

If you’re surprised at all this, you might need to play catch-up and check out the earlier updates here and here. You’ll see that the cogs of the publishing world turn slowly and realize that if you’re going to write your book and get it published, you’d better start now!

If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer, so leave a comment!

Faith and a Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

April is always so welcome.  It brings freshness and color back into our lives and gives us hope and a promise of pleasant days ahead.  Here we are at the first Friday, and that means there’s a Freebie for all my subscribers.

Here it is  –

Rhinestone Cross Jewelry Set https://midweststoryteller.com/

We’ll be celebrating the Resurrection a bit later this year than we sometimes do – on April 20th. I thought this gift would be just right for those who wanted to express their faith (and that I’d be able to get it to the winner in plenty of time).  This lovely Cross jewelry set allows you to wear it in various ways.  It includes stud earrings and two necklaces.  The shorter one features rhinestone cross alone and the longer one also has an attached chain which, like the chain holding the cross, has a rhinestone in each and every link.  The lengths of the three chains vary from 16” to 18” and can be extended an additional 3 inches. The Crosses themselves are about 1” in length.  I had a great deal of difficulty getting a photograph that shows it to best advantage because the whole thing is so sparkly that light bounced in every direction even with the flash turned off! 

To enter to win the Cross jewelry set, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “He is risen!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, April 4th, 2025.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.  You’re not officially subscribed until you confirm by email.

Smuffy and I have our own brand of romance on my “Life with Smuffy” page and you might love my “Laugh!” page.  If cute felines make your heart go pitty-patter, head to my “Phoebe June” page and you’ll find a dose of catitude. .

Remember to be sure to share the content you enjoy here on your social media such as Facebook, Instagram and “X”.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, April 4th, by leaving a comment which says, “He is risen!”   

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy the spring days ahead and have a wonderful celebration of the world’s greatest event with your family and friends!

March’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Meet the most recent winner of my First Friday Freebie. Yes, it’s that time again. Someone is always a winner here.

Freebies happen every month on the first Friday.  That means there’s one tomorrow! Check out the First Friday Freebie rules below. You’ll find out how simple it is to enter to win.  This is a special monthly gift for my email subscribers only.

Let’s meet March’s winner –

March Freebie Winner 2025 https://midweststoryteller.com/

Denise from Boonville, Missouri.

Congratulations, Denise!

She is shown here with the floral watering can décor. I’m sure it will find a place in her home to welcome guests.  As an email subscriber, Denise often enters. She did have to comment as directed in the freebie post on the day it arrived in her inbox.  I require this tiny bit of effort each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention. 

I send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S., so don’t think you’re too far away to enter.

If you’d like to see other past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer for the one Denise won here. 

If you’re reading this and haven’t become an email subscriber yet, please do that today.  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, have enticed you to do that.   

NOTE:  Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings.  This is my only means of notifying winners.  If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!

We live in a life filled with gadgets and you’ll find that this blog can have a different appearance depending on whether you are on your computer, tablet or smartphone.  You can easily navigate in the menu under “CONTACT”, fill in your email and hit “SUBSCRIBE”.  Confirm your subscription when the email arrives.  If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month or when I post a new story or recipe.  You’ll always be able to check out the latest bit of encouragement, healthy recipes, short stories, lots of laughs and updates on the books I write.

Again, comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win. 

Freebies enable me to reach more people.  I count on you to share them with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

On April 4th, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight CST.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, April 4th, 2025.

Spring has finally arrived.  Tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and forsythia are all blooming in our yard along with colorful redbud trees. The fields here in our rural area are blanketed with purple henbit, which, while it may not be exactly what the farmers wanted to see, it certainly makes a drive through the countryside a feast for the eyes.  After the long winter, all these things feel a bit like nature’s freebies, don’t they?  Leave a comment – what’s your favorite thing about spring?

There’s a Spring Freebie in the Air!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 5 Comments

Here in the Midwest, March has come in like a lamb, turned fierce as a lion and is quickly becoming a lamb again.  March is psychotic like that.  However, the first Friday remains the first Friday, so there’s a Freebie for all my subscribers.

Here it is  –

Watering Can Decor www.midweststoryteller.com

Get into the spirit of spring with this pretty floral watering can décor. This painted wooden piece is 8 ¾” X 4 3/4” and will add a spring touch to any shelf or other display in your home. It is ¾” thick so it will stand on its own.  The cute “welcome” wooden tag dangles from a twine bow embellished with a pink bead. 

To enter to win the floral watering can décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m ready for spring!”  I’m sure that’s not a statement many of you will object to making.  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, March 7th, 2025.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.  You’re not officially subscribed until you confirm by email.

Smuffy and I have our own brand of romance on my “Life with Smuffy” page and you might love my “Laugh!” page.  If cute felines make your heart go pitty-patter, head to my “Phoebe June” page and you’ll find a dose of catitude. .

Remember to be sure to share the content you enjoy here on your social media such as Facebook, Instagram and “X”.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, March 7th, by leaving a comment which says, “I’m ready for spring!”   

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy the warmer days ahead.  Happy Spring!

The Heavens Are Open

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Winter is drawing to a close. In a little more than two weeks, spring will make its official entry. There’s something about the arrival of March that always makes me run out of patience with the cold. I feel a strange mix inside. I suppose you could say I’m cranky with a dusting of hope.

Spring is teasing us and still, I look at my list of winter “to-dos” and heave a sigh. I was to have organized my upstairs after I’d put away Christmas stuff, sort through and re-organize my kitchen cabinets, update my addresses and contact info, sort and dispose of excess “fluff & stuff” and reward myself by getting some scrapbooking done.

I haven’t made much headway in any of these areas. Now, tax preparation looms. I wish I could feel as though I’ve finished at least some of these categories so that I can stand back, rest my hands on my hips, heave a satisfactory sigh and say, “There now!”

(I just sighed, but it was the wrong kind.)

Now, I have to remind myself that I’ve recently turned in a huge edit for the first book in the “Morgan’s Landing” series and I spend four days a week playing/feeding/changing/snuggling/crafting with Lil’ Snookie and Fruity Pebbles. A frantic portion of this is spent as referee between Fruity Pebbles and Phoebe June. The former considers the latter the most marvelous creature ever to behold and makes every effort to share an embrace. (Not that Phoebe June doesn’t share the opinion as to her marvelousness – she just doesn’t want it embraced.) Somewhere in between the cracks, I manage to cook all our meals from scratch, prepare and coach my weekly Trim Healthy group, organize and help host all our church’s dinners, do the shopping, laundry, cleaning and get a weight-lifting workout in most days.

You know something? I started out feeling like winter had passed and I’d been a failure in even scratching the surface, but now, as I make my true confessions to you, I’m starting to feel pretty good about the whole thing! These last months weren’t perfect, and I doubt the ones ahead will be perfect – but I’ll do what I can with God’s help.

I look around my chaotic office/library/craft room and see that much has been done and much is left to do. I make myself a promise. I won’t strive for perfection, but I will tell myself the same thing I whisper as I climb on those machines at the gym – “I can do better.” Progress, though it be made in baby steps, is far less daunting than perfection.

Golly, how I wish I had a higher gear! Alas, I have only one gear and I’m already running in it.

There are times when I look around and ask myself if any of it matters and for a fleeting moment I hanker for a dumpster.

Paper is my nemesis. But…I am a writer. Ummm…

Then, I remember this. There are two dates on every gravestone and though they may be forgotten, the dash between them is what counts. People will remember you for your dash!

We do leave a legacy in many ways – in the hearts and minds of our children, in what we build in our communities and in the lives of others, and in the stories that connect us to our heritage.

This house holds a lot of heritage.

Once while sorting my office piles, I found a slip of paper upon which I’d written a quote attributed to Joseph Garlington. I hope it puts things into perspective for you as it does for me.

Not Just Human Beings www.midweststoryteller.com

I took this photo several years ago as I drove through the countryside on my way to meet Phoebe June. I pulled over to take photos of a sky such as I’d never seen before.

Under a wide-open Heaven, life is given to me to live each day in this strange place called Earth and I’m determined to thrive down here. I may not be able to make it perfect, but bit by bit, I can make it better, even if it’s something as simple as encouraging a friend or cleaning out files. 

The heavens are open and as we step out of winter and the sunshine and warmth break through, there will be days full of surprises and days filled with mundane things.  I pray the mundane things bring you stability and peace and that all your surprises are good ones.  If last year was a “dud”, don’t lose heart.  Take God’s hand and move forward into new territory and happier days.

You may be grieving the events of these past months.  Take your time and heal.  You may spend a part or all of the year in a waiting mode.  (I hear ‘ya as I await the book release and the progress reports on its screenplay.)  You may go on happily as you have been or you may step into a new adventure as God opens a door and you receive the answer to a prayer that you feel like you’ve spent a lifetime lifting up before the Lord!   

Leave a comment! Are things better – even just a little bit – in your earthly experience? I’d love to hear what you’ve done this winter (I’ll even listen to your fails) and what you plan spring!

I Do Love a Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

It’s time to meet February’s winner of my First Friday Freebie.

March is already with us and it did come in like a lamb.  That’s the day I finally got to connect with the winner and get the freebie to its destination.  Then, as if it couldn’t bear the thought of wasting time, the month turned on us like a lion and today we had snow and a 30 MPH wind.  Smuffy and I had places to be and things to do and we are still trying to get warm after being out in it!

Meeting February’s winner will warm your heart –

February Freebie Winner https://midweststoryteller.com/

Congratulations to Liz from Boonville, Missouri.

Liz is pictured here with the “LOVE” home décor sign and as you can see if you look closely at the photo, one of her loves is the Kansas City Chiefs. 

As an email subscriber, Liz gets an email when the First Friday Freebie is released.  She then commented as directed in the freebie post at midweststoryteller.com

I require this tiny bit of effort each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention. 

I send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S., so don’t think you’re too far away to enter.

If you’d like to see other past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer for the one Liz won here. 

If you’re reading this and haven’t become an email subscriber yet, please do that today.  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, have enticed you to do that.   

NOTE:  Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings.  This is my only means of notifying winners.  If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!

We live in a life filled with gadgets and you’ll find that this blog can have a different appearance depending on whether you are on your computer, tablet or smartphone.  You can easily navigate in the menu under “CONTACT”, fill in your email and hit “SUBSCRIBE”.  Confirm your subscription when the email arrives.  If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.  You’ll also receive encouragement, healthy recipes, short stories, lots of laughs and updates on the books I write.

Again, comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win. 

Freebies enable me to reach more people.  I count on you to share them with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

On March 7th, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight CST.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, March 7th, 2025.

What are your plans for March?  Are you curled up with your seed catalogs?  Are you decorating your home with splashes of spring pastels.  Are you getting out on pleasant days for long walks?  Somehow, I find even indoor things seem easier when the weather warms a bit.  Getting out for that morning trip to the gym doesn’t seem so daunting these days.

A Last Minute DIY Valentine Gift You Can Whip Up in 1 Minute!

~ Midwest Storyteller
Sugar Scrub 1 Minute Homemade Gift midweststoryteller.com

I have shared this recipe before, but I thought you needed to take another look at it in case there’s someone you’d like to bless especially on Valentine’s Day and you’re short on funds or ideas. And, there’s a FREE PRINTABLE below!

If ever a holiday had a tendency to sneak up on you unexpectedly, it’s Valentine’s Day.  Somehow, when Christmas is over and the last Happy New Year is wished, we tend to hunker down for winter and take on the attitude that there won’t be a single bright spot in our lives until spring.

So, I’m wondering, are you ready for it?

I know, I know.  So much is said about how commercialized Valentine’s Day has become and how it was given a big build-up by the retail world in order to suck us all in to their stores so they could empty our pockets, leaving us to stagger out in a daze wondering if we’d just done too much or too little when all we really wanted was to say, “I love you”, or “You’re special to me.” We resist the nudge to fall into such traps, but let’s ask ourselves one thing – What could be better than a special day to remind us (because we so often forget) to offer someone a loving gesture?

I love old-fashioned, sappy Valentines.  Here are some that I’ve made and you can see more about that here.

Handmade Victorian Valentines midweststoryteller.com

A card will do just fine, but as for gifts, I love to give a few special people a simple token of affection without going on a spending spree.  Let’s face it, a homemade gift always means more and if you go overboard you can send the person you’re trying to bless on a guilt trip if they think they need to reciprocate.  Or, even worse, you’ll start that horror of horrors – the yearly contest to see who can outdo the other – an uncomfortable situation that empties everyone’s bank account and does little to fill the heart.

Homemade Sugar Scrub midweststoryteller.com

If you’re feeling a twinge of panic and wishing you had a few tokens of affection to offer, try making this homemade sugar scrub.  You’ll have it whipped up in one minute and have nothing left to do but fashion a cute tag declaring that the gift is “Because You Are So Sweet”!  I wish I could remember where I found this great idea and recipe so I could give credit where credit is due, but it’s been a while and a Pinterest search is not bringing it back to me, so I have no idea.  If anyone can send me the info or a link to it, I’m happy to include it here.

Homemade Sugar Scrub Ingredients midweststoryteller.com

If you have a stash of stuff like I do, you probably won’t even have to leave the house for supplies.  You’ll need a mixing bowl, spatula, small jars, extra virgin coconut oil, white table sugar, 5-10 drops fragrance oil  (rose or lavender is nice), red food coloring, ribbon and/or fabric scraps, paper tags, cardstock you can fashion into tags or, better yet, the FREE PRINTABLE TAGS you’ll find at the end of this post!  This recipe made three gifts, but it all depends on the size of your containers.  Clear ones are best, because the sugar scrub is really pretty!

Instructions: 

With a spatula, blend ½ cup extra virgin coconut oil, 1 ½ to 2 cups white sugar, 5-10 drops fragrance oil and five drops food coloring together in a mixing bowl.  Fill jars and add a cute tag or label. 

I hope you didn’t nod off during that lengthy description.  Coconut oil softens at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your work area is colder than that you may have to put the bowl in the microwave for a few seconds to bring it to the point where it mixes easily.

I got into my Printmaster program and designed a tag that suited the look I wanted to achieve.  You can always make this quick gift for a birthday or any other occasion by using different colors of food coloring and changing the look of your tags or labels. Again, I used various jars, ribbon scraps and bags I had on hand.

Sugar Scrubs in Varied Jars midweststoryteller.com

Why give sugar scrub, other than the fact that scrubs are popular and can be expensive?  My main concern was whether or not they are good for you or pose some sort of health risk or cause skin damage.  I am not your doctor or your licensed skin care specialist, so I am only passing on a little of what I know in order to help you continue with your own research.

What I discovered in my limited studies is that some body and facial scrubs are not so good for you.  Their exfoliating ingredients range from nut shells to polymer beads to salt and sugar.  Let’s face it, exfoliating feels wonderful!  However, nut shells and other ground matter have sharp edges and who wants to be scratched?  Polymer beads are round and smooth and leave the skin much more intact, but they’ve been found to last forever, making their way into the rivers and oceans and harming marine life.  As for salt, it’s a great option, but the edges of salt crystals are still sharper than that of sugar and it may not be what you want for use on delicate areas of the body or if you have sensitive skin.

That leaves sugar!  While I would recommend removing as much of it from your diet as possible, I’m giving it my approval , so far, as a scrub.  The coconut oil is just about the most wonderful thing you can put on your skin and the combination will leave you soft, moisturized and much, much smoother.

A natural source of glycolic acid, sugar already contains the ingredient that a lot of over-the-counter, spas and dermatologists offer to remove dead skin cells and encourage cellular turnover.  It’s an alpha hydroxy acid, and since your homemade scrub is mild, it will be safe to use a couple of times a week in the evenings.  Some stronger formulas, available in stores and from spas and professionals, will recommend wearing a sunscreen if using alpha hydroxyy acid formulas during the day.  You can read more about that in this article from Huffington Post here.

Sugar is also a natural humectant, meaning that it draws moisture from the air into your skin – and that’s a good thing.

Some scrubs can do your skin more harm than good and you can learn more about that in this article from The Sidney Morning Herald.  More info, including safe recipes for sugar scrubs that include honey, avocado oil and other natural ingredients can be found in this ETimes article.

If someone needs to hear you say, “This is for you, ‘because you are so sweet!’”, homemade sugar scrub might just be the perfect token of your affection.

Now for those FREE printable tags – just click below and you have a whole sheet of tags that you can print on cardstock. Attach a pretty ribbon and tie to your jars of sugar scrub! Could I have made it any easier, folks?

Free Printable Banner Sugar Scrub Gift Tags midweststoryteller.com

Questions?  Comments?  I’m happy to chat, because you are so sweet!

Don’t You Just Love a Freebie?

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

February is often called the Month of Love. There are many stories that claim to tell the story of Valentine and that makes it difficult to tell fact from fiction.  Some dislike the whole notion of Valentine’s Day if they aren’t in a relationship with that one special someone or if their special someone is reluctant to participate in a show of mush for a day.

I prefer to think of Valentine’s Day as a nudge from above to remind us to show anyone and everyone a bit of extra thoughtfulness and let them know that they are special to us.

My favorite story concerning Valentine tells of him being suddenly imprisoned for his faith. He feared that his loved ones would not know what had happened to him or where he might be. So, reaching out through the barred window of his cell, he plucked leaves from a trailing vine (which happened to be the shape we’ve come to know as a heart) and, with a pin, pierced holes in them to spell out “Your Valentine”.  One by one, he kept dropping them to the street below so that eventually, someone would notice them and those he loved would learn of his whereabouts. 

True or not – I love this story. It’s not one involving a love-struck couple, but one of sacrifice and bonded hearts. I think it helps us to look at Valentine’s Day as something more than just romance.

How about that?  You’ve gotten a free story to go along with your First Friday Freebie!

Let’s take a look  –

Choose Love First Friday Freebie https://midweststoryteller.com/

Display a little love in your home with this wooden sign encouraging you to “Choose Love”.  It measures 3 ¼ inches tall and 11 1/8 inches wide.  The floral letters are outlined in black to make them pop against the light wood grain look of the background. It hangs easily with the attached twine.

To enter to win the “Choose Love” wall décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Happy Month of Love!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, February 7th, 2025.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.  You’re not officially subscribed until you confirm by email.

Smuffy and I have our own brand of romance on my “Life with Smuffy” page and you might love my “Laugh!” page.  If cute felines make your heart go pitty-patter, head to my “Phoebe June” page and you’ll find a dose of catitude. .

Remember to be sure to share the content you enjoy here on your social media such as Facebook, Instagram and “X”.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, February 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “Happy Month of Love!”    

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Love you, Dear Readers!