Debbie Hilbish, a dear writer friend of mine, drove into town with her mother, Joanne Brunet, for a visit with me today. She is such a talented lady. She is a very expressive prose writer, but it is her poetry that really gets to your heart. I met her in Quartzsite, AZ where she coordinated a book sellers market place the Reader’ Oasis Bookstore owned by the original and unique Paul Winer.

Debbie is one of the most positive people you will ever meet. She brings sunshine into every corner of the room, of every area she visits. And, she loves my books. We had a fun time today talking about the characters and plots of the first three books of my Farrell Family Saga books. Her positive comments were so appreciated coming from a woman who can use words to depict human emotion like no other person I have ever read before her works.

Just as a side bit of information, her mother is the creator and curator of a wonderful collection of gum displayed in her gum museum in Quartzsite, AZ. Joanne and her sister began collecting the gum as-children and now she has thousands. Her husband built the building where the gum is displayed and a visit to her museum will surely bring back so many memories. If you are ever in the area, it’s worth a visit.

These two ladies are the kind of friends that when you are with them, there is just so much to share, to learn, to laugh about and maybe even a few tears now and them, that there is never a moment of silence. When they leave there a genuine, love-filled hugs amid a sense of continuing friendship, along with sadness at their leaving. Wonderful people that I’m blessed to have as friends.

Their visit and friendship led to remember this quote, “A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.” Ibid.