Delores Topliff's Blog

As I drove south from Minnesota to Mississippi this fall, I zigged and zagged from my usual route to see several precious friends.

One took me to Stony Ridge Farm, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s final home, in Mansfield, Missouri. Here are several photos.

Our second stop was Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Farm, the largest grower of heirloom seeds in the U.S. They devoted ten acres to growing many varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash and piled them up to create this MOUNTAIN! Very impressive. I also stocked up on some special seeds for my own garden next summer. Stay tuned..

Our next stop was Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Farm, the largest grower of heirloom seeds in the U.S. They devoted ten acres to growing varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash they stacked to build this impressive mountain! I bought special seeds there for my Minnesota garden for next year. Stay tuned.

Whether you use your pumpkins for pies or to create an artistic monument, give thanks around the table, in God’s creation, and everywhere.

Happy Thanksgivings 2025. Make the rest of this year absolutely great, and make life count.

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I’m thankful that events in Minnesota wrapped up well so that after three days of driving including great stops with friends, I reached warmer, pleasant northeastern Mississippi where my pear tree welcomed me with its sweet, ripe fruit. It’s usually through producing by the time I arrive, so this is a treat.

My ties to my Minnesota Amish neighbors and the local library have grown. This is the third year I’ve taught writing to up to eighteen area people. On October 28th we presented an Open House featuring their best writing. Several members have been published before. For others, this was the first time they have polished and released stories. I’m thrilled to see them thrive and feel validated and heard. My count my time with them as some of the most important work I do. Our classes resume in January via Zoom and then in-person when I return to Minnesota. Photos show Amish neighbor children harvesting my apples, and a photo of amazing Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds near Mansfield, Missouri, the largest project of its kind in the nation. I have to learn to reduce pixels in my new iPhone before I can post recent photos.

Mansfield is also the location of Rocky Ridge Farm, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s last and longest home with an excellent museum. Each year they host the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival, I’m among those being considered as next year’s keynote speaker.

More wonderful fun is that after we met in July at Fort William in Ontario, living relatives of Marguerite Wadin McKay McLoughlin, heroine of my Wilderness Wife book, arranged many photos in a detailed Snapfish book and gave me a copy. I am planning to write Marguerite’s sequel and they are tremendous help and encouragers.

I’m probably too busy but that keeps me happy and healthy

I’ve unloaded my car in Mississippi but am not yet unpacked, so for now receive my warmest greetings, enjoy the photos, and read my detailed newsletter which will arrive soon.

Until next time, may many blessings and all good wishes come your way,

Delores

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If you’ve read my A Traveling Grandma’s Guide to Israel: Adventures, Wit, and Wisdom, you know I’ve made nine trips to Israel over forty years totaling 135 days and maintain close friendships there. That’s why Monday’s release of the remaining hostages caused me to wake up for a while at 3 a.m. yesterday to be sure it was going forward. In spite of knowing the returnees will face long periods of recovery and healing, there is also great jubilation! It’s like seeing Hebrews 11:35a come to life where, “Women received their dead raised to life again.” After receiving a standing ovation, I appreciated President Trump giving credit to Almighty God as he addressed Israel’s governing Knesset. My book is half memoir. If you haven’t read it, I hope you will. It’s on Amazon (and elsewhere) in print, Kindle, and Audible.

The days are growing shorter here in the north. Migratory birds are heading south, and so will I. I’m nearly finished rewriting my Amish book, Mercy’s Rose. I enjoy my gentle neighbors so much, I had made my story too sweet and largely conflict-free. Editors correctly say, “No conflict, dull plot,” so I had to add some. After a final edit or two, this book baby can enter the world.

Next, I’ll dive into writing the sequel to my Wilderness Wife book, based on more of Marguerite Wadin MacKay McLoughlin’s true story, one of the most courageous women to cross a continent and forever change U.S. and Canadian History. It means even more that I’ve met and am now friends with her 4th and 5th generation living relatives. Here we are at Fort William in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada in July where some of the book takes place.

I asked the Lord years ago to never let me be bored in life. He heard that prayer and keeps answering it.

What about you? I also wish you enough (mostly good) surprises to make life interesting. Happy Fall. Can you believe it’s only 72 days until Christmas? Add great books to your gift list for those darker winter months.

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Besides getting our story elements, character traits, and timeline right, a major part of book writing is making people aware when our books are published. We must get our stories “out there” for readers to find them among the thousands of new books yearly.

What makes ours stand out? Does our cover capture the heart of our story? Does the back cover blurb express the protagonists’ challenges engagingly enough for readers to cheer them on? Book store owners say that browsers spend on average eleven seconds per book deciding if they will pick them up to read further—or walk past.

That’s why I love the photo and information from Norway that my sister Nancy sent me yesterday. This is how that Scandinavian country with many long winter nights ideal for reading, actively encourages their authors

“Norway’s literary support system is one of the most generous in the world. Through a program called ‘Innkjøpsordningen’, the Arts Council, Norway purchases newly published books that meet quality standards and distributes them to libraries across the country. This ensures that even debut authors have a chance to reach readers in every region.

The initiative covers various genres, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature, with children’s books receiving even broader distribution. Authors benefit not only from guaranteed sales but also from increased visibility and cultural impact. It’s a model that blends artistic encouragement with public access.

Rooted in a legacy of storytelling that stretches back to Viking sagas and oral traditions, Norway’s commitment to literature reflects its belief that stories shape society. By investing in books, the country nurtures both its cultural heritage and its future voices.”

Hooray for those who created that initiative. My DNA test says that I’m a small percentage Norwegian. Is it enough to see if that nation will also sponsor my books? Or is it best for friends closer to home to continue doing a great job by heartfelt word of mouth recommendations? Those matter. My newsletter list is growing. And customer reviews on Amazon make an amazing difference.

I’m thankful for the stories God gives me to write and for the energy and carry-through to do so. I love the reader supporters who introduce my book babies to the public.

I have former students and friends in many foreign countries. I’ll check my contact list to see if any live in Norway. If so, they may get a package from me soon.

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Years ago while in Jerusalem I was privileged to meet Pastor Richard Wurbrand and his wife Sabina and hear them speak three times. Wurmbrand was tortured and imprisoned for fourteen years in Communist Romania for his Christian witness. The Wurmbrands were unforgettable. The excellent testimony of their lives spoke to us as loudly as their words. On one occasion as we shook hands, Richard kissed my cheek in that place I hate to wash since that meeting.

We lost Charlie Kirk a week ago in a senseless act that is creating a growing groundswell that may not crest. This quote from Wurmbrand’s Tortured for Christ seems uncannily applicable.

A flower, if you bruise it under your feet, rewards you by giving you its perfume. Likewise Christians, tortured by the Communists, rewarded their torturers by love. We brought many of our jailors to Christ. And we are dominated by one desire: to give Communists who have made us suffer the best we have, the salvation that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:15 describes believers as the “fragrance of Christ” spreading the “sweet aroma of the knowledge of him.” Ephesians 5:2 describes Christ’s own sacrifice as a “fragrant offering.”

We’re experiencing that crushed fragrance with the death of Charlie Kirk. May that also be our testimony every time we are bruised.

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It turns out I wrongly recalled Barbra Streisand’s song “People Who Need People” as saying, “People Who Help People are the luckiest people in the world,” because that’s what I know is true.

We’ve all been helped by others to reach whatever stage in life we’re in now. The most-rewarding and healthiest response we can have is to turn around and pass that help and encouragement on.

For me home base is a small Central Minnesota farm. For the last three years I’ve been involved in our local library teaching Memoir Writing, presenting my Israel travels talk with slides, and now enlarging my monthly Memoir Writing class to all genres. It’s very rewarding. Some of our eighteen members have been published before. Some are polish their work and gaining confidence to submit for publication, and others are taking their first steps. Next month we are self-publishing a Writing Sampler of up to 1500 words displaying the stories that twelve of our writers have poured heart and soul into. It has required lots of work on my part too but means I’m more closely connected to these people and their lives. I could not be more proud of them. People helping people are the luckiest people in the world!

Here’s a photo of one of our classes. If you’re not already passing on your gifts and know-how to others in any area of life ranging from writing to teaching auto maintenancebu, dgeting, crocheting, photography, painting, remodeling, cooking, computer skills, childcare, ad infinitem, consider getting involved. It takes work, often at inconvenient times, but you’ll be amazed at the life dividends such involvement produces. I’m now personally connected to eighteen fascinating individuals I would not know if I otherwise passed them on the street or in the grocery store.

What about you? In some form, we’ve all received help getting to this stage in life. What would happen if we all passed on our knowledge, interest and encouragement to others? (Picture a, white snowball growing bigger and rounder as it rolls downhill.) Like the Alka-Seltzer ad says, “Try it, you’ll like it.” And we’ll each make a bit of the positive difference this world needs. If you have paid it forward or mentored or are about to, let me know. Have fun and of course you’re not doing it for the amazing dividends, but get ready!

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I’m always glad to share good news, and it never gets old. This post is short as I’m hard at work meeting the deadlines for projects mentioned below with a happy smile on my face. The photo is me signing the newest contract.

Three other Scrivenings Press authors and I have put together a novella collection, Romancing the Elements, that will publish February 10th, 2026. Our group of excellent writers, Ellen Erdel Withers, Jenny McLeod Carlisle, and Tonya Bradford Ashley is a fun group and our writing reflects that. Check out their websites, Facebook posts, and other books.

I’m finalizing my Amish book, Mercy’s Rose, though I can’t announce its release date yet. Stay tuned.

Have an enjoyable and absolutely fantastic rest of your summer!

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I’m still basking in the joy of my July 21st meeting with Marguerite McLoughlin’s amazing direct descendants. They make me more eager to write the sequel including the events following Wilderness Wife, and I’m gathering material. I’ll let these photos (including two repeats) show more of that unforgettable meeting at Hudson Bay’s largest trading post, Old Fort William, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It showed me more than ever that generational blessings in historic personages we respect can continue on to present times. Find a fuller report regarding Marguerite’s relatives in my next newsletter available August 12th. Each monthly newsletter includes great giveaways. Read or subscribe at bit.ly/Deloresnewsletter.

I’m also grateful that today fabulous national book reviewer Carrie Schmidt (Meez Carrie) listed Strong Currents, my WW2 historic novel sequel to Books Afloat, as one of her “Top Ten “Thought-Provoking Novels Set During World War 2.” She names, “Strong Currents by Delores Topliff – Setting: Columbia River and adds, “One thing I’m still thinking about: how close the war came to the Pacific Northwest.”  Thank you, Carrie. Find her full post at: https://readingismysuperpower.org/   Have a great two weeks until next time! Delores

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What do you do when a gifted author friend comes to visit for a week?

Show them the family farm, your amazing neighbors,  and hop in the car for a road trip. Patricia Bradley, who I live near in Mississippi half of the year, joined me in Minnesota and we traveled through North Dakota, Manitoba, and Ontario Canada. We got back tonight and are near the MSP airport where she will fly out early tomorrow. It makes me very happy when the friends and family I care about meet other friends and family I care about.

Clichés exist because they’re true. In North Dakota we stayed with  people I lived with during my last year of high school. The parents have passed on but their older daughter is there. Jean Ann was four and I was fifteen. For thirty some years now they’ve run Bethlehem Books, publishing excellent materials for home schoolers. Even if I don’t see her and family for eight to ten years, there’s no distance when we meet. In fact, the connections are deeper.

Next, I showed Patricia much of Canada. We drove the Trans-Canada Highway through Manitoba and Ontario to a special community west of Thunder Bay. If you’ve read my A Traveling Grandma’s Guide to Israel: Adventures, Wit, and Wisdom, you know Cindy who lives there made that first lengthy trip to Israel with me. We enjoyed her and family and other friends with a grand finale trip to the local dump where six black bears showed off (which we observed from a safe distance).

Yesterday we drove to Old Fort William in Thunder Bay where the Kaministiquia River enters Lake Superior. Important parts of my historic novel, Wilderness Wife, are set there. Through amazing circumstances, the living 4th and 5th generation descendants of Swiss and native heroine, Marguerite Wadin McKay McLoughlin, found my book on Amazon, contacted me via email, and when my book was discussed as the American Fiction Writers book club selection last November, joined our discussion via Zoom. We wanted to meet in person. These delightful people drove from Northern Michigan and we met yesterday where parts of the book’s action occurred.

Am I ecstatic? Yes! That’s the most fun and blessing I’ve had to date in my writing career They want me to write the sequel. I’ll try, after I finish my current Amish book and work on my memoir at the same time.

This week’s trip was wonderful. My cup runneth over. I’m grateful for safe miles traveled, friendships deepened, and the great joy of seeing people I love, love each other. We took many photos. It’s hard to choose a top favorite. I’m showing you a few so you can decide.

Have a great and blessed two weeks until next time,

Delores

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Canadians celebrated independence on Dominion Day, July 1st. We Americans have lots to celebrate each July 4th. Happy 249th Birthday, U.S.A! You’re showing some signs of aging that need attention but many more distinguishing characteristics to be proud of.

In my international travels, I clearly see that education and religious freedom are the two conditions best nurturing the growth of independence. Friends in South Korea took me to The Independence Hall of Korea where the displays demonstrated that education, education for women, and teachings on democracy guided South Korea to freedom. No matter its current affiliations, Columbia University and Presbyterian missionaries are credited with bringing both gifts there.

The song I hear loud and clear this July 4th is “God Bless America” written by grateful immigrant, Irving Berlin. There’s a lovely opening verse but here’s the chorus most of us know.

“God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home!”

I hope you’ll sing with me and share that same love and gratitude.

Until next time, Delores

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