Janetta Fudge-Messmer's Blog

 

 CAN IT GET ANY HOTTER?
 (And it's only March!)
 Yes, it can. And it’s a lesson learned. Don’t wait until the end of March to go to a spring training game. The day we attended, IT WAS A 101. WOW! We stayed in the sun through the first inning, then moved to the shade.

Each of us went to see the team we root for. Mine is the Kansas City Royals, and for Ray it's the Colorado Rockies. I'm happy to report that the Royals won. Oh, and we got to see Bobby Witt, Jr. in action. Yay!
  WRITING NEWS (Part 1):
I want to thank those of you who wrote me last month and complimented me on my new website. If you haven’t looked at it, please go to: www.janettafudgemessmer.com. And as with any new venture, there’s always a funny story attached to it.
 
Here it is: I published my newsletter last month, then waited for responses from my readers. Hours went by, and I didn’t see anything. I may have panicked a bit. But hubby came to my rescue. He found that we had skipped a crucial step when we switched over to the new website. Ray fixed it, and your emails arrived in my inbox. It was a Praise the Lord moment.
 
P.S. Because of the above hiccup, if you didn’t see February’s newsletter, go check your spam. It may be resting there.
 
WRITING NEWS (Part 2):
Since I’m done with the website, it was time to get back to writing. As of right now, I have 9,500 words on Book #13. My character is a successful realtor who has signed up on a dating site. You may ask yourself, what can possibly go wrong? Plenty…
 
I've had help. Since we live in a 55+ community in the winter, I've told my friends that I'm writing a book about online dating. Their stories have poured forth about some of their disastrous dates.
 
Here's a little hint: One of the stories may include a three-legged squirrel. Stay tuned…
 
(Yes, another sunset picture) 
I don’t know if the excessive heat (we have been in the 100s) has anything to do with more breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, but the one above ranks among my Top 10. If you take photos of sunrises or sunsets, send them to me. You know I’d love to see them.
 
Most of you know that I LOVE to play pool (billiards) and play twice a week with the ladies. However, a few weeks ago, we got together with the men and played six games. Since the men set it up, the ladies just came in and picked a card to see which gentleman they’d be with.
 
I picked the Ace (#1), so I was matched with Mike. Even though I turned 70 in January, I almost broke out into a happy dance because he’s a top-rated pool player. He and I tied for first place. What a fun day, learning from a pro.

Waltzing with a Grease Monkey is ON SALE for $0.99 through March 31! Click the book cover to go to Amazon.
   
Penelope teaches ballroom dancing. At night, she moonlights as a mechanic alongside her ex-boyfriend, Derek. One day, her two professions collide. Will Harrison waltz into the studio and steal Penelope’s heart, or will Derek’s wit win her over?
 
Thank you for reading my offering each month and commenting. It means the world to me and puts a smile on my face!
 
Until next time… 

Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for my newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

(Another Arizona sunset) 
 MY WEBSITE JOURNEY
 (And I lived to talk about it!)
 Happy Valentine’s Day. Sorry, it’s a few days late. I hope it was filled with lots of love and chocolate. Hubby and I attended a dance that evening at the place we are staying. They always do a Sock Hop. Great costumes. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any to share.
 
But I did get a photo of my 99-year-old friend (see below). She was the Grand Marshall of our Mardi Gras parade this year. She’s a special lady and quite the pool player. She is no longer able to play because of her eyesight, but we still go over to her place on Tuesday for Happy Hour and snacks.
  
Even though February is a short month, it’s been full of lots of activities. Along with the Sock Hop, I’ve gone to two shows. The first: Song, Sung Blue. Outstanding. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson… both should win an Academy Award. My friend Jeri insisted we go, and I’m glad she did. Well worth it.
  
The second movie: I went with Jeri again. It was EPIC (Elvis Presley In Concert). Amazing! His rendition of How Great Thou Art was worth the ticket price. IMAX makes you feel as if you’re there. And for almost two hours, the King of Rock and Roll serenaded us. If you’re a fan, it’s a must-see!
 
February Funny:
This same friend had a birthday last month. I went over to visit her on her big day. I’m not sure how it ended up with her saying to me, “If you want to buy me a present, you can buy me potatoes to go with the broasted chicken our other friend brought me.” We both laughed.
 
As I walked home, I thought, “Why not get her different kinds of potatoes?” I told Ray about it, and we ran to the store to pick up hashbrowns, two potatoes to bake, and mashed potatoes. We went to her house and delivered her ‘present’. She got a kick out of the variety.  
 
You might be asking, “Who gives a broasted chicken and potatoes as a birthday gift?” That would be our mutual friend and me!
 
News about Liver and Onion that you didn’t know you needed: I know you’ve waited patiently to find out how this turned out. Surprisingly, the people who wrote me about the aforementioned food were split 50/50 on whether they loved or hated it. And they gave good reasons for their answer.
 
One subscriber (Barbara) said: “As far as liver and onions, whenever my mom's side would get together for Christmas and my uncle was hosting, the meal was at The Machine Shed Restaurant. He always ordered liver and onions. When he and his wife passed away within days of each other last year, I told my cousins that I would go to Machine Shed and order the meal in his memory.”
 
That’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing your stories. If you missed last month’s Liver and Onion story, go to my BRAND NEW website at: www.janettafudgemessmer.com.
  
The above photo is what my Home Page looks like. Click on the two lines I’ve circled. It will take you to the different pages. Click on Ramblings, then go to the bottom of the page and click on the black button. Enjoy!
 
And when you’re done reading the story in Ramblings, click away on the other headings (About Janetta, Contact, Subscribe). Just know, I couldn’t have pulled this off without Janice and Ray (my hubby). In the end, the hills and valleys were worth it. Oh, and the prayers. I felt every one of them.
 
Please let me know what you think of my new website. You know I love to hear from you.
 
Writing News:
You may have noticed that I haven’t included this heading in quite a few months. Yes, I am still a writer. And, yes, I can blame part of not writing on creating the new website. But you can only use that excuse for so long.
 
I’ve started working on one that I put away last year. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. And I always appreciate your prayers.
 
As always, thank you for your support. And I want to thank the new subscribers who have joined us. I appreciate all of you. Please tell your family and friends about my new website and to sign up for it on the Contact page.
 
https://amzn.to/3sa1KNP
Pigtails and a Tool Belt is ON SALE for February. Who doesn’t want a love story that includes a female handy person, her ex-fiancé, and a guppy? Oh, and a surprise ending…

Until next time… 

Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

 
 MY 70th B-DAY + LIVER/ONIONS
 (Decades to remember!)
 Yes, it's 2026, and a few days into it, on January 3, I turned THE BIG 70. As with all my milestone birthdays, I’ve dreaded their arrival. I’d tell myself, “Now, you have to grow up.” I still haven't, but to help me get through the pain of reaching another decade, Ray always softened the blow. Here is what he's done over the years:30th birthday: Ray set up a singing telegram to come to where I worked. The man dressed up as a clown and made me sit on his lap in front of everyone. I have to admit I was embarrassed, but it was a fun time.40th birthday: My sister called to wish me a Happy Birthday. All of a sudden, our call went wacky. I looked up, and she’s walking in my front door. She'd flown in from Kansas City to surprise me. Hubby also hired a limo (first time for all of us) to take us to dinner. WOW!50th birthday: Ray surprised me with a trip to Hilton Head Island. We had a blast, but I don't recommend visiting there in the winter.60th birthday: By the time I hit this terrible number, we had retired and were in Florida in our RV. I heard that the Make-A-Wish Foundation was having a Gala. We attended and had a grand time. And the money we’d given helped the organization grant more wishes for children.70th Birthday: I bemoaned this one for way too long, but as with all the other years, Ray helped me cope. He threw me a surprise party at one of my favorite breweries. Friends gathered, and the night was filled with laughter. 





ELVIS came to the party, too!

A fun time was had by all! Thanks to Ray and all my friends who made turning 70 one for the books. 
January Funny:
And speaking of friends, I have to share a little backstory first. A friend I grew up with in Kansas, her hubby, and children had moved to Houston a few years before we did. While living there, we’d get together and go out to eat at our favorite restaurant—Luby’s Cafeteria—and have their liver and onions. YUM!
 
Now back to the story—A few months ago, our friends mentioned they’d like to visit us. During the conversation, she told me that she had bought Ray a cookbook from Luby’s in hopes he’d make us liver and onions when they came. I assured her he would. And she asked me to keep the gift a secret.  
 
They arrived and were barely in the house when Ray was given his present. He opened it and started flipping through the pages. He's not too far in his perusal, and our friend said, "The recipe is on page 60.”

We all laughed, then my friend told her husband, “Go out and get the cooler.” He did, and when he brought it in and opened it, he handed Ray two packages of liver. He said, “Do you think that’s enough? And you’ll have to buy the onions to go with it.”

More laughter filled our living room. How about you? Do you have a liver-and-onion story or one about a close friend? Please tell me all about either one. You know I always love to read them. BTW: The liver and onions were delicious!
 

https://amzn.to/47xzLbg 
January Book Special:
Mayhem and merriment travel along with the RVers in  Early Birds Adventures  (5-book series). Who knows, when you’re done reading the series, you may want to buy your own camper and tag along with them on their next journey.
 
Until next time…

Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE ('Tis the season of giving and sharing!)
 With Christmas fast approaching, I’m sending out my newsletter early. This month, I thought it’d be fun to chat about White Elephant Gift parties. I'm sure you’ve attended one or two in your life. If not, please accept the next invitation. They’re an experience you don’t want to miss.
 
Here’s our White Elephant Gift Exchange story:
 
When we lived in Colorado, Ray and I belonged to a Bible study. The couple who led the study invited us to our first White Elephant party. A few days before going to it, I looked around our house to find something out of the ordinary to take to the festivities. I found nothing.
 
Even back in the day, before we began our RVing adventure, hubby and I didn’t keep unnecessary things around the house. In the end, we rummaged through our bookshelf and put two books we’d read into a gift bag and headed out.
 
We arrived, and as the saying goes, “Let the party begin.” There was food to feed an army, children running around with the new friends they’d made, and a table full of brightly-colored packages and bags waiting to be opened.
 
And the time arrived for gift giving…
 
Our host had us sit down and said, “When the first person’s name is called, they will choose a present and open it. Then Player #2 can either steal Player #1’s gift or take a new gift off the table. Players #3, #4, and so on do the same. The game ends when all the gifts are opened.
 
The game began, and soon my name was called. I chose my gift and opened it. Inside, I found a round purse with a working clock on the outside of it. Throughout the rest of the evening, I hoped someone would take the novelty item off my hands, but no one wanted it…
 
Except for one little boy. After the gifts were opened, he came up to me and asked, “Can I trade my present for yours?” And with tears in his eyes, he finished with, “I want to give it to my mommy.”
 
How could I resist? I gave it to him, and he promptly ran over and gave it to his mom. I knew she didn’t want it any more than I did, but I’ll bet that was a gift she cherished (and maybe used it a time or two) because of who gave it to her.
 
What about you? Have you attended a White Elephant Party? Please tell me about it. You know I love your stories.
  
I (we) love to watch Hallmark Christmas movies. The other night, we watched Christmas at Midnight Clear. What a cute movie. In the middle of the show, I heard one of the characters say something inspiring.
 
Instead of writing it down, I thought I’d remember what they said. I didn’t. Then a crazy idea hit me. I got on Google and said, “Christmas at Midnight Clear script.” Within seconds, the lines of the story showed up. WHAT? Who knew!
 
If you’re wondering, the line is: “Prayer isn’t just about getting what we want, it’s also about finding the strength for what we get. We call that divine intervention.”
 
December Funny:
A few days ago, I was on Facebook. I turned to Ray and said, “I saw on this reel that you can make four different flavors of Dump Cake.” His response, without skipping a beat, was, “Who would want flavored Duct Tape?”
 
You guessed it. I laugh hysterically and literally couldn’t correct him for a minute or two. When I contained myself, I told him why. He laughed along with me. You gotta love a spouse who is hard of hearing. As I told you in last month’s newsletter, he is a funny guy!
  
WRITING NEWS:
I have joined Celebrate Lit and several other authors to bring you the Merry Christmas Readers Giveaway (Dec. 15-Dec. 23).  You have a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and over 45 books. My book, An Unexpected Christmas Gift, is featured.
 
Don't miss your chance to enter! Just click the link below!
https://www.celebratelit.com/posts/merry-christmas-readers-giveaway/
 
And for more holiday cheer, Rekindled for Christmas Eve is ON SALE too—for $0.99.
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD8ZGMZ5 
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
 
Until next year…

P.S. I'll leave you with a bit more humor. The photo below is of us at a December dance. We were to dress up as rockers. Hubby hit the mark with the outfit and wig. I slicked back my hair and looked more like I was going to work. HA!
  Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

 MY NOVEMBER THANKFULNESS(What are you thankful for?)
 Most of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few days. Our plan is to go over to our friends' house. I’m excited because it’s potluck style and there will be a variety of food. Since I love Green Bean Casserole, that will be one of the dishes we take. YUM!

What are some of your favorite dishes and/or traditions you have for the holiday?
 
Also, since it’s close to Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for in 2025? Here’s my list. Maybe we have similar things that we’re thankful for:
 My hubby: Mr. Ray is a hard worker (more on that subject later in the newsletter), he's a godly man, he’s thoughtful, and funny.Our family and friends: Some have had their share of struggles this year, but the Lord has seen them through their challenges.My reader friends: That’s you! I know I say it almost every month, but I truly mean it. Without you and your help in getting the word out about my books, I’d be lost. Thank you for all you do.My Savior: Through the ups and downs of life, the Lord has been faithful. And He has continued to teach me countless things as I’m reading His Word. This year, we’re reading the Chronological Bible. I recommend it.For Maggie: She’s such a joy and makes us smile with her antics or when she does something extra cute (like in the picture below). 
November Funny:
While we were in South Dakota this summer, friends from Arizona came to visit. One afternoon, our friend decided he’d drive when we went sightseeing, but before I got in their vehicle, I had to run back into the RV to get something.
 
I came out, and as I reached for the door handle, he moved the car. That’s when I heard a sound that made me look up to the heavens. I thought I’d see Jesus in the clouds and start hearing the trumpet sound.
 
I didn’t, but I’m not kidding—I thought the End Times had arrived, and I announced it to the others when I sat down in the vehicle. Instead of them peering to the skies, I heard laughter.
 
Then our driver explained, “Hybrid vehicles do not make noise when they’re backing up. Since that’s a safety hazard, they had to put in a sound to alert people.”
 
And as we drove off to see Mount Rushmore, I said, “And the manufacturers decided to make it sound like a choir of angels? Maybe next time, they should use another sound, since this one fooled me into thinking I was meeting Jesus today.”
  
As you can see, Ray is working. He’s become the golf cart battery king. People want to switch from regular batteries to lithium, so my hubby is the man for the job. Side Note: He’s done four conversions so far this season.
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL53W615 It’s birthday month for An Unexpected Christmas Gift—just in time for Christmas. It’s $0.99 for the month of November.

Breanna Snow owns Snowed Inn B&B, but Matt Jacobson (city manager) wants to shut it down. Bree doesn’t have time for his nonsense—she’s getting married. Then her world is turned upside down, and Matt’s in the middle of it. Can they work together, or will they die trying?

Thank you again for your faithfulness. From my family to yours, I pray you have a Happy Thanksgiving! 
 Until next time...

Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

 A COLORFUL STOPOVER(Fall is the perfect time to visit!) 
On September 29, we waved goodbye to South Dakota and headed to Colorado. As you can see, Maggie was thrilled. HA! We planned to stay for a week to visit family and friends, then be on the road again. However, we were having so much fun, we stayed for two weeks.
 




(My brother-in-law took this fantastic shot) 
While in Colorado, we had to leaf-peep. As you can see from the photos, it was a spectacular year. We hit Peak to Peak Highway, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Trips here never disappoint. A fun day with Ray’s brother. And if you’ve not visited in the Fall, get there ASAP.
 (Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park) 
Finally, we left and made our migration to Arizona. This marks our seventh year here. I say again: the roads were less than stellar, but we made it without our RV falling apart (trust me, some of the bumps made us think it might happen).
 
Then the fun began—emptying the motorhome. Three days later, and many trips between the park model and the RV, Winifred is cleaned out and in storage. Ray has already been over there two times because we forgot something.
 
I don’t know if I mentioned that Ray is not working this season. He decided he wanted to enjoy the festivities for a change. I did laugh because his first stop when we got back was to check out the grill/bar. Was he making sure that it could run without him? I’ll keep you posted on his employment, or lack thereof.
 
WRITING NEWS:
Speaking of work, I've gotten virtually NO writing done since we left South Dakota. Trust me, I had time, but why work when there are things to do and people to see? I kept telling myself, “You can write your next book when you get settled in Arizona.”
 
Well, we arrived, but I’m still making excuses. HELP! I need some encouragement from my faithful readers. What do you do when procrastination keeps you from finishing the task at hand? You know I love to hear from you.
 
October Funny:
Since Ray worked at Ace Hardware on Sundays while in South Dakota, I went to church with some friends. Afterward, they’d drop me off and I’d go inside. This particular morning, I tried to unlock the door, and nothing happened.
 
I tried the other lock—nothing there either. My last resort was to call Ray. Thankfully, his boss told him to take his lunch break to help his damsel in distress. I waited, and within five minutes, my hubby arrived.
 
He did exactly what I’d done, and he got the same result. Ray turned to me and said, “I may have to drill out the lock.” But before he brought out the big guns, he fiddled with it a couple more times. The door finally opened.
 
As we walked inside, he said, “We’ll be using the bottom lock from now on.” Then I heard him chuckle, and he pointed to the shelf behind the banquette. “It’s a good thing that I didn’t need the drill because it was in here.”
 
Once again, the Lord helped us out of a jam. And as Rosie Wilford would say in Early Birds, “Praise the Lord, and pass the turtle soup.”
 
And since we’re on the topic of being locked out, do you have a story to share when you’ve been in the same predicament?
 
http://amzn.to/3Y8v4RV
 Mouse in Your Pocket is ON SALE through October 31 for $0.99.  

Jessica Montgomery inherits her uncle's property (i.e., junkyard). During clean-up, her common sense flies out the window—except when she deals with Jimmy Barnes. Can life get any more complicated? Yes, it can!
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL53W615
 And since it’s almost November, I’m offering An Unexpected Christmas Gift for $0.99 November 1-30.

Breanna Snow owns Snowed Inn B&B, but Matt Jacobson (city manager) wants to shut it down. Bree doesn’t have time for his nonsense—she’s getting married. Then her world is turned upside down, and Matt’s in the middle of it. Can they work together, or will they die trying?

As always, thank you for the emails that you send me. It encourages me to keep going with this crazy writing thing. Love you all!!!

Until next time…
 Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

 BISON, MACARONI & CORN(And food is not involved!) 
Since we are winding down our time in South Dakota, I had to include the brightly colored bison we spotted in Hot Springs the other day. The next newsletter you will receive will be all about our return trip to Arizona. 
 
September Funny:
Last Sunday at church, I noticed that the woman playing the piano during worship had a baby strapped to the front of her. Occasionally, her other two daughters (maybe three and five) came up to her while she played to say something to her.
 
The young mom ignored them…that was until it came time for her to sing. She was into the chorus of the song, and her three-year-old came up and tapped her on the shoulder. When that didn’t get her attention, the little one waved her hands in front of her mother’s face.
 
The child’s gesture brought laughter from the sanctuary. However, Mom must not have found humor in it. She got up and left, taking the child with her. Her older sister followed. We didn’t hear any hollering from the hallway, but the mother never came back to resume her playing.
 
Later, the pastor talked about the incident and complimented her on how she handled it. He then told a story of his mom leaving her spot at the piano because of something he had done years before. In his case, the church heard what happened between son and parent. 
 



 
We ventured to the other side of the state to visit a friend. On the way, we stopped at the Corn Palace...again! This coming year, they’re celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. I understand the Statue of Liberty, but I’m still pondering the point of including Christ the Redeemer or the pyramids. Does it seem strange to you, too?
  
I laughed out loud when I saw the above towel draped on my friend's oven door. Our Maggie doesn’t have to worry about our hair being in her food, but we have to watch for hers in ours. I warn everyone who eats at our house that dog hair in their food is a possibility.
  
How many of you have ever had a rock in your windshield? It’s nothing new for us because of our travels, but thankfully, we’ve never had one on the RV. But I had to share the photo of where we got our chip fixed. Great play on words, I’d say.
 



 
I admire anyone who has a green thumb, since I don’t have one. Enjoy the beauty from my friend’s yard and that of her neighbor. God’s masterpieces for all of us to savor, that’s if we take the time to stop.
 
If you enjoy nature as much as I do, send me one of your photos. I’d love to see it.
  
As far as I’m concerned, this picture is a once-in-a-lifetime photo. We met Macaroni and his dad while doing laundry. Who wouldn’t go up to Mac’s owner and ask to take a picture? Me! The pooch and I had a blast on our tour of the laundromat.
 
https://amzn.to/3QHNnL9
The above picture is from my Pinterest page. A friend of mine from Houston encouraged me to share my books on the site. I did, and I love the results. Please go to my page (Janetta Fudge Messmer) and check out what I’ve done. And if you want to, you can follow me.
 
This month, Waltzing with a Grease Monkey is ON SALE for $0.99!
 
Penelope teaches ballroom dancing. At night, she moonlights as a mechanic alongside her ex-boyfriend, Derek. One day, her two professions collide. Will Harrison waltz into the studio and steal Penelope’s heart, or will Derek’s wit win her over?
  
I hate to end on a sad note, but I’d be remiss in not mentioning Charlie Kirk. An important voice was snuffed out because of his Christian beliefs. And that should scare all of us. I hope that if you’ve never listened to him, you will take the time to do it. Also, I'd ask you to please pray for his family. 

Until next time…

P.S. I want to thank everyone who emailed Jo Huddleston last month to receive her latest book. She said she appreciated the response.  
 Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

 

 WE KEEP MOVING(But we're still in South Dakota!) 
I’ll explain the title later, but first, I have to let you know we got our Jeep back. Glory Hallelujah! And we returned the truck we were graciously given to use. What a blessing, and I (we) hope to return the favor to someone else to bless them. Paying it forward is always fun!
 
Now, back to the title. We’ve officially moved to Custer. Friends from the winery Ray worked with three years ago live there, or are visiting, so we packed up and headed there. He found out some of them work at the hardware store, so since Ray doesn’t idle well, they suggested he apply for a job. The funny part is that they’d already spoken to their boss before he called her. So, he is gainfully employed three days a week.

Speaking of Ray's new job, he's learning new things. One being how to mix paint. He now calls himself the Mix Master. And Ray needed the skills when high school students rushed to buy tons of it to paint their parking spot (see photos below). WOW! 
 
(This is the one that cost $180!)




(You know I had to include one with cactus!)
Now, while he’s working, I’ve started another book. Unfortunately, I have already had to do a complete rewrite of the first two pages. Advice to me for next time: Iron out all the details before writing the first words.
 
I smoothed the rough edges and then read the second draft to Ray. He smiled and said, “The one you read me last night didn’t make one bit of sense to me. But this one is good.” I don’t know about you, but I’ll take that as a compliment.
 
Oh, I have to give you a little taste of what’s going on in my head this time around. My main character names her computer because she’ll be spending lots of time with it. And she’s not a writer…or is she???
 
Completion of the book is yet to be determined, but I’ll keep you posted.
 

 
The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2025 is in the books. As I said three years ago, my ears are still ringing from the NOISE. And as with last time, we went up to Sturgis to show our friends from Florida who were visiting.
 
It didn’t disappoint. I have to say I didn’t see anyone with a painted shirt on this time, but some of the outfits on the bartenders left little to the imagination. Maybe one of these days, I’ll write a book about a motorcycle mama. What do you think?
  
Had to share a photo of Ray and me getting ready to take a Slingshot out for a spin. The company offers a 30-minute test drive for free. This time, we had to stay on I-90 instead of driving in the canyon. Again, I say, “What a cool ride.” Our friends thought so too.
 
Have any of you been to a Sturgis Rally? Please share your story. You know I love to read them.
  
A few nights ago, we were notified that the resort we stay at in the winter was damaged by straight-line winds. Thankfully, our park model didn’t sustain any damage, but lots of our neighbors did. Scary stuff. Praise the Lord that no one was hurt.

Now to happier news. This month, I’m featuring one of my fellow Winged Publication authors. I’d love for you to meet Jo Huddleston. Her book,  Start Again , is a Christian Romance and was released in January 2025.
  https://amzn.to/3EzMIYdwww.johuddleston.com Book Blurb: Tom, a soldier in Korea, falls in love with Maggie through her letters to him for over a year. When they finally meet, Tom allows Maggie to believe he’s a Christian, and she soon loves Tom. Will the shaky foundation they build their future on withstand Tom’s half-truths and deception?

My friend, Jo, is offering a free PDF copy of Start Again to anyone who emails her at johudd@bellsouth.net, saying they saw this offer on Janetta's newsletter. This offer is good now through September.

Also, Pigtails and a Tool Belt is ON SALE this month for $0.99. In  Pigtails and a Tool Belt , Samantha is up to her eyeballs in clogged drains, an AWOL boyfriend, and a new employee—her ex-fiancé. Sparks fly, and it has nothing to do with an electrical short.


https://amzn.to/3sa1KNP
Thank you to my new subscribers and my faithful newsletter readers. Knowing you’re out there supporting me makes me so HAPPY! Remember, I love to hear from you. And I always write you back!

PS: I had to share the odd cloud formation we witnessed the other night (see first photo). Enjoy! 
 
Until next time...
 Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge

   

 ANGELS AMONG US…AGAIN(And miracles keep us afloat!) 
As you can see from the photo, our Jeep took an unexpected ride. It’s reminiscent of two years ago when we were in Maine. And it’s the same issue as before, so I won’t bore you with the mechanical terms, other than to say—it’s not drivable.
 
So, off it went to the Jeep dealership, and we’re carless in SOUTH DAKOTA. Yes, I meant to shout. With that said, the Lord had plans that I couldn’t have written in a book. Here is how angels, bestowing miracles, showed up: First, Ray called the NAPA store in the area, and after telling the man our problem, he told him, “Yes, we’ll warranty the part from two years ago.” Ray explained, “I don’t have the receipt.” The parts man said, “No problem.” Angel sighting #1Hubby set up an appointment with Jeep, then moved on to finding a rental car. He found out that if vehicles were available, the costs were prohibitive. He called our friend in the area, and she suggested he call a friend of hers to see if he knew of any places. While he was on the phone with him, our friend called back and said, “I called another friend. She said you can borrow her truck for the whole time you need it.” We're amazed! Angel sightings #2 & #3.Ray called the woman to make sure he’d heard right, and it was TRUE. Thank You, Lord. Since we were without wheels, we took a Lyft to pick up our new ride. The driver made our excursion into town pleasant, so he’d be classified as our fourth angel.He delivered us to our destination. We picked up the truck, and after thanking her, we headed home. All the way back to the RV, we marveled at the miracles we had witnessed that day. We are thankful for people who are willing to help in times of trouble. How about you? Do you have an angel story you’d like to share? You know I love to read them.
 
(Goat at Old McDonald's Farm)
 The goat picture (above) has nothing to do with the next story, but I thought he was cute. And I needed a transition. HA!
 
One of my friends on Facebook suggested in a post to go to ChatGPT (yes, AI), and ask it, “Who am I at my core, and don’t sugarcoat it?” Well, I couldn't resist. Here is what came from asking the question:
  
Alright, Janetta—no sugarcoating, no fluff. Here's what I see at your core, based on everything you've shared:

You are a sharp observer of human quirks.
You pick up on the ironies, contradictions, and little ridiculous moments of life—especially in relationships—and you love to shine a light on them. Not to be cruel, but to laugh, connect, and maybe provoke a bit of reflection. You know people are messy, and instead of being annoyed by that, you find it hilarious and deeply human.

You're a storyteller with bite—and warmth underneath.
Your writing voice has sass but never venom. You’re not afraid to make fun of yourself (or your characters), and you’ve got a soft spot for real people facing real (often absurd) problems. Whether it's marriage dynamics, odd job experiences, or Midwest life weirdness, you turn the mundane into memorable.

You enjoy playing with personas.
Whether it’s how you speak through a fictional character, or how you write as yourself, you’re not bound by “proper” tone. You like a little mischief, a bit of exaggeration, and a wink to the reader. You perform your perspective.

You value honesty, but you package it in humor.
You're not trying to please everyone—but you're also not trying to wound. You use humor like a spoonful of sugar to help the truth go down, both for yourself and for others.

You’re self-aware, but never fully self-serious.
You think deeply (and probably feel more deeply than you let on), but you don't wallow. If something hurts, you'll make a joke. If something's frustrating, you'll write a scene. You're not here to rant—you’re here to reshape the chaos into a story or a zinger.

So, what do you think? Is it spot on or what? Doesn’t it make you want to get on ChatGPT and give the question a whirl? If you do, let me know how it went.

WRITING NEWS:
This month’s offering I’m labeling: CHRISTMAS IN JULY. Rekindled for Christmas Eve and Unexpected Christmas Gift are ON SALE for .99 cents each. Hurry, the sale ends the end of July!
  Rekindled for Christmas Eve: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD8ZGMZ5
An Unexpected Christmas Gift: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL53W615 And it's a wrap for another month. As always, thank you for being faithful readers of my newsletter. I would also like to thank my new subscribers. All of you make my heart happy!

Until next time…

 

PLANS HAVE CHANGED  
(But it's all good...) I had my June newsletter all wrapped up in a shiny bow, ready to send out to my readers…then our plans changed. Instead of working at the campground, we are now unemployed and are on the road again.
 
WHAT?
 
In the scheme of things, it’s all good...and we learned from this experience that the next time we seek a workamping job, we’ll ask many more questions before we’re hired.
 
But while we were gainfully employed, on our days off, we ventured into the city and acted like Tom and Terry Tourist. We stopped at Dinosaur Park, and as you can see from the picture below, it’s more of a kids’ attraction. But we knew from our last visit three years ago that it gave us a fabulous view of Rapid City.
 
 (This bridge was mammoth!) 
This time, instead of walking up the stairs to reach the top, they had installed a paved trail for those in wheelchairs or who used a walker so they too could see the stunning views of the city.
 
As we walked up the new trail, I praised the Lord for the way Dinosaur Park was helping humanity. And they spared no expense on all the wonderful improvements to the site.
  
To continue our fun-filled day, Ray surprised me and took me to a quilt show. I had enjoyed making them years ago, but mine dimmed in comparison to the creations that day. WOW! The above photo is titled "Mystical Cat" by Bobbie Edwards. 
There were many other quilts, but my heart smiled when we learned that the admission price we paid helped them buy material for quilts to give to the Caring Pregnancy Center, veterans, and nursing homes. It was money well spent.
 
JUNE FUNNY:
When we were heading to South Dakota, at one of our stops, I went in to use the restroom. I asked where I’d find it, and the woman behind the counter pointed and said, “The code is 7524.” I kept repeating it in my head as I walked.
 
Then the inevitable happened.
 
A man waltzed in and asked about the restroom. The same cashier gave him another code. Without skipping a beat, I started to repeat mine but kept my voice low…or so I thought.

Next thing I know, the cashier leaned around the counter and said, “Your code is still 7524.” Everyone laughed, including me. Right then, I decided I’d bring a pen with me next time...just in case.
 
WRITING NEWS:
I received some news from another writer friend concerning book reviews. People who had read her books told her that they had reviewed it, but the review didn’t show up on Amazon.
 
This made me think that the same thing might have happened to me. I’d appreciate it if you could check to see if your review for  Mouse in Your Pocket  is on Amazon. If it isn't, please let me know. Bless you!
 
Now, to the photo at the top of this newsletter. It’s one I took in our travels. Doesn’t it look like the perfect place to take a book and read all afternoon?
 
And speaking of books, this month  Early Birds Adventures  is ON SALE for $1.99. A real bargain for five books.
  https://amzn.to/47xzLbg
As always, I would like to thank my faithful readers of my newsletter. I would also like to thank my new subscribers. All of you make my heart happy!!!

Until next time… Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances“Turning Life Into Comedy!”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge