• Windows into the heart of the family

    A friend e-mailed me, sending photos of a big elaborate wedding she attended in Temple, Texas. I looked at the backdrop behind the communion table; and lo and behold, it was a large oil painting which I painted over twenty years ago. My first thought was, I have forgotten that painting. So that is where my window painting went. I’m glad to know. It was a picture of just windows; all kind of windows. She suggested I write about “Windows of Sincere friendships” or “Windows into the heart of a fami…

  • My made-up boyfriend

    I told the world for the past four years about the book I’ve been writing that would soon be released into the market. I don’t think anyone believes me anymore. It’s like a made-up boyfriend. No one has seen him, but in my mind, he is real. I continue to tell them how wonderful he is. His name is Luke, twenty-six, and a good-looking Colorado cowboy. He lives on the Upper Blanco with his five-generation family at the Crawford River Ranch where they run cattle and raise hay. Luke rescued a Curly…

  • Confidence!

    Confidence! Who has it, and who needs it? Some people are born with confidence and others fight for it. I find most artists lack the self-confidence of who they are and who they are meant to be. And, of course, being an artist usually means we are the odd-man-out, and that seems to be emphasized. Well, it sure makes life a lot easier when you have confidence. You’re not driven by every little whim or idea and tossed to and fro, double minded and restless. And of course, you are easier to liv…

  • Join my Book Launch Team for Taming Wild Hearts

    Join my Book Launch Team for the soon to be released novel, Taming Wild Hearts: As a member of my launch team, you will receive a PDF copy of Taming Wild Hearts before the release date. Read and love my book. Post a review on Amazon. Post a review on other online bookstores and review sites: Goodreads, Library thing, Litsy Share your review on your blog, podcast, newsletter, and your social media sites with a link to my book page: bettyjslade.com/taming-wild-hearts. Organize a book launch party …