Window Over The Sink

by Randy Overbeck History is written by the victors…most of the time by men. So it is hardly surprising that women are given little mention in the telling of the founding of our nation. If students are taught about any women famous for this time, they may have learned about Betsy Ross, who’s given credit for sewing the first flag for the new country. Or if they had a particularly insightful history teacher, they may have learned how Abigail Adams, devoted wife of John Adams,

I've been having a time writing. I just can't think of stuff. I can't think of how to end things I've begun, how to fill the middles, how to end things when I can't find a way to wrap it around the beginning. Some of it's due to age (isn't everything?), some of it's because my mind's been on this week's new release, some of it's because I'm going around either saying or thinking the same panic-stricken words I've been saying for years now. Is it time to quit? I don't know. Ma

And so is Susie Black! History of the Bikini: As a ladies’ swimwear sales executive, I considered the bikini the one article of clothing closest to my heart. Now that I am a humorous cozy mystery author, I write what I know. So, all the stories in my award-winning Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series take place in the ladies’ swimwear industry. Death by Coconut, my most recent release, is the eighth book in the series. It is the first book in the series that takes place at the Miam

This morning I have been thinking about Nine Eleven. About J6. About Ruby Bridges. About Black Lives Matter. About the KKK. About ICE. About war. About 60 Minutes. About the White House and its East Wing, the reflecting pool, a 250-dollar-bill, the Kennedy Center. About insider trading. About how many times I've been called names and told to go do impossible things to myself because I have both opinions--gasp!--and an intense dislike for the present presidential administratio

By Darlene Fredette Redford Falls is more than a place to visit…it’s where stories begin. A Redford Falls Story Nestled in the heart of Redford Falls is a charming small town that captures the warmth of close-knit community life, where friendly faces greet you on Main Street and every shop holds a story. Redford Falls offers the perfect setting for heartwarming moments against a bustling ski resort, quaint local businesses, and the town’s picturesque park, complete with win

This is my friend Joe Scheidler's new book. Joe and his wife Lee are naturalists who know and care more about the environment than anyone I know. He's also an extremely talented writer. Joe can be found on Substack or at Black Dog Writers meetings where we have a really good time and listen to each other's work. When So Much Seems Right This book is a series of essays on the state of our natural world and the human impact that shape our future. "Joe writes from the heart, wit

by Cathy Shouse “It took on a life of its own.” That old phrase applies to the newsletter I’ve written and e-mailed to subscribers every other week since 2022. I started the newsletter when I began publishing sweet cowboy romances, as a way to keep in touch. But my readers and I have shared more than I expected, and have become friends along the way. Sometimes I have “big things” to write about. (They’re big to me, anyway.) Other times, very little has gone on for me to shar

Not a favorite word. It used to be, back when I was changing from staying behind when my brothers got on the bus to joining them when I went into first grade. They always let me get on the bus first, then studiously ignored me the rest of the day unless I got into trouble. It was still fun when I went from elementary school to junior high, when we seniors went solemnly up the side aisles of the gym to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance on our way into the future. To this da

Happy Mother's Day 2026. Thanks for reading the Window, even when it's a rerun. - Liz This is from 1991, the early years of the Window Over the Sink. It was the first Mother's Day column I ever wrote. It is still my favorite. This picture is of the mothers, daughters, and granddaughters in my family. I have no words to say how much I love them all, how much I miss my mom and Duane's mom (also mine), and how grateful I am for the ties that link us even when we're apart. "She l

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." - Rudyard Kipling Let's talk about words--want to? Doing what I do, words are important to me and always have been. I used to love that I could spell well because it made writing easier and got me at least one easy A in school. Along with the rest of my memory, remembering how to spell has kind of gone to the wayside, but I can often spot errors other people make. I can't edit my own work, but I can sooo easily p

I'm in Marion at Bookworm Orchard Bookstore & Gifts. I'm selling and signing books and so are a bunch of other people. I hope you'll come over and check out both the event and the venue. There will be 28 of us signing! Angela Herrington, April Decton, Ava Cuvay, Bess Sturgis, Bob Freeman, Chris McWhirt, Christine Lawrence, Connor Freeman, Elizabeth Woodrow, Erin Hayden, Jana Strickler, Jessica Miller, Johnson Brewer, Kathy Gerstorff, Laura Petrucce, Leland Gamson, Liz Flahert

I was thinking this morning--today is Sunday, six days before you're reading this--that I am being silenced. Well, not me, actually, but my writing voice. I remember the early days of essays, when I wrote for the Peru Tribune , it wasn't always easy, but I could usually spill out a column in an hour. I didn't have--although I should have had--a proofreader, and I think sometimes Jeff Ward didn't edit what I sent in--and should have; he may have trusted me too much. Some of it

In criminal defense attorney Mandy Price’s experience, men are untrustworthy. Life is better when she concentrates on career.

I have to admit it--I have nothing today. But the fairgrounds has this. " Come out and see the Prehistoric Indian artifacts show at the fairgrounds sponsored by the Indiana Archaelogical Society. We are here representing the Miami County Museum with some of our artifacts and goodies. The show is open until 3pm. The concessions are open and they have some breakfast too! Or this sounds like fun -- If you're out and about tonight, stop in for Open Mic at Gallery 15 -- And then

by M.J. Schiller Thank you, Liz, for having me on the Window! It’s an honor being on the blog that I enjoy reading so much! People often ask where an author gets their ideas for their books. Mine come from a number of sources. One book, it was the first line that came to my mind, and the story revolved around that. (Ironically, the line ended up being in the middle of the book.) Sometimes it’s a dream, sometimes it develops out of a song, and sometimes, like with my newest r

by Joe DeRozier Joe, caught being terrified. They walk by, casually turning their heads to look at my table while being very careful not to make eye contact. I usually push my books at Fall and Christmas events, believing my chances of getting sales are elevated being close to the holidays, but a few weeks ago I read about an opportunity to attend a Spring Spectacular. I wasn't sure how well I'd do because the targeted audience would be different. The holiday crowd can be per

The Interurban Round my Indiana homestead wave the cornfields,In the distance loom the woodlands clear and cool.Oftentimes my thoughts revert to scenes of childhood ... Oh, the moonlight’s fair tonight along the Wabash; from the fields there comes the breath of new-mown hay,through the sycamores the candlelights are gleaming, on the banks of the Wabash, far away. - Paul Dresser Indiana is not always a comfortable place to live. Our weather's iffy, the politics are ... what th

I'm sorry I never saw the Beatles or the Eagles perform live.

... life has a funny way of taking plans like that and tossing them right out the window.

I can't speak for other professions, but writers and other artists tend to seek each other out.