It Happened at the County Fair

As summer nears fall, the new school year begins and county and state fairs come to a close. We had a blast at our county fair this year. The boys were very active in their 4-H clubs, and of course by the time it was over, Mom and Dad were very tired.

Here are some of our highlights from the fair:

Rhode Island Red hens in our field

Hen #2 

This was our first year showing chickens, and we learned a lot. To my surprise, the hens were very cooperative, and our oldest son won a first place ribbon with his hen.

First place winner!



The boys also learned about different breeds of chickens, their eggs, and how to better care for their birds through research done for their club posters.


 Through a partnership between 4-H and our local REMC, the boys learned about electricity and can now identify the different types of circuits. They helped their dad cut, sand, and stain the base and solder the wires. Each son's project won a Special Merit award!

Series Circuit

Parallel Circuit

Our oldest son joined the rifle club this year, learning gun safety. He enjoyed target practice.

Our middle son took an interest in beekeeping this year. Being division #1, they studied the different types of honeybees, how to tell the difference between a drone, a queen, and a worker bee, and how bees forage nectar and produce it into honey.

His club poster was titled Indiana Honey Plants and explained how each flower and herb produces different flavors/colors of honey.





The boys were also involved in archery. This was our oldest son's second year. His club poster labels the different parts of a recurve bow.



 That's our county fair experience in a nutshell. Not to mention the food and the great time we had looking at the other animals.

What's your favorite part of the fair? I'd love to hear about your 4-H experience!

On the Road Again--Interview with Author Karla Akins

On the Road Again--Interview with Author Karla Akins


Today, we're joined by author Karla Akins. Before we get started, let me introduce you to Karla's new book The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots.


Pastor's wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls. Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she's not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie's ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed...and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth. Join Kirstie and her motorcycle "gang" - two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member - as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.



Thank you for joining me today, Karla. I’m so excited to talk about your new book The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots! I love the title. It’s definitely an attention getter.

Thanks, Candice. I am blessed that God was gracious to give me such a title. He gets all the credit!


Being a Hoosier myself, I love that the characters are from Indiana. What inspired you to write Biker Boots? Did any events from your own life spark the tale?

Author Karla Akins

I learned to ride a motorcycle at the ripe old age of 47, so yes, my hilarious experiences as an older woman learning to ride sparked my idea. I couldn’t help but think during some of my adventures, “I’ve got to write about this!” All kinds of things run through your head when you’re terrified!

I enjoyed your female characters in this book. They were all different from each other, yet the same on the inside, regardless of their backgrounds and occupations. How true that is of women in real life. Besides a few exceptions, deep down we all want the same things: to be loved, accepted, and to have a good friend we can count on when times get tough. And what woman doesn’t crave a little adventure?

I’ve read where your hosting a retreat at the end of August. Tell us about that.

I’m very excited about our Kickstands Up! Ladies Retreat August 23-25. I’m hoping women from all walks of life will come and meet new friends and take away the valuable message that God loves misfits from all walks of life. I think no matter who we are we think we don’t fit a particular mold. But God molds us to be exactly as we are for a purpose and it’s His purpose that we need to embrace and get hold of. We are so precious to Him.  You can get more information here: http://www.karlaakins.com/kickstands-up-retreat.html

Karla's Boys

In Biker Boots, Kirsten’s son, Timmy, has autism. His character was dear to my heart. I’ve worked with autistic kids, and they have such precious and loving spirits. What inspired his character?

I am the mother of twins with autism. They are 18 now but they still attend high school classes and vocational school. With autism affecting 1 in every 50 kids, I know there are a lot of families wrestling with this disease, and I wanted to encourage them through Timmy’s character and his relationship with his mother. I also wanted to educate those who don’t live with autism about the stresses of living with this type of diagnosis.

I loved the chapter where Kirsten shops for a Harley. My husband took a riding course from Harley Davidson last year, and he’s been “shopping” ever since. He took me in a Harley dealership over the winter to look around. So in Biker Boots, when Kirsten walks into the dealership for the first time, I was right there with her, seeing all the merchandise, excited yet feeling slightly out of place.  :)

Was that scene written from your own first experience at a dealership?

Yes! I love shopping in a Harley dealership. It’s easy to get lost in all that chrome. My dream bike is a purple metal flake Harley. Someday!



Tell us about your bike.

Karla's Bike

My own bike isn’t a Harley. It doesn’t matter what you ride but that you ride. My budget doesn’t allow for a Harley at this time. However, my husband has a Harley and I get to ride his whenever I want. My own bike is a 2003 Suzuki Intruder. I love it because it fits me perfectly. I knew as soon as I sat on it that it was mine. There are so many beautiful bikes out there from all the metric dealerships and Harley. People tend to think that Harley is all American made and it is true they are assembled here but many parts come from Japan. Still, there is nothing like that rumble that is distinctly Harley. I do admit that sound makes my heart beat a little faster!

Can you share with us what you’re working on next?

I’m working on a historical novel entitled River Moon Don’t Cry set on a Mississippi steamboat in 1838 during the Trail of Tears Indian removal. I’m also dabbling with a little romance novel set in Athens, Greece, and I’m under contract to continue my series of “Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know” with Bramley Books. My next installment is Marco Polo.  My real love in writing is history but the response from people regarding Biker Boots makes me think I’ll write another contemporary humorous again.


I know you’re a minister’s wife and as such I’m sure the road is tough at times,
as we read from Kirsten’s character. But I love your sense of humor, your writer’s voice, and how you made me feel every emotion possible through this story. Thank you for such a wonderful read. 

Thanks so much, Candice for your kind words, for interviewing me here and for your support. What a blessing writer friends are!

For more on Karla, visit her website at www.karlaakins.com
Visit Karla's blog at www.karlaakins.com/blog for author interviews, contests, and to stay up-to-date with her newest books and adventures!



***ATTENTION***

Karla is giving away a digital copy of The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots to say thanks for stopping by! Simply comment on this post and you're entered to win. You can ask Karla a question, share your biking experience, humorous church story . . . anything you like!

The winner will be announced at Karla's online launch party for Biker Boots on August 9th at 8pm EST. That night, she'll be giving away prizes every fifteen minutes! http://facebook.com/karlaakakins
See you there!