A Fun Way to Spread Some Joy

A while ago, my sister introduced me to the fun of painting rocks. It's a small, relaxing art project that gives you something cute to put in your garden. I made a few simple designs using her acrylic paints and then never made any time to pursue the hobby.

Then one evening a few weeks ago, I started thinking about how subdued I felt. How since the pandemic started, I hadn't felt a lot of joy. I wondered if I'd feel better if I could spread some joy to others. I don't have much time to volunteer because I'm parenting full time and writing books, but maybe there was something I could do at home that might make someone smile? And that's when I had an 'aha' moment. I'd paint happy messages on rocks, then leave them around town for others to find.

Thus started my new obsession! I didn't want to have to set up and clean up paints every time, so I researched paint pens and bought some on Amazon. 

I found a great blog about rock painting that taught me everything I needed to know. https://colormadehappy.com/best-painting-rocks-supplies-guide/

I am not very artistic. But it doesn't take special talent to put a cute, happy message on a rock. Here are a few that I came up with in my first few days. 

Then a wildfire started in the mountains around Santa Cruz, my Northern California beach town. Over sixty thousand members of the larger Santa Cruz community had to evacuate their homes. The air was filled with thick smoke and hundreds of homes in the mountains burned down. Those of us living within city limits were told to get ready to evacuate if need be. It made for a tense week while our firefighters fought hard to get any kind of control of the fire. Rock painting became a way to calm my nerves, as well as a way to try to spread hope.

Now these rocks are set out near a popular path along the cliffs by the ocean, and hopefully they'll make whoever finds them feel a bit better about things. Or at least put a smile on their face! 

If you're looking for a cute, easy project that you can work on whenever you have a free moment, I highly recommend rock painting! And if you need an exciting read, you might want to check out my September Heartwarming book, Rescuing the Rancher, which takes place (in a strange coincidence) during a wildfire.

And just so you don't worry...

My city, Santa Cruz, is safe now. Firefighters came from all over the country to help our local heroes. Now they've got the fire over 20% contained. Some evacuees will even be able to return to their homes in the next few days. Things are looking up, but the fire isn't out yet, so please send a good wish or a prayer to these amazing firefighters, who are risking so much to fight this fire.

Thank you for reading my post! Here is a bit more about Rescuing the Rancher.

She’ll help protect his ranch… and heal his heart

Firefighter Jade Carson needs to get the local residents out of a wildfire’s path, but Aidan Bell isn’t moving. Still grieving a tragedy, the stubborn rancher plans to stay and save his animals. Jade and Aidan battle the blaze on his property, only to feel the spark of something unexpected. Secrets are shared, hope kindles…but can they leave the past’s ashes behind and let love grow?

Available September 1st at:

Harlequin     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Kobo     iBooks     Target     Walmart     Indigo