Books inspired by life in the Great Lakes region
Coming May 2023
Miracle Within Small Things:
A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Loss and Aging
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After losing her husband of sixty-three years and, six weeks later, her beloved dog, Jane McKinney moves from Arizona to Michigan to be closer to her children. When Jane falls and injures herself during the pandemic, her daughter, Mary, becomes her primary caregiver. With Jane in the recliner and Mary on the floor at her feet, the two partake in a daily ritual they call their “chair chat.” A growing intimacy develops between mother and daughter as they read their writing aloud to one another, revealing their respective journeys to find peace of mind and joy of heart, even in life’s most difficult times. Threading through both their stories is the importance of nature in healing.
For a sneak preview of Jane McKinney reading a poem from the book, visit the Listening to the Voices of Water YouTube channel link on the button below. |
PRAISE FOR MIRACLE WITHIN SMALL THINGS
“I love how this mother/daughter pair weaves their love for each other through each page as together they explore loss, pain, fear, change, commitment, aging, loneliness and love.”
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, author of All the Honey and Hush
“…a beautiful book about a powerful bond.”
Anne-Marie Oomen, author of As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book and other Michigan Notable Books awards
“Here’s a collection of prose and poetry doing what it has always been meant to do—make accessible the great mysteries of hearts that have weathered our ineffable perceptions, insights, joys and sorrows.”
Jack Ridl, author of Practicing to Walk Like a Heron; co-recipient from Foreword Reviews of the award for the nation’s best book of poetry
"A quiet poignancy is reflected in their words that embrace life despite loss and grief."
Linda Nemec Foster, author of Bone Country and The Blue Divide
" . . . they describe how they’ve learned to live everyday with grace, gratitude, grit and humor as they grow older together . . ."
Pamela H. Daugavietis, retired freelance writer, Grand Rapids
"More than anything, mother and daughter remind us of the importance of living with joy."
Eric Stemle, author of I Was Not the Blossom: Growing with Your Students in a Nurturing Classroom
“I love how this mother/daughter pair weaves their love for each other through each page as together they explore loss, pain, fear, change, commitment, aging, loneliness and love.”
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, author of All the Honey and Hush
“…a beautiful book about a powerful bond.”
Anne-Marie Oomen, author of As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book and other Michigan Notable Books awards
“Here’s a collection of prose and poetry doing what it has always been meant to do—make accessible the great mysteries of hearts that have weathered our ineffable perceptions, insights, joys and sorrows.”
Jack Ridl, author of Practicing to Walk Like a Heron; co-recipient from Foreword Reviews of the award for the nation’s best book of poetry
"A quiet poignancy is reflected in their words that embrace life despite loss and grief."
Linda Nemec Foster, author of Bone Country and The Blue Divide
" . . . they describe how they’ve learned to live everyday with grace, gratitude, grit and humor as they grow older together . . ."
Pamela H. Daugavietis, retired freelance writer, Grand Rapids
"More than anything, mother and daughter remind us of the importance of living with joy."
Eric Stemle, author of I Was Not the Blossom: Growing with Your Students in a Nurturing Classroom
Uncharted Waters
Romance, Adventure, and Advocacy on the Great Lakes
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From stealing water to survive in South Africa, to learning to respect its power as a sailor in U.S. Waters, Mary McKSchmidt finds water’s magnetic draw the catalyst behind her life’s turning points. Written in a voice that is charming, witty, and honest, Uncharted Waters shares the stories of a Fortune 500 executive learning to sail, learning to love, learning to fight for the water and life she holds dear. $15.00
Available in softcover or as an eBook |
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Order from your local bookstore or your online retailer.
or visit amazon.com/author/marymckschmidt or other online retailers.
Soon available from this website
or look for me on the boat, in the neighborhood, or wandering through the region.
or look for me on the boat, in the neighborhood, or wandering through the region.
Reviews of Uncharted Waters and Interviews With the Author
May be found on the Media Page of this website.
Tiny Treasures
Discoveries Made Along the Lake Michigan Coast
Her journey began as a quest for answers to questions created by time, created when the role previously dominating her life disappeared. A fifty-five year old woman, she packed her car with an assortment of old camping gear, a bicycle, camera, stack of pocket-size spiral notebooks and set off alone to explore the dunes framing the eastern coast of Lake Michigan. Always with her, poking their tiny faces through the drab remnants of winter, were wildflowers. Intrigued, hoping to learn their names, she paused to take their pictures.
In Tiny Treasures, Mary McKSchmidt shares reflections inspired by wildflowers as she takes the reader behind the lens of her camera. In this artistic combination of writing and photography, she pauses to celebrate, share, and protect even the tiniest treasures of nature.
Tiny Treasures is now in its second printing.
In Tiny Treasures, Mary McKSchmidt shares reflections inspired by wildflowers as she takes the reader behind the lens of her camera. In this artistic combination of writing and photography, she pauses to celebrate, share, and protect even the tiniest treasures of nature.
Tiny Treasures is now in its second printing.
Soon available on this site and at upcoming author events. Ebooks available on Amazon.
$10.00
