Welcome to The Wild Rose Press Summer Treats & Reads Blog Hop

The Wild Rose Authors are presenting a bouquet of blogs dedicated to surviving and thriving during the summer heat. Each blog gives you a treat—a recipe, a summer life hack, a vacation spot—as well as a fantastic selection of books to read.

In addition, enter the Wild Rose Summer Treats and Reads contest to win the grand prize of a Kindle Fire–donated by The Wild Rose Press. You can read posts and enter contests from July 22 through July 30. Winners will be announced notified the following week.

Many authors are offering additional prizes on their own blogs, so visit as many as you can.

I’m so glad you stopped by to join me on a magical adventure that stems from childhood and provides that same feeling of freedom and escape from the daily worries of life- bicycling. 

Bicycling Opened up new roads

When I was a kid, I practically lived on a purple bicycle. It was the closest thing to flying and way faster than walking. Although I enjoyed it, for the most part, it was a means of transportation.

Then I grew up. 

Once I got a car, I didn’t ride a bicycle anymore, I didn’t need to. Bicycling was for kids, anyway, wasn’t it? 

Then, a few years ago, my hubby decided to begin bicycling in addition to our walking routines as another form of exercise. I was wary to join him.

I hadn’t been on a bicycle in….many, many years. I was older now, and the ground seemed much further down than it had on the small bicycle of my youth. Plus, I was more aware of how I could break things. Ie: bones & other body parts.

Then there was the whole thing about using hand brakes that had me visualizing myself becoming airborne over the handle bars if I pressed too quickly. 

Eventually, I relented and got a bicycle. Despite my reservations (and the lack of bicycles with the brakes on the pedals like the old-fashioned ones)

I didn’t choose a purple one, but instead choose one that resembled the bicycle I remembered my older sisters and mother riding.

I graduated to the adult bicycle. 

Bicycling Gave me Wings

Once I got the hang of it, I couldn't believe I hadn't considered the fun of riding a bike.
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• I was able to explore new places in an area I lived in for years, that I hadn’t even realized existed. 
• I gained a better appreciation about the beauty of Pennsylvania
• My hubby and I grew closer as we explored the countryside together and found new bike trails 
• I’ve viewed hidden wildlife up-close. Such as a turtle, deer, a porcupine, a multitude of chipmunks, an occasional groundhog, and unfortunately- too many little snakes. 
• I gained new muscles, and endurance, but most of all- it was as if I’d rediscovered my lost youth 

The Only Other Way I Can Escape Better than on a bicycle is Through Books

When I’m on a bicycle, my mind can wander (except for examining all of the sticks on the ground to make sure none are snakes!). 

My chores and responsibilities are blown away as the wind whips through my hair (okay, around my helmet- I am still doing a little ‘adult-ing’ & worrying about breaking things.) 

My muse comes alive and I work through story lines, as I enjoy the beauty surrounding me. If you’ve read any of my stories, (Especially Destiny Calling) you’ll see that I incorporate some of my countryside into the setting and the stories. 

Occasionally there might be a bit of a sinister edge to my stories  of the woods, but that’s all part of the magical mysteries hidden within the foliage.

I’ve only ever achieved such peace through writing or reading books. It’s a joy to discover that something so simple can reap such rewards. 

What’s your favorite childhood pastime? Do you continue to do it today? 

Answer the question in a comment below for a chance to win your choice of one of my ebooks. Winner will be randomly drawn on

Friday, July 29th and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Be sure to enter The Wild Rose Press Rafflecopter for your chance to win a kindle fire
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to visit the other blogs for a chance to win more prizes!

The post How to Rediscover the Magic of Bicycling appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

High School 

If I heard it once back in the day, I heard it a hundred times. Enjoy high school, these are the best years of your life! 

I disagree. 

High School was hard. Not the courses, but the awkward teenage years. Everything and everyone changes. You feel like you don’t fit in anywhere. Every little inadequacy feels as if it’s spotlighted into a massive flaw.  

At the time, I’d blamed much of my social ineptness on not being rich enough to afford the latest social fashions. Or losing my childhood friend. Because apparently once you hit high school you couldn’t have a best friend who was a boy—unless you were a couple. 

I was wrong.

We aren’t rich by any means, but my girls were able to buy brand name and wear the latest fashions in junior high. But it made no difference in their social ease or popularity. It didn’t stop them from losing long time friendships as girls became catty and hormones separated the strong from the weak. 

I’ve never once told my girls these were the best years of their life, because that’s a lie.

Believing that would mean we peak at a young age and the rest of our lives are endured on a downhill slope. What would there be to look forward to? Despite how many times I tell my girls not to worry about these little things that seem so big. That there are so many more things coming. That they’re so much more wonderful than they realize. To enjoy these years but don’t fret about them— they can’t hear me.

I’m just Mom.

The woman who won’t really know anything for another handful of years. 

As I reflect back over my life I can finally assure my teen self that these things had nothing to do with happiness and popularity. I’ve long ago accepted the stunning truth that popularity doesn’t = happiness.

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You require one thing to achieve happiness. Once you have it, you'll no longer care about popularity.
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It’s a little gem that can’t be bought or shared…you must discover this magic within. Sometimes you can’t unearth it. Then you just have to fake it until you make it your reality.

Confidence

Despite the pain at not being able to wave my Mom-magic-wand and make everything better as I could when they were small, I’ve discovered something blossoming within my young teens.

As they maneuver the senior high years, they’ve finally shed the chameleon shell. The one where they blended into whatever they felt was expected from their friends. They’ve found their true selves and embraced their heart.

They might not see it yet, but I’ve noticed this little growth of confidence…these little changes inspiring them to follow their own path…and it’s beautiful. 

So tell me, what little piece of advice would you give your high-school self? 

Leaving a comment will enter you in a random drawing for a copy of your choice of one of my books in ebook format. Winner will be announced by April 6th. 

The post How to convince my shy teens the truth about popularity appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.