Open Spaces
April 2026 Open Spaces
Vol.: 26.4
By John W. Vander Velden
April 21, 2026
Friends and readers,
Where have the days flown off to? We’ve passed the quarter mark of 202, and now less than 10 days remain in April. Last week I mowed the yards, well one and most of the other. Both were overdue, to say the least. Thursday, if the weather holds, I begin what will be a weekly ritual until October. But my ZTR mower makes the job easy, so no complaints.
How can I describe the weather? Unusual! Maybe the oddest part of it has been the wind. Incredible blasts that shake our home, and spawn nearby tornadoes. It is my hope that the wind and the great quantity of rain have not caused you duress, as we look toward May and the hope of moderation.
Some Writing News:
I continue to work on, Matthew Remembers the fifth book of the Misty Creek Series, preparing the manuscript for the 1st editorial review. So, though I have done a great deal of work on the project, it is still in its early stages.
As for Author’s Events, two opportunities fell into my lap this month. The first was April 6th, in downtown South Bend, Indiana, with the Michiana Writer’s Association. The other is coming up Saturday, April 25th, in Stevensville, Michigan, the SW Michigan Writer’s Conference 2026. It is a bit of a drive, but I am excited to be a vendor at the event. I hope to share my writing experiences, and perhaps introduce readers to my books. Stop by the Lincoln Township Public Library, 2099 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI.
I have also set up an event in downtown Plymouth, Indiana, at One More Chapter Books, a new independent bookstore in our community, on May 16th. If you find yourself in the area, stop by the shop, found at 108 N. Michigan Street, and check it out. I find it warm and inviting, and wish the owners much success, in a town that has needed a bookstore for years.
Some final words:
When I was young, I was taught the Golden Rule. Even as a child I understood the significance of those few words. But I also learned that following that statute was, at times, extremely difficult. Often that guidance seemed to run contrary to our own best interest.
But I am no longer young, and hopefully not naïve either, all the same I have found there is power in the concept. I will not lie and tell you I have always followed the directive, but I have tried. Now, with the perspective of my 74 years, I understand the truth within those few words of the Golden Rule, are more than a noble sentiment…They lay out a way of life each of us should, do our best, to pursue.
So, I leave you, my friends, with that thought.
And Blessings,
John
March 2026 Open Spaces
Vol.: 26.3
By John W. Vander Velden
March 25, 2026
Hello friends,
It’s that time of the month again, when I assemble a few words to share with you. For March is coming to its conclusion and what a month it has been. Weather being what weather typically is during the month, up and down, a few sunny days and others that are blustery and cold. But the thing that stands out in my mind is the wind. Multiple windy days that rattled more than just the windows of our home. Even so, we were fortunate to have only lost a couple of shingles. It is my hope that you have endured March’s ups and downs, remembering that spring has begun, and hopefully the weather will become a bit more stable.
A bit of writing news:
I have begun working on the revisions, of my newest manuscript, Matthew Remembers, so the real work has begun. This is just the first step of a long process. But if a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single stride, then each step, in creating this book, brings me closer to its completion. I am also comforted by the knowledge, that I’ve gone through this process four times before.
On another note, I participated in BookCon 2026, last Saturday. It was my first Author’s Event of the year. I will be meeting soon, with a local shopkeeper, to discuss the possibilities of an event in her bookstore.
Stay tuned for details.
Some final words:
During these tumultuous times, when we are overcome by fearful global events, and find ourselves surrounded by those of strong opinions and short fuses, we must rely on those things that are constant. For even now there are those things that can be relied upon. For me, the one absolutely solid foundation stone of life, is my faith. And standing upon that rock gives me a clearer view, of the craziness that does its best to incase me. It helps me recognize what is temporary and what is permanent.
Does it eliminate all my stress and fear?
No, but it helps to take it down a notch.
So, I lean upon those solid things, and move forward in the best confidence I can muster. I try to show kindness to everyone I meet, even those I am not certain deserve it. I remind myself daily, that no matter how bizarre things become, love is the greatest force in the universe.
Perhaps my words can ease your mind as well. If that is the case I thank the source of all good things, for it is from that place, this sentiment comes.
Take care my friends, and blessings,
John
February 2026 Open Spaces
Vol.: 26.2
By John W. Vander Velden
February 23, 2026
Friends,
It’s that time again when I consider the month and share a few of those thoughts with you. How can I describe the shortest month of the year? Weather-wise the month began as an icebox, then suddenly was nearly subtropical with temperatures in the 60’s. Well, it’s snowing again, but at least the older snow banks were gone so we begin at ground level.
But it has been quite a month, beginning with my birthday moving along to one of my favorite holidays, Valentines, and let us not forget the Winter Olympics that just finished Sunday. So, February has been 28 days packed with things to do. It is my hope that you have found plenty of things to fill your month as well.
For a bit of writing news:
Now that year end paperwork is behind me, I can begin to focus on other things. I like to leave 3 or 4 months between finishing a draft and starting the first round of revisions. It gives my mind time to clear what should be on the page and seeing what really is found there. That being said, I began reading the draft out loud to Jackie a couple of weeks ago. It would be cheating, for sure, but I wrote the first pages in 2017, which is much more than 4 months ago. But rest assured, the real work begins soon.
As for Author’s Events for 2026, presently I have made commitments to 2 Author’s Fairs. The first is BookCon 4 in the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Main Branch in downtown South Bend, Indiana on Saturday March 21st. The second is the Beyond the Book Festival 2026, which isin the Starke County Public Library’s Main Branch, Knox. Indiana in September. I have decided to pass on Heartland Artist’s Arts in the Street this year. Though I have found the street event successful in the past, I’m not certain I have the stamina for the 8-hour outdoor mid-summer affair.
But my biggest news flash is…Plymouth, Indiana, is getting an indie bookstore. One More Chapter Books opens on March 6th. I’ve had the chance to speak with the owner and sneak a peak of the nearly ready shop. It’s going to be a fantastic space. They will be offering copies of local author’s book there, and though we haven’t settled on a date, I have every confidence that I will be holding an Author’s Event in that amazing establishment…So stay tuned…
A few final words:
It feels like we are living in a time filled with hateful words and actions. I have made up my mind not to contribute to the rhetoric. It is my hope that you do your best not to feed the fire of hate that burns in our society today.
So, I close, offering you a reminder, that God loves you…today…tomorrow…and always!
John
January 2026 Open Spaces
Vol.: 26.1
January 25, 2026
Friends,
January is always a hectic month. Dealing with weather’s complications is only one of the things that demand my attention. Then there is all the year-end paperwork. Not complaining, you understand, just things keep this guy hopping. Overall, the winter hasn’t been too bad…so far. That said, yesterday’s sub-zero could cause me to reconsider, but I have lived through much worse. I know it makes me sound like an old man…I remember the winter of ’78… which is true, but I also remember the winter of ’58. I was only 5 or 6 at the time. Our farm was on a little traveled dirt road, and our house was about ½ mile from the dairy barn, and with the road impassable for days, dad walked across the fields to tend to the animals. He had fastened squares of plywood to his boots, make-shift snowshoes, so he could trudge across the snow. Things had gotten so severe helicopters from the National Guard were used to bring food to households in our area.
My father had just made the trek to the other part of the farm, when the chopper put down in the field. They carried him back home and provided 2 boxes of groceries. Dad said it was the only time he had ever ridden in a helicopter, but once he had carried those groceries to the house he had to walk across the fields to the cows that yet waited for him to milk them.
Among my memories of that event was going out with my brother to the field across the road, to where they had delivered my father, and seeing the 3 imprints of the helicopter’s feet (for lack of a better word) in the snow.
Of course, my memories of ’78 are clearer, but let’s not get into that difficult winter now. So, you can understand that though there have been some uncomfortable days, the winter of ’26 hasn’t yet become noteworthy, at least to this guy.
All the same I hope that you stay safe and warm this winter, and find reason to enjoy the beauty that only winter can provide.
A bit of writing news:
There really isn’t much to report. I think I told you I had finished the 1st draft of Matthew Remembers the day after Christmas. Yes, I know, it was 3 months behind schedule, but all the same the 1st draft’s completion was cause for celebration.
My first Author’s Event of 2026 will be in March. Saturday the 21st, I will be at the St. Joseph Indiana Public Library’s Main Branch in downtown South Bend, Indiana for BookCon 2026. If you are in the area, it would be great if you stopped by for a chat.
A few final words:
In a world where so many are only concerned about their own well-being, empathy seems rare. Simply because caring about what others must deal with is not necessarily in fashion. And empathy demands its price, a price some are not willing to pay. But being touched by the pain and suffering of others should be as natural as caring for our own children. My heart breaks at the abuse that is so callously dealt to the helpless. Yet it is not enough to be upset…the time comes when I must speak up. That even my small voice needs to be added to the volume of others.
If God is revealed through love, and if God is love’s ultimate source. Then should we not show love in this broken world!
May love and justice endure these turbulent times.
John
December 2025 Open Spaces
Vol.: 25.12
By John Vander Velden
December 26, 2025
Friends and readers,
Can it be that 2025 is nearing its end? There are times I wonder where the days have gone. Weeks rush by one after another. December has been a time for the Christmas preparations. The month opened with the Vander Velden family Christmas gathering on the 6th. This year was Jackie and my turn to host, which would have been a great deal more difficult if we couldn’t rely on La D’zert Café for their wonderful help.
The days that followed were filled with decorating the house, getting the cards done, some shopping, and a bit of wrapping while Jackie was hard at work baking. You wouldn’t believe two retired folks had so much to do, but we got it done, and on time.
In the end it was a wonderful Christmas and one we will remember. It is our hope that you and yours had a special holiday. That the celebration of our Lords birth was a grand time filled with all the light and joy the season can provide.
A bit of writing news:
Hooray, I finished the 1st draft of Matthew Remembers today!!! At 430 pages, it turned our substantially longer that I had predicted last summer. I will set that manuscript aside at least to April before I begin the difficult next stage. In the mean time I will attack another project, which one I have yet to decide, but be assured it will be writing related.
At the moment my next author’s event will be in South Bend, Indiana I late March. Details will be coming in the months ahead.
A few final words:
We bind the word, Christmas, with gifts. A decorated tree with packages beneath it has become a symbol of the season. We should strive to prevent it from becoming the primary representation of the holiday. A child born, in the most humble circumstances, a long time ago. God’s gift to us. Shouldn’t that be at the absolute center of Christmas. God’s love revealed…for you…for me.
Merry Christmas!!!
Blessings,
John
November 2025 Open Spaces
Vol.: 25.11
By John W. Vander Velden
November 24, 2025
Friends,
Where has the month gone? It seems only yesterday I was putting together October’s newsletter, and now we are preparing for Thanksgiving. On that note, it is my hope that your Thanksgiving is as special as it can be. Perhaps you, like Jackie and I, will be reconnecting with family. Our Thursday road trip takes us south and a bit east to those we see only once each year. For that reason alone, the day will be a special time.
Looking back over the weeks just past, I consider the year’s first snowstorm. 14 inches fell, so they tell me, and it was wet heavy stuff we had shoveled away for the mailman. The snow didn’t last long, for November’s weather was, to say the least, unusual.
But I have completed the lawn mowing for this year, and we have rearranged the leaves to some extent. Living in the country allows me, to let nature do the bulk of chasing the discarded foliage elsewhere and out of sight.
We had planned a few days away, but life’s craziness forced us to stay close to home. Perhaps the spring will offer the opportunity that slipped away this month.
Our crops have been harvested. My nephew, who farms our property, finished this morning. The completion eased my mind. Overall, he had a good year.
I hope, looking back, you might say the same. That the first 11 months of 2025 has been just fine.
A bit of writing news:
It pleases me, that I am nearing the completion of the 1st draft of Matthew Remembers, the final book of the Misty Creek Series. If I didn’t have so much holiday work to do, I could have finished the draft next week. But alas life has its own demands. But when I do finish, I will force my mind in other directions for a time. No worries, friends, my writing time will be well spent, and come March or April I will jump into the 1st revise. The draft of Matthew Remembers has run a bit longer than I anticipated, but I wouldn’t call it out of hand. Just a great deal of material that needed to be covered.
A few last words:
Why does it take a holiday for us to appreciate the good things in our lives. Don’t get me wrong, I think Thanksgiving is an important celebration, but shouldn’t we be thankful more often than once a year? I would hope we are. I know the world isn’t perfect, and times we face difficulties, but when we compare our situation with the one most of the people in the world must endure, we should be grateful every day.
Though it is easier said than done, I try to appreciate my life and those I share my piece of real estate with. But I also appreciate you, those that have become fans of the Misty Creek Series. You supply the energy for me to use the gifts God has given to create these books. Thank you.
May God bless you and yours through the month ahead,
John
October 2025 Open Spaces
Vol.: 25.10
October 21, 2025
By John W. Vander Velden
Friends,
The wind has been strong lately. Jackie and I took a day’s escape to St. Joseph, Michigan, Sunday. It had been some months since we had gone to one of our favorite places. Even though rain was forecast, I had packed my camera. Lake Michigan always offers the opportunity to capture some dramatic images. And it would have on that day…except the wind.
After I parked on the bluff overlooking Silver Beach, we found it near impossible to open the car door enough to get out. It took Jackie ten attempts. Later we learned that the wind was over forty miles per hour. Could have easily knocked me off my feet, so the hike down to the beach left our to do list for the afternoon.
That is not to say we didn’t enjoy our time there, because we did. But I saw the waves from the top of the bluff and I would have been thrilled to capture a few of them with my camera.
Yet as October winds down, we wonder where all the other days went. The weeks have, for the most part, been a whirlwind of responsibilities. Though I’m not complaining, I am planning a few days away just to recharge.
A Bit of Writing News:
I mentioned last month that I was participating in the Crown Point Indiana Author’s Fair. Honestly it was the furthest I have traveled for such an event. Which is more about me than the event itself. I only found out about the author’s fair by a comment sent my way by a new writing friend. Thank you, Alice, for sharing the information.
The greatest surprise I have received since becoming an author is how many wonderful people I have met. Author Fairs are just one of the ways I have been blessed to encounter others, readers and authors alike.
As for the work, I have passed 350 pages in the first draft of Matthew Remembers, which will be the last book of the Misty Creek Series. There are only a few chapters left to bind all the plot threads together. I had hoped to have finished by now, but you know how I am at predicting completion timelines. But the first draft is only the first step. Once the draft is finished, I will set it aside for at least four months. Then the first revisions begin. In the meantime, I will work on another project.
As for now, I strive to finish this newsletter and come up with an idea for a blog post. So it goes…
A Few Final Words:
It seems there is much that works to divide us. At the present time we are asked to take sides in several us against them situations. Have we forgotten about all the things we have in common? For there is much in life we share. Things like family, work, paying our bills, caring for our homes, should be proof that in most ways we are alike.
There has not been a single time in my lifetime that so many have chosen to overlook our commonality while focusing on the subtlest of differences, seeking to blame our neighbors for problems we all share.
A bit of understanding would help us all. A willingness to step into another’s shoes, so to speak, to see how the world looks through their eyes. A recognition that compassion is not a sign of weakness…but strength.
That is the thought I leave with you this month. Open your heart…and care.
May God bless you and yours and give you peace!
John
September 2025 Open Spaces
Vol.: 25.9
September 23, 2025
Dear friends and readers,
I hope all my friends are readers. Since I Have a strong belief in the importance of reading, and the power of the written word, being a reader means a great deal to me.
September winds down, and what a whirlwind of a month it was. It opened with Labor Day weekend, and a family gathering. A time of sharing and caring about those we see too seldom.
Though our obligations demand so much, I felt Jackie and I, had a need of a different type experience. A day’s escape. It had been six months and a few days since we had gone to Shipshewana, always a good time. The town is a destination of tourists, seeking the Amish atmosphere, and it did not disappoint. The village was decked out for autumn, with pumpkins everywhere. Many businesses had decorated a large bale of straw for the season yet also promoting their establishment.
Seemed strange we had never gone to that small town during the season before, but be sure. we will again.
It is my hope that this month has offered you and yours, special moments and times that will live on in your memories.
Now for a bit of writing new:
To my good fortune I was invited, and able to attend, what I believe is the largest author’s fair in this part of the state. On Saturday September 6th, I spent the day at the Starke County’s Public Library’s Main Branch, in Knox Indiana. The event hosted more than 40 authors, most from the area, and drew, I was told, in excess of 400 visitors. This was my 3rd time being a part of the event, and I hope that I will be able to return next year.
I am looking forward to another author’s event, Lake County’s Crown Point Public Library’s 1st Author’s Fair. It’s a bit of a drive, at least an hour and a half, but, I hope, it will introduce my books to readers of that area.
As for my keyboard tasks, I continue to work on the 1st draft of Matthew Remembers, which will be the 5th book of the Misty Creek Series. Having passed 300 pages, the time is nearing for me to seek a fitting way to finish that book. As I have told you, my friends, the story is written in a very different style than the 4 books that preceded it.
Am I, at this point, pleased with it? I will reserve that opinion until its completion. It is my hope that I will finish the first draft by the end of October.
A few final words:
When I consider the fact that I now have 4 books published, I wonder how that was even possible. The fact is, I know my own abilities, and those abilities, on their own, could not possibly result in that success. Lately I have taken a bit of time to return to the pages of the books I have released. In them I find myself astounded by a line here and there, knowing full well those words come from something greater and grander than this farm boy. So, I am led to thank the source of the words that are filtered through my fingers. And each day I hope that the work I do is worthy of the God that made me. The God that has provided my limited talents. The God that provides the drive to continue to move forward.
For I believe, strongly, that each of us are placed here at this particular moment, for a particular purpose. That you and I are part of a grand machine. Therefore, we need to seek what today’s purpose might be. And when we find it, gasp it firmly and see it through. For me, I am confident, it is writing these stories.
That is what drives me forward, to push against the stream and if possible, continue to produce what I produce. And, hopefully, bring just a small flicker of light in what seems a dark world.
May God bless you and yours, my friends…for He has indeed blessed me,
John
If you wanted the link to my 1st Virtual Author’s Event here it is….
