Family – Dena Blake

Tuffy and Other Happy Things

Posted on October 15, 2020October 16, 2020 by Dena

Tuffy and Other Happy Things First off, let me start by apologizing. It’s been way too long since I sat down and wrote one of these—way too long since I had the emotional energy to write one. This... Read More

I Wish You Peace And Happiness

Posted on December 22, 2019December 22, 2019 by Dena

Having spent yesterday doing a multitude of tasks, from enjoying a wonderful lunch with my kids to finishing a bit of last minute Christmas shopping. This morning I’m curled up in my chair, snuggled... Read More

Something for Which I am Thankful

Posted on December 1, 2019December 2, 2019 by Dena

Something for Which I am Thankful I grew up in a house where everyone was welcome. We didn’t have a lot, but holidays were days when those who didn’t have a place to go, or couldn’t get home, ca... Read More

Coming Out Again

Posted on September 22, 2019December 1, 2019 by Dena

Coming Out Again This week I came out on my personal Facebook page. My friends there are compiled of mostly family, close friends, and high school alumni from Northern California. I had actually been ... Read More

The End of 2018 to the Beginning of 2019

Posted on December 31, 2018December 22, 2019 by Dena

The End of 2018 to the Beginning of 2019 2018 has been a good year. I stepped out of my comfort zone and traveled to England and it was a wonderful adventure. The Bold Strokes Book Festival in Notting... Read More

It’s Been A Year!

Posted on July 22, 2017July 22, 2017 by Dena

My very first reading at GCLS. I was super nervous. As I recuperated from the whirlwind of my first Golden Crown Literary Society conference a few weeks ago, I remembered it was just over a year ago w... Read More

Izzy’s Bolognese Sauce

Posted on May 20, 2017November 27, 2019 by Dena

If you’ve read Where the Light Glows, you’ll know that Mel’s favorite food at Bella’s Trattoria is the bolognese sauce. I thought I’d let you in on the recipe. This has b... Read More

Easter Sunday

Posted on April 19, 2017April 19, 2017 by Dena

This past Easter Sunday, I was fortunate to be able to spend time with my large and lively family in the home that my parents built. My sister and her husband own the house now and I’m so thankf... Read More

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Posted on March 23, 2017March 23, 2017 by Dena

I took that single step to change my future close to ten years ago. It was just one of many that I took to get to the life I’m living today. One of the biggest steps was the decision to go back to c... Read More

2016 Reflections

Posted on December 16, 2016January 1, 2017 by Dena

2016 has been a mixed bag of emotions for me. There were a few low points, I lost the last of my puppies. Birdie, my beautiful Papillon at 15 and Coalie my playful Cocker Spaniel at 12. They had long ... Read More

My Mom

Posted on September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 by Dena

My mom and my babies. My mom wasn’t the kind of woman who pulled any punches. She told you exactly what she was thinking when it popped into her head. I always knew where I stood with her. She wasn�... Read More

Olympic Swimming

Posted on August 14, 2016September 19, 2016 by Dena

Watching the Olympics this week has brought back some great memories for me. My older sister and I swam competitively from a very young age. By the time I was five, I was certified to swim alone in th... Read More