We hope you enjoyed the April 2023 issue of This Awful Awesome Life.

Many thanks to Lilly Kauffman, Orlando Bartro, and Linda Cahill for their contributions to each issue.

Everything in Between is now available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book on amazon.com. I love the cover! Thank you, Francis Cleetus for bringing my vision to life in such a spectacular way! Find out more about Everything in Between in this issue. Here is the link to purchase my book, https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Between-FrancesJoyce/dp/1960399861/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZS2347EON70H&keywords=Everything+in+Between+by+Frances+Joyce&qid=1682964829&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1

My bathroom reno project is almost completed. We are still waiting for a custom shower rod of all things. There are a few last-minute adjustments to be completed, but I have a working bathroom on the main floor, again.

The theme for our May issue is Mysteries. When Jay Speyerer and I started This Awful Awesome Life in 2017, we decided every May issue would celebrate Mystery Month because of the popularity of the genre.

This month, Orlando Bartro explores the mysteries of Franz Kafka’s classic novel, The Metamorphosis., and Lily Kauffman reminds us that there’s more to the month of May than mysteries.

We didn’t forget about Mother’s Day. This year we investigated how Mother’s Day became a national holiday and how the world celebrates.

This month I reviewed Someone Else’s Life by Lyn Liao Butler. It’s a thriller/mystery with a twist that takes place in Hawaii.

“What’s in a Word?” explores mysterious words you would find in many mysteries. These words help set the tone for “things that go bump in the night” and make us sleep with the lights on.

“Dare to Believe,” is proud to feature Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, an abolitionist,

Suffragist, inspirational speaker, and single mother. We are also featuring four celebrity.

men who were raised by strong women.

In a nod to Cinco de Mayo, our May 2023 salad in “The Twelve Months of Salad” is Southwestern Bean Salad. It's easy to make, colorful, and delicious.

Each month, Linda Cahill shares delicious recipes courtesy of The Pampered Chef. Her May recipes suggestions are ideal for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, college graduation parties, or any time you gather with family and friends. Linda and her husband Joe are settling into their new home in Florida. We wish them well.

Don’t miss our May quiz, “Six Degrees of Separation with a Mysterious Twist.” This month we’re streaming a film based on a best-selling memoir, an ABC series that’s ending after five incredible seasons, and a Netflix series that has everyone talking. We have mystery series for kids and the latest thriller/mysteries for adults in our reading recommendations for kids and adults. Also, check out our Author page, May in Pictures, and our preview of the June issue.

The 2023 elections will include gubernatorial and state legislative elections in a few states and numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and local offices. Senatorial and presidential hopefuls will begin campaigning for the 2024 elections which gives you time to start the vetting process. Please keep showing up and voting. We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will keep telling you to vote and do your homework! Vet all candidates and insist that all political parties do the same. Vote for the candidates who are the most qualified and who will safeguard our democracy.

Samantha Sayers has been missing since she disappeared on August 1, 2018, after a day of solo hiking at Vesper Peak near Seattle, Washington. Sam grew up in the Erie, Pennsylvania area where her parents Ron and Lisa still live. Her family is exploring all avenues of inquiry to find and bring her home. In the face of such an enormous challenge, they have chosen hope. Please keep sending positive thoughts to Sam and her family. As promised, we will be displaying a yellow ribbon for Sam on the opening page of each issue of This Awful Awesome Life until she is home.

If you are a person of faith, please pray for her safe return to her family. Because we are an online publication, we can update this article with any news. We will also post information on our Facebook page. Thank you!

Please share our link, www.thisawfulawesomelife.com with your friends and family.

Even though This Awful Awesome Life is a free publication, our subscription numbers matter. They affect the quality of people we attract to be in our magazine. So far, we’ve been fortunate to feature amazing people from all walks of life and we want to do even more. You can help by becoming a subscriber and encouraging your friends to read and subscribe to our magazine.

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Happy Reading,

Fran