Hello and happy August! This is my favorite time of year. The worst of summer’s heat is (hopefully) over, and we have the fall holidays to look forward to. My family and I all have end-of-the-year birthdays, so there will be lots of celebrating in the Young household between now and New Year’s Eve.
Big news on the book front: I finished the first draft of my second book! It picks up right where the first one, Never Burn Your Moving Boxes, left off. It depicts the adventure of raising small kids in remote cow camps and the reality of experiencing a high-risk pregnancy hours from town, plus a plot twist I guarantee you don’t know about near the end. I’ve been working on this manuscript for three years and am so excited to see it take the form of an actual book. I can’t wait to share it with all of you!
I’ve slowed down on pursuing standup comedy, mostly due to health reasons. That’s why I haven’t posted here in over a year; my darn health just wouldn’t hold up. I’m finally at a point in diagnosis and treatment where I can resume some of my normal activities, and that includes blogging. Yay! Unless you’re not a fan of my blog, in which case you’re not reading this anyway.
After a few years of doctors’ appointments, tests, scans, etc., it looks like I have early lupus. I’ve been following the treatment plan outlined by my doctor for over a year and have seen slow but steady progress. I’m so grateful to be able to participate in my kids’ lives more and be a more reliable and active parent. During those years of debilitating illness, I discovered audiobooks, so that was definitely a plus. I gained a new outlook on life as well and am grateful for every day I can stand up and do things. There’s always a silver lining, and sometimes it sounds like Audible.
I’m still writing for Western Horseman. I hung onto my column by my fingernails during my sick years. I had wanted a humor column in that magazine for years and was not about to let a chronic illness take it away. Check out the hard copy magazine for my latest Real Life Ranch Wife column or tap here to read my with the same name on their website for free.
Here’s a video of my boys’ new favorite pastime. I think my old horse, Teaks, enjoys it as well. He sure likes all the brushing and pets that I give him while leading the boys around, anyway.
Thanks for reading my latest update. I so appreciate all of you and look forward to sharing monthly posts once again, now that I’m healthy enough to get back on a schedule. Look for updates on the new book and my search for an agent. Have a great day and stay cool! Literally…it is HOT out there.
Jolyn Young 
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