Beth Dotson Brown
@bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social
Author, gardener, cook and lover of life
As I listen to the rain, I'm thankful for a job that I can do from home, on most days. However, I've been thinking about the parts of office culture I miss, like the random conversations that lead to learning and collaboration. If you've worked in an office, what do you miss about office culture?
October 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As I listen to the rain, I'm thankful for a job that I can do from home, on most days. However, I've been thinking about the parts of office culture I miss, like the random conversations that lead to learning and collaboration. If you've worked in an office, what do you miss about office culture?
If you need encouragement today, take a lesson from this lone stalk of corn growing along a US highway. It has persisted and grown for weeks and it finally has an ear. In the midst of anything, you can persist.
July 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
If you need encouragement today, take a lesson from this lone stalk of corn growing along a US highway. It has persisted and grown for weeks and it finally has an ear. In the midst of anything, you can persist.
If you need to pull away from the heat, or work, or the world for a few minutes, read this month's Goodness of the Garden for a trip to the garden of seasonal fruit. I'm featuring a column by my friend, Emily Toadvine. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
July 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
If you need to pull away from the heat, or work, or the world for a few minutes, read this month's Goodness of the Garden for a trip to the garden of seasonal fruit. I'm featuring a column by my friend, Emily Toadvine. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...
As a gardener, I understand how much work goes into a bag of blueberries. I'm sending a big thanks to my friend Emily who gifted me with these. In July, I'll feature a piece by Emily in my blog, The Goodness of the Garden. You can subscribe through my web page or by messaging me your email address.
June 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
As a gardener, I understand how much work goes into a bag of blueberries. I'm sending a big thanks to my friend Emily who gifted me with these. In July, I'll feature a piece by Emily in my blog, The Goodness of the Garden. You can subscribe through my web page or by messaging me your email address.
What's on your reading list this summer? ☀️ I just finished The Christie Affair (highly recommend!) so the other two are up next. I'd love to see your TBR pile!
June 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
What's on your reading list this summer? ☀️ I just finished The Christie Affair (highly recommend!) so the other two are up next. I'd love to see your TBR pile!
I can't remember who said something to me last week about the beauty of the cicada wings. I had noticed it, too (along with those wicked red eyes which aren't so beautiful to me). On my morning walk, I saw one at my feet and had to get a photo. It still had dew drops on it.
June 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I can't remember who said something to me last week about the beauty of the cicada wings. I had noticed it, too (along with those wicked red eyes which aren't so beautiful to me). On my morning walk, I saw one at my feet and had to get a photo. It still had dew drops on it.
It's been a terribly gray and wet spring in Kentucky. My antidote? Plant flowers that add beauty and perspective even on the grayest of days. A good book will do the same.
May 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It's been a terribly gray and wet spring in Kentucky. My antidote? Plant flowers that add beauty and perspective even on the grayest of days. A good book will do the same.
Yesterday was a writer's dream--reading my work for a crowd of relaxed, receptive listeners on the porch and grounds of historic Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, KY. The weather was beautiful and the creativity was everywhere. I return to my writing inspired.
May 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Yesterday was a writer's dream--reading my work for a crowd of relaxed, receptive listeners on the porch and grounds of historic Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, KY. The weather was beautiful and the creativity was everywhere. I return to my writing inspired.
When I traveled to Alaska last week, I needed a good book to read on the plane ride. Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro totally absorbed me. I definitely recommend this unique story.
May 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
When I traveled to Alaska last week, I needed a good book to read on the plane ride. Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro totally absorbed me. I definitely recommend this unique story.
When I walk around my yard and there's a breeze, the scent of these beauties surrounds me. What a gift!
April 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
When I walk around my yard and there's a breeze, the scent of these beauties surrounds me. What a gift!
The energy at The Plaid Elephant bookstore was fantastic on Saturday. Children burst through the doors excited to see what was new. Their parents followed, some of them looking for an adult novel like mine. Big thanks to Kate Snyder of The Plaid Elephant for the experience.
April 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The energy at The Plaid Elephant bookstore was fantastic on Saturday. Children burst through the doors excited to see what was new. Their parents followed, some of them looking for an adult novel like mine. Big thanks to Kate Snyder of The Plaid Elephant for the experience.
I was honored yesterday to receive an award for a short story I entered into the Bluegrass Writers Coalition Kentucky Visions contest. It was quite special to participate in the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with a small group of very fine Kentucky writers.
April 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I was honored yesterday to receive an award for a short story I entered into the Bluegrass Writers Coalition Kentucky Visions contest. It was quite special to participate in the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with a small group of very fine Kentucky writers.
I look forward to Meet the Authors Day at the Plaid Elephant bookstore in Danville, KY on Saturday. It's such a fun store!
April 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I look forward to Meet the Authors Day at the Plaid Elephant bookstore in Danville, KY on Saturday. It's such a fun store!
What roles have libraries played in your life? Every time I've moved, the library has been one of the first places I visit. They are such a great asset for learning and dreaming. This poster from a past National Library Week expresses how I feel about reading.
April 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM
What roles have libraries played in your life? Every time I've moved, the library has been one of the first places I visit. They are such a great asset for learning and dreaming. This poster from a past National Library Week expresses how I feel about reading.
My book blog tour has ended. Thanks to the bloggers who participated. Here's a comment from reading.late.into.the.night: The book celebrates women and their relationships. Friendship, mothers, daughters, family and neighbors. And it offers hope in the face of adversity. It’s an uplifting read.
March 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
My book blog tour has ended. Thanks to the bloggers who participated. Here's a comment from reading.late.into.the.night: The book celebrates women and their relationships. Friendship, mothers, daughters, family and neighbors. And it offers hope in the face of adversity. It’s an uplifting read.
Are you cleaning out your freezer in preparation for spring? This month's Goodness of the Garden talks about planning for winter by buying fruits in season this spring and summer. Plus, there's a breakfast smoothie recipe. bit.ly/43pjPIk
March 6, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Are you cleaning out your freezer in preparation for spring? This month's Goodness of the Garden talks about planning for winter by buying fruits in season this spring and summer. Plus, there's a breakfast smoothie recipe. bit.ly/43pjPIk
The snow is gone and the crocuses are blooming. I'm celebrating nature and friendships today. What are you celebrating?
February 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The snow is gone and the crocuses are blooming. I'm celebrating nature and friendships today. What are you celebrating?
I'm starting my week off right with a homemade cinnamon roll.
February 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I'm starting my week off right with a homemade cinnamon roll.
What gives you courage? I've been thinking about comments some readers of Rooted in Sunrise made about the protagonist, Ava, being courageous. It made me think about what gave her courage, and what gives me courage. Knowing that I am loved unconditionally sets me up to be courageous. What about you?
February 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
What gives you courage? I've been thinking about comments some readers of Rooted in Sunrise made about the protagonist, Ava, being courageous. It made me think about what gave her courage, and what gives me courage. Knowing that I am loved unconditionally sets me up to be courageous. What about you?
My book blog tour for Rooted in Sunrise begins today! Here's the first stop: www.instagram.com/p/DFnQcwLxCR...
February 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
My book blog tour for Rooted in Sunrise begins today! Here's the first stop: www.instagram.com/p/DFnQcwLxCR...
Thank you to The Authors Guild for providing badges that authors can use to distinguish their work from something that is authored by AI. My hope is that this kind of labeling will become standard. Human creativity is priceless.
January 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Thank you to The Authors Guild for providing badges that authors can use to distinguish their work from something that is authored by AI. My hope is that this kind of labeling will become standard. Human creativity is priceless.
Here's a gem from a small publisher that I enjoyed. The Blue Trunk pulled me into the story about identity and how the people around us are so influential on that identity. I also liked the dual timeline that illustrates similar experiences of two characters during different eras. A great read.
January 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Here's a gem from a small publisher that I enjoyed. The Blue Trunk pulled me into the story about identity and how the people around us are so influential on that identity. I also liked the dual timeline that illustrates similar experiences of two characters during different eras. A great read.
The highlight of my week has been a note I received from a reader of Rooted in Sunrise. She connected with the story as I hoped readers would. She also called it a masterpiece, so there’s that. 😊 Knowing I reached a reader means everything.
January 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The highlight of my week has been a note I received from a reader of Rooted in Sunrise. She connected with the story as I hoped readers would. She also called it a masterpiece, so there’s that. 😊 Knowing I reached a reader means everything.
In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU
January 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU
In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU And by the way, I took the photo before all the snow arrived!
January 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU And by the way, I took the photo before all the snow arrived!