We hope you enjoyed the January 2026 issue of This Awful Awesome Life. Many thanks to Orlando Bartro for his contributions to the magazine. We’re at the beginning of a new year.
How are you feeling about the future? With the cost of almost everything continuing to go up; remember, we are a free publication.
February is a month for love, celebration, and remembrance.
We are excited to announce that author and history blogger Tony Valerino has become a regular contributor to This Awful Awesome Life. Be sure to check out his article, “February 1801 — The Republic Held Its Breath.” Tony will be writing about an historical event that occurred during the month we are celebrating. I can’t wait to see the events he will be covering throughout the year. Welcome to the team, Tony!
In 2025, we struggled with maintaining the checks and balances between the three branches of our federal government. The fight continues as we head to the midterm elections. Which political leaders disregard/ignore the powers of Congress and the authority of the federal courts? Who can we elect who will protect and support the Constitution of the United States? Do your homework before the midterms. I just voted by mail in a special election here in Pittsburgh. I’ve received an email that my ballot has been received and securely stored until election day when it will be counted. I know some of you do not trust mail-in voting. If your area is having a special election, please vote whichever way you prefer, but vote. Our future depends on choosing the best leaders at all levels of government.
Orlando Bartro looks at love through the eyes of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Knight’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales.
This month we are celebrating Black History Month by featuring black inventors and other contributions to our society by African Americans who may or may not be featured in traditional history books.
I have two Q&As for you.
I interviewed author and history blogger Tony Valerino about his new latest work, Pivotal Moments That Shaped America: History of the United States from the Boston Tea Party to the War on Terror. I’m especially impressed by his coverage of the American Civil War, the events leading up to it, and attempts to reunite the nation in the aftermath of the war.
I also interviewed Maria Simbra, the founder and principal of Ironed Words Productions L.L.C. about her writing groups and the services she offers to aspiring writers. Based in the Pittsburgh area, Ironed Words productions, L.L.C. also offers online services to writers and aspiring writers outside of the area. If you’ve ever had a book idea or wanted to record your family history for future generations, you won’t want to miss this Q&A.
My February poem deals with love in honor of Valentine’s Day. My short story is about a class reunion.
Everyone deserves a little clarity when we’re talking about love. There are many types of love and many ways to express love, yet in the United States we tend to throw the word around recklessly. “I love my new shoes.” I love my new boss.” I love you more than life.” Do you feel the same way about your shoes or your boss as you do about your partner? Somehow I doubt it. The Norwegian language has a remedy for that, and I’ve listed eight different types of love we can all embrace.
For our column, “Happy Birthday,” celebrating the birthdays of famous writers, I selected diarist, novelist, and essayist, Anaïs Nin.
For February 2026 in “The Twelve Months of Grain,” I’m featuring teff, the smallest grain in the world. Teff is a staple in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. This ancient grain is naturally gluten-free, packed with protein, important minerals, and fiber. I made Spicy Chocolate Pudding – bet you weren’t expecting that.
This month, I reviewed Pivotal Moments That Shaped America: History of the United States from the Boston Tea Party to the War on Terror by Tony Valerino. I also reviewed Twitter Flames: Part II – London by Em S. A’cor.
Our reading recommendations for kids, young adults, and adults feature an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction.
Our February 2026 Quiz celebrates romance with fourteen quotes from classic and contemporary romance novels. Since February is the second month of the year, each book title consists of only two words. Can you match the quote to its author and the book it came from? Relax, the author and book are listed together.
We’re constantly updating our Author Page to include the latest published works of your new favorite authors, and we’re adding authors. Being able to give authors a free place to display their work is a dream come true for me, so please check every month to see who’s new and what’s new.
Don’t miss our new Artist Page where we will be celebrating creatives and providing their contact information. We will be updating and adding to the list during this month and the following months, so keep checking our new page.
Everything in Between is now available as an audiobook and in hardcover or paperback. The narrator, Louise Porter, does a wonderful job bringing Sabrina and her story to life. I can’t wait for you to have a listen. You can purchase the audiobook for Everything in Between on Amazon, iTunes, or Audible. https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Everything-in-Between/dp/B0DDR8GRWS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TV0J0HCWYT7T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tdRKc5MxwdOobXZOLckDvQ.0BXe9QYH3JnZOn9j0LC6Yy6gCG9UI3lIcRu4KlRnIPs&dib_tag=se&keywords=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook&qid=1725234363&sprefix=everything+in+between+by+frances+joyce+audiobook%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-
I’m incredibly proud of this novel. If you enjoy my writing, you should check it out. Independent authors can’t afford splashy book launches and expensive PR campaigns to make the public aware of their work. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Adults can and should be able to disagree without threats, name calling, spreading misinformation, or lying. Can the leaders you support do this?
Now more than ever, I encourage you to watch C-SPAN and get to know the members of Congress, the members of the president’s cabinet, and the leading experts who testify at Congressional hearings. Listen to what they are saying and what they refuse to say aloud. Do they actually care about the Constitution and the people of this country?
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Happy Reading,
Fran