Home

Christmas Message | About Me | Appearances | Online Blog | Books | Articles | Shrines | Links | Free | Contact Me | My Wife Amy | Joseph Pictures | Joseph's Baptism | Current Weather Here
Michael Dubruiel
Christmas Message

christmas.jpg

May the Christ Child Bless You this Joyous Season!

The end of 2002 has rushed upon us. This has been a busy year for Amy and I.  Both of us have had two books published. Amy has writted another two that will come out in the upcoming year. I am working on a few ideas too.
 
Looking back over the year...
 
It began with a trip to Florida in January where I attended a conference in Miami, met with an author in Clearwater, was on a Catholic radio program as a guest, did a book signing in Tampa and visited family and friends to boot in Leesburg, St. Leo, and Boynton Beach. Anyone familiar with Florida knows that met some heavy driving.
 
February was spent mostly finishing up Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with Fulton J. Sheen that was released at the very end of March. Joseph enjoyed his first real snow with his sister Katie pulling him around on a sled.
 
In the Spring I traveled to Columbus to meet with several authors. This was followed with a trip with Amy and Joseph across the country to Atlantic City to the NCEA convention where Amy was speaking. We drove and made a stop in Philadelphia to visit both a saint's tomb and a beautiful art museum. I traveled alone to St. Louis to speak at the NCCE and then made a short visit (always a pilgrimage really) to St. Meinrad Archabbey on the way back.
 
In June we traveled to Chicago for a book signing at the RBTE convention.This time Katie joined us and took care of Joseph while Amy and I signed books. We visited the Chicago Field Museum as well as a art gallery. The ruins of Chicago Field are probably what most fascinated me. This was followed by a long weekend spent in Ann Arbor dining at the street cafes there, visiting Domino's Farm (home of the Al Kresta show of which Amy is a frequent guest) and visiting the first Borders bookstore as well as the University of Michigan. On a day trip to Detroit we visited the art museum, the tomb of Solanus Casey, Orchard Lake Seminary and a brief stop at the former seminary in Plymouth.
 
In July Amy, Joseph and I set out on a trip to Ontario. We had car problems before we reached the Michigan border (some forty miles away from home) and they plagued us the entire trip that was made in spite of them. Traveling along the shores of Lake Huron we visited small towns, roughed it in a small tent and had a very refreshing few days. Joseph slept well outdoors, something that he hasn't done well indoors. I found that Canadian beer helps me to sleep a lot better and with its lack of preservatives doesn't seem to stay with you the next day like its American counterparts.We then made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Midland, ON before heading back home through Toronto and a night in London, ON.
 
In August Amy went to her dad's home with the kids while I stayed behind and did some work on the house. I also attended a NASCAR race in Indianapolis. I also spent a lot of time finishing up the How-To Book of the Mass that was published in October by Our Sunday Visitor.
 
In September I spoke at Stuebenville, OH at the Catholic Writer's Conference. This was well attended and a joy to have been involved in.
 
In October I gathered with my good friends Brian and Tony for our annual football weekend, this year in Cincinnatti, OH to watch the Tampa Bay Bucs play. As always it was a good time.
 
In November I made a trip to Columbus again to visit authors. Later I traveled to Milwaukee and met with several authors there.
 
This past month has been spent trying to tie up loose ends but that effort has been futile so far. Joseph continues to grow and to fascinate. Amy is her genius self at all times producing an amazing amount of writing as can be witnessed by her books, articles, columns and blog.
 
In the year ahead I'll be traveling to Witchita, KA, Anaheim, CA, St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL, and to Orlando, FL. I'll actually be headed to Chicago three times. I'll be speaking at the NCEA in St. Louis and hope to line up some more engagements as the year goes on.
 
 


Merry Christmas to all! May you enjoy a  peaceful New Year!