Adopting the Forgotten: A Montana Moment

There’s something extraordinary about standing where your characters once lived—not in imagination, but in truth. As I journey across Montana on my book tour, I find myself not only promoting stories, but walking through them—placing my feet on the same ground where the real-life inspirations behind my Sagacity Stories once stood.

One of the most meaningful moments came in Missoula, where I led a cemetery tour at the historic Missoula City Cemetery. We stopped at the resting places of those who inspired Reaching for Reveries, the second installment in my series. At each headstone, I laid a single flower—an offering of remembrance. Quiet, simple, and deeply profound.

At Fact & Fiction, Downtown Missoula

Later, at my book signing at Fact & Fiction in downtown Missoula, I didn’t sell as many books as we all hoped. Conversation flowed, curiosity sparked. Lisa—whom I’d met days earlier on a tour train in Helena—stopped in to say hello and purchased my books. Others lingered, asking questions, sharing stories. There’s something magical about connecting over history—when a spark in one person lights something in another.

Afterward, I wandered Missoula’s downtown streets. My compass? Thrift, antique, and resale stores. I’m drawn to all things repurposed—things with a past, with stories still clinging to them. Circle Square Second Hand Store was a treasure trove—floor to ceiling wonders tucked into every nook and cranny. At Betty V Vintage, I found myself surrounded by 1980s fashion that made my teenage heart skip. But more than shopping, I was seeking connection. Unwinding. Letting the day stretch its meaning a bit further.

And then—serendipity!

I wandered into Zootown Hype & Vintage, a wildly curated shop of everything zany and nostalgic. I was instantly swept up in it—'80s and '90s pop culture colliding with vintage oddities. As I meandered toward the counter, something caught my eye: a child, analyzing a mountain of old photographs. Dozens—maybe hundreds—of vintage snapshots, stacked and scattered. My heart surged!

I drifted over, drawn by that familiar pull. The child and dad and I struck up a conversation about the people in the pictures, the quality of the images, the mystery in their eyes. And when they left, I stayed. For hours. Sorting, wondering. What was I looking for? Maybe a face, maybe a spark. Maybe just a reminder.

The Sorting Process! Whittling it down.

One of the store staff noticed and asked what had me so immersed. So, I told them. I shared the heart of my book Adopting the Forgotten: Women Edition—a project built on rescuing these forgotten photographs and imagining the stories behind the faces. I told them about future editions—one for children, one for men, one even for pets. The staff welcomed me like an old friend. As we laughed over quaint pictures and interesting stories written on the backs. We shared a moment that somehow felt timeless. That’s what Montana is giving me: moments. Moments that are stitched together by people who are kind, curious, and open. People who remind me history is everywhere—it’s alive in stories, in photos, in secondhand shops, and in the beating hearts of those who care to remember.

'Board of Directors' Wood's Second Hand Store, Missoula, Montana

I also learned a bit of the store location history and they showed me a picture of the Board of Directors for once it was Wood's Second Hand Store. This group would most likely have been frequenting The Gem Theatre during the time of Book 2: Reaching for Reveries. So many connections!

Some of the snapshots collected and some local artist cards purchased. Check out Michael Carr Photography and Clare Emery.

I selected a heaping pile—in it? Little Timmy, Paulette, and a beloved dog named Teddy—yet to be written, and already beloved. Sorting them in my beautiful AirBNB office – it’s a heavenly oasis!

Adopting the Forgotten is more than a book concept. It’s a purpose I’ve been given.

One snapshot at a time!

Click here to learn more or purchase: Adopting the Forgotten, Women edition.