Julee Balko, author

Preorders are like little whispers that people believe in your book. I'm so proud of how this book gives a real look at parenting a neurodivergent kid. And an honest view of aging and trying to find love (and self-love) again. Preorder on Amazon: shorturl.at/V9VJp

@1000_FacedHero Even better.

@misplacedcomma2 Kid should have washed their own cup, am I right?

Someone bought my kid a hand wash only cup. I put it in the dishwasher and said toughen up buddy, now that you live in this house we have different rules.

@Feather_Chelle Haha look who got a new pen holder!

@misplacedcomma2 Love this! I tell my kids that they’re only for decoration. Lol

@2ProbablyNever He caught her getting a very intimate violin lesson with the neighbor.

@misplacedcomma2 Nice When you say hurt him in the worst way possible?

A woman I know lost her husband and fell for his best friend. It was two years later, and she was living in the cottage behind his house, and she tried really hard not to fall for him. But he was so kind to her. He invited her over every Tuesday for taco night and margaritas.

My sister bought me a banana slicer that slices bananas in perfect little circles. All the same size. This is fruit perfection I didn’t know I needed. Even though the world may be chaos, my yogurt bowl is the one place I look like I have it together.

Henry walked over and took her hand. “I want to take care of all of you. I want…” He stopped talking and slowly brought her hand to his mouth. Slowly enough that she could object and say no. But she didn’t say stop.

Slow burn. Small town. And an avocado or two. Preorder Square Hearts. “Sometimes I think Peter would have wanted me to take care of you.” Henry turned the frying pan on low. “You do take care of me.” Nicola squeezed the avocado too hard. some pulp squirted right below her thumb.

@LAMyles2 Agreed!

@misplacedcomma2 Strong tea helps too

Maybe part of being an author is never being satisfied. Always wanting the next big thing. Or maybe it’s just a coffee-driven obsession. Either way, launching Square Hearts in May has reminded me how much enthusiasm, energy, and coffee it takes to launch a book.

@bethcarter007 Yep only silence. No breathing or humaning 🤣

@misplacedcomma2 Same!! We've been so busy with multiple people. It has been fun, but I don't even want my husband to talk now. Just leave me alone in my writing cave. 😂

I’ve gone out three times this week. As a writer this is a lot. I now need a month to converse only with cats, dogs, and books.

@ChaceRandolph The cup in my hand was actually tea so i think any beverage works as long as it’s filled with angst.

@misplacedcomma2 is that why I can't sell books? I'm not an author because I don't drink coffee?

I was so tired last night that I became overtired and couldn’t sleep. Adulting is so lame.

@JasPhoenix_Rise Awe thank you ❤️

@misplacedcomma2 Wow, Julee. I absolutely love this!

80.2 years That’s the average life span For a woman. Don’t waste another day Breathing In Mediocrity. Cut the tether to Whatever is holding you Back. Rise Above Until You Hit Your Sun And burn away The ordinary.

I’m taking all three girls to a concert tonight. Remind me what a fun mom I am tomorrow morning when I have to wake up for work and get them up for school.

I liked it better when I thought my hyper-independence and toxic optimism were strengths and not a result of trauma.

But words are a gift in this electronic age. I wrote the letter. She's 95, she was kind when she didn't need to be when I was young, damaged, and full of unkindness. Her beautiful and thankful words back to me made me cry. And grateful I wrote the letter.

You don't need advice. But I'm going to give it to you anyway. Get out your pen and write the letter. Maybe it's to the woman who was kind to you. The teacher who inspired you. The friend who never let you down.