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Welcome to Black Hills Picture Books!

We hope you enjoy our books, free printable puzzles, Hungarian stuff, kids’ corner/stories, and photos of the Black Hills!

We also hope you find our information on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Toxic Injury, Environmental Illness) and mold illness (CIRS, Bio-toxin Illness) helpful.

Because of the massive damage that mold and chemicals have caused to my body, we have not been able to work full time 10 out of the last 12 years. In addition, we need to deal with the expenses of treating my illness (not covered by insurance), replacing things contaminated with DDT, and many years of loss of income. So we need your help to the tune of thousands of dollars. But every little bit helps. If you can, send checks to: Christian Outreach Church 4430 Outreach Drive Hillsboro, MO 63050 Specify on check memo or note: Steve & Christa Upton. If you need to use Paypal instead of a check, you can send a donation to: pdjupton@comcast.net

To read Christa’s latest thoughts (on children, the Black Hills, MCS, mold, suffering, or whatever she might be thinking of that week), check out her blog here:  blog page

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

  Featured book:

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To support my blogging and books starting at only $1 per month with special rewards for you at each level, check out my Patreon page:  https://patreon.com/ChristaUpton

 

  Welcome to my blog!

I am glad to have you here, and I welcome your comments!

Did you ever think that if you “followed the rules” and worked hard that you would certainly succeed in life? Have you ever been surprised by suffering in your life?

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12 Ways to Love the Children in Your Life

In case you can’t tell, I love children!

I love writing children’s books. I enjoy making up activities and puzzles for them.

I love featuring their work. (See our Kids’ Corner, which includes stories, recipes, crafts etc. not only for children but BY children. In my own books, I have SO enjoyed using my children’s ideas, photos, artwork, and even writing/plot edits!)

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Funny about Blogging….

I’m a little off the normal topics today, but I wanted to share this funny thing (funny to me, at least).

First of all, I’m so un-technical that to me, “cookies” mean yummy things with chocolate chips in them, “trackbacks” sounds like someone hunting deer, and “dashboard” is the thing in the car.

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Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger

“Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger” lyrics (author unknown)

I’m just a poor wayfarin’ stranger
A-travelin’ through this world of woe.

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To the Suffering and Oppressed Ones

To those who struggle mightily with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illness, other chronic illness, other disability, being a caregiver for someone with chronic illness, MCS/EI homelessness, or other suffering due to no fault of your own, I have found much comfort in the following passage:

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Ode to the Black Hills

So here’s the little piece  that I wrote when I thought we were going to move to Arizona.  But I still feel this way (and I’m glad I don’t have to say “goodbye” right now.  :) )

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20 Ideas for How to Home-school from Bed

In the last 5 years, I’ve been bedridden off and on from mold and chemicals.

Here are some ideas for home-schooling through being bedridden with chronic illness, starting with the obvious idea:

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Free printable Scripture memory ideas, Study Skills ideas, questions and answer keys for my mysteries, etc.:  http://www.blackhillspicturebooks.com/kids-corner/school-stuff/

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5 Responses to Home

  1. Superb blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you recommend starting with a free platform like
    Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out
    there that I’m completely confused .. Any suggestions?

    Many thanks! http://Hatchsandwich.com/

    • Christa Upton says:

      If you’re going to build a business out of your blog, go for a nice, paid platform. If not, then enjoy a free platform! 🙂

      Then, just be yourself, be kind, and write about what interests you most! 🙂

  2. Ivo says:

    Why did you think you were moving to AZ, did you encounter chemicals/ mold issues in Black Hills?

    • Christa Upton says:

      We considered Arizona only because of the heat in Arizona to make it through the winter(s) and we could not find a house for the winters here!! So every year we’d camp and I would get better, find a rental here for the winter, and I’d get worse–sometimes MUCH worse– because of chemicals and/or mold in the houses (or unideal locations within the Hills) Until we finally built from scratch. 🙂 It’s a great question!!!

    • Christa Upton says:

      No, just COLD. Back then we were living in an RV.

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