Pearls and Knots: Dancing on a String from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan (PB) (2020)

Pearls and Knots is a grandmother's story about her family, her life's magical moments, and her never-too-late writing journey. Sometimes gripping, sometimes lyrical, always current and humorous, Sarah Schwarcz's tales will hook your imagination and heart. With one foot in the real world and one foot in fantasy throughout her life, Sarah brings the two worlds together as she shapes meaning from moments, gaining insights to living--in the best of times, and some of the worst of times.

Growing up in Dubuque, Iowa, Sarah crosses the Mississippi on the Julien Dubuque Bridge to live in several cities, before settling in the Chicago area to teach and raise her family. As she separates problems from blessings, she realizes we learn from both, and seeks to share that insight.

Sarah encourages readers to cross their own bridges, one tear and one laugh at a time, to reach their 'aha' moments, gaining truths and faith in their own voices and choices. Warning: just be sure not to cross your bridges during summer fishfly season--read her memoir to find out why! Take the time to write a few of your stories to share with family and friends.

Reflection and resilience are the two buoys that steady her as she leaps from pearl to pearl on her way through life's challenges.