Welcome to the world of Friar Jim and Francis the fly.   In May 2008, Father James Francis Edmiston suddenly passed away.   Fr. Jim traveled the world teaching people the importance of God's love.   In addition, Fr. Jim was also a noted entomologist with a specialty in flies.   From Fr. Jim's terrible loss, Francis the Fly was created in June 2008.    Francis' goal was to teach young children morals and values that can be used in their lives everyday. 

    While the “Friar Jim and Francis” series are picture books suitable for preschool and kindergarten, they are also used as a “First Reader”.  This series can enter your child’s or grandchild’s life as a bedtime story book and remain in the child’s active library into early elementary school.  “Be Kind, Francis the Fly” was available for sale in February, 2009 and “Be Patient, Francis the Fly was available for sale in September, 2009.

  In 2022, my love for spinning and fiber took root and Francis is now helping to spread the news about this love.    My first wheel was purchased in 2023 and I have been avidly spinning ever since.   Follow my blog to watch as this journey unfolds.

Galatians 5:22-23  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” (NIV)

This website and books are produced in loving memory of my brother

 Father James Francis Edmiston July 18, 1954 - May 18, 2008.

our history

About us

Francis the fly

Virginia resident, Karen R. Weaver, a former local pre-school teacher and Assistant Director of a local children’s center, has been inspired by her brother's devotion to God as a priest and her interest in teaching children.     Illustrator Pat Clark also of Virginia has always been sketching and creating whimsical characters on paper.  Friends for years, Karen and Pat decided to collaborate on the first of nine children's books based on the fruit of the Spirit as stated in Galatians 5:22-23.