It is never too late to give up our prejudices.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Happy Anniversary Mom and Daddy – 42 years!
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Exciting news everyone!
My friend Kelli, of African Kelli, has just had her first book published, and last night, her very first reading. I can only imagine the butterflies, joy, and magic in Phoenix! A dream come true.
This moment is even more special for me because it gives me hope that my book will one day be out there, too. As well, my good friend Colleen designed the cover, and rather beautifully, don’t you think?
I am hoping we can all make it a bit sweeter by buying our own copies (mine is on the way). Let’s get her to the top of the Amazon list!
Under the Same Moon, by Kelli Donley
Abena Udate was selling mangoes on a humid market day in her Mozambican village when she caught the eye of a wandering foreigner. Kidnapped and brought to live in suburban America, the African teenager struggles with the glaring cultural and social differences of her new life. Abena is expected to play along with her kidnapper’s story — she’s just another hungry child plucked from a desolate country and saved by foreign adoption — or else. As her younger brother Kupela searches for clues to explain her disappearance, Abena must decide whether to remain with a family she doesn’t love for a life of luxury, or find a way home to those she loves in a world of despair.
Support an emerging writer – buy it here!
Tags: Books
I’ve been thinking all morning about the past year, the 365 days since I had my hysterectomy. So much of what I feel is a jumble, of memories, and emotions, and wonder. Did all of that pain and suffering really happen, and to me? Despite the fact that I have four scars to prove it, it is hard to fathom that I ever was different from the woman I am now, one glorious year later.
For right now, all I feel is gratitude and a deep in my bones feeling that all is right, utterly and perfectly so, with the world. Part of it is the physical progress I’ve made over the past year. I feel so much better. I am not in constant pain. I’m on a very minimal dose of hormones (soon to be none, I think), and I’ve lost the weight I gained on the awful ones. I no longer need to take iron to cope with the massive surgical blood loss, not to mention the huge deficit every time my period came calling. I am a healthy woman, inside and out.
Most importantly, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the ways I took care of myself by letting go. I let go of the notion that my pain was okay, that it wasn’t interfering with my life. Sure, I had innumerable ways of coping, of managing, but, looking back, I can’t honestly say that I was truly living. To be even more honest, I didn’t believe I deserved to experience that other life – the one where I was a good and valuable person, one who didn’t need to suffer. What a difference a year makes! Now I know, and in this moment, the only moment that I have, feel truly deserving of a joyous post surgical life.
In this life, I don’t have to fix myself to be a success. I can ask for the help of doctors, nurses, and the people I love. In this life, I am not ashamed of what I cannot do and very proud of what I can (Write! Bake! Garden!). I matter. I am important. I am worthy of all that is good, great, and spectacular! So are we all. Thanks for being part of my journey.
Happy Birthday Buddy! I love you!
Tags: Endometriosis
Well hello there friends –
I am not about to beat around the bush on this one, no way, no how. What do you think? Do you like it? I hope so, because I really, really do.
After all of that writing about it, I decided that if I am a Writer (notice me embracing that capital W), I better start acting like one. Step one, business cards. Super duper lovely and ever-so-Colleen style business cards. Many, many thanks to Marty of Bartleby’s Letterpress Emporium (how perfect that the shop shares the name, though certainly not the demeanor of one of my favorite literary figures, too). Ever so kind, patient (if you hadn’t noticed, I am a bit fussy), and supportive, not to mention her phenomenal talent with a letterpress brought this girl to tears, even though I promised her I wouldn’t. Not a bad promise to break, if one must, after all. They turned out exactly how I imagined they would: the heavy cotton, that beautiful texture, our our humble red roofed abode (drawn by me). They are perfect. By the by, if you live here in Stumptown and love fine paper goods, do pay her a visit. Her printed cards are exquisite, really. The shop is just a charming place to wander, too.
Okay, getting to the second step now, full speed ahead. I will also be attending the Willamette Writers Conference in August where I hope to wow someone into representing me. So, for the next month, I will be polishing my manuscript, honing my elevator speech, typing up dazzling query letters, and generally believing that I can do this. You know what the wonderful part is? I am not afraid. I am ready. I am worthy. I am talented. I am a good writer and a terrific person. Why wouldn’t someone want to represent me? Okay, I just ventured into Jack Handey territory, but that’s okay too. I am among friends!
So, a start. I hope you will join me on my journey.
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.
St. Francis de Sales
Happy Birthday Colleen, Chaz, and Alan!
Tags: Quoting
