Projecting a Project in 2023

 

Turning toward what you deeply love saves you. - Rumi

In my email box today was the above watercolor and quote from Jill Badonsky.

Jill is a creative life coach. I am very attracted to her sketches. I find them to be deliciously appealing.

About Jill Badonsky, Creativity Coaching Pioneer, Modern Day Muses Author (kaizenmuse.com)

Becoming an artist is not a leading desire of mine. However, I like to paint with a video guiding me step-by-step. Therapy one could call it since my talent is amateur. It is therapeutic to create an acrylic painting that looks pretty darn good.

I even have a box of paint-by-number projects collected. I could keep busy for a year with my current stash.

Maybe that is what I should do.

Coming up in January is a visual journaling class with TWI where I am seeking certification as a journal facilitator. I have never taken a visual journaling class before, but am tempted to commit to this one. TWI Winter Term 2023 – Therapeutic Writing Institute (twinstitute.net)

A weaving loom is on the shelf. What if I begin that hobby? Will the learning curve be too steep? Would I like the handling of thread, year, string on the loom? I have the equipment and even a video archived with Online learning — Rebecca Mezoff.

What do you deeply love? Where do you turn when frustrated, confused and somewhat discouraged? 

I turn to my music and that has always been there for me. I play the piano, escaping in thought and mind. It is also comforting for my arthritic hands.

When I paint I am also relaxed and thoroughly enjoy the process. 

When I write I am challenged and thoroughly enjoy the commitment as I am doing now.

Too many options?

As you can perceive, I am spinning my wheels trying to start a 2023 project that will intrigue me and carry my interest to the next level of obsession.

How about you? 

What project is in your 2023 plans? 

What will save you in 2023?

Inspired by Ada

Ada Limon - the 24th poet laureate of the United States. About — ADA LIMÓN (adalimon.net)

I have not read much of her poetry. My prompt today centers about her poem, "Before."It's lovely!

And so I write without stopping, fifteen minutes and share with you my "wild writing."

Here I go..................

1.

Before I married Dave I was lonely and hanging with men who did not respect me.

Thank goodness I only hung with them, uncommitted.

Before I connected with this wonderful and gentle man I was seeking friends in low places.

My self esteem was not what it should have been.

2.

Before I moved to this home in Texas we lived in N. Mexico and Idaho.

Those homes no longer belong to me, to us.

I wish this home did not belong to us. We are worried.

The evidence is that the foundation is not on compacted soil.

Dave has been saying this repeatedly for the past 1 1/2 years.

I didn't want to believe him.

3.

Before I purchased this home we were living in a townhome.

That home no longer belongs to us.

I have made excellent decisions in real estate and then several mistakes. This was a mistake.

I have made money in real estate and lost money.

4.

Before we go to court regarding the condition of this home we are hoping the person who installed it incorrectly will buy it back. 

Before the lawyers handle the case we are hoping one or two letters will cause the installer to rethink his decision and buy the home from us.

Before this task develops further we are quite certain that we will be moving.

Before I take the installer of this manufactured home to court I am now praying for a miracle.

5.

Before I reread this rant I must tell you that this is not a poem. This is a collage of feelings and frustrations, simple words, and an image.

Before I post this I must tell you that I believe writing heals and writing helps to see clearer and writing is freeing and all can write. I am rattling, writing wild. It helps me express what is going on inside caused by what is happening on the outside.

Before my fifteen minutes concludes I wish I could write one small tanka. I shall quickly type the five lines with the middle line being a pivot.

as cracks appear and

the skirting separates

a home on sinking sand

worries become magnified

evidence is building

Thanks for listening!

Appealing Art to Guide Me!

 

                  She trumpets, She surrounds with joy, She is my kind of gal. 

Now I need a bit of guidance, dear Lord and Angel-Muse:

I love this type of artwork. I love the whimsicalness, the brightness, the story being told, the lines taking me off the page. I am art illiterate, but I do know that this appeals to me. 

What shall I do with all my shouldas? Should I write? Should I paint? Should I begin my weaving with a loom that has been shelved for years?

I will complete the bookmobile and I will successfully give away books to children. Will that take all my days, my energy? 

I will play the fiddle and progress slowly with my continued lessons.

I will always play the piano, for my own enjoyment and therapy.

I will study my Bible, acquaint myself with my angels that somedays are quite whimsical and humorous, challenging me to sort it out, Joan and be thankful, very thankful for increasingly good health and the possibilities of many joyous moments.

Thank-you, Jesus!

Amen!

On the Beach!

 

Joan and Ava in Port Aransas, Texas December 16, 2022

This is one of those "life is good" photos, days, weeks and, as you well know.....

the best things in life are free.

This has been my birthday week and I chose to venture in our travel trailer to celebrate. We spent three nights at Inks Lake State Park near Marble Falls, TX and then traveled most of Wednesday to this little haven on the Gulf of Mexico. It's not quite an island, but more of a peninsula. However, we cross from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas on a ferry and it feels like we could be marooned.

Shopping is non existent for me. I already have and wear my Port Aransas visor and jacket. We ate out last night our island special meal. Of course there was another special meal in Marble Falls on my birthday eve with Daughter Brynna and Sarah and Nina.

Yesterday was sunny and we spent several hours on the beach where Ava was extra frisky in the surf.

Today is cloudy and our activities are still unknown. I have ridden my bike once, the Huffy beach bike that requires pedaling. It felt great even though I was passed by several on electric bikes. 

As Christmas approaches, we will return to Kerrville and tackle the sewer problem, a major problem and negotiate with the builder regarding our double wide home on Madrona Rd. a perplexing but solvable real estate challenge.

                                                      

Ramblings While Writing

 

I have been involved with several writing courses that illuminate poetry as prompts, as jumping off points for journaling wordplay. I really enjoy using poetry as prompts and have been writing numerous essays that incorporate poetry phrases. I like to think of it as poetry therapy which I think it is!

Laurie Wagner's class is one example of utilizing poetry. We are to write without any critical judgment, just “keep the pen on the paper,” Laurie says. I have mentioned this in an earlier blog.

Today's prompt was from Ellen Bass’ “Cold,” short prose poem, very understandable. 

Specifically, Laurie pulled out “every frailty, every pain could be an opening….”

but I really liked Bass’ final line, “How can I remember this when I’m old and need so much?”

https://www.ellenbass.com/

And now to ramble:

Wow! That line spoke to me with quite a jolt. Just yesterday I was commiserating how much I don’t

recall from my previous lives. You know, like my life married to Previous Spouse. I actually

verbalized to my current husband that I can’t recall Previous Spouse ever saying, “I love you.”

Of course he did??? I wondered what it sounded like. I can’t even remember his voice,

let alone those specific words.

We forget. And do I “need so much?” 

I am quite sure I need to be nudged when saying inconsiderate thoughts. 

I am quite sure I should be nudged when thoughts emerge through my verbalizations that should be

kept to myself. 

But as the “getting older” becomes the reality I really try to not need so much. 

I just need affirmation that I am not alone in feeling useless. 

I just need affirmation that I will not allow myself to indulge in loneliness. 

I just need to know that I can be forgiven for my frailties.

And so I muddle through another day, another month, another few months with ideas exploding in my head to do this, jump into this, spread your wings here…..and there…..and take off on a new adventure.

I put on the brakes and just write about it. Writing helps me sort out the inconsistencies in my life and in my actions and definitely in my accomplishments. 

Stick with

what makes you love to get up in the mornings, 

what makes you passionate, 

what creates exhilaration in your days, your months and your years. 

* * * * *

Pursue your goals gently, Joan. They may not be as unreachable as you think. 

You know that old saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it!”  

First Friday Muses

It's the first Friday in December, I am going to post the first Friday of each month a reflection, some thoughts and sharings.

A decision was made for me with my approval! My memoir writing class at Dietert Senior Center has moved to Tuesdays in March instead of Thursdays. That allows me to join the Bible Study Fellowship group that meets locally here in Kerrville, TX.  on Thursday mornings.I have applied to the local group and sent my resignation letter to the online zoom leader with whom I have been studying.

The online BSF ladies group of 70+ in age has not been my comfort zone. I seldom, if ever, joined in the discussion, but perched in front of the computer and allowed my face to be in a square on zoomland. Sometimes, not always, I had my lessons completed.

My relationship with BSF goes back to the 1960's when my little children attended with me. Yes, that is a long time ago. Then we moved, and moved again and I dropped out and returned in 2015. Again I dropped out because I kept falling asleep during the evening lecture as I was teaching full time in Idaho.

I am looking forward to being a part of BSF here in Kerrville where I will meet Christian women and enjoy the togetherness meeting in person allows. It just wasn't cozy in those zoom squares and non participation is not my norm. I know the motivation to complete the weekly lessons will be greater when I am meeting in real time.

Moving to reflection #2. My hubby and I are tired of driving for holiday dinners to my daughter's home in Austin. We enjoy immensely being there, eating their delicious foods, sharing dog language with each animal present and just relaxing. However, I think it is my turn to host. This Christmas our home is open for all who would like to share the holiday meal and time together. And so the invites are going out to children in Texas and maybe a few others in the area. Put a spiral cut ham in the oven and concoct a few side dishes.....what's so hard about that? 

Come over and have some Christmas wassail with us. 

Wild Writing

 

"Bear with me, I want to tell you something about" why I consistently sign up for writing classes online. It's for exactly what I am experiencing now. I am typing, letting my fingers dance emotionally across the keyboard. There should be music in the background, but my cd just ended. Set the timer for 15 minutes and take off ......

This is a new class for me - 27 Wilder Days and Wild Writing. I have been observing Laurie Wagner operate her writing classes online now for several years. She believes in just letting the pen flow, never allowing it to leave the paper. Writing Courses Online, Online Writing Course, Laurie Wagner (27powers.org) This is my first class with her, watching a video daily, $27 for 27 days.

She reads a poem and then uses “jump off lines” to prompt the writer. I like to do exactly that process. Read a poem once, twice and then pick a line or two and begin writing. I used this process for warm-ups in the memoir class I taught at the senior center. 

Today Laurie read a poem by Paul Hostovsky, Coconut, and the first line above is a quote from that poem. Here is a link to the poem: Coconut by Paul Hostovsky - Your Daily Poem

As I wrote, I rattled on about my day and specifically about the vintage bookmobile that is in the finishing stages. It is Charter #155351 with Little Free Library. I will keep you informed as to how to follow me on their app and also where I will be parked and giving away children’s books.

However, between now and Christmas I hope to sell at the Heart of the Hills Farmers Market my wooden crafts and lighted wine bottles to support the purchasing of books and trailer travels. My top priority is book gathering and giving, so the craft making will be limited. I am enjoying the wooden trees and angels. Perhaps that process can be transposed to creating other products after Christmas.

Blessings to you this Thanksgiving weekend,

joan

 

Life Coach Needed!

 

I wonder if everyone has projects on the shelves, in the drawer, plastic tubs in closets......you get the picture, right?

Is it possible to start something new and not finishing (or even starting) the previous impulse.

So what would a life coach say? 

Convinced that I am a scanner, a multi potentiate, a seeker of all things and master of none, I need a life coach. 

Life coach

noun

• 1.a person who counsels and encourages clients on matters having to do with careers or personal challenges.

Personal challenges - aaaahhhhh yes, that is what I have given myself as I start something new, caress the possibility of being a reknown ______________. It's not going to happen. I flitter and flub, set aside and move on to the next "challenge" or is it the next "gotta try this before I die" project.

And so I begin listing the interests around my house that would take time, months, years of instruction to learn. I can go room by room and tell you what is sitting, waiting for me to dive in.....here we go.....

......no special order as I shuffle through the house......

1. weaving looms and bag of threads

2. wine bottles galore to be painted and lights for the insides

3. craft paints in a myriad of colors for my online video library from Painting of the Month

4. more painting to-dos with numerous paint-by-number kits

5. Peace Corps book to finish

6. Native American flute collection to play

7. embroidery of vintage trailers for pillow casings

8. dulcimers to sell

9. dehydrator to use for ??? (never used)

10. Ninja blender for smoothies (never used)

11. jazz books beside the piano to begin studying that genre

12. fiddle to practice for weekly lesson

That's enuf! I am exhausted just listing my interests. I am setting it all aside except for the fiddle and the piano and perhaps, the book which needs hatching! It's percolating as I type with chapters written.

I have a new vision, a new plan, a new project and it is the most worthwhile project I could imagine.

I am pumped up and ready to literally "roll out the driveway."

I believe that a separate blog will be opened for this new venture.

Stay tuned!

Epictetus and Seeking

Epictetus - Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–c. 138)

Seeking that tranquil way of life is difficult for me. I consistently sign up, enroll, add another experience to my life.....consistently and without shame.

I am trying to calm down, to breathe before I commit, to spend 

part of each day in pure relaxation with a book and my feet up.

Sometimes I do just that.....and the day is going, going, gone, and my feet are still up!

For example, I want to sign up for the following:

Home - Carla Sonheim Presents

I am curious as to the possibilities because it is a totally foreign genre to me. Like I don't even paint except following a video, step 1, step 2, step 3....turn off the computer, and then rerun. 

What makes me think I can do this?

And so I shall ponder a bit more and see what develops as I overreact to online classes. In the meantime I want to promote Epictetus. What an amazing philosopher from so very long ago. Makes me turn to Ecclesiates in the Bible.

Dandelion Discourse

Inspired by Anne Schneider's Alphabet Soup, I have written the following short poem. Yesterday at memoir class I used Anne's poem as a prompt. The ladies wrote stunning short poems and how I wish I had copies of each to reread.

This came about during our seven minute write and then I rewrote it this morning. I am sharing it with my Story Circle poetry group as a submission for October. 

Dandelion Discourse

Taraxacum Officinalis, Greek

Scientific Name for Dandelion

Means disorder, remedy

i eat dandelion greens, no,

i don’t but

i’d like to try and capture

the blowball

from the dandy 

spit them off the end of my

tongue as the fuzziness

makes words

stumble upon each other

spitting with pphhtt and thutt 

my tongue pushes the tickles 

out about, then sucking through

the stems, hollow as a straw 

we kids pieced them together-

worn as necklaces

never sipping anything through them.

10/14/2022

Memoir Class at Dietert Senior Center

 

Today was the first of five memoir writing classes I am facilitating at Dietert Senior Center, Kerrville, Texas. I taught my first memoir class there last spring 2022.

The five-week structure is perfect for implementing Story Circle Network's curriculum, "Older Women's Legacy Circle Memoirs: Piecing Together The Patterns of Our Lives." The commitment of five weeks is pleasing for me, not too long, not too short. I am absolutely thrilled with the seven ladies who are taking the class this fall term 2022

We write at the ninety minute meeting and I also send them home with an assignment. I follow the assignment with an email and additional prompts/explanation.

One of my favorite activities is the chair poem which I learned in AWA, Amherst Writers and Artists.  One poem is placed on the chairs each week, read aloud and then prompts utilizing the poem are given. We write for approximately ten minutes and share our writing as desired. No one is ever called upon to read what they have written. Sharing is always optional!

Today I used George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From" as the chair poem. I love this poem and I love the results that emerge from the writers, beautiful words and poetry evolve as they did today.

Where I'm From, a poem by George Ella Lyon, writer and teacher

Check out her marvelous website. I just signed up for her e-letter. You will be hearing more from me about Ms. Lyon.......and about the memoir class. I am going to be learning how to be a better writer just by listening to these seven participants!

I'm Back!

I did not intend to be absent from blogging for this month of September. 

I did not intend to take a break from writing.

I did not intend to not document this past month filled with new and old, tiredness and renewed strength.

However, I did and now I am back! I feel recharged!

I am returning to this diary of sorts that I thoroughly enjoy writing.

And so we are safe and sound in our home, pledging to not be absent from this Kerrville Kastle for such a length of time - four months is too long. Maybe two months is just right for next summer.

All is becoming normal again. Just today I planted mums in the greenhouse and turned the sprinkling system on again. The rv is still being unpacked - never to be filled again with so much extraneous stuff.

Book club has been attended and the fiddle is being practiced. 

I have made a commitment to myself to further my Bible study with Bible Study Fellowship.

I have signed up for a class on transitions and poetry with my journal facilitating group. I have yet to commit monetarily to the poetry therapy training that I plan to begin.

Yesterday I attended a writer's conference at the library and am becoming energized to finish my Peace Corps book. It has been on the back burner now for a year. No one is going to complete this memoir of sorts.  

Which reminds me! I hope the memoir class at the Dietert Senior Center "makes." Classes will begin October 6th as scheduled.

And then there is the weekend coming up when we have reservations made to attend a Vintage Trailer Rally located about two hours away. The 1956 Jewel will be our camper for the weekend. 

Yes, I am back and life is burgeoning with possibilities. Transitioning into another year of retirement.

And I plan to "just be" for part of this year - not always "doing" but experiencing "being!"

Living to relax,

joan  💖

Setting Everything Aside

 

 

 

                                                  Setting Everything Aside

It’s possible to just let the pen punish the paper so to speak.

Let the pen have its way - the paper is merely a surface.

Let my joy and flitting mind have its way - the keyboard is merely

an instrument.

Time to allow the “what ifs” to emerge into…….

 

What if I am so successful with this book mobile that

another one becomes driven by another one and

another as many books are given to children who

might never have their own books to read, to turn

pages, to delve into the fantasy that only

one mind can devour from one book.

 

As with the starfish thrown back into the sea,

“You can’t possibly save all the starfish.”

“But I can save that one!”

Just one more child with a book as a starfish finding itself

in the ocean of joyous reading.

 

                *      *      *     *     *

 

Welcome to the Banned Book Nook, aahhh yes!

Welcome to a corner in the vintage book mobile, closet rod removed,

where one can browse the shelves of banned books,

children’s picture books, adult novels, poetry, graphic novels

and more….banned from children and you having access to

decide for yourself what you desire to read, yes?

 

Parents, decide what books your children should read, not what

other children should read.

Allow the access to be free, the wisdom to be gained by reading

what may be offensive to others, may not be to you, yes?

 

My Little Free Library is free for all children, free in its accessibility,

free in its boundless opportunity to give all who enter the

option: choose one book, one message, an escape into

words, pictures, diagrams, sketches, photos, silly stuff

pages of colors with no words

                                 pages of words with no colors

                  pages of people with many colors

                                                     pages of people with colorful words..

 

So different are we that I wonder about the starfish that did get picked up,

tossed to the sea to live and not perish on the sands. I wonder about

the book that will get picked up, tossed into a child’s mind to stretch his

imagination, knowing, of course, that the child will not perish but is given

one more chance to grow intellectually, emotionally and with wisdom

imparted from the pages.              

 

"Are there any questions?"

08/28/2022

(Response written to Margaret Atwood's last line of her novel, The Handmaid's Tale, which is "Are there any questions?"

 

 

From Idaho to Texas

The trek to Texas from Idaho with my new-to-me 1975 Chevy truck and 1968 vintage travel trailer is nearing departure. The trailer wheels are being repainted and new tires put on as I write this. The trailer will be my bookmobile, my Little Free Library on wheels. The exterior will be white/yellow to match the truck and have decals of dots and jamajoan’s bookmobile, free books for all children.

The Little Free Library gave their consent to my idea so I shall register with them and use their app to post my location. I hope to attend festivals, farmer’s markets, parades and small town celebrations throughout the year. https://littlefreelibrary.com

“Where to find the books?” you ask. I will scour thrift stores, garage sales and hopefully the word will spread that jamajoan’s bookmobile will gladly receive your children’s books. 

How could this possibly fail? What could possible go wrong? 

The truck may need maintenance; we have a backup truck to use.

My challenge? How do I keep track of who gets what and how often can the same child visit and receive a free book? I am not concerned. There will always be folks wanting to trade books too, don’t you think?

And what could be more delightful than a child frequenting the “library” seeking literacy.

Nature Cures

 

Spending the summer in a state park can be quite invigorating. For the first time ever, I have spent time (and money on bird feeders) sitting and watching the pine siskins, chickadees and hummers. I am aware that just sitting is not my default. However, I am learning to sit and watch, maybe have coffee, not always necessary.

I don’t have to be on my phone or iPad.

I don’t have to be reading a book.

I don’t have to be holding a camera.

I don’t even have to be journaling.

I can just be!

And as I spend these moments in observation and reflection I am discovering a peace in existing, also a piece of existence. It is ok to sit and sift thoughts. 

Not particularly earth shaking philosophies, but definitely a way to simmer and store the best part of life’s joys without always doing and processing. 

Yes, this summer 2022 has been looking inside while outside with fluttering wings, shivering limbs and clouds of glory over all.

It just requires a lawn chair and a willingness to be! 

Jill Badonsky, author of “The Muse Is In” says that meditation is to “ quiet the incessant chatter of the mind, relax the body, and tap into a flow of inspiration, intuition, and imagination” (p. 57).  That all sounds like a big order of tapping. However, the mind is capable of taking one on unsuspecting journeys when stilled and only prompted by nature’s gifts. 

It’s free for the taking!

♥️ Joan

Junior Ranger Program

 The above photo captures part of the Jr. Ranger room, Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho.

I am spending 3+ months volunteering in this room. Dave and Ava are back at the trailer in our lovely site on Volunteer Row Rd. Actually, today Dave is rewiring the new-to-me vintage trailer, preparing it for our trek Labor Day weekend back to Texas.

The program has been established for four years and is very well done. Activities such as water coloring, sensory bins (sand), touch and feel feathers and bird nests, deer bones to hold and explore……oh, so much for children of all ages. The bat corner is getting a small table on which the kids will be able to put together a bat skeleton, complete with intestines and lungs. This was one of my requests. Other suggestions have been honored, but not all!

My responsibilities include directing the children and parents through the self-guided “This or That” multiple choice worksheet on mini-clipboards, answer questions and check out backpacks loaded with activities and fishing rods/tackle boxes. These items can be borrowed for 24 hours to folks camped in the park and neighbors in the community. 

Since I have my hotspot on my phone which connects with an iPad, I keep myself entertained between visitors. As I contemplate this blog there are nine adults and teenagers in the room.  The boys are answering the clip board questions. I will give them a badge and patch if they complete the circuit.

They were such pleasant young men. The joy in meeting and greeting our future generation is rewarding. Yes, they completed all requirements  to earn a badge.

The interactions between parents and children is also interesting to observe. This is definitely a family room!

Before I sign off, excuse me as I pour some water in a tiny paper cup. The cutest five-year-old is water coloring as mom instructs, “Dip the brush into the water, then the paint. He is smiling as Dad sits down beside him. Little Boy says, “I need more juice,” (meaning water on the brush).  Big Sister is stamping her activity book documenting activities experienced here at Farragut. Now the two-year old is water coloring too, per Dad’s instructions.

All will receive a badge. I reward ALL participants that work at their levels of competency.

(to be continued)

Maybe a My Little Library (on wheels)

Here’s an interesting little free library with wheels. 

I have contacted the main office of https://littlefreelibrary.org/ hoping they will approve of my vintage trailer becoming a little free library. Since they are a non profit organization it would make me a nonprofit business under their umbrella. We’ll see how they respond.

In the meantime I am beginning to clean and take apart the trailer to make room for the shelves Dave will build when we return to Texas. Access to his shop of tools will make the renovation process easier.

I have a new-to-me “old” truck which I hope will pull the trailer successfully from N.Idaho to Texas.

It’s a bright yellow and white 1975 vintage Chevy.

It would be great to match the yellow and decorate the trailer in polka dots - kinda like Lopshire’s

Can you see how exciting this project can be? Parades, library visits, local author programming….and more ….tantalizing the young reader to become a bibliophile!

The Muse of Dedication

                                                    

"If you're dedicated, if it's something that lives and breathes in your heart, then                 you've simply got to go ahead and do it."

— Rodney Crowell

I believe the key word in the above quote is dedicated! To be dedicated to any ideal, passion, hobby, adventure, spark, idea, theology = person, place or thing, it will “live and breathe in your heart” until addressed. And yes, perhaps this person, place or thing will never be given its due attention.

That is sad because the carrier of said passion will feel incomplete and nonessential. These are strong thoughts. These strong thoughts could spark much discussion. I wish they would.

And so here I sit - feeling quite content that I am diving off yet another high board. The possibility of wheeling down the road with a bookmobile trailer, vintage to boot, pulled by a very old truck that is not perfect, yet functional, delights me.

I, too, am vintage, very old, not perfect, yet still functional and ready to follow my muse into this bookmobile world.

I am going to “go ahead and do it.”

Your thoughts?

Vintage Bookmobile Acquisition

Isn’t it good lookin’?                       (Photo from Craigslist/Spokane listing)

The actual transaction occurs tomorrow. I am more than thrilled to have found the perfect vintage trailer for my bookmobile charity.

It is a 1968 Timberline, “born” the same year of my first son!

It was slightly modified to accommodate an audio book recording business, so we don’t need to fret over undoing anything vintage that would negate the trailer’s value.

Shelves are to be installed and we’re ready to stock it - well, not quite…..need to set up the 501c3 status and the LLC. 

And the fun part collecting books, redistributing them to those kids in need and “advancing children’s literacy book by book” (my motto) is our goal.

The journey begins soon!

Hop aboard!

Jamajoan's Vintage Bookmobile

                                                (stock photo of what life was like when.......)

It is going to be a reality! I am in, totally in and enthralled with the concept.

Free books for children, delivered to rural areas, available at farmers' markets, festivals, library gatherings hither and yon.

I am convinced the concept, although not original, will work for me. There are never enough books for children. I am aware that technology can be a current outlet for reading, but to hold the book, turn the page, delight in the illustrations, turn back, reread, and have favorites is what this is all about. 

I also plan to spotlight local children's authors by providing a delightful platform for readings, signings, interactions with real live authors and as to be expected, signed books for sale. 

This is going to be exhilarating, exhausting and intriguing for me. The power of literacy and the availability of free books for children is a win-win formula.

Do you agree?

And so my vintage trailer becomes Jamajoan's Vintage Bookmobile.

I'm in and filing for a 501c3 this week. It is going to be a reality!

The travels are just beginning and the journey of giving and sharing is well anticipated.

                                         kidsreadfree6@gmail.com

                                                979-270-0766

 

Online Writing Classes

I like online writing classes. I have not liked every class I have taken, but I have learned something of value in every class. For example, lyric essays confound me and I learned that in a lyric essay class. I now attempt to read something the teacher has written before I sign up for his/usually a her class.

The options are many. The promises are grounded in reviews by previous participants. The classes with Story Circle Network have consistently pleased me. Oh, there might have been one or two that were disappointing or less interesting. I would like to teach a class for SCN someday but the resumes of the facilitators are so impressive. First, I must send out work to become published which means I must “set myself up for rejection….after rejection…..after rejection.” That is one goal for 2023! Send my work out!

The classes for SCN have just been posted. They begin in July. I am debating, but thinking the class with Anne Randolph “Write Hot” might stir my inkwell. Want to join me?

https://www.storycircle.org/class/write-hot/

"Deal" Cried the Loser

I am beginning to understand why old folks reminisce. We have time and memories. We try to sort out what life has dealt us and how we played our cards.

I think about timelines and how there is confusion in my mind as to what occurred when. I need to document and literally create a calendar.

I think about how I spent the years being a stay-at-home wife raising the five children while their father traveled and supported us.

I think about the debt we incurred because we acted like there was never going to be a downturn in our financial situation. I question our immaturity and lack of budgeting which created tension and embarrassment for all of us, including teenage children.

I think about not reminiscing, about purging the past like it barely occurred and just forging ahead with activities and busyness of an old woman.

However, I want to make sense of my life and to do so I much accept my responsibilities in the decisions that were made, bad, good, and those that really didn't matter. I don't believe there are many of the latter. It seems like all decisions affect one another.

And so I shall reminisce, maybe write a page or two, maybe ask the children for some photos to recall those times as my memory flounders. I made mistakes and I suffered consequences. We all did!

I have no photos of the first marriage, the raising of the children, the vacations, the graduations, family get-togethers. However, the children may have the shoeboxes or they may have disappeared in the divorce and with the deaths of the father and step mother. It's possible. 

I haven't been interested in this challenge until recently. Along with the recognition of choices made that created disharmony, I may find peace in knowing I am still alive and willing to ask for forgiveness and one more chance to heal the disconnections in our family.

Let's just say that I am playing poker, holding the cards and probably have a full house of memories to deal with, gently and cautiously.