Yesterday I stopped by my local library, and as the staff and I chatted about my book, the director asked me if I knew about the Community Baby Shower sponsored by The Elks. Here’s what they write about it on their website:

“Access to books is an important factor in children’s literacy, yet in many of the same low-income areas where diaper need is high, so is the need for books. One study shows that in low-income communities, there is an average of one book per 300 children. This is in stark contrast to middle-income communities, where, on average, there are thirteen books in a single home.” (https://www.elks.org/SharedElksOrg/enf/files/CommunityBabyShower.pdf)

The Elk’s Community Baby Shower in my area is in early November, and my wonderful library is going to buy several of my books to donate to them. I told them I’d match whatever they donate and would also volunteer for the event to do story time or sign copies or whatever they need. 

I’ve only got two weeks to go on my Kickstarter Campaign, so if you’re thinking about it, and if you’re able, I’d love your support. Stay tuned for a video of me reading “What Do Toes Do?” to my two dogs!

My pallet of books which weighs 215 pounds is on its way. It doesn’t look exactly like this, but you get the idea. The books are coming! I started working on “What Do Toes Do?” back in the late winter, and now, about 7 months later, the books will arrive. How exciting is that? 

Why do I hope you’ll support my campaign? Giving away books is a privilege and no matter what happens I will do it. I’ve already committed to giving books to all the libraries in my state, to a NICU in Springfield, MA, and to Read to Grow–a wonderful nonprofit that gets books to families who can’t afford them. And I’m sending books to my talented illustrator in Indonesia, and giving others to those who helped me along the way including several staff members of my local library. 

I will sell some of my books, too, at my local bookstore and at craft fairs, story times, etc. Between those sales and my Kickstarter Campaign, I will be able to afford to begin work on the next book in the series, which might be “What Does Your Nose Do?” I will, of course, use the same illustrator–she is wonderful. So if you can, please think about being part of something special and your generosity will live on in all the babies and toddlers who receive the books. 

I am surprised. I’ve been teaching workshops for library staff for almost ten years and I didn’t see this coming. An organization that I often work for asked me if I’d like to have them get a copy of my book into every library in my state. I said Yes! So part of my donations will go to libraries, as I’m also comitted to giving the book to hospitals–especially those with a NICU–and literary organizations that serve families who want books but can’t afford them. All I have to do is to deliver about 150-180 books (once they arrive) and they’ll ship them out. Now that is a gift and a wonderful example of how one thing (I said I’d give away half my print run) leads to another (their generosity.) Thanks to all who have already pledged to my campaign. It means so much!

I didn’t plan on publishing a book–or in this case a series of six books–on my own. But having tried for many months to get a traditional publisher to take “What Do Toes Do?”, I got discouraged and asked my husband what I should do. He said, “Why don’t you publish it yourself?” I instantly thought of a whole list of reasons why I didn’t want to do this, but over time I decided it was worth a try.

I founded Salt Cove Publications, found an illustrator from Indonesia, discovered that one of my local librarians is a good editor, and “What Do Toes Do?” was born. The first in a series of six board books, “What Do Toes Do?” captures babies’ delight in discovering their own toes. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign, I plan to give away at least half of the print run–that’s 270 books! I’ve already lined up a delivery of my books to a NICU unit at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, and am meeting with a local nonprofit organization, “Read to Grow”, whose mission is “To promote language skills and literacy for children, beginning at birth, and to support families as their babies’ first teachers.”

I’ve also started booking Story Time at libraries so I can read my new book to babies and toddlers. And yes, my book will be for sale in bookstores and online, too, and I’m available for speaking events including bookclubs, writers workshops, and publishing forums. 

I’ve had three books published by major publishing companies and that was exciting. But I have to say, this is really special because it’s been a collaborative process with so much help along the way. I can’t wait to get to work on the next one which might be “What Does Your Nose Do?” Stay tuned!

Please check out my Kickstarter pre-launch page:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1737438770/what-do-toes-do. My campaign to raise $3,200 in 30 days starts on September 25th.

I always find it a bit startling when Daylight Savings ends and it starts to get dark around 4:30 in the afternoon. So to help myself, and hopefully a few others, here are ten things to consider.

1. Dark can be peaceful, even restful. Don’t fight it.
2. The mornings are bright and welcoming.
3. It could be time to get out those cozy blankets and throws.
4. Notice one thing that you like about dusk.
5. If you’re feeling sad about less outdoors time, start an indoor project.
6. Make soup–this almost always works for me–and share some with a neighbor.
7. Learn from animals–this photo of my dog, Rudy, says it all.
8. I know this sounds like a cliche, but light a candle and put on music you like.
9. Read a good book. If this hasn’t been something you’re already doing, visit your local library.
10. Hibernate–yes, I know we can’t really do that, but let your body adjust to a different time.

 

Maybe “harvest” is too grand a word for my little garden, but here we are in mid-September and my very long string beans and my cherry tomatoes have given me another wonderful bounty. I’ve come to think of the way I garden as “benign neglect”, meaning that I plant things, care for them, but then step aside and let them do what they want to do. It’s a little like raising children. Or writing a book. Effort and then no effort. Waiting. Thinking of other things. And the best part is that it’s always surprising. For example, a few weeks ago I realized that nasty vines were invading my roses. I put on my gardening gloves, yanked out as many as I could reach, got stuck by the thorns in the process, but now have two rose bushes that are so full of blooms I can’t keep up with them.

Patience is not one of my best qualities, but my fall harvest tells me wait, keep an open mind, and maybe, just maybe if I’m lucky, something unexpected will show up.

I’m reminded today of the power of gratitude as I came across an email, written to me by a job search client, 13 years ago. I was a bit bored and had decided to clean out a closet where I keep a lot of papers and there it was. This client had landed a good job and in thanking me, she wrote: “I carry your book, Eliminated! Now What? around like a Bible. It gives me great comfort and reassurance when I falter or self-doubt begins to creep in.”

That was and is a gift. An important reminder of why I do what I do. A connection. If you’d like to take my gratitude challenge, think of a person, past or present, who has helped you, and drop them a note. You’ll rarely know its impact, but do it anyway. It could just make someone’s day!

 

I recently entered a contest for very short writing and came up with two, fun pieces. Enjoy!

LOST

She sat at the diner, coffee cold, muffin half eaten

And wondered where to go next.

He hadn’t even sent a note or called

But she knew it was over the way you know

When a storm is coming and is about to break

Over your head.

 

 

 

DELICIOUS

He leaned in and she felt the heat of his face

The stubble of whiskers

His eyes on hers and she couldn’t help

But lift her face, her heart

Because just at that moment in the dark alley

They shared their first kiss. 

 

 

Check out my short story, “Restrained”, published in the online journal, “Literary Heist.” https://www.literaryheist.com/. Scroll down to short stories and you’ll find it.

 

 

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My desk is next to this bed where my two dogs love to take a morning nap in the winter sunlight. I glance over at them and can feel how warm their fur is, can feel relaxation. They’re quiet. Right up against each other.

My favoirte Christmas Carol is “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” and I sing it as I walk the dogs in the cold air. But there is nothing bleak about these two creatures even as the days shorten. I sing in a church choir and this season is advent–a time of waiting. Waiting for the darkness not to win. Waiting for light to return. Waiting for miracles.

I never thought of sleep as the best way to wait, but Rudy and Dixie, my two dogs, know best. They say:  find a sunny spot, close your eyes, let go of whatever you think you have to do and just be here. See what happens.