WWJD

I was driving down to a book fair yesterday and contemplating my life as it stands at the moment. There is a constant tug of war between I should be in the studio or what is the next thing to write. I only lasted one day at the book fair. It was all good, I met a new friend, Mary who wrote 3 books, Mary Greenwood is an author, negotiator, attorney, human resources professional, and mediator. Her three books are How to Interview Like a Pro, How To Mediate Like A Pro and How to Negotiate Like A Pro which have won a total of 28 book awards. She has a nice award on her page. I want one! She wrote practical books with easy to learn practical tips on getting ahead.

Mine is a memoir/adventure story, so it's appeal is not as great. I am not being sour grapes about it. Twice in a week, I ran into two women, who don't know each other, and they both read my book. Both women shared with me the story of them being in some circumstance beyond what they were use to. At the moment of panic they both independently came to the same question, "What would Judy do?"

That was fun... they got out of their jams and it was nice that they thought of me.

Do stories transcend time?

During my morning walk around the neighborhood, I came up with this question. At first, the obvious answer is 'yes', or to me it was. If you consider the notion that time is not linear, ie, past, present, future, but it is all in the now, and multdimensional at that, what happens to those stories that make up who we are?
I venture to say that those stories that are meaningful, character building, or emotionally biased are those that stick with us throughout. I can't remember what I did last Tuesday but I can remember the births of my daughters as if they were yesterday, not 30 years ago.
That segways me into books. I had been thinking of a book to introduce to the student I am mentoring, who has a fondness for animals but a dislike of reading as she has never found a good book. After much thought, I came up with White Fang by Jack London.... I read it years ago, it is set during the end of the 19th century and what I remember is more of the emotions,the excitement and the feelings associated with the story. I look forward to reading it again and reliving the details.

I have a couple of books that I read once every ten years. Each time, it is like vacationing with my old friends and the stories that they tell. What a treat.

Stories are timeless, all those who read the scriptures and holy books surely think so. These days where things change so fast, one minute your in and the next you are a 'who was that?" (Doesn't Heidi Klum and all the other copycats on Bravo say that?) I venture to conclude that it has everything to do with the story content not when it happened

I am enjoying a good read

A couple of weeks ago, I went camping with a large group, as I signed up to help out with a Kayak Rendezvous here in Florida. I do not camp. So, I didn't have a clue how to set up my tent. That's when 'she who doesn't camp', asked for help from other campers. That is how I meant Warren Richey, the author of 'Without a Paddle'. I so enjoyed our discussions about our adventures. I could no more see myself paddling a 17 ft kayak around the state of Florida then could he take a 13 year old daughter around the world. What I am enjoying is the description of his adventures. There are some tender, heartfelt moments for sure in the book, but I love his story telling. I have laughed out loud more than one. It is fun to know an author and then read his book. I will have to meet more of them. I think I will head in to read some more right now. Thanks Warren!

Memories of a 13year old

I recently became a tutor to a wonderful, beguiling, charming young girl who is 13 and in the 8th grade. When we first met, I was amazed at how young 13 is. I couldn't believe that I took a 13 year old all the way around the world! What was I thinking? Did I want to go so much that I didn't think? Was Jill so mature? The more I talk with my student and get to know her, I can't help but remember what it was like to take a young person, just like her, on the adventure of a life time...

back to writing some

I have been avoiding writing for a while. I think I just got tired of it but things just kept coming up and here I am at the keyboard. In the space of a week I went from the lowest low to the highest high and in hindsight it's all good. The lows surrounded a rejection in the art field. After all these years in the arts, you think I would have gotten use to it and not let it get to me this time. But it did. Not for too long though. I friend of mine made comment at the perfect moment that rejection is like a bee sting, it hurts for a bit then it goes away. That certainly was the truth and then I just move on. Cause it is so very subjective.

Now the highs. It wasn't easy to get there but it was so delicious. I was leading a group of people paddling on the Indian River, here in Florida this past weekend. We started out with 15 and 5 almost made it to our destination. It was so windy and white caps on the river, that after the first 5 went back, the rest of us went a bit further then stopped and I told the rest, that if it was up to me, I would go not further. I would't be out in a kayak in these conditions. 5 more left. And the rest wanted to forge on. It was blowing 10 to 15 knots, paddling into a strong wind, waves breaking over my bow. I realized how dumb I was, that I had no pump, sponge or skirt for the boat. One wave broadside and I would be in trouble. And I was the leader. I did all that I could to head straight into the waves. We got as far as we could in these conditions, about 3 miles when we had to turn back. The wind and waves were getting stronger.

On the way back I put my paddle up on my kayak and let the wind and waves take me home. The sky was gorgeous, the way the sun was hitting on the trees was brilliant. Those puffy white Florida clouds bounced off the Florida blue sky. The noise, the water, the struggle it was all at my back. If I hadn't of worked so hard I wonder if I would have appreciated it so much, but I did and I was happy. I was more than happy, it was joyful!

it was well worth the effort

I only wish that I had thought of putting the Preface in when I did the book the first time. But, I couldn't because the post it note was missing. I have to believe that all things happen at the right time. Once I got over the challenge of inserting 7 pages into the manuscript, it was all good. What's in the Preface didn't come easy or early but I'm glad it came, eventually.

Journey: a grand adventure around the world and within

The second edition! It took me a while to figure out what to do with that little piece of paper that I found and all the information on it. After much thought, I decided to add a subtitle and put the information into a PREFACE. To those of you who already read the first edition, just send an email to jre8552@gmail and I will send you the PREFACE. There is my lifetime of information in those 7 pages.

You can also download the first 10% of any book if you have an ebook reader. I do it all the time. Some books, those beginning pages are enough, others I can't wait to download the rest of the book and continue reading. I offer the option to any reader, take my lessons in the preface and see if they might work for you. Maybe you will be motivated to read more and see how I gained such wisdom.

It is fun for me to pass this forward.