The Butterfly Wrestler

Last Sunday I took a workshop in the Carousel Building in Asbury Park. The history of Asbury Park is fascinating. My mind is always a mixture of feelings with so many memories made there. But, most of all I love the new memories still being made. There was so much positive, good, happy, energy this weekend. Like it was each person's job to make sure more then 35,000 people left the town of Asbury Park feeling safe and content. One of my favorite parts of the Sea Hear Now festival is the Art and Artists it brings to town. This year, on Sunday Jenn Hampton and the Wooden Walls Project brought Ben Venom in from San Francisco for a day of sewing appliques. I loved his style of teaching. A few hours in the morning to make the applique. And, a few hours in the afternoon to attach it. I had to work in the afternoon. So, I realized early on I wanted to embroider my skull. I also wanted to do the work at home. Ben shared some great quotes. I now take notes on my phone

Erin Hilderbrand's book signings are like a party. She picks a color theme. The waiting line is full of conversation. And, everyone follows the color code. It was fun looking at 300 Elin fans gathered all dressed in aqua. A couple of days before the event an email is sent with what color to wear. I loved the thoughfulness of it. And, how it helped her long time fans show their appreciation for her. The post it notes where they take your name were even aqua. When inside there was a festive scene of balloons. A huge arch framed where she would be signing. She is very gracious, and took pictures with each one of us. As, you can see from the picture, she is having fun. Lots of good cheer. She was particularly happy, because she could announce her book "The Perfect Couple" was coming to Netflix. The next day she announced it was 24 years in the making. As an aspiring writer, this is so important to see. I have been amazed in the last few years the first books

I love looking at the school pictures on facebook from the beginning of the school year to the end. And, to see all the differences. This time of year I am trying to relax into a season of transforming into retirement. I am still working on my book. But, focusing on artwork to divide each chapter. Also, organinzing the format and outline. During this time I find it really important to start working on a marketing plan. And, putting my focus on other Authors. Listening to their stories and challenges. The picture above is Sona Charaiporta. I met her at the book signing for The Cliffs by J.Courtney Sullivan. There was a gigantic line for J. Courtney Sullivan. So, I decided to chat with Sona Charaipotra. And, the little time we spent together, I learned a lot. I wanted to say I appreciated the format the Author used bringing a friend was a great idea. Showing the importance of making connections, and supporting each other. The other was writing is a very isolating tas

My biggest hill to climb in the last three years was how to cultivate love. Amanda Gorman at the Democratic Convention even talked about how our country could come back to love. Michelle Obama talked about motherly love and encouragement. This makes me feel I am not alone on my journey. I am not the only one seeking love to mend a broken heart. I find love everywhere. My senses are alive and in tune with the beautiful world we live in. Day by day I pay attention to all the goodness I can find. In what I see, hear, smell, taste, touch and feel. I try to paint it in my journals, so these feelings can stay with me. This year has been really special, because I can live in my house all day long in total quiet. Something I have never been able to do before. I started realizing music was actually replaying memories, and making me feel distracted from the present day. I realized how good it would feel to complete a book I was reading. In the winter months I would start three di

It was 1999 and I had interviewed in New York City. I was recommended by Nancy Petracco, who owned Crabtree and Evelyn in Spring Lake. Brielle Galleries was closed or closing. The interview went well, and for the first time in my life, I said I had to think about it. We had just put an addition on our house, and my twins were eight years old. I ended up taking the job. I was a manufacture's representative for about forty toy and stationery companies. My territory was central and south Jersey. It was my yellow brick road into a world of free merchandise being delivered to my door daily. The two publishing companies I represented were Workman Publishing and Andrews and McMeel. To say I loved this job was an understatement. The day of my birthday I recieved a box from All Night Media. It was a Thank You and the letter G rubber stamp including embossing powder, rubberstamp pad, and heat gun. It said this was for me to use and practice with, to help sell the product. It w

The last few weeks became very exciting. Like a child, I put my brush to paper. Imagining what my bookshop would look like. It was fun putting it on paper. I added a rainbow. Because, on social media I wanted to include the song "Reading Rainbow". The next day is when I saw a rainbow without rain. It is not an arched rainbow, but like a cloud rainbow. This was very rectangular. Of course, it freaked me out. I look for signs. And, I really haven't had many this year. Last year I was finding mushrooms everywhere and taking pictures. This just gives me the feeling like, I am living an enchanting life, like a fairy tale. And, seeing a rare rainbow like this made me feel all the feels. Shortly, after first seeing the rainbow, a new song from Cage the Elephant called Rainbow came on my radio. I used to call this my radio karma. Today, I would call it devine timing. Whatever it is, I'll take it! I also downloaded a vidio on you tube. I will be trying every