Books & Writing
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SCBWI Conference
SCBWI Conference I decided at the last minute to take a weekend trip with Eric and attend the Florida regional SCBWI conference in Orlando. We had a blast! Look what we won at the silent auction! Eric said they fit me perfectly and we had to have them. They were made by an author…of course! Gaby Triana is not only the author of four novels but she’s also a cake decorator. Thank you, Gaby! It can get lonely sitting here typing with only my zoo for company. I decided it was time to meet some writers in person…actual people I could speak to…not online. Meeting authors online is comfortable for me…
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Wisdom Wednesday: Energy
Wisdom Wednesday: Energy Being aware of the energy you add or take from interactions is a sophisticated technique that radically changes the outcomes of the conversations that fill your day. Seth Godin I like to surround myself with people who have high positive energy levels. They motivate me and intrigue me. My husband, Eric, is such a person. He walks into a room with his smile and slight bounce in his step and his energy is felt by everyone. My good friend Elena is exactly the same. They carry a light within that shines so bright you can’t help but smile and laugh when in their presence. What makes them…
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Wisdom Wednesday: Setting Goals
Wisdom Wednesday: Setting Goals Alice: But I just wanted to ask you which way I wanted to go. Cheshire Cat: Well that depends on where you want to get to. Alice: Oh, it really doesn’t matter. Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn’t matter which way you go. I’ve always believed in setting goals. Most every inspirational book I read encourages doing so, however, sometimes the goal I set is so broad there are no specific details on how I’m going to reach my destination. It’s like saying I’m going to Illinois and simply getting in my car and driving without a GPS. I’d probably get there eventually but with my sense of direction it could take a…
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Wisdom Wednesday: Gratitude
Welcome to my Wisdom Wednesday post: Gratitude “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder I really like this quote because Mr. Wilder uses the words: in those moments. He is saying that the only time we are truly living is in the moments that we recognize our treasures. He’s not simply telling us to be thankful for each day. He’s telling us to see the beautiful moments in each day. Daily life can be so busy we go through the motions of completing task after task without ever recognizing the miracles that are…
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Trust
Trust Buddy and I have been together for almost nine months. He follows me wherever I go and if I feel I need absolute solitude to write I must lock the door because otherwise he opens it right up with the rest the pack and usually a cat or two behind him. The difference in Buddy from June 29th 2012, when we first brought him home, until now is amazing. He trusts us. It took months before he would actually look into our eyes. He would always listen and was very well-behaved but we all felt something was missing. We didn’t know what it was until suddenly the connection was made.…
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Growing Avocado Trees
I didn’t recognize the symbolism of growing an avocado tree at the same time I was beginning my journey of becoming an author. I simply loved avocados. Four years later as I set a new seed on my windowsill at the same time I was stressing over how to market Mystic I realized my avocado trees represented change and growth from within myself. They were my reminder that even though I could envision the giant tree that would fill my yard it wasn’t going to grow overnight. I needed to care for it every day while enjoying each day and know that eventually my seed would be a majestic tree. Here’s how to grow an avocado tree. This picture was…
