A Day of Firsts

One of my favorite parts of being an author is visiting schools to present programs and talk to the students. My desire is to make a difference in the students’ lives with my writing. The story accomplishes that, but when I can visit a school and talk with the students, I can convey my passions and take the lessons to a deeper level.

Today was a treat as I was invited to speak at CSA Central Middle School. Up until this point, I had spoken to groups of preschoolers, elementary students, adults and senior groups, but had not yet spoken at a middle or high school. The students were eager to listen and had some great questions.

Another first for today was that my husband, Paul Hoffman, and I were asked to speak together. We’d never done this before, but rocked out our program as well as sharing the slide remote control very well (we both attended kindergarten – a prerequisite for learning to share).

The CSA Central students are preparing to write historical fiction stories done in the “choose your own adventure” style. Paul and I were able to offer advice on creating a theme, how to gain inspiration, and outlining as well as some other handy writing tips.

At the end of the second group, one of the young ladies approached me with a broad smile on her face. She asked at what age did I start writing. She stated she had already started her writing career, creating stories for her younger brother to read. She also had something else to share, a characiture of my husband and I (seen at the top of the page). I was very honored that she shared this with us and allowed me to photograph it. Yet another first, a drawing of the two of us.

I never know what surprises await me when I speak, but they never disappoint.

Diapause

When Paul and I returned from Ukraine & Ireland, I was pleased to find my parsley plant covered with Black Swallowtail caterpillars. We had several caterpillars last year, but this year a total of 32 were eating, hiding, and enjoying my herb garden. I brought them into my butterfly house, provided them with organic parsley, cleaned out the frass daily and waited. They grew…and grew…and grew. Finally, they were ready to form their chrysalis and prepare for the time they would eclose.

But this year was different. There were a few that didn’t make it to the chrysalis stage. Four formed their chrysalis, but then were invaded by Chalcid wasps (equivalent of our Invasion of the Body Snatchers). When the first butterfly came out, its wings never developed for flight. I cried. Butterflies were made to fly. Several more emerged and flew off to the East. Currently I have about 8 chrysalis left, which have decided to diapause or over-winter (insect’s version of hibernation).

I researched and discovered I must place the butterflies outside, still in their house, in a protected space such as a porch with an overhang or a garage. I choose my garage and placed them up off the floor with a towel covering two sides of the house. They need protection from predators as well as some humidity and ventilation. Now, as the butterfly waits for spring, so do I. I am hopeful that they will emerge triumphantly next spring and fly off, perhaps returning to lay more eggs in my little herb garden.

As I contemplated my butterflies this year, I thought of how their metamorphosis is a perfect picture of ours. Some mature more quickly and emerge ready to fly. Others are attacked by the enemy or consumed by vices or the troubles of life and never emerge. Some think they are ready to fly, as they have made it through their metamorphosis, but still cling to the earth and don’t let their wings develop enough to fly. They are afraid, unsure of their newfound abilities. They cling to the life they knew before, even if it was painful because it’s what they know and it seems more comfortable. Then there are those who only need more time. They are changing and growing, but winter approaches. They know it’s not time to fly. It’s time to rest. Eclosing now would mean death. So, they wait.

What phase of metamorphosis are you in? If you are allowing growth and change, if you are resting when the winter of life comes, you are on the right path to becoming who you were meant to be. But, if you are afraid of the changes, if you complete your metamorphosis, but you’re afraid to spread your wings and fly, don’t despair…others have been there before, as well. You’re not alone. Don’t be afraid of this change. It’s new and strange, but it’s where you’re meant to be. You were meant to spread your wings and fly. And if you’re in the stage where you are allowing harm into your life whether from others or yourself, make the decision to stand up and say, “No More. This stops today.” Don’t let the “parasites” consume you. Finish your transformation.

Embrace the change. Eclose or diaspause. But grow. Be at peace and find gratitude and joy in your metamorphosis.

Exploring New Possibilities

I’ve published poetry, two children’s books with two more coming out soon, but had not yet taken on writing for a magazine. My friend, Kyrian London, who publishes e-zine, Brave Wings Magazine, asked if she could interview me for the magazine. I agreed and quite enjoyed thinking through and writing out the answers to her questions. Interview

After the interview, I agreed to write an article for her March issue on my adventure in Ireland – The Magic of Ireland. I found that I quite enjoyed writing magazine articles and was ready to take on another one.

My next article took on the subject of coping with fibromyalgia, Balancing Act.

Writing for a magazine can be a bit challenging as you are writing in a concise, informative venue in which you need to keep the reader’s interest. I was quite pleased with my first few attempts and am ready to take on more assignments. I’ve learned more about my abilities, broadened my scope of writing, and hopefully written articles that others can learn from and enjoy. I hope you enjoy reading the articles and will check out other articles in Brave Wings Magazine.

No Pineapple Whip – What?

Fairs are a great place to enjoy the rides, visit booths of local businesses, check out all the farm animals, have a dinner from either the Pork Producers, a local church or rotary club, enjoy some great entertainment and, yes, indulge in that lovely concoction known as pineapple whip. My husband has been known to make a trip to the county fair in order to purchase one (no sharing involved where this is concerned). But the fair I will be going to on March 23rd is not a county fair and, no, there will not be pineapple whip available for purchase, but it will definitely be a smorgasbord of literary delights.

On March 23rd, from 10 am to 1 pm, a bevy of authors with books ranging from cookbooks to history to fantasy will gather at The Clark-Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Library. You can meet and talk with the authors, as well as, purchase their books, which they will gladly sign for you.

Here are the authors who will be attending –

Aslan Tudor – an 11 yr old citizen of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas.

Lou Ellen Watts – my lovely friend from the south, with her book, “Sleeping in Dixie’s Feather Bed: Growing Up White in the Segregated South”.

Paul J. Hoffman – my wonderful husband, who has written, “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher” and “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” – both non-fiction.

Kaylin R Boyd – fantasy author and poet. Prose books include, “Tell City” and “The Mountain”.

Linda E. Minton – “WWII Heroes: We Were Just Doing Our Jobs” and “Remembering WWII Women”.

Chaplain Mike Mercer – Hospice chaplain – “Walking Home Together: Spiritual Guidance and Practical Advice for the End of Life” and “Show Me the Path: Cultivating a Life of Discernment”.

Nate Logan – author of “Inside the Golden Days of Missing You”.

Darrell French – interest in Indiana history, has begun researching and writing about the Franklin & Martinsville Railroad.

Christy Newton – romance writer.

Carol Michel – author of “Potted & Pruned: Living a Gardening Life”, “Homegrown and Handpicked: A Year in a Gardening Life” and “The Christmas Cottontail: A Story for Gardeners of All Ages”.

As well as myself! I will have both of my books – “Sigmund Stanley Spider Squared” and “Emma’s Dancing Day” along with the “Emma’s Dancing Day” coloring book.

So even though we don’t have any pineapple whip, come on over and enjoy the buffet of books available along with the “chefs” who stirred them up. I am sure you will find something that suits your literary tastes.

And it’s only January

It may only be January, but my calendar is filling up quickly. One look at my Event Page will attest to this fact and that is only half of the excitement coming this year.

While I am currently scheduling dates to present programs at schools, libraries and civic clubs, I am also learning Russian. This summer I will be going on a mission trip to Ukraine to teach ESL. But before I can see how well I can speak русский (that’s “Russian” in Russian), I will also be applying my acting skills in a sci-fi film that will be filmed right here in southern Indiana and to which my wonderfully talented husband is assisting with the screenplay.

All of this is stirring my creativity more and more. I have recently finished the rough draft of my latest children’s book, which I hope to have available later this year. In addition, I started crafting diffuser bracelets, which contain lava beads. You drip essential oil onto the lava beads and carry the scent with you throughout the day. Today I have immune defense on my bracelet. You have to be healthy to do all the things on my schedule! I add either signature beads, charms, or affirmations to the bracelet, sometimes adding all three. Like I said, the creativity is bursting out all over.

This is certainly not all of my adventures for 2019. Life is exciting with its roller coaster ride of ups and downs. But no matter what may come this year, let’s make it a good one. I know I am going to live it to the fullest.