Welcome Autumn

The Autumn equinox is today, September 23rd. It’s sad that summer fades so quickly. But, just because the Northern Hemisphere is tilting from the sun, doesn’t mean summer antics are over. There is still plenty of sailing and beach bumming time. 

I’ve been sporadically absent from my blog and newsletter. There are a million excuses for my lapse. The marketing madness exhausted so much brain space. I ache to speak about stories and writing with children and teachers. I want to write another story, and get a project off the ground. 

The summer calendar was full of beach and sailing outings, family celebrations, and hosting visitors. But the heat grew intolerable, boat problems thwarted beach plans, and a tragic loss hit me and my family hard, throwing many of us into sorrow. My efforts in getting anything of substance done crumbled. I used laundry, daily grocery shopping, purging closets, and washing dishes as time fillers. *Note—I do not find cleaning cathartic. It is thankless, endless, and only noticed when it is not done. Housekeeping was simply stalling. 

My daily journal lay empty. I started a new journal early in the summer, but blank pages nagged. It was too easy to misplace the book, not find the right pen, and complain about the summer heat and humidity. It is one thing to ignore a blog and newsletter but neglecting my journaling practice gave the exhaustion and grief nowhere to go. 

I had to make a conscience effort to sit down (without the phone nearby) and get something, anything, written or doodled in my journal each morning. I am not a very witty or verbal person who can articulate what is going on in my head. Journal writing allows me to rehearse what needs to be said, rant about what I should not say out loud, and lay out paths forward while honoring and learning from the past. 

These past two weeks, I scribbled at least a page, sometimes four or five pages before pouring that second cup of coffee. What do I write about? It is mostly about how much I missed the morning pages. Journal writing offers me a sense of grounding, a voice, and the satisfaction of putting hand to pen to paper.

Do you journal? Daily? Weekly? Only Special Events? What subjects do you like to explore? Is it a satisfying task or a burdensome chore?

Another renewal was reconnecting with my writer’s group. I had been absent from the scheduled zoom meetings, again, for a million unsubstantiated reason. We are a bunch of women in various stages of our writing journey who share our ups and downs and write in sprints. The time, accountability, and camaraderie are invaluable. I prize my friends’ encouragement, common sense, and discussions. I made the effort to show up these last few weeks and feel recharged! 

Do you have a writers’ tribe? How did you meet? How do you meet? What makes your group work in your writing life?

So what is happening in my Writer’s World? 

Autumn Equinox GiveAway Sign up for my email list and put your name in the running for a FREE copy of Famous Seaweed Soup. (Not to worry.  I don’t share info since I don’t know how. Even if I did, I wouldn’t). Hurry! Because this ends next week when the equinox is old news. Enter HERE. Free!

There is also the Fall Middle Grade GiveAway where you can win my book, The Heart of Bakers and Artists with 10 other books, crafts, and projects. Enter HERE.Free!

Attention Teachers, Librarians, PTA Officers and Homeschoolers. Email me to schedule your live or virtual “There’s an Author in Our School” events. 

For my local friends I hope to see you at the King’s Chop House Fall Festival Main Street Bayshore 12:00-5:00 pm and/or Westhampton Beach Library’s Fall into Authors event October 3rd 4:30-6:00 pm 

AND stay tuned for more events, stories, and maybe a prompt of two?

It’s great to be back.

Enjoy ❤️ Like 👍 Share 😊

Great BIG Thanks and appreciation go out to Natalie the Explorer who keeps the Weekend Coffee Share percolating.

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