Creativity

World Read Aloud Day

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

It’s coming up fast!

I hadn’t been aware until fairly recently that I could participate in this wonderful opportunity to read my picture book to children anywhere in the world via Zoom on World Read Aloud Day!

There is an endless amount of information on the benefits of reading aloud to children. It literally builds neural pathways that contribute to emotional well-being and academic success. Reading celebrates our deep connections to one another and the world. It is never too early to read aloud to a child!

If you would like me to read my book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? 2nd Edition, to your class or library group, we can arrange a time. Sessions are 20 minutes long, from 10 am to 2 pm, EST. I will read my book, and have a short Q and A at the end.

Please contact me if interested. I would love to read to your class.

I Am Honored

/ still a dreamer / 10 Comments

I am both honored and grateful to have received an award for my picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? 2nd Edition.

My book is the 2025 winner in the Poetry Category from Northern Lights Book Awards, who “Honor Children’s Literature of Exceptional Merit.” This is especially meaningful to me as a writer, as writing is something I have loved to do most of my life, and continue to do today.

They wrote, “Thank you for the enchanted time you gave our judges. It was a pleasure and an honor to read your book.” I am humbled.

I am also always grateful for Stella’s beautiful artwork, and that together, in words and images, we can take you through the rich imagination of a child who wonders where these magical butterflies go when daylight fades.

Butterflies is available on Amazon by clicking on the book cover found in the navigation.

Trusting Life

/ still a dreamer / 4 Comments

The holidays, no matter what we celebrate, seem to inescapably be a time for reflection. Not in the New Year’s resolution kind of way, but more of a quiet taking stock.

How did you do? Did you accomplish some of your goals? Did you let go of things/people that have been holding you back? Make new connections? Find new inspiration? Have you been taking care of your health, mentally and physically? Have you nurtured your dreams?

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to give yourself credit for all you’ve done and all you’ve tried to do, whether everything was a finished masterpiece or not.

Looking back over 2025, acknowledge all your growth. Be proud of yourself. Love yourself for every little thing. You did good.

I’m sharing this book here because Louise Hay (r.i.p.) has been a guide on my life path for decades, and was one of my first. She overcame a truly and deeply painful past, and rose to become known worldwide for her message of love. How important it is to embrace self love and heal ourselves, and in so doing, the world. This book is a good reminder.

Trusting life isn’t always so easy these days. Loving ourselves can be a challenge. So when you sit down to reflect a bit on your own life, please remember all you overcame this year. Know you are loved.

More on Louise Hay here.

Getting By in the Holiday Busy-ness

/ still a dreamer / 8 Comments

How are you getting by? There always seems so much to do and not enough time to do it.

No matter how early you start, or how much you think you have done, it still all starts running together in no time. Have you found the secret to keeping it all together when it seems like it will never get done in time?

Here are two time-tested ways that help me get through – #1 Charlie and #2 Coffee. Yup, my trusty Chemex and organic decaf, BUT … with 20% of some yummy caf.

A cuddle that’s just waiting for me, and a thermos of Joe for the day makes that Christmas to-do list just a little bit more do-able.

How about you?