KAREY SHANE

A Pretty Package

I love wrapping things up pretty and sending them in the mail. This one was fun. Here's some pics:

Fresh spring green, gold, and yellow. Makes you want to breathe.

Amano Artisan Chocolates made fresh yesterday by Art Pollard.

Oil of Spikenard. Smells unbelievably divine. It's the herb Mary used to wash Jesus' feet.

Amano Artisan Crown of Thorns Honey Cordials. Infused with edible gold. The honey is imported from Yemen and costs $200 a kilo. They're full flavor is best enjoyed eaten fresh, within three weeks of being made.

This package glows when you open it up!

 

Happy Birthday Oprah

Since this is the last season of the Oprah Winfrey show, and since it's her birthday, I wanted to pay tribute to her. She is a woman who has had more influence on me than any earthly person other than my mother and Harriett Tubman, my childhood hero.

Oprah's performance as Sethe, in the movie adaptation of Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Beloved, has been an anchor in my life. I've kept the picture of her with Beloved next to my computer for eleven years, or on my vision board. The picture of it in my Vermont office in 2000 is below. The strength she portrays in that picture has inspired me in unspeakable ways to hold on when times have been tough. God bless you, Oprah.

If you are looking to someone or something for strength, look to God and yourself first, then to someone who inspires you, as Oprah has inspired me. God bless you to grow into the person you are meant to become. You are loved. You are seen. You matter.

The Lost Lamb and the Shepherd Dog

This video footage I shot a few weeks ago needs no explanation. For those interested, I've written the story of how I came upon these sheep below the video.

A few weeks ago as I was driving down Provo Canyon I saw a cream-colored line moving horizontally along a hillside that curved into Wallsburg Canyon. The hills and mountains by now were dry and brown. I couldn't figure out what would move like that on a hill.

When I got closer I realized I was looking at hundreds upon hundreds of sheep that were following each other to new pasture.

I pulled my car over and watched in awe. One sheep had ended up on the wrong side of the fence and as I heard him call out to the sheep who had stopped to graze on the other side, and watched a big, white dog come up to him and try to get the lamb to follow him. He eventually did. At the end you see what may be that lamb in the new pasture, with the dog watching over him.

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance Speech

Do you know who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, or the words to it? In honor of Columbus Day, let's listen to how a comedian you've probably never heard of, Red Skelton, recited the Pledge of Allegiance way back in 1969. He says a few things that might cause you to ask yourself, "How could he have known?" Please leave a comment below letting me know why this video is important to you.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,
written by Francis Bellamy, 1892

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

When I was a French teacher at Carden Memorial, my home-room students and I recited it every morning at Carden Memorial School, along with all the other classes. We raised the American flag every morning outside the school. Take pride in your country, it's people, and what you stand for. Memorize the Pledge of Allegiance!

Butterfly Dress Up

I had to post this picture I found on Rhomany's Realm. It's gorgeous! Not that I'd try wearing it to one of my book events, but it's nice to dream about.

Squeaky Clean Reads

If you're like me, forever on the quest for good books that are clean and appropriate for you and your family, then I want to point you to a site my mom just told me about: Squeaky Clean Reads. A soon as clicked a few keys and saw Shannon Hale's books glowing on the screen at the top of their Young Adult page, I knew immediately it would be one of my favorite resources for books that are, what else?--clean reads. It's a new website, so if you're like me, you'll want to be browsing through the categories to provide your own starred reviews in the areas of violence, sexual content, profanity, mature theme, and recommended age group. 

My First Book Signing Ever

Wow, I thought I was busy before the book was released. I had no idea what was coming, but it's all good! Here are a few pictures from my first book signing ever...r...r...r. It felt so, hmmm what's the word, complete--yes, that's it--to be there meeting people who were going to be reading Fair O'Nelli's story. My husband stopped by to bring in that easel you see, my sisters, Mom and Pops came by, too. It was one big hug of a day. And when I texted my children to tell them how many books people bought, they were proud as punch. I feel so blessed to be at this point in my life.

Kids loved the Secret Speakers glowing orb.

I wouldn't be here without you Mom!

Love you, Pops!

I love this picture. This little boy, and so many other children LOVED touching the Secret Speakers orb, or Luminamen.

Predict Oprah's Next Book Club Pick

Secret Speakers is in the #2 spot on Goodreads Listopia! list called Predict Oprah's Next Book Club Pick. Thank you to everyone who has voted. If you haven't yet, and if you feel Secret Speakers would make a good Oprah pick, please vote! I'm having a lot of fun watching the Secret Speakers community reach out to support Fair O'Nelli's story. Our 15 year-old son has Spring Break this coming week, so I'm busy finishing up a bunch of stuff so we can relax and enjoy being together. I won't be posting or getting online much during out time together, so let me know what you think by leaving a comment and I'll check back in early May. Thank you.

 

One Million Butterflies

In my effort to be a part of the Half the Sky movement, One Million Butterflies is about to launch, so let's make as many butterflies as we can to celebrate global education for girls! Just go to Experience One Million Butterflies to find out about the what's, how's, and when's. I believe this will a fun project for school groups and families, and my sister has already started making them with her family. We're on our way. I made five yesterday, so just 999,995 more to go! I'm really looking forward to seeing what will come from this important event. Experience One Million Butterflies.

 

The Future of Education {for Girls}

A little video I put together while I was sick in bed with a cold last week. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! Thanks. If you go to OneMillionButterflies.org you can see more about this thing I'm doing called One Million Butterflies that I'm hoping others will want to be a part of. You can read stories there about women who are making a difference because of education. Yippee!

Secret Speakers Online Launch Party!

Secret Speakers has officially launched as of today, Monday, April 8, 2010. A big day. It's an online party with a fun contest at Bitten By Books. Click here to drop in and say hi:  I'm coming to your Secret Speakers launch party right now!

If you want to enter a contest that we're holding during the party, all you need to do is RSVP for the Party to Enter the Contest

Cynthia Leitich Smith Interview By Brigid

Congratulations to Brigid Gorry-Hines, the 17 year-old, tap-dancing high school junior who has the honor of interviewing  Cynthia Leitich Smith for the first in Café Skill's You Do the Interview series!

Amazingly enough, Brigid is also a writer, and she's got some big stuff happening right now: she submitted her manuscript for Walking Shadow to Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award this year, and it's one of 250 in the quarter finals out of 5000 submissions. Wow. Congratulations Brigid! You can download an excerpt here: Brigid's Book: Walking Shadow

Before Brigid does the interview, here's a fun teenage Did You Know? quiz, full of interesting and unusual facts about Cynthia Leitich Smith. Did you know . . .

Find Out Which of You Got Picked

As promised, today I put all the names for the first ever Teens Do the Interview in a bowl and filmed in live so you'd feel like you were there when it happened. Watch the video to see whose name got picked. Of course, each piece of paper had the name of someone who had entered to have their name drawn. I'll be contacting YOU, whoever you are, so get your questions ready. And for those who didn't have their name picked, stay tuned for future Teens Do the Interview chances!

Today I got three letters from students in the after-school enrichment program in Swakopmund, Namibia called Mondesa Youth Opportunites. And it's my birthday. What a fun present! I've posted each letter separately. This is letter #3. My reply is below each student's letter. Their letters are unedited. Who knows, maybe we are looking at them in this video!

Dear Mrs Karey Shane

I have just heard about you now.  My name is Veronica.  My surname is Helao.  I just want to know more about you.  so would you like me to you about me?

I am a black girl with long hair.  I live with both my parents and live with my brother and two sisters.  I live in Swakopmund in Namibia.  I was born on 15 October 1998 in the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, but now I stay in Swakopmund.

I am in Grade 6A at Vrede Rede Primary School.  My favourite colours are pink, white and blue.  My favourite sports are running and tennis.  My favourite thing that I like to do when I have nothing to do is reading.

When I grow up I want to be a teacher.  I choose to be a teacher because, from when I was small till today, I am always dreaming of being a teacher.  I like teaching children just like the teachers like to teach us when we are at school.

Thank you so much for being willing to write to us

Your beloved
Veronica

Hello Veronica,

Thank you so much for writing and telling me about your life! I am very happy you wrote. Since you like pink, white and blue, I wrote in pink and blue. Your plan to become a teacher is a wonderful goal! I'm also glad to hear you enjoy reading.

May I ask you to do something today? Find a pebble and fill a bowl with water. Drop the pebble in the water and see what happens. Now I would like to ask you a question: how is the pebble that fell in the water like being a teacher?

Will you write and tell me? I will give my answer in orange-colored writing below, but before you read it, you might want to come up with your own answer. Or, you can read my answer and give me your own answer. You choose.

Teachers are like a stone that is dropped in water: when it touches the water it ripples out and touches all the water, not just the place it first touched. In the same way, you will be able to teach children, who go out to do wonderful things in the world. And just like water ripples outwards from where the stone fell, they will want their own children to learn important things at school when they are old enough so they can do wonderful things in the world, too.

You will be able to do the same thing as a teacher, just like your teachers are doing for you. 

I am happy you like running and tennis. Did you know that students who do well at things like running sometimes get something called a scholarship that helps them pay to attend university? The word scholarship has the word, "scholar" in it. That is a wonderful word that means a learned person who has profound knowledge about a certain subject.

Do you plan to study hard, keep running, and playing tennis so that you can get a scholarship some day? I hope so. I see you.

Kind regards,

Miss Karey

MYO Pen Pals: Veronica

Today I got three letters from students in the after-school enrichment program in Swakopmund, Namibia called Mondesa Youth Opportunites. And it's my birthday. What a fun present! I've posted each letter separately. This is letter #3. My reply is below each student's letter. Their letters are unedited. Who knows, maybe we are looking at them in this video!

Dear Mrs Karey Shane

I have just heard about you now.  My name is Veronica.  My surname is Helao.  I just want to know more about you.  so would you like me to you about me?

I am a black girl with long hair.  I live with both my parents and live with my brother and two sisters.  I live in Swakopmund in Namibia.  I was born on 15 October 1998 in the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, but now I stay in Swakopmund.

I am in Grade 6A at Vrede Rede Primary School.  My favourite colours are pink, white and blue.  My favourite sports are running and tennis.  My favourite thing that I like to do when I have nothing to do is reading.

When I grow up I want to be a teacher.  I choose to be a teacher because, from when I was small till today, I am always dreaming of being a teacher.  I like teaching children just like the teachers like to teach us when we are at school.

Thank you so much for being willing to write to us

Your beloved
Veronica

Hello Veronica,

Thank you so much for writing and telling me about your life! I am very happy you wrote. Since you like pink, white and blue, I wrote in pink and blue. Your plan to become a teacher is a wonderful goal! I'm also glad to hear you enjoy reading.

May I ask you to do something today? Find a pebble and fill a bowl with water. Drop the pebble in the water and see what happens. Now I would like to ask you a question: how is the pebble that fell in the water like being a teacher?

Will you write and tell me? I will give my answer in orange-colored writing below, but before you read it, you might want to come up with your own answer. Or, you can read my answer and give me your own answer. You choose.

Teachers are like a stone that is dropped in water: when it touches the water it ripples out and touches all the water, not just the place it first touched. In the same way, you will be able to teach children, who go out to do wonderful things in the world. And just like water ripples outwards from where the stone fell, they will want their own children to learn important things at school when they are old enough so they can do wonderful things in the world, too.

You will be able to do the same thing as a teacher, just like your teachers are doing for you. 

I am happy you like running and tennis. Did you know that students who do well at things like running sometimes get something called a scholarship that helps them pay to attend university? The word scholarship has the word, "scholar" in it. That is a wonderful word that means a learned person who has profound knowledge about a certain subject.

Do you plan to study hard, keep running, and playing tennis so that you can get a scholarship some day? I hope so. I see you.

Kind regards,

Miss Karey

MYO Pen Pals: Amy

Today I got three letters from students in the after-school enrichment program in Swakopmund, Namibia called Mondesa Youth Opportunites. And it's my birthday. What a fun present! I've posted each letter separately. This is letter #2. My reply is below each student's letter. Their letters are unedited. Who knows, maybe we are looking at them in this video!

Dear Mrs Karey Shane

How are you doing?  I'm doing well on my own.

Well, this is my first time to write to an author.  The way I imagine an author is a person with a lot of courage.  A person that can deal with any kind of problem or at least try to solve them.

About books, I like reading a lot of books.  The books I love are mystery, romance and comic books.

I would also like to know how you became a writer and what you usually did that made you to write books.  I don't actually have my dream on being an author but I like reading a lot.  Sometimes I make up a story about what happened during the day.

My plans for the future are to become a doctor and to own a house that will be big enough for my husband, our children and me.  I would also like to have a beautiful car of my own.

That's all I could say to you now.  Hope to hear from you very soon.

Your friend

Amy

Dear Amy,

I am doing very well, thank you. I'm glad that you are doing well on your own. You have a wonderful goal to become a doctor, own a home for your children and husband, and have a car. Having a dream of what you want to become helps you go in a focused direction. I wish you much success as you study to learn the skills you will need to become a doctor.

Even though this is your first time to write an author, I hope you found it is easy and fun! I believe I am a person with a lot of courage who can solve problems. But I would say it's because I had good teachers who showed me how to grow into who I was meant to become, like your wonderful teachers are doing. I can see that you are a person with courage. You have the ability to solve problems, too.

That is wonderful that you like to read mystery, romance, and comic books. Our children and I loved to read the French comic books, Asterix, Lucky Luke, and Tin Tin when they were small. We would laugh so hard!

One thing I did to become a writer was something that is very simple, but important. I wrote in my journal almost every day when I was young. Sometimes I would write just a few sentences. Sometimes I would write pages and pages. It's like having a friend to talk to, and it helped me practice my penmanship, and writing skills. Some people who write in their journals draw pictures, too. That sounds like a fun thing to do.

When you make up stories about what happened during the day, do you write them down? I would like to read one of them, just for fun! Thank you again for writing, Amy. I see you.

Kind regards,

Miss Karey

MYO Pen Pals: Armanus

Today is my twin sister's--and of course--my birthday! My son called me last night to let me know he had just proposed to his sweetheart, and my daughter and family wished me happy birthday. They'll be spoiling my sister and I during a family dinner tonight.

The next best thing about celebrating this gift of life that God has granted me, is that I got my very first letters from three Grade 6 students at Mondesa Youth Opportunities, in Swakopmund, Namibia. I've developed a friendship with one of the teachers there, Sue Wagner, who has a daughter that runs under my husband's coaching tutelage at BYU (Angela Wagner.)

Angela and her team-mates are writing letters back and forth the the students, and more. Sue has given me permission to post the student's letters which you can see in separate posts in their unedited beauty. I've also posted my responses below each letter. Who knows, maybe we can see them in this video! Armanus' letter is below the video.

Dear Ms Shane

Greetings!  Thank you for the opportunity to write you a letter.  I would just like to ask questions.

I just want to know how you started your talent as an author?

I love reading true stories.

With what kind of books did you start? 

I would like to read your book "The Secret Speakers"

Will you please send me a picture of you and your husband?

Your penpal

Armanus Awaseb

Hello Armanus,

Greetings to you! Thank you so much for taking time to write me.  I am honored. Today is my birthday. Your letter was a wonderful birthday gift, indeed. You asked some very interesting questions. I will answer them for you here. Then I would like to ask you a question.

There are many correct answers to how my talent as an author began. The answer that comes to mind right now is this: after my father died when I was six, I spent a lot of time day dreaming. I spent a lot of time in the gully behind my house where I built forts with my younger brother out of sticks, played in the river, and let my imagination soar.

I also liked to read, and lose myself in stories where children were doing brave things, and who were strong. So, I believe my talent began because I liked to daydream and read books.

The kind of books I started with when I was young were The Boxcar Children, and a book I loved called, My Side of the Mountain. both stories were about children who went out on their own to do brave things, then came back home.

I also liked to read books about secret codes and languages! I taught myself to read the Greek alphabet when I was your age. I didn't understand many of the words, but I could sound out words.

Other books I liked were biographies, or stories about real people's lives. I especially liked reading about the life of Harriet Tubman and what she did to help free the slaves in America. I also liked the story of George Washington Carver, who discovered ways to use peanuts, other than eating them.

You will have a chance to read Secret Speakers, because I am going to send some copies of the book to your school. The very first boxes of Secret Speakers shipped to a building close to my city two days ago, so now I can send them right away. I am so happy about that. It makes me smile.

You also asked me to send you a picture of my husband, Coach Shane, and myself. I will post one at the bottom of this letter. It is a picture of Coach Shane and me at the Post Office. I'll find a better picture and send it to MYO!

What kind of true stories do you like to read? You may call me Miss Karey. When my family lived in New Orleans in the southern part of the United States, the children called adults Miss or Mr.  I've always liked that. I see you.

Kind regards,

Miss Karey

You Are Powerful

Do you want to keep learning why girls around the world need education? This video is about seven minutes, so it's longer than some, but it's worth watching, even if you just watch the first part. By the way, have you memorized the poem, Invictus, by William Earnest Henley, yet? The character of Long John Silver was  inspired by him. Check it out a few posts below. :) You are powerful! Grow into who you are. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. Thanks!

The Power of Girls Pledge

I just took the Girl Scouts Power of Girls Pledge and thought you and your teachers might want to know about it! This is a picture of the website, and it's one of my favorite websites for girls so far! Way to go Girl Scouts! Keep up the good work girls. :)

Take the Power of Girl's Pledge !

P.S. Come back here to let me know you took the pledge and leave a comment below! We'll be cool together. (Well, OK, you'll be cooler than me, but that's alright.)

Memorize This ! : Invictus

How about celebrating our Memorize This! series by starting with the poem, Invictus? It gave the name to Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film about Nelson Mandela, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

As Nell Minow describes it, "The poem was a source of inspiration to Nelson Mandela during his captivity and he wrote out a copy by hand for the captain of the rugby team to inspire him to lead them to the world championship." The poem has a special story behind it, because the poet William Ernest Henley had his leg amputated after he became a victim to tuberculosis of the bone. He wrote Invictus from his hospital bed. His friend Robert Louis Stevenson based the character of Treasure Island's, Long John Silver on him!

How Apolo Ohno Trains

If you want to get where you're going in life, watch how Apolo Ohno trains, and what led him to bring home eight medals from the Vancouver Olympics. It all starts with what he calls the most important part: preparation. As you watch this video, reflect on Pindar's challenge to, "Become what you are," and what it means for you. What is it that you're passionate about? How can you put the same kind of focus and commitment into whatever that something is? Grow into yourself. Learn from the greats.

Cynthia Leitich Smith Contest Moved to March 24

Because of Spring Break, Cynthia and I decided that it will be better timing to do the drawing next week, on March 24. (It was originally March 17, St. Patrick's Day.) So, keep spreading the word about it! Sign up to be chosen to be the Interviewee in the post below! She'll still be doing the interview the last week of March. Cheers!

Karey

Teens Get to Do the Interview

        

In late March, as part of our first ever You Do the Interview series, Café Skill will be hosting an interview with best-selling youth literature author Cynthia Leitich Smith. As you know, she's the author of Eternal (a companion to Tantalize), and a faculty member of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program. But guess what? There's a big surprise: I'm not leading the Q & A. It might be you, if you're a teenager or close to it. If your name gets picked, you'll get a free copy of Eternal.

It's easy to enter your name: just leave a comment below. I'll be picking one of the names from the comment list out of a bowl next Wednesday, March 24, to find out who the lucky interviewer is!

If the thought of coming up with questions feels daunting, no worries. I'll be happy to talk you through it.  I'll forward the questions on to Cynthia and she'll send me back her answers. She wrote me and said the whole idea sounds fun, so . . . what are we waiting for? Jump in :)

Thank You Deborah Kenny

Thanks to a link I discovered on Rochelle McConkie's Facebook page, I've been following the ripple effect that Deborah Kenny started in education through her Harlem Village Academies. What she has done to raise the bar for teachers is revolutionary. Her approach focuses first on raising expectations for teachers! 

New Standards in Your School

How do schools in the United States compare to the rest of the world? You'll be shocked. Yesterday, Brian Williams did a segment called, New School Standards Raise the Education Bar. It's worth watching.

Have you heard of tapping, or EFT? We're studying what it means to be well-rounded as a person in these areas of your life: social, spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional. If you're like most people, your negative emotions can really take the joy out of the other areas of your life we just mentioned. If you're angry, don't like something about your body, or feel depressed, feelings like those (and others) can interfere with school, the way you interact and react to people, getting a job, and more. You're not alone in this.

One of the most effective tools I've found for dealing with negative emotions is something called tapping (also known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT.) This video walks you through the basics so you can find out for yourself if this tool works for you. Tap away!

Emotions are so important in our lives, that studies are showing that emotional intelligence, and how you respond in situations, is more important to employers than how smart you are. If someone interviewing for a job shows that they are proud, bossy, a know-it-all, or negative, why would an employer want to hire that person?

I just added Google Friend Connect to my blog an hour ago. It's easy to do: just go to Google.com/friendconnect . I've been back here at least a dozen times to see if anyone's started to follow me. Somehow I feel like I did back at East Millcreek Elementary when I would wait to get picked for a game of Four Square. I am moving away from my computer right now so I can be productive and just let it flow. (And if you're wondering, almost all of the images I put on this blog were purchased from shutterstock.)

I'm holding a Secret Speakers Giveaway, where anyone who enters has a chance to win a Kindle, and more. I just put the sign-up form on the Secret Speakers website today. Hop on over! The winner will be announce on June 1st. I'll print up the names, cut each one into a fold-able piece of paper, and shake 'em all up in a jar. Just to be 100% on the up and up, I'll video tape it and pull out the winning name for all to see. Read more about the other prizes . . .

Natasha Maw's Bloggiesta Challenge from last month culminated in a very fun round up with bloggers and local authors at The Golden Corral. It was wonderful to meet Natasha in person, finally. She's adorable! We both recognized each other immediately, which was fun.  She introduced me to her husband, Taylor, and I realized he is not an Olympic athlete, but an Apolo Ohno clone. 

Shannon Hale, James Dashner and his wife, and another author--young enough to be my daughter--all took pity on me and included me at their table. Ha! Emily Wing Smith was one table over with Bree DeSpain, and other wonderful authors and bloggers.

Taylor Maw joined us and we became fast friends with the common language of writing fantasy and illustration. I was in heaven getting to talk with someone who "gets" what's usually just inside my head.

My cyber friend Jenni came over and introduced herself and we started off laughing and said goodbye laughing. Hi Jenni! Here's that picture I promised you:

To end the evening we did a book swap. I'd made a last-minute dive for one of the signed and numbered ARC's of Secret Speakers in my car, and put that in the pile. When they called out my number to give me one of the swaps, it turned out to be my own book, so we all had a good chuckle and someone else got it. She came over, and I feel badly that I didn't get her name, but she came up to me later for a picture. I have no idea why it's upside down!

 

To Richard Peck I give high five--best done while he's still alive--for his one-word-to-authors' clarion call: "responsibility" to the story and its readers, all.

I missed hearing Dr. Peck speak at The King's English last night, because I felt sick, so to console myself I've been watching Youtube videos. This video came from an SCBWI Master Class that he taught. Wonderful stuff.

If you know someone who is publishing a book the self publishing route, here's a tip: make sure they know the printers guidelines before they create the files for the book cover and the manuscript. In my case that means knowing in advance what they use for .dpi image size, CMYK vs. RGB color, and text "blackness." I've spent hours and hours ( the key word is trying) to get things right for the Secret Speakers cover in order to meet guidelines for the book printer. Offset printing is definitely a different animal than digital printing. Long, long days working until I can't see straight. Lots of Pepsi. This is the final product.

I've come to the conclusion that independent publishing is like running a marathon with dozens of finish lines. You think you're done, then WOOPS, you realize there's something else. Someplace warm with no computer and no cell phone sound really good right now.

After spending a 12+ hour day getting the Secret Speakers files ready to submit to the printer on Monday, it was, sigh, wonderful to turn on the TV and catch the entire We Are the World 25 video playing on CNN, thanks to Don Lemon. It's been a lonnng day, and this left me with such a good feeling. Of course, the message goes far beyond just making us feel good...we can all be someone's hero and make a difference. I've spent the last hour watching the old version, looking up why Taylor Swift wasn't in the new one, (which might have to do with cupcakes in Fundon?) and I'm about to post the old and new versions and the lyrics below (from the original version).

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand
To life - the greatest gift of all.

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change.
We are all a part of God's great big family

And the truth
You know
Love is all we need.

We are the world
We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving.
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true
We'll make a better day
Just you and me.

Well
Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand.
We are the world

We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me...

I stopped in Books of Wonder to drop by some pre-publication copies of Secret Speakers when I was in New York with my husband last week. In a spirit of 'hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,' I walked in with visions of having a delightful chat with Peter Glassman, whom I had emailed. Of course he would set aside a cozy spot of time to visit, just for me. I was sure of it, at least on the hope for the best end of it.

I want to thank Jodi Jill for her article on how to get your book into Costco. I made myself known to our local Costco manager months ago. In fact, we had a couple sit down face-to-face visits and he was happy to share statistics with me on how well local authors are doing. Now we wave at each other in the aisles! Now I just have to follow the rest of these steps fromJody. Stay tuned to see how I do by the time April rolls around! Let me know if you have other suggestions.

Here are Jill's Instructions:

Step 1

Your first step is to head down to the local Costco. What you need to decide is whether your book or guide actually belongs at a Costco. You are looking for similar products in price point and area, but not so much in content.

Have you heard about the Chinese Bamboo Tree? It grows differently than other species of bamboo. Those who plant them nurture the bulb in the soil every day for four years, and nothing happens. Nothing. Then one day it takes off. Within one week it grows up to 90 feet tall. It almost sounds unbelievable.

Yet, all that time the bamboo roots have been developing into a massive system to support the incredibly quick growth of the plant once it's matured. It seems to me that the life process of this miraculous plant works on a true principle.

When I heard about the Oprah's No Phone Zone pledge I didn't know how much it would effect the way I drive by simply choosing not to use my phone in the car. I just got back from running an errand, and I couldn't believe how much more attentive I was. What shocked me the most was that I was more present. I saw--really saw--real, living people: couples crossing the street, break lights in front of me, traffic lights changing. Wow. I wasn't thinking about all the things I had to do, or who I needed to call. I was shocked to realize just how dangerous I had become as a driver by using my cell phone.

Fibromyalgia has given me one gift. It's something that so many of us rarely experience because life is so hectic. It's something that is so simple that it's easy to pass by. It's something that seems so hard, but nothing could be easier.

I've been listening to Debbie Ford's 21 Day Cleanse on Oprah.com, and although right now I'm having a hard time doing things that require a lot of mental concentration, like write a letter, or write out statements about forgiveness, it's wonderful to discover that this is just one more drop to quench my thirst for peace, for meaning, and for love. It is, in a word, joy rising. Even with my physical limitations, how wonderful to discover that nothing can stop my spirit.

One thing I've come to realize is that I want serenity in my life. Just that: a little serenity, please. I want to be able to respond to life with serenity in the same way tend my garden--with love. In my mind I see those images of a Buddha who's laughing, unbothered by the challenges of life, because he sees beyond the trivial.

This mom has spent more time on her knees over the last few weeks than she has in a long, long time. Through a lot of prayer and pondering it has become very clear to me that I have a singular purpose on earth, aside from my cherished and divine role as a mother and wife. It sounds boring, perhaps, or maybe it sounds bizarre, but my greatest desire is for That Something Else: to fill the thirst and hunger I have those things which fill my spirit and give my life meaning, and purpose, that allow me to give and receive love, and that which allows me to know inner peace.

You've just been bitten by 1,000 mosquitoes, only they don't fly away. They stay there for hours, days and sting doesn't go away. That's what it's like for the approximately 12 million folks who deal with Fibromyalgia. Another day you've hit your funny bone, and the pain spreads all over your body from your neck to your knees and the weird, agitating feeling stays for hours.

Ever since Christmas my symptoms have been coming back in full force. Last Fall life was no less than fantastic, because I'd been going to physical therapy and felt the best I remember in 25 years at least. Wow. Eventually when we have the funds I'll start back up with it, but in the meantime, wimpola-ville!

So, this is a post to explain that if I'm not blogging much in the next while, it's because frankly, all I have the energy to do is just lay still, watch TV, and get my mind off the pain. Everything will be OK, because it always is. My husband took that picture of me last summer on one of my fibro days.  Dressed up, but definitely not going anywhere! How can it be so hard to be tired and in pain?

I went to a meeting on the Haitian rescue efforts last night at UVU, put on by local Haitians. I felt helpless to know what to do, and frankly, so did they. Today on Oprah she announced that even donating $10 to the Red Cross can help. I've thought a lot about the suffering that we all go through in life, some much more than others, and I've come to one simple conclusion (still with so many questions):

We either allow suffering to refine and define us,

or confine and undermine us.

It’s our choice.

The words came to me out of the blue yesterday and I keep thinking about what they mean for me.  Plus, it works for me because it rhymes. There are so many in pain. There are so many in this world who are enslaved, cold, hungry, ignored, or in the case of the earthquake in Haiti,  crushed spiritually or physically.

But I know this, at all times our challenges give us the opportunity to fall to our knees, to define ourselves by our hope and faith in Father's wisdom and mercy. They also give us the opportunity to turn inward, to let our hearts harden in bitterness, resentment, and the inability to hope that, even for an instant, there is a grander design. As always, it inevitably comes back to love. Perhaps in this case it is the love that Father has for us at all times and in all places, no matter what is going on in our lives. I believe he wants us to be refined and defined by our faith, our hope, and the charity we have for those around us--and for ourselves.

Robert Jackson Bennett just posted the most near-perfect description of what story means to me on OrbitBooks. I've posted the entire thing below for my own reference on those days where I wonder myself why I write. And I would add that the way I see it, stories already exist. They just need to be written down by a party willing to put down the pieces of the puzzle as they float down, arrange them, or pause at times while more pieces arrange themselves. Stories, perhaps, come from God to help us see ourselves more clearly. And now, on to Robert Jackson Bennett's take on it all:

OK, I'm officially beginning the Bloggiesta challenge Right Now. I just found out about it on Natasha Maw's Book Blog and what better way to spend a few cold winter days when I have a million other things on my list to do. Arghh! But it's calling me, so...out of Natasha's helpful list, this is what I'm going to work on: (I'll highlight each one as I check it off...)

• Write backup posts for a rainy day
• Work on series posts
• Put out invitations for author guest posts
• Clean up your tags, archives, books reviewed list, etc.
• Create a text file (or Google Doc) of cheat sheets (html codes, post url’s, etc)
• Improve your blog template, clean up sidebars, add a favicon, install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do.
• Add or edit your about me page, review policy, disclosure policy, privacy policy, create landing pages (for example – an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.
• Make sure all of your social network profiles are up to date.  Brand yourself through those profiles with color scheme, images, etc
• Go get a gravatar
• Find a blogging buddy

Wow. I just got a call and someone wants to come buy another box load of Secret Speakers pre-pub copies for her book club who wants to discuss it already. It's sort of surreal to realize people will not only be reading what was so much in my head for so long, but talking about it! Below you can see how I wrapped the copies for my kids for Christmas . . .

Dear reader, This year was the first time in four years that my three children were here for Christmas. It was the best Christmas I remember with them, ever. Even though life isn't perfect, it is full of perfect moments.  I feel so grateful. Patrick's children were out of town or with their mom, so we missed them.

We had a blast snowshoeing, bowling, lazing around the house, playing board games, visiting family. It was all good. We served dinner for the homeless on Christmas Eve, which put our own dinner terribly late, and it was worth it 100%. These pictures aren't in any particular order . . .

After one of many snowshoe races on Christmas Day. I was amazed what I can do with two Aleve and a Pepsi in my system!

  Wyatt is definitely in the lead. Woof, woof!
The night before Dwight heads back to Vermont. Then he's off to Maryland to meet his sweet girlfriends family. Well, I'll be!  :)

At the bowling alley. Gimme some knuckle buddy! Good one!

Dancing a little jig after I knocked a lot of the pins down. Quite proud of myself since I stink at bowling.

After bowling.

Sadie and her cousin Natalie serving drinks for the homeless on Christmas Eve.

  Quinn on his way to take the salad and rolls to someone who just arrived for a warm Christmas dinner.

A simple Christmas Eve dinner that took me forever to make! Sadie doesn't like meat, so I make a lot of recipes out of this great vegetarian cookbook, Heaven's Banquet. We had Mama-made Gingered carrot soup, Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Mama-made Crême Fraiche (which supposedly non-brussel sprout lovers like, which turned out to be true), roast chicken, and Gougères, instead of mashed potatoes.

The mama-made Gougères (cheesy cream puffs) are in the kids initials. Patrick and I ate the regular ones.

The top of their Christmas stockings.

Patrick asked me to read the Christmas story out of Luke before we all went to bed. Our youngest had just flown in from Vermont the night before Christmas Eve, so he was half asleep, too tired to eat the mama-made Hazlenut Torte, complete with Ganache and raspberry filling. Poor guy. Sadie's crocheting a hat for for grandmother. We ate on what I call our Cloven Grave plates, because they remind me so much of Cloven Grave in Secret Speakers.

Our youngest is waiting to play the winner. I'm sure Sadie won me.

Usually I ask Heavenly Father to help each day feel like a week, but I forgot this time, and it sure went fast.  (and during the summer the if-you-don't-mind-very-much prayer extends to asking that each week feel like a month, and each month like a year.) But I'm grateful for every fleeting, good moment. Each one made it feel like just one more invisible wound had healed.

We had lots of good Mama-made food. This one was an easy meal: Smoked salmon with capers, tiny pickles and roasted peppers with crusty french bread. The brown bread you see tasted more like cardboard. When did I ever think it tasted good?

This year this mother did a homemade Christmas. It was all about love, since we didn't have a lot of money. Independently publishing Secret Speakers has put us in debt for the first time in our marriage. So I made seamless, felted mittens for the children and Patrick, and gave them each a copy of the book. First, a picture of their books all wrapped up for Christmas morning:

Copies of Secret Speakers for the kids and Patrick. The next few pictures are of them opening their presents, wahoo! A long time in coming . . .

Sadie and her mama-made mittens.

Our 15 year-old son and his mama-made mittens

Dwight's mama-made mittens were a disaster but Patrick wanted them since they were so uber thick. I made Dwight another pair. He liked them a lot better:

Someone told me the kids would think getting the book was incredibly lame, but I wrote it for them in large part. It was a gift from my heart that was several years in the making. One day I believe it will mean something to them.

My husband, twin sister Gwennie and I just sent out the first 54 advance reader copies on Thursday, a momentous day. And how did I respond? Was I jumping up and down? Giddy? Whooping and hollering?

No. I blubbered like a baby. My sister hugged me and kept patting me on the back, hushing out the words, There, there now. There, there." While she was hugging me, the most beautiful thing happened right next to this table full of books: I could hear the sound of her lungs breathing in and out as I felt the rise and fall of her chest against mine. At that moment, I felt like I was back in the womb with her.

It sounds strange to say, but my memory of the sounds, the whooshing, the warm was crystal clear. I was just about to say something, then she pulled away and looked me in the eyes, "You know, something happened several months ago that I never told you about. We were hugging like this and I could hear your heartbeat. When I went home I told Stan, "I heard Karey's heartbeat when we were hugging today and I remembered exactly what it was like being in the womb with her."

Back to my blubbering: I was surprised at the flood of feelings that washed over me like a bucket full of memories dumped into me: years worth of fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, realizing the God-given gift to write was my connection to the bigger world, feelings of exhaustion, fear of what my former husband will say or do if I ever become a public name, the constant wearing down of so many unnecessary  and fruitless hearings, and the years of yearning and hoping this book will open the door to spending more--and joyfully healing--time with my family. But mostly I felt grateful relief.

This is Gwennie and Patrick, unloading boxes of packaged copies.

Patrick, Me, and our heroic lady at the post office, MehlRee.

MehlRee wanted to see how high the piles could get before she took them to the back of the Post Office. We had quite a few chuckles! Come to find out, we can print up the mailing labels at home and drop off the books. This way was much more fun the first time around. Thanks MehlRee!

 

So I'm finally catching up after getting back from our trip to see our daughter and her family in California. I won't post close up pics of our cute grandsons, but I will post pics of what Megan calls her Happy Tree. Just by looking at the pictures you'll know what I mean. They are pure Joy Rising.

 Here are all three trees that comprise The Happy Tree: (Every time I try to load the photo it goes sideways. Shuckie Darn. You'll just have to turn your head to absorb the full effect of Joy.)

 

 They took pity on me (since I missed my flight, missed going with them to Disneyland, and missed the only sunny day of our trip) and took me to a place called Morton's for the absolute, bar none, by gosh by golly best steak dinner I've ever had. Here we are at Morton's: (Megan said it was alright to post pics of her kids as long as I don't say where they live and give their names.)

Here are a few photos from our trip out to see them last year:

 

Is Megan beautiful or what? Even the way she walks. A lovely daughter.

"Father, I have sinned." That's what I told my physical therapist when my husband brought me in to see him on Friday. When Dr. Taylor told me in August that it would take about a year to fully recuperate from being in bed for so long with fibromyalgia, I didn't really believe him. But when I vivaciously attacked the shrubs in our front yard two weeks ago to bring them into neighborly submission--all the while belting out tunes from Oklahoma! about what a beautiful morning it was--little did I know it would put me right back on the couch.

So, I'm doing my best to be a dutiful patient and take it easy, which is hard when everything in me is crying out to get ready for Christmas With the Children. It's going to be our first Christmas together in four, yes four, years, and I'm feeling so happy about that! I spent the evening looking through recipes for the holidays, and my mind is full of hopes that I'll be up to filling the house with the smells and tastes of Food Love. I mean, what else can you call it? Cooking for family is love, pure and simple.

I love, love, love this video. It's amazing!

More info is available from GirlEffect.com but I've included it for you here so the downloads are just one click away. The first one is two pages. The second one is one you'd want to read during a slow breakfast, perhaps. I printed them both out to put in a binder so I can make notes.

Download TheGirlEffect_FactSheet

Download Girl_Effect_Your_Move

Reading Half the Sky is has brought the spirit of Christmas into my heart. I can't explain it. I'm having a wonderful time here in San Clemente with family; yet even though my feet are grounded in this cherished family time together--shared meals, making origami birds, playing board games and fishing off the pier--my spirit feels as though I've stepped on an invisible conveyor belt that's whisking me to a world of equally powerful purpose: to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.

I arrived here two nights ago after slowly reading, outlining, and making notes of Half the Sky during my flight from Denver. I think I got to page 26 or so. After we all went to Morton's for an incredibly sumptuous meal, I went to bed exhausted. But the most amazing thing happened. I got chills just now thinking about it:

The Tapping Tool

Have you heard of tapping, or EFT? We're studying what it means to be well-rounded as a person in these areas of your life: social, spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional. If you're like most people, your negative emotions can really take the joy out of the other areas of your life we just mentioned. If you're angry, don't like something about your body, or feel depressed, feelings like those (and others) can interfere with school, the way you interact and react to people, getting a job, and more. You're not alone in this.

One of the most effective tools I've found for dealing with negative emotions is something called tapping (also known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT.) This video walks you through the basics so you can find out for yourself if this tool works for you. Tap away!

Emotions are so important in our lives, that studies are showing that emotional intelligence, and how you respond in situations, is more important to employers than how smart you are. If someone interviewing for a job shows that they are proud, bossy, a know-it-all, or negative, why would an employer want to hire that person?

Google Friend Connect

I just added Google Friend Connect to my blog an hour ago. It's easy to do: just go to Google.com/friendconnect . I've been back here at least a dozen times to see if anyone's started to follow me. Somehow I feel like I did back at East Millcreek Elementary when I would wait to get picked for a game of Four Square. I am moving away from my computer right now so I can be productive and just let it flow. (And if you're wondering, almost all of the images I put on this blog were purchased from shutterstock.)

The Secret Speakers Giveaway

I'm holding a Secret Speakers Giveaway, where anyone who enters has a chance to win a Kindle, and more. I just put the sign-up form on the Secret Speakers website today. Hop on over! The winner will be announce on June 1st. I'll print up the names, cut each one into a fold-able piece of paper, and shake 'em all up in a jar. Just to be 100% on the up and up, I'll video tape it and pull out the winning name for all to see. Read more about the other prizes . . .

Book Bloggers Dinner

Natasha Maw's Bloggiesta Challenge from last month culminated in a very fun round up with bloggers and local authors at The Golden Corral. It was wonderful to meet Natasha in person, finally. She's adorable! We both recognized each other immediately, which was fun.  She introduced me to her husband, Taylor, and I realized he is not an Olympic athlete, but an Apolo Ohno clone. 

Shannon Hale, James Dashner and his wife, and another author--young enough to be my daughter--all took pity on me and included me at their table. Ha! Emily Wing Smith was one table over with Bree DeSpain, and other wonderful authors and bloggers.

Taylor Maw joined us and we became fast friends with the common language of writing fantasy and illustration. I was in heaven getting to talk with someone who "gets" what's usually just inside my head.

My cyber friend Jenni came over and introduced herself and we started off laughing and said goodbye laughing. Hi Jenni! Here's that picture I promised you:

To end the evening we did a book swap. I'd made a last-minute dive for one of the signed and numbered ARC's of Secret Speakers in my car, and put that in the pile. When they called out my number to give me one of the swaps, it turned out to be my own book, so we all had a good chuckle and someone else got it. She came over, and I feel badly that I didn't get her name, but she came up to me later for a picture. I have no idea why it's upside down!

 

Ode to Richard Peck

To Richard Peck I give high five--best done while he's still alive--for his one-word-to-authors' clarion call: "responsibility" to the story and its readers, all.

I missed hearing Dr. Peck speak at The King's English last night, because I felt sick, so to console myself I've been watching Youtube videos. This video came from an SCBWI Master Class that he taught. Wonderful stuff.

The Secret Speakers Cover

If you know someone who is publishing a book the self publishing route, here's a tip: make sure they know the printers guidelines before they create the files for the book cover and the manuscript. In my case that means knowing in advance what they use for .dpi image size, CMYK vs. RGB color, and text "blackness." I've spent hours and hours ( the key word is trying) to get things right for the Secret Speakers cover in order to meet guidelines for the book printer. Offset printing is definitely a different animal than digital printing. Long, long days working until I can't see straight. Lots of Pepsi. This is the final product.

I've come to the conclusion that independent publishing is like running a marathon with dozens of finish lines. You think you're done, then WOOPS, you realize there's something else. Someplace warm with no computer and no cell phone sound really good right now.

We Are the World: New version / Original version

After spending a 12+ hour day getting the Secret Speakers files ready to submit to the printer on Monday, it was, sigh, wonderful to turn on the TV and catch the entire We Are the World 25 video playing on CNN, thanks to Don Lemon. It's been a lonnng day, and this left me with such a good feeling. Of course, the message goes far beyond just making us feel good...we can all be someone's hero and make a difference. I've spent the last hour watching the old version, looking up why Taylor Swift wasn't in the new one, (which might have to do with cupcakes in Fundon?) and I'm about to post the old and new versions and the lyrics below (from the original version).

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand
To life - the greatest gift of all.

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change.
We are all a part of God's great big family

And the truth
You know
Love is all we need.

We are the world
We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving.
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true
We'll make a better day
Just you and me.

Well
Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand.
We are the world

We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me...

Books of Wonder

I stopped in Books of Wonder to drop by some pre-publication copies of Secret Speakers when I was in New York with my husband last week. In a spirit of 'hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,' I walked in with visions of having a delightful chat with Peter Glassman, whom I had emailed. Of course he would set aside a cozy spot of time to visit, just for me. I was sure of it, at least on the hope for the best end of it.

8 Steps on How to Get Your Book into Costco

I want to thank Jodi Jill for her article on how to get your book into Costco. I made myself known to our local Costco manager months ago. In fact, we had a couple sit down face-to-face visits and he was happy to share statistics with me on how well local authors are doing. Now we wave at each other in the aisles! Now I just have to follow the rest of these steps fromJody. Stay tuned to see how I do by the time April rolls around! Let me know if you have other suggestions.

Here are Jill's Instructions:

Step 1

Your first step is to head down to the local Costco. What you need to decide is whether your book or guide actually belongs at a Costco. You are looking for similar products in price point and area, but not so much in content.

The Principle of the Chinese Bamboo Tree

Have you heard about the Chinese Bamboo Tree? It grows differently than other species of bamboo. Those who plant them nurture the bulb in the soil every day for four years, and nothing happens. Nothing. Then one day it takes off. Within one week it grows up to 90 feet tall. It almost sounds unbelievable.

Yet, all that time the bamboo roots have been developing into a massive system to support the incredibly quick growth of the plant once it's matured. It seems to me that the life process of this miraculous plant works on a true principle.

Why is Texting So Lethal?

When I heard about the Oprah's No Phone Zone pledge I didn't know how much it would effect the way I drive by simply choosing not to use my phone in the car. I just got back from running an errand, and I couldn't believe how much more attentive I was. What shocked me the most was that I was more present. I saw--really saw--real, living people: couples crossing the street, break lights in front of me, traffic lights changing. Wow. I wasn't thinking about all the things I had to do, or who I needed to call. I was shocked to realize just how dangerous I had become as a driver by using my cell phone.

The Gift of Pain

Fibromyalgia has given me one gift. It's something that so many of us rarely experience because life is so hectic. It's something that is so simple that it's easy to pass by. It's something that seems so hard, but nothing could be easier.

Serenity Please

I've been listening to Debbie Ford's 21 Day Cleanse on Oprah.com, and although right now I'm having a hard time doing things that require a lot of mental concentration, like write a letter, or write out statements about forgiveness, it's wonderful to discover that this is just one more drop to quench my thirst for peace, for meaning, and for love. It is, in a word, joy rising. Even with my physical limitations, how wonderful to discover that nothing can stop my spirit.

One thing I've come to realize is that I want serenity in my life. Just that: a little serenity, please. I want to be able to respond to life with serenity in the same way tend my garden--with love. In my mind I see those images of a Buddha who's laughing, unbothered by the challenges of life, because he sees beyond the trivial.

Spiritual Rescue

This mom has spent more time on her knees over the last few weeks than she has in a long, long time. Through a lot of prayer and pondering it has become very clear to me that I have a singular purpose on earth, aside from my cherished and divine role as a mother and wife. It sounds boring, perhaps, or maybe it sounds bizarre, but my greatest desire is for That Something Else: to fill the thirst and hunger I have those things which fill my spirit and give my life meaning, and purpose, that allow me to give and receive love, and that which allows me to know inner peace.

Fibromyalgia Hurts

You've just been bitten by 1,000 mosquitoes, only they don't fly away. They stay there for hours, days and sting doesn't go away. That's what it's like for the approximately 12 million folks who deal with Fibromyalgia. Another day you've hit your funny bone, and the pain spreads all over your body from your neck to your knees and the weird, agitating feeling stays for hours.

Ever since Christmas my symptoms have been coming back in full force. Last Fall life was no less than fantastic, because I'd been going to physical therapy and felt the best I remember in 25 years at least. Wow. Eventually when we have the funds I'll start back up with it, but in the meantime, wimpola-ville!

So, this is a post to explain that if I'm not blogging much in the next while, it's because frankly, all I have the energy to do is just lay still, watch TV, and get my mind off the pain. Everything will be OK, because it always is. My husband took that picture of me last summer on one of my fibro days.  Dressed up, but definitely not going anywhere! How can it be so hard to be tired and in pain?

Haiti and You

I went to a meeting on the Haitian rescue efforts last night at UVU, put on by local Haitians. I felt helpless to know what to do, and frankly, so did they. Today on Oprah she announced that even donating $10 to the Red Cross can help. I've thought a lot about the suffering that we all go through in life, some much more than others, and I've come to one simple conclusion (still with so many questions):

We either allow suffering to refine and define us,

or confine and undermine us.

It’s our choice.

The words came to me out of the blue yesterday and I keep thinking about what they mean for me.  Plus, it works for me because it rhymes. There are so many in pain. There are so many in this world who are enslaved, cold, hungry, ignored, or in the case of the earthquake in Haiti,  crushed spiritually or physically.

But I know this, at all times our challenges give us the opportunity to fall to our knees, to define ourselves by our hope and faith in Father's wisdom and mercy. They also give us the opportunity to turn inward, to let our hearts harden in bitterness, resentment, and the inability to hope that, even for an instant, there is a grander design. As always, it inevitably comes back to love. Perhaps in this case it is the love that Father has for us at all times and in all places, no matter what is going on in our lives. I believe he wants us to be refined and defined by our faith, our hope, and the charity we have for those around us--and for ourselves.

How a Story Works

Robert Jackson Bennett just posted the most near-perfect description of what story means to me on OrbitBooks. I've posted the entire thing below for my own reference on those days where I wonder myself why I write. And I would add that the way I see it, stories already exist. They just need to be written down by a party willing to put down the pieces of the puzzle as they float down, arrange them, or pause at times while more pieces arrange themselves. Stories, perhaps, come from God to help us see ourselves more clearly. And now, on to Robert Jackson Bennett's take on it all:

On Your Mark, Get Set, Bloggiesta!

OK, I'm officially beginning the Bloggiesta challenge Right Now. I just found out about it on Natasha Maw's Book Blog and what better way to spend a few cold winter days when I have a million other things on my list to do. Arghh! But it's calling me, so...out of Natasha's helpful list, this is what I'm going to work on: (I'll highlight each one as I check it off...)

• Write backup posts for a rainy day
• Work on series posts
• Put out invitations for author guest posts
• Clean up your tags, archives, books reviewed list, etc.
• Create a text file (or Google Doc) of cheat sheets (html codes, post url’s, etc)
• Improve your blog template, clean up sidebars, add a favicon, install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do.
• Add or edit your about me page, review policy, disclosure policy, privacy policy, create landing pages (for example – an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.
• Make sure all of your social network profiles are up to date.  Brand yourself through those profiles with color scheme, images, etc
• Go get a gravatar
• Find a blogging buddy

People Buying Boxloads. Wow.

Wow. I just got a call and someone wants to come buy another box load of Secret Speakers pre-pub copies for her book club who wants to discuss it already. It's sort of surreal to realize people will not only be reading what was so much in my head for so long, but talking about it! Below you can see how I wrapped the copies for my kids for Christmas . . .

Together Time at Christmas

Dear reader, This year was the first time in four years that my three children were here for Christmas. It was the best Christmas I remember with them, ever. Even though life isn't perfect, it is full of perfect moments.  I feel so grateful. Patrick's children were out of town or with their mom, so we missed them.

We had a blast snowshoeing, bowling, lazing around the house, playing board games, visiting family. It was all good. We served dinner for the homeless on Christmas Eve, which put our own dinner terribly late, and it was worth it 100%. These pictures aren't in any particular order . . .

After one of many snowshoe races on Christmas Day. I was amazed what I can do with two Aleve and a Pepsi in my system!

  Wyatt is definitely in the lead. Woof, woof!
The night before Dwight heads back to Vermont. Then he's off to Maryland to meet his sweet girlfriends family. Well, I'll be!  :)

At the bowling alley. Gimme some knuckle buddy! Good one!

Dancing a little jig after I knocked a lot of the pins down. Quite proud of myself since I stink at bowling.

After bowling.

Sadie and her cousin Natalie serving drinks for the homeless on Christmas Eve.

  Quinn on his way to take the salad and rolls to someone who just arrived for a warm Christmas dinner.

A simple Christmas Eve dinner that took me forever to make! Sadie doesn't like meat, so I make a lot of recipes out of this great vegetarian cookbook, Heaven's Banquet. We had Mama-made Gingered carrot soup, Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Mama-made Crême Fraiche (which supposedly non-brussel sprout lovers like, which turned out to be true), roast chicken, and Gougères, instead of mashed potatoes.

The mama-made Gougères (cheesy cream puffs) are in the kids initials. Patrick and I ate the regular ones.

The top of their Christmas stockings.

Patrick asked me to read the Christmas story out of Luke before we all went to bed. Our youngest had just flown in from Vermont the night before Christmas Eve, so he was half asleep, too tired to eat the mama-made Hazlenut Torte, complete with Ganache and raspberry filling. Poor guy. Sadie's crocheting a hat for for grandmother. We ate on what I call our Cloven Grave plates, because they remind me so much of Cloven Grave in Secret Speakers.

Our youngest is waiting to play the winner. I'm sure Sadie won me.

Usually I ask Heavenly Father to help each day feel like a week, but I forgot this time, and it sure went fast.  (and during the summer the if-you-don't-mind-very-much prayer extends to asking that each week feel like a month, and each month like a year.) But I'm grateful for every fleeting, good moment. Each one made it feel like just one more invisible wound had healed.

We had lots of good Mama-made food. This one was an easy meal: Smoked salmon with capers, tiny pickles and roasted peppers with crusty french bread. The brown bread you see tasted more like cardboard. When did I ever think it tasted good?

Homemade Christmas

This year this mother did a homemade Christmas. It was all about love, since we didn't have a lot of money. Independently publishing Secret Speakers has put us in debt for the first time in our marriage. So I made seamless, felted mittens for the children and Patrick, and gave them each a copy of the book. First, a picture of their books all wrapped up for Christmas morning:

Copies of Secret Speakers for the kids and Patrick. The next few pictures are of them opening their presents, wahoo! A long time in coming . . .

Sadie and her mama-made mittens.

Our 15 year-old son and his mama-made mittens

Dwight's mama-made mittens were a disaster but Patrick wanted them since they were so uber thick. I made Dwight another pair. He liked them a lot better:

Someone told me the kids would think getting the book was incredibly lame, but I wrote it for them in large part. It was a gift from my heart that was several years in the making. One day I believe it will mean something to them.

Secret Speakers A.R.C.'s Are Shipped!

My husband, twin sister Gwennie and I just sent out the first 54 advance reader copies on Thursday, a momentous day. And how did I respond? Was I jumping up and down? Giddy? Whooping and hollering?

No. I blubbered like a baby. My sister hugged me and kept patting me on the back, hushing out the words, There, there now. There, there." While she was hugging me, the most beautiful thing happened right next to this table full of books: I could hear the sound of her lungs breathing in and out as I felt the rise and fall of her chest against mine. At that moment, I felt like I was back in the womb with her.

It sounds strange to say, but my memory of the sounds, the whooshing, the warm was crystal clear. I was just about to say something, then she pulled away and looked me in the eyes, "You know, something happened several months ago that I never told you about. We were hugging like this and I could hear your heartbeat. When I went home I told Stan, "I heard Karey's heartbeat when we were hugging today and I remembered exactly what it was like being in the womb with her."

Back to my blubbering: I was surprised at the flood of feelings that washed over me like a bucket full of memories dumped into me: years worth of fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, realizing the God-given gift to write was my connection to the bigger world, feelings of exhaustion, fear of what my former husband will say or do if I ever become a public name, the constant wearing down of so many unnecessary  and fruitless hearings, and the years of yearning and hoping this book will open the door to spending more--and joyfully healing--time with my family. But mostly I felt grateful relief.

This is Gwennie and Patrick, unloading boxes of packaged copies.

Patrick, Me, and our heroic lady at the post office, MehlRee.

MehlRee wanted to see how high the piles could get before she took them to the back of the Post Office. We had quite a few chuckles! Come to find out, we can print up the mailing labels at home and drop off the books. This way was much more fun the first time around. Thanks MehlRee!

 

Megan's Happy Tree

So I'm finally catching up after getting back from our trip to see our daughter and her family in California. I won't post close up pics of our cute grandsons, but I will post pics of what Megan calls her Happy Tree. Just by looking at the pictures you'll know what I mean. They are pure Joy Rising.

 Here are all three trees that comprise The Happy Tree: (Every time I try to load the photo it goes sideways. Shuckie Darn. You'll just have to turn your head to absorb the full effect of Joy.)

 

 They took pity on me (since I missed my flight, missed going with them to Disneyland, and missed the only sunny day of our trip) and took me to a place called Morton's for the absolute, bar none, by gosh by golly best steak dinner I've ever had. Here we are at Morton's: (Megan said it was alright to post pics of her kids as long as I don't say where they live and give their names.)

Here are a few photos from our trip out to see them last year:

 

Is Megan beautiful or what? Even the way she walks. A lovely daughter.

Father I Have Sinned

"Father, I have sinned." That's what I told my physical therapist when my husband brought me in to see him on Friday. When Dr. Taylor told me in August that it would take about a year to fully recuperate from being in bed for so long with fibromyalgia, I didn't really believe him. But when I vivaciously attacked the shrubs in our front yard two weeks ago to bring them into neighborly submission--all the while belting out tunes from Oklahoma! about what a beautiful morning it was--little did I know it would put me right back on the couch.

So, I'm doing my best to be a dutiful patient and take it easy, which is hard when everything in me is crying out to get ready for Christmas With the Children. It's going to be our first Christmas together in four, yes four, years, and I'm feeling so happy about that! I spent the evening looking through recipes for the holidays, and my mind is full of hopes that I'll be up to filling the house with the smells and tastes of Food Love. I mean, what else can you call it? Cooking for family is love, pure and simple.

The Girl Effect

I love, love, love this video. It's amazing!

More info is available from GirlEffect.com but I've included it for you here so the downloads are just one click away. The first one is two pages. The second one is one you'd want to read during a slow breakfast, perhaps. I printed them both out to put in a binder so I can make notes.

Download TheGirlEffect_FactSheet

Download Girl_Effect_Your_Move

Half the Sky 2

Reading Half the Sky is has brought the spirit of Christmas into my heart. I can't explain it. I'm having a wonderful time here in San Clemente with family; yet even though my feet are grounded in this cherished family time together--shared meals, making origami birds, playing board games and fishing off the pier--my spirit feels as though I've stepped on an invisible conveyor belt that's whisking me to a world of equally powerful purpose: to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.

I arrived here two nights ago after slowly reading, outlining, and making notes of Half the Sky during my flight from Denver. I think I got to page 26 or so. After we all went to Morton's for an incredibly sumptuous meal, I went to bed exhausted. But the most amazing thing happened. I got chills just now thinking about it: