Words of Heart, Mind, & Soul
We were fortunate to attend the ‘Make Believe’ Event at Toca Madera Winery, a benefit to Save Rotary Storyland & Playland this weekend, where we donated the book, History Comes Alive in Storyland; Fresno’s Storybook Wonderland for the Silent Auction. It was a beautiful location with amazing wine and music and did help to save Storyland, but more is still needed so please donate at www.savestoryland.com.
Today is the day, #sundayfunday, for our second book event. We will have books available for sale. A contest for a Queen Mary Day Pass if you Follow the Blog, And the 2nd Book of the series to show! The band has been moved indoors, leaving even more shade to enjoy as the kids run free. Grab your sunscreen and a picnic but All Beverages purchased on site, please! No Entry Fee! Come spend the afternoon with us, anytime 1-4pm, Engelmann Cellars
There she sits, total silence except for the occasional slap of water against the rocks. The sky is still black, although it is technically morning, but across the shore the buildings line the sky and water with light. This skyline backdrop isn’t your ordinary array of city lights, but filled with a variance of color, making it impossible not to stop and admire. In many ways the awash of lighted beauty frustrated her as it took her focus away from the water. The water brought peace to her soul, the stillness in its power completed her, like no other force on earth, and she craved to stand in it’s presence when her thoughts became muddled. It was hard to describe its soothing effects, all she knew is it worked and she was drawn to the water like a moth to a flame. This is why the lighted shore frustrated her. It’s beauty was undeniable, one of the most photographed backdrops she had seen, but it distracted her from being able to enjoy the steady consistency of the water. If she closed her eyes so the lights faded away she could hear the ripples in the current, a small splash to the right caught her attention in time to see a bird skimming across the surface. Maybe the shore lights weren’t so distracting because the glare they cast across the water allowed her to see that bird. Actually, they were all that allowed her to see the water at all, being that it was so dark without the lights causing the water to glisten, she imagined that she wouldn’t see anything before her. As she stared out at the shimmering reflection, the breeze touched her hair, she took a breath, and just listened to the water Play the Song to Her Heart!
I am choosing to believe that you all have suffered greatly from my lack of blogs and that there will be truth in the statement that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It has been about a week since I have been able to stop and post, although I imagine something new to write daily. However despite my good intentions, I got caught up in my preparations to meet June Allen, an inspiration behind my first publishing, History Comes Alive Aboard the Queen Mary. I have mentioned before that I am writing a novel based on the War Brides that sailed across the Queen Mary after WWII and in my research I became associated with June. Strangely, (and fortunately, because it means my research was up to par) my main character in the novel resembles her life story. This only increased the bond I felt upon our conversations. When I learned that she was making a trip to the Queen Mary, I knew I had to meet her in person, and to my surprise I was also able to meet her son, Jim, who was a 1 year old toddler, as they sailed across the Atlantic. Meeting her will forever be a highlight of my life, a true living legend, an an integral part of our great nations history. I was happy that I was able to make the children’s picture book that is secondary to my novel, but could give her a glimpse of where I am headed in all that we have discussed.
After this iconical meeting, I came home to the first book launch for History Comes Alive, which although intentionally intimidating, was a success and a lot of fun. On the event page of the Blog, is the listing for the second event happening on June 14th at Engelmann Cellars, and will be a family friendly event, with live music, a little wine tasting, and tons of outdoor space for a picnic. I hope you can attend this Meet & Greet of author and illustrator!
