OCTOBER 2020

MY FAVORITE SEASON

It's not the pumpkin spice lattes—although I do love them—that drew me into my love affair with autumn. It's not even the reprieve from heat and humidity. I have always adored October, November, and December.

• Autumn is the crunch of leaves as I walked to the bus stop as a child or walk around town as an adult.
• Autumn is a pot of marinara or chili simmering on the stove for hours, filling the house with warm, delicious aromas.
• Autumn is the tingly anticipation of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the December holidays.
• Autumn is the burst of colors exploding from trees as they prepare for dormancy.
• Autumn is sitting around a fire pit sharing stories and reconnecting.

As a child, I relished getting back into the full swing of school. That's where I could not only read and write for accolades (yes, I was that kid), but find support and direction to improve my reading and writing abilities. As an adult, I relish fall writing conferences that provide direction and support to enrich my journey as a writer. 

This year, I'm participating in the SCBWI-Carolinas virtual 2020 conference, Crafting Characters. Attending a conference for a few days is great for networking. It's always good to get away and focus just on writing (or illustrating for the illustrators). However, I'm thoroughly enjoying this year's virtual conference. Attending one or two online sessions a week gives me time to really absorb and process what I've learned. And the sessions are recorded, so we can go back and review important information. I still want to meet and mingle with authors and illustrators when the pandemic is over. But I'd also love to see pieces of the virtual format embedded into future conference events as we transition into a post-pandemic world.

TWITTER QUESTION

I immediately responded with: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

C.S. Lewis greatly influenced me as both a reader and a writer. Which book from your childhood (or adulthood) made you fall in love with reading?

THE LIBRARIAN'S TAKE

Is it weird that I (a writer) am married to a librarian? Or is this a common occurrence among humans? In any case, it works for us. And for you, as well, since he gave me permission to share his perspectives on my blog and in my newsletter. 

Writers and storytellers have been scaring children with stories since well before Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were out of their swaddlings. The Bible has a number of morality tales that are aimed at little people. In I Kings, when children make fun of Elisha’s baldness he calls down a curse on them and they are devoured by ‘she-bears’. A bit harsh, perhaps, but then, it was an era of violence, bloodletting, scapegoating and dread fear of the unknown. There was no literature specifically for children.

AUTUMN FUN

My beagle loves our walks and hikes, too! Although, she gets a little frustrated that I have to keep stopping to take photos along the way. I explain to her that being in the woods is inspiring and fills my soul. The pictures are just my way of capturing some of that inspiration. She licks my face and then nudges me to move on so she can explore more new and exciting smells.

ZAHRA'S EARTH-FRIENDLY TIP

For October and into November, Zahra wants you to think about what you do with your fallen leaves. If they can stay put, she says that's best for the environment. But if you must rake and move them, consider using them in your compost pile or atop your flower beds. Oh, and don't forget to jump into any piles of leaves you create when you rake!

MY PERSONAL GOSSIP

Yes, I know. I missed September. I had every intention of sending a newsletter out on September 1. By September 3, I figured it'd be okay to send out a late newsletter. By September 15, I realized a newsletter wasn't going out until October 1. Work (my day job) got the best of me in late August and early September. Long hours left me depleted. Add to the mix the bucketload of emotions that always gets stirred up as September draws near (my dad passed away years ago in September and his birthday also falls in September). Of course, I become easily distracted. So, there you have it. I'll try to do better next year. Meanwhile, I'm thrilled it's October and I'm feeling tons better, so let's move on.

During the fundraising auction for the non-profit where I work, I won a gift certificate. It entitled me to a cocoon. It was something I'd never experienced—a luxurious hour of being scrubbed and oiled down, then wrapped snugly in warmed blankets on a heated massage table. Once I let go of my fear of having a hot flash whilst waiting for the cocoon timer to ding, I was able to settle in and really enjoy the deep comfort and soothing security the process provided. I let my mind wander. I let my mind clear. And I never had a hot flash. I did sweat. And I was thirsty. But I was also refreshed and felt a deep calm. A calm my nerves desperately needed.

Next, I had a massage. The certificate only covered the cocoon, but I was happy to pay for a massage that I felt I deserved after the demands of August and September. The massage felt great—until it didn't. I was prepared for knots in my neck and shoulders. I had none. What I wasn't prepared for were knots in my piriformis muscles. Apparently, getting my cardio in with elliptical workouts tightens the piriformis muscles. You'd think that'd be a good thing, especially when one is middle-aged, so-to-speak. However, my masseuse thought otherwise. So she worked out the tightness and the knots. It was two days before I could sit, stand, or walk without feeling sore in my piriformis muscles. And yes, I have another appointment scheduled for later this fall.