DANCING ON MARS front cover

If I've posted a picture of the book cover, I can't find it now!  Definitely should be on the book blog, don't you think?  The cover art is a photo of a painting of mine, and the cover design was created by All Things That Matter Press.  As I was writing it, I had no idea what a cover for my book might look like.  It's amazing how we usually have everything we need, right?  Sometimes it's just a matter of being open to what it is and where it is.    I had this painting long before I began working on the book.  I'm learning that things have a way of working out when I don't attempt to "push the river" but just allow the energy to flow.  Great how that works and even greater when I can remember to trust what I can't see and let go!

Independence Day Inspiration

To all of you who know you can:

She turned her can'ts into cans
and her dreams into plans. 
                  ~  unknown 

    * * *

 Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do!
                    ~ etsy.com
             

Treadmill Musings

As a child, Saturdays were reserved for the picture show;  I'd often go with my friends whose elegant grandmother owned the theater.  You know we got the royal treatment from her!

I remember how special those times were.  I'm also remembering a soundproof "cry room" at the back of the theater where parents could take a noisy child who'd be ruining "Lassie" or somesuch for the other ticket holders.  Sometimes, when it wasn't occupied, my friends and I would have dominion over the little room where a huge picture window faced the screen.  And there was sound coming into the room, if not going out.  When we'd manage to have time in the "Cry Room," we were too busy feeling important to cry; the place was like our own private screening room.

The other day I noticed a "Change Room" sign on a door at the gym.  How fabulous would it be, when we wanted to change—not our clothes, but ourselves—if we could walk into a room thinking about the changes we wanted to make in ourselves and walk out with those changes made.  Just like that.  Done. 

                                                    

Something like Clark Kent going into the phone booth and coming out as Superman.  If we could change habits or attitudes or our past hurts and grievances by simply deciding what we want to change and then walking into the room. . . .

Then I thought:  If we could do that, how could we know we wouldn't be eliminating a significant reason for having the human experience in the first place?  The struggles, the lessons— you know, the process of becoming more open-hearted.  Or becoming whatever.   We might be messing with the very meaning of life.  Besides that, a lot of mental health professionals would be out of work if personal evolution were that easy. 

Without our own "change rooms" we will continue to strive for more awareness, ever wanting to remember our wholeness.  Meditation, friends, a support group, a good therapist— whatever it takes to fully become our own authentic Selves.  And then to find the courage to live in sync with exactly who we are.  Yep, that just might be one of the challenges of a lifetime.

It was fun to think about a "change room" though.   There's always time for contemplation on the old treadmill for someone who can't read while moving.

Fun with River Club Readers

Great evening with the River Club's Book Club at Pawleys Island, SC. What a fabulous group of intelligent, sensitive, and open-minded readers! DANCING ON MARS was their June selection.

Took my camera  so I could share more of the experience here; apparently I need more photo remediation.  The pics were either seriously blurry or too dark.  So, picture a room full of beautiful women you'd like to have as your friends.  And the dinner was outstanding.  Is there a cookbook project in their future?

During discussion, comments made it clear that the book continues to validate my intention; it's touching other women's  (and a few men's) lives in a positive way.  Generous in sharing their life experiences, the group talked about how the book has affected them.  They're sharing it with friends and family.   Thank you, River Club Book Club Book Club readers. You've made me very happy!

Nora Ephron

So sad to learn of a brilliant writer's passing at 71.  I've always admired her honesty,  loved her sharp wit, and the amazing courage she showed in writing about subjects that are not easy to handle.  Rest in peace, dear Nora! 

Of Book Reviews and Summertime

I've done a little better lately about limiting my compulsive visits to Amazon, checking out reviews for Dancing on Mars.  It had been a few days since my last visit, and I was happy to find  23 favorable reviews!  I don't think there's a limit on the number allowed, so feel free to post one if you'd like.

After a full day of medical tests in the Midlands yesterday, I'm glad the results were good.  Best of all, my doctor is enjoying Dancing on Mars.  Since he has very little time to read for pleasure, I'm honored that he chose this book.  He says he especially likes the humor; you know I loved hearing that!
                                                                            * * * 
    Words from Rudyard Kipling:                                

                                     Oh do not tell the priest our plight,
                                     Or he would call it sin;
                                     But we have been out in the woods all night,
                                     A-conjuring Summer in . . . .

Hope you're enjoying this first day of Summer.  Cloudless skies over the lake this morning, Great Egret fishing by the dam.  A lazy gator is gliding by, apparently in no hurry.  In a summer mode.

I'm thinking of my grandmother, Mammy,  and how she was ever-patient with my requests for her to play "In the Good Old Summertime" on the piano.  (You met Mammy in the book.) No doubt my feeling that Summer means freedom relates to school days.  But even today, despite the heat, humidity and mosquitoes, I still love "the good ole summertime."   Let me get back to you when the temperatures reach triple digits.

Meanwhile, it's time for a tall glass of iced tea - with mint!

Father's Day 2012

In Dancing on Mars I say that my father, when he met my mother, was "a ringer for young Brando."  He's the one on the left, taking a break from Midshipman School to be with one of his older brothers, CW.  I miss Papa every day and so grateful that he's a part of me now.  We were a lot alike!