Wordfest was fantastic! I met and mingled with local book lovers like myself. I shared The Green Book Mystery with young readers and introduced The Purple Mystery. The second in the series, will be available for pre-order soon. ~ It's a blueberry pirate adventure.
While waiting for The Purple Mystery illustrations, the 3rd mystery is halfway done. Yes, there are now Native Americans roaming the Rocky Point library. And Pixie has befriended a famous native girl from the past…
And that’s not all. I resurfaced a manuscript from long ago. I wrote this one after romping hippo books at the library. My son who was about 8 at the time, he's 23 now, got me thinking about hippos. He began saying the phrase, “Uno momento baby hippo.” Catchy right? I couldn't pass on such a perfect story line. From these words, emerged a story about an adorable Baby Hippo patiently waiting for his mother to make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
So with my Pixie illustrator stretched, I knew I could not task her with another book project. Ding! My daughter's in college at TAMUCC. What a better place to find a young and hungry artist in the graphics department. It was a win! Two weeks later I had a mock cover and I couldn’t be more excited. My Baby Hippo illustrator, Malena and I hit it off instantly. We are up and running and this Spring my first picture book will be released. Un Momento Baby Hippo.
So with my Pixie illustrator stretched, I knew I could not task her with another book project. Ding! My daughter's in college at TAMUCC. What a better place to find a young and hungry artist in the graphics department. It was a win! Two weeks later I had a mock cover and I couldn’t be more excited. My Baby Hippo illustrator, Malena and I hit it off instantly. We are up and running and this Spring my first picture book will be released. Un Momento Baby Hippo.
As you know, I’m dealing with broken bones. The simple things are not so simple. Much like dressing a toddler, getting ready for my day is such a feat. I may go with a button unbuttoned, my hair might not be where I want it, and there’s a chance I may not be wearing shoes. My tennis shoes were double-knotted this morning. Is this some kind of sick joke? I was going to send out an SOS. "Is there anyone that could help me get my shoes untied and retied?"
I tend to jump into things and start running literally and figuratively. And this is exactly how I injured myself. I’m not a seasoned runner and shouldn’t have attempted a two mile run. My muscles and knees couldn’t handle the impact. This is what brought me to the ground.
Being forced to move slow isn’t easy, but I’m learning to be okay with it. Is this where I’m supposed to be, broken and bruised? Perhaps this is where God wanted me. In the stillness, I’ve accepted I can’t rush things. For example, my second book is being illustrated and has been for quite some time. In the waiting, I found a picture book manuscript I did years ago. I reopened this door and now have Uno Momento Baby Hippo in the works.
Mentally, I’m in a good place. My love of words and creating stories is what I’m supposed to be doing. Isn’t it about unearthing our God given talents and using them as He intended?
I haven’t driven a new vehicle in over 20 years. So why’s
this a big deal? My youngest son has left for college, making it three kids out
of the nest. I’m down to the caboose child. She’s in 7th grade, so
thankfully the nest is not completely empty.
Call it coincidence, what led us down the car
path was my Tahoe breaking down. We limped it to the repair shop and learned it
needed a new transmission. It was old and not worth fixing, so began my transition
or transformation. Not sure which word
works best here? 
Not going to lie, seeing moms buzzing around town in their suvs
full of kids and backpacks makes me a bit nostalgic. But until I have
grandchildren, I’ll embrace the car life. Not sure what’s next, as things are
changing faster than I like? But for today, I’ll pick up my daughter with the
sunroof open blaring a rendition of Gun’s N’ Roses. She's gonna love the new shades. ;-) Yes, I just discovered Sirus
radio and what fun this is. 