Working on my Book - Happy Mother's Day

I haven't posted anything new in my shop lately or for that illustrated. :0(

No, my book is not titled Happy Mother's Day I just wanted to pop that in just in case I am too busy tomorrow.

I picked up the draft of my book again....and am finally pleased with the way I plan on finishing. It's been in the works since 2000, ( I know I know a long time) actually I have two that have been in the works.

I would have never considered writing till I meant a Judge, who aided in my son's adoption, (many many years ago) and highly suggested I write. I was told in high school but never took it seriously or gave it a thought till the Judge. Why...maybe I just wasn't ready to listen. Now I listen to everything. I suppose the fact I was never really good at punctuating was another issue. Till I decided who cares there are people out there that can do it for me. Isn't that why we are different?

I never really knew or for that considered how important words were back then. How much they impact our lives in so many ways. They make you believe your worth, self esteem and so much more. They define a huge part of our lives as they burrow in to our brain and sit there reminding us daily of who or what we are...they even determine our credibility "do our actions fit our words."

By listening closely since that day the Judge opened a different part of my brain...I found when raising my children how much they said about themselves with simple letters that formed words. Even in silence I learned they said so much more. Every movement, position, stand, eyebrow lift, eyes, arms, legs, right down to the music they listened too told me what was in store. Where they were in there life and what they were thinking. I didn't need to ask. Funny they all said " how do you know so much about me all the time" they were always amazed.

I find the same applies and works with every human that exists. So tomorrow on Mother's Day celebrate it but watch and listen to your children the people around you, you'll learn more than you ever imagined.

Children's Books New Law

As a childhood illustrator I came across an article on the internet I couldn't believe http://www.city-journal.org/2009/eon0212wo.html

When I read the article all I could think of was WHAT something else from the past that we can't expose our children too. As a mother who raised children in the 80's I can say not one book they read or touched as caused them any harm today.

I just can't help but wonder what we are doing to our children. What will happen in the next 50 years. It seems everytime we turn around they tell us something we have been exposed to is not healthy, then years later you find it out it was an untruth.

I understand the need to protect our children but wonder if we have a bit too far. I look at the generation before me who seem to be living well into there 90's, who were exposed to so many of the things they now ban. I was exposed to those books and understand that some children may have experienced a negative reaction to the same books in some form, but, isn't that a part of life? Isn't why we are all so different and can tolerate different exposures to things?

No one wants a child to become ill, I understand this very clearly. I had a handicap child. But, what are we really teaching the generations coming up? Touch nothing till it's be scientific evalutated. Put all of our children in bubbles!

There are so many Baby Boomers that are now hitting retirement age and quite frankly if all those books were so bad for them, why are there so many Baby Boomers alive who will be soaking up Social Security?

When I look back and realize how simple life was and were we have gotten too, I am saddened. It seems everytime we turn around there is a new law for something. I personally do not feel I should have to buckle my seatbelt in my own vehicle. I feel very strongly about seatbelts, it's my choice as to whether I want to fly out the window in an accident or stay buckled. It's simply my choice. Do I believe children should be buckled yes, without a doubt. So don't get me wrong.

However, I am beginning to feel like our choices or at least my own in America are being taken away little by little and ya know what I say...lets as public officials start focusing on more important issues. Starving, homeless, and poor people in this Country. I am livid that where I live they are using 7 million dollars to restore Perry's Monument. What about all those people lossing homes and jobs! Those millions could do wonders to change many people's lives.

As for children's books does that mean we now shouldn't let our children go to the library where there are thousands of old books? Children are meant to live life not be sheltered. We can't protect everyone even though as parents we want to protect are children from the world. We have to ask ourselves can we really?

Last Years Garden

I couldn't resist posting last years garden. The middle light green was my paris romaine lettuce. Boy did I have great salads all summer.

The row behind the lettuce was mustard spinach. I gave so much away to local people I had gotten to know.

Then behind the spinach was tons of green beans. I spent the latter part of the summer freezing veggies for the winter. I can't begin to tell you the difference in taste.

It was well worth it all even the sore legs.

Gardening has begun

I have spent the last couple days outside playing in the dirt. Actually preparing rows for planting my organic garden.

I managed to get in many rows before the rain today which was great for the new seeds. After mother's day the rest will be planted.

Here is what's in so far...Arugula (lettuce with a pepper taste), red romaine lettuce, cauliflower, green beans ( which I plant every two weeks all season long), and french radishes.

After Mother's Day I will plant the rest...carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, corn, cucumbers, and a brand of strawberries that grow all season long. Oh, and spinach.

Then the weeding begins a week later and the sore thighs until I get use to the daily care of the garden as the season moves on.