“Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us and see the beauty in ordinary things.”
Thomas Merton
Hello, welcome to my monthly journal. A place for me to share five points of interest, things that have inspired and motivated me. Things I am involved in and looking forward to participating in.
1. Creemore Festival of the Arts is the next event I will attend. I am excited for this one, to be surrounded by outstanding artists and artisans. I will be at 217 Mill St. from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. This will be fantastic!
Creemore is a picturesque town just north of Toronto. And it’s the home of Creemore Springs Brewery.
I will have my new book, Dojo in the Woods, available for sale and at a discounted festival price. I’ll have all my other books available, too. I hope you come by and check out the amazing art on display.
2. I’m reading this month a cute book by Alexander McCall Smith, his Sunday Philosophy Club series, The Careful Use of Compliments, and a thriller by Ken Follett, Code to Zero. Yes, summer reading. It’s great to settle into a good story anytime, especially in the summertime.
3. The music I’ve been listening to, well, two musicians that I met at the New Earth Love Fest and Artisan Market. Chris Assad and Quincy Bullen.
I got to jam along with both musicians recently; it was so much fun. I took to the stage with Quincy and played my chromatic harmonica.
4. Stepping outside your comfort zone. I wrote a piece about that subject some time ago regarding martial arts. To take in a workshop, to meet new people, to train in a new style, or with a master martial artist.
The New Earth Love Fest had many folks going up and reading poetry, singing songs, and stepping outside their comfort zones. I try to step outside my comfort zone regularly.
I have recently volunteered to mentor a writing student at Sheridan College. I have experience mentoring; I feel like I am a mentor to my young karate students. Trying to be a positive role model.
As a writing mentor, I want to offer encouragement and ideas on things that have worked for me and the many challenging things.
5. My new book Dojo in the Woods is available for pre-order as an e-book. I ordered some paperback copies and should have them available at the Creemore Arts Festival.
Thank you for reading, and if you know someone who would like to read my journal, please share it with others. All of my books are now available at your favorite bookstores; support local bookstores with your online purchases.
Make sure you get out and about and enjoy the beautiful days. Visit an artisan market, a farmers market, or a book festival. If you’re looking for a great early reader chapter book, get my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time for Friends. My picture books are perfect for the younger ones: Samba in Switzerland, Samba on a Snowy Day, or Samba in Brazil.
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, and keep going.
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