“As we grow in our consciousness, there will be more compassion and more love, and then the barriers between people, between religions, between nations will begin to fall. Yes, we have to beat down the separateness.” Ram Das
This month’s journal is a recap of my year. A year of writing, a year of engagement, learning, teaching, mentoring and loving. I have published two children’s books. A picture book, that’s book number 3 in the Samba dog series, Samba in Switzerland. And my middle-grade novel Dojo in the Woods.
1. A new year is on the horizon. My final journal entry for 2023, and of course, I wish you all a wonderful holiday and the best the new year has to offer. My next journal entry will be coming to you from Escazu, Costa Rica.
2. Spending time with family and friends and enjoying a classic Christmas movie. “You’ll shoot your eye out!” recognize that quote? It’s from the wonderful holiday movie, A Christmas Story, starring Peter Billingsley and Darren McGavin.
3. Music, some holiday classics, David Bowie and Bing Crosby with their duet, “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy”. And Greg Lake with Ian Anderson performing “I Believe in Father Christmas“.
4. More music: I have witnessed some incredible shows in the past couple of months. The most recent was a performance by Terrance Blanchard and the E-Collective at Toronto’s Koerner Hall. Previous to that, I saw an excellent dance performance by The Dance Migration. Yes, my daughter’s dance company. Lula Lounge had a show all about samba. Red Hot Samba Night in Toronto.
5. Just before the holidays, I participated in The Link, a winter holiday market in Sutton, Ontario. My main purpose was to get out and meet people and share my books with anybody who would listen to me telling my story. I even got to jam with a local guitarist who was serenading the festivalgoers. I bought a few things, some to enjoy personally and others to gift to friends and family.
Thank you for taking the time to share some things with me. I hope we get to spend more time together next year. Wishing everyone the best the N ew Year has to offer.
Be well, stay safe, and keep reading.
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