Carmela Dutra's Blog, page 7

To Read or not to Read?

You’ve started reading this article meaning something in the above heading attracted you to it. You have weighed up the potential relevance of the time you have and decided that it sounded interesting enough to at least, start reading it. For that, I thank you!

 

To Read or Not to Read… That is the Question…. Is it? Is it really a question??

The definition of reading according to one dictionary is The action or skill of reading written or printed matter silently or aloud. Another translation renders it as such: To look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed. 

Okay, we have the “technical” definition of the word reading, but can one truly put a meaning to the term reading? Can you describe reading to someone any more than you can describe the color blue to someone who has never seen it? In some ways, the answer is yes you can. Or at least I would say so.

For example, to me, reading is opening the door to new ideas, thoughts, and learning about new things. While taking you into the mind of the author, being able to see things from their perspective. Reading is something that for me is a way of life, like mental oxygen in a way.

Some feel even asking the question to read or not to read, is the silliest thing you could ask a person. For me, reading isn’t an option. The real challenge is finding a home for all of my books. Or, holding off on buying new books before I’ve made even a fraction of my way through the ones I already have waiting their turn.

At the same time for someone who doesn’t read, trying to explain why you enjoy it so much can be a task. If you were to ask them that same question To Read or not to Read can also be a no-brainer answer as it is for someone who does read.

Without question, the American bookworm is a rarer species than two or three decades ago, when we didn’t enjoy today’s abundance of today’s (somewhat distracting) gadgets. Let’s just say what if, what if you are not a reader but want to be? See, that—what you’re doing right now—that’s actually doing your body and mind a world of good. You’re welcome! HA-HA

Okay, in all seriousness it’s up to you if you want to be a reader or not. There are things that you can do about it, just as there are things you can do to prevent it. It’s up to what you chose. For me, reading isn’t a struggle I read all of the time, I’ve even moonlighted as a copy editor.

The New Year is officially upon us, and this is the time when most start planning their resolutions for the year. Babies gravitate naturally towards books, but as they grow older, without proper encouragement and reinforcement, some kids will drift away. My resolution is for this not to happen.

So for me, and my house I say To Read or Not to Read… That is a Silly question! 

Sometimes, we need to have something to be accountable to, setting a reading challenging can be an excellent way to do this. I set one for myself every year on Goodreads. If you are on Goodreads, I invite you to join me, let’s read together!

Are you a reader? Do you have any reading goals for 2017? Please share some of the books you plan to devel into this year by leaving a comment below.

Thank you for reading this week’s blog, be sure to check back for details about how you can win some free books! I have partnered up with some fellow authors to share in International Book Giving Day 2/14, and we will be having a book giveaway extravaganza!

Toodles!

Hello 2017!

2016 is so last year’s news, and now it’s all about 2017! 

Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that many like to uphold. Every year individuals pick out a few things to work on, maybe keeping the list framed by their bedside as a constant reminder. These resolutions can be anything from giving yourself more “Me Time” to starting that novel you’ve always wanted to work on.

What does the New Year mean to you? Is it a new beginning? A chance to excel? Maybe a time to meet goals that you didn’t quite reach last year. Or an opportunity to make more important goals to push yourself further—to challenge yourself to bigger and better dreams.

Do you set a resolution for yourself? Many do, and yet out of those who do set a resolution many also fail to keep it. By the time March-May rolls around most will have given up on the resolutions, or just forgotten them. In fact, one recent study showed that only eight percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutionIs. I can speak from personal experience in this area. In the past, I would refuse to make resolutions for the reason of not completing them.  I felt like they were twinkling lights. A beautiful idea, but you could never hold onto them. Instead of focusing on all that I was able to accomplish over the past year I would look at my list (yes I had a real list that I would cross stuff off upon completion) and see what wasn’t accomplished. Eventually, I stopped making resolutions altogether and would instead try and better myself, my family. I would say I would like to seek to achieve these things, but I would dare not make a resolution.

The thought of writing out on paper my yearly goals became as though I was forcing myself into something, something that could not be accomplished.  All of that changed last year. At the end of 2015 my son was born, and I resolved to make only one resolution. I would not allow the unknown of the future to hold me back. I commented on this in my blog from January of last year called Future Phobias.

I kept telling myself all year I would not dwell on that, I will deal with that as it comes, but not until then. I was so pleased when December rolled around, and I was able to look back over the past year and see that I kept my resolution. I not only kept it but that one resolution transferred over into all aspects of life. So while I said Goodbye to 2016, I planned to take parts of it with me. I plan to continue the resolution of not dwelling on future phobias.

I know that whether I intend to or not, I always will make resolutions. We all will, by trying to better ourselves, is in itself a resolution. We say we want to eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time in charity work. Whatever it may be, we all make resolutions. What it boils down to is how we make them. Becoming fixated on the list we set before ourselves, is where the snare is, at least in my case. So as I once did in the past, I have my little calendar of things I plan to tackle this coming year. If at the end of December I am able to have crossed all of them off, fan-diddly-tastic! If not, or well. I did my best, and that is all I can put on myself.

I mentioned earlier I planned to take part of 2016 with me of letting things go. Purging from myself of all of the “what ifs” that loom over life. “What if I don’t get this accomplished?” “What if that never pans out??” I had a gym teach who had a rule in his class of NO what if questions! Of course, I found a way around that rule, and I was later called into a meeting with my mother and told I was too smart for my own good and becoming a disruption in his class. But that is a story for another time. My point is, “what if” is simply that, a what if. It’s not a guarantee of anything. It’s just my own mind getting away from me. Wouldn’t you agree with me when I say it always seems as if there is something we could say what if about? It’s exhausting! But here is the good type of what if we can ask ourselves: What if we choose not to do it anymore? What if we choose just to let it go? Whatever is it that is holding you back from peace in 207 just let it go and stop worrying about it. What if we just stop saying what if!?

Again as I did last year, I will not think about future phobias, and just focus on the here and now. Tackle each month, and savor each day. The days pass by too quickly, and before we know it December 31st will be here, and we will be staring at a new list of resolutions to make.  A friend told me last year that when you have a child, each day feels like it takes forever to end, but the years pass in the blink of an eye. I will agree with that. Some days move as slowly as molasses, but 2016 ended as soon as it started and the same will happen with 2017.

So this is my New Year’s resolution. What is yours? What are you planning to accomplish in 2017? Will you join me in letting go of future phobias? Wishing you all the best in 2017! I hope it is all you want and more!

 

 

 

Goodbye 2016, I will Never Forget you

I distinctly remember as a kid having a grown up tell me that time seems to go by much faster the older you get.  I never really thought much of that logic as a youngster. Now that I am older, this is a different story. I even find myself saying this same thing to others.  Take this year.  Where has 2016 gone?

Oh, 2016, it seems you are leaving as quickly as you arrived.  While I am very ready to see you depart so that a brand new year can start, I feel a little misty-eyed to see you leave.  You have been a tough one, you have tried my patience, made me cry, and made me laugh. You have cast a light on things that were once half a shadow. You’ve made me stronger; you brought me greater joy than I would have thought possible.

As I look back over this year, I see many things that I will be taking with me, memories that I will be holding onto for dear life, hoping they never leave. Hopefully, we all have good memories and accomplishments to take with us into the new year, and we are all able to leave behind the negativity that we may have experienced.

One of the things that I have experienced this past year was a new role in life. That of being a first-time mother. While I adore my beautiful baby boy and couldn’t imagine ever not having him, 2016 was not without its challenges. As all of us know and will likely agree (and has been strongly impressed upon me this past year), life is full of unplanned surprises.  By understanding and accepting this, we can start to overthink everything that could come our way. Being that we are imperfect humans, this can be a real struggle for some. I know for myself, I like to have everything planned out to the T! Alas, that is not always possible, and I have learned to roll with the punches of life.

At the start of this year, I resolved to cast aside future phobias, and the unnecessary worry about what might be. I decided just to roll with things. Okay yeah sure in January everyone makes their resolutions, and by March-ish I will guarantee that most will have given up on the resolutions, or simply forgotten them. I can speak from personal experience in this area. I am happy to report I did not do that with this resolution.

Being a new mother, I quickly realized I could not afford to fret over the things I can’t control. Am I going to screw him up? Am I going to be too strict, or too lenient as a parent? How will I know what to do, and when to do it?  When you start to think about it, the list is endless! I knew if I were to dwell on these type of questions I would very quickly go crazy. I’m already crazy enough as is, why add to it?? In the end, what is it going to accomplish? Nothing! There I said, and I will say it again. Big fat nothing! Zip, zero, nada!! Worrying about things beyond your control does not add anything to your life, in reality, it only takes away.

In January I chose to cast future phobias aside. I vowed I would not allow them to have any hold on me. This was to encompasses every aspect of my life beyond being a mother. I would not dwell on the things that were out of my control. I would not fret over the small stuff, or put added stress on myself. Life throws enough stress and anxiety at us; we don’t need to help pile on more.

By adjusting my attitude about how I would look at things I felt a sense of inner calm and peace. I was able to enjoy life so much more than had I allowed myself to get into my head. That’s not to say I didn’t think, or say to my husband: Am I going to screw him up? Am I going to be too strict, or too lenient with him? How will I know what to do, and when to do it? I’m sure over the course of the year I said at least one of these if not all of them (and likely more). The point is I did not allow myself to dwell on them. I just took everything one by one and tackled them individually. Once I voiced my concerns, I let them go. They were not in my control, so I was not going to dwell on them any longer. I was determined, and I came out victorious.

This is a resolution that I will take with me every year. I will add this to the top of each list I make from here on out. I will cast aside future phobias, and I will not allow myself to dwell on the negative “What if’s.”  It’s exhausting to think that way! But what if we choose not to do it anymore? What if we choose to just let it go? Sorry did I make the Disney song just pop into your head there?? Whatever is it that is holding you back from peace, what would happen if you just said enough is enough?

In my blog at the start of the year, I referenced what a country song once said:  Life’s a dance, you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. Don’t worry ’bout what you don’t know, life’s a dance; you learn as you go.

And that is life! You can’t control everything, and you can’t plan for everything,  sometimes you just have to dance and let things come as they may.

I wish nothing but the best for all of you, and all of the wonderful things that 2017 has in store for you!

 

Author Interview with Cat Michaels

Hello everyone, welcome back to another author interview. I’d like to introduce you to my guest, fellow author, Cat Michaels. Cat Michaels writes The Sweet T Tales, illustrated chapter books for beginning readers that tell of everyday life with a twist of magic and mystery.  A former special educator, communications manager for a high-tech company in another lifetime, and enthusiastic digital-dabbler, Cat lives with her family and writes in North Carolina.

I invite you to join our conversation and view some snazzy GIF’s that Cat would like to share with all of you. After all, pictures (or in this case GIFs) can tell a story better than words can.

Cat, if you had to pick, what literary character is most like you?

Belle — I admire a smart, sassy female who’s always on the move, isn’t afraid of a challenge and loves reading and family. 

 

What were you like as a child?  What did you want to be when you grew up?

The oldest of four siblings, I was all about coloring, music, reading, and playing outside with my friends while providing the occasional sibling babysitting duty. The freedom and independence of the cowgirl life in the Old West called to me.  Funny, because today my idea of roughing it is staying in a hotel without an indoor pool.

 

Any author will agree that reading is the best way to write. What do you like to read in your free time?

I read to escape and get my head in other worlds.  Mystery, fantasy, sy–fy, southern chick lit, and YA are my faves.  Never anything scary or violent.  Audio books are my all-time faves, especially when plugged into earbuds and keeping me company on my walks.

 

Now with all of that reading, if you had a superpower, what would it be?

Time travel, please!

 

 Do you blog? If so, tell us a little bit about that process.

I write weekly posts on one of my two blogs:
Author 101 for authors offers tips and insights into marketing, social media, and the writing life.
Cat’s Corner for readers features family-focused articles about reading, Kid Lit book reviews, giveaways, and film.

The best part about blogging is collaborating with other bloggers and meeting readers.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I’ve scribbled for as long as I can remember.  My first story, penned in fourth grade, was about two sisters traveling on a wagon train in the Old West.  

Do you have a special time place to write?

Yep.  Please drop by my Creation Station for a virtual visit. I tidied up just for you -:D 

http://carmeladutra.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/9.1CreationStation_VIDEO.m4v

Any advice for aspiring authors you would like to share?

 

Anything you’d like to add that I haven’t asked? 

Thanks a ton for inviting me on A Blog for Your Thoughts, Carmela.  Appreciate you and your readers taking the time to get to know me.  I love meeting new people and am grateful for having the fine company like y’all on my writer journey.   Hey, would love to have you join my tribe of readers and be first to know about my writing and special events in my monthly e-newsletter HERE. Happy tales!

If you would like to know more about Cat, you can visit her at the links below. Thank you again so much for stopping by for this week’s latest blog. Hope to see you again next week for a farewell blog to 2016. Toodles!

 

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Instagram | Amazon

 

 

A Winters Meaning

 

As this year comes to a close, we look back at all it has given us, taken from us, and promised us. As with everything in life, all things must come to an end and start anew.  As one season slips away fading into memory, a new one is brought to life.  A cycle of unending wonder, one of hopes and dreams.

As we think of the seasons, we reflect on the imagery as they pass. Spring, a time Joy and Love. Summer, a time of Searches and Reflection.  Autumn brings with it Bounty and Changes.  And winter can often be times of Hope and Despair.  Each season represents a different stage in our life, in our growth, in our love.  We each have our favorite season, a reason beyond measure.  For me that season is winter.

Without one season we cannot truly appreciate another.  I think Ward Elliot Hour said it best “The color of springtime is in the flower. The color of winter is in the imagination.”

 

Winter has a subtle beauty to it, one covered in snow, and silence. It is a beauty that is meek and yet complex all in one.  The way it smells after the first rain, how snow delicately falls, gently coating the evergreens.  The way each snowflake kisses your face. Or the way fire crackles and spits before spluttering into life, then dances and flutters about.

Winter is a season unequaled by any other. The most opposite of all seasons, yet to me one the most beautiful of all.  Can one truly describe winter any more than one can describe the feel of sand under your barefoot?  Can one explain the beauty of waking up to find a yard of freshly fallen snow? No more than one can explain the way a rose smells as it blooms to life.

As things fade away into memories, new ones are born.  Time spent with family and friends, exchanging love and sharing stories.  As winter goes on it will soon fade into spring, bringing with it some of the hidden beauty winter has left behind. As the cycle goes on we think and ponder, about the New Year and blessings it will bring.

Oh if I could trap a little bit of winter in a bottle, to always hold the magic that is winter.

 

November is #PictureBookMonth: Interview with Lise Chase

November is Picture Book Month, and I want to help share pictures books!

Since this month only comes around once a year, and given the fact that I am an author and illustrator of picture books myself this hits home with me. I want to have a full share in this month, so I will dedicate this entire month to blogging about picture books. I will be having interview’s with some fellow KidLit authors and will share their books with all of you.

I would like to introduce all of you to Lise’ Chase. Lise has been writing and illustrating for the last four years.  After raising her children, she reenergized and started on her new journey.  Proud mother of 4, all of her children are college graduates.  She has a daughter with her CPA and currently in law school with an academic scholarship from UCLA.  A son who has ten books published traditionally.  A son that is a business manager for a large corporation and her youngest son is attending UGA graduate school on a full academic scholarship in mathematics.  Her passions are the outdoors and children.  She loves going to schools and sharing her stories with the kids and seeing their faces as they fall in love with Wally and Warren.  There is no better judge of her book writing skills than to see the children fully engaged as she weaves the stories of friendship, with valuable lessons intertwined into the rhyming tales.

When did you decide to become a writer and why?   After I turned 50 several stories came to me in a short period.  I decided that I wanted to illustrate them to show children simple drawings that they could recreate easily.

How long does it usually take you to complete a book?  It takes me about four months to illustrate the story from beginning to editing to publishing.

 

What is your editing process like?  Editing the story and illustrations takes me much longer than it does to do the original.  When you are debuting your book with teachers, you want it to be perfect!  I use a professional editor, especially since I have no grammar skills at all!  I also have someone that makes sure the pictures are in sync with the written story.

 

Do you have a particular time to write?  I am very fortunate that the stories come to me quickly, even the rhyming.  The illustrations I do in short sets, usually doing many pages in a few days, taking time off, then another short spurt.

 

How has your product evolved over the years?  The first year that I reached out to schools in fall of 2014, I read to about 300 students, in the autumn of 2015 I read to over 2000 and in total over 10,000 in the last few years.  This year I have schools calling me to set up readings.  I have parents and schools that buy the books and the Wally and Warren stuffed animals.  Wally and Warren have been featured in an Elementary school yearbook on the “Kindergarten Rocks” page and have had over a thousand children download books in just a few days on Amazon.  Wally and Warren are also proud to be on Barnes and Noble.com; we have no idea how that happened, but we are very proud!  I am a self-published author, so I didn’t even know that was possible.

 

What have you written and can you tell us a little about it?  I have eight books in The Adventures of Wally and Warren book series. The Adventures of Wally and Warren book series are tales of friendship weaved into stories that teach valuable life lessons to children in fun rhyming fashion while they fall in love with Wally and Warren along the way.

 

Is there anything you are working on right now that you would like to share?  The Halloween Surprise was released in September.  It introduces children to a scary tale in fun filled rhyming fashion and introduces them to geometric shapes and of course, it’s all about friendship.

 

Any advice for aspiring authors?  I have been fortunate to know already that I have inspired several writers to achieve their goals in writing.  My goal with this series has always been to inspire many young readers to write and illustrate their stories.  In fact, I leave the brush strokes in my simple drawings so that young readers can see that they can do this too!  My #1 tip – Finish your book – So many authors get stuck in making their story and then reworking and reworking, only making it different, not better.  JUST FINISH IT ALREADY!  I help students who have a story with pictures by making it into an actual book for them, just like the Wally and Warren books.

 

Give us an insight into your main character – Wally and Warren are the quintessential polar opposite duo.  Wally, the penguin, is the adventurous one that is always getting into trouble while Warren the polar bear is the one that tries to keep Wally out of trouble.  They not only entertain but they also teach kids valuable lessons while they observe this opposite polar friendship.

Thank you so much for joining us Lise. It has been my privilege to share your stories here for Picture Book Month. If you would like more information you can visit Lise at the links listed below. As always, thank you in advance for comments! Lise or I will get back to you lickety-split! See you all next week.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Facebook

Goodreads 

 

November is #PictureBookMonth: Interview with Jessica Adams

November is Picture Book Month, and I want to help share pictures books!

Since this month only comes around once a year, and given the fact that I am an author and illustrator of picture books myself this hits home with me. I want to have a full share in this month, so I will dedicate this entire month to blogging about picture books. I will be having interview’s with some fellow KidLit authors and will share their books with all of you.

I would like to introduce you to Jessica Adams. Jessica grew up in Catawissa, PA. She attended Southern Columbia Area High School. After high school, she attended Bloomsburg University for two years, and then Thomas Jefferson University for two years. She graduated with honors with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Jessica still lives in PA with her husband, Greg, and two daughters, Janiece and Janelle. Her daughters are her inspiration for writing children’s books.

She has children’s picture book series entitled The Underground Toy Society. In this series,  there are a group of toys dedicated to helping each other, while helping kids learn to love and appreciate what they have. The Underground Toy Society travels underground with the aid of their friend, Murry Mole. They find toys that need help or a child to love them, whether it’s from a child who grew up, or a full house with too many toys, or simply a forgotten toy.

Jessica, when did you decide to become a writer, and why?

When I was a little girl in first grade, I used to write short stories to take into school for show and tell. When I was in 6th grade, an author came to my elementary school for a visit. I was fortunate enough to be picked by the art class teacher to prepare a huge banner to welcome her to the school. I remember coloring a yellow duck for her arrival. I was so inspired by her and her children’s book. I thought it would be so neat to write a children’s book. I never actually pursued a career as a writer or illustrator, but I’m not sure why. It was not until I had my children with massive amounts of toys in the house that I decided my childhood dream of writing a book and writing about my idea of The Underground Toy Society needed to be fulfilled.

Why did you choose to write in this genre?

It has been in my heart since first grade, writing little stories to take in for show and tell.

Being a mother, how does this affect your writing?

Being a mother is the reason my dream finally came true. My children were the final piece of the puzzle to complete my stories about The Underground Toy Society.

Do you feel being a parent gives you insight into the minds of your readers?

I like to think so. I wanted to give kids the feeling that they could do anything, to inspire them. That is why I decided to allow my children to help with the illustrations in my books. I know most people will judge a book by its cover. But what is that teaching our children? We don’t want people to judge us by our looks, so why judge a book by it’s cover? I wanted to inspire everyone to appreciate the little things in life. Things don’t need to be elaborate to be good. I think kids can relate to the illustrations. My kids certainly love the pictures. My kids picked the picture for the front cover of my first book. I was reluctant to oblige because I know people will judge the book by the cover. I agreed because the books came to be because of my kids. So I had to let them pick the cover image.

Oh, that is such a sweet backstory. What is the inspiration for your story/stories?

When I was a little girl, I told my mom I was worried what would happen to my toys and my sister’s toys when we grew up. I thought the toys would miss each other if we each took them with us when we moved out of the house. My mom told me not to worry. She said the toys would find each other. So from then on, we always talked about The Underground Toy Society.

After I had my children, we began to receive many toys and gifts from family and friends. There was a misunderstanding from a Facebook post I made, and some family members accused me of being ungrateful of the gifts my kids received. They accused me of not allowing my children to have any toys. It made me very sad they thought I was ungrateful and didn’t let my kids have the toys and gifts. They had no idea how many toys my kids did have. My kids kept wanting more and more toys, yet there was no more room in the house. It was then I decided that my ideas about The Underground Toy Society needed to be told. Now, when my kids don’t clean up, I act all sad and say it is so sad their toys are not being taken care of and that The Underground Toy Society will have to come and help them find a child to take better care of them. My kids clean up pretty quick then.

How do you think you’ve evolved in your writing?  

After a college student had done editing on my first two books, I became more aware of the use of sentence structure.

What have you written? 
The Underground Toy Society, The Underground Toy Society Saves Peggy, and The Underground Toy Society and The Annual Toy Drive, are all published.

Is there anything you are working on right now you would like to share with us?
Coming soon is The Underground Toy Society Helps Beary Bear, and The Underground Toy Society and Jenny’s Eye Winker Wish.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special?
In the first book, Samantha is the main character. She is my favorite doll, and I took her along with me when I moved out of my house. She wants to find my sister’s doll, Stacey, but the other toys tell her not to go because it is too dangerous outside. Samantha is not afraid and goes outside, and her adventure begins.


Thank you so much for visiting with us today. One final thought, do you have any advice for aspiring authors you would like to share?
Write what you want, the way you want.  Don’t let anyone discourage you.  Don’t be surprised that marketing the book once it is completed is the hardest part.



 Thank you so much for joining us today Jessica, we enjoyed it! I also want to thank my readers for coming back this week. I truly appreciate your following my weekly blog and staying tuned in. Please leave your comments below, and we’ll be sure to respond. If you would like to know more about Jessica and her works, you can visit her at the links below. Remember, books make the perfect gift!



Amazon 
BookTrailer  
Facebook
Goodreads 
Instagram

Twitter


Website

CURRENTLY FALL BLOG HOP: Autumn BLISS

Vibrant foliage, pumpkins galore, warm woolen scarves, and hot cocoa with marshmallows. These are a few of my favorite things!  When you step outside and smell the cold, crisp air, you know that Fall is in the air. To celebrate the season, my blogging pals and I are sharing autumn moments in the C*U*R*R*E*N*T*L*Y Fall 2016 Blog Hop.

Please have a read and enjoy, feel free to check out some of my suggestions if you like. Then visit the #Gr8Blogs listed at the end of this post for more C*U*R*R*E*N*T*L*Y autumn goodness. What are you currently up to this Fall? We’d love to have you tag on with your own currently post, too! Share your blog link in the comment section for others to enjoy.

* Reading

My preferred genera of leisurely reading material is Mystery. However, I’ve recently been into classic literature. I just finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Some would say this book is somewhat creepy, but the message is one that’s still relevant today. What is more important, being a good person or being an attractive person? What are you willing to give up to gain what you covet most? Upon finishing that book, I have moved into The Strange Case of DR. Jekyll and MR. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Even though I have read both of these books before it has been years, so it was as if I was rereading them for the first time. 

*Grateful

November is the time of year when we are supposed to express what we are grateful for the most. I feel this is something that should be shown all year long, especially to those that we cherish the most. There are some specific things that I want to be sure to express my love and appreciation for.  My God and my refuge, who has always given my family the strength to endure and overcome the challenges in life, and continues to bless me in so many ways. My loving husband David. He is my support, my rock, without him I could not imagine what life would be like. He has supported me from everything that was silly, to the biggest decisions I would ultimately make.  My baby boy Levi, he brings me such delight, whenever I sit and watch him play, everything else seems so small and insignificant. All of the stress and worries seem to melt away as I watch this amazing boy grow and learn right in front of me. Everything is so simple with him, and he never overanalyzes things. Something I can take a lesson from.  I cannot forget my four quirky kitties! I just love my clowder of cats! 

*Thinking About

I feel as though I have all of these balls up in the air and I am trying to catch each of them without dropping a single one. Barnes and Noble are the big things at the top of my list. I have four book signings back to back, with a fifth one being scheduled. I will be working every weekend in November right until Thanksgiving weekend. I have several classroom visits lined up that I am coordinating with to make the most of our time. In between all of these visits and book signings, I have been brainstorming my next book in my new series Exploring STEM with Little Katie. I am so excited to see where this series goes, I have so many ideas floating around in this noggin of mine.  In addition to all of this I have decided to concentrate more of my focus back into my photography, not just for fun, but actually getting back into gigs, shooting weddings and family portraits more regularly than what I have been. I took some time off while I was pregnant, and after my son was born. Now, he is approaching a year, and this is as good as time as any to go back into what I love. I also volunteer 70hrs a month (give or take) to helping others. Did I mention I am a Stay at Home/Work at Home Mother to a 10-month-old?? Am I crazy?? I feel a little crazy. 

*Anticipating

Barnes and Noble Book Signings are starting THIS FRIDAY! 11/4, 11/5, 11/12, and 11/19/16.   I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I will be working with B&N having my books available on the shelf for purchase, I will be signing copies, answering questions and reading my book(s) during story time. If that’s not enough to make my mind spin, I was invited by three stores to participate in their Meet the Makers, Mini Makers Faire focusing on STEM. I am excited, anxious, nervous, and so much more. 

 

*Watching

I have been a geek long before it was popular, so to have all of my comic book shows back on the air is just amazing. My DVR is full and I am playing catch up on most shows, except two. The Flash, I have been a diehard Flash Fan ever since I read my first comic back in the 90s (silver age Barry Allen). The other show I am current with is a new one, Designated Survivor. I am a Kiefer Sutherland fan and while I am not always into American political drama, I was hooked since the first episode aired.

* Seeing through My Camera Lens

I’m a proud momma of the most beautiful little 10-month-old Hammy around. In the next few weeks, I will also have the privilege of capturing the special love of an expecting family with baby number 2 on the way in a materinty shoot. 

 

Thanks for stopping by! For more C*U*R*R*E*N*T*L*Y – Fall Moments, visit these #Gr8blogs below.

If you have your own family-friendly Currently post and would like to join, please add your link in the comments section. We’ll visit your blog and give you some blog love.

 

 

Auden Johnson 

Cat Michales

Julie Gorges

Fairy Tales Imagery

Just what the Doctor Ordered!

It’s Just what the Doctor Ordered!

 

I’m sure you are very familiar with that saying. Maybe what the doctor ordered was taking some extra vitamins, taking some time for yourself to destress and unwind, or something else that was vital to your health.

Following the doctor’s orders sometimes isn’t always easy, and sometimes the orders are not necessarily for your direct benefit, but that of someone else’s. There is someone else who’s’ health you have to think about too.  That of your baby.  Every parent does.  But, what is the very best thing you can do to help your child’s growth and development?

When I was an expectant mother doctor’s orders was something that I was vigilant to follow. After all, I was responsible for that life inside me! Everything I ate and did affects him and still does today. If there was something that I could  have done then, or can do today (other than parental vitamins, exercise, eating right, etc.) I would! As I am confident, any parent would. So what did my doctor recommend that still is in effect today? For me to talk out loud to him every day.

Okay seems easy enough, a little silly at first, but easy peasy, right? WRONG! To narrate my day out loud so our son would not only recognize my voice but would help him to develop was harder than it seemed. I felt silly saying things like Okay, so mommy is opening a can of wet food for the kitties, but not salmon. Bailey doesn’t like anything that is salmon flavored. Come to think of it, what type of cat doesn’t like salmon? Well, this one right here! Her name is Bailey, and you will get to meet her very soon!

Even though I did what the doctor ordered, trying to continue a one-sided conversation throughout the day with someone who never talked back was a real challenge. Honestly, I started to feel like I was going crazy talking to myself out loud when I was alone. It can still be challenging at times, but now I’m embraced my inner crazy and narrate everything I do every moment of the day to Levi, even babbles back at me now. We are having deep and meaningful conversations too, sadly, I am not always able to decipherer what he says to me, so when that happens, I like to believe he is telling me to eat some more chocolate. After all, who am I to argue with such wise advice? I mean I don’t want to be rude and ignore his suggestion. 

I will say some of the looks I get when at the store, and I’m holding up two shirts asking which one he likes better, is priceless! I have people staring at me like I’m talking to my imaginary friend. Apparently, they are not thinking about the benefits of talking, and explaining things to young children, even before they can express themselves back. When you speak, read, and sing with your child—even before they can use words—you’re helping them learn.

I would also sing to different things, and still do. From singing along to the radio to making up our own silly songs, we have fun. Singing helps to vary things for me, and I’m sure that our little guy appreciates the change of pace as well. There was something else too. It’s our favorite thing; it’s not high tech.  It’s not expensive.  It doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s not hard to do.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is the number one activity parents can do to ensure the health and development of their children.  What is it?  Reading.

Most of us take reading for granted, despite the fact that we quickly recognize how important reading is to every aspect of our lives.  However, reading doesn’t just happen.  I am sure you are familiar with the quote by  Emilie Buchwald

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”

 

A child becomes a reader through a growing process that begins even before birth. My husband and I read out loud every day once we learned we were expecting. A habit that has carried over after birth, and we aim never to stop. Thinking back to when I was pregnant and the response to our reading aloud to him was incredible!

The way he jumped and wiggled to the different tones of our voices as we read was indescribable. David even noticed the difference in how our son responded when he read out loud to him versus just speaking.  An emotional bond between the two of them had already grown, and grows stronger with each passing day. I couldn’t imagine, nor wait to see the changes once he was holding him in his arms and read to him. Seeing it today is more precious and priceless than I could have imagined.

Growing up I was not a big fan when it came to reading, mostly because I wasn’t very good at it. It had nothing to do with lack of books, I just simply didn’t have much of desire for reading. I preferred doodling art to reading a book. As I grew things shifted, and I found enjoyment in reading. Even though at first I was not a big fan of reading, looking back, some of my most treasured memories are those of my parents reading to, or with me.

When I was expecting, I wanted to do everything in my power to ensure that our son started off on the best road in life. Two things in our family were vital I feel to achieving that. 1. Providing an excellent spiritual routine right from the start. 2. Reading daily to him.  It’s nothing hard, or expensive to do, but would afford him the best in life. Giving him the best start possible is what any parent would want, am I right? Looking back over these past ten months, I am happy to say we have achieved what set out to do, and are looking forward to

Looking back over these last ten months, I ‘m glad to say we have reached what set out to do, and are looking forward to the progress that is ahead to come. Like any expectant parent, I was a mixed pile of emotions from anxiety to joy and everything else in between. Nothing has changed, each day I experience those same feelings. That’s okay, though; everything turns out wonderful and perfect in its unique way. And I will continue to do just as the doctor ordered!

 

Doodle, Draw, and Sketch…

Kids LOVE to draw! They love to doodle everywhere, and on everything in sight. Anyone who has kids, nieces, nephews or even babysat can contest to this.  As much as we love their works of art (everything they create is art. Even if it’s abstract), we don’t want it on our walls lol. But what is it that draws children to art (Pardon the pun lol)?

It seems to provide visual enjoyment, but kids are also interested in the marks that are left behind. (If the drawing implement does not work, they quickly loses interest. I’m sure you have experienced this.) The act of scribbling can serve several useful purposes for the kids, especially young ones. Small muscle coordination and control improve with practice, cognitive abilities are exercised, opportunities for social interaction arise, and the physical movements provide emotional release.

Aristotle famously said that the purpose of art is a catharsis. If looking at or making a piece of art leads to some outburst of emotions, it’s done its job. Any artist can contest to this fact; I know I can. 

When it comes to painting, drawing, sketching, or even doodling, the end product is not what is most important. It’s the process. It doesn’t have to be spectacular or unusual; it’s the process that brings the most joy. When any child creates something and has fun while doing it, that’s what matters.

In simple, it feels good to draw. Kids feel good about it, and what they create.   Sadly, though, as time goes children can start to drift away from art.  Losing that excitement they once had, and sometimes entirely turning their back on it. Can we do anything to prevent this from happening? Most surely we can!

By taking trips to local museums, kids can get up close and personal with art. Show them pieces that others have created similar to what they create. Introduce them to different mediums, encouraging them to engage in new styles. Get excited with them over art, the beauty that is art.

I come from a family of artists. Everyone on my father’s side has a strong love for the arts. All of us have our area that is near and dear to our heart. I grew up always surrounded by art, in one form or another. Taking trips to local museums, art galleries, I soaked up every minute of it! Because of this immersion, I connected with art. It stuck with me down to this day.

I live and breathe art. It’s my passion, my love, my life. It’s a part of my identity. Without it, I would feel a void.  I feel sadness when children do not have art in their lives. You can’t miss what you don’t have, but I honestly feel for them. Never being introduced to the beauty that is art is heartbreaking. It’s one thing to have experienced and has no desire for it. It’s another to have never been exposed to it at all.

Everything a child scribbles is art, it’s beautiful and reflects what they are feeling. What more precious gift could you ask for? If you have ever received a drawing from a child I know you hold that treasure close to your heart, they poured their heart and soul into it, and you love it. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of you are reading this still have drawings hanging in your house from 10, 15, or even 20 years ago. My dad still has my pictures hanging in his garage, they are a little worse for wear, but he shows them proudly to any who comes over.

I firmly believe all children should have art in their lives, even if it just doodling, as some may feel. I also strongly believe that children should have books in their lives.  I implore all of you, let’s help encourage a love for the arts. Let’s get our kids excited to doodle, draw, and sketch. Let’s do everything we can to keep this love in them alive and vigorous!