Book Business
Exciting news! I have two books in production, Daisy a Day: Hope for a Grieving Heart, to be published by WriteLife Publishing and First Steps, First Snow, a children’s book to be published by Boutique of Quality Books. This book is a poem I wrote years ago and was included in the American Poetry Anthology. The talented watercolor artist Carol Hill Quirk is illustrating First Steps, First Snow. Thanks to Terri Leidich, owner/publisher of both companies, for accepting these manuscripts.
A French film company is coming to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to shoot footage for a film about advances in aging. Some footage will be shot at Charter House, where I live. Mayo asked Charter House administration to select two residents to be interviewed, one male and one female. I am the female and will update you on the experience after filming. The translated film will be shown in Europe. In case you’re wondering, I have no expectations of becoming a film star.
In June I was a guest on Donna O’Donnell Figurski’s BlogTalkRadio program, “Another Fork in the Road,” broadcast nationally and internationally on www.braininjuryradio.com. Donna moderated a panel about caregiving that included Lisabeth Mackall, author of Dying to Live Your Life, Jeanette Davidson-Mayer, author of Our Central Command Post, and me, author of The Family Caregiver’s Guide. It was an honor to be on the panel and meet these dynamic women. Checkout Donna O’Donnell Firgurski’s book, Prisoner Without Bars: A Caregiver’s Tale.
Grief Doodling is Zumbro Valley Medical Society Alliance’s 2021-2022 health project. Lynne Hemann, co-president of the ZVMSA, and I met with Sarah Clarke, Social and Emotional lead person for the Rochester, Minnesota Public Schools. ZVMSA is donating books to all school counselors and social workers in the district. We are also going to contact private schools about this timely grief resource.
Reviews
When I started writing 43 years ago, I didn’t know I would have to deal with Amazon algorithms. In addition to tracking sales, Amazon computers track reviews. When a book receives10 reviews the computers notice. After a book has 25 reviews the computers really notice and order more books. I have worked hard to get 14 reviews of Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles. Now I am trying to get 25 reviews. Please consider ordering a copy and posting a customer review on Amazon. I can also email an electronic copy of the book to you. Thanks for your kindness and help.
From My Window
Photo by Kathy Meyer, R.N.
I love my job as Assistant Editor of www.opentohope.com. The work is interesting, and I get to connect with amazing grief authors. This is a part-time job and I set my own hours. Part-time work allows me to pursue my own writing projects. Most importantly, I am working with a fantastic team. The website, which has one million active readers, includes articles, television, radio, podcasts, webinars, and books. Thanks for thinking of me Open to Hope. I love my job and the website’s purpose—providing comfort and hope to those who mourn.
The charming park across the street has become a precious part of my life. In the summer, I like to sit on a bench and listen to the gurgling fountain. The tall oak trees, which look like they are hundreds of years old, provide a canopy of shade.
Bistro tables and chairs are scattered about. Recently the city held a Movie in the Park event, and it was well attended. I am grateful to the city of Rochester for maintaining this nurturing green space in the heart of the city.
Photo by Kathy Meyer, R.N.
On June 15th I gave a workshop about grief doodling with Chaplain Rachael Hanson. Our workshop was for Charter House residents. We shared information about types of doodling, easy techniques, and doodling to help heal grief. The workshop attendees seemed to enjoy themselves and here are some of their comments.
“I wasn’t sure at first but doodling really is calming.”
“I’m expressing myself in a good way—better than throwing eggs at a wall.”
“I found myself crying as I doodled. Your workshop was really helpful.”
Thanks to Chaplain Rachael Hanson for her unwavering encouragement and help. Working with you is a joy, Rachael.
Finally, I have volunteered to read to the blind, a free service from the Minnesota State Services for the Blind. I don’t know when the program will begin but am looking forward to it and think my radio training will come in handy. Enjoy every day of July and file these warm days in your memory. You will need them when winter comes.
Quote of the Month
To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, to live as a people, we must have trees.
President Theodore Roosevelt, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer.