Book Business
May 1st is the release date for Daisy a Day: Hope for a Grieving Heart. It’s already on Amazon and available for preorder. Reading with comprehension can be hard for those who are grieving, so I limited the readings to four sentences. Here are two samples from the book.
Friends do not say your loved one’s name because they think it will make you sad. The opposite is true. You need to say your loved one’s name and say it often. If you are the only one who hears the name, that is enough.
Optimism, like leadership, can be learned. Reprogram your mind by keeping a gratitude journal. Every so often, read an excerpt from your journal aloud—so many experiences, so much gratitude.
Bereaved people deserve a bouquet of 365 verbal daisies to make life brighter, and Daisy a Day is it. Four sections mirror the journey of grief and each one contains healing words to read and use. This is an uplifting book on a tough, sad subject. Order a copy for a grieving relative, friend, or yourself today.
The Charter House art show opens on January 14 and closes sometime in April. Eighteen of my doodle art pictures, created with the easy techniques described in Grief Doodling, will be in the show. I use simple materials, a pencil, large eraser, watercolor set, and black felt-tip pen. To keep colors from bleeding through to the other side, I use 11” x 15” watercolor paper, which fits neatly into ready-made frames.
Photo by Kathy Myer, RN.
In past years, Charter House art shows were open to the public. Covid changed that, and the show is for residents only. Still, with wine, tasty appetizers, and music, I expect a good crowd. When residents and staff see my work, I hope they say, “What colorful, happy pictures!” Creating doodle art makes me happy and I think that happiness shines through.
For freelancers like me, spreading the word about the books we write can be challenging. I’ve purchased newspaper ads, book trailers, online banners, and posted covers on Facebook. But the best form of advertising is word of mouth. When you recommend a book to a friend, chances are they remember it. Please tell family members, friends, and even strangers about Grief Doodling and Daisy a Day. Thanks in advance for your help.
Reviews
NetGalley Review of Grief Doodling
Such a beautiful book for any age and any person going through grief. The author describes how exactly doodling can help overall in our life, facts about doodling, and different tools that you can doodle with. Then each page ha a different doodle prompt you can follow and a small text that helps ask you a question or helps in healing. Things such as Nature is Healing, Linking Objects, In Memory, A New Day, and so much more. I am grateful I came across it as my children have lost a few grandparents and our beloved dog without warning last year, and I know my daughter especially will really love this book. – Elizabeth Wollner, Rating: Five out of 5 stars. Note: Amazon ranking is #850 in children’s books on death/grief.
From My Window
Wowie Wow, What a Christmas!
Photo by Amy J. Hodgson
Ten family members, eight adults and two toddlers, came for Christmas. I cooked sirloin steaks in a cast iron skillet. Cooking was going well until the smoke alarm started screeching. The front desk called and asked if I had a fire. No, thank goodness. Maintenance offered to deliver a fan and I accepted the offer. Despite the fan and open windows, it took about 25 minutes for the smoke to clear.
My daughter, Amy, brought Molly Dog. (Dog is her last name, hence the capital D.) Molly is as cute as a Steiff toy (maybe cuter), and we became buddies. During a quiet moment, I rocked my great grandkids in this chair. Whether it was piles of wrapping paper, active toddlers, a roaming dog, swirling smoke, or slightly warm steak, family members smiled through it all. Christmas was eventful, and I grin whenever I think about it. I am blessed.
Rocking the boys. Photo by Haley Earley.
Quote of the Month
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. – T. S. Eliot, British poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, editor, and literary critic. He is considered one of the 20th century’s major poets.