Q: Why did you write a children’s book?
“Chubbs: A Blind Cat Learns to Trust” began as a love letter I was writing to to my grandchildren. I decided to publish the story so others could be introduced to the idea that they can LIVE COURAGEOUSLY by recognizing how God shows up in their lives.
Q: Where do you find ideas to write about?
Many good stories hide in plain sight. Paying attention to little things happening all around me can yield endless ideas.
Pulling stories from family history is one of my favorite ways to be inspired. It’s a great way to connect the wisdom of yesterday to the present.
Q: Are you a “Cat Lady”? LOL! What does that even mean?
It’s true that our pets can do things for us we cannot do for ourselves. My feline friends have filled my heart and home for decades.
Chubbs bravely used up every one of her nine lives. Through it all, she was content and loving AND scared and unsure… Because she trusted me, Chubbs lived courageously.
My first cat was called “Calico” because she was a calico cat (how clever).
She was a good listener. She knew all my secrets. As a first grader, I understood a little about a few things…and Calico was good with that.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
- A Southern tradition often referred to as “the art of doing nothing” sounds wonderful, but a”recovering perfectionist” like me has a hard time doing nothing… I have to consciously remind myself to “Slow Down.” Here’s a musical invitation to Slow Down, sung by Sissel on YouTube:
- Sewing and Quilting are calming activities and they help me focus. These skills require artistic precision. I’ve sewn since I was ten, and now when I take on familiar projects “muscle memory” kicks in. When that happens, I feel rather Zen. My grandmother was a Master quilter and she didn’t know the meaning of Zen. On the days her quilting group “helped” her finish her quilt, she’d examine their stitching after they left her house. Almost always she’d rip out the offending stitches and she’d spend hours restitching the quilt herself. I don’t like ripping things out. I’ll do it only when I MUST. I’m more likely to dismiss mistakes as things that make the quilt interesting…
- A well written book has the power to transport me to another time and place. I’ve been to Italy many times with Elena Ferrante.
- Matinees that include Diet Coke, popcorn and a recliner are few of my favorite things!
- Pilates keeps my body stretchy and flexible so my mind can be stretchy and flexible. And yet somedays are like this. . .
Q: What else?
- I visit my darkroom to watch images magically emerge from a tray of chemicals.
- Gardening has cast a spell on me. We desert dwellers love spring because it’s the time of our year we can play in the dirt, and maybe get to see our efforts bloom.
- To rediscover hope, I think about and contact my grandchildren. (Thank heavens for FaceTime).
- If I feel cynical or lack trust, I resolve to be more trustworthy.
- To deepen my faith, I pray, study, meditate and serve.
- Service = the application of study and prayer. Service is an expression of gratitude. And service allows me the chance to“Pay it Forward.”