Q: Why did you write a children’s book?
“Chubbs: A Blind Cat Learns to Trust” emerged from a desire to introduce my grandchildren to the idea that they can learn to 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. Keen observation coupled with well tuned listening can yield endless ideas. Not all will be keepers, but there will always be plenty to choose from.
Culling stories from one’s family history is an excellent way to link the wisdom of yesterday to the present.
Q: Are you a “Cat Lady”? LOL! What does that even mean?
Our pets can do things for us that we cannot do for ourselves. One thing my feline friends do for me is fill the empty spaces in my house and in my heart. Sometimes I wonder if they may have been dogs in another life. . .
Chubbs bravely used up every one of her nine lives. Through it all, she was content and loving AND scared and unsure…at the same time. 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 delicious! As a “recovering perfectionist”, doing nothing is sometimes difficult for me. I consciously remind myself every day to “Slow Down.” Here’s a musical invitation to Slow Down, sung by Sissel on YouTube:
- Sewing and Quilting were hobbies, now they are my artisitic expressions. I’ve sewn since I was ten, and now when I take on a project “muscle memory usually takes over. I’ve had quilts grow bigger than king size as a result of my hands doing one thing and my brain another. Actually it’s kind of “Zen”. My grandmother, a Master quilter, did not tolerate mistakes, she didn’t know the meaning of Zen. On the days when her quilting group worked on her quilts, she’d examine their stitching after they left her house. Almost always she’d rip out offending stitches and spend countless 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 a mistake by saying something like— “Wow that quilt got big! Someone will love it!”
- 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?
- When I need something magical, I visit my darkroom where I watch as images 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 play with my grandchildren. (Usually we’re on FaceTime as we don’t live in the same state)
- 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 expresses gratitude, and allows me to“Pay it Forward.”
