life... it just keeps flying by...

Hi all,

Years ago when I was but a young girl, my grandmother told me that as you get older, days seem to feel the same, but the years buzz by faster and faster!

Because I was a little girl, I honestly didn't think too much about it then, yet obviously, the talk stuck with me.

My Grandma, on my Mom's side, was a very quiet, practical, hard working woman... she lived by herself and right down the street from her sister, and close to her youngest son and his family. We saw her frequently, yet I feel like now, I would enjoy having the opportunity to speak with her about life now.  It's my turn to say that the days feel the same, but the years are buzzing!

Next week we get the distinct pleasure of immersing ourselves and our family in the marriage celebration of our youngest daughter.  We are thrilled and excited.  We look so forward to enjoying all that will be part of these fun few days.... and I am going to try and see if I can make them evolve in slowwwwww motion!  

I can't believe that my youngest daughter is 35, and I cant't believe that after all the planning we have done for this celebration, that it is just around the corner.  I plan on enjoying every moment... relishing the seconds, and hours, as they lead to the days of this party.  

As cliche as it sounds, when your kids are little, HOLD ON!  It flys by...

Smile for us next week.... if you would.  It's some of life's good stuff!

Until next time, (which will feel like a second)

Pam

Books, Books and more Books!!

Hi all!

I am excited!

Why?

Because I get to be part of Independent Bookstore Day!

I have loved books for a very long time.  I love everything about them!  How they look, how they feel, how they smell... yes, although that may seem weird to some, I love the smell of a new book when you first open it and turn the pages... it's inviting and soothing all at the same time!

When I was a young Mom we would read every night with our kids.  It was a standard ritual... pick out the books, cuddle, share stories, and stories... until finally... it was time for bed.  And as all of you parents of young children know, that ritual can go on for hours... if you let it... :)

But, reading aloud, and reading to or with your kids can go on for many years, and be a shared joy and coveted time of each day.  When our son was growing up, we began reading the Harry Potter series together.... he was just 9 or 10 when the first books came out.  I used to have the joy of an Independent Bookstore in our little town.  It was called  "Crocodile Pie" and the owner was an amazing buyer and lover of  great literature for children of all ages.  She was the first one to introduce my to, and to share the joy of J.K. Rowling's genius.  Now, all these years later, Bill and I still talk about those evenings reading in bed, and not wanting to put the books down!

Reading and Bookstores go together in such a perfect way.  I know kids can get a lot of books and content online, but to me, and I am passionate about this, there is nothing like the real thing.  A book... it will never lose power, and you can take it with you anywhere!  AND.... if you travel, no one will ask you to turn it off on take off or landing... maybe they don't do that anymore... but I never used ebooks anyway!

This Saturday, April 28th, is Independent Bookstore Day across the country.  I am heartened and gloriously happy that it seems this type of store is thriving again, and finding it's place in towns and neighborhoods throughout the country.

So, if you love books, if your kids love books ( and I hope they do!) find an Independent Bookstore near you this Saturday and go in, grab some books, hang out, read some stories, and immerse yourself and your kids for the day!

You never know where a good book will take you!

Happy Reading,

Pam

On being a Mom... in any time in history...

Hello all!

Recently on Facebook I have posted some articles about being a Mom in todays fast paced, constantly moving, technologically based society.

It's hard to stay connected  with all the requirements on Social Media... Twitter... Facebook... Instagram... Snap Chat... ( I think that may still be viable???) and still have time to actually do anything in your day!

Yet, I would argue, Moms are always and have always been trying to find how to mange all that's required of them as women... people in their own right as well as all the other titles they might hold.

Think about all the women of the early 20th century had to do... without all the modern conveniences we have now... they must have spent all their days just working on finding ways to feed, cloth and care for their families... and maybe have some time for themselves.  BUT...isn't that what most women are still trying to figure out??

I have the opportunity to spend time with a variety of young women, who are in their 30's.  Their lives are jam packed... and even though they're not having to spend most of their days finding ways to feed, cloth and care for their families, they still have that to do, as well as manage their own businesses, or work 40-60 hours outside their homes.

I am exhausted just thinking about all they have to do!

Yet... everyone of them finds their way each day to do just that.

I say, BRAVO!  Let's take a moment to recognize all that women do... pat each other on the back and then... relish the chance, make the time to make sure you carve out a few moment each day to acknowledge all that you do, and take some time... just for you.

You deserve it!

Until next time,

Pam

And today... it's time..

Hi All,

When our oldest daughter Anne, and her younger sister Megan were a senior and sophomore, respectively, in high school, Columbine occurred.

That was 19 years ago....

Today, I have listened to the eloquence and passion of the young people from Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.  I am hopeful and heartened.

While the legislators gave lip service, and deflected questions, the students, to their credit, continued to be eloquent, respectful and passionate.  Their words were intelligent, well thought out ... powerful.

We have become a bit numb, I believe to gun violence in this country.  As long as it has not affected, or touched us, we grieve, we acknowledge and then move on.... nothing done, nothing changed except the loss of continued life.

The Civil Rights Movement was led by students, the Vietnam War Protests were led by students...  as history now shows, great change came from both of those events. 

Isn't it time for us, adults to lead a movement that will affect great social and societal change? Can we be examples for our children, for those same children who are asking us to listen?

I am heartened, because if we say no, if we continue to be complacent, I know this group, this generation will lead the way...

Of that, I am sure.

Until next time,

Pam

Oh the Fun!

Hi All!

Oh the fun I had last Saturday!

I was part of a great anniversary celebration at Open Books in Chicago.  If you're not aware of this store, they do great work promoting, celebrating and advocating for literacy and reading.  If you are in the Chicago area, it is so worth a Field Trip to check it out.  It is on Lake Street in the West Loop area.

Open Books does a wonderful job with Story Time twice a week.  One on Thursday, and one on Saturday.... so this last week was the two year anniversary of this fun event... and I was invited to read my books... and generally have fun, sing, play and enjoy all that goes on with being around young children.  Actually the parents were pretty fun too!

Watching kids engage with, and enjoy books is just the best!  I loved the chance to watch their reactions, and their parents, as I read my stories.  The best part is when you see them laugh, respond, and engage with all the parts you had hoped they would while you were writing it!

Someone asked me what was my primary goal in writing for kids, and I said "To have a child smile, and tell me they love my story!"  That.. is the good stuff!

In writing this blog, I started talking about how to try and do right by your kids, be an example, help them become the people they are meant to be... well, that is what I got to do last week.  Follow my dreams, and take the risk to embrace them.  I keep telling my kids to do that... so I need to do that too!

Heres' a great quote from Oprah Winfrey:

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams."

What are your dreams?

I'm having such a blast playing mine out... and I know that even though my kids are all grown up, they're still watching!

Until next time,

Pam

On trying...

Hi All!

"There is no try.  There is only do."  John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

I had the chance this afternoon to talk with two bight, smart people about topics I know little to very little about.

In this author journey, I keep finding out about new stuff and how to use it.  It's tons of fun and exhilarating to learn new stuff... especially technology and social media stuff... cause that is not my innate wheel house.

I watch my little bitty grandkids know exactly how to manipulate I Phones and I Pads and marvel at the fact that that's their language.  They have seen these devices since they could see, actually honestly before they could see... cause I am pretty sure there were lots and lots of photos snapped right from the first moment they were born!  I actually know this to be true, cause I was one of the people sticking that device right in their face... :)

I figure that you can always learn a new language... it just takes time and persistence (and a little bit of help from people who know a lot more) to figure it out.

The age old adage of "KEEP TRYING" is definitely a universal truth.  No-one gets very far without trying... ok, some people seem to take less time and get there quicker, but truly, the more you try and the harder your work the sooner you succeed.

That's a good lesson and good behavior to model to your kids.... no matter what age you are, or what age they are.

Kids... and our children are always are kids, learn what they live and what they see modeled for them.... the good, the bad and even the ugly.

So, I am trying to learn new behaviors, new skills, and new ways of adapting to how the world works now, and how people get their information.

Wish me luck! 

I'm trying!

Until next time,

Pam

Places I've been... and Places to go...

Hi Everyone!

It's been a fun and crazy summer, and I can't believe it's Fall.

Since I last wrote anything here, our youngest daughter got engaged... and we survived Hurricane Irma... the first is fabulous and the second, well I am truly beyond grateful!

In between those two major events, I've had the fun chance to do some fun things book...

I went to the Brooklyn Book Festival... got invited to speak at a local Community College... read to local Preschoolers, and have more fun on the Horizon!

In some of my earlier posts, I wrote about helping not just your kids, but also ourselves as parents, find our way, and what motivates us.

This book journey is proving to be so fun... and yet daunting at times cause I am putting myself out there... and for me, that's not nearly as easy, or comfortable as being in front of a room of cute little kids.

Through this journey, I am getting to try on new roles, and new hats!  Marketing assistant, public speaker, seller of goods, and promoter of... well, ME and my books.

It's truly easy to give advice, at least it is for me, as I fashion myself sometimes as a nonprofessional counselor of life... when I looked at those early career predictors... you know the ones that analyze all your qualities... my top two were.... Educator, or Counselor...

Well... I knew that if I was a counselor, I would not be able to leave my work at the office, so I went for Educator... which in a way, is also a defacto counselor... without the office.

So, in the process of trying to put my money where my mouth is, I have found myself on this amazing journey as an author!

I have so say, when people refer me to as that, (not just myself or my family) it is such a rush!

Over this past year, and these past few months, I feel the momentum accelerating... I have some options now that I truly need to consider... and although a bit daunting... it sure is fun and exiting!

Next up my books will be at two events in Arizona... thanks to Story Monsters LLC ... then an event at Open Books in Chicago, where my fabulous husband dons a giant green Story Monster costume to entice readers to come check out Story Time... then it's off to Miami - to the Miami Book Fair... which is brand new to me!

Thank you to everyone who takes a minute to read this... and then...

Go out and try something new on yourself... the worst that can happen is you don't like it, or it doesn't like you, and you try something else!

I'll be back soon with stories along the way...

Until next time,

Pam

Where or where have I been?

Hi all!

In the past few weeks, I have been Book Festivaling!

Is that a word?  I am not sure, but I like it... it sounds more fun than just saying I have attended two different book festivals in two states far from each other.

I got the chance to partner with a great group called Story Monsters LLC in Payson Arizona.  What a fun venue to be part of.  I met some great authors, got some inspiration, shared stories and found a new group to partner with!  I am grateful for all of that.

This new partnership led to my husband being a great big 6 foot 6 green monster with 4 eyes this past Saturday in Oberlin Ohio.  You know you have a great partner when he offers to wear Story Monster to help invite people to know more about your books, and more about #caughtreading!

That's the fun of this great new adventure I am on... meeting new people, having fun, and getting the chance to be in new places.  

We all want our kids to try new things, and take the risk to discover new opportunities... what better teachers and mentors throughout life can they have then a Dad who is willing to dress up as a Giant Green Story Monster to support his partner ?

Great lesson... and Great fun!

Until next time,

Pam

Book Fun!

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those summer days your kids are home?

Why not take a Field Trip to some fun new bookstores and check out their weekly Story Times?

I had great fun these past few weeks, getting the chance to read my books, Max and Bear and Josie the Great to a bunch of lovely kids in various Chicago neighborhoods.  

It's such fun to see children's reactions to books and stories.  I love watching their expressions and always enjoy the lively commentary at the end of a reading.  There are inevitably some funny comments that make me laugh!  

One little person was talking about his new baby, Josie the Great talks about welcoming a new baby and trying to figure that all out ... his feelings were less than happy, and he said "Well... she just cries a lot. It gives me a headache!"  Priceless!

So, why not explore some new places and fun book experiences with your kids this summer?  

Reading is so important, and this could be a great way to incorporate it into your weekly summer activities!

Fun... AND learning!

What's not to like?

Until next time,

Pam

The Benefit of an Imaginary Friend...

Hi!

I just read a fun piece about a Mom who wrote a letter to her child's imaginary friend... 

I thought how sweet, how fun, how wise of this Mom.

Growing up, our youngest daughter had an Imaginary Friend... her name was Lucy.  Lucy and Megan went on lots of adventures and solved lots of problems together.  

Every night at bedtime, sometimes in the bath tub, sometimes driving in the car, sometimes just hanging out on the couch, Lucy would come up, and her story would begin!

I got to be the author sometimes, and Megan was the author sometimes. 

Lucy was special, and unique to just Megan. Neither her brother or sister had Lucy as part of their life... she was Megan's special friend, and companion.  Now both of the other kids knew about her, but they did not create part of the stories as they were unfolding... BUT of course, both of them were part of the plot many times!

I found that allowing and affirming Megan's Lucy, she became a safe and wonderful place for Megan to be... a place to try things out, vent anger, create lovely adventures, and share herself.

Imaginary friends are a great assist for kids!

I bet grownups could benefit too... sigh... but would probably be labeled crazy... so not fair!

Until next time,

Pam