Month: April 2010

1000 coloring books will be on the way to Dominican Republic the end of May thanks to Physicians for Peace, based in Norfolk, VA.  http://physiciansforpeace.org/ Monika Bridgforth, Senior Director of Development and  Communications, met Dawn Stephens and I one snowy day in March to look over our coloring book and listen to our ideas. Anne C. Klinkhammer, Director of Global Health Programs, provided useful feedback and much enthusiasm. Between the two of them, they got the green light.If all goes according to plan, the anti-parasite/medical tool, now translated into Spanish, will be printed mid-May. Since a PFP mission group leaves for DR near the end of May, they’ll transport the boxes of books to Resource Mother’s (Madres Tutelares) program. The books will be given to mothers as a means of educating both them and their children.Physicians for Peace, founded in 1989, is dedicated to the ideal that health care in the developing world can best be improved by providing training and education to health care professionals in those countries. For instance, when they send one volunteer medical professional overseas, that person might train 10 of their peers in-country, who will later heal thousands or tens of thousands of patients in the world’s most underserved populations.Thank you, PFP, for making this happen!

I adore horses and riding, always have. It’s in my nature.I’ve ridden at Crazy C Stables in Lansing, MI; Chippewa Trails Camp for Girls; taken dressage lessons; went for wild rides in acres of pastures in WV; bareback swimming in a MI lake; galloping on the beaches in Buxton, NC; been kicked & thrown; exercised Arabian showhorses in NJ; went riding through acres of nurseries near Princeton, NJ with “Cowboy Jack” and his Marlboro’s…it’s been going on a long time, this love affair. Unrequited, I suppose, since I’ve never owned my own horse.It all started at age 5 when I asked Santa for a cowgirl outfit and a Marvel the Mustang. Got them both and was in mini-cowpoke heaven. I’d put that outfit on – my mustard and black top with matching skirt complete with fringe, pull on my black boots and hop on Marvel. We had a long, smooth, sweeping driveway that started at the road, went straight for a 1/2 football field then curved sharply to the left into a large parking area.Marvel and I saw a lot of that driveway. He didn’t know it, but we were really on a wide open prairie being chased by thieves. I had to hop on his back – up and down and up and down – to get his wheeled feet to “gallop.” I didn’t know it but I was riding a fake, shrimpy, plastic horse that didn’t do much of anything. I didn’t need to know because my imagination did the galloping and the riding.It still does.Last weekend, Steve and I had the pleasure of visiting Graves Mountain. Cheyenne (a REAL horse) carried me along those magical paths, rock-covered streams and steep trails like a pro. New Tiger Swallowtails flitted around us as we rode past blooming lilac and apple trees. Amazing for my soul. I must say the walking got to me, though. I wanted badly to bust into a trot then a nice, smooth canter. If that were Marvel, I would have let my inner cowgirl loose – the horse and I cantering off into the fields…I’d just take the consequences, smiling with great memories as I sat in court, or jail or whatever. But I’m an adult and I liked Evan the guide and he said insurance allowed only a walk. Geese. Modern day society…so picky.After I dismounted, we watched a couple trot in (on their own horses)- the Palmers. Gene and Claire. We found out they operate a unique ministry – Ropin’ For Jesus. http://ropinwithjesus.org. They teach children through an analogy between the horse and rider relationship vs. our relationship with Christ. Interesting and something very easy for me to understand.Before Steve rode out of town (in our car), I placed one of each of my books and my business card on top of a hay bale near the Palmer’s horse trailer. There’s a first time for everything. Today my cowgirl hat is off to the Palmer’s and my heart is still with Marvel the Mustang.

http://hamptonroads.com/blogs/hampton-roads-haiti

Who would have thought my children’s books would sell at a lingerie boutique? Well, they do! www.TheFullCup.comI hear from Vicky Whipple, Carla and Francis and the other gals at The Full Cup in La Promenade Shoppes in Virginia Beach quite often. We go way back to my adverstising days…I’ll never forget receiving the first phone call from the shop’s owner, Francis Crespo. She wanted to run an ad in Hampton Roads magazine for her new store – an upscale, tastful lingerie boutique which stocks beautiful undergarments from Europe. She wanted to provide things that made women feel beautiful all under despite their body type or shape. She wanted to offer the type of capable, gentle, nurturing and fun service every woman cherishes, making fitting appointments and taking time with each woman. And she has. Now the store has been in business over 7 years and has another boutique in Alexandria.Thanks for the support you give to women…and the support (pun intended) you give to me and my little books! Just don’t try to stuff any of the display bras with the plush roly polies; they go with the books, as companions!!!

Thank you Hope, Scottie and all the good people at Harvest Company Christian Bookstore in Chesapeake. I appreciate the support and am very blessed to have been asked to be at the book signing table with such talented ladies this past Saturday.It was wonderful to meet Joy and Danette, to learn about the healing things their writing is accomplishing for others. http://www.harvestcompany.comIf you want books for your children ages 3 – 9 and you’re in Chesapeake, Harvest Company sells both my books and a wide range of books and gifts for all ages! They are just off the Battlefield Blvd. exit.