Peace This Year

Last year's word was "courage." Last year was an exciting/scary year. I needed a good dose of courage.

This year will probably be a little exciting/scary too, but I find that I don't need courage as much as I need peace.

I'm not just talking about having peace, though. I'm talking about being at peace.

At peace with the fact that this may not be the year I sign that contract.

At peace with the fact that I didn't get into that one university two years ago (yes, I've still held a grudge against them and the Universe for that one, although I know I'm much happier at Vermont College).

At peace with the fact that I may be teaching at my school for a while longer yet.

At peace with the fact that I probably won't be blogging much this year.

At peace with the fact that I probably won't spend as much time in the studio this year making stuff.

At peace with my past mistakes and decisions.

Last year was full of adrenaline. I'm hoping for a little less heart-pumping this year and a little more heart. And if not, I hope I'll be at peace with that too. :)

Wisdom from YA

I often share bits of wisdom I've read, but I don't think I've ever shared something from a young adult novel. Until now.

It's not that a lot of YA lit doesn't have meaningful things to say; it does. But I think what I'm about to share with you is so timeless, so beyond age and race and gender, that it warrants sharing with you.

In the end, it's something I know we all already know, deep down. It's something we all feel, I think, but we're afraid to admit it. As adults, we are still so bogged down by this, we can't look left or right without having it pushed into our faces.

So, here it is, from An Na's novel The Fold.

"'It's hard to feel all right about yourself when everything around you is saying that you have to look a certain way, act and love a certain way. Or buy this product or take this pill and it will make you better. Make you happy. It's all bull. The amazing and hard fact is that there is no magic pill or procedure or anything. What might make you happy one minute might not make you happy the next. What is beautiful now won't be later. Everything is always changing. You have to know what is true to you. Know who you are and what matters the most to you in here,' Helen said and pointed to her heart."

I know, right? And some people think YA is fluff. Someday, maybe I'll grow up and be able to take this wisdom into my own life.

I had this song written just for you...

(Okay, if I had tons of money and a time-machine to take me back to over three years ago, I would have paid Anna Nalick to write this song for you. Yes, I love you all that much.)

And her name is....

VERONICA!!!

And since three people said Veronica, I put the names in a (virtual) pot and drew out Alyosha's name. Alyosha, email me at laguapatona@gmail.com with your address and I'll send out your copy of WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE.

Thanks for your help, everyone! Stay tuned, because I'm going to have you help me rename another character soon and another book will be given away.

Won't it be cool when I can send out my own books as giveaways?!

Hey, Is She Reading My Mind?

I have thought the same, exact things Gabrielle talks about in this video. I think I've even mentioned them on the blog. It's like she's reading my mind?! Or I'm not the only one thinking like this...

Yummy, pretty things in my Etsy shop

Is it wrong to covet things in your own Etsy store...?

These dyed howlite beads remind me of Sixlets. Mmm, yummy.

A bracelet full of miracles! (Okay, milagros, which is Spanish for miracles.)

Great balls of felt! A charm bracelet made of felted wool beads.

Excuse me, but is that a garden on your arm?!

Shine, my dear. Shine.

...If so, I don't want to be right.

Magic Garden

A Gardens Secret
Originally uploaded by sdeweerd.com

"A Book is like a magic garden hidden in your pocket."
--Chinese Proverb