Luck Be A Siamese Tonight
When my dear cat Boo Boo passed away in February 2023, I had thought about adopting another rescue cat at some point, but I was not actively looking. Shortly after Boo Boo passed, my friend tagged me to look at a picture on Facebook of a beautiful Siamese cat. The photo already had many likes and expressions of interest. Regardless, I went online to the rescue’s website to fill out an adoption application.
The cat - named Arugula – had an adoption fee of $200, which I didn’t know how I’d get together should I be able to adopt her.
The day after I submitted the application, my boyfriend and I went to a bingo fundraiser. He wasn’t supposed to go with me; him going was a last-minute decision. While at the fundraiser he purchased a few chances for the 50/50 raffle, which he normally doesn’t do. When the winning ticket number was called, lo and behold it was my boyfriend’s number! We now had the funds to adopt Arugula should we be chosen, and then some.
The next day – Sunday – I sent a text to the rescue. The person who responded told me someone was going to look at Arugula and she’d let me know if it fell through. I was a bit discouraged, but I did not give up hope or become disheartened.
I then received a text from the rescue stating that Arugula’s adoption fell through and that all of my references on my application were verified. If I wanted Arugula she was mine! I was put in touch with Arugula’s foster mom. I met Arugula and took her home the day after Valentine’s Day.
I decided to shorten Arugula’s name to Ruru. I happened to look up what Ruru meant in my father’s native Punjabi (Northern Indian language). In Punjabi “Rooh” means spirit or soul. I’d found the perfect name for my new baby.
Ruru is 2.5 years old and an absolute doll. She is quite vocal and talkative. She loves treats and belly rubs. Ruru has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. She has a sister, a Russian Blue mix named Babe. Babe and Ruru have chosen not to get along, so Babe lives downstairs and Ruru up. Both can go up and down respectively, but they won’t. Each is the queen of their respective territory.
When my boyfriend won the 50/50, little did we know what a true jackpot we’d hit until our little Ruru came to live in her forever home.
Copyright © 2023 by Apara Mahal Sylvester
on book reviews
I like to occasionally check out my books on Amazon to see how they are doing. I just happened to check last night and saw that my chaplaincy book has 30 reviews! Out of all my books this one has the highest review count.
Book reviews are so important for an author. It can be compared to a performance review that you would receive at your job. It's a checkpoint to see how you are doing. Or, in the case of books, how the book is doing. Also, book reviews give the author credibility.
Whenever I decide to buy a book I always look at the reviews first. Truth be told, I look at the "bad" low star reviews first just to see what people didn't like about a book. If a book has more 4 or 5 star reviews than 1 or 2 star reviews then I will purchase.
Some people are hesitant to write a review because they may not know exactly what to say. Not everyone is confident in their writing. That being said, Amazon now allows you to just leave a star review without even having to write anything.
Keep this in mind the next time you pick up a book to read. It's every author's dream to have all 5 star reviews. However, if you feel a book just wasn't that compelling then leave a 4 or 5 star review. Be honest.
As an author, I am truly grateful for everyone who has ever left a review on my books. Whether it was a 5 star review or a 4 star review, all stars shine the same!
Copyright © 2023 by Apara Mahal Sylvester
World Bipolar Day 2023
World Bipolar Day is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. The vision of World Bipolar Day (WBD) is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and to eliminate social stigma. (From Google search).
Though I am not a world famous artist as Van Gogh was, I do have a few things in common with him. In my own way with my books and jewelry creations, I am also an artist. And, like Van Gogh, I have bipolar disorder, Manic Bipolar to be specific.
I chronicled my journey with Manic Bipolar in my very first book, my 2015 memoir Angel Child.
BIpolar is an illness, just like any other treatable illness that people aren't afraid to speak about, such as diabetes for example. I am NOT ashamed to admit that I have an illness. No one should be ashamed. My life is no different than yours.
If I can touch the life of even one person, and encourage that one person to also break the stigma, and so on, we could have a world where no more stigma exists. Touching lives one person at a time.
Copyright © 2023 by Apara Mahal Sylvester
Once a Chaplain, Always a Chaplain
From 2017-2018, for nine months, I was a Chaplain intern at a large medical center. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what Chaplains do, they provide emotional and spiritual support. Chaplains do not preach or try to convert others. Rather, Chaplains are trained to listen more and speak less. Chaplains may pray with others if asked or offer prayer, but the Chaplain’s role is to provide an additional layer of support alongside the medical staff.
During my nine-month Chaplain internship, I provided emotional and spiritual support in many emergency situations. An emergency situation, for example, could be when someone was brought into the medical center after a traumatic accident. In these situations, I would support family members should they be present. Should no family be present, I would stand in a corner of the room praying silently while the medical staff did what they had to do. All I had to do was pray.
During my time as a Chaplain intern, I was present with families in situations ranging from blessing a newborn baby as he left the hospital with his parents to standing in the corner of a room silently praying as a family’s worse nightmare of a tragic death unfolded right before my eyes. Then, when all was said and done, I walked away.
There is a saying that you should never take your work home with you. In most cases I didn’t; I was able to do what I was called to do, then leave a room as quietly as I entered it. However, you never do really just walk away. A part of what you have experienced always stays with you. You just learn to somehow file away your experiences in the back of your mind and go on to the next person in need.
Often, when I reflected on my own chaplaincy work, I always said to myself that I could never do hospice chaplaincy. I said that I could never be a hospice Chaplain. Though I greatly admire and respect hospice Chaplains, I just could not fathom how someone could foster a bond and relationship with a person knowing that the person was going to die.
Be careful when using the word never.
On the day that my dear Mousie was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal tumor, which is most likely cancer, my dear friend Lisa called me and asked “Apara, how can you apply what you have learned as a Chaplain to Mousie?”.
I didn’t hesitate when I gave her my reply: Hospice chaplaincy.
Mousie may have months or even longer, but my dear sweet Mousie whom I have developed a bond and a relationship with is going to die. In the blink of an eye, I have gone from being his mere caretaker to his Hospice Chaplain, and I was given no choice in the matter because once a Chaplain, always a Chaplain.
When I first brought Mousie inside to live with me, fleas and all, I promised that I would always do right by him. I intend to keep that promise. Mousie will be allowed to live out the rest of his days in my guest bedroom which I have affectionately named his luxury apartment. Mousie adores sitting in the window and feeling the warm late summer breezes. At night he sleeps on the guest bed like a king. During the day he feasts on salmon, tuna, and whatever else his little heart desires. He is living a good and blessed life.
When I told people of Mousie’s tumor and prognosis I was advised to get a second opinion, to get a biopsy, etc. But, would putting Mousie through invasive procedures and additional trauma really do any good? In order to get checked in the first place, he had to be tranquilized as he is unable to be handled. I will not put Mousie through that again. Any further medical procedures would be for my benefit and my best interests, not Mousie’s.
Mousie has a tumor. The tumor is most likely cancer. Mousie is going to die.
I am part of an online feral cat discussion group and those members in the group know of my journey with Mousie. The group members have been a tremendous support to Mousie and me. Many times the group members called me his guardian angel. I’m not a guardian angel; I’m just a human being with a great love for all of God’s creatures big and small.
I do believe that there is a God, and the God I believe in truly does work in mysterious ways. Or, does he? Perhaps the God I believe in sent Mousie to me to show me that I am capable of doing anything, even that which I thought I would never be capable of. God didn’t give me a choice; he gave me an assignment. God said “Apara, I want you to be Mousie’s hospice Chaplain. You can do this!”.
I thought my journey with Mousie began when I first laid eyes on him outside my home in the summer of 2019. Little did I know that my true journey with him has only just begun.
© Apara Mahal Sylvester, 2022
Flea Pox!
I am working on another book about Mousie. The title will be For the Love of Mousie. This book, in diary form, chronicles my journey with Mousie and what I’ve learned from him along the way.
I’m part of a feral cat “support” group on Facebook and my diary entries come from my posts in the group.
The inspiration for this book came about from the following story which is just too funny not to share with the world.
Without further ado, let me present Flea Pox! (Diary entry August 28th 2022)
Let’s talk about fleas and I’m going to share with you a true and funny story that happened to me three weeks ago. I had a few bites on my left leg which I had no clue what they were. I kept scratching and the area became red. I work in a hospital and I decided oh let me go down to the ER and get my leg checked. Was in the waiting room for 3 hours until I was placed in a room.
When the doctor came and looked at my leg she said I needed to be isolated…and tested for Monkey Pox! I was in isolation for 1 hour. Couldn’t leave the room had to even pee in a bed pan!
After 1 hour I was released with antibiotics. Last Saturday was the first time I saw fleas…larva…in Mousie’s room where I vacuumed well and threw out all bedding. It was only then that I realized my “Monkey Pox” was flea bites!!!!!!
Mousie has been in my guest bedroom for almost 2 months and last Saturday was the first time I saw any sign of fleas. I wondered why I only got bitten once and no more.
I have a natural bug repellent spray which I spray on myself constantly just because I love the smell. Well, I happened to look at the label and it said it repels mosquitos, bugs….and fleas!!!! Now, every time I go into his room I spray myself and I’ve sprayed it under the door frame.
NOTE: Since the writing of this entry both Mousie and his room have been treated and are now flea free.
© Apara Mahal Sylvester, 2022
The True Story of Mousie
I first saw Mousie in early summer 2019. I named him Mousie because he appeared out of nowhere, as quiet as a mouse. There had been other stray cats in my neighborhood that had been trapped and rehomed. A friend and fellow cat lover lent me a humane trap which had only been set for ten minutes when I saw that it was closed and Mousie was inside.
I called a local animal welfare center, St. Hubert’s, in North Branch, New Jersey. As he was not injured or in danger, they asked if I could keep him until one of their volunteers could retrieve him in the morning.
I put the trap inside my bathroom and left the light on. I checked on him often. Mousie sat quietly all night. He didn’t meow, hiss or thrash about. He was very calm and serene.
The next morning, St. Hubert’s came and scanned him for a microchip. Mousie had one and was microchipped to someone across town, on “J” Street. I was happy that Mousie had an owner until I learned what happened next. When the St. Hubert’s volunteer went to “J” Street, a man answered the door. He cursed at the volunteer and said, “We don’t want the cat!” and slammed the door in the volunteer’s face.
St. Hubert’s took Mousie back to their headquarters for a complete medical check and vaccinations. His microchip-dated back to January 2019. At that time, Mousie was one year and eight months old. As Mousie had been outdoors for several months, St. Hubert’s deemed that he wouldn’t be able to come indoors, so they released him outside my home.
Despite what I was told, I knew in my heart that Mousie was different. He was timid and docile. He reminded me of an old soul. That light-snowy night when he sniffed my hand had really happened. When I fed Mousie, I always told him that I loved him and that he was beautiful. I wanted him to know that I, unlike his previous owners, would never discard or abandon him.
Three years went by. Then, on Valentine’s Day 2022, I woke up and decided that the time had come to bring Mousie home. It wasn’t until July 2022, when I thought the timing was right, I once again borrowed a humane trap from my friend. Mousie was leery of trap until I put tuna fish inside. I woke up in the middle of the night to check the trap and saw Mousie sitting quietly inside it as he had done three years prior.
It was hard to carry him upstairs since he weighed about fifteen pounds! My guest bedroom was ready for him, with food, water, a litter box and a kitty condo. The next morning, I had him checked by my vet and he received a clean bill of health.
As of this entry, Mousie is still in my guest room, getting acclimated to his “rags to riches” lifestyle. He is doing great! He eats well and even used the litter box right off the bat. After I feed him, he suns himself in the window and then goes into his condo to nap. He will smell my hand, but he still won’t let me get too close to him. Trust, once broken, takes a long time to regain, but I am confident that, in time, he will learn to trust humans again. I have not yet “introduced” him to my other two cats, Babe and Boo-Boo, but I believe everyone will get along just fine.
When I go outside at night, I still expect to see Mousie waiting for his dinner. Then, with a smile in my heart, I remember that he is safe in my home where he has shelter, warmth, and most of all, love.
Poetry Submission on Topic: Mental Health Stigma. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Dara Axelrod Expressive Arts Mental Health Poetry Contest 2022.
Kaleidoscope of the Mind
By Apara Mahal Sylvester
I’m a multi-faceted kaleidoscope with many beams.
In my life I have accomplished countless goals and dreams.
I have been a world traveler and a teacher, just to name a few.
In China, Germany and India I have seen the early morning dew.
I am a published author, photographer and freelance writer.
In all honesty, my life couldn’t be any brighter.
Yet, my mind is far from the norm.
You see, I have weathered many a mental storm.
I have Bipolar Mania to a certain degree.
Although, I have never let Mania define me.
I am not ashamed that I have a treatable illness.
Medication helps my mind to achieve stillness.
I was diagnosed later in life when I was in my prime.
I have even been in a mental hospital more than one time.
Taking medication fights Manic episodes with all it’s might.
There is no shame in taking helping pills at night.
I am a human being, just like you, with strengths and flaws.
To mislabel what I have does not help my cause.
I am NOT “mental”, a “mental case” or even “Insane”.
I have a treatable disorder of the mind to which ostracizing brings pain.
I am sunshine, confidence, faith and humbleness.
I am NOT some “frenzied” or “crazy” mess.
I strive to be an inspiration to others with my words.
What I say is NOT “strictly for the birds”.
Respect my mental illness which countless others possess.
My wish is for you to educate and understand, judge less.
Nomination Essay: The National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award – 2022
Home Sweet Office
Submitted by: Apara Mahal Sylvester
I’m a writer and I struggled greatly to try and find just the right words to express why the Pastoral Care Department of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick Campus, a group comprised of six extraordinary individuals, are so deserving of the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year award.
In the end, I decided to share my personal story which will serve to exemplify why my colleagues are wholeheartedly deserving of this award by the impact they have made on my own life as well as the lives of countless others.
The Pastoral Care department, in support of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s mission of improving the health and well-being of the patients and community, serve the patients and staff in fostering an environment of excellence in pastoral care. The Pastoral Care Department achieves this through the superb, caring and compassionate leadership of our director, Christine Davies, as well as a set of well-trained and dedicated chaplains and staff who create experiences of compassion and comfort one patient at a time.
Not long ago I shared a post with my LinkedIn network outlining nine reasons employees stay where they are. These nine reasons describe Christine Davies perfectly and why all of us choose to stay and be a part of the department she leads: 1). Paid Well 2). Mentored 3). Challenged 4). Promoted 5). Involved 6). Appreciated 7). Trusted 8). Empowered 9). Valued
As a personal note to my post I added:
“This post exemplifies where I work 100%. I LOVE my department and profession. I plan on retiring from my role 22 years from now at age 70. I have a passion and commitment for my colleagues and I have the BEST director anyone could ever ask for. If this is not love then I don’t know what is.”
As of this writing, my LinkedIn Post has garnered over 4,600 views. I think it’s safe to say that it is now known worldwide that Christine Davies, Pastoral Care Director, is an extraordinary individual and leader.
About who I am (taken from my LinkedIn profile): I am a Pastoral Care Coordinator. The Pastoral Care department provides emotional and spiritual support to patients, family members and staff. I administer pastoral support at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health – New Brunswick Campus, a 610-bed academic medical center. I provide assistance to 6 staff members, 4 chaplain residents and 11 chaplain interns.
I joined the Pastoral Care Department as a Chaplain intern in 2017. Prior to, I was an Emergency Room Registrar for 8.5 years.
I can’t recall the first time I ever noticed a Chaplain down in the Emergency Room. One day I just did. Among the medical staff in scrubs and white coats there was always this lone person standing in the foreground away from the hustle and bustle. This person was identifiable in that they were the only person not clad in scrubs or a white coat.
I became curious as to who these people were so I spoke with them and found out that they were Chaplains. The more I spoke with these chaplains the more intrigued I became with their work in helping and comforting others.
Through my many conversations with different Chaplains, I learned that the hospital’s Pastoral Care office had a Chaplain internship program which would allow a person to be a Chaplain intern, perform chaplaincy work while at the same time learning about chaplaincy. I was thrilled to learn of this program and eager to apply.
I “accosted” many Chaplains as questions kept popping up regarding Chaplaincy, and their own experiences. The chaplains became my allies and my champions. I applied for the program, was accepted. Well before the Pastoral Care office knew what I looked like, all in the office knew of the Emergency Room registrar who wanted to become a Chaplain. Upon completion of my nine month chaplaincy training program I was hired into the department first as Secretary then later Office Coordinator.
My job description as Coordinator, Pastoral Care, is fairly straightforward; I provide office support. Answer phones. Effectively communicate information. Write emails. Order supplies. My annual performance review is easy as my duties are tangible and quantifiable.
The role of the hospital Chaplain, on the other hand, is often ambiguous and misunderstood. It’s quite easy to write a job description saying one has superior communication skills and excels at writing. It’s another thing to say that I provide emotional and spiritual support. How do you even justify or quantify what this even means?
The best way to describe what a hospital Chaplain does is by example, my own example.
I know first-hand what my colleagues go through on a day to day basis on their mission to provide emotional and spiritual to others. I’ve been in situations where I’ve watched a diligent and dedicated team of nurses and doctors work had to resuscitate a patient in cardiac arrest. I’ve watched the patient’s heart monitor turn from irregular waves to a flatline. I’ve been present when the head doctor has told the patient’s family that their loved one is no more. When the doctors and nurses have left the room, It was I, the Chaplain, who remained behind to comfort the grieving family in whatever capacity I could, whether it be talking to the family and maybe even offering up a prayer should they be open to this. Or, just standing in the corner of the room saying a silent prayer for the family and just being present. Silence is also a form of emotional and spiritual support.
“The word ‘listen’ contains the same letters as the word ‘silent.’” – Alfred Brendel, Austrian Classical Pianist
In an “ordinary” job with a concrete and quantifiable job description, performance feedback is easy to garner. In an extraordinary job, such as the Chaplain, feedback rarely comes our way. But, we do the work that we do from our hearts and asking of nothing in return.
Recently, I was outside my residence and saw a few neighbors across the way. One neighbor came over to me and told me that the neighbor she was with, lost her husband that very morning. Though I didn’t really know this neighbor nor her husband, I went over and spoke with her. As it turned out, Joan’s (name changed) husband succumbed to cardiac arrest in the Emergency Room of my very own hospital. When Joan found out that I worked for the Pastoral Care Department, despite her pain and grief, all she kept on talking about was one of our Chaplains who was present with her and how appreciative she was of him. He sat with her, gave her space when needed, and was there for her. She spoke so highly of this Chaplain over and over and she wanted to make sure that I told him how appreciative she was of him. The very next day, I did tell him.
The Pastoral Care Department staff creates stories of care and compassion every day. I, as the coordinator of this department, have the privilege and honor of serving and supporting these extraordinary individuals.
Almost twelve years ago, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey, gave me a new start. Almost four years ago, Christine Davies and the Pastoral Care Department gave me another new start my “Home Sweet Office”.
Every day, I wake up happy. Whereas most people cringe at the dreaded morning alarm, I, on the other hand, wake up joyful because I’m so happy that I get to go back to the Pastoral Care Office for five days in a row. I don’t have to clock-in until 8:30am but I’m always early, because I’m happy to go into the office.
I love my work. I love my colleagues. I respect and admire Christine Davies for her care, compassion and overall leadership of the department. I admire the work that my Chaplain colleagues perform.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that I can’t think of anyone else more deserving of the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award than my Chaplain colleagues -and family – of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
February – “Go Red” Month for Heart Health Awareness. My personal “Go Red” story
My Personal “Go Red” Story: My Father’s Footsteps
February is Heart Awareness Month. Today, February 4th, happens to be “Go Red” day at the New Brunswick campus of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where everyone is encouraged to wear red to promote heart health.
Today I “Went Red” along with my colleagues for a team photo. But, “Going Red” has a deeper and very personal meaning to me.
Today I went red for my father, Arjit “Artie” Mahal.
My father and I are very much alike in many ways even down to the fact that we are both Pisces and our birthdays are exactly one week apart, both ending in 8, my family’s lucky number. My father’s birthday is actually on the very last day of Heart Awareness Month, February 28th.
I am and want to be like my father in every way possible except one: Cardiovascular Disease, which runs in my father’s family.
When my father was about my age, 47, he had a heart attack in 1996. He needed to subsequently have a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) double heart bypass surgery. This surgery was performed at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick campus by the (late) Dr. Gregory Scott. The CABG was successful and my father fully recovered and, thus, began a regimen of a heart-healthy lifestyle which he has vigorously maintained for the past 26 years.
A few months ago my father authored and published his own personal heart health journey in the book which I am holding up: “Undo Diabetes, Heal Heart and Lose Weight”. Until I told him February was Heart Awareness Month he had no idea.
When my father and I last spoke he mentioned Robert Wood Johnson New Brunswick and Dr. Gregory Scott. He told me how he is forever indebted to RWJNB for the superior care and compassion he received as a patient here. I am forever indebted to RWJNB not only as my employer but as a life-saver because without RWJNB and Dr. Scott I would not have a father today. RWJBH holds a special place in both our hearts.
Though I am well into adulthood I am still proud to say that I follow in my father’s footsteps except in my personal health goals where I intend to never follow my father into Cardiovascular Disease.
We humans only have one heart, and one father. Take care of your heart and your father (or mother). If Cardiovascular Disease runs in your family get checked out by your physician. If you wait, it may be to late. I’m glad it wasn’t too late for my father.
Thank you RWJBH.
I love you, Papa.
Ode to KISS
I was challenged by a die-hard KISS fan to write a rhyme about KISS with the limited knowledge I have on the band. Here is what I came up with:
I don’t get the fascination,
The one which has swept the nation.
4 men in kostume who look like Kats,
Playing with pyrotechnics and maybe bats.
Plastic guitar picks who really Kares?
Aren’t drumsticks for turkeys why all the stares?
Because they’re an iKon, the best in the land.
They’re KISS after all, the greatest all time band.
Gene, Ace and whomever more.
Their guitar playing could never be a bore.
They’ve amassed an army, a navy an entire fleet!
These guys got people worshipping down at their feet.
Me, personally, I could kare less….
But there’s something I have to konfess.
If Heaven stopped being On Fire,
To say I’d be happy would make me a liar.
KISS songs squirm around like a worm in your head,
Their tunes kan’t leave, even when you’re in bed.
But, isn’t that what great music is all about?
Make you beg for more and shout.
I was given a challenge to kraft a rhyme,
And write about the greatest band of all time.
So here it is, for all to see.
Don’t kare who you share it with as long as you kredit me.
A novice in the army, a newly minted fan.
Hopefully for years my interest will span.
If not, my loss yet I will always admire,
My new favorite song Heaven’s On Fire.
For all this I thank Ken, Vince not so much.
Their interest and passion does my heart touch.
Long live KISS for all those who Kare,
To stop liking KISS is to stop breathing air.
The End
Book Publicity Photos
Thank you to Vinnie and Rick Stamile, Stamile Truck Parts, for the use of your property for photo shoot.
Poetry – At Cathy’s House
I’m not the best poet but decided to enter this in a poetry contest.
At Cathy’s House
Apara Mahal Sylvester
Cathy is my Godmother, as sweet as can be.
On holidays she cooked decadents for all to see.
Ham with a touch of sugar, a mouthful delight.
Lush steaming green beans pleasing to sight.
Turkey, eggs and mashed potatoes too.
At the end of the meal the smell of coffee, fresh brew.
Lest I not forget the cookies and cakes.
As many as I wanted, mine for the takes.
There is not just one food which I can choose.
Every dish was my favorite, none would lose.
More than anything, I loved the taste of memories made.
In those long, long ago childhood days.
Chop Suey - How To Write a Book
I'm no cook, but I eat, and I write.
By definition, Chop Suey is a Chinese-style dish of meat stewed and fried with bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and onions, and served with rice.
Chop Suey is an easy enough dish to cook, but it has to be executed in a certain way for it to turn out right.
I've never thought about teaching anyone how to write, especially a book, but when I'm writing a book I use Chop Suey a lot to describe the process.
First, you want to cook something (write a book) so you decide on Chop Suey. The finished dish is your completed book, but your book can't be complete without the ingredients.
Meat, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, onions and rice. All individual elements which need to somehow be combined (think of chapters and stories).
When I published my first book, I didn't know how to cook. I still don't, but I can write.
All the ingredients....your ideas....are in your head. Buy the ingredients and worry later about how they are all going to come together to make a dish (a book).
Write. Write. Write down everything. All the thoughts which come in them commit them to paper, or a Word document.
At first your ingredients will be all over the place. Think of the meat, bamboo shoots etc. all strewn about on your kitchen counter. Somehow, all must go into a wok and be cooked.
The more you write, the more you will be able to separate out the ingredients....what goes where. Does it make sense to put the onions in first (chapter one) and maybe the bean sprouts should go next (chapter two)?
The order you put the ingredients in is your chapter outlines.
You may need to shuffle the ingredients around at first (move around chapters) and learn along the way. Meat has to brown, but don't forget to add oil (a good plot) otherwise chapter one (the meat) will not brown (lead into chapter two).
Writing a book and chapters is trial by error. You may not get your Chop Suey to taste right the first time. You may need to revise your recipe (make revisions and edits to your book).
Before you know it, you'll perfect the recipe and have a dish worth eating. It may not be perfect the first time around, but that only leaves room for improvement the next time.
My first Chop Suey (first published book) was decent tasting but could have been better. As I practiced, I became really good at making Chop Suey (writing).
In conclusion, if you have a story in your head, just start writing. You'll figure out where everything goes later. Writing has no timeline, and doesn't have to be perfect. In the end, the taste just has to be to your liking, because you write for yourself first and foremost.
Try to make Chop Suey. I promise you, it will turn out delicious in the end.
2021 Excitement
2020 was a hard year for all of us. 2021 brings renewed hope and opportunities. I’m excited to share with you where I’m at in my book journey and where I’m headed.
Despite some delays I’m happy to report that my 6th children’s book, The Tale of Kitten and Ladybug, will be ready for publication in another month or so. The Tale of Kitten and Ladybug is the story of a kitten and ladybug who strike up an unlikely friendship. They love to have fun and play games until one day someone tries to spoil their fun. It’s a rhyming story about diversity suitable for ages 3 to 6.
All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to support Tabby’s Place – A Cat Sanctuary, located in Ringoes New Jersey. You can find out more about Tabby’s Place and the wonderful work they do by visiting their website www.tabbysplace.org
In August last year I signed a publishing contract with Pen It! Publications, a publisher located in the Midwest. Pen It! will be publishing two children’s books for me: John’s Best Day Ever, about a little boy’s first train ride, and Me and Only Me, a story about being yourself. A third publication will be Think of Me, a story of loss and remembrance, suitable for both children and adults. I’m privileged and honored to be working with Pen It! on these new ventures.
John’s Best Day Ever will be the first book published by Pen It! When the situation permits I will be doing a book signing event at a local train museum. More info to come.
Everyone has a favorite book. Mine is my 4th children’s book, Lucy’s Way Home. I published Lucy last year but as of late it’s gained some momentum. A woman with a YouTube channel reading children’s book may be reading Lucy. A large bookstore in a mall may consider carrying Lucy. I use the word may as all these things are still in the works. More info to come.
Thank you so much to all who support me. As I get more updates I will post here.
The Cat Who Cried Closet
Babe came into our lives in 2018. I adopted her from a local animal rescue organization after seeing her sweet face on an online post. Babe is a petite little girl with lovely grey-silver coloring and striking amber colored eyes. She is beautiful, and she knows it!
Babe, or Babe Sylvester as she is usually called, is a Russian Blue mix. From day one she has been the “Tsarina” of the household, our little queen. She completely rules the house.
Most kitties prefer toys to amuse themselves….ahh, but not Babe Sylvester. Her preferred mode of entertainment is – closets! Babe loves all things closet. If someone is standing near a closet she will immediately go over and beg to be let in. Our normal banter generally goes like this:
Me: “Babe, do you want closet?”
Babe: “Meow!”
Me: “Babe, do you want closet?”
Babe: “Meow!” (even louder)
Finally, I give in and open the closet door.
Even kitty treats come in second to closets. While Babe runs fast when she hears the rustle of the treat bag, she runs even faster when she hears the closet door open.
Babe’s biggest fascination is the main bedroom closet, aka my own private fashion showroom. I like to say that Babe is a little diva cat.
She cries the loudest when sitting by my closet door. Then, when I let her in, she will sleep on the floor under my hanging shirts for hours on end.
Perhaps my little queen views closets as hidden rooms in her “palace” that are meant to be explored every once in a while. In her eyes, there is some sort of wonderland hiding within–maybe a treasure trove of catnip or kitty treats. However, with the exception of my closet, she quickly exits any open closet, wholly uninterested. Typical cat!
I’m not sure if “The cat who cried closet” is one-of-a-kind, but she is our beloved treasure, quirks and all.
The Art Of The Craft
I’m an author, a writer. This is my chosen craft which I hold near and dear to my heart. All of us possess our own special craft. For some, this craft is discovered early on. For others, it takes years of practice and fine-tuning. It may not be immediately apparent but your craft is in there, somewhere.
Not everyone will understand your craft. Not everyone will appreciate it. Then again, if you yourself are not a gardener how would you even begin to comprehend the feel of moist dirt in between your fingers as you tenderly plant seedlings. Unless you are a photographer, you won’t know what it’s like to perfectly capture a seagull preparing for flight by the ocean’s edge through your camera lens.
Recently, after finishing a new story, I’ve excitedly reached out to some friends and family to garner their feedback. Some were highly enthused while others indifferent or not simply interested. The latter is a true blow to the spirit but not everyone is going to embrace or celebrate your endeavors and craft.
I’ve self-published 6 books to date. One would that that by now I am an expert in my craft, but I still have a long way to go and a whole lot more to learn. If a craft were perfected, then what would be the point of continuing it? There’s always a way to do something better and continuous learning and feedback is key.
Not long ago I submitted one of my children’s book to a contest. Something that I was highly impressed with was that, after the contest, if a judge provided feedback it was sent to entrant. Here’s what I received:
“Overall, I didn’t find that the story was very thought-provoking or moving but showed promise and could be altered a bit to make it have a bit more of a reason for being”.
I read that line several times and all I could think of was hmmm. The story in question is about a little cat who loves playing baseball, geared towards readers ages 3 to 6. I didn’t realize little, little children preferred thought provoking over just cute. But, this is just one person’s opinion.
A blow to the ego? Absolutely! It’s hard not to let one person’s reaction or opinion get to us, but that’s easier said than done. Back to the gardener, if their roses didn’t bloom someone would critique that they didn’t plant enough seeds. With the photographer, a photo of a bird actually in flight might be more appealing than one getting ready to take off.
In conclusion, keep doing what you’re doing and working on your craft, whatever that may be. Accept feedback with an open heart and ears. Take some things with a grain of salt. Don’t ever stop learning. Don’t ever lose your passion for your craft, whatever it may be. It’s what makes you, you.