Shameless Self-Promotion, part deux .....

I recently published my second children's book, again starring the kitten that I adopted from our local animal shelter.  One of our local news stations did a story on the book, since a portion of the proceeds are donated back to the shelter, and I'm excited to report that we're already seeing a positive reaction.

Watch the interview HERE and, if you're so inclined, snag your own copy of the book at Amazon.com:

Wibber Dibber Doo, Merry Christmas to You 

On the air .....

Although I'm pretty open with my adoption story here, it's not a topic that I normally share with others.  So what do you do when there's something about your life that you don't necessarily want a lot of people to know about?

Why, you go on the radio and tell all!

The host, the other guest and I talked for more than two hours, and it was edited down to a more manageable one hour total time (split into two half-hour segments).  Some of the things we discussed were a surprise to the host and, most likely, will be a surprise to the majority of her listeners also.

It went well, and I'm glad I took the plunge.  Hopefully our shared experiences will help some other adoptees who may be struggling with the same feelings and issues.

Conversations with Wendy (part 1)

Conversations with Wendy (part 2)

Many thanks to Wendy Edwards for giving us a safe place to speak our truth, and to her friend, Yvette, for sharing her personal experiences with us! 

Things that make you go "Ugh" .....

A few years ago, I purchased some new drinkware from Pier 1.  The glasses were really nice -- solid, heavy, and with indentations to make them easy to hold.  I really, really liked them.  Until I dropped one, and then another one fell over in the sink and cracked.  With only two full-sized glasses left, I decided it was time to buy some new ones.

Pier 1 has since relocated and is farther away from where I live, so I opted to go to a big box retailer instead. I found some glasses that looked decent and were relatively inexpensive, so I bought the set and brought them home.

Once out of the box, they weren't as nice as I'd thought, but it wasn't worth a trip to take them back, so I ran them through the dishwasher and stored them in the cupboard.  Since then, I've used the large tumblers several times, but the smaller ones have sat undisturbed on the shelf.  

Until recently.

When I wanted just a little to drink one night, I grabbed one of the small tumblers. I filled it, lifted it to my lips, and had an immediate reaction of "Ugh!".  Though that may seem an unusual reaction to a drinking glass, I knew right away where the feeling came from.  The glass in my hand was almost exactly the same size and shape as those used by my uncle's wife for her nightly martini(s).

Shameless Self-Promotion .....

In October of 2014, an essay I wrote was published in the book Dear Wonderful You, Letters to Adopted and Fostered Youth.  It's a compilation of writings meant for adolescent/teen readers, especially those who might be struggling with adoption-related issues.  It's been very well-received by individuals who work with such youngsters, as well as by others who have simply been touched by the experiences shared by the writers.

November of 2015 brings the new book, Flip the Script, an adult adoptee anthology of essays and visual art.  With nearly 50 writers and artists, the book presents a wide variety of opinions on the institution of adoption.  Each contributor attempts to show how adoption has shaped and affected his/her life, with the understanding that although our lives share a common event, we are a diverse group and all deserve to be recognized and heard.

While I'm proud to be included in both these book, I'm most proud of the children's book that I wrote and published on my own.  It's not adoption-related -- at least not *people* adoption-related.  It tells the story of a kitten I adopted from a local shelter, and his experiences in his new home.  Illustrated with water colors painted by the talented Rebekah Wells, it's a sweet story of love between human and feline.  

I hope you find something of value in all three of these works!

Dear Wonderful You, Letters to Adopted and Fostered Youth

Flip the Script, Adult Adoptee Anthology

Wibber Dibber Doo, I Love You

Also available directly from the publisher:  Wibber Dibber Doo

Continuing the conversation on the adoption contract .....

It never ceases me to amaze me that people who have no personal experience with, or connection to, an issue can be SO hostile towards people who do.


But, as they say, "it is what it is".

My essay, dated August 4, 2015, from The Guardian online:

Adult adoptees should be able to annul their relationship with their adoptive parents

As of today's date, my little essay has been shared more than 2,300 times and has garnered 561 comments.

Many of the comments are negative, but that's OK.

It may not be something that's important to a lot of people, but for some of us it definitely IS, and I'm pleased that I was able to provide an opportunity for those voices to be heard.