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Monday, June 30, 2014

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I've been re-reading Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things for the authors' book club I belong to. The book was my choice. It's almost guaranteed to spark a lively debate for many reasons. I find myself intrigued by the way that Alma, the main character, can find beauty and wonder in the world around her.

It is, I think, a talent well-worth having. To see past the broken, the ugly, and the dirty, and to find pockets of wonder. Perhaps it's a form of gratitude. Instead of taking the world for granted, it's an opportunity to appreciate the moment.

I try to do this in my books, leaving a trail of literary bread crumbs for the reader to follow. It's my way of sharing what has given me joy.  Because owning a Great Dane is out of the question for me at this juncture, I gave one to Kiki Lowenstein. Because I love turning trash into treasure, I assigned that job to Cara Mia Delgatto. Because I like to look like a lady (even if I don't behave like one!), I told Clancy that she has to be a Jackie Kennedy clone. The list goes on and on.

This morning, I was thinking about my favorite things, things that have or should become part of my books. What would you add to the list?



* blue patterned china
* sunrises
* miniatures
* ferns
* my Paris coffee mug
* my color printer
* my notebook computer
* our blue bedspreads
* Jax, my puppy
* Jax's toy, Foxie
* Hibiscus
* the beach
* thunderstorms
* a good book
* peanut butter
* fresh cherries
* the walk to my mailbox
* tissue paper
* greeting cards
* my comfy pajamas
* lavender the fragrance
* sandalwood

Okay, it's not all inclusive, but I think I'll stop and work on Kicked to the Curb, a book I love writing, but one that's been through TONS of rewriting!

Tell me about your favorite things!

6 comments:

Amy Gill said...

Hey,Joanna! You hit a lot of things on my list. I would add my cozy reading spot, the view from my Windows, my good friends, and Chai tea. Have an excellent day!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Love your additions. I wonder what your cozy reading spot looks like.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Dottie Brand Burns asked me to add:

My additions are lasagna, and my favorite reading spot, which is my gazebo which can only be used a few months of the year in Minnesota.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Dottie, you're making me hungry!

Carrie P said...

I would add watching my dogs play at the dog park, whether they are wrestling with each other, or one playing ball and one walking the perimeter it brings me such joy.
My cats, especially my Merlin, 16 and sick and still walking down the hallway with his stuffed sealion meowing at the top of his lungs.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Sending love to Merlin. Hang on buddy. Hang on.