Connection – It’s the Best Thing!

I’m excited about returning to the Printers Row Lit Fest again this year!

I’ll be there, in the Chicago Writers Association Tent, on Sunday, September 8 from 10am – 2pm.

If you missed my post about participating last year, take a peek because it was an absolute blast. Gorgeous venue, surrounded by readers and authors. So good!

Wynne Leon and I are proud members of the Chicago Writers Association and we’re featured in the Speakers Bureau. Wynne and I love working with groups – large and small – whether it’s book club conversations about “Surviving Sue” or “Finding My Father’s Faith” or programs focused on creativity, writing for resilience, intergenerational healing or self-care.

Although we love in-person events, like Printers Row Lit Fest, Wynne and I know that connecting virtually is also productive and joyful. Reach out if you’d like to learn more. We’d love to work with you.

Speaking of which…

Last week our dear friend Joanie Parsons (the brilliant woman behind RevelEleven) gave a shout out to women who are talented changemakers. And…gulp! Wynne and I are included (see photo collage below). What a privilege and an honor.

RevelEleven continues to offer our workshop, “Cultivating Resilience” at no cost on their YouTube channel. We are proud to be associated with a powerful group of women, mission-driven to make a difference.

Over and over again, I’m learning the most important lesson in life. Connection is THE thing. Sharing ideas, supporting one another, especially through heartfelt storytelling.

If you’re in the Chicago area, I’d love to see you in a few weeks at the Printers Row Lit Fest or reach out about virtual opportunities to connect. Thank you so much…from Wynne and I both!

Vicki 😊


Printers Row Lit Fest

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau (chicagowrites.org)

Past Virtual Events — RevelEleven

Cultivating Resilience Through Creativity (youtube.com)

Surviving Sue

Finding My Father’s Faith

Sharing the Heart of the Matter – YouTube

Podcasts: Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor.



53 responses to “Connection – It’s the Best Thing!”

  1. Well, I can’t say I am surprised to know you are a “change-maker,” Vicki. Congrats! Do you happen to have four quarters for a dollar?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. LOL…Let me see…oh, yes! On my way! Happy to be of service. Thanks for the morning chuckle, Dr. Stein. You’re the best. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Yes, connection is THE thing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. …and you should know, dear Joy! I am amazed by the connections you make and nurture. Thank you for being you! 🥰🥰🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Connection. It’s one of your many talents! Well, that and being a change maker. Congratulations to you and Wynne!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Jules! Takes one to know one, my talented friend.
      Now – given Dr. Stein’s fun comment – I need to find one of those old-school stainless-steel change belts. I can hear the ka-ching ka-ching! 🤣🥰🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. No need, my dear. You are a change-maker without need for those little round metal disks and strips of paper.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Whew! To be honest, I don’t know where I’d find any of that these days. Everything’s so very digital…but I remember! An unmistakable sound. (And sometime I’ll need to tell you about dad/Sonny’s fascination with saving pennies in enormous ten-gallon glass jars…and the annual “fun” he said we’d have rolling them to take them to the bank…not fun…but he made it an event with his silly side showing.) 😜🥰😜

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Oh, egad. You reminded me of the ginormous jug of “spare change” that is hanging out in a closet. Rather than the roll-’em-up fun gig, I’d prefer to take them to the change-counting machine at my local grocery store—but (a) the darned thing is so heavy I can’t lift it, and (b) that greedy machine takes a cut right out of the profits. Maybe I’ll just leave it as part of my inheritance and let the next generation deal with it! 😜😂😅

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Or…invite me over! I’ve got skills and I work for iced tea!
              🤣🥰🤣

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Thanks! Best offer I’ve had all day!!

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Yay! Love you, Jules! 🥰

                  Like

  4. Way to go Vicki!!🤩 I wish I lived closer

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Todd! Me, too! I’d be a groupie following you to all your fun events (well, except for weddings and stuff…but I have crashed a wedding or two, so I might take the chance)! 😜

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks! 💚 Those wedding crash stories sound like they would make good blog posts! 😁

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Ohhhh. Ummmm. Yes! 🤪

          Liked by 1 person

  5. Congrats on your new title, Vicki. Enjoy your time in Chicago!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jane…the recognition is nice. Unexpected and lovely. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I love connecting face to face with readers and writers. Covid put a halt to those personal connections for a few years, and it feels wonderful to do it again. 🙂 I can feel your enthusiasm, Vicki, and hope you have a fabulous time this year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diana. You are spot on! It does feel wonderful. Reminders about why we write seem to flow freely when we’re around readers and writers. Yes! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Oh, that’s exciting about you returning to the Printer’s Row Lit Fest. I betcha come back with a whole slew of new stories. Ha, ha.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. But of course!!! Imagine what you’d come up with. Oh my!
      🥰😎🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh I’m talking about you Vicki. Can’t wait to hear how the event goes!!!!😎😎😎

        Liked by 1 person

  8. I don’t know why you’d gasp at the thought of being a changemaker. There are few in this venue that have touched me as deeply and had me reconsider some long (long!!!!!!!!!) held tenets. Have fun at Printer’s Row. Unfortunately I don’t have Chicago on my upcoming tour. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so kind, my friend. Thank you for all the support and encouragement—it means a lot coming from you! And bummer about Chicago not being on your itinerary. Even so — I appreciate your virtual enthusiasm! 🥰 xo!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Virtually liking 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Oh, I can’t love this enough. LitFest, RevelEleven and putting yourself out there to lift others up! So good, Vicki!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank YOU, partner! Xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Yay you! I’m glad you connected with a group of women who you’re meant to connect with. You’re doing great.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Ally! That means a lot. Appreciate you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  11. That is just fantastic! And it’s a rare and wonderful thing how you recognize and appreciate the power and strength of connections!

    Like

    1. I love your comment, EW – yes! Connections matter and the more we can celebrate them…the better! xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Wow! What an incredible and well deserved honor! You and Wynne are my heros and I love that your work is seen and acknowledged on a wider stage. You go girl! The power of connection, so good. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww…thanks, Cheryl! xoxoxox! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Congratulations to you and Wynne; well done. 👍🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Edward! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Wow! Congrats to you, Vicki!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh – aren’t you sweet? Thanks, Erin! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Way to go! You are on a roll girlfriend! A well-deserved honor!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Nancy! xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Congrats to you and Wynne on the change makers shoutout! 😊 And have a wonderful time at the literary event in September. Connections really are an amazing thing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for all of that, Ab! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Why must Chicago be so faaaaaarrrrr??? I hope you have an even better time this year than the last! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re the best, Betsy! Thank you so much! 🥰🥰🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Congratulations! and I am glad that we have connected! XOV

    Like

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