Sounds bossy, I know.
Live Every Minute!
But stick with me.
I’m mulling the enchantment of books…words and creations…illustrations that transport us; nudge us about what matters most.
Kindness. Consideration. Love.
I won’t pretend to understand how the Universe works, but I am delighted when coincidences appear. I’m delighted when I meet talented people and have the opportunity to connect them.
I had that experience recently – a coincidental (or not?) surge when I learned about Lauren Scott’s new book, “Cora’s Quest”. It made me think – instantly – about another children’s book that I love, written by Joanie Becker Goldberg. Both books tug at heartstrings and gorgeously so.
Lauren’s story about Cora? Sigh. So good. And the illustrations? Stunning…which reminded me of my dislike for genre definitions for books. Lauren’s tale about sweet Cora is a story you’ll embrace no matter your age. A courage booster…words and visuals…thanks to the loving collaboration between Lauren and her talented nephew and illustrator, Chris Mendez.
Which brings me to Joanie Becker Goldberg and her book, “Goldie A. Poligee & the Three Bears”. Joanie was inspired by her daughter to write “Goldie” – a brilliant ‘what if’ story based on the beloved Goldilocks tale. And Joanie? She created the beautiful artwork complementing Goldie’s story. Images that enchant, just like those found in “Cora’s Quest“.
I heartily recommend both books for gift giving, of course, but for your enjoyment, too.
Lagniappe? A little more?
I’m at a place in my life where I question whether or not the ‘grown ups’ know what they’re doing. As someone who owns her empath skills and embraces them from a vocational point of view (they’re great tools for a therapist and educator) I’m stunned and routinely overwhelmed by the brazen and callous behavior around me. Socially, culturally…politically.
Yes…a media diet helps, but I’m ever on the lookout for opportunities to replenish. Find the joy. See the good. Proactive restoration. “Cora’s Quest” and “Goldie A. Poligee”? I dare you to read and not smile as you embrace the warmth.
And those layered coincidental combos? Joanie put a huge smile on my face when she shared recently that she, too, played Emily in Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”. Another thread. Our shared loved of a classic play written in 1938.
I reminisced, thanks to Joanie. Remembering this excerpt in “Surviving Sue” about finding my people in the theatre community. Lying so I could play Emily in a high school production of “Our Town”:
Even as a lowly fifth and sixth grader, I loved singing, movies, and theatre. I participated in every production and play that I could – even if I needed to be extra creative. I was both Maria and the Baroness in the Sound of Music (yes, that was a little tricky). I was also Snow White (mainly because I had dark hair and was too tall to be a dwarf) and then I hopped into the high school production of Our Town to play Emily. It helped that I was tall – I could audition and forge Sue’s signature and no one challenged me much. I do think the director/art teacher/music teacher for Our Town knew I was a fraud, but he was also the first openly gay person I’d ever met, and we connected on a bad-ass level, for sure. Let’s challenge the status quo together, shall we?
“Surviving Sue”, p. 36
Do you recall Emily’s soliloquy in “Our Town”? I cannot read it without tears. I remember being on stage, barely squeaking out the words. Even now I feel a catch in my throat as I read:
I can’t.
I can’t go on. It goes so fast.
We don’t have time to look at one another.
I didn’t realize. All that was going on in life,
and we never noticed.
Take me back – up the hill – to my grave.
But first: Wait! One more look.
Good-by, Good-by, world.
Good-by, Grover’s Corners.
Mama and Papa.
Good-bye to clocks ticking.
And Mama’s sunflowers.
And food and coffee.
And new-ironed dresses and hot baths.
And sleeping and waking up.
Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful
for anybody to realize you.
Do any human beings ever realize life
while they live it? – every, every minute?
My point? Find the literature…and the people who move you. Find the books, the plays, the films, the art, the music. Eat it up. All that draws you in. Live every minute.
Vicki 😊
Joanie Becker Goldberg’s Goldie A. Poligee https://www.goldieapoligee.com/
Lauren Scott’s Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book)
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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