One Rainbow Tribe! Showtime

Dear Sillies,
   A few months ago, I decided to bring my book to the stage. I thus bribed various friends, pleaded with a local cafe to host the show, designed the set, purchased a stuffed porcupine and other props, sifted through the script many times...Showtime arrived on October 27.
   We had a large audience, one that laughed and enjoyed the show. It was amazing to see the story take on such a lively, endearing, strange, and silly life. There was semi-nudity, the striking of small balls, the toss of an orange blob (bag of Cheeto Puffs) through the air, and more. (I'm sorry I can't post the whole thing; it's too big.)
   Regrettably, I have yet to pay Poor Cubie -- the porcupine on the Trumpeter's head. He did a very good job, as you can see, and stayed in place, thanks to three shoe laces and a red plastic head band.  
   Note that I didn't instruct the Trumpeter to destroy the set before joining the rainbow tribe. It was an accidental but timely gesture on his part.
   I'm hoping you're able to view this. Please let me know, if not. It's very short (one min or so). It's the grand finale - my ultimate message. Note my Bernie socks.
   Take care of yourselves.
   Keep a smile.
   Keep a stash of chocolate.
   Know that you are loved.
                                            
Click box in bottom right corner, after pressing Play, to view full screen.
Cast: Narrator Corey Finnegan; Clan Fans Steve Ferchaud (Illustrator) and Dallas Darnell; Teen Melissa Dye; Classmates Andan and Judi Casamajor; Clown Vic Estrada; Rushing Bride Knat Annie Fischer, Knit Robyn Engel (Author); Trumpeter King Allan Nixon; prickly hairpiece, Poor Cubie the Porcupine. Filmed by Michelle.

The Trumpeter's New Clothes - a video SHTICK

My Dearest of Dear Sillies,
How are you? Smiling, I hope.

                                                                       
   I'm very fortunate to have a generous, talented group of local friends, in addition to you. Bill Mash, in particular, put this video shtick together, asking nothing in return. It's ridiculously funny, with ear-catching sound effects. 
    To spare you time - and given the average attention span these days is approximately 2.5 seconds - I suggest you listen to it at 58 seconds through 1:41 (43 seconds total, IF I'm doing the math correctly. That's iffy.). My favorite part, though, is the end bit, from 8:06 minutes to 9:18 minutes. (72 seconds and just as iffy).
   This is my book in its entirety, along with a lot of meshugenah.* I'm narrating it, and I laugh every time I hear the Trumpeter King's (a local friend, Jason Allen's) voice in this. Bride Gnat and Bride Knit are played by one phenomenal actress-comic, Annie Fisher. Anyway, I hope you enjoy for 42 seconds or so.

Meshugenah - from the Urban Dictionary

A yiddish word that jews use meaning crazy.

That bitch is meshugenah

#jew#yiddish#crazy#europe#hebrew

by harry shvang August 24, 2006

Take care of yourselves.
Til next time. 

The Fires, Kindness, and etc.

Dear Caring Sillies,

I find myself going silent in times like this. As you likely know, massive portions of Northern CA have been destroyed and the destruction continues. The fires are 75 miles north of me, and I'm perfectly safe. Yet safety feels like an incredible luxury right now. Whenever my thoughts stray to the fires, they land at the sentiment that all I can do is be kind and generous to those in need.

Kindness. It's nothing and it's everything. (I'm re-posting an ole and revised poem).

NOTHING AND EVERYTHING

We grapple to find answers

When there are none to be found

Since trauma and destruction

Never stem from somewhere sound

We want to make wrong right somehow

But can't undo the pain

Of spirits crushed by tragedy

Mere words seem so inane

We can offer loving kindness

To those who fight to live

It's everything.

It's nothing.

It's all we have to give.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Onto fun and cheer ~ the astute and witty Joanne at Word Splash, WON my Giveaway Guessing Game. And she WON so QUICKLY! I didn't think anyone would guess that the blizzard and tornado warnings were in Denver Colorado. But they were. Congratulations, smart lady! 

Two more snapshots:

Wherein I found my zen (from a little chocolate shop in Idaho Springs, CO)

Castlewood Canyon - on the search for waterfalls, which I never found (thus, the half smile).

More to come ~ the highlight, visit with a special person...

On an altogether different, tacky and self-promotional note: The Trumpeter's New Clothes is FREE as an ebook today (7/31) through Saturday (8/4) HERE. 

Please be safe, be well, and treat yourselves kindly.

Love.

Where in the World Did I Go? Giveaway Game

Hi, My Dear Sillies,
    I went away last week. Where'd I go? That's for you to figure out. The first to guess this secret locale will win a copy of The Trumpeter's New Clothes, plus a little treat. If the winner already has my book, surely they know someone who'd enjoy a tiny orange-ish gift.
   Now, come with me!
   A bit haggard, we've landed at the airport.
   Hint 1: We're in a different time-zone than California's.

Hint 2:

Hint 3:
Our flight home is delayed by 11.5 hours due to harsh weather conditions. This affords us the time to begin and finish (reading) a new book; exchange words with United employees, meet nice people, and connect with a former colleague who happens to be booked on the same flight. If you're still with me, we're also going to attempt to sleep on the airport floor. Don't worry, they give out flimsy airport blankets for our convenience. We get free bottled water too, so we're fine. Keep faith. We'll arrive home a day after planned.
   Yet it was entirely worth the adventure because...to be continued soon. 

Take care of yourselves and have a safe, relaxing weekend, Sillies.

    

One Rainbow Tribe, One Little Break

My Dearest and Silliest of Friends,
   I'll be taking a little break for approximately one week. Take care of yourselves, and know I'll be thinking about you.
   In the meantime, I leave you with one of my most recent poems. You can find this scroll in The Trumpeter's New Clothes. (Now in e-book for only $2.99!) My exceptional illustrator, Steve Ferchaud, created this illustration using real parchment paper. The message conveys my thoughts about humankind - its threats and its treasures.

PS In case you missed it, the book is here. Wink.
One rainbow tribe!
Love you.

The Trumpeter's New Clothes! Warning: Not for those who lean Orange

FOR YOU, my Dear Sillies ~

buy my book HERE


"I'm the most top best," he blurted.
"I never get hurted!"

Another gloat-show had been botched.
Nobody cared.
No-one watched.
                                      

                              An uplifting, hopeful finale ~ a more beautiful world.

E-book is underway. Sorry I don't have link yet.
Paperback is HERE.

A collage of your comments during our Sneak Peek game:

Birgit These 2 ladies are the cheerleaders for games and hope their handkerchief will be picked by Sir Cops a feel.

Geo. "Who are these women?" They are victims of the upsidedown icecream cone fashion fad.
"What do they want?" To be restored to their former seniority over frozen confections.
The Silver Fox These ladies may have been the first groupies in history. As for the third woman? Well... Everybody's a critic! Pat Hatt  A bad voice got the 2nd one in a snit.

Debra She Who Seeks That instrument is the trumpet sticking out of Donald Trump's ass. Elephant's Child What do the women want? The same thing that women have ALWAYS wanted. And the woman with her hands over her ears is not listening to those who say that she can't/shouldn't have it.

Anthony J. Langford I'll say it's a wedding that the 2nd lady didnt want to happen..kind of like Harry's ex. Joanne The instrument is a flugelhorn (very Dr. Seussian) and the porcu-bear had to save the damsel from drowning in a chocolate fountain.

Sherry Ellis The instrument is a shlongophone. My father-in-law plays one.

Connie I don't know what the missing word is, but I've been giving all these clues some thought. Is your book based on the story of The Emperor's New Clothes, and is it starring Donald Trump? DING! DING! DING! CONNIE WINS FREE AUTOGRAPHED BOOK!!

   As I not-so-subtlety revealed in the last post, the creature is in fact a porcupine. The women are Rushing Brides, and the instrument is a trumpet. (Yeah, Debra!). From QUEENS arose a King. The rest, you can find out on your own.

   This Orange babe, my contribution to the resistance, and my fuel to energize us in creating a more beautiful world, is thanks to two grand men: illustrator Steve Ferchaud, and my all-around lifesaver, Bryan Pedas. I’m also indebted to bloggy buddies, Debra, Janie, Sue-Elephant’s Child, and Connie; and to my good friend, Lara – all of whom put their obligations aside to purchase my book, write reviews, post about this, and support me through the finish line (and now, new starting gate).

Love, Love, Love!
One rainbow tribe. (You'll see these words in Trumpeter.) 
PS Book link is HERE too!