Digger & the Little Choo Choo

How to Keep Calm & Chug Along: 

STARTING THIS PODCAST HAS BEEN AN UPHILL JOURNEY . . . When I made the decision in the Fall of 2016, I didn't know the first thing about how to make a podcast. I watched a few tutorials on YouTube, borrowed a USB mic from a friend, and recorded the demo episode of "Fly Home Birdie" using Garageband on my Mac. Then I spent months researching & playing around with recording. I watched more free tutorials on podcasting, with Pat Flynn, Cliff Ravenscraft, & Jessica Kupferman. I recorded some songs and intros. I signed up for a course with John Lee Dumas and I enlisted the help of a local musician named Kris Rogers to record the jingles. I climbed up the podcasting hill inch by inch.

        Birdie thinks podcasting is so EXCITING!!!

      Some parts of the journey were steeper than others. But with every success, I gained more confidence, felt more motivated. Within a year, I went from no knowledge to successfully recorded 48 episodes of Story Spectacular. I didn't have to go back to school. I got to learn about podcasting online and recording a demo for free before I decided to invest any money. I still have plenty of climbing to do but I am now a podcaster. If I can learn something new than so can you! What do you say? Do YOU think you can?

Your hard work will pay off!

Fun Links:

How to Stay Motivated & Accomplish ANYTHING!

The Little Engine That Could

---

The Baby Foodie: Berry has the Blues

How Your Favorite Book From the Past, Can Lead to a New Story:

IF YOU WERE A KID GROWING UP IN NEW ENGLAND over the last 50 years, then chances are you have had your nose in a Robert McCloskey book at some point. He's as famous as chowder in these parts. His children's books have inspired for generations. There are even landmarks and monuments that pay homage to his work. From the "Make Way For Ducklings" Statue in the Boston Public Garden, to the "One Morning in Maine" Outer Scott Nature Conservancy in the Penobscot Bay, McCloskey left his mark on New England. 

       He certainly left his mark on me too. One of my favorite books as a child was "Blueberries for Sal." Sal is a spirited little girl who goes off with her mom to "help" pick blueberries on the hill. Meanwhile on that very same hill, a mother and baby bear are picking blueberries too. Sal and the baby bear get caught-up in the mesmerizing world of blueberry picking that they both end up following the wrong mother! This hilarious mix up entertained me to no end. I loved everything about this story. Picking blueberries, tossing them in the tin bucket and listening for the "Ku-Plink" sound. 

       I always tried to emulate little Sal when I went out into the woods berry picking. Now I am doing my best to emulate one of my favorite authors, Robert McCloskey. I hope you enjoy this tasty adventure with the Baby Foodie and Mary Blueberry!

Have a TASTY Day!

Fun Links:

Make Way for Robert McCloskey

Blueberry Recipes

---

Quil's Postcards: Camp Crater

How Activities Can Teach Us More About Ourselves:

WE HAVE ANOTHER BATCH OF POSTCARDS FROM QUIL! This time we have letters from Summer Space Camp. I am really passionate about summer camps. I went to one as a child and participated in the "horsemanship" program. Many of my close friends went to traditional and religious summer camps growing up as well. There is something really special about going off to camp, you are away from family and have your first taste of independence. You are meeting new friends and trying lots of new things. You get to make choices on your own, food, friends, activities and discover new things about yourself!

Summer Camp was no fun at all ;-)

        We can still have these experiences as adults. Maybe not at overnight camp but through enrichment classes and activities. I encourage anyone reading this to start a new adventure. Sign up for a dance class, a writing class, heck even intermural DODGEBALL! Make a choice that's just for you! Meet new people and discover a new creative or physical outlet. It's always time for a new experience!

      Quil has some incredible experiences at Camp Crater. Our little space friend has taken on new challenges and created lasting bonds with friends. I am so glad we get to learn all about these amazing Camp Crater adventures through Quil's Postcards. 

Fun Links:

Creative Hobbies for Adults

Find a Summer Camp in Maine

---

The Amazon Jamazon

How A Great Read Can Inspire Great Writing:

THIS STORY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE of how reading one story can inspire you to write your own. I wrote "The Amazon Jamazon" immediately after reading "The River of Doubt" by Candice Millard. The book beautifully details the exploits Theodore Roosevelt and his crew of hearty (& sometimes foolish) men, as they journey through the Amazon Jungle and explore a dangerous tributary of the Amazon River. I can't say enough about this book! It is in my top ten favorites of all time. After completing the last page of the epilogue, I knew the very person I wanted to share this story with . . .

By Jason Auch from Calgary, Canada (L1002527) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

        My Nana has shared with me some of my favorite stories. From childhood, all the way up to adulthood. We read all of Dr. Seuss, lots of Tall Tales and Native American Folk Tales. We read poetry and Shakespeare and lots of incredible biographies. She had a set of Encyclopedias that I would spend hours perusing. Later she volunteered at our small town library and would order in copies of YA  romance novels that were the perfect fix for my pining adolescence. 

       Our other favorite pastime was nature walks. We spent hours walking around her little camp on the lake looking at plants and evidence of animals. Each plant had a story, a cure for rashes, an edible delicacy, or a poisonous potion. She also would talk to animals. She would have long back and forth conversations with "Chippy" the chipmunk or sing joyous songs of call and response with her loon friends. I loved joining in on those loon calls. I'm sure neighbors thought that Nana and I were loons ourselves but we didn't care! 

       I just knew that "Nana Nature" was going to get a kick out of this book about the Amazon. And oh boy did she! Although she had some opinions about what Teddy Roosevelt and the boys should have done differently. I replied that she and I would have better luck on our own voyage down the Amazon River. . .

                "Eee-Eee Ahh-Ahh Holler at your Howler Monkey..."

Fun Links:

Listen to Teddy Roosevelt's Adventure

Take a virtual Feild trip!

---

Sal & The Erie Canal

How an Old Song Can Inspire a New Story:

BEFORE I BEGAN to write and record the first episodes of my children's story podcast, I asked a family member in his 60's what his favorite children's song was as a child. He replied by singing (in its entirety), "The Erie Canal". I smiled with recognition because it was a song I remembered from my youth too.  One of my favorite versions is by Bruce Springsteen. I loved the rhythm and the melody of it, but I didn't know what a lot of the lyrics were referencing. Primarily, why do you need a mule to go down a waterway? The more I learned about the Erie Canal the more fascinated I was by this manmade (& animal made), achievement. I enjoyed learning about the lock system, the towpath, and I especially loved reading about the important role of mules to the manmade river. 

     It can be easy to overlook the animals that worked alongside their human counterparts to help society advance throughout history. The animal stories are often forgotten in the history books but I find their narratives very compelling. It's always nice to run across an old story (or song) that pays tribute to their hard work.

     I hope to journey to parts of the Erie Canal someday. Perhaps I will take a tour on horseback. At the very least I will imagine Sal the mule towing along a boat on the towpath. I'm sure a lot of other kiddos would be excited to see this incredible waterway too! Even if you can't make it there in person, it is my wish that folks of all ages will enjoy visiting this special place through story and song!

Fun Links:

Visit the Erie Canal!

Low Bridge Song with Historic Photos!

---

Quil's Postcards: Lava Park Adventure

How Friends Can Make You Brave:

QUIL IS BACK! This time we get to see what an amusement park looks like in outer space. Now here is my confession: I am TOTALLY vicariously living through Quil in these stories. This is pure fun and fantasy for my inner child. I ALWAYS wanted to go to a theme park as a kid. So now I get to go to one on another planet! I also really enjoy getting to spend some time and getting to know a character across multiple stories. In this installment, Quil has a birthday party at a Lava Park.  Our space friend is at a very special age, (7 Earth years), where friendship is MAGICAL!  

     I love that time in a child’s life when they are too young to care about romance or even the concept of popularity. They just love their friends. I had a few really special friends in my childhood. I remember spending several nights in a row at each other's houses. We wanted to do everything together, like tee-ball, summer camp, and birthday parties! I miss those kinds of relationships now. Adults don’t really do the slumber party thing anymore. At least not on a regular basis. So it has been really fun as a writer to revisit those kinds of childhood friendships in the Quil stories.

     Quil has some really special friends named Bula and Nova. They are inspired by two of my friends from childhood who were: A.) Really daring, B.) Really good at sports and C.) really supportive and patient with me even though I was neither A or B, but instead, was D.) a TOTAL WHIMP!!! Bula and Nova have that same kind of friendship with Quil.  I especially like that they motivate Quil to try new things, like going down a LAVA SLIDE!!! I can't wait to see what adventure little space buddies will have next!!! Friends are outta this world!

Thank YOU for being a friend!

---

Fun Links:

Some Advice about Friendship

Another Cool Space Podcast

Chilly the Snowman

---

How to Love Snow Like a Kid:

AH SNOW. . . My feelings about snow have really evolved since my childhood. As an adult living in Maine, the snow piling up can feel like such a burden. Snowbanks are like obstacles you need to move out of the way or navigate your car around.

      But as a child… a big snowbank looks like hours of fun! It can be a slide, a sculpture, and of course a snow fort!!! I spent so much time playing out in the snow. I don’t even remember feeling that cold as a kid. The biggest obstacle between kids and playing in the snow, is putting on all the snow gear! Boots, hats, mittens, and of course... the dreaded snowsuit! Who can forget Randy from A Christmas Story “I CAN’T PUT MY ARMS DOWN!” I certainly had my fair share of falling in the snow and being unable to move from all of my cumbersome winter gear! So many things to put on and keep track of. My little brother lost so many gloves and hats that my Dad referred to the lost and found as his “locker”. But oh boy, is it worth it! There’s just nothing like playing in the snow.

     This time of year many families are on break for the holidays. It can be really hard to get enough time outdoors when it’s cold out. But I think it’s always good for the body and the mind to spend time outside. I wanted to write a story for kids that would get them pumped about playing out in the snow. So bundle up! Get outside! Move and shake like you are Chilly!

My brother Tony & I playing in the snow during the 1991 "Halloween Nor'easter"

 

---

Fun Links:

Fun Activities To Do in the Snow

A Video of Adorable Animals Playing in the Snow

Lawrence the Lighthouse

---

How to Face Your Fears "Head-light" On:

"HI -YAH  LAWRENCE . . . " I just love this one. I have lived in Portland Maine for 10 years now. We are a little port city with an old working waterfront. The Portland Headlight has been guiding boats into Casco Bay since 1791. It is my favorite lighthouse to visit. When I made my living as a landscape painter, I painted this lighthouse dozens of times.

     The Headlight always looked like it was in a different mood. But mostly, I thought it looked lonely. The Lighthouse stays up all night keeping vigil, guiding boats into the harbor. Boats that have seen the whole world, but the Lighthouse never gets to leave its post. Sailboats get to leisurely float around. But the Lighthouse is always working. Even the “Working” Boats have a day off for the annual Lobster Boat Races. But the Lighthouse doesn’t get to participate. Always a boat guide, never a ride. Okay okay, I know I am getting all worked up about an inanimate object. And if you really stop and think, this Lighthouse doesn’t really have it all that bad. It gets thousands of visitors every year AND is the most photographed lighthouse in the world! Come to think of it, the Portland Headlight has more Instagram followers than most celebrities!

     For all these reasons, I just had to write a story about the Headlight. Soon there will even be a book! A family member took me out on his 1968 Columbia Sailboat for a tour of Casco Bay. It was a beautiful afternoon and I was able to take loads of photographs of the Bay, the Boats, and the Lighthouse. These photos will be the background illustrations in the Lawrence the Lighthouse book. I can’t wait for you all to see it!

Sailing around Casco Bay aboard the "Salt", watching the lobster boats and tug boats race around the harbor while "Lawrence" watches

 

---

Fun Links:

Visit “Lawrence” the Lighthouse

Come Watch The Lobster Boat Races Too!

Happy Birthday Maple

---

How to Make Like a Tree & Leave Things Behind:

 MY FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK IS . . . "The Lorax" by Dr Seuss.  I wanted to write my own story about trees. Even with some great inspiration, “Happy Birthday Maple” did not come easily to me, because it was not actually the story I set out write.

      The first story I wrote was called the ‘Tree Retreat’. It was about trees from all around the world, gathering up their roots and meeting at the top of the earth for the annual “Tree Retreat.” I know, not bad right? But as I was writing the story I realized there wasn’t much in it for kids. It became overworked and really preachy. It lacked joy, a magical spark. Man, when something ain’t working, it really feels like WORK!

      After the 10th unsuccessful draft of the story, I realized I had to let it go. It was a really hard thing to do. I felt like a failure. How could I have wasted so much time on a story? Why couldn’t I salvage this thing?!!! I had to take a step back and have a chat with myself. . .

     Q: “What is the essence, the emotional core of the story?”

     A: “I want to tell a story that celebrates trees”.

     Q: “Who are you writing for?”

     A: “Little kids and families”

     Q: “What do kids like to celebrate?”

     A: “Their BIRTHDAYS!”

     Q: “How about a birthday party for a tree?”

     A: “BINGO!!!”

In this frame of mind, I wrote “Happy Birthday Maple” in one sitting. It was a joy to write. Didn’t feel like work at all.

A Birthday with the trees!

 

---

Fun Links:

Tree Facts for Kids

The Lorax (My Favorite Story About Trees)

The Quirky Turkey

---

How To Let your Quirks Fly:

LET'S FACE IT. . . We all have a quirk. There is no such thing as “normal”. Sometimes we feel like we need to hide these weird parts of ourselves, especially in social situations including… holiday gatherings. Holidays are another one of those schemas that feel completely different when you are a child versus when you are an adult. I don’t know about you but I LOVED the holidays as a child. I loved seeing my family, eating big meals, having more than one dessert option, listening to music, and shaking my TAIL-FEATHER!!! 

      I'm not sure when it happened, but as I grew older things have slowly shifted. I feel more stress, more anxiety associated with holidays, and family gatherings. Maybe because of the expectations I have of myself and of others. Maybe I just want these things to feel as amazing as they did when I was a little girl. Maybe instead of trying to live up to an ideal or fit into a mold, I just need to be brave. Just be me. I’m going to try and take more steps forward. I’m trying to let more of my “quirks” out. Feel the freedom that I had as a child to be myself.

     Since starting Story Spectacular. I have heard from people all over who are connecting back to their childhood through my stories and songs. I am so thankful for this. Anyone reading this note, I am thankful for you too. Now come on everybody, let your quirks out. It’s time to celebrate!

Come on . . . get QUIRKY!!!

 

---

Fun Links:

An Article About Managing Holiday Stress

Mr. Bean Holiday Turkey