Childhood dreams

Have you ever had a dream - a dream that you have had for so long you can't remember not wanting it. That is my dream of visiting New York. I have loved to read since I learned to read which for me was right before I entered kindergarten. Books transported me to magical worlds and introduced me to characters that I came to love so much that I considered them my friends. My Aunt Diana always had suggestions for new books to read and it is to her I credit my introduction to the teenagers known in the Trixie Belden books as the Bobwhites. This group of friends sovled mysteries, mysteries were a special favorie of mine as a child - even a favorite now as I am an adult. I loved to read this series and often wished that I had close knit group of friends to support me as I struggled to find my own place and identity growing up. I read many of these books multiple times, but none captivated me as did "Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Blinking Eye". In this book, the friends travel to New York City. The book describes so many of the sights of New York such as the Empire State Building, Central Park , the United Nations, and the Theatre District - all seen through the eyes of the Bobwhites. Since my very first time reading this book, I have wanted to see these sites for myself. So tomorrow, I fulfill an almost life long dream. Tomorrow I begin my own exploration of New York City. I am full of anticipation like a child on Christmas Eve. This time I see get to see New York through my own eyes.

"If you want to write a book, WRITE A BOOK!"

So when I was teaching language arts, each year my students would read about John Goddard and create their own life lists. I always share my list with the students and always at the top of my list was "write a book". I really do want to write a book I just don't know what I want to write about. I have a tons of ideas, but the idea of writing a WHOLE book is overwhelming. As blogging became more popular, I thought this is great, I could write a blog! But do I write about cooking, teaching, coaching? So many choices...still overwhelming. Ughhhh! So still I wrote nothing.

During a long and animated conversation with Daddy at Christmastime this past year (made longer and more animated by the bottle of wine and scotch), Daddy said, "If you want to write a book, write a book! There's nothing stopping you, but you."

He's right, but I'm still not ready to write a book. However, I am ready to write. I am ready to find my voice. I am ready to share my stories. So I begin....