AN UNINTENDED, EXTREMELY LENGTHY HIATUS

It actually astounds me that my unintended "hiatus" extended for as long as it did, but my only explanation can be chiseled down to one word: LIFE. That is it, in a nutshell. Not to diminish this at all, because my honest intention when I started this blog was to entertain, edify, enlighten and entrust others with my life's goings on as a wife, mother, actress and author. To spill the daily tea of my life. And tea, my friends, is something I adore and LOVE! I'm truly a tea connoisseur. 

Then suddenly, POOF! I pulled a disappearing act. But truthfully, to disappear was never my intention. And I do hope you will give me a chance to continue my "blogging journey" as best I can, and peek in once in a while to see if you find any of it remotely interesting, relatable, humorous, fun, refreshing, deep, strange, messy, cool, or any other adjective you can throw in that covers the realm of this weird thing we are trying to accomplish (LIFE). This is for you, for me, for us. I hope you enjoy this bumpy ride with me. It will be far from perfect. I can promise you that much, for certain. There may be future gaps, bumps, spills. But I will try my best to keep it real.

First, I lost my darling, precious mother-in-law Bettie Ferry. Mom Ferry was a gem. In the world of moms-in-law, I scored the Mother Lode (pun intended). That was so, so difficult. Bettie was not only one of the sweetest, purest and kindest women I have ever had the honor of getting to know over the course of the nearly 20 priceless years I was blessed to know her, but she showered me and my two babies with so much love that her love and caring will carry me through the rest of my time here on earth, on top of my own mother's love.

Speaking of my own mother, I lost her as well. Talk about life-shattering pain that never seems to end. Losing one's mother should never be a loss to be experienced by anyone, ever. Flat out, I just said it. It's just not right. It's just not meant to be endured. So for any child, adult, teenager, or anywhere in between, my heart so wholeheartedly goes out to you for losing your mother. It's just not something we humans should have to endure, ever. I am still experiencing the loss all over again every day. I wonder when it will begin to feel a little more bearable?

I also lost an uncle whom I had truly always adored, who was nothing short of a genius. My beloved Uncle Roy Arnold (my mother's baby brother) had been a university administrator and vice chancellor for the Department of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and had  worked as an educator there for over 20 year. He then transitioned to Oregon State University and had continued to serve in higher education as Dean of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences, followed by Provost and then Executive VP of the university, after having earned both his master's and his doctorate. During my uncle's tenure as provost at OSU, he helped the university navigate significant budget reductions prompted by voters' adoption of property tax limitations that resulted in reduced state support for higher education. In other words, he was not only a huge advocate for land and agricultural development, education and higher education, but my uncle Roy had contributed greatly to future generations. Follow this link to learn more about my uncle's many amazing contributions: http://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu/oh150/arnold/biography.html  

I started really getting into my acting career in the last ten years, and landed over 47 acting credits on IMDb in onscreen roles through reality, TV roles, feature films-either indie or made-for-TV shows, bigger budget projects, smaller BG (background) roles, and infomercials, so during my long hiatus I kept busy. The pandemic did not stop me. It also kept my kids busy. I told them they can choose to be busy. They both stayed busy. My daughter McKenna is a budding artist, singer, and loves to act; she also continues to take mixed martial arts classes. Our son Carson is a very talented drummer and is in the marching band at his high school and is in jazz band. He started his own garage band and jazz ensemble, and is now in four jazz combos. He is also in honors jazz, and honor role at school.

My husband Mike supports us all, works so hard and loves to cook. He builds amazing things and is a great provider. We are so lucky to have Mike. He is a great father, husband, and really is a fun dad for the kids. He supports us in all of our acting and artistic endeavors, and is very patient. He built a very cool cornhole set that turned out nice. We have a lot of fun playing cornhole with family and friends, and going kayaking with him. Now he is working on building a cool "deck" for our above ground pool.

Like I mentioned, since I've stepped away, a lot has happened. I mean, A LOT.

A Post from My Son Carson!

My son was intrigued by this blog of mine; he is 8. So he wanted me to type a message to all of my readers:

(From Carson):
"I love my mommy she is the best mom in the universe and the galaxy!
:):):):):):):):):):):) she makes me happy."
--------------------

OK, honestly... I had NO idea that Carson was going to type that message just now. It melts my heart to see my big boy type on my computer/blog, a sweet message to me from his heart. That's what being a mom is about. Love unconditionally. Trust. Dependability. Have faith in your children. Give guidance and set boundaries while giving them freedom to learn. Try to trust your own choices.

And for me, one of the most difficult things is to just "let it be;" just let them play and work out their own differences; let them make mistakes and learn; let them skin their knees (not doing things dangerously of course, but I tend to get very anxious and protective), and being there for them to fix the boo-boos.

Well, any boo-boos I may have had today are all fixed. I kissed my babies goodnight, and they both told me they love me, just like every other night. The best moments in my day are when my kids and husband say "I love you" -- and we are a family who says "I love you" to each other A LOT. We also say "Sorry" and "I forgive you" a lot, too.

Have a splendid weekend!

 

OUR BEAGLE BROTHERS, Buddy and Diogi!

Two very important members of the Ferry household are our rescued purebred Beagles. Both of them are male, purebred (but "fixed" upon rescue), and both are now brothers. They have their own unique personalities (Buddy, the older boy, is sweet, affectionate, not too rambunctious but very protective of me and the kids; Diogi, the younger boy, is very energetic, almost hyper, loveable, probably has Doggy ADD, and loves to play with the kids a lot). Not sure which one barks the most, but Buddy and Diogi are tried and true members of the Ferry Family, good protectors, loyal and loveable, and LOUD. We love our Beagle brothers. They are Beagle brothers from different mothers.

 

PUPPY LOVE: My Kiddies, My Husband, and Our Two Beagle Brothers!

Hello Friends,
 
I've not yet mentioned much about a couple of family member in the Ferry Farm who are very important to all of us, and who are an integral part of the dynamics of our household.
 
I am referring to "Buddy" (age 9.5 yrs), and "Diogi" (age 5 yrs). Both of our dogs were rescued, both are purebred 100% Beagles with papers and microchips but definitely not show dogs. One reason is because they both have been "fixed" and the other is that their personalities are not of the show dog type. Our doggies are brothers in arms, double-trouble, mischief makers, and loveable, sweet, kid-loving playmates.
 
Buddy came into our family before we had our oldest child, Carson. Buddy was my loveable "baby" after I suffered from a failed pregnancy. He loved me unconditionally, let me hold him, bond with him, kiss him and cry with him in my arms for many months before I felt strong again. Of course, my husband was also there for me as well, in so many ways I couldn't even begin to mention. But something about an innocent, sweet puppy nestling in your arms while getting used to his new family and "parents" is so comforting, so pure, and so secure.
 
Diogi was rescued when I found out that a "young, boy Beagle" near Vegas was in need of a home because his owner couldn't keep him due to military travel and mobility. He had been an indoor dog, but once he got to our home became Buddy's new outdoor mate. He had been taught to jump up on your lap, and was a wild, high-spirited dog. But he is fun, runs around doing laps in our yard at night, loves to play with the kids, climbs our play center ladder and slides down many times a day, and is a handful. The two dogs complement each other well, as Buddy is a bit older and less rambunctious, and Diogi gets Buddy up, moving and playing. Buddy is a calming presence for Diogi. It works well.
 
So I felt like introducing our pets because they are important and much-loved members of our family.
 
I know the true meaning of "Puppy Love" because of our two boy Beagle brothers.
 
Suzanne

Onward and Upward... Day by Day...

So as I write this latest and long overdue post to my "Ferry Tales" blog, I reminisce back to a few years ago... I was taking my son Carson, then about 5-1/2 years old, to one of his many auditions. Carson got his first on-camera job at age 9 months, and has since been in a few short films. I had so much fun watching him taking his acting workshops and going to auditions for the first few years. Slowly though, I found myself wanting to have the experience for myself. This secret dream of mine had been locked away for a long time. I never felt like sharing it because I always thought it would sound laughable -- I mean, ME? Acting? Yeah, I just did not have the nerve... yet.
 
But a few years ago I decided on my own to start jazzing up my stay-at-home mommy and writing jobs by adding a third job: acting. I went very slowly, one day at a time, by checking out the casting websites. I was familiar with these sites thanks to Carson and his wonderful agency (CESD), so I joined a few of them and created my own profiles, using "selfies" as my head shots in the beginning. I wanted to start out as a background actor, or "extra," to get my feet wet.
 
Once I had shared my new ambition with my husband and family, and then my closest friends, the loftiness factor kind of faded. I was welcomed with encouragement and cheers and well wishes. What a treat!
 
I  did a few background jobs, then I had some head shots taken, then I got my nerve up enough to audition for a small speaking role in a children's feature film. I practiced and practiced and sent in my audition via youtube.com (which is not all that unusual, by the way). I did not get the gig. But I don't get discouraged easily, so I kept trying. And I signed up for my first acting class since high school. I had done three musicals in high school, which was a great experience for me.
 
Anyhow, about a month after I submitted myself for the small speaking role in the children's feature film, the same producers called me. They had enjoyed my youtube audition but had already cast the role. They were interested in my auditioning for another part in a different feature film. A role of a mineralogist. I thought this was amazing because I am kind of a nerd at heart and I wear glasses most of the time.
 
Well, fate took its course and I got the gig. This led me to an amazing ten days in the Philippines shooting all my scenes in TREASURE HUNTERS  ( http://youtu.be/wgpo7ZsA6S4 ). My next post will be about my experience in the Philippines and all the great people I met. It will also explain how that let to me being in about ten more features (some parts small, some bigger, and one more lead role) plus about 20 TV appearances (some parts small, some bigger, and a couple of leads), two infomercials and two game shows later, plus landing an agent. Things are moving and I'm taking it all in and loving every minute.
 
My husband has been so very supportive that I could not do this without him. My father, who once was asked to direct with Bernard Kowalski and had directed theatrical productions in high school, has been very encouraging. Even my mom and closest friends, my sister, my kids; everyone is happy to see me going down this new, exciting path. I still have a strong passion to write, but this creative endeavor of acting is also bringing me much joy.
 
Thanks for reading! I'll be back soon to talk about the Philippines.
 

Suzanne

My Latest Adventures in Acting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz-xHle_OK8

My interview with Eileen Rivera last July about my path towards an acting career, a dream I have always harbored and finally took the plunge! I have been very busy as a working TV/film actress ever since, and will soon post about more of the projects I have done or am doing... Including some new twists. Stay tuned for more.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wgpo7ZsA6S4

Shameless Self Promoting: All in an Author's Workday

After my second book The Day the Stars Stood Still was published by BearManor Media in 2012, I started a crusade to publicize and immortalize my book "out there" via mostly social media channels. I used and am still using Facebook, Twitter, my own blog (this one), friends, my publisher's publicist (the best-selling author Michelle Morgan) and blog, LinkedIn, and email. I know there are other ways I've worked on promoting my writing career, including word-of-mouth, but there are too many to mention!

Of course, creating your own "buzz" (which I love to call "shameless self promoting" for up-and-coming successful authors such as myself -- hopefully!) is not always easy; it takes patience, creativity; more writing; spell-checking; inventiveness, and unique hooks.

My book launch party for The Day the Stars Stood Still was amazing. I've attached a few photos, and thanks to http://claibornelime.com/ and my husband Mike, everything went off without a hitch.

I've managed to have two interviews on YouTube; a television show for my first book titled Corinna the Christmas Elf (2009, Tate Publishing Enterprises) which was a national holiday special called "Happy Holidays America" and which played all across the US and into Canada, and had a segment featuring me at a book signing and being interviewed about my book. I was somehow squeezed in between Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton! Don't ask me how that happened... I've no idea, but I was very honored.

With lots of luck and even more perseverance (like, maybe 12 phone calls and four reschedules) I have also been interviewed by the infamous Mr. Joe Franklin on his Bloomberg Syndicated Radio Show (over 39 million listeners!) about my latest book -- this really made the Amazon sales spike; I've had several local book signings (one is coming up the day before the Academy Awards at Gatsby Books in Long Beach, CA http://www.gatsbybooks.com/ ), posts on Twitter, an article in the OC Register, Long Beach Gazette, Signal Hills Tribune, etc.

I'm on a quest to try to get some news coverage from a local news station, and perhaps more larger-scale book signings and radio programs. I'll travel a bit if necessary, and am always on the lookout!

My books are in many libraries, and have received several promising reviews. My latest baby, The Day the Stars Stood Still, has led me into a new world and introduced me to many amazing people and organizations devoted to Old Hollywood, such as Cinecon Classic Film Festival's book signings in Hollywood, The Hollywood Show http://www.hollywoodshow.com/ ,  Immortal Marilyn www.immortalmarilyn.com and the 50th anniversary of her passing (which included a book signing, pool party, private luncheon and tour at the Fox Studios with a raffle, which gifted me with a lovely Geoge Barris print of Marilyn herself).

I've met a handful of true artistic geniuses, wax figure artists, several who learned their techniques directly from Logan Fleming. I've also befriended some collectors of wax figures, including some gracious folks who loaned me "Spock" from the Star Trek TV series (made by Logan Fleming for Movieland) and "Granny and Jed Clampett" from The Beverly Hillbillies (made by Logan Fleming for Movieland) for my book launch party in Long Beach. I have been invited to do a book signing and presentation at Potter's Wax Museum in our nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida this Spring.  I'm working on more local book signings. I had a great time doing a presentation and book signing for local authors at Vroman's Book Store http://www.vromansbookstore.com/ in Pasadena, where I practically grew up! The amazing video below gives a lovely testimony to Logan Fleming and one man's love of wax museums, wax artistry and Logan Fleming's creative genius.

 

As I continue on, trying to scrape up some spare time here and there for my passion to write (I'm working on two new books and have a new screenplay in my head), I will also forge ahead with my quest for shameless self promotions. All ideas are welcome: contact me at suzanne.ferry@verizon.net

 

I thank each and every one of you for your support and enthusiasm over my writing career!