Fast Forward to Fall, but Get Ready to Fall Back

As summertime gets ready for a very long nap, the fresh, crisp tingle of Autumn is beginning to sneak into our evenings. I love this time of year! The memories of my childhood school years bring me back to new peechee folders that have yet to be scribbled on with initials of the boys I had crushes on, unsharpened pencils, plastic boxes to hold pink erasers, protractors, rulers and the like, and new lunch boxes. The best part was when our mother would buy us new school shoes, possibly an outfit (although, coming from twelve years of Catholic school did not exactly warrant too many "outfits" other than brand-new plaid uniforms and knee socks) or let us pick out our own book bags and the few extra doo-dads that made the new school year a little less painful. I actually looked forward to my first day of school each year, faithfully. I think it had a lot to do with this preparation, getting my reading lists and new books that smelled like new books, and my new "goods." And mostly, looking forward to seeing my school friends after a long summer break, comparing vacation stories and tans, and catching up on all the childhood "gossip."

I now think about my eldest child who is about to start his final year of preschool. It warms my heart and gets me a little misty-eyed as I share in the excitement of his new school year while taking him to find a new lunch box, thermos, shoes and book bag. He seems to be starting to share my love of the beginning of school, a fresh start, crisper evenings, with Halloween and Thanksgiving on the horizon.

As I try to keep my obsession with all things Autumn slightly at bay, I think of all my blessings, my family, and my life. I am truly content and optimistic. I love writing, my children are my pride and joy, and I've been blessed with such a warm-hearted, sincere and fun husband. I really could not ask for more.

It is just about time for me to start setting up new holiday book signings/events for my children's book (Corinna the Christmas Elf) and really jump into the search for a literary agent to represent me on my latest project, a manuscript I just completed (The Day the Stars Stood Still) which is to become a memoir based on "Old Hollywood", the Movieland Wax Museum, and all the glitz and glamour of the major movie stars who graced the big screen in the last several decades.

I once again feel optimism, inspiration, and a new beginning. I will work hard, try my hardest and then some, and we'll just see what happens. I have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. I will be so happy if I am able to report Plan A or B in a few months, so let's get the ball rolling, welcome Fall, school, and new beginnings.

Here's to a fun-filled, crisp, fulfilling Fall season. Enjoy!