Dearest Readers,
Today was a special and very important day in my life here in Northern California. Over twenty years ago I removed myself from the intricacies of life in Marin County, where I largely raised my daughter Antonia, and, essentially, “Mom moved to the country and got a dog”. Dream number one realized. And it was there in the woods next to a raging dynamic sea, which crashed through my dreams and comforted me that I started a small garden of flowers. I had not worked in a garden in years. I would begin my days out in the fog and mist and dig in the quiet still morning and as I worked and slowly experimented and planned I found myself soon coming to the realization that what I was learning in my garden made sense in my life.
Kathryn and Moxie beside first tiny garden plot in front of guest cottage/garage in Little River
And I began to take notes. And to ponder. And to observe. And I allowed myself immeasurable time to contemplate, as I expanded my various garden plots, what the essence of each lesson was and how it fit into the larger scheme of my life, and then I challenged myself, with whim and dedication holding hands, to distill that bit of wisdom into the simplest of terms. I was aware that my many years of working with the I Ching was influencing my thinking, for, having “thrown the I Ching” hundreds and hundreds of times what I noticed was that I would find myself in some situation where knowledge and wisdom were required, and I was so often surprised that some line from the I Ching would emerge–the perfect words at the perfect moment, offering me the gift I needed to move ahead. And I was fascinated by the power of this, and decided to make that part of my intention–to provide a bit of wisdom in the simplest terms that might lend a helping hand to a reader sometime in the future. And so it was. As the Dutch say, “In the seed is the tree.”
Throughout the years of development of this book many paths were explored. Ultimately I chose what felt right to me–the least expected path, in fact. And that was create a small publishing company and to assemble an excellent team of professionals and to rely on that team of excellence to shepherd the book through to, well, today. For that very large Fed Ex truck pulled up our street in the heat of this afternoon. Neighbors actually came out of their doors to see what had arrived! And here’s what they left on the front lawn. Ta da!
What to do? Fortunately I had had a small chat with the Folks Upstairs this morning about this very thing. For how can one plan for help arriving when the the shipping folks give you a five hour window for delivery? Indeed. One must take the Miracle Train. So, sure enough, even though Dave next door already was out the door with gloves and a hat, his wife in tow worrying about “the heat” (and duly so), three young boys came down the street in perfect timing, and I called out to them, “Would you boys like to make some money?” About face and they came back immediately, bless their hearts. Only minutes later that teenage summer energy had been applied to a neat stacking of the cartons indoors, ready for business!
First order of business was to keep a promise to my friend and master beader and basketweaver, Susan Billy to “sell her the first copy of the book”. This allowed me to get a pic of my happy self in her lovely bead shop with a copy of the first edition of Plant Whatever Brings You Joy: Blessed Wisdom from the Garden.
We have been working very hard to get this book to market. “We” includes a bevy of incredible, talented people I have been so fortunate to work with. Now my attention turns to media, to the market and to you. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book, I invite you to visit Estrella Catarina’s site . You will find there are a couple of options available.
My commitment is to continue to be of loving service, here on this blog, as a publicist for my clients, and also now in this capacity. Please watch for events I am in the process of creating. Details can be found on the Estrella Catarina site.
Many thanks for visiting this blog and for your encouraging feedback and support. And enjoy the book!!
Love and gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
Footnote! Kindle edition now up on Amazon! Reviews are coming in and I am deeply touched! UK readers can find UK Kindle edition here. Please be aware that you need not own a Kindle to read a Kindle product. No. Kindle products can be purchased and then read on the following devices, all downloadable for free: Kindle for PC, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for Blackberry, Kindle for iPad. All links are provided at the Kindle page for this book.
Posted on July 21st, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life
OMG!!!! Iสปm so excited that I get to be the first comment to this AWESOME news!!!
And it does seem fitting, as we have known each other for going on 35 years, and I have followed every detail and nuance of your process with “The Book”, and so much wanted to have my very own copy someday….and so much wanted the world to benefit from your poetic wisdom.
And the blog has been a lovely extension of that, but this was “the root”, and how wonderful to see you finally bring this precious flower out for all who find it to enjoy. A roaring “WOO HOO!!!”.
Kathryn, may you be blessed with a success you could never even dream of, with a waterfall of rewards: accolades, dollars, tears, appreciations, jobs!!! ๐
Bravo, girlfriend. I know *you* know how sincerely excited and thrilled I am for you.
Now off to market you go!!! I will tell *all* my friends, p.
Oh, Pamela, you dearheart! Thank you so very very much! This truly has been such an amazing and varied and long journey! And you did, indeed, bear witness to it, as a true friend. Thank you! There is magic in the air, I’ll tell you. Open to it all! Love and hugs! Kathryn xoxo
Congratulations Kathryn, I’m thrilled for you! I love the photo of you sitting on the stack of boxes, your face is radiant. It’s been a long journey and I’ve enjoying watching it unfold. I’ll look forward to holding a finished book in my hands!
Love,
Kathlene
Congratulations! How wonderful!
Hi, Kathlene! Thank you so much! I have so appreciated your generous support over the years! Love, Kathryn xoxo
Good morning, Sheila! Thank you! Kathryn xoxo
How exciting. Can’t wait to get a copy and read it through. I have learned so much just from our e-mail & phone conversations. Am really looking forward to what I’ll find between the covers. I also loved the pictures on the boxes and in the bead shop. So much joy in your face and so much pride of accomplishment. Well deserved grins! Hugs, Julie
Hi, Julie! Many thanks for your kind words. It’s an exciting time, for sure!
Kathryn xoxo
Kathryn!
Yay!
How wonderful, thrilling and joyous!
I will order my copy and will tell all my friends.
Are you on Facebook? I would like to post this on my facebook page as a book recommendation.
Love the photos here…you and Moxie in LittleRiver, the bead shop and on the stack of books! So fun!
Congratulations, Kathryn. I am so happy for you!
Warm regards,
:)Philip
Hi, Philip! Thank you!! I am not on FB and I would be honored for you to post on your FB page. Thank you so much for offering! Can’t wait ’till you see the final book. And I am so grateful to you for your loving encouragement. Kathryn xoxo
CONGRATULATIONS, MOM!!!! I am SO Proud of you!! Your book is a Beautiful gift and such a Wonderful read! It is Amazing watching you go through this process! Bravo!!!
Love you,
Antonia
xoxox
Hi, Antonia, This book, as you know, is dedicated to YOU, and going through this process with you makes the experience ten, a hundred, a thousand times more precious. ๐ Love you and thank you. Mom xoox
Kathryn, congratulations! I’m so happy for you. Realizing a dream is priceless.~~Dee
Good morning, Dee, and thank you so much! I think you are right. I think realizing a dream is priceless. I think it’s deep soul work, in fact. Not easy, but worth it. Like keeping an old promise. Hugs! Kathryn xoxo
WOHAA! what a happy day! it’s clear from the picture – you shine, you really shine ๐
it spreads over the oceans…
keep shining and keep writig – I love to read your lovely, poetic and full of wisdom blog.
Sure I will get a copy of your book – how could I not buy one after ‘watching’ you writing.
I am so curious about your process of writing – how the idea was born, how you write, how many hours a day, do you write in the morning, throughout the day or at night? – curious cat ๐
Love, Ewa xoxo
Hi, Ewa! Good morning, or afternoon there in Poland! This book was written in so many different phases and manners there is no “formula”. In the beginning I really would work literally for weeks on a single thought, because the first challenge was so much about observing simply to “find” the lesson. Once the 52 lessons were observed and captured in a simple sentence (many years of work), the challenge became, ultimately, to go back inside and reflect how that lesson showed up, additionally, in my life. And then a story was found and told. Long process. And this is the simple version of this story! ๐ Thank you for your kind words, Ewa. I’m a fan of your blog, too.
Kathryn xoxo
Bravo, Bravissimo!
So overjoyed for you!
Now, for an overwhelming success rate in distribution.
I’m so privileged to realize that snippets of this book were read earlier.
Love and pride for you,
Betsy
Hi, Betsy! Thank you so much for the well wishes and cheers! So appreciated! Kathryn xoxo
Wonderful Kathryn – I’m so pleased for you! It’s obviously been a long slog to get to this point, so enjoy it and bask in the glory of a triumphant achievement! ๐
Good morning, Liz! (Afternoon for you in the UK!) Thank you so much! “Long slog” does sound appropriate, though it’s had its lovely moments! Truly this is the best part, however. No doubt about it! Kathryn xoxo
Kudos, dear Kathryn! What a thrill to hold the book in your hand. I know how long it has been your dream. Count me in for a copy … can’t wait ๐
Hi, Joey! Good morning and thank you so much! Love knowing you will be reading it! Hugs! Kathryn xoxo
Congratulations Kathryn!
Your Creative Spirit and Verve always inspired me! Miss You.
Look forward to re-experiencing that spirit through your words
in Plant….Joy. Can’t wait to read it.
Hi, Barbara, Welcome and thank you! It’s a joy to find you on my blog today wishing me your congratulations! Very much looking forward to your reading Plant Whatever Brings You Joy! Thank you! Kathryn xoxo
YEAH! I have found the perfect Christmas gift for at least two hard to buy for women in my life…thanks! Can’t wait to get my hands on it…Kim
Hi, Kim! Wow! Thank you very so much! I’m thrilled! What a lovely way to end a beautiful Sunday afternoon reading your enthusiastic note! Kathryn xoxo
Congratulations to you, this is a very special post. I look forward to checking it out.
Thank you, Theresa! I appreciate your checking out the new book! Kathryn xoxo
Congratulations, Kathryn!
Good morning, Sarah! Thank you so much! Kathryn xoxo
Yay!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!!!!! I can’t wait to get myself a copy of your book! Thanks for sharing. Cheers to Dreams Come True!
Good afternoon, Red Clover and thank you for that enthusiastic response!
So appreciated! Can’t wait for you to read my book! Kathryn xoxo