tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41598215470680445212024-03-18T21:28:25.356-07:00Stephanie's StudioThe virtual studio of author and artist Stephanie Rose Bird brings together artistic process and reflection with the literary arts, in a manner that is designed to be instructive and inspirational.Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-29677665254710098932020-12-15T03:36:00.008-08:002020-12-15T05:35:16.846-08:00Press Release: New Moon Collection<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC4HXTIiFAVTW7rBerjop1suk4-XxOi7Wp-WLaWbT_8LhiRqjHKh_hyKQ1whdoYLLsfZumi1wvH8UbXaBAwslgVRgngBiQHMRI3v_Mv0IczyKGn6mS1SNCeW0C0K7eL9OBBqljFPPpAA3/s2048/IMG_7129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC4HXTIiFAVTW7rBerjop1suk4-XxOi7Wp-WLaWbT_8LhiRqjHKh_hyKQ1whdoYLLsfZumi1wvH8UbXaBAwslgVRgngBiQHMRI3v_Mv0IczyKGn6mS1SNCeW0C0K7eL9OBBqljFPPpAA3/s320/IMG_7129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-bottom-color: rgb(122, 120, 117); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(122, 120, 117); color: #e70505; float: left; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-size-adjust: auto; width: 389.156px;">SRB Botanica Announces New Moon Collection</h1><div class="date" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #363636; float: right; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto;">December 15, 2020</div><div class="testimonial-box" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #eaf9fe; border-bottom-left-radius: 6px; border-bottom-right-radius: 6px; border-radius: 6px; border-top-left-radius: 6px; border-top-right-radius: 6px; float: left; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 10px; text-size-adjust: auto; width: 363.859px;"><div class="testimonial-con" style="color: #5d5d5d; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Noted Author, Artist Stephanie Rose Bird Teams Up with Actress Daughter to Craft Healing, Responsibly Sourced Body and </div></div><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://www.1888pressrelease.com/12-15-2020.html" style="color: #3360fb;">December 15, 2020</a> - Herbal product company SRB Botanica, led by mother-daughter duo Stephanie Rose Bird and Olivia Bird, has announced the release of their New Moon Collection of body and hair products, timed to coincide with December’s new moon.<br /><br />The products in the collection make fabulous holiday gifts! <br /><br />Loco for Coco is a simple, old-fashioned handmade cold-processed soap handcrafted from chocolate, cocoa butter and coconut oil with distilled water and lye, and featuring a patchouli lavender scent. Cacao has many phytonutrients and minerals that are great for the skin.<br /><br />Hair potion Palm-made was crafted with four words in mind: modern, healthy, strong, hair. Palm-made yields better hair health through the skilled combination of venerable essential oils such as ylang ylang and rosemary with Organic African Shea butter and the hair maestro, Ethiopian Abyssinian oil, which are blended with softening grape seed oil and emollient, vitamin-rich lanolin to bring magical results.<br /><br />Morning Ritual is a soap featuring Avena sativa, commonly known as oats. This “clean” soap has no additives such as essential oils, coloring or preservatives, making it more amenable to those with allergies. Even though the soap doesn’t contain added fragrance, it still has the earthy scent of a warm bowl of oatmeal. Oat is revered for its healthful, skin-soothing abilities. People have used oats in personal care to ease eczema, hives, and even diaper rash for a very long time. <br /><br />The Luisas’ Castile Soap is a luxurious soap named after the founders’ foremothers, two of whom were named Luisa. This soap is a beautiful warm beige color, which it gets from skin-softening calendula flowers, nutrient-dense goat’s milk and the yellow of beeswax. The scent is reminiscent of a flower in the woods. Ylang-ylang, pine, Somalian myrrh, and a proprietary blend of essential oils come together to provide an unforgettable aromatic experience the Luisas would have loved.<br /><br />Also included in the New Moon Collection are the new Magick Body and Face Elixirs, carefully crafted blends of healing oils and extracts such as Moroccan argan oil, jojoba extract, hemp seed oil, and more. Each formulation is designed specifically to meet the needs of body and facial skin, as well as the spirit. <br /><br />SRB Botanica is a Black-woman-owned, mother and daughter company headquartered in Chicago. The founders have diverse and extraordinary backgrounds. Mom Stephanie Rose Bird is a well-loved author of several non-fiction books as well as a novel that published earlier this year. The multi-talented herbalist is also a visual artist, with her paintings having been exhibited nationally and internationally. Daughter Olivia Bird is a gifted actress and stunt woman who has appeared in numerous television shows (including Empire and Chicago Fire) and movies. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Olivia is also an avid herb gardener, herbalist, healer and nature lover.<br /><br />### </p><div class="featured-head" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(top, rgb(0, 210, 255), rgb(0, 96, 255)); border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 6px 6px 0px 0px; border-top-left-radius: 6px; border-top-right-radius: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(5, 111, 154); float: left; height: auto; padding: 4px 3.89062px 0px 4.65625px; text-size-adjust: auto; width: 379.031px;"><h2 style="color: white; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-shadow: rgb(0, 0, 0) 1px 1px 1px;">Contact Information</h2></div><div class="contact-box" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #e5f7fd; float: left; margin: 9px 0px 20px; padding: 3.89062px; text-size-adjust: auto; width: 380.969px;"><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;">Stephanie Rose Bird</p><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.1888pressrelease.com/social-gazelle-142317-company-pr.html" style="color: #3360fb;">Social Gazelle</a></p><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.socialgazelle.com/" style="color: #3360fb;">Visit our Site</a></p></div><div class="bottom-container" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-size-adjust: auto; width: 389.156px;"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;" />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-19137409185997687002020-11-29T17:37:00.000-08:002020-11-29T17:37:26.855-08:00SRB Botanica <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyW6YFrHUkrp95NGTaxs9cDmZ3KxKXByDG88blg57NNG92_6uZeOD6-tCQaPniN5_P_AOsUJdKAjPuwpLywM1eIIgj3o1jOv_k1noFavhEAtNZRF7MEFslc5ZwxdszY93l40JB-iGjjtA/s2048/IMG_7303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyW6YFrHUkrp95NGTaxs9cDmZ3KxKXByDG88blg57NNG92_6uZeOD6-tCQaPniN5_P_AOsUJdKAjPuwpLywM1eIIgj3o1jOv_k1noFavhEAtNZRF7MEFslc5ZwxdszY93l40JB-iGjjtA/s320/IMG_7303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I have shared many exciting ventures with you here on this blogging space, today I'm sharing, my most exciting to date—<a href="https://www.srbbotanica.com/" target="_blank">SRB Botanica</a>. My initials are SRB and a Botanica is a plant store that has spiritual offerings as well. For many years, I have been developing and sharing my recipes and formulas, for example, through my six related published mind, body, spirit books, through artisan fairs, at shops and galleries. Through the shop, SRB Botanica, on Shopify, I can share my enthusiasm for herbalism, aromatherapy and healing with even more of you—directly.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ0ftnzJe6ejzvVyJYOAAnspCFGr4XsNSqfUXu3Yxn2KZe_9qC_T3-BYoFTKBizlSuqeH94t5tMesiTLVXWoKdFR8n97XFYXg0dcrGTzPjhIMh2ZYRj0hK9K-1T1zUx-wWnbkTte4ma0F/s4032/IMG-6666.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ0ftnzJe6ejzvVyJYOAAnspCFGr4XsNSqfUXu3Yxn2KZe_9qC_T3-BYoFTKBizlSuqeH94t5tMesiTLVXWoKdFR8n97XFYXg0dcrGTzPjhIMh2ZYRj0hK9K-1T1zUx-wWnbkTte4ma0F/s320/IMG-6666.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Moreover, SRB Botanica is a journey I’m sharing with my family. My daughter Olivia Bird is doing an incredible job, not only as a designer and maker, but also with web design and social media. Together, we are having a blast with my old recipes from my first award-winning book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-Stones-Roots-Bones-Conjuring/dp/0738702757" target="_blank">"Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs"</a> published by Llewellyn Worldwide. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI79Z2hTjZMUdXll8Ub_oA0VxhIA-8_vkuZzLofWozfut_KGbqPeirn0bHAAUSl6DyGW1ewxK-CKH7AQcJvktJh-pZumonRbLWzrSr_iG7YSSZOwX7KxbhziWoUGe2oDTUBn0DZK-eKzmY/s2048/IMG-3581+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI79Z2hTjZMUdXll8Ub_oA0VxhIA-8_vkuZzLofWozfut_KGbqPeirn0bHAAUSl6DyGW1ewxK-CKH7AQcJvktJh-pZumonRbLWzrSr_iG7YSSZOwX7KxbhziWoUGe2oDTUBn0DZK-eKzmY/s320/IMG-3581+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJZgX-b1zpIqcoQZC4_3rtCMl4uvtdO8r0S59F0wNuUj5rK8Afi_93T0j7o1JkTIP_e_01gD4QlvVurlZAMpMePt9BKyVGF2vkHbz1PQfawASzofJHx45I7VmSpzSn_QGxUvbfMQC0wJg/s2048/IMG-3476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJZgX-b1zpIqcoQZC4_3rtCMl4uvtdO8r0S59F0wNuUj5rK8Afi_93T0j7o1JkTIP_e_01gD4QlvVurlZAMpMePt9BKyVGF2vkHbz1PQfawASzofJHx45I7VmSpzSn_QGxUvbfMQC0wJg/s320/IMG-3476.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We are also tapping our very vivid, often connected imaginations. My son Liam is helping with glycerine soap making, while my husband and I are making huge batches of cold-processed together. A new soap that will be released next new moon (December 14th) encapsulates a simple morning ritual the two of us share. It is an unscented oatmeal soap, called Morning Ritual. Another, sensually-scented soap, called The Luisa’s Castile Soap, is dedicated to my Grandmother and Great Grandmother who shared that name and an endearing live-long friendship.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh-GTLntAyftuJNQ3eRFYt9FnludXy6ztjqLH91khKir3UsMz8r3IZCPtQVblc90UheUgPD3GCGd_gmofhi7IIXCNmd1dEyb8QvUmwJ1KqIcg9-iLpp5B2ySQN1thU6x1h2lnpuWVtuOt/s1440/7F9D0BF2-01DC-43EC-89CF-586CA9D8A3F8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh-GTLntAyftuJNQ3eRFYt9FnludXy6ztjqLH91khKir3UsMz8r3IZCPtQVblc90UheUgPD3GCGd_gmofhi7IIXCNmd1dEyb8QvUmwJ1KqIcg9-iLpp5B2ySQN1thU6x1h2lnpuWVtuOt/s320/7F9D0BF2-01DC-43EC-89CF-586CA9D8A3F8.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking of friendship, my dear editor and friend Jannette is contributing incense kits, that incorporate her love of DIY, Appalachian crafts and her love for the environment. She and I have worked together since the very beginning of my career as an author. Living amidst the Great Smoky Mountains, foraging and gardening are wrapped up cleverly into her soon-to-be released incense gifts, which you can expect to see in 2021, on Imbolc.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQDHCdRBv61nm7RcEDM7AZEp-01BZECZuDeWvYIfcKp4fUWSsVVOqazqdtEBwQAWpJVZiIrkTCROLZlOu_PpVlgukLgECejJRNjJey_a2tSz2_K2E1OxPsB8-B9q7Ux5OFcC94LOGoaGT/s2048/5028C553-083C-4270-BA02-300FDF30D38E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQDHCdRBv61nm7RcEDM7AZEp-01BZECZuDeWvYIfcKp4fUWSsVVOqazqdtEBwQAWpJVZiIrkTCROLZlOu_PpVlgukLgECejJRNjJey_a2tSz2_K2E1OxPsB8-B9q7Ux5OFcC94LOGoaGT/s320/5028C553-083C-4270-BA02-300FDF30D38E.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>All of us at SRB Botanica put who we are into our herbal creations. My daughter Olivia works at a job where pain comes with the job. She is a stunt woman for movies and television shows. Therefore, she developed a powerful formula that I have found myself returning to again and again, with admiration for its efficacy. It is called Arnica Salve(ation). With the potent combination of camphor, willow bark and the star of the show, arnica, it is a pain reliever par excellence. It is such a nice feeling to work with her and to see her herbalism deepen and expand to yield such a helpful herbal.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE1yFuRR4kNu_YdpG7ZfV9r9g6cy0OHgShvj5MWsrg_sAjRbm-z_NJtZGIdoMvjwMURj-Dd-ogBtZDWMkmAkzdi5eBxBAecuqIg_oq8WvjjrQZoAsca0lPXKjqJ1NoZUY9_6JEt-YqVCZ/s2048/IMG_7068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE1yFuRR4kNu_YdpG7ZfV9r9g6cy0OHgShvj5MWsrg_sAjRbm-z_NJtZGIdoMvjwMURj-Dd-ogBtZDWMkmAkzdi5eBxBAecuqIg_oq8WvjjrQZoAsca0lPXKjqJ1NoZUY9_6JEt-YqVCZ/s320/IMG_7068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I have been developing a healing balm for many years. I’m presenting it through SRB Botanica. It is called Da Balm. It is all-purpose, from head to toes, externally of course. I have been enjoying it daily for various reasons—most of all, if I do say so myself, I enjoy its unique and hard to put your finger on, scent, headed up with yummy Ylang/Ylang and grounded by the woody pine, reminiscent of where I grew up, with many other essential oils in between.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYYua35McsrGUgEFeDJu0hbgCB9Cdf4uRBeJ1WYJ57o0vtd33dptwQEAv_-JjskdsPlblU4HHrihtZzoH_W0sXRMFHJ_Pv1urdn9e0QChSI3z-qJ_iHLiueAB1sTLYG95rSJFIUUou6IY/s2048/IMG-3467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYYua35McsrGUgEFeDJu0hbgCB9Cdf4uRBeJ1WYJ57o0vtd33dptwQEAv_-JjskdsPlblU4HHrihtZzoH_W0sXRMFHJ_Pv1urdn9e0QChSI3z-qJ_iHLiueAB1sTLYG95rSJFIUUou6IY/s320/IMG-3467.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHnAVwL9HcdP6a7ap30PHUKVGpe6EQ3_JWHy373BQ7V_BMHQoehg-zNHsfXFBDAQaJGLGVE7MGNs3woeeMLPVXU0noQ9j-V6E0zb5hg1u_8XsMDSZU6Lvez3b8fuNchHCzJoS5lUqhtba/s2048/FD414E80-4746-4BEF-B1DD-857BA3B8A466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHnAVwL9HcdP6a7ap30PHUKVGpe6EQ3_JWHy373BQ7V_BMHQoehg-zNHsfXFBDAQaJGLGVE7MGNs3woeeMLPVXU0noQ9j-V6E0zb5hg1u_8XsMDSZU6Lvez3b8fuNchHCzJoS5lUqhtba/s320/FD414E80-4746-4BEF-B1DD-857BA3B8A466.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioryUCZAV_5Ytfdhdupm3MUOySfEwjIxL2dAxg0KCCYlsyz3Ro6hXRFAfHqnkJHRKCRHFvGT7E9AbuPIlzxfKz0InrpR-NbAH_Yv1CztLsq36Oz3vGzi6yPM2sCLDeNYnEL17BNvGaF4m-/s2048/IMG_7111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioryUCZAV_5Ytfdhdupm3MUOySfEwjIxL2dAxg0KCCYlsyz3Ro6hXRFAfHqnkJHRKCRHFvGT7E9AbuPIlzxfKz0InrpR-NbAH_Yv1CztLsq36Oz3vGzi6yPM2sCLDeNYnEL17BNvGaF4m-/s320/IMG_7111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Every day is exciting because I am being creative, interacting closely with my family and friends, as well as sharing with those who enjoy botanicals as much as we do. Since this is my virtual studio, expect to hear more about SRB Botanica, as the creativity deepens and herbal offerings expand.</p>Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-63289246677914040862020-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:002020-06-04T08:00:14.557-07:00Taking a Virtual KneeEven though I'm an author, I'm basically without words today. Words can hurt a life time, like the first time I was called a Nigger as a little child. These words come towards healing: #BlackLivesMatter. Still, my heart is broken. Our collective heart is broken. America can and must do better. Remembering #GeorgeFloyd and so many others. Stop Killing Us!<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-12218449042196800652020-03-22T05:22:00.001-07:002020-03-22T05:22:10.168-07:00Bewitching Book Tour "Out of the Blue"<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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In these troubling and uncertain times of the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak, I wasn't sure whether to even do a post about the <b>Release Day Blitz Book Tour</b> for my debut novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084SNJ8K2?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=Z1P9M7932BK9H21ZXB3C" target="_blank">"Out of the Blue."</a> I had scheduled a while ago. I, like many of you, are under a Shelter-at-Home order and I find it to be very stressful for so many reasons. I do realize however, every now and then, after watching or reading the news until we're exhausted, we need a little break and perhaps something to take us away from the confusion and anxiety of the pandemic we are all facing. For that reason, I want to share with you that today is indeed the release day of my novel that I've been writing about so much. Moreover, I am doing what's called a Release Day Blitz Book Tour through Bewitching Book Tours. This is a type of blog tour focused around the release day of the novel. The blogs you see below will feature me as guest blogger, interviewee or will share information about the book.</div>
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<b>I Smell Sheep (Guest Blog)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ismellsheep.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404809000&usg=AFQjCNGuOgYmns8dIg3L16OZtBQjRQMLig" href="http://www.ismellsheep.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.ismellsheep.com/</a></b><br /><br />Author Stephanie Hansen (Review)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/blog&source=gmail&ust=1584964404809000&usg=AFQjCNGrWQXJfnrXzT9ePbPQhE3LONNr4g" href="https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/blog" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>authorstephaniehansen.com/blog</a><br /><br /><b>Dark Whimsical (Guest Blog)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.darkwhimsicalart.com/blogs/news&source=gmail&ust=1584964404809000&usg=AFQjCNFrN28Is7zoVLQh1pSrAn5g_CRW4w" href="http://www.darkwhimsicalart.com/blogs/news" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.darkwhimsicalart.com/<wbr></wbr>blogs/news</a></b><br /><br />Storyteller-SKGregory (Review)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.storytellerskgregory.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNGjhQaE2Bb8Jy1LEyF7YkW4FzvGvw" href="https://www.storytellerskgregory.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>storytellerskgregory.com</a> <br /><br />Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://mommasaystoreadornottoread.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNHy4P-Nh5_rWhduNw5sD1stwrteSg" href="http://mommasaystoreadornottoread.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>mommasaystoreadornottoread.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Dark Treasury<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.audenjohnson.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFu3VQNqIi0b6zSq6lxH6poOGuyaw" href="https://www.audenjohnson.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.audenjohnson.com</a><br /><br /><b>Mythical Books (Guest Blog)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNHT-zmdUPfkELM7u3kcSaq3Y5UEgw" href="https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://mythicalbooks.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></b><br /><b>The Book Junkie Reads (Interview)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFwnyIgug4oSqHaXn7fFS-trCjhWQ" href="https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://<wbr></wbr>thebookjunkiereadspromos.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></b><br /><br />The Layaway Dragon<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thelayawaydragon.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNEW5i7eFIQEDU0vq3N1jxPsrhoYVQ" href="https://thelayawaydragon.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://thelayawaydragon.com/</a><br /><br />3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFUzhJGKknVpPj4NxvcNdLsiPfynw" href="http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://3partnersinshopping.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><b>T's Stuff (Interview)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.tsstuff.net&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFjZpIR7B-NKRsGniH4uXV_wxAqdQ" href="http://www.tsstuff.net/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.tsstuff.net</a></b><br />Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ogitchidabookblog.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNGTkWtCqDsgZFbDGMvqVBx1hZAqXg" href="http://ogitchidabookblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://ogitchidabookblog.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><b>Supernatural Central (Interview)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://supernaturalcentral.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNEXqK8LMHyvrsAE90WYpmmodT5tHg" href="http://supernaturalcentral.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://supernaturalcentral.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></b><br />Lisa’s World of Books<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFrv9RGGpAV2_I2hFkFdPuCUHI6LQ" href="http://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.lisasworldofbooks.<wbr></wbr>net/</a><br /><br />Booklikes<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://roxannerhoads.booklikes.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNG7JbBxgPUNWawhS3URSdcZPDfYTw" href="http://roxannerhoads.booklikes.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://roxannerhoads.<wbr></wbr>booklikes.com</a><br /><br />Fang-tastic Books<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNEKQhWWsD9s6Ay9QWCfh_vD1-ePAg" href="http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://fang-tasticbooks.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><b>Paranormalists (Interview)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNGPKiWBvTm_Cl0VHy0t3bo3NwXYvA" href="https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://paranormalists.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></b><br />Roxanne’s Realm<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.roxannerhoads.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNH21LKEUGtyXeU_6xZUnENF3aLaBg" href="http://www.roxannerhoads.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.roxannerhoads.com/</a><br /><br /><b>The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom (Guest Blog)<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNF4EQLCF_jI5XJdNr6KZary5Lvsfg" href="http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://creativelygreen.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></b><br /><br />Books Dreams Life<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://booksdreamslife0623.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNHp0tFxk38JJrNeVVb9ffyDOupv4w" href="https://booksdreamslife0623.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://booksdreamslife0623.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Jazzy Book Reviews<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bookreviewsbyjasmine.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNG5HBox78jB8_MNPOhvILcRrNMWWQ" href="http://bookreviewsbyjasmine.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bookreviewsbyjasmine.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Sapphyria's Books<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNEdOmmwYPUGkiaHcZZFeYx4E2eygg" href="https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://saphsbooks.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a><br /><br />JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://jbbookworms.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNHZr9OQUXu1lJhQ-cF01hIANom2AA" href="https://jbbookworms.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://jbbookworms.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a><br /><br />SImply Kelina<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://simplykelina.blogspot.com&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNGjNjPAU3aIF-xsY4vjDKE-moOa-A" href="http://simplykelina.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://simplykelina.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a><br /><br />Bewitching Book Tours<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bewitchingbooktours.tumblr.com/&source=gmail&ust=1584964404810000&usg=AFQjCNFgLN3nmWfAPELx0vpdspVSv4bncw" href="https://bewitchingbooktours.tumblr.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://bewitchingbooktours.<wbr></wbr>tumblr.com/</a></div>
Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-77495296174463845182020-03-08T07:37:00.000-07:002020-03-08T07:37:37.122-07:00Out of the Blue: A Search for Identity<div style="text-align: center;">
Where do we belong?</div>
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Who are our people?</div>
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How do you fit in?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4qiZBRbYcngzpkFBqLIkAVigyUFQfLan53zeSRaaWwL48nT8ILA9NeikSt30Ns0LRHWOVlTmUb_fsOYsvuzsIlh-U8HmKY7XDnswWSP95zKyG2u_4wEiokHIus-2n5NlMiwFw8oNuzEB/s1600/meadowpicture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="584" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4qiZBRbYcngzpkFBqLIkAVigyUFQfLan53zeSRaaWwL48nT8ILA9NeikSt30Ns0LRHWOVlTmUb_fsOYsvuzsIlh-U8HmKY7XDnswWSP95zKyG2u_4wEiokHIus-2n5NlMiwFw8oNuzEB/s320/meadowpicture.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are age-old questions. Sometimes we are absolutely sure of the answers and at others we can be completely befuddled.<br />
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Tina, the protagonist of my debut novel, "Out of the Blue" is on a search for the where, who and how. She finds herself flowing in and out of several distinctly different cultures. She wonders where she fits in to her community and even her family. She thinks she knows who her people are but her deep ancestry paints a different story.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBn0jjNvCw3Bg6cfb2SHUkhXoL0O7Jpe6JN4Ca37buuoyfINVCo90unwclXqffPtsq3rLMqxZHal2SM3OBDdcq_1VHG3hcKCeum0_ZeZ0ZBCzGdnsGUflsHZIVAo8iqIqSoWz0OAwIbk0/s1600/Dreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBn0jjNvCw3Bg6cfb2SHUkhXoL0O7Jpe6JN4Ca37buuoyfINVCo90unwclXqffPtsq3rLMqxZHal2SM3OBDdcq_1VHG3hcKCeum0_ZeZ0ZBCzGdnsGUflsHZIVAo8iqIqSoWz0OAwIbk0/s320/Dreaming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084SNJ8K2?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=Z1P9M7932BK9H21ZXB3C" target="_blank">"Out of the Blue"</a> was written for Young Adults (YA). It employs elements of fantasy and magick to explore deeply meaningful questions with which Young Adults wrestle (actually many of us continue this journey towards self-discovery). Being a teenager is fertile ground for engaging with multiple, complicated issues critical to our being. It is a time of tremendous growth, questioning and changes in the body, mind and spirit. That is a lot of territory for a novelist to navigate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifUT3Os9xFt8cacwolqnYzi8l0fuWgDmSSXfoX8b2XJXQiJo9n8hOLl2mf08ko4PGgLlheAYbSQdHHQ80oTr5GJa2BE74c46pibPfE1WJAhjGsTDLsFuPbGY3mwvNtDUSrb2AK4OdyR_/s1600/healing-hands-3-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifUT3Os9xFt8cacwolqnYzi8l0fuWgDmSSXfoX8b2XJXQiJo9n8hOLl2mf08ko4PGgLlheAYbSQdHHQ80oTr5GJa2BE74c46pibPfE1WJAhjGsTDLsFuPbGY3mwvNtDUSrb2AK4OdyR_/s1600/healing-hands-3-150x150.jpg" /></a></div>
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I did not set out to write YA but then my protagonist became a teenager, and the path was set. While her Siren antagonist is ancient, as an immortal, she presents as a teenager as well. Technically, "Out of the Blue" is my second novel, in terms of chronology of my writing. The real first novel also has a teenaged protagonist. I have to ask myself, why?<br />
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The why of "Out of the Blue" is complex. In part, the novel explores themes I am passionate about - African American culture, spirituality and World Mythology and folklore. On a deep level, there are still questions of identity that raise their heads, every now and then. One day, through all my different <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Rose-Bird/e/B001IOBPQU/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" target="_blank">types of writing</a>, the intriguing questions of the journey we call life, will be more fully addressed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwG4oG0pTh6cdM3Wd_3z71Ik4yUG4fSgpbzc6Hdcz-f4_y8AN-Ek4umnNs_MZQS-B-m4rhw_Sp9wceQ4YZxWD0Iyd63XvtDuS_XINyws85ykXVizx-c_eqvi8erZ768r1XyrmY_fkc9Gx/s1600/OutOfTheBlue_Ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwG4oG0pTh6cdM3Wd_3z71Ik4yUG4fSgpbzc6Hdcz-f4_y8AN-Ek4umnNs_MZQS-B-m4rhw_Sp9wceQ4YZxWD0Iyd63XvtDuS_XINyws85ykXVizx-c_eqvi8erZ768r1XyrmY_fkc9Gx/s320/OutOfTheBlue_Ebook.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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You can preorder the eBook now, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084SNJ8K2?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=Z1P9M7932BK9H21ZXB3C" target="_blank">here.</a> The paperback will be released March 22, 2020.Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-6516901945048395912020-02-23T12:59:00.000-08:002020-02-23T12:59:00.164-08:00Water: Inspiration for "Out of the Blue"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qN6rVX5PYUWqv8Fdp_R9Oe0mCns7TVWfLBlDapufCRLBqX6bC9D_YenYMmU55zRYGRk5r9KXwHAOz157XCM7Kf_xSuIR9LY23qIE0yclqAWnuqUYVJn9_c5RAXvPugqY77AdHFQbsR8w/s1600/hanson-lu-8sKcTqZx2nM-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qN6rVX5PYUWqv8Fdp_R9Oe0mCns7TVWfLBlDapufCRLBqX6bC9D_YenYMmU55zRYGRk5r9KXwHAOz157XCM7Kf_xSuIR9LY23qIE0yclqAWnuqUYVJn9_c5RAXvPugqY77AdHFQbsR8w/s640/hanson-lu-8sKcTqZx2nM-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash</td></tr>
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Water is an important part of my life. I have spent many hours in, on and by the water. It is such a mysterious element. I enjoy its magickal qualities in floor washes, brews, sweet waters, baths, soaks and rituals. It is a favorite subject matter for my paintings and drawings. We're all about the water. We need and come from water. We also obviously consist largely of water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPrsbVt3lFMYNsIkrYBvC2PE_kbmtIY7xg0wQgNVeqRA-Xl23vQmdx2KumqeQ4ofasJe-HMyO1HvPFs4dvLsFk0VF54nxhpTEcszwOgQeP2fCKD_NytO62wDYMZI05i35oaykF2U2Xqrh/s1600/peter-fogden-Jx5IB1f5-4w-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPrsbVt3lFMYNsIkrYBvC2PE_kbmtIY7xg0wQgNVeqRA-Xl23vQmdx2KumqeQ4ofasJe-HMyO1HvPFs4dvLsFk0VF54nxhpTEcszwOgQeP2fCKD_NytO62wDYMZI05i35oaykF2U2Xqrh/s640/peter-fogden-Jx5IB1f5-4w-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Peter Fogden on Unsplash</td></tr>
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When I think about my fascination with Sirens and the genesis of Kyane, my story's antagonist and her kin, it makes since that they would congeal in my mind into a story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjJC9rfIru1auhl62g982dFP0Y8mCxGTczVoZTTONhee7P5d4ANU7i8j5sjIKaduDhpP1yhD6ZLp1gcjOa_AkYcJV0-Ua4YYfuJcz-7wCW6sr0iF_fp9Cu9QZbw83PtJM3XwKRuQrDevW/s1600/allie-smith-HGdTI0d7PVE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjJC9rfIru1auhl62g982dFP0Y8mCxGTczVoZTTONhee7P5d4ANU7i8j5sjIKaduDhpP1yhD6ZLp1gcjOa_AkYcJV0-Ua4YYfuJcz-7wCW6sr0iF_fp9Cu9QZbw83PtJM3XwKRuQrDevW/s640/allie-smith-HGdTI0d7PVE-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash</td></tr>
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Sirens hold fascination for many and indeed, there are Siren and Mermaid stories in many countries around the world. They take on various manifestations and may look different from one another but they are still Mermaids and Sirens.<br />
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Being human and part fish isn't all that far-fetched. Not really. Especially when you consider the way we start life. In fact, I get one of two reactions when I call "Out of the Blue" my book about Sirens. Some people, and I must admit, these people shock me in a certain kind of way, ask me: 'What are Sirens?' with a curious stare. The others give me a knowing look, a smile and nod of agreement. We look at each other and we know.<br />
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The agreement must come as affirmation that they understand full well why and how a story about Sirens might come to exist in my mind. These people I run into, who are familiar with these mystical creatures must also have Siren's dancing through their dreams and touching their imagination every now and then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbiTgJboklOppPnJvWqsRXlqVffAWcTGLtBmcIpHZGqz5H_FDRrbPPNMpoc3A9crdKVjdpQf2hXOYrhgTD-u3Q45Tm9YWav8Gm2E8Y_gwAZzuwRqesCqZo_jPJHMiDRf-xQmbl2sQ06fG/s1600/ryan-rader-s8Ib-bLdWho-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbiTgJboklOppPnJvWqsRXlqVffAWcTGLtBmcIpHZGqz5H_FDRrbPPNMpoc3A9crdKVjdpQf2hXOYrhgTD-u3Q45Tm9YWav8Gm2E8Y_gwAZzuwRqesCqZo_jPJHMiDRf-xQmbl2sQ06fG/s640/ryan-rader-s8Ib-bLdWho-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ryan Rader on Unsplash<br /></td></tr>
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<br />The water and its deities, entities, Gods, Goddesses, Orisha, Lwa and creatures, holds a scary type of power. This power can be creative and nurturing but it can also be devastatingly destructive. A Siren, such as Kyane, embodies this power. She is at once beautiful and deadly. With the water holding such promise, mystery and potent world mythology, there is no wonder that it is at the center of my newest creative venture, my debut novel, "Out of the Blue," which you can preorder <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084SNJ8K2?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=Z1P9M7932BK9H21ZXB3C" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-77458661083104164552020-02-17T07:02:00.000-08:002020-02-23T13:43:17.067-08:00Out of the Blue will be Released SoonThere has been a long and winding road to getting my fiction represented and published. Now, I can say: Yay! One Odd Bird Press, an innovative new publisher that digs oddballs and the unusual in writing, has picked up my two novels, "Out of the Blue" and "Pine Barren Blues." In fact, I'm creating a series around each novel that will be published over the coming years by One Odd Bird Press.<br />
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"Out of the Blue" is definitely odd. It breaks barriers in what we expect as readers. It crosses boundaries culturally and bends genres freely. I did not set out to create an odd novel, in particular but that is the way the book turned out.<br />
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The protagonist, Earnestine, who likes to be called Tina, is a Negro teenager living in Mobile, Alabama. Yes, I said Negro. The story is set in 1947. It takes place before we dug in deep, once again, for our Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Movement took hold. Her story begins a bit after World War II. ended. It is set on the water, in the Gulf Region, and that unique area sets up the story. Her father, a Shrimper and Bluesman, comes across a Siren out at sea, who happens to have been attracted to his singing and the rest, is the battleground that becomes Tina's life. She wants her father back in her life and back in her family's life too. She must go through many twists and turns on the Greek Island of the Sirens, to make her wish come true. Tina goes from having awful things happen to her, because the beasts and creatures on the island are busy, to making things happen. In short, she finds her inner power and Black Girl Magic, through her search for a father.<br />
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Singing is more than a mere backdrop for the book. Singing is everything - it represents the voice's ability to transform and soar through spirit. The singing in the book, from the Siren's to the Bluesman's (Tina's father) represents the power to express and to be who you are. The search for identity is central to "Out of the Blue" and singing is the key.<br />
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The novel, my debut novel, my baby, so to speak, will be published March 22, 2020 as a Paperback and E-book. You can pre-order it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084SNJ8K2?pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&pf_rd_r=Z1P9M7932BK9H21ZXB3C">Out of the Blue: a Black and Blues Novel</a><br />
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I love the cover too. Created by Katie Archambault & Qamber Kids -it's another occasion to say 'Yay' and to be filled with gratitude.<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-20508136061051600522019-08-07T09:36:00.003-07:002019-08-07T09:36:57.847-07:00The Long and Winding Road to Making a NovelMany of you who visit this blog frequently know that I have had a long and winding road with my fiction and creative nonfiction. I'm working on a book now, set in the magical South Jersey Pine Barrens that started ten years ago as a memoir. I believe fiction allows me to spread my wings and take magical liberties so although it may be based on a true story, it is a work of fiction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLYV01q7qU8qpUqFUJi2sEYIFvqQP3cbWAZsFoBtQiIhal8IXH4B_Fqxzfwsrvq0a7rONku1JXIHZUultwy6qPuo1vfxQbP0AZkmHB12QeUkkTWVqy8KFkzYII47A75RYWPia_H0CIstu/s1600/jon-tyson-rZbjjbfTqg8-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLYV01q7qU8qpUqFUJi2sEYIFvqQP3cbWAZsFoBtQiIhal8IXH4B_Fqxzfwsrvq0a7rONku1JXIHZUultwy6qPuo1vfxQbP0AZkmHB12QeUkkTWVqy8KFkzYII47A75RYWPia_H0CIstu/s320/jon-tyson-rZbjjbfTqg8-unsplash.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Photo by Jon Tyson on Upsplash<br />
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This book has a thick road behind it littered with rejection letters from agents and publishers. It has also gotten some very promising remarks from agents and some publishers have expressed serious interest in publishing it. It has had deals but they weren't right. As it's my baby, my story in so many different ways, I take the rejections to heart and on the other hand, I deeply appreciate those who "get" the novel.<br />
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Photo by Dustin Lee on Upsplash<br />
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Recently, I applied to @storystudio <a href="https://www.storystudiochicago.com/product/novel-in-a-year-speculative-fiction-jac/">Story Studio's Novel in a Year Program.</a> Low and behold, I got accepted. (Happy Dance). The year-long program with Jac Jemc, focuses around Speculative Fiction. You know that my work delights in folklore, mythology, magic, witchcraft, shamanism and hoodoo, so speculative fiction is my groove. I love magical realism and the art of the dark fairy tale. Our program has just started.<br />
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I am a testament to the fact that you don't have to give up on your stories. Especially those most personally meaningful to you. My novel started a decade ago as a memoir. Slowly over the past ten years, it has morphed into a work of fiction, as I've taken it out of the desk drawer, dusted it off and revised.<br />
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I'm with a cohort of 11 extraordinarily talented writers from various backgrounds and ages with a rich plethora of stories to tell. I see the ashe in this journey and I'm delighted to be on the path to seeing my first novel get polished and crystal clear.<br />
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Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Upsplash<br />
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Blessed Be! Ashe, ashe.Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-2516182870276749452019-08-06T11:42:00.001-07:002019-08-06T11:46:04.290-07:00Connections & Callings Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am honored to have been granted an Artist Residency at The Residency Project in Pasadena. There I will have the opportunity to paint en plein air, as well as in the studio. In late summer, I intend to explore the colors, forms, shapes and natural light, particular to Pasadena and the San Gabriels environment. Midway during the residency, you’re invited to come see first hand how the work is developing. I will speak about my writing and art, as well as sign copies of “Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones,” and the newly released, “365 Days of Hoodoo,” and the volume to which I contributed “Llewellyn Spell-Day.”</div>
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This will be a welcoming event that includes mandala-making, poetry reading and sharing conversation over herbal tea.</div>
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See you there!</div>
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com1@880 The Residency Project35.138706698266937 -121.7012109485507411.115812198266937 -163.00980494855074 59.161601198266936 -80.392616948550739tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-35565763219709848772019-03-20T07:35:00.000-07:002019-03-20T07:35:22.873-07:00Working it OutI'm afraid I've been remiss about working out, but alas, the promise of spring got me motivated. I started a cycling program last week and added Yoga for Weight-Loss this week. I don't like to start working out as a New Year's Resolution, on or around the first of January because it seems as though that time period doesn't work for most, me included.<br />
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Yoga for Weight-Loss is always interesting. I think - it's yoga, I won't be taxed too heavily but then low and behold the sweating begins. I particularly like the program I found on Amazon Prime because her format reminds me of my books in a certain kind of way. She asks you to ask questions of yourself, and to do stuff. You are an active participant.<br />
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So, a part of the 30 day challenge, the very first part, is to tell someone. I figured I'd tell you, gentle reader. I also ask you to join me or if you're already working out or planning to start, share about it here.<br />
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Will check in again soon!<br />
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photo by form from Upsplash<br />
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Meanwhile, Happy Equinox & blessed be!<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-51925214833025753832018-11-13T07:49:00.002-08:002018-11-13T07:49:47.618-08:00Book Review of Shadows of a Tuscan Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know a lot of literary folk, novelists and readers visit this site, so today I want to share a book review. This review is of "Shadows of a Tuscan Moon" by Sandra Carrington-Smith and Giovanni Logli. I have been following Sandra's work since her first wonderful nonfiction book "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Housekeeping-Soul-Sandra-Carrington-Smith-ebook/dp/B003KVL5VY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542118351&sr=8-1&keywords=housekeeping+for+the+soul">Housekeeping for the Soul</a>."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJOQdKTpMfr_mddInFag5sAOerYaf3eRPWO3CapUtz0M74QzRt4orqcF-PIGWzpfSB7rR3WTKhfLhRaiqjlQ94hjtNEA6wO488ibzLely5WUargGevnNqN1ZH2qJlkBB4395t_4YSSRGS/s1600/Screenshot_20181113-093243_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJOQdKTpMfr_mddInFag5sAOerYaf3eRPWO3CapUtz0M74QzRt4orqcF-PIGWzpfSB7rR3WTKhfLhRaiqjlQ94hjtNEA6wO488ibzLely5WUargGevnNqN1ZH2qJlkBB4395t_4YSSRGS/s320/Screenshot_20181113-093243_Gallery.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<b>Book Review</b><br />
I just finished <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Tuscan-Moon-Sandra-Carrington-Smith/dp/098555584X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542116477&sr=8-1&keywords=shadows+of+a+tuscan+moon">Shadows of a Tuscan Moon</a>, sadly. I say sadly because the author Sandra Carrington-Smith, creates such a real world, filled with mysterious twists and turns, spoken through believable characters, and I did not want the novel to end. To be sure, this is not easy reading. Its story focuses around domestic violence of every kind and its brutal, sometimes fatal consequences.<br />
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Carrington-Smith is a masterful storyteller. She is gifted with the ability to imbue her novels with supernatural and magical elements grounded in everyday realities. This story is in turns poignant, sad, horrific and romantic. It flows effortlessly together under the Tuscan Moon, woven into a textile that tells the complex tale of domestic violence. Not only does Carrington-Smith raise awareness about a topic we all need to be aware of, she takes it a step further, making you truly care.<br />
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I am a big fan of Sandra’s work, from her first book “Housekeeping of the Soul, to the "Book of Obeah," "The Rosaries," through to this stunning tour de force, “Shadows of a Tuscan Moon.” I can’t recommend it highly enough! Buy it for yourself, loved one, and a friend. You won’t be disappointed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLihXNsdq29iACErXpcfXNupy0p9HktBO-us-2HcXKy1NpN3lzxiPyBipsEgAtxztR43QuljOf35opsXUZ7Hq3HRneLCJR8t9xGoT5PiUFzFW-8_B9fqnQEl1AYesME84OMIvwEOY5iwRG/s1600/Screenshot_20181113-093204_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1080" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLihXNsdq29iACErXpcfXNupy0p9HktBO-us-2HcXKy1NpN3lzxiPyBipsEgAtxztR43QuljOf35opsXUZ7Hq3HRneLCJR8t9xGoT5PiUFzFW-8_B9fqnQEl1AYesME84OMIvwEOY5iwRG/s320/Screenshot_20181113-093204_Gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-88844420833654660982018-10-04T07:06:00.001-07:002018-10-04T07:06:44.432-07:00A New PartnershipI am very excited to share that DAC (Design Art Concepts) will be representing a series of my art works exclusively through their online platforms, including Artsy.net. My page with DAC on Artsy <a href="https://www.artsy.net/design-art-concepts/artist/stephanie-rose-bird">is here.</a><br />
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Here is a painting they are featuring, it is called Whimsy, and was created in 2017, using mixed media. The second image is a detail from the lower right side. The imagery is derived from plants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxnRQ5qMLe0dDHCwpbkX6Ai829TMR9CJbQRST_L2XUqLzVBOB4uyo5VOcFiBnC6jsQ4HlOR6OIxi123J2z9U2XeXKGUVPfWUR_PNreYtBBgs3oXK3bby0X29SGZYIinbjgvtPtHyl8Vez/s1600/Whimsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxnRQ5qMLe0dDHCwpbkX6Ai829TMR9CJbQRST_L2XUqLzVBOB4uyo5VOcFiBnC6jsQ4HlOR6OIxi123J2z9U2XeXKGUVPfWUR_PNreYtBBgs3oXK3bby0X29SGZYIinbjgvtPtHyl8Vez/s320/Whimsy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaGAd4MxHEnUdF6hCvcU6UdFcv-ZSHmRtfFGiX0XpX94z532Jm1eDeaHyFEurWws6lj4p-L1bUwpPvBzCKjgrKAQT-vzA5Se0o2C0TxvnK06Hqs29WkfAdN4VarvDIkJZoWNIikbhL8-h/s1600/Whimsy+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaGAd4MxHEnUdF6hCvcU6UdFcv-ZSHmRtfFGiX0XpX94z532Jm1eDeaHyFEurWws6lj4p-L1bUwpPvBzCKjgrKAQT-vzA5Se0o2C0TxvnK06Hqs29WkfAdN4VarvDIkJZoWNIikbhL8-h/s320/Whimsy+Detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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DAC organizes exhibitions in a wide variety of spaces internationally, including in museums. I'm excited to see what develops and will share developments with you here. You can explore their artists' offerings and read their overview <a href="https://www.artsy.net/design-art-concepts/overview">here.</a>Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-5892895555210004402018-10-02T13:56:00.000-07:002018-10-02T13:56:46.601-07:00My ArtPrize 10 Entry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7fMo6Yo9CTmQjywUvPdblfRuzEkJ1GFekVhb1rF09fF49cSt9UmG0NAFlaXyNvrSJLnXuECH_k63hjEWezakV4MKG3ca5YJ-GyTQL3TSaOG07j3iPYprE8dJskNB2eUo48tLJw2UQkKD/s1600/Arise_SRB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7fMo6Yo9CTmQjywUvPdblfRuzEkJ1GFekVhb1rF09fF49cSt9UmG0NAFlaXyNvrSJLnXuECH_k63hjEWezakV4MKG3ca5YJ-GyTQL3TSaOG07j3iPYprE8dJskNB2eUo48tLJw2UQkKD/s320/Arise_SRB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Arise" is my ArtPrize 10 entry. It is created using gold and silver leaf, enamel and acrylic paint, a mirror and birch panels. Here are details of the left wing of the horizontal paintings:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQMXUXZJVBa-N_jWEgjH_w-gTtpFONEIelejWILH3uucEG4FSzRiBv_UmPke8Viu6DGfXZvkFylIyYQBdVykt4m6Cvh1BTdfkF-x1t4hf1hq4Js0nmpMTBAuXRGNM4IgWig8w2gZwGnlN/s1600/Panel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQMXUXZJVBa-N_jWEgjH_w-gTtpFONEIelejWILH3uucEG4FSzRiBv_UmPke8Viu6DGfXZvkFylIyYQBdVykt4m6Cvh1BTdfkF-x1t4hf1hq4Js0nmpMTBAuXRGNM4IgWig8w2gZwGnlN/s320/Panel+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq04z1ubilK4I6ScJBzxnJiM9DmXH8UNpKwaIBDr6cuCmZNl0t6xn7OH2nSXDXlayrHcbl6Rv067-rPOYxNHtBpiLqMR_829Dto6u5J0I5Q4c8HfwX2yalr_AE882sVgUklpNYjwoYKxv/s1600/Panel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq04z1ubilK4I6ScJBzxnJiM9DmXH8UNpKwaIBDr6cuCmZNl0t6xn7OH2nSXDXlayrHcbl6Rv067-rPOYxNHtBpiLqMR_829Dto6u5J0I5Q4c8HfwX2yalr_AE882sVgUklpNYjwoYKxv/s320/Panel+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_WnQ_dBc0xodwqTZ-3avLPTicdEg-O_2vmRxhq5DeMimFJXYTFWzZ7Lit6quETTzc7EocbDnR3sgMbYJagwvaKou37F-4oQxcbJwaXh6RjWOlN73xVPwo71M6k9VAEoxWngAyW0lL782/s1600/Panel+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_WnQ_dBc0xodwqTZ-3avLPTicdEg-O_2vmRxhq5DeMimFJXYTFWzZ7Lit6quETTzc7EocbDnR3sgMbYJagwvaKou37F-4oQxcbJwaXh6RjWOlN73xVPwo71M6k9VAEoxWngAyW0lL782/s320/Panel+3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dFm5g01JkWLGmdtCra6sET83NCnuasmbWSQ7Al3EMFYDJy7RXtjW3vOshLl7Zx2oA87YEx8xpNxwHVVE53vKnGVv4fZUykR6EFpB4DnmoyuiJvZ74BioDiVtX0PjyUW-DqbEGA36lmAX/s1600/Panel+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dFm5g01JkWLGmdtCra6sET83NCnuasmbWSQ7Al3EMFYDJy7RXtjW3vOshLl7Zx2oA87YEx8xpNxwHVVE53vKnGVv4fZUykR6EFpB4DnmoyuiJvZ74BioDiVtX0PjyUW-DqbEGA36lmAX/s320/Panel+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the right wing, separated from the left by a mounted 12" square mirror:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYsRQjdWf05Uh_9iDtabVQuyFsuAcRqSxXMX-ojjleD086bR5y5Mpbl1yObXIOOtlQD4VBLuqy8COs3axtIc9oHGLjthShlNj1gT-KI_AdWy628WTgH6In2hWfw5kJ6lKmU4glQ8K5GWj/s1600/Panel+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYsRQjdWf05Uh_9iDtabVQuyFsuAcRqSxXMX-ojjleD086bR5y5Mpbl1yObXIOOtlQD4VBLuqy8COs3axtIc9oHGLjthShlNj1gT-KI_AdWy628WTgH6In2hWfw5kJ6lKmU4glQ8K5GWj/s320/Panel+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBYm5msDKHw29MEGEjVMWR36e7IG_AIi_0AjNjzVWIpzdrk1cJZnnkfauTTVvpSiMExCfzDenbnDGkZyPsujqOn-YzHdXWkVJOf7lemb8_-zyq_Mrpo-x_M9twZYn523oLrDiBHg4J7NJ/s1600/Panel+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBYm5msDKHw29MEGEjVMWR36e7IG_AIi_0AjNjzVWIpzdrk1cJZnnkfauTTVvpSiMExCfzDenbnDGkZyPsujqOn-YzHdXWkVJOf7lemb8_-zyq_Mrpo-x_M9twZYn523oLrDiBHg4J7NJ/s320/Panel+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM2Fzcq2OKWKzing9BP2Kf86ZuRPAwzMGSoS6214S2KB1vW6RWPujeoZ4rSP1PpwSCG7ISJFPq_XegpkEGtQkGm7YwoaFIPs6yAuQE2yucolmmbDc_R-79w8EGobf18mr5b8Sq6XYp6YH/s1600/Panel+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM2Fzcq2OKWKzing9BP2Kf86ZuRPAwzMGSoS6214S2KB1vW6RWPujeoZ4rSP1PpwSCG7ISJFPq_XegpkEGtQkGm7YwoaFIPs6yAuQE2yucolmmbDc_R-79w8EGobf18mr5b8Sq6XYp6YH/s320/Panel+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilusC1CT7b7oeDAd83YCbEu5_iDA4k_lt42L2Aru5I4UlkFt_ezikSDDIGrZhuTJ4FYHY9L7-aNC_v4HDLoj4hN59H20da7W9AVlnTKlrADc_FNxIm6jE8Y12GGh4efNnx9OYFOUgYxKAb/s1600/Panel+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilusC1CT7b7oeDAd83YCbEu5_iDA4k_lt42L2Aru5I4UlkFt_ezikSDDIGrZhuTJ4FYHY9L7-aNC_v4HDLoj4hN59H20da7W9AVlnTKlrADc_FNxIm6jE8Y12GGh4efNnx9OYFOUgYxKAb/s320/Panel+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Artist Statement is as follows:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "proxima nova" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Arise means variously: to emerge, to become apparent, and to get up. In terms of this contemporary polyptych, “Arise” utilizes the language of painting such as, color, mark-making, organic, sacred and geometric forms; to convey the story of Christ’s betrayal, crucifixion, death and reemergence as a Holy Spirit. “Arise” has an installation and sculptural quality created through the incorporation of a dimensional cross-shape, complete with a central color-block story, mirror and painted borders around the edges, forming the frames. These objects have conceptual and symbolic meanings. The vertical color-blocking reiterates the horizontal story told through text and image. The linear colors signify the transformation of Christ from son of God to Spirit. The mirror invites the viewer to examine their role in this story. The two-inch red borders connote blood and sacrifice. It also reinforces the sacred nature of the cross, since red signifies the life-force. “Arise” is a multi-paneled abstraction, which seeks to tell the story of how Christ was betrayed, crucified, died and then arose from the dead. This story has resonated throughout the ages, and it has always resonated with me as an African American spiritual artist, though I'm not religious. Structurally, the panels create a cross-shape, moving left to right and up to down, to depict various aspects of the story. The text and image piece is 112” x 110" x 2" deep, created from mixed media, including birch panels, gold and silver leaf, acrylic and water-based enamel paint, ink and acrylic media; with a shimmering mirror in the center. Spirit exudes from the multi-paneled work, echoing the ethos of not being restrained by death, human acts or deeds. This piece focuses around the spirituality of the Passion of the Christ rather than any particular religion. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "proxima nova" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you are in Grand Rapids, Michigan during the duration of ArtPrize 10 (September 19 - October 7th) stop by Grand Valley Artists Exhibit at the Water Treatment Building. My vote code is: 67556.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: , "proxima nova" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Wondering about ArtPrize?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: , "proxima nova" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">According to the website, ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days every other fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes are awarded each year, which include a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: , "proxima nova" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">For me, it's been an incredible journey so far. I've had to cultivate more stamina than I thought I possessed. I've learned challenging, new techniques, such as working with gold leaf in a traditional manner. I've enjoyed praying and meditating to Medieval Music while I worked daily. The work was a physical and an incredibly spiritual practice. I was pretty much sorry when the piece was completed and out of my studio. I greatly look forward to seeing it in situ.</span></span><br />
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Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-45320655351265952652018-09-26T08:44:00.000-07:002018-09-26T09:26:42.235-07:00Plant Whispers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMI-ZQET9vNOScz8d_qUbRoV4KRkY5LTYoKjmv8R_Lfz6zPLGL23-zzXKh4_d58RrX_1udCG-qglcS49476EfmjtrxaTOudrJKwFUmFzHXImWNp89TSs3wRLyV8L0pCZ28w0h3u8rKu7s/s1600/Four+Rivers+Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMI-ZQET9vNOScz8d_qUbRoV4KRkY5LTYoKjmv8R_Lfz6zPLGL23-zzXKh4_d58RrX_1udCG-qglcS49476EfmjtrxaTOudrJKwFUmFzHXImWNp89TSs3wRLyV8L0pCZ28w0h3u8rKu7s/s320/Four+Rivers+Forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was doing research for my first book <a href="http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738702759">"Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones,"</a> I came across fascinating documentation of African American tree whispering. Essentially, tree whispering occurs after spending long periods of time with a particular tree and coming to understand its language. Since that time over a decade ago, I've explored the topic more deeply and have incorporated it into my novel. I also dedicated <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grove-African-Remedies-Rituals/dp/1556527640/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537976178&sr=8-3&keywords=a+healing+grove+book&dpID=51PIl5IEw8L&preST=_SX258_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch">"A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for Body and Spirit"</a> to the magickal possibilities of trees.<br />
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I get tree whispering at a gut level. Growing up, our home was enveloped by trees and I could see them from across the lake. I had the assistance of trees while practicing dance steps. I did my homework in a special tree, to which I also retreated when necessary.<br />
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I now live in an urban suburb. Each day, seemingly, more land gets swallowed up by new construction for condos and townhouses. Still, trees and plants have a huge presence here--thank the Goddess. We have done our part, with something of a mini-urban homestead in front of our home. I spend many hours there, drawing, painting, writing, thinking, and yes, listening.<br />
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Here are short videos of two of my favorite plants this season, broom corn and Longwood Blue flowers. Listen, and see if they speak to you.<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-1436539962390987912018-09-14T08:44:00.001-07:002018-09-14T08:44:31.229-07:00365 Days of Hoodoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What if you could learn to deepen your spirituality through the practice of Hoodoo, day-by-day?<br />
How about if you could study herbalism, practice rites, and match spells to your intentions?<br />
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These are some of the ideas behind my soon-to-be-released book, "365 Days of Hoodoo: Daily Rootwork, Mojo & Conjuration."<br />
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Perfectly timed to be released in the latest part of the year--perfect because then you can peruse the contents in December, gather what you need, and get yourself ready for using it in the New Year of 2019.<br />
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This book shares the wisdom of traditional Hoodoo and also offers modern/contemporary approaches. It was a labor of love to be sure. I think it comes in around 400 pages!<br />
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Whether you are already practicing or new to Hoodoo, or even just curious about it, I think you're going to find this book to be one you'll want to engage in, for the entire year.<br />
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I'm so happy it is coming closer and closer to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/073874784X?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=8FF9R5AZ82X20GGMAY1R">it's publication date</a>.<br />
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Stay tuned for more, as it comes closer to hitting the shelves and online shops.Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-49533690194025371902017-09-23T10:02:00.005-07:002017-09-23T10:03:21.912-07:00Autumn Equinox Gardening Reflection Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Poof!</div>
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We planted, and the little seedlings took.</div>
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They fluttered in the wind, and were visited by bees and butterflies.</div>
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The seedlings and plants seemed to enjoy the composted earth and worms, by all indications.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As you can see, the garden took. It flourished and filled in. With a few hiccups along the way, finally, as you can see from the lower images, we have wonderful vegetables and herbs that are also useful for magickal herbalism and Hoodoo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My little herb garden, (not pictured here) is in fact, packed with goodies, including soapwort, patchouli, basil, horehound, lemon verbena, lemon balm and more. I will be sharing some pictures and ways of using these wonderful herbs magickally, or other ways, shortly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This post will be continued. Next time, I'll be sharing the process of making a magickal spiritual-cleansing broom or two, from the broom corn shown above (which is much taller now). After that, we'll get into the other herbs, if they turn out as planned.</span></div>
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-44342942361785249062017-09-23T08:53:00.000-07:002017-09-23T08:53:07.210-07:00Autumn Equinox Gardening Reflection Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been waiting for this post for a long time. It shares the growing journey of my urban garden.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and I in Grant Park, early Spring. We've got the idea...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4FrcvNolwhppGWPA1bWJmPVzRr3W9euo-GfVu0baXvG2xVhBiPv9NCGOafX5XXtPu_1lIhI495waciTcHuG0B-ov3ijOiJk4vgFNj8uYhgCiHBnOu77ihfeNSx-hrgysSZPo9o104Rz4/s1600/IMG-1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4FrcvNolwhppGWPA1bWJmPVzRr3W9euo-GfVu0baXvG2xVhBiPv9NCGOafX5XXtPu_1lIhI495waciTcHuG0B-ov3ijOiJk4vgFNj8uYhgCiHBnOu77ihfeNSx-hrgysSZPo9o104Rz4/s320/IMG-1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This compost has been in development, maturing behind our home, for many, many years. We needed to pick out loads of refuse, stones and so forth before getting started.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a close-up of the compost, still laden with leaves and twigs before being broken down, as well as rocks, and other things we didn't want to be a part of the planting. Lots of juicy worms were in here, to stay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Spring<br />Broom Corn, because you know you always need a nice handmade broom around, as well as other seedlings, waiting to get planted. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous David Austin, Olivia Rose. This rose was selected for its name, in relation to my daughter, as much as for its beautiful scent and form.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumi-e ink on Mulberry Rice Paper Painting by Stephanie Rose Bird c. 2017. Feeling inspired by all the planting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Cone Flowers, one of my favorite painting and drawing subjects. These are grown in a parkway garden, curb-side.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the beginning of our odyssey into what I'd have to call Urban Homesteading. Technically, I live in the suburbs but being that we're a block in from the city, it's still pretty urban. We dug up the previous planting, which included some of my well-loved perennials and bulbs, with an eye towards edibles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our property has always been blessed with the best Gaia has to offer, including rich, black, fertile soil. She had however become increasingly more dense and compacted over the years. It's hard to double-dig, as was needed, with flowers scattered in the prairie-styled garden. The beauty of the planting was muddled by invasive prairie grasses. It was with a heavy heart that everything was removed - a fresh start was in order.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point we were still drawing on hope and memories of our mutual childhood gardens, not quite sure how things would pan out in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(To be continued)</span></div>
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-30257821216172108352017-07-31T07:58:00.000-07:002017-07-31T07:58:02.120-07:00Making Soulful ConnectionsThis weekend, I had the pleasure of presenting my new release "Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss" at Afriware Books and Events, an African-centered bookstore in Maywood, Illinois to a wonderfully receptive audience. Topics covered included making juice from popular soul food fruits and veggies and making mojo bags for self-determination and strength. My daughter Olivia Bird took these action photos:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyIwN96rj1_33LVgynH4OnqPUhYja-hjDGR0s8citIfP-uv1-xwrxxzZ5cvWBLZRZIO_zhy9WIL8FqQNemza7tLLBiRPfpEnJC6re8CaoA6mID-OFIg-jY-VFE60YERmvhK0O3HW-nTEI/s1600/IMG-1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyIwN96rj1_33LVgynH4OnqPUhYja-hjDGR0s8citIfP-uv1-xwrxxzZ5cvWBLZRZIO_zhy9WIL8FqQNemza7tLLBiRPfpEnJC6re8CaoA6mID-OFIg-jY-VFE60YERmvhK0O3HW-nTEI/s320/IMG-1191.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gettin' that mojo workin'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-determination, Strength and Confidence-building Mojo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss" display at Afriware</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing the book's Preface</td></tr>
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Thanks to all involved, including Afriware staff, volunteers, my family and the folks who came out on a beautiful Saturday Summer afternoon and supported my work.Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-11113153644287079262017-05-19T08:32:00.000-07:002017-05-19T08:32:51.956-07:00Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss WorkshopHappy to announce that my 6th book has been published by a small publishing house in England called Green Magic Publishing! You can find it <a href="http://www.greenmagicpublishing.com/Products/Details/245">here.</a><br />
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It is a very unique book, that has been a long time coming - 14 years actually! When I began writing it my adult children were still living at home and my youngest, who is about to graduate from high school, was little more than a toddler. Time flies but book writing seems to take forever!<br />
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The release of, <b>Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss</b> feels like a birth. It has had growing pains, changes and the labor of bringing it into this world - a labor of love.<br />
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I'm offering a series of workshops at Life Force Arts Center in Chicago, to kick off the book and get you into its unique type of hands-on healing and transformation work. This first one is inspired by Welsh Goddess Cerrwiden. Following is a description and how you can sign up at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cerrwidens-pig-earth-mamas-spiritual-guide-to-weight-loss-a-day-of-goddess-centered-spirituality-tickets-32008025867">Life Force Arts Center.</a><br />
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Cerrwiden’s Pig: Shifting and Personal Transformation<br />Goddess Spirituality - Welsh<br />Saturday Workshop and Ritual<br /><br />Cerridwen is a very important Celtic Mother Goddess from Wales. She is an adept herbalist who brews an infinite cauldron of knowledge. Important for us in our weight-loss journey, is her fluidity and ability to change her appearance. At will, Cerridwen can change herself, shape- shifting into different forms—one of her favorites is that of a white sow or female pig.<br /><br />Pigs represent good fortune and spiritual enrichment. Cerridwen possesses creativity and deep knowledge. She is a source of inspiration and brings luck and good fortune with her, wherever she goes. In this workshop, we will pay homage to Cerridwen’s many attributes by working her energies through a special project symbolic of her, made from handmade clay.<br /><br />Saturday June 3, 2017; 1-6 pm (with hour dinner break), $95 early bird registration by May 30, 2017, after that, $125. Flat fee includes supplies and signed copy of "Earth Mama Spiritual Guide to Weight-loss."<br /><br />Contact for further information and registration:<br />Joan Forest Mage<br />Artistic Director<br />Life Force Arts Center<br />1609 W. Belmont Av.<br />Chicago IL 60657<br />773-327-7224<br />LifeForceArts.orgStephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-21064068916741025872017-03-31T05:29:00.000-07:002017-03-31T05:29:41.737-07:00A to Z Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULoFw_Avo5vECB5nFSSd6gdA3bF9vsG2H8ikoDcjxKgIpUMc1v7SgPAQG8ymh6lBj1H0PQMss2YrgjyKtOfF7PSuMXWPR4yaGWqZHgMy2-9z_txBM6-HRXtfF1bU92vCQNPq1xqiVqZhm/s1600/Mandala+Art+JPEGS+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULoFw_Avo5vECB5nFSSd6gdA3bF9vsG2H8ikoDcjxKgIpUMc1v7SgPAQG8ymh6lBj1H0PQMss2YrgjyKtOfF7PSuMXWPR4yaGWqZHgMy2-9z_txBM6-HRXtfF1bU92vCQNPq1xqiVqZhm/s320/Mandala+Art+JPEGS+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My plate is full with demanding, though fun and meaningful, projects. I thought I could participate in the A to Z Blogger's Challenge but can not. This year I'm going to support fellow bloggers from the sidelines during April, visiting your blogs when I can. I'm in the final stages of editing my soon-to-be-released book, writing my 7th book and preparing for my fall solo exhibition of my art, and that is a very full plate.<br />
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I hope to do a good job with what I'm working on and put my passion there. I'm stepping out of the challenge before it begins in order to write, edit and paint.<br />
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See you all on your blogs during the A to Z Challenge, and hope to participate again in 2018!<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-32377330911247883822017-03-21T07:43:00.003-07:002017-03-21T07:49:05.100-07:00 A to Z Challenge: A Month of African Proverbs <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitStZhegVs-gIIZYHAuvPWt8At0moyVfQvRSznUtoCjtjVVXBRgLTqflO6cRYFkJvHG5YqJiZl2S5Qw52kSiQnQNpC9GB8QCg_HkZaW2a0BKy4A0_Tb5gdyh5F1mrW3qD40uLeoH-3jodq/s1600/A2Z-BADGE-100+%255B2017%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #33aaff; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitStZhegVs-gIIZYHAuvPWt8At0moyVfQvRSznUtoCjtjVVXBRgLTqflO6cRYFkJvHG5YqJiZl2S5Qw52kSiQnQNpC9GB8QCg_HkZaW2a0BKy4A0_Tb5gdyh5F1mrW3qD40uLeoH-3jodq/s640/A2Z-BADGE-100+%255B2017%255D.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'm all in, once again. This is my third year of participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. This will be an intense spurt of reading and writing for me, as I'm also editing one book and writing another. I will do my best to stay in, and keep up!<br />
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For the month of April (2017) I will be blogging and visiting other blogs. This is a fun and meaningful practice that I've taken on to increase conversations with other readers and bloggers. I am always happy to see newcomers and, whether you comment or not, you are welcome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn64b3qz1PlWzh3wei_0-j47fQ1W4o98pSJkCZvAvTFkbxVDAKBz-EGRyXAoN3l0XbgSGbcn-OnpI__sP8s5CrFckUuLAk0g8UvIRPNEvtO1C1xZiy3-emhPDT6LR1wmtaKdxTLjMOQI/s1600/thmrevel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #33aaff; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn64b3qz1PlWzh3wei_0-j47fQ1W4o98pSJkCZvAvTFkbxVDAKBz-EGRyXAoN3l0XbgSGbcn-OnpI__sP8s5CrFckUuLAk0g8UvIRPNEvtO1C1xZiy3-emhPDT6LR1wmtaKdxTLjMOQI/s640/thmrevel.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A Month of African Proverbs</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My 2017 theme is drawn from my soon-to-be released book "Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss." I have a section of my book that contains African Proverbs. I will be spending time on each of those proverbs, exploring their meaning and inspiration regarding losing weight or otherwise transforming yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Here is the definition of the word </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">proverb:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. They are often metaphorical. A </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">proverb</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Proverbs</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> fall into the category of formulaic language.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have always enjoyed proverbs and quotations. When I was growing up there was a huge complex of granaries, and on the outside of them, there were paintings of a variety of proverbs, and wise quotations. As I traveled by those huge containers, going to and from town, I would try to quickly internalize the meaning of a quote I'd select. Here we are X amount of years, later, and I am still exploring and ruminating on the wisdom to be contained in the arrangement of concisely written words, rich in layers of meaning.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I greatly look forward to your responses to the proverbs and quotes I take from my book. I hope they become personally inspirational and perhaps meaningful in your personal journey to wherever it is you are traveling.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-59729611104738738632017-01-16T12:47:00.002-08:002017-01-16T12:47:59.586-08:00My Sixth BookI know it's cliche, but OMG (meaning, Oh my goddesses) I'm so happy today. After a lengthy and energized discussion about race, at the family dinner table Sunday night, I woke up and finished my 6th book on Martin Luther King's Birthday. In fact, the last section is called "Woke."<br />
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I will be sharing more on this soon-to-be-released title soon, but wanted to share this incredible news with you today! I say incredible because it took about 14 years to put this book together and go through my personal journey - which is still very much a work-in-progress<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF3pN8M-B8U2yPDSEOvucW5Kg4PD-CVTnv_ZBde39uFmC4QlH8rxSrZz8rdOnNfDuLxxcFKU32qfvJb7vXv78MyZYO2XOp1Yhrv83zNJOKGGTRcmobZIxXbujwQO5oXP1Ri9SkiFZ4i4p/s1600/Sketchbook+inside+backcover20001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF3pN8M-B8U2yPDSEOvucW5Kg4PD-CVTnv_ZBde39uFmC4QlH8rxSrZz8rdOnNfDuLxxcFKU32qfvJb7vXv78MyZYO2XOp1Yhrv83zNJOKGGTRcmobZIxXbujwQO5oXP1Ri9SkiFZ4i4p/s320/Sketchbook+inside+backcover20001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The book is "Earth Mama's Spiritual Guide to Weight-loss." It should be released sometime this spring or summer!Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-346099108167608042017-01-04T06:56:00.000-08:002017-01-04T06:56:40.003-08:00Live it Like Lucy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.onionstatic.com/avclub/5400/35/16x9/960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.onionstatic.com/avclub/5400/35/16x9/960.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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So you made a mistake? Now what? Cover it up, fix it or
apologize? How about…gasp, accessing the damage, learning what you can and
then, moving forward?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know where you stand with your Judge but mine is
ruthless. She looks down her nose at me constantly, worse of all, my Judge is
within me, always ready to chirp in, whether I request it or not. I say, as I
look forward to this New Year: Judge, you are dismissed! Get lost. Piss off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have made a mistake. Is it monumental? No. Will it hurt
people? Yes. Most importantly, is it fixable? Yes!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No one likes making mistakes, but they happen. I love the “I
Love Lucy Show” (the original, in black and white) because Lucille Ball’s outrageously
humorous touch invites us to see mistakes in a funny way. We laugh with her not
at her, as she falls into one unexpected dilemma after another. Instead of saying
to ourselves: this is terrible; we ‘feel’ in our gut: this is funny!<o:p></o:p></div>
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What if our lives could be the same way? I know it would
seem peculiar to LOL when you’ve made a mistake at work or in front of people,
at the same time, what if you could view mistakes with lightness of spirit? It
happened; you observe; figure out the best way to move forward and then head
there without heavy judgement?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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These opportunities pop up through pop culture. Look at the recent Mariah Carey case. Say what you want about the woman but her voice is golden; she can sing. She or someone in production made a mistake…noted, and now it's time to move on.<o:p></o:p></div>
Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-23975709835201149922017-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:002017-01-03T06:00:22.399-08:002017 Presents a Fresh StartOh boy! It's been a while since I've been in this space. Apologies! There are so many things I have to do, want to do, need to do; sometimes blogging has to wait. Other times, like this morning, it calls to me. This morning it said: hey girlfriend, it's blogging time.<br />
<br />
I get weird about New Year's. Some years I want to deny it; power through; act like somehow, it didn't happen. This year I am welcoming 2017 by doing my creative rituals, such as writing out intentions, otherwise known as resolutions, and creating a dream board (still in-process).<br />
<br />
You've seen me write a lot about the Law of Attraction, and how the Universe is active in our every day lives, listening for our directives. I've seldom seen the Law of Attraction come to life so brilliantly as when I create and post a dream board somewhere in my home. Amazing! Have you created one? What has come from it?<br />
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In some ways I think 2016 was a terrible year. I was stuck, looking, waiting, wanting, but...not so much of the doing. I've decided to dedicate 2017 to doing - making art, writing and making; you know, the stuff I love doing and do best.<br />
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I must admit I'm still searching. This time for ways to walk the Sage's Path. I'm listening and studying; finding out amazing things about life, process, making, blessing, and making things happen. Mostly from TED Talks and reading.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I watched the most compelling TED Talk for where I am right now. It is featuring the musician and I would venture to say, performance artist and thinker, Amanda Palmer, speaking about asking. She makes a powerful and compelling case for the magic in asking. She supported herself through asking, while posing as a sculpture called the Eight Foot Bride. I don't want to spoil it for you. You should look it up, watch and let your soul listen. She is a very soulful person, deeply moved by generosity and my humanity from what I can see. For Palmer, abundance came through asking.<br />
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I wish in this year, I could be as open as she is; open to possibility and to trusting that things will work because it seems as though the process of trust cultivates abundance. Have you readers ever done crowdfunding or couch-crashing in an intentional way? What were your results or experiences? I'd love to hear more about this. I'd love to be able to trust enough and be free-spirited enough to do either. They require an openness and a level of vulnerability that I'm not sure I am ready or willing to allow.<br />
<br />
Time will tell. I think I need to partake in crowdfunding personally to gain a footing for my herbal and art businesses. First though, I must decide seemingly infinite amounts of details. Stay tuned for more on this opening-up process; opening-up to letting things be, as the Universe see's fit. Meanwhile, I want to once again make my blogging a viable space, for experimentation, airing of thoughts, a garden of ideas, where ideas flourish. Looking forward to hearing from you.<br />
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<br />Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4159821547068044521.post-57157982299598264252016-04-25T05:52:00.001-07:002016-04-25T05:52:58.019-07:00U is for Unexpected<div class="vk_ans" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large !important; font-weight: lighter !important; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<span data-dobid="hdw">un·ex·pect·ed</span></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph">ˌənəkˈspektəd/</span></div>
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<i>adjective</i></div>
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<span style="font-weight: lighter;">not expected or regarded as likely to happen.</span></div>
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"his death was totally unexpected"</div>
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<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIHzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+unforeseen&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIHzAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">unforeseen</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+unanticipated&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIDAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">unanticipated</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIITAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+unpredicted&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIITAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">unpredicted</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+unlooked-for&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIjAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">unlooked-for</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+sudden&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIIzAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">sudden</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+abrupt&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJDAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">abrupt</a>,<a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+surprising&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJTAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">surprising</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&q=define+unannounced&ved=0ahUKEwjDzcei5anMAhVDTCYKHffqDDcQ_SoIJjAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">unannounced</a><div style="display: inline;">
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"an unexpected change in plans"</div>
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<span style="color: black;">There is a way we view our world. We know the players, the backdrop, the goings-on. But sometimes something so unexpected happens that it shakes up that orderly arrangement. This rearrangement, brought on by unexpected news makes you question all of the aforementioned parts of your seemingly orderly life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIadDC2ehfh3F8Up3VObBRkaTBF0fWPvQ_KDc04Z96njzOwS5HFKhEqFcUEIcsslDRQyD_EkKFYMCH2r0tftpeanWlit0_G17Nc8JvC0OBCmozWA4M5NEs-dtbcR0xLSdBSmwspLn-ueGU/s1600/Exquisite+Corpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIadDC2ehfh3F8Up3VObBRkaTBF0fWPvQ_KDc04Z96njzOwS5HFKhEqFcUEIcsslDRQyD_EkKFYMCH2r0tftpeanWlit0_G17Nc8JvC0OBCmozWA4M5NEs-dtbcR0xLSdBSmwspLn-ueGU/s320/Exquisite+Corpse.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acrylic on Canvas, c. 2015 Stephanie Rose Bird</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">I received some unexpected news yesterday. A friend of the family has been suffering with breast cancer, quite quietly, I might add. I had no idea, which also causes a variety of responses ranging from guilt to shame, and then inevitably the question rises, What to do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The friend of the family has just always been there, at least for the past 12 years or so. She is an indirect friend, meaning our children our good friends, and by default we have been brought together on many occasions. Yesterday I found out that this lovely person, who has always been so helpful, so open and welcoming, has breast cancer. She has been enduring chemotherapy, and in the process she has lost her lovely blond hair--all of it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So now I am re-examining things because that's one of the challenges unexpected news offers. I'm wondering what is the appropriate thing to do and I keep coming back to heart. While unexpected news is a shake-up of sorts, it is also a reminder of the heart center or heart chakra we learn about in yoga. My intention is to give of myself, as selflessly as she has, from the heart. </span></div>
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Stephanie Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14733161052986125051noreply@blogger.com19