GREAT HEART...

It's Autumn and the splendid colours of the season are decorating our many deciduous trees. 

 The sun rises a little later in the morning - an opportune time to try and sneak in those extra few minutes under the covers.  But I am soon guilt-tripped by the pretty sunbeams which begin to sneak through the curtains.

Another day, another gift...

It's rather an unusual time in my life ...  
I am torn between my work (surrounding the publicity of Maxdog) and a strong need to do something really different - something crafty, something practical. I've been interspersing my publicity commitments with gardening, croqueting, baking, knitting, walking dogs, etc.

  I just feel a need to get away from writing and the demands of spreading the word about MAXDOG.

So, in the past couple of weeks, my garden has been my prime calling. 

 I have spent hours there - reshaping beds, pruning and planning for Spring. 
(even though we haven't even hit winter yet)

 I have planted about 150 winter/spring bulbs and my back has ached from my efforts.  


But I have a dream - If all goes well, I should have a colourful wonderland in a couple of months time - just when winter starts to attach its morbid tentacles into my soul.  
Admittedly, I'm not the best of gardeners, but I do try.  So, I wait - in anticipation - to see what my enthusiastic efforts will produce.

The dogs have joined me during the hours of weeding, pruning and dreaming.  Toby and Tammy play constantly while the 'King' finds things to dig up... 

 Sometimes Toby joins me and sniffs at my scattered Namaqualand Daisy seeds and sometimes he makes himself comfortable in the lap of a willing household member.  

Often though, I sit under the white-stinkwood tree, sipping my tea, listening to the birds or  removing a fallen leaf from my beverage.  A garden sure is rejuvenating.

---xXx---

On the publicity side, I was invited to a pre-recording for an 'Animal Talk' radio slot on Wednesday this past week.  This is a great privilege - to be part of the Saturday radio program for Animaltalk magazine. The recording studios are located 'in' a nursery.  How appropriate. 

I spent about an hour at the studio with the presenter and shared my 'Maxdog journey'.  It was the first time that I've been in an actual recording studio.  It was fun, fascinating and a little daunting too.  "Ursh'', the presenter and CEO of Animaltalk, was extremely encouraging and I am very grateful for the opportunity of sharing my story with his readers and listeners.   Thanks to my friend, Liz, I was able to keep the butterflies at bay and keep my thoughts in order.  I am sure that the programme will provide an interesting listening opportunity to the thousands of Radio Today listeners on Saturday 21st AND 28th April.  (Yes, it is in a two-part series).


(Tune in at 10am on 21st and 28th April...details to follow)

My public-talk at the Northriding Support Group of SADAG also went very well.  I so enjoy speaking to the participants.  We share a similar mindset and I was made to feel very welcome. My short video clip and presentation was received with palpable enthusiasm. 

The support I have received since the publication of MAXDOG has been absolutely phenomenal and I am really grateful.  I was also recently invited to attend a 'Moonlight Market' and the support there too was wonderful.  

Thank you to everyone for your encouragement.

At this stage of my MAXDOG journey, however, I would welcome a bit of luck.  I really need sales - to recoup the outlay which I have spent in publishing this story.  
(To give you an idea...I need to sell another 250 books only to 'break even') 


"If only" someone prominent would embrace this tale, then it's message could serve a wider audience and my dream 'Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!' will become a reality.  
I am a firm believer in shaping my own destiny, but I do wish for a little 'luck' too. 
So, I wait for that to happen...and I am sure it will - at some stage in the future.  


---xXx---

Tonight is an exciting event too...

We are going to attend a concert of one of my absolute favourite artists!!!!!

JOHNNY CLEGG




- the musician who composed my all-time-favourite song 'GREAT HEART'.  This song is so dear to my heart - it  accompanied me throughout the 18 months of writing MAXDOG. 

The words: 

" I am searching for a great heart to stand me by...under the African sky..." 


...kept me going through those long hours of writing and editing.

  

Please take a moment to listen to this beautiful video of

"GREAT HEART" by Johnny Clegg and the band Savuka

 As you all know...Maxdog was my own 'Great Heart'... the ultimate "Heart-dog".  
So tonight we'll be going off to Gold Reef City to attend Johnny's concert. I can't wait!!!  

Perhaps, one-day, I'll have the opportunity of telling him how much his incredible song helped me in my own MAXDOG journey.

That's all for now.  Have a wonderful, happy weekend. And to all my friends who are ill, suffering or disillusioned remember...


"LIVE LIFE TO THE MAX!"

Sending lotsaluv