UGLY SWEATERS

Parteee Time. Lots of Christmas parties in December. Getting good use of our ugly sweaters.

Published Books

The primary purpose for the blog is about my writing. I've published 18 books so far and am working on more. In addition to writing, I've expanded into storytelling and public speaking. My artistic and photographic skills have also increased with self-publishing

Christmas Storytelling Party

Fireside storytellers will have a Christmas party on Dec 10. I'm using the event to achieve a goal in Pathways. I've created a team to organize and carry out the function.

https://www.firesidestoryleagueoftacoma.org/

STORY SLAM

Forrest Storytelling Festival hosted a story slam in which I signed up. I told my signature story, Horny Old Goat in front of 200 people. A little nervous at first but I did it.

PUGET SOUND

Puget Sound is a large inland waterway stretching from Olympia to Vancouver BC. It's teeming with wildlife, waterfowl, and fish. It's an important shipping lane to major NW ports. Mt. Baker in the distance.

I have kayaked over 400 miles in inlets, bays and harbors. The Puget sound is a wonderful water sports area.

SALISH MOTIF

Salish art is rich in culture. Each motif portrays a spiritual being. Many legends are passed down from generation to generation. This is the life-giving Salmon Spirit.

Carved cedar masks inside longhouse.

NW SALISH CULTURE

Before the settlers arrived in the Northwest, Native Americans lived in longhouses. They hunted, fished and gathered shellfish from the abundant Puget Sound. Tillicum Village is a dinner theatre that portrays cuisine, customs, dance and art. 

I've told many tales from storytelling manuals at Toastmasters for the last four years. I had enough to fill one book. Shortly after publishing it, I created an instruction edition. Toasties Teacher has over two dozen hints on writing and publishing.

I finally published four manuscripts that have been collecting dust. They're now on Amazon.

It's been a great year for  Toastmasters achievements. 

#1 President of Puyallup Valley Voices and we were Presidential Distinguished. 

#2 Area 44 Director and my five clubs attained Select Area Distinguished.

#3 Charted Sumner Lifelong Learners and our Division became Presidential Distinguished. 

$4 Formed NW Comedy Club and received a Triple Crown award. 

#5 The biggest award is a culmination of all: I received the highest award in Toastmasters.

        DTM (Distinguished Toastmasters)

GOLD SPEAKER'S AWARD

7 MANUALS

50 SPEECHES

6 INSTRUCTION MODULES

7-PART PRESENTATION

DEER HARBOR MARINA

KAYAKING IN SAN JUAN ISLANDS

NEW KAYAK HAULER AT ROSARIO RESORT

Storytelling in the mansion's library at Lakewold Gardens.

BLARNEY STONE

Kissing the Blarney stone may give the kisser the gift of eloquent speaking. However, it isn't east. The kisser has to lay down and lean over backwards. Notice the people 130 feet below the tower?

STORYTELLING

Storytelling at the Puyallup RV show. They created a picnic area with fire ring. It was called S'mores Center. Kids could roast marshmallows and listen to tall tales. 

TOASTMASTERS SPEECH CONTEST WINNER

TOASTMASTERS CONTEST WINNER

Toastmasters speech contests are a great way to hone your public speaking. Two years ago I never would have gotten in front of a group to speak. Toastmasters has taught me a lot. 

Hot off the press!

Over 13 short stories on backpacking trips  in the Pacific NW.

FIRESIDE STORYTELLING

I'm performing at Fireside Storytelling party tonight. Gramps is accompanying me with his guitar. This is so fun. Party, party, party.

ELFIS AND THE CAMERA

Gramps is always taking pictures of me. After he went to bed, I thought I'd try my hand at the camera. Whoa! It was heavy. I fell over and it pinned me to the table. Good thing Gramps heard all the racket. I'd still be squished under the camera.

SANTA'S HOUSE AT THE NORTH POLE

I went back to the North Pole to give a report to Santa. Lots of bad things happened this week. All the little kids were very good. Santa's sad that they have to suffer because of bad people running around. Hopefully all the good people will still have a merry Christmas regardless of the world's problems.