KAUAI WRITERS CONFERENCE AT THE MARRIOTT

I attended the writers conference with the intention of pitching a manuscript Ben and I are co-authoring. It's a self-help medical book on bipolar disorder. Hopefully, the book will be published through a brick and morter publishing company. Keep posted for future news.

MARRIOTT COURTYARD

COURTYARD AT NIGHT

HULA SHOW

AUTHORS LUNCHEON

BUSINESS TRIP TO KAUAI (Photobombed by a Chicken)

KAUAI BEACH RESORT

GORGEOUS BEACHES

VIEW FROM 4000'

AWESOME SUNRISES AND SUNSETS

SUNSET DINNER CRUISE BY NAPALI

COOL LIGHTHOUSE

International Speech Contests

March is International Speech Contest month. I needed to complete a High Performance Leadership Project. I chose organizing speech contests. Since I'm participating this year, I can't be a functionary. I was successful in choosing Contest Chairs, Chief Judges and Toastmasters. I gave 5 speeches on judging. For the HPL I also gave two speeches. Including speaking at contests, I've given 10 speeches

I placed 1st at NW Comedy Club, 2nd at Sumner Lifelong Learners and 2nd at Puyallup Valley Voices. Now it's on to Area, Division and District contests. 

Christmas 2018 was a wonderful family time. Lots of food, games and conversation. I'm proud of my children and significant others.

CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING EVENT

I formed a team and we put on a Christmas storytelling event. The stories were very touching. What a great group of tellers.

Elfis helped me sing Silent Night.

RAINFOREST WALK

Today I got away from all the hubbub and took a walk in the rainforest. It's only a 30 min drive from our house with no stoplights or traffic. 

(Click on images to enlarge)

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

Yuletide Music

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over, we can turn on the Christmas music and play along. BTW, the elf has come out of hiding.

Thankful on Thanksgiving

Great Thanksgiving table spread. I'm very thankful for opportunities in the United States. 

Chinook Pass

I drove to Chinook Pass for a change of scenery and wasn't disappointed. There's about 4 inches of snow at the summit. It won't be long until they close it for the winter. A couple ravens begged for a handout. Awesome birds.

(Click on images for full screen)

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/

TELLEBRATION

Mt Tahoma Storytellers hosted a storytelling event called Tellebration. I told an Irish folktale; The Salmon of Knowledge. It was a delightful evening with eight storytellers.

Upcoming Events:

Christmas Program-December 10

Irish Program-February 11

World Storytelling-March 22

PHOTO WORKSHOP

Rainier Hills Photo Club hosted a workshop on children's photography. My neighbor has a photo studio with hundreds of props. Parents brought over a dozen children. I came away with about 3 dozen keepers. What a great workshop.

(Click images to enlarge)

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.

WRITING BUDDY

I am president of Bonney Lake Writers and we had a special guest, a talking skeleton. He offered several comments for a critique but none of them made sense. Check out my website at:

https://www.larrykrackle.com/

GHOST WRITER RELEASE

My latest book, a collection of ghost stories was released just before Halloween. So far, it's been a great seller. It's on Amazon if you want a copy. Ghost Writer book (Click on link) You may also get an autographed book from me for $12. Mail a check to

22907 107th St E  Buckley Wa 98321

Other books published on Amazon

Buzzed Bear

Bear Bytes

Captain Capsizer

Cowboy Bob

Dirty Birds

Evil Fish

Farmer Fritz

Hillbilly Harv

Hiker Heaven

Hyper Hiker

Singing Sasquatch

Toasties Tall Tales

DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTER

July 2018 I completed all the requirements for my 2nd DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster). It was presented by my mentor Sherrie Kenyon at a Toastmasters club, Puyallup Valley Voices.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/180563815308071/

List of achievements to attain DTM

Communication Track

Competent Communicator (10 Beginner speeches)

Advanced Leadership Bronze 

Humorous manual (5 speeches)

Storytelling manual (5 speeches)

Advanced Leadership Silver

Entertaining manual (5 speeches)

Interpretive Reading (5 speeches)

Successful Club Series (2 speeches)

Advanced Leadership Gold

Specialty Occasion (5 speeches)

Professional Speaker (5 speeches)

Success Communication Presentation

(Thinking Power-Mental Flexibility)

Leadership Track

Competent Leadership (10 Projects, 30 roles)

Advanced Leadership Bronze

Club officer for one year

Attend Leadership Training

Form a Club Success Plan

2 Leadership Excellence speeches

Advanced Leadership Silver

District Leader for one year

Sponsor or mentor a club

High Performance Leadership

Several awesome public speakers at Toastmasters club, Puyallup Valley Voices. We have a certified coach and a non-profit president.

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.