It is my great pleasure to introduce a very Special Guest today. Please help me welcome visual artist Lynda McKinney Lambert back to The Write Stuff. Lynda is going to tell us in her own words (and poetry) about her amazing and beautiful work as a visual artist, and how she accomplishes this with seriously compromised vision. I think you’ll be inspired by what determination and a positive attitude can accomplish, so without further ado, please tell us your latest news, Lynda!
UPDATE: Lynda’s beautiful beadwork tied for first place in the Crafts Division of the Insights 20 international art website found HERE. Please check out her finished work after you read her post. It’s absolutely marvelous! Congratulations, Lynda!!
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Hi, Marcia! Thanks for having me here today. The InSights 20 is an international art exhibition held each year in Louisville, KY, by the American Printing House for the Blind. The show opens on October 7 – online this year due to restrictions caused by the pandemic.
The artwork will be on the separate InSights Art website, located HERE. This website will be open at 8:00am, October 7, which is the first day of APH’s Annual Meeting, of which the InSights Art exhibit and Awards are part.
All artists in this annual exhibition have sight loss. I have “profound sight loss,” but I can do my intricate work by using technologies for the blind. In my case, I use an Acrobat Closed Circuit TV. I will attach a photo of how this looks as I am working.
Using this CC T V, I am able to see colors and objects, which I cannot see without such magnification. My husband, Bob, helps me initially by pulling the colors of beads I want to use for the project. This is my palette that I work from.
I can only work with one tiny bead at a time and use only one colour at a time on my desk. This keeps me organized so that I don’t get the beads confused since I cannot see them without the equipment.
Marcia, I wrote a poem that describes how I create a talisman and the thought process that takes place as I work.
“A Talisman”
by Lynda McKinney Lambert
Visualize a talisman-
precious stones and crystals
woven in bold patterns
plenty of Japanese glass seed beads
tiny drops of perfect symmetry.
I select flawless beads
stab them onto steel needles
hundreds of stitches
thrust them one at a time
upwards into the heavens
endlessly.
I plunge my thin needle
deep through layers of stiff cloth
make my stitches sure
hold tight.
I’m a warrior woman
thumping my spirit-drum
made of dappled starlight.
I measure timeless days
counting beads in
a mystical circle
held together
with a bronze toggle clasp.
A Talisman brings
protection from evil
healing for weary spirits
nourishment for aching bodies
courage for new directions
on a pilgrimage
over treacherous pathways
guides my dimmed eyes
and nervous steps.
Black onyx ovals
are like a vintage fan
unfurled with a flourish
or a sacred victory flag
prepared to cast an invocation.
my fingers stroke cold stones
glossy-smooth, polished, faceted.
gifts for a King.
______
A Talisman – August 2, 2020
Written by Lynda McKinney Lambert
Copyright August 2, 2020. All rights reserved.
~~~
Visual Artist and Author Lynda McKinney Lambert
I am a visual artist and hold the BFA and MFA degrees in painting. I also write and have 4 books on Amazon at this time – I have the MA degree in English. I’m a retired university professor of fine arts and humanities (Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA) and I retired in 2008 after sudden and permanent sight loss.
My MISSION STATEMENT
- I am the keeper of memories. I distill and share them through art and writing.
- I reveal what is forgotten, lost, or unseen.
- I write spare poems and thoughtful personal essays.
- I create art with brilliant colors & precious materials, one stitch at a time.
~~~
“I can see why this (talisman) captured first place. It captures the exact discipline of the oriental master. Every stitch exact. Every stitch with a meaning. Every stitch with history behind it. Bravo.” ~ Leonard Tuchyner, A Journey to Elsewhere: Poetry Through the Seasons of Life.
“Throughout this book (Star Signs: New and Selected Poems, DLD Books, 2019) of poems , these gems of poetic creation shimmer like beads on her fabric art, like bold brush strokes on her prize-winning piece of mixed-media fiber artwork, It seems this entire collection is like a multifaceted mural.” ~ Wesley D. Sims, Taste of Change
“Lambert notices the colors and sounds that surround us., those odes that barely register through our buds and pads, and windshields , and she names them for us and she remembers them for us.” ~ Russell Streur, Editor, Plum Tree Tavern Literary Magazine
~~~
My thanks to you, Lynda, for sharing your story and your art with us today. I know others have found this as interesting and inspiring as I have. Folks, I encourage you to click on the link to InSights Art and check out Lynda’s work and that of other visually compromised artists. And if you’ve enjoyed learning about Lynda and her process for creating her beautiful beadwork, please let her know at one of the links below. Also be sure to check out her books of poetry, as well. You’ll be glad you did! 🙂
You can reach Lynda online here:
E-mail: riverwoman@zoominternet.net
My website: http://www.lyndalambert.com
My Authors Page at DLD Books: http://www.dldbooks.com/lyndalambert/
Lynda’s Books Are Also Available on Amazon.com
Star Signs Available on Amazon HERE
Walking By Inner Vision Available on Amazon HERE
Wow, what an inspiration!! You do amazing work, Lynda, and are a living embodiment of what anyone can do if they put their mind to it. 🤗
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I agree 100%, Jessica. Lynda sets an amazing example for all of us! Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I do hope you’ll check out the links to the show. 🙂
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Jessica, you are an inspiration to ME and so encouraging. I really appreciated your comment. Please do visit the link to the InSights20 show, so you can see all the other artists who have won awards in each category. I am just one of the many people who are making art and want to make the world a more beautiful place regardless of challenges that we all have. ❤
And, a special note of gratitude to Marcia for featuring me today. It was so nice to share my poem and my artwork with each of you.
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So happy to see you here, Lynda, and hope everyone will follow the link to check out all the wonderful art. The wooden bowl that tied with you for first place is fantastic, too. All these artists deserve recognition, for sure, and it was my pleasure to share your story, your poem, and your visual art today! 🙂 ❤
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I think I can speak for all of the artist and say that we anticipate this show all year long. We send our work off to the fury process and we anxiously await the results. I am so honored to participate with everyone in this show and I deeply appreciate what APH has done for all of us. This show gives us encouragement and something remarkable to work towards. Thank you for your visit.
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Wow, amazing stuff! What an inspiring post. Thanks for sharing, Marcia, and best of luck to you and Lynda 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony! It’s people like Lynda who remind me of all the beauty and goodness in this world, something today’s insanity tends to make us forget about. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll check out Lynda’s work (and that of other artists with profound sight loss) on the links above. 🙂
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Thank you for taking time to let me know you enjoyed seeing my artwork and the process which enables me to do it. I am so happy to share it today with all of Marcia’s friends. I feel like you have become my new friends, too.
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I don’t think anyone who visits today will forget your story and your creative work, Lynda. It’s so beautiful and so very uplifting to see you ignoring obstacles in order to follow your artistic dreams. Just lovely! 🙂
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Marcia, thank you for the support you have for me and the opportunity to share what I do with the readers. Each person who has work in this show is a winner – a born winner. We have all adapted and struggled to find how we could make art – because it makes us happy to see how others love what we do. This is such a good program for the arts.
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I didn’t know how the computer could help visual artists. That’s awesome. Lynda, what BEAUTIFUL work! Lovely poem, too.:-)
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Isn’t that closed circuit tv amazing? And what a gift to someone with such profound sight loss. I love that it gives her back at least some of what’s been damaged so she can do her fantastic beadwork! Hope you’ll check out the links to the art exhibit. I’m going to do so myself, shortly. Been waiting for it to go live. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today, Priscilla! 🙂
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Yes, Priscilla, without my computer and my Acrobat CCTV, I would not be able to do any of the work I do.
Technologies for the Blind enable us to fully express our imagery in art in many ways. The same holds true for my writing projects. The wonderful thing is that losing my sight opened the door for me to have the time for writing and making art full-time. When I do a poetry presentation for a group, I cannot see my own book to read anything to the audience. Yet, I can stand there very confident, and deliver a program with the help of my invisible technology – While I LISTEN to my poem through my earbud – I am reciting it to my audience. Now, that is really exciting, isn’t it.
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Oh, what wonderful advances technology can make, especially for those who have to face the world from an altered perspective. I’m so happy you are able to use these hi-tech things to do your work and to “read” your poetry to audiences. What a wonderful thing! 🙂
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Inspirational post. Thanks for introducing us to Lynda.
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My pleasure, Craig. Isn’t it nice to read something so inspirational now and then, especially these days? Hope you’ll stop by for a look at the art exhibit now that the links are live.
Thanks for visiting today! 🙂
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Wow!!! You’re multi-talented, Lynda. Love the talisman! What a gorgeous piece. You are an inspiration to us all.
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Isn’t that just the truth! It makes me remember all the good things in life which so often get lost in the plethora of negative stuff.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sue!
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Sue, your nice compliment is much appreciated. It was so nice of Marcia to do this feature to announce the exhibition and to share my work and story today. It is really wonderful to be able to share with such a warm audience here at The Write Stuff.
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You are always welcome here, Lynda, and I do hope you’ll visit again in the future, any time you wish, but especially when you have extra special good news like winning prizes for your work. That’s always fun to share with folks! Thanks for being here today! 🙂
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Marcia, you have done such a nice job of presenting my work and my story! It was so nice to see the replies that have been posted – and yes, I do feel like I have made some new friends. I am now, going to go visit the show on-line, which I have not yet done. So, I will get to see the winning pieces in all the categories and even find out who I share the first-place award with. This is all so exciting today! Thank you from my heart.
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Thanks, Lynda, but it was my pleasure to share your news and your art. And the work of art you share 1st place with is stunning, too, I might add! Just amazing! (I’ve used that word way too much today, but it really IS.)
It has been wonderful having you here today, and I’m sure we will be getting more comments over the next couple of days. Thanks so much for letting us celebrate your art with you, Lynda! And you are welcome back any time! 🙂 ❤
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What an inspiration you are, Lynda – beautiful work!
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So glad you enjoyed it, Teri. I thought it was fantastic, too, and so very inspirational! It just shows what we are capable of accomplishing when we refuse to give up or give in. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
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Thank you, Terri. This has surely been a wonderful opportunity to meet you and all the others here at Marcia’s blog – always a pleasure.
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Your beadwork is beautiful along with your poem. I found it very inspiring that we can do anything we chose to!
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I agree, Denise. There are no obstacles to the human spirit unless we allow them to be there. We can still find ways to soar, and Lynda’s a perfect example of that! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
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Yes, D. L. we just have to figure out new ways of thinking about it sometimes. I have to say that when I attended the in-residence program at the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation School in Pittsburgh, PA, it gave me the tools I needed to begin building my life again. I needed a lot of rehabilitation! This is true for all of us, we need to find help to make changes when such big challenges come our way. Thanks.
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It is terrific to see Lynda here, Marcia. An inspiration
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She absolutely is, John, and it’s been way too long since her last visit. Hopefully we can entice her back more often. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
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😊
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John, I really appreciate the note of confidence. Thank you! This contest is so motivating to all of the artists – everyone in this show is legally blind or varying degrees of blindness. It is a joy to be in a show with all of them!
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Wow. Lynda is so fabulously talented. Her beadwork is amazing and the poem explains it all. It’s sacred work. Thanks so much for sharing this multi-talented artist with us, Marcia. That was fun.
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So glad you enjoyed the post, Diana! I’m blown away by what she does, and the way she has found to work around any difficulties. So wonderful, and it brings home the point that most of the obstacles in our paths can be overcome if we work to find a way. If you got a chance to click on the link I added in the Update at the top, it’ll take you right to some of the winners in the exhibition, and they are all fabulous!
Thanks for stopping by, Diana! 🙂
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I followed the link first before reading the post. I love beadwork. So beautiful.
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I am in really good company with the award winners at the Craft section of the InSights20 exhibition. I wanted to give a special shout-out to Rob Guillen who is the coordinator of this show each year. He writes the blurbs that appear with the art pieces and you can certainly see he is wearing his Art Historian Hat when he does this for us. I always love to see how he interprets the artworks – it gives us all further insight into our work from a new perspective. I also wanted to say that my poem, “The Talisman,” has been published as a voice recording in the October issue of _Newsreel_ and that is a monthly magazine that is a recording of articles – all by people who are blind and visually impaired. I recorded my poem for the magazine! Such a privilege to share my poem with everyone in this way, too, because it describes how I created the piece and how I am thinking as I am at work in the creative process. Thank you all for your wonderful support – and yes, Marcia, I will be back again for sure. Thank you!
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Yes, I think of my work as a visual prayer.
I always have that feeling when I sit down and pick up my needle to begin I have a sense that this is a living prayer I am making. Thank you for your comment on this aspect of my work.
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I sensed that Lynda. It makes your work especially beautiful.
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I would be honored to return. You have the most delightful readers and I sure have enjoyed their comments today. Thank you!
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Thank you for your kind words. I love what I do and I love to share the beautiful gemstones, beads, found objects and other elements of my beadwork. I never know when I begin what the piece will turn out to be. I just work one tiny stitch and one shining bead at a time. For me, writing a poem and making art is all the same thing – it all is something I make for the sheer pleasure of the feeling of happiness in it.
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Lynda is truly a renaissance woman. Her pieces of visual art and literary art are beautiful and inspirational. Her work exudes positive energy.
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I agree.
Itâs why I have her in my magazine each month.
She adds such wonder to its pages.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website
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It is an honor to have my work appearing in literary magazines and I deeply appreciate your support, Patty and Marcia. Right now, I am one week into the _50 Days of Seed Faith Blessings Challenge – and each day brings new surprises and opportunities.
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Good morning Lynda.
Sounds like an Essay in the making.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website
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I am keeping notes of the days as they come and go – made a special file for this purpose for the 50 day challenge. And, I am going to my studio this afternoon to begin a new series – I’ve been neglecting my art for a few months due to gardening, house remodeling, and writing. Time to go up to the studio, pick up my fabric, beads, needles, and begin to work on my Winter Series.
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Lynda is truly a renaissance woman. Her pieces of visual art and literary art are beautiful and inspirational. Her work exudes positive energy.
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It absolutely does, Suzanne. I just loved seeing what she’s done, and knowing that there are people out there who won’t be kept from creating their art and doing what they love. I’m so glad to have Lynda here today, and I thank you for taking a minute to say hello. 🙂
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I was so pleased to see the other winners in this show. I loved the wonderful turned wood bowl that also got first place award – we shared the honor of first place and this artist’s work is truly stunning. Each of the artists has a story of victory over prejudices, challenges, and disappointments – all are remarkable and I am proud to stand with them in this show.
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Hello Suzanne, I am so happy you could view this show. I am with good company. the other artists have created truly inspired and stunning art works. I miss not being able to see the show in person and mingle with the other artists of all ages who come to meet everyone. This show is a first class presentation thanks to Rob Guillen and his staff at APH.
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I love your work, Lynda – both the beauty of your talismans and the poem that describes so well the emotion and spirituality they inspire in you. I can’t imagine the impact that suddenly losing your sight must have had on you but you’ve turned a personal tragedy into a beautiful, quite stunning creativity. Kudos!
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How nice to read your thoughtful comment this evening, alexcraigie.
I had Ischemic Optic Neuropathy – there is no warning, and nothing could have prevented it and nothing can be done once it strikes. It is almost instantaneous – I woke up with sight loss and thought I was just tired from working so much. The important thing for me to let people know is that no matter what happens, there is rehabilitation for the sight loss issues that may happen. It took me about 5 months to find this out – but once I did, I wanted everything that can be taught so I could move on and recreate my life. What seemed like the worst possible thing that could happen to me, turned into a new way of living and doors that opened that I never could have imagined. I appreciate your comments – thank you!
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Good afternoon, Lynda, Marcia and all.
This is an incredible post which I’ll be sharing soon.
Lynda is a Friend and Client of mine and I’m so proud of her.
She was on my podcast not long ago and if anyone would like to hear that please write to either Lynda or me and we can send the link.
I didn’t want to put it here but please do let me know.
I can send it via dropbox or you can have a direct link.
My podcast is available several places so it’s easy to hear.
Lynda what an amazing lady you are.
Keep up that good work.
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Reblogged this on Campbells World.
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thank you Patty for the reminder about the podcast – it was very enjoyable to do with you.
I’ll let the folks here know that if they want to listen – they can hear me presenting 2 poems from each of my 4 books during the hour-long podcast. It was really a fun one to do – Lynda
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Yesterday I got a comment in my dropbox folder where your podcast is stored from someone who had found it on my website rather than the BuzzFeed site and they described it as a Buffay for the soul which I thought was a beautiful thing for them to have said.
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Patty, I am thankful that you were able to visit today and that you re-blogged The Write Stuff article on your blog. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate all you do for fellow writers – Lynda
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Lynda, it is my pleasure to tell the world all about you.
Congratulations on your wonderful success.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website
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Thanks for stopping by, Patty! Always good to have you visit! 🙂
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Pingback: Autumn Gift + a Poem – Lynda McKinney Lambert
Lynda is such a talented artist and an inspiring and dedicated person.
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Congratulations Lynda. You are such a talented artist and a dedicated, inspiring person.
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Thanks so much for stopping by to let Lynda hear from you, Wesley. And I have to say I agree 100% with your assessment! 🙂
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Good morning Marcia and All.
Marcia I’d like to extend to you one more thank you for doing such an amazing interview with Lynda.
Lynda is a brightly shining star in the world of Art and Writing.
I’d like to say thank you to all the Wonderful Readers for reading and commenting.
As a marketer many times I see promotions where there is no engagement and so this does my heart good.
That having been said, Marcia I hope you’ll get in touch with me. I’d like to have you as a guest on my Podcast.
To All Readers, if any of you out there are looking for Free Easy and Fun ways to promote yourselves get in touch to be a guest on my show.
Thanks again and have a great day.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website
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Thank you so much for your kind comments, Patty, and for the invitation to be a guest on your podcast. I will definitely think about that, though believe it or not–as much as I like speaking to a group–I get very nervous when I’m being recorded. (Like many folks, I hate how I sound and how I look, so I can get pretty uncomfortable.) I promise I’ll consider it, though, as I know how important this tool can be for getting the word out. I bet you’ll get some takers, though, and I wish them well. And I promise I’ll get in touch with you if I decide to give it a go!
Thanks again!
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Wes, thank you for your support and gracious comment. Lynda
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Good morning Wes, Lynda and All.
Wes I love what you wrote about Lynda’s book. So absolutely right on for it.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website
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Lynda has been a huge inspiration to me, with her positive outlook and perseverance, especially through this time of uncertainty. She sees color and light in our world while those with clearer vision focus on the bleakness.
Thank you, Lynda, for being my favorite poet, for taking me on journeys back to Europe and opening my eyes to the beauty of my hometown.
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A lovely (and truthful) comment on Lynda, Sandi. I’m so glad you enjoy her work and take inspiration from her positive outlook. She’s truly a beautiful person! Thanks for stopping by today, too! 🙂
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Sandi, what a nice surprise for me this morning to find you lovely message of encouragement. You have been such a great supporter of my writing and I truly appreciate that so much. For those who do not know us personally, I want to say that Sandi and I live in a beautiful area of Pennsylvania – in the westerns part – we live in The Village of Wurtemburg. Though we both travel and have seen many gorgeous places in the world, the Village of Wurtemburg is the place we call “HOME.” Thank you so much, Sandi.
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