Although the landscape is still mostly green, the leaves up north are teasing us with color, creeping across the tops of the mighty maples and aspens.  With temperatures still mild, I’m hoping for an Indian summer through October so I can continue my road trips and adventures here in northeast Michigan.  I just can’t wrap my brain around winter…especially with zero degree memories of last year!

After ‘busting out of the barn’ with my Artist’s Way group in Alpena, MI from March until June and my volunteer work – Passport to the Arts:  Your town is ARTown, also from March until early September, I have kept busy.  Three hundred books arrived on a wooden pallet at the end of the driveway on May 1! No doubt the crazy, ninja rooster must have kept the delivery guy at a distance.  I say “our” because twenty of us wrote stories for a book by Debbie Phillips called, “Women on Fire:  20 Inspiring Women Share Their Life Secrets (and Save You Years of Struggle!)  I scheduled three author events as part of the Passport Program this past summer and stepped outside my comfort zone with some public speaking and book signings.  More on this later…

I produced and directed an afternoon of Shakespearean readings and Renaissance music at the Alpena Civic Theatre for a special one time only Passport event.   Some veteran actors known for their dramatic acting came out and took part in this wonderful program in full costume with an intermission (food, decorations, and servers in costume) authentic to the period. A lot of work, but well worth it!  It was fun to revisit Shakespeare in small snippets.  The community was very supportive on a beautiful sunny July afternoon. 

I also threw my hat into the ring to direct a play next May at the theatre.   Theatre is alive and well in this area with four regional theatres and many talented actors, directors, writers and crew people.  Hollywood may get you noticed, but small, regional theatres get you working on your craft!  What a treat to work with people who do it for the love of performing! 

Big fish, small pond…this is good.