Heartfelt thanks to those who had a hand in creating delicious memories at the Women’s Writing Retreat in the Adirondacks. I was truly a “mountain mama” relishing in the long, deep breaths of fresh air, and listening for the cry of the loon as the lakeside water lapped gently along the grassy bank. On the other side of the screened-in porch the whisper of hummingbird wings graced our presence while I sat teaching adult women writers the magic of words. The week of perfect weather (even the rain), sharing of words and renewed friendships was a true gift. Thank you Fran, Nan, Monica and crew, Eileen, Maggie, Kileen, Kit, Carol, Annie, Ellen, and all those who celebrated the wonder of women writers.
The Coveted Distinguished Toastmaster Award
Over the past year, I had the distinct honor of serving 23 Toastmaster clubs as the Division A Governor in District 53. Yes, there was a great deal of traveling, a good amount of paper work, a massive amount of pre-planning, but oh, how much I learned in the process. As I visited all 23 clubs, I was treated like royalty and didn’t even need to wear a crown! More so, it was what each club showed me in return…quality meetings, interesting speeches, perseverance when membership takes a hit, and the tenacity to keep moving forward when the club president and venue are gone without forewarning.
Thank you, my fellow Toastmasters. I hold my hard-earned DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) status in high regard, for each and every one of you helped along the way as you shared and showed by example what true leadership is all about. I know you will do the same for the 2011-12 Division A Governor.
Sometimes it’s okay to be a chicken! My speech, Fearless Feathered Fowl, took Third Place in the Tall Tales contest at the Toastmasters District 53 Spring Conference in Holyoke, MA. Photo by Bill Watson.
Amazing, I have two dear friends who are also fellow Toastmasters on the run!
Croix Sather is running across the United States in 100 days, delivering 100 speeches along the way.
At the same time, Jackie and her friend, Kathy, are on a trek to visit more than twenty countries and traverse nearly 30,000 miles.
Good luck to you, I am with you in mind, heart, and spirit!
Seated Among Women Honoring Women in History
Organized by Dr. Darla Shaw (at microphone), Western Connecticut State University presented an evening in honor of women in history. I was asked to tell the story of how Eleanor Roosevelt became a champion to the Coco family during the era of the Great Depression.
It is said that elephants are very intelligent. This one thought I should be wearing a hat in the Thai sun. Very smart indeed!
Wow, what a fun ride near Chiang Mai, Thailand!
Bangkok Toastmasters, you are the best! Thank you for a grand time, the opportunity to speak at your club, and above all your warm hospitality.
A Grand Time with Bangkok Toastmasters in Bangkok Thailand
A Grand Time with Bangkok Toastmasters in Bangkok Thailand
Many thanks to my readers for your votes on YouTube. I won a really cool iPod nano! It’s a great win and perfect for this new Nonna…a nano for Nonna.
I’m off to Thailand. Be back soon.
9/1/2015 – You can see my Challenge here:
Wednesday and Thursday are my favorite days of the week. You may be thinking that is because the latter half of the week is near. Perhaps so, but in truth, those are the evenings I attend Toastmaster meetings.
Ten years ago, I joined Toastmasters as a new author looking to improve my public speaking skills. Today, through Toastmasters, I continue to improve both my communication and leadership skills, and my ability to present in front of many diverse groups. The goal is to be the most effective speaker that I can be, and Toastmasters teaches those skills.
Recently I participated in the Toastmaster District 53 YouTube Challenge. I was asked, “What drew you to Toastmasters?” It is a bit of a humorous story about why and how I joined Toastmasters. You can watch it here
You can see my response to the challenge by going to the link posted under the picture of the District 53 YouTube button to the left of this blog. Please remember to vote and leave a comment. This is a challenge and the winner will be determined in May.
If you are interested in learning more about Toastmasters, or wish to be a guest at a club near you, visit Toastmasters International. Don’t hesitate to email me with questions concerning Toastmasters.
Enjoy and thanks for your vote!
9/1/2015 – You can see my Challenge here:
Modern technology never ceases to amaze me. It brings together family, friends, and people who otherwise might never have the opportunity to meet, and their gathering happens in cyberspace. My sixth grade teacher once told my parents that I spent too much time daydreaming out the window. What she didn’t know was that I was thinking about my best friend, MaryAnn, who had moved far away. That was many moons ago, long before the Internet, Skype, and a webcam. In fact, it was so long ago that the very thought of coming together in cyberspace would have been subject matter for The Twilight Zone or Outer Limits, two really scary television shows in the 1960’s. My brother, Larry, and I watched them every week. He would fall asleep and I was left sitting there eyes glued to the TV, scared stiff and nails bitten to the skin. Just about the time my nails would start growing back it was time for the next episode.
That is why the possibility of meeting my young readers in cyberspace is such an adventure for me. Oh, how exciting it was when Mrs. Carolyn Bible, a Fifth Grade teacher in Kansas City, Kansas contacted me, requesting an author chat in cyberspace. There we were last Friday, she with her class of 17 great students gathered around a computer at their school in Kansas where they could see me, and I sat in my solarium here in Connecticut where I could see them on the screen of my laptop. WOW! Let me say kudos to you, Mrs. Bible, for bringing us all together–students and an author. Thank you, Mrs. Bible, and to your well-prepared students for a most enjoyable cyberspace visit. A creative teacher, one who goes to the “outer limits” so that his/her students can experience an author chat is a fine teacher indeed.
I still daydream, in fact more so than ever before! I watch scary shows only when Mr. De Young is nearby and promises he won’t fall asleep. However, I have yet to find MaryAnn. So wherever you are, my “best friend forever,” can we set up a cyberspace visit soon? I’ve missed you for a long, long time.
Comments
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February 18, 2010 9:04 PM ESTI’m so glad you were able to chat with the students in Carolyn Bible’s class! I am pen pals with one her students through the in2books program, where we read and corresponded about A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. I can’t wait to hear what my pen pal has to say about your chat – I bet it was a phenomenal experience for her! Thanks for taking the time to talk to the kids!
I just can’t understand how others find the time to blog, tweet, and be-“friend,” the rest of the world. To the many who try to “Facebook” me (including my own family), to those who want to tweet me, and to those who want more “where are you and what are you doing” information on my blog, please know that I am well, busy with speaking engagements, meeting my young readers, tethering my Gotta-Do list, and delegating to my hubby much on the Honey-Do list. In the meantime, hang in there because I have a new and exciting experience coming up at the end of next week! Now, THAT is on my Wanna-Do list and a real tweet, I mean treat!