Hello, world (or family and close friends)!

As I venture into my new blog frontier, let me say right off that I am a children's writer. Since retiring as an Elementary Teacher, I've been blessed with more time for creating and writing stories in this bunny-eat-bunny world of children's publishing, as Olga Litowinsky said in her title It's a Bunny-Eat-Bunny World (2001 - Walker and Company).

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you'll visit again as I grow and develop this blog.

So, here goes, my very first blog post - ever.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me."
                                                                     ~Erma Bombeck

As a writer I find the use and structure of our language and words fascinating. I find quotations especially fun. The other day while perusing a gallery I spotted the above Erma Bombeck saying on a very large rustic sign. I've read it before, but this time the sentiment struck me in a different way. Let me explain.

I have wrestled with the buzz surrounding the ideas of writer platforms and social media to get yourself out there. I understand this for published authors as they have books, appearances, and wares to share with their fans. But for those of us who don't yet have books, upcoming appearances, or wares to share, it hasn't made much sense to me. In fact, I once heard a very successful author share that she sometimes thinks she's writing her blog posts to herself. So I've asked myself, if she feels this way, why would anyone (besides maybe my family and good friends) take a look at a blog from an unknown (me)?

But after much contemplation, I've decided to finally dip my little toe in the water. With help from a precious young friend I have created a website and this, my very first blog post. Thank you, Megan.

And so when I stand before God at the end of my life, may I not have a single bit of talent left and be able to say, I used everything you gave me...including a website, a blog, and social media.