When it gets to be fall, my spirit is strengthened. I always try to take a few "fall walks" because this season just speaks to me! The colors, the cool, crisp air, and perhaps the anticipation of the Christmas season; I love it all! It is as if God has taken out his paintbrush and "wow's" us with each scene. That is definitely how I felt earlier this month when I drove from Denver to Farminton, New Mexico to the Cherish Bound Annual Convention. I drove with my good friend, Janae Oldham, and my new friend, Opalanaga (a professional storyteller). We drove down the western slope and used the "million dollar highway", with its narrow, very curvy roads, no guard rails, and about a 10 inch shoulder! The views were AMAZING! We were audibly "oohing" and "ahhing" at each turn in the road. The colors were stunning and we stopped as often as we could to take pictures. We passed through this quaint town called Ouray, which is near "the Colorado Alps." It was so beautiful. The interesting thing, though, was coming back the same way...it snowed and we saw a completely different landscape! The snow mixed with the colors, the moisture made the colors all the more dramatic, and we were amazed!
As for the Convention, I was inspired there, as well. We spent an entire day at the Four Corners Story TElling Festival and heard both children and professionals share their varied stories. We sat under huge, white tents outside and listened to people share fiction, personal anecdotes, tall tales, and poignant stories. I LOVE what I do...sharing with people the power of stories in their lives! Each time I get my own books back, I LOVE to watch my children look at them, share them, and take such joy in our family's story. I've published well over 20 books for my own family and have a huge list of other books to write "when I have the time". Anyway, the whole weekend was inspiring and uplifting...all two days of the convention, and all 21 hours of driving!
