November 17, 2011 In books, communication, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Why Bother to Proofread?

Ah, so I’m not the only one who spots a single typo on a page of 300 small-print words. Of course, to err is human (we’ve all done it), so no scolding here, just some fun and an underscore of why we bother to proofread.

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“The Pasta Bible” by Silvio Rizzi and Tan Lee Leng: … A recipe calls for “freshly ground black people,” (I’m thinking that oughta be black “pepper”, no?)

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“The Fiction” by H.P. Lovecraft: … “…our vessel was made a legitimate prize, whilst we of her crew were treated with all the fairness and consideration due us as navel prisoners.” (Unintentional belly humor.)

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“The Queen’s Governess” by Karen Harper: … “In the weak light of dawn, I tugged on the gown and sleeves I’d discarded like a wonton last night to fall into John’s arms.” (A rather starchy romance…)

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“An American Tragedy” by Theodore Dreiser …”…harmoniously abandoning themselves to the rhythm of the music – like two small chips being tossed about on a rough but friendly sea.” (Lays or Doritos?)

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“King James Bible”, 1631: …”Thou shalt commit adultery.” (yikes)

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And one from my personal archives….. back in the mid 80’s, a hulking print campaign of AT&T’s “Spirit” phone system had inadvertently used a competitor’s name, “Sprint”, in place of “Spirit” throughout the documents. Luckily someone caught it before it went to press…

♦

(Typo spottings from above best-selling books, courtesy HuffPost Books section.)

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November 14, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #46: Pair of Pears

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

A pair of pears. Why not just pair, or just pear? Because, as we have been taught, things are often better in pairs. Two eyes, two hands, two feet, for example. Or “two heads are better than one”. Noah filled the ark in pairs. Girls always use the ladies room in pairs.

It must be, then, that two pears are more advantageous than one lonely pear all by itself. Twice the fiber, twice the vitamin C, and twice the calming effects on the nervous system.

Of course, the real truth is that I picked Pear as a positive P because, for some reason, I like to paint them. I actually prefer to paint them than eat them. Their curves and colors are incredibly conducive to a pen or brush ~ they practically beg for portraiture. For this reason alone, pears are good. Add in the medicinal benefits and they’ve got “positive” written all over them.

So a pear of pairs presents a dual positive. And I figure we could all use a double-dose of cheerful thinking now and then. Just remember to try and pair up wisely. And yes, eat your fruit.

"Two Pears" / © Patricia Saxton / Oil on Canvas

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November 12, 2011 In branding, business, communication, design, graphic design, intelligence, marketing, presentation, social media, web design By Patricia Saxton

Orchestrating a Website

You need to bite the bullet and create a website. Or your old site is in dire need of an update. No big deal, right?

Maybe, maybe not. There are easy ways and harder ways, less expensive ways and more expensive ways. But whichever way you choose, you have to understand that there are moving parts involved.

It’s a virtual symphony of information and imagery, with varying degrees of interconnected elements that create the whole song. And as with song, the parts can be arranged well or not so well ~ and the audience can tell the difference.

So before you begin, do your homework. Know what your site is about, and organize your content ~ at the very least a simple outline. Figure out who your audience is, and speak to them ~ try to put yourself in their shoes. Look at what your competitors are presenting … discover what makes you/your business unique. Play to your strong points while being as authentic as you possibly can.

Consider what your main topics will be, your sub-topics, what you want to say and how you want to say it. Whether you want a blog, a website or both. Whether you’ll tie in to social media, use videos, slide shows, shopping carts. Whether you’re enamored by bells and whistles or truly need them to boost your message. Whether a template, a modified template or fully custom is best. Whether you need a very simple web presence, or a full-fledged living website.

When you’re ready to make the plunge and toot your horn, there’s help out there to get you started and/or take you through the whole orchestration.  We’re one of those places. Talk to a few; find the match that suits your needs. And whoever you choose, make sure communication is clear and open in both camps so that the flute solo comes in on cue and the trombones don’t drown out the violins.

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November 10, 2011 In art, children's books, creativity, drawing, illustration, imagination, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Doing What You Love

“let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”  ~ Rumi

I came across these sketches the other night .. a couple of the original pencil drawings for A Book of Fairies; and was reminded how much I enjoyed creating that book.

They also reminded me that loving what you do can translate into something that’s not only real and viable~ but with enough good spirit (backed by solid effort … and maybe a muse or two), it can also touch others in ways you hadn’t imagined.

How do you measure that? It comes unexpected, in the eyes of a delighted child, eager to share a story about the mermaid they saw in their grandfather’s creek, or the child who sends you a hand-drawn thank you with fairy crowns and sparkles, or the teen who wants to be an author or an illustrator too.

And all of that makes all the years of well-loved pencil scribbling all the more meaningful. It makes doing what you love make sense.

 

 

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November 7, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #45: Pachyderm

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

Wrinkles never looked so good. Nor housed beings so big and rich in personality, intelligence, loyalty and tender care as an elephant clan.

Then there are the rhinos and hippos. And wild boars and warthogs. And I have to say I’m pretty enamored with their novelty and longevity in a civilized world. Just knowing they exist makes me happy for some reason.

That I’ve seen them in the wild makes me even happier ~ but let me tell you, I wouldn’t want to cross any of them when they’re in bad mood. They’re thick-skinned and they don’t take any bull. You gotta admire that.

And there’s something to be learned there, huh. Longevity… loyalty… thick skins… worrying less about things that are out of our reach, and more about taking care of what’s within our grasp, right here and now.

Food for thought.

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November 4, 2011 In art, books & stuff, branding, creativity, design, illustration, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?”… west of the delaware and south of the mason-dixon line

Book by book, bag by bag, button by button, good people are spreading the message that “peace starts here”. Much appreciation to these new peace ambassadors!

The fabulous Hunga Bunga Java shop in Surf City, NC

The Hunga Bunga Java mascots!, North Carolina

off to school!

Christmas in October at Lake in Wood campground, Narvon, PA.

Delta Gamma house, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH

"Tiger Spirit", Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH

My Jacket

(ps:  all “where in the world is peace?” images are being compiled on a special “where in the world is peace?” page, here. Totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or join our FaceBook page and post them there. Let”s see where peace goes!)

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November 3, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #44: Pumpkin

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

Pumpkin season! Bewitching, enchanting, spooky, happy pumpkin season….

I know I’m a little late on this one. It was all ready to go, then the power went out. Then it stayed out. Halloween itself was cancelled. School’s been cancelled. So you could say, life took a turn.

But the power’s back on, and my orange Pumpkin Cat “P” is here to remind us to make room to be bright, lighthearted and playful, a little bit preposterous ~ and, yes, even pointless now and then. :  )

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November 1, 2011 In art, creativity, design, imagination, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Electric Peace

Peace is having your heat & electric restored after 4 long, cold days! (inspiring another image for the as of yet unofficial “52 Weeks of Peace²“)

I like candlelight and am pretty crazy about real wood fires in the fireplace. And sure, it’s cozy bundling up in blankets and soft, warm woolly sweaters.

But right now, after 4 days of forced power-lessness, I’m so loving my creature comforts. I’m dancing in the house, smiling at my microwave, and basking in the light from a 75-watt bulb. Modern life never felt so good.

Ahhh.

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October 31, 2011 In appreciation, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Halloween is Cancelled.

Who cancels Halloween?  How do you do that?  Two words: Mother Nature.

Power gone, wires down, great big trees crashed to the ground. No spooky goblins at your door, no candy treats, no inside heat.

At first it was “cozy”. Second day …”acceptance”, more firewood, more candles.

Third day …. how did the pilgrims do it?

Edison was the genius of genius-i, whose praises I sing. Power back on will be the next best thing. How conditioned we become…

Of course, another big question is whether we will eat the mini Baby-Ruth chocolates that are waiting inside our special Spells & Potions candy book…

(Regular posts, and important things like work, will continue when power comes back and our hands and feet have been duly warmed…)

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October 28, 2011 In creativity, imagination, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Crazy for Pumpkins!

I love these pumpkins! Every October, the illustrious California-based design firm Duarte Design holds a Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest. The results are pretty incredible. Check out these testaments to creativity…

© Duarte Design / 2011 Pumpkin Carving Contest

You can see them all here and cast your vote for a favorite. The deadline for voting is October 30; the results are posted on Halloween Day. And while you’re there, don’t miss their pumpkin Hall-o-fame. It’s big fun. :  )

Have fun carving, and Happy Halloween!

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October 27, 2011 In music By Patricia Saxton

From the Farm to L.A.: A Young Starlet

While I’ve got Wittenberg on the brain, let me tell you about Allie. She’s a smart, energetic, bluesy-voiced, extremely talented 20-something-year-old ~ and yes, another graduate of Wittenberg University. And she may very well be bound for stardom since making her way from Ohio farm country to the big city life about a year ago.

allie persinger and her awesome band

I met Allie through a mutual friend, several months before she finished her years at Witt, when she was thinking about heading to NYC after graduation. We clicked on a bunch of levels, and it was clear that she was very bright, full of passion and brains and guts. The world was out there waiting and she was ready to grab it with gusto.

She chose Los Angeles over NY, and chose music over some of her other gifts ~ and she’s out there now living her dream in full shiny color. The hard knocks, the awesome opportunities. Working hard, reaching for the stars. I hope she reaches them. I think she just might.

So here’s an introduction, through a video with her (very cool, very talented) band. And below that is a quieter, a capella piece she recorded on a visit back home. (I know Allie, it’s not perfect ~ but it’s really good!!) Both are well worth a listen. Enjoy, and keep a lookout for this rising star!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50UMFEtOfug&feature=player_embedded

Michael Row-Hallelujah

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October 25, 2011 In appreciation, art, books & stuff, children's books, creativity, design, illustration By Patricia Saxton

Witt World Whirlwind

Yea, say that ten times fast! Or, rolling more easily off the tongue, you could say the whirlwind Witttenberg University book-signing weekend went very well. And Wittenberg is still a beautiful campus, with classic Ohio friendliness in tact.

My book-signing was set for 10AM on the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend, and I was so pleased that a good number of people got themselves up and out in time to be there. It was a terrific crowd, in fact! I loved seeing old, familiar faces and meeting new ones. I loved that they liked my books. :  )

I also loved meeting a particular young girl who adores mermaids and aspires to be an author/illustrator, and loved that she gave me a book she wrote (complete with drawings). That was an especially precious moment, in a weekend of special moments, memories revisited and memories made.


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October 24, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #43: Patterns

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

They’re unavoidable. Patterns, seen or unseen, weave the tapestries of life. From small and intricate to big and bold. Some as “routine” as the sun rising and setting, or tides coming and going. Some, like the hides of zebras and giraffes, are unique and irregular. An Aztec calendar is mystifying. A sky of stars, grand and mind-boggling. The patterns upon patterns that create the whole big universe ~ unfathomable.

And then there are the patterns of daily life; individual tapestries woven from the choices we make ~ the clothes we wear, the colors we include, the language we use, the people we align with, the actions we take, the thoughts we think.

And all of our choices that are creating patterns that are busy creating our own personal tapestries, interweave with others’ patterns creating their own personal tapestries ~  all becoming part of the quilt of the great big unknowable picture.

So how do you want to pattern your world? Which thought patterns serve you well and which get in your way? How will you weave your life tapestry?

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October 18, 2011 In art, books & stuff, children's books, design, illustration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Traveling Peace: Book Signing Update

Heading out soon to my old college stomping grounds in the friendly midwest.

It’s homecoming weekend at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and I’ll be stationed at the campus bookstore on Saturday the 22nd, between 10 & 11 am, with my 3 books and some cool gear. If you’re in the area, come say hello!


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