Friends | Posted by Jannie on 18 September 2009 @ 7:57 AM
40 Comments
photo by Jannie Funster: 9-17-09
If I were brave I’d tell you something deeply secret about me. But I’m a total wimp, so let’s get on with a book review, shall we — a book by someone who actually IS brave in a real way, Kimmi Rich.
I liked Kimmi’s writing style so much over at her Writer In Waiting blog that I ordered her The Unbreakable Child, recently released on Kunati’s “Provocative, Bold, Controversial” label — a book the September issue of Writer’s Digest Magazine cites as “a wonderful model of how to craft a hopeful ending,” an assessment I second, third and fourth!
It was far from an easy book to read, but you can bet it was ten thousand times harder to write. From the second paragraph her story broke my heart with accounts of unspeakable abuses and neglect that she, her three sisters and countless other children suffered at the hands of Catholic nuns and a priest at an orphanage near Louisville, Kentucky in the 1960s. Kimmi entered their so-called sisterly “care” when she was three and finally escaped their clutches nine years later.
“Look out, Kid. They keep it all hid.” — Bob Dylan
Unspeakable. Yet she spoke. Spoke up for justice and for the ones who could not speak — the class action lawsuit she initiated the first in the United States to result in a monetary settlement from a Roman Catholic order of nuns, 45 victims in all.
It was Kimmi’s spirit and beautiful writing that kept me reading. Her sheer will and resilience in the face of horrors. Yes, even with humor sometimes. Unbreakable spirit. Her joy at simple blessings such as the gift of a bracelet from a kind soul — her one possession in nine years, a bracelet she managed to keep hidden from the nuns and still wears to this day. Small triumphs such as the honor of having a piece of her school artwork displayed for a few hours before a nun destroyed it. A possible once-yearly day trip somewhere. Getting to feed a dog, albeit not the friendliest dog in the world, while it’s alcoholic nun owner went to “dry out.”
Kimmi is the unbreakable child who finally ended up with the forever family she longed for and deserved — her loving husband and children. She volunteers for Habitat For Humanity and at a homeless shelter. She helps kids learn to read and write. She signs hundreds of copies of The Unbreakable Child at her book signings. She listens to “Swinging On a Star” on her iPod.
Why do some people rise above childhood atrocities to lead wonderful productive lives and bring their own children up not only without abuse, but allow them to flourish, while others who’ve faced the same abuses crash and burn? Spirit? Courage? Luck? Love? Forgiveness?
So, Lance is THE ULTIMATE WINNER for best describing what Jannie Funster is all about. He will receive a bag of Cheetos, a box of 5-oz Dixie Cups and pair of brand-spanking-new mismatched socks.
To you “also-rans” who vied for the tagline title but met with crushing defeat in the face of bras and beers, and to all of you who come here regularly, thanks for reading — you are the hearts and bones of JannieFunster.com and I appreciate your support so much.
And guess what?! I’m finally getting my blogroll set up, so please check it out and let me know in the comments below if your blog’s name is correct. it will be linked forever. And ever! 🙂
Picture me today as Vinny in gold chains, Hear the scratch of my polyester sleeves against my fake oak desk as I lean forward to claim that “This — My Excellent Friend — is your lucky day to get in on the ground floor of a once-in-a-lifetime unbelievable opportunity.
‘Cept I’m just regular old Jannie sipping tea here on my futon.
But there is a real deal and her name is Thomma Lyn Grindstaff, author of the very well received Mirror Blue, her debut novel on the Black Lyon Publishing label.
Imagine if Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Julie & Julia,) had just published her first novel. And imagine she had a personal blog where she would respond to your comments with a smile and a wink. And often a hug. And suppose she might post wonderful things, as Thomma Lynn does, like…
photos of hikes on her Tennessee mountain,
her garden’s progress this year, where she took this…
to this…
to this…
to this…
and this…
and these.
To have been new BFFs with Nora Ephron when she was just starting out, would that have been cool, or what? That’s how I feel about Thomma Lynn, pictured below with her Marilyn MonREOW. I stumbled onto Thomma Lynn’s Tennessee Text Wrestling blog last fall and am so lucky to call this gardening, cat-wrangling mountain-hiking woman my good friend.
Mirror Blue is categorized as a Literary Romance Novel — Literary being the key word, thankfully, as for me Romance Novel usually conjures up images of Aunt Lucilda engrossed in soaps, chain-smoking menthols and swilling Yoo-hoo while devouring Harlequin Romances. But please, for the love of Pete, don’t let your mind linger on that lovely image one second longer. Mirror Blue falls dead opposite on the Aunt Lucilda spectrum. When you think Mirror Blue, think longing, waiting, charm, humor, deep thoughts, intrigue and heartbreak via characters you easily grow to love and root for, in pages that flow like a dream of delights on many levels, written in highly original, often poetic prose, with a plot that keeps you rooted and rapt from the first sentence to the last. I can see it as a gripping movie.
And I’d tell you a bit about the storyline but I’ll leave that to Julia of the “A Piece Of My Mind” blog in her excellent Mirror Blue review.
So — My Excellent Friends — act NOW to get in on this ground-floor Thomma Lynn’s Grindstaff deal while she’s still got the time and energy for all us little people! She’s already on the third revision of her new book “Heart’s Chalice,” with more novels to come.
Oh, and talk about a mutual admiration cooincidence, Thomma Lynn recently published a review of My CD “I Need A Man” on her blog. Small world of love.
Photo by: Me [that’s my Kelly in the blue goggles.]
So, I was moping around in my satin hipwaders and golden fuzzy bra on the front porch swing — hungry, thirsty and gripped by general inertia, when up our pansied walkway bounced a sprite in a red riding hood and blue tights, holding out a basket of muffins and a super-jumbo thermos of coffee with my name on it.
Holy hen-house, Batman. What the?
“Hey, Jannie-Banannie,” the sprite grinned. “It’s me, Tess Marshall! Yep, your The Bold Life blogging buddy.” Take these, will ya? “And this,” she handed me a book. “Read it. You just might like it.”
And with two jingles of her ankle bells Tess vanished, leaving my big eye beholding the back cover of the cool smooth book in my hands;
Uplifting quotes… and stories that provoke thoughtful self-examination… empower you to move towards inner change, let go of the past, follow your dreams and fly.”
Okay, why not? I was only moping around anyway.
So I ate. And drank. Boy did I eat and drink. And I read. I read that whole book in 3 hours.
It lifted me up immediately to let go of doubt and fear, or at least give them both a good boot to the butt. Tess’s voice whispered from under the porch, “Jannie. Jannie. You must go beyond your fear to leave your comfort zone. Remember that turning points in your life are usually preceded by fear.” Yeah, so true!
After I was all coffeed and muffined and Tess’ed up I went out that day in my red cape and smiled at everyone I met. I planted flowers. I sang songs to old people (they seemed to like my wedgie one best.) I took the stairs instead of the elevator. I “wrote love letters to the world,” signing them with kisses of hope and inspiration. I forgave everybody who had ever hurt me. I became grateful for every single thing in my life, and I still am. Grateful, that is. Even for the yucky stuff, for the yucky stuff is our best teacher.
Flying By The Seat Of My Soul is available off Tess’ The Bold Life blog, either as a free download or in the delightful paperback you see pictured above with my Kelly-bops, the paperback surely a gift you can give yourself for less than the price of a movie and small popcorn.
It’s chocked full of real stuff your can sink your heart into and fly with.
I recommend it very extra much. And Blue Bunny does too.
Family, Friends | Posted by Jannie on 8 July 2009 @ 4:55 PM
30 Comments
Here’s the picture I’d planned to include in the Fathers’ Day Extravaganza Post. Kelly’s first boat ride, here on Lake Austin when she was 8 months old and I a mere 27 years young. (Interesting, as I was 38 when she was born.) 🙂
Oh, but I forgot — I’m really not here today! I’m over at Joy Rebel Brandi Reynold’s in an Interview. Shall we meet there? I’ll bring the cheezi poofs. And beer.
