Adventure

Adventure 234 ~ Write To Joan Aiken’s Daughter

/ intrepidjane

I’ve been trying to remember Joan Aiken’s name for about 3 months, and last night I sat up in bed and exclaimed it out loud!

The reason I was so keen to remember it is that Joan wrote a book that I loved in the 1970s : it was a book of Eastern European folk-tales. The book was beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated, and I was trying to explain to an artist friend of mine the kind of feel I wanted to create in a book I was thinking about writing. I wanted to use Joan’s book as an example, but the author, illustrator and title eluded me (until last night!)

This morning, I Googled Joan and found that, although she died in 2004, her daughter, Lizza, has created a website in her memory, celebrating her life, her work and her illustrators. I was able to find the book from my childhood (and the illustrator) with ease.

The book was called “The Kingdom Under The Sea And Other Stories” and the illustrator was none other than Jan Pieńkowski . I’d call it a magic book : I don’t know where it came from, I’m not exactly sure when I got it, and I don’t know where it went. All I know is, it left a footprint that has remained after all these years.

For today’s adventure, I emailed Lizza to let her know how I had loved her mother’s book and how that book has remained with me for such a long time.

(Oh – and when I fell back to sleep , I had a dream-and-a-half! … You can hear all about it in today’s video-blog 🙂 ).

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

Adventure 233 ~ Try A New WordPress Widget

/ intrepidjane

I was so excited about my “technological victory” yesterday, that I just couldn’t help myself today 😛 . As I was pretty certain that it would be impossible to put any kind of sign up box in the right-hand side bar of my website, I thought I’d g adventuring and see what I could manage.

And… if you tilt your eyes up to the right, you’ll see that I managed it! I really enjoyed myself working out how to do it (I feel rather pleased with myself, I must admit 🙂 ).

If you’re a WordPress.com blog/website owner, and this is something you’l like to do for your own site, then this is how you do it :

1. Go to Dashboard

2. Go to Appearance

3. Go to Widgets

4. Select and drag “Image” to the side bar

5. Make sure you already have the image you want to put into the side-bar loaded into your Media Gallery.

6. Paste the URL of your image into the appropriate box (you can get the URL if you go to your Gallery, and then click on the image ; scroll down the right hand side, and you’ll see the URL).

7. Paste the target URL (where you want people to end up when they’ve clicked on the image) into the appropriate box.

That’s all there is to it!

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

Adventure 223 ~ Forage For My Breakfast In The Hedgerow

/ intrepidjane

Well, when you’re out camping, you can get pretty hungry! So today, I decided to see if I could find anything in the hedgerow that I could add to my breakfast bowl 🙂 . (Nature’s larder seems to be quite full at the moment 😛 ).

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

 

Adventure 222 ~ Set Up A Bird Box

/ intrepidjane

Today I set up a bird box! I’ve never had a bird box, table or  feeder in my garden before, so this will be a new experience. I hope it encourages birds into the garden ; I’m looking forward to learning how to identify them 🙂 .

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

Adventure 220 ~ Write A Letter Of Thanks [5]

/ intrepidjane

It’s the final day of my letter-writing adventure and today I’m writing a letter of thanks to everyone who has offered support to me whilst I’ve been adventuring! And here it is ….. (it’s for you).

A Letter Of Thanks To Everyone Who Has Offered Support To Me And To My Adventure Project.

Hello you!

When you’re out on the road adventuring , it’s really good to know that you’ll bump into other people as you go (solo adventuring can get a bit lonely at times). If I’ve bumped into you in the last 7 months, this letter is for you because you’ve really made a difference : you’ve offered me the experience of connection, you’ve offered me support, and you’ve shared your time and spirit with me in generous ways.

If I’m honest, I don’t think my adventures would really have been the same without you. So, I just want to let you know that your support has been really appreciated.

If you read my blog : thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to pop by and leave comments . (I know you’re busy, and the fact that you read my words, and watch my video-blogs, means a great deal to me. Yup. You even reading these very words right now is a big deal.)

If you keep up with my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Google+ : thank you! I appreciate the connection and all the retweets, likes, comments  and shares . (You are a fabulous encourager).

If you’ve been inspired to have an adventure or two yourself  : thank you! It’s good to know that there are other  people out there doing their own thing : that makes me smile. (You’ve been in my thoughts).

If you’ve watched my webinars or TV show : thank you! It was good to know that you were watching and it was fun to share the experience with you. (You’ve given me some ideas too : you’re generous in ways that you may not even realise).

If you helped me out by being a guest on my TV show or by being interviewed : thank you! It’s been lovely to discover new friendships and renew old ones. (You really are brilliant.)

If  I’ve written a letter of thanks to you over the last 5 days : thank you! You inspired an adventure. (Wow. Wherever you are in the world : your message got to me. I mean, it really got to me.)

If you are one of my friends, and you continue to listen to me go on (and on) about how brilliant adventuring is : thank you! (No. Really. Because there are another 5 months to go. At least.)

With heartfelt thanks,

Jane (I am just going outside and may be some time, but I do hope to bump into you again).  🙂

 

 

 

Adventure 219 ~ Write A Letter Of Thanks [4]

/ intrepidjane

Today I write a note of thanks to Katherine Bolton, writing coach. Katherine gave me some top tips about getting published ; I really appreciated her generous spirit, her directness and her humour 🙂 .

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

Adventure 218 ~ Write A Letter Of Thanks [3]

/ intrepidjane

Today’s letter of gratitude has been sent to William Buhlman, the creator of the audio programme “How To Have An Out- Of- Body Experience.”  I am certain that following this programme helped to create the optimal conditions for the creation of my choral piece and the writing of my short story.

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

 

Adventure 217 ~ Write A Letter Of Thanks [2]

/ intrepidjane

Today I emailed a note of thanks to Steven Pressfield, author of  ‘The War of Art’ and ‘Turning Pro’. He inspired my 7-day Big Distraction project and I am certain that the influence of his books has facilitated the development of my children’s story from the writing stage, through to submission to agents and publishers.

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT

Adventure 216 ~ Write A Letter Of Thanks [1]

/ intrepidjane

Today, it feels like I’m changing direction. Last week was all about retreating from my distractions (which involved retreating from the world of social media). This week is all about reaching out and connecting!

For 5 days, I’ve decided to write letters of thanks to those who have had a direct impact on my adventures and on my life.

Today, I have written to Asia Voight, animal communicator.

I am just going outside and may be some time.

JT