Joei Carlton

February

Joei — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:27:22 +0000

The winter seems to be rapidly coming to an end and I’ve done little to nothing in the way of writing, nothing in the way of photography, little in the way of reading, some bead work since I’ll be loading up display cases at various libraries when I get back to Surrey.

Tomorrow (Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.) I’ll be doing a lecture on Morocco at the Shangri La RV Resort. I’m hoping for a good crowd since it does not interfere with the Super Bowl game and some people have mentioned that they’ll be there. It is also on our calendar and the daily message board.

On February 18th I’ll be doing a book signing at the Barnes & Nobles here in Yuma and I know that I mentioned it before but I received word today that Mara Knaub will be interviewing me for the Yuma Sun so, again, I’m hoping for a good crowd that will enable me to sell the 15 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada that B&N are bringing in for the event. Always good when a crowd shows up and EVERYONE seems to love Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Chicken Soup is also calling for stories about “Independent Women” and the start of the story has been rolling around in my brain. I really should sit down and do it. As I’ve said on several occasions – once I have the opening line of the story, it writes itself – and those opening lines are coming to me in the middle of the night. Should definitely get at it.

Starting to feel much better. Cough seems to be gone and have energy – just don’t know what to do with it all…..so I’ll write. More later. Joei

Hanging In

Joei — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:54:45 +0000

Well – It’s been a rough few days and I’m definitely mending but not fast enough for my liking. Everyone around seems to have this chest congestion and I’m only one among the many. I have been taking Muscilex for a few days and although I still have a cough I don’t have any other cold/flu symptoms. Today I started boiling water, covering my head with a towel and breathing in the vapors. I think I’ll try that a few times a day and see if it helps. Can’t hurt.

This will probably be my last winter in Yuma. I love the size of the city and all the craft shows but I’m not happy with the campground. The regulars have been there WAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long and not the least bit friendly. They have their own friends and that’s all they need. Even though I’m in their age group (and possibly older) they are way too old, set in their ways and enjoy themselves with lots and lots and lots of booze. I’m delighted that I have a few (vendor) friends. Unfortunately for right now we all seem to be suffering from the same chest congestion – not fun.

This year’s weather is no where near last year’s weather. I think I’ve been in the pool a couple of times but nothing to brag about. There has been a cold breeze and while I’m delighted that I’m not shoveling anything I’m not happy with it.

Yesterday I locked myself in my camper and spent the entire day beading – finally unwrapped that new batch of beads that I’ve been hoarding. Still want to drive up to Quartzsite and I WILL.

Last Monday I dropped my Press Release, Brochure and a letter off at the Yuma Sun. I’m hoping to hear back from one of the reporters about an interview regarding my booksigning at Barnes & Noble on February 18th. I’ll definitely keep you posted.

More later……..Joei

A Fly in the Ointment

Joei — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:31:04 +0000

I spent an entire day writing about the Chicken Soup story that I was going to send to Writer’s Weekly. Although owner/editor ended her note with HUGS – she actually tore a strip off my hide telling me that she did NOT consider Chicken Soup to be a success, that they exploited writers by not giving them a contract or promising to pay, which, of course, is bull….. I just sent her my answer and I’ll tell you word for word what I said so you’ll know how really snide I can be:

“The good thing about running your own business is that you can make up your own rules – no matter how stupid they are.

AND I’m sure the followers of WRITER’S weekly are far more interested in stories about your children’s school, their numerous accidents, your many trips to the ER and words of wisdom from your 5 year old than stories about getting published in a worldwide phenomena like Chicken Soup.”

Okay – you can cuss me out now…..I’m mean and cruel……and I agree with you all.

I have been keeping myself busy with craft shows, back to a little writing, some crafting and since there has been much rain in the desert I’m waiting for the desert flowers to show themselves and I’ll get oodles of pictures. For the last few weeks the weather has been VERY sunny and cool – my favorite.

Not much else to report but all is well here. Getting anxious for a little trip to Quartzsite – for beads, beads and more beads. Joei

A New Year

Joei — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:49:21 +0000

Welcome to 2012 and from the looks of it I’m going to be busier than ever and I love it. I called Barnes & Noble this morning and they have ordered 15 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada – and I’ll be doing a signing at their Yuma store on Saturday, February 18th. I called Hastings Book Stores and was told that if my name was on the cover OR if I was doing a signing with someone whose name was on the cover they could accommodate me but otherwise – NAY – so NAY it is. I’ll be contacting the local newspaper to see if they’ll do a story about me.

I also learned from my friend Edith that Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada – is now available in Costco……now how cool is that. I’m hoping to still have Katie the publicist to work with when I get back to Canada.

I sent a note to the on-line magazine called Writer’s Weekly to write a “success story” about my Chicken Soup story. Needless to say I’m milking it for all it’s worth.

Weather here in Yuma has definitely improved. It’s in the high 70′s with a cooling breeze while the rest of the country is freezing their tushies off……do I know how to pick’em or what. All is great here in Yuma and loving it. Joei

End of the Year

Joei — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:29:23 +0000

I have no idea where 2011 went but tomorrow starts an entire new one AND I hope it’s as good as the last. I remember an old friend saying that “every day on this side of the grass is a good day.” And he is right. My year has been great. I have been in good health and so has everyone in my family – despite the fact that we are all a year older. I have added some new friends both at home in Surrey, BC and here in Yuma, Arizona and have enjoyed hearty laughs, great conversations and good meals with more to come in the new year.

I don’t seem to be writing quite as much as I used to (and perhaps that’s just my way of recouping) but had my first story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and immediately sent them 4 more stories so I’m hoping He Shoots – He Scores is the first of many. I just learned a few days ago that Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada is now available at Costco Canada) I have also designed a new line of bookmarks that combine my photography and beadwork and it has added an entirely new dimension to my working career.

I am reading more, enjoying more games like Mahjjong (a game with tiles) and Hand and Foot (a game with cards). I have been enjoying more movies and have decided that when I get back to Surrey I’ll be staying put for the spring, summer and fall except for camping rallies and, of course, teaching at the RV Owners Lifestyle Conference at Okanagan College in Kelowna. I definitely plan on writing more (which will include finishing my mini read on Greece and starting another one) lecturing more and will find more places to display my bookmarks along with my books.

The only thing that has left a really dark stain on my brain was the motorcycle accident I witnessed about a week after my arrival in Yuma and have learned that the cyclist died. I don’t think it’s something I’ll soon forget.

Happy and Healthy New Year Everyone – see you in 2012. Joei

Running out of Year

Joei — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:23:46 +0000

I attended my last craft show of the year this morning. It was in my home park so it was REAL easy to get to work. I rolled out of bed around 7:00, had coffee and breakfast, walked across the road to the club house and went to work. I sold a few books, some earrings and a bookmark and then spent most of the money earned on strands of beads that my friend (Jean) at the next table was selling. The strings of beads will be taken apart and made into bookmarks – I love having new beads to play with. I also purchase 2 strands with Jesus on the cross at the end…..not something I generally do…..since I’m Jewish but it reminded me of a VERY funny story that I had to tell Jean. I was 23 years old and having my gall bladder removed. My doctor was Jewish but was working in a Catholic Hospital. I was in my room after the surgery and my poor little mother had to climb on my bed so she could pry Jesus down off the wall. Never did get the job done – some nurses came in and stopped her. (Come on folks – that’s funny) but to add to the humor – when I took the 2 strands of beads out of the plastic bag one of the Jesus statues fell off the string of beads……now I’m worried about what I’m getting into here…..I really just liked the beads……Anyway, I’ll keep you all posted.

The campground has been showing wonderful movies on Wednesday nights. Super 8 a couple of weeks ago was terrific – of course everything directed by Spielberg is terrific. Last Wednesday we saw The Help and I loved it. Had a little trouble understanding some of the black ladies when they spoke but I’ll see it again and I’m sure I’ll make out all the words and tonight is Larry Crown and Tom Hanks can do no wrong in my books.

I’m also reading a fantastic book. It has been in my camper cupboard for over a year but I finally took it out. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister – absolutely WONDERFUL.

We are just days away from Christmas so I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone reading this a Happy Channukah, Happy Kwanza, a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Safe New Year. Joei

Rain, Rain, Rain

Joei — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:45:31 +0000

I was told that they have a 12 inch rain rule in Yuma, Arizona – the sunniest place in all of America. You draw a 12 inch by 12 inch square on the ground and then you count the raindrops that land in the square. Now that’s the kind of “12 inches of rain” that I can handle – after all I do live in British Columbia so I know what rain is……..BUT yesterday afternoon and last night it rained buckets and buckets and buckets. If I wanted to see that much rain I would have stayed in British Columbia……ah heck who do I think I’m kidding – I would have left anyway. Today – Wednesday, December 14th, rain is over and it’s sunny so all is right with the world.

I have been working at craft shows, meeting up with all my vendor friends and enjoying life in Yuma, Arizona. I have several days off now and I’ll be heading over to Barnes and Noble and Hastings Bookstore to see if I can do a signing or two with that Chicken Soup for the Soul story. I’ve called the bookstores and they don’t have the book in stock but they can order a few (I’m sure).

I’ve seen a few of my full-time RVing friends and have enjoyed lunches, dinners and snacks out. I just heard from my friend Joan Weston and she’ll be here for Christmas and New Year. Diane and Dale Heath will be heading home for Christmas but back in the new year and I’m hoping to see them also. I was at Cocopah Golf and RV resort for a craft show and met up with someone I lunched beside at Costco in Newton. Small world but I knew she had purchased a permanent trailer that was being put on an RV lot in Cocopah.

An update on the accident (a motorcycle with driver and passenger ran into the back of a car) I witnessed in front of Westwind RV Park a couple of weeks ago. I was told that the driver died. It was so horrible to see.

Enjoying the sunshine. Enjoying my friends. Enjoying the craft shows…….all is well and I won’t wait as long to update. Joei

Quite a Week

Joei — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:14:33 +0000

I attended my first craft show down here in Yuma, Arizona and although I didn’t sell a huge bunch I did manage to reduce my inventory by 2 books, 6 pairs of earrings and 6 bookmarks. Since these craft shows take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon it leaves the rest of the day to shop, read, write, do more crafts – or since I’m not used to working anymore – nap.

Last night I was picked up by my friends Dee and Dennis from Colorado and we went out to dinner at the Logan’s RoadHouse Cafe – without a doubt I had a best ribs I have ever tasted. Without eating any bread and just a few steak fries and a delicious salad I was stuffed at the end of my meal. Also must confess that I cleaned off those ribs like I was a starving orphan from Rumania. Since this was my first time I was presented with a bag of peanuts in the shell to take home and my friends – who brought me – received a card for a free appetizer on their next visit. Only in America.

After dinner we went to JoAnne’s Fabrics – seems they had a bead sale on. I told Dee not to let me buy anything. I was just going to look – BUT – they had all these seed beads in colors I had NEVER seen before and the price was 77 cents per pack down from $1.29 – how could I resist. Okay so I bought 1 or 2 packages. Okay so I bought 5 or 6 packages…..Okay I bought 11 packages but who’s counting and I know that I’ll use them.

Today I received word that a story about me was published in Senior Living Magazine – Mainland – December, 2011 Edition. The article, by Mala Ashok, was titled New Beginnings and I think she did a terrific job. It was easy to access on-line but I did ask my friend Edith to pick up a bunch of copies for me.

Next week will be another busy one. I have craft shows on Monday and Friday and then 3 days at the Yuma Fairgrounds – fun, fun, fun and that’s why I’m in Yuma. More next week. Joei

Rounding out the Month

Joei — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:23:19 +0000

I’ve had a busy week – considering that this is the end of week one. I am now booked into 5 craft shows in 5 different RV parks each month for December, January and February. Also for the month of December I’m booked into a 3-day craft show at the Yuma Fairgrounds. I worked the Fairgrounds last year as well but in February. Although I made my money back for the table rental they were long days without much business. I ended up bringing in my beading supplies and making earrings instead of sitting and doing nothing. I’m hoping the fact that it’s the Christmas month and I have a good supply of my FABULOUS bookmarks (which would make great stocking stuffers) will make a real difference. I also have oodles and oodles of books to sell.

I have also managed to meet up with my friends Dee and Dennis for coffee and definitely want to have dinner with them before they move on. My friends from Canada Lynne and Fred are also here and we met for coffee, after which time I ran into the Cookie Lady from the RV Owners Lifestyle Conference in Kelowna and we stopped for a chat. I almost never get out of Wal Mart without running into someone I know from somewhere else. Fun, fun, fun.

Since the mornings (and the inside of my camper) are cool I have been putting together more bookmarks and within the next few days I’ll get back to working on my mini-read on Greece. I seem to have put it aside and am having trouble getting back to it. Such is life. I’ve dived head first into beading, swimming, working out in the gym and meeting up with friends and can’t seem to get back to the mundane stuff. Tonight I’ll be watching Bridesmaids and having a good laugh – I’m told. Popcorn is on the menu.

All is well (very well – in fact). Life is good (very good – in fact). I hope it stays this way!!!!!!! More later. Joei

Settling In

Joei — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:09:24 +0000

I arrived absolutely exhausted on Tuesday and by Wednesday was out doing chores. I stopped into a couple of RV parks to see if I could get a table at their craft shows. I have 2 callbacks to make next Monday before heading to Wal Mart for a load of groceries. I also ran into a friends from Raccoon Valley, Tenn while at Wal Mart – fun. I love when that happens. Before heading back to my camper I stopped at Westwind RV Resort and they do indeed have a table for me for all 3 months of their craft shows. I didn’t stay long because I had groceries in my truck.

I was waiting at their gate to make a right turn. A couple of cars were stopped in the opposite lane waiting to come into the park. A motorcycle with rider and passenger didn’t realize that the cars were stopped and plowed into the parked car. The driver flew off the bike into the on-coming lane. I was stunned for a second, got out of my vehicle and by the time I got my phone out someone else was calling 911 – I just felt sick. Someone started directing traffic and I got out of the mess as soon as I could – the ambulance was on it’s way.

That was day 1 of my winter in Yuma. I’m slowing recovering and enjoying. Thanksgiving Dinner with JoEllen and her family was wonderful. Friday I called a bunch of RV parks and will be attending at least 5 different Craft Shows each month. I’ll also be lecturing at Shangri La – where I’m parked for the winter and, of course I’ll be contacting some book stores about signings for Chicken Soup for the Soul.

In short – I’m a happy camper – with lots to do. First of all, though, I’ll try and get back to Shaw Cable and see if they can straighten up the mess they’ve made of my account. Waited on the computer for on-line chat for over 1/2 hour before they told me to try later. Shaw Cable – SUCKS. More later. In the meantime, all is well. Joei