Writing
I’m Addicted To The Botanical Buzz
I’m excited about going to the plant swap this weekend. I am pretty addicted to the botanical buzz and in light of that I thought I would report this old article. If you would like to use it on your blog or website you are welcome to. Please include my byline.
Addicted to the Botanical Buzz
Bridgette Mongeon © 2003
I ‘m addicted! I’ll be the first to admit it. There is no denial. I am addicted to gardening. I just can’t do without it. I love the smell of the dirt, the idea of encouraging things to grow, and changing my surroundings. Basically I have a horrible horticulture habit.
I remember once while on a two-week vacation in another state, I was taking a walk and noticed a man digging in his flowerbeds. I could not resist, and asked him if I could help. I just had to interact with the dirt, without it I was going through withdrawal. I have even found myself pulling weeds at the post office while mailing the monthly bills. When March rolls around I’m just itching to get out and dig. Throughout the winter months I try to appease my addiction. December and January kept me busy with the holidays, and cleaning up from fall, but come February I was spending spare moments in the nursery, even during the rain, looking at plants, writing down names and dreaming. It is the feeling of being around all of the flowers and foliage that puts me in good spirits, gives me my fix.
LAST FREEZE.
I’ve been true to my plants and my addiction through the cold spells. I have covered and uncovered, and tried desperately not to be betrayed by the cunning weather. I am bound and determined to give those tender plants an extra boost of growth for the upcoming season. Every piece of cloth in our house is used on plants during the winter. My hubby encourages me to buy frost protective coverings for my winter ritual. I am not sure if he is embarrassed by the look of the calico covered yard, or if he is just concerned for what appears to be the suffocation’s of the brugmansia by the bedspread.
I watched as my neighbors intently raked day after day, reaching every corner, pulling every leaf out from under and behind things. I confiscated those very same leaves, ripping open the tightly tied bags and dumping them all over my yard. Covering the tender feet of some plants, protecting them from the freeze, and pouring the leftovers into piles to be run over by the lawn mower, and then added to the compost bin.
A gardening friend swears that the 17th of March is the last freeze date for Houston. I fool myself into thinking that certainly I can do something before that date; it is part of my addiction, and probably an example of some denial. By March my sheers have been out for a month. I cannot help myself, I’m very sick!
According to Texas garden lore you can tell that it won’t freeze anymore if the mesquite is budding, others have said the same about pecan trees. I keep looking at my neighbor’s pecan trees and once again enter denial, snipping, digging and planting and saying, “It is spring, the weather is warm.” I am totally deceiving myself but for all intended purposes I’m gardening and happy.
FREE PLANTS
I have found ways to feed my addiction with free plants. This is definitely a rush. There is nothing more exciting! My suppliers and I meet in parks and under trees, providing each other with our drug of choice, nursing each other’s horticulture high.
Garden plant swaps are located throughout the Texas area. Usually held once in the fall and once in the spring, it is a premium deal for plant addicts. The concept is simple bring what you have too much of and politely ask for what you don’t have. Pre-trades done on the Internet intensify this whole concept. I’m searching for someone out there that has an extra tropical ornamental banana pup, or bamboo, or tropicals, or citrus, or succulents that they are willing to dig up in trade for something I have.
When it comes to trading plants, I’m really not that picky. The great thing about plants is that they multiply, giving you a bounty of stash to trade for in the future. When visiting a plant swap you will not go home empty handed, even if you are just coming to observe. Gardeners are very friendly and giving people, if you are not careful each gardener will be insisting you have one of their special plants. Gardeners like to get other people hooked on gardening and are more than happy to share their expertise, advice and stash. As an addict myself I know if I give you a little of my stash, you will be coming back for more. At the end of each plant swap there is an orphan plant area, a place where everyone puts their leftovers that they brought and simply do not want to take home again. A quick adoption of orphans and you are sure to have more than a handful.
There are other essential things to bring to the plant swaps, besides your trade plants. A wagon to transport plants to and from your car is helpful. Everyone appreciates getting labeled plants. Cutting up slats of old plastic Venetian blinds and marking them with a grease pencil can make great plant labels. I always bring my own table, a portable camping or cooking table will do. I also bring a long sheet or tablecloth. I put this tablecloth over my table and hide all of my found treasures underneath. It is plant swap etiquette that plants under a table are not for trade and plants on the table are. I like the old adage; out of sight out of mind, and keeping my treasures out of sight help to make sure I get to take them home. Most swaps are potluck so a dish to share is appreciated. Newcomers are always welcome to swaps but I would RSVP for all swaps, as the space is usually limited.
When I am not playing in the dirt in the garden, I am sculpting in clay at my art studio. I always bring extra sculptures, and hand made planters to plant swaps to entice traders out of their most prized possessions or coveted door prize. Other traders might bring garden related items, rocks, flower press, fertilizer, etc. to trade. Gardening related items are always appreciated as door prizes at swaps and when everyone brings a little something for a door prize it makes the experience even more fun.
Trading on the Internet is also a viable resource for plants and seeds. Start collecting your own seeds and you would be surprised what you could trade for. Many people will also provide their seeds for a self addressed stamped envelope. You can find many different trades on the forums of www.gardenweb.com. The forums are also a great place to go when it is raining and you need a garden fix. There are forums on everything from Accessible Gardens to Xeriscaping. My favorites are of course the Exchange Forum, Texas Forum and within it the Texas Exchanges, followed closely by the Pond Forum and Southern Gardening. For a general chat with gardeners Garden Party is a good choice. There are so many forums at www.gardenweb.com I am sure it will meet the needs and answer the questions of any gardener.
Ninety percent of my plants are from the gardens of others. I remember when a friend begged me to take her cannas. She was tired of them and wanted to put something else in. Eight years later, I am sharing a lot of those cannas and trading them for other rare tropical plants on the Internet.
I’m always admiring the gardens of neighbors. As I am out walking, or even driving, if I see a gardener out working, I’ll stop. I should probably put a bumper sticker on my van that states, “I break for gardeners”. I always request a tour, and so far, everyone has obliged my addiction, often digging up or snapping off a cutting for me to take home. When someone offers you a fern that they dug from their great-grandfather’s yard, and they themselves are a senior citizen, you know you have been given a treasure and a family heirloom to cherish.
As the weather warms, I’ll start my walking ritual of the garden; at least twice a day weather permitting, I’m walking the front yard and back. I don’t think things change much in a couple of hours but the walk enlivens my spirit and fills my soul. The botanical buzz is a part of my addiction.
As spring approaches and the swaps near, I know I’ll receive a lasting fix. In the mean time I’ll dig up some more cannas, divide some lilies and protect my stash for other addicts. Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer and educator residing in the Heights area.
I Just Received The Best Compliment Of My Career!
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Norman Vincent Peale
One would think that it would be about my art, or writing. I guess in a way it does have connections to that. I received this compliment by a member of the Houston Arts Association while lecturing on marketing in the arts. Next Monday is the workshop on the same topic. They have spaces open if anyone is interested. Just let me know you are coming.
“If you want a quality, act as if you already have it. If you want to be courageous, act as if you were – and as you act and persevere in acting, so you tend to become.”
Norman Vincent Peale
Anyway, the comment was as I talked about Norman Vincent Peale someone said, “You remind me of him.”
I do have many of my own goals in life, however, my deepest hearts desire is to help others get past their own stuff and realize their own goals.
To the member who likened me to Norman Vincent Peale, I am so very flattered. I can only pray that I achieve what he has in the ministry to others.
I’m looking forward to working with all of those who have signed up for the workshop. See you next Monday.
“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking every day. Cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.” ~”
Norman Vincent Peale
Unusual And Spectacular Gift For Mother’s Day
I have had several father’s contact me over the years. There is nothing that they can give that is more personal than their own child. Some of these are simple small sculpted figurines, others are life-size sculpture of their child.
Whatever the size, when someone gives a commission sculpture they are not only giving a gift, they are giving a family heirloom. They are capturing forever a time and a memory. Many ask, “Can you sculpt my daughter for my wife”, but many times the child may be grown, and I use photographs from when they were little and capture them in a moment and time.
Don’t worry if you feel this type of project can’t be completed before Mother’s day. I often create an introduction for the mother, allowing them to become a part of the creative process. Together we bring to life, what she and her husband have created.
If you would like more information please do not hesitate in contacting sculpture Bridgette Mongeon. More images and ideas can be seen on my website https://creativesculpture.com
If you know other’s who are looking for posts about unusual and interesting mother’s day gifts, They are welcome to reproduce this blog post and use the photographs downloaded to their own server.
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Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation PodcastClick on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
I Was a Non Traditional Student! Graduating With A Masters At My Age?
I have been a nontraditional student for quite some time now. I went to Vermont College to finish an undergraduate degree when my own child was going to college. I loved their form of progressive education. Then I went to Goddard College for my a Masters of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts degree. I’m graduating on Sunday!
This was not something I had to do, but something I wanted to do. It was a very fullfilling and wonderful journey.
Both of these schools are very different then your traditional education. Designing your own study was fascinating and a perfect fit for me. I am thrilled to graduate with my Masters of Fine Arts with both a focus in sculpture, especially as it pertains to digital technology in the studio, and writing.
On superbowl Sunday I will be making a huge touchdown, but it won’t be in sports.
For those interested, I was interviewed on our podcast by my daughter concerning this entire process. Here is a link for the podcast. Just click and the podcast will come up in your browser.
For those of you considering such a challenge, I have documented my entire process from undergraduate school to graduate school on my Perpetual Learner blog. Read my process, struggles, concerns and achievements. It seems strange to think, that way back when i was applying I was first figuring out how to find out what shots I had in high school.
Upside Down Christmas Party
It is becoming a tradition. The invitation says we have been doing this since 1993, not every year, but it is definitely becoming a regular happening of late. I suppose we are committed to doing it each year as people ask, “When is the Upside Down Party?” They want to be sure to put it on their calendar. It is true it is getting bigger and better each time. This year was no exception.
First… Why do we call it the Upside Down Party? It is named that because we hang the tree from the ceiling, and we have been doing this long before it became fashionable to do so. Yes, it is a real tree. Regular attendees know— our guests decorate the tree with anything …. on their person, in their car or found. So walking around the tree to see what has been put on it or on the garland that we have strung on the wall to accommodate the extra ornaments is very intriguing.
My favorite ornaments this year were a baby shoe with a message, a beer bottle, a receipt from the Renaissance Festival, and the destuffed dog toy that was in the yard.
Along with the tree there are other interesting and fun things to see, starting with the magical land of the Upside Down Christmas tree, which many say is transformed, contains fairies, and is like nothing they have seen before. Twinkle lights are lit ,the fire pit is going, and people are eating, and mingling all over the studio, yard and around the ponds and fire.
There was a contest for the most creative Christmas outfit (or ugly Christmas sweater) This coveted title was won by not one person but an entire family who had their own twinkle lights that blinked as they came through the party.
Another hit from the party came from Diliberto Photo & Design (www.dilibertophotoanddesign.com) who not only was showing their work, but provided a live photo booth for the event. What is a live photo booth? Think red carpet, lights and props. One guest said they felt like a star. To see all of the photographs from the live photo booth visit their Facebook Page . And take note that they are having a contest and choosing a New Year’s Eve party to shoot, it is free. Check out the details here.
There were many artists showing their work or hosting this years party, of course I was there
Bridgette Mongeon (www.creativesculpture.com)
My lovely husband didn’t show work this time, but he did host the party and deserves a mention here Mike De La Flor (www.mdcommunications.com)
Lloyd Ernstes was showing jewelry. Sorry we don’t have a website for Lloyd.
Bruce Foster (www.paperprops.com) had his pop up books that as Christina Sizemore described, are “pop up books on steroids.” His work is incredible and his newest book “Puff the Magic Dragon” has just been featured in the New York Times
Kit Allen (www.kitskids.com) was exhibiting some of his painting.
My favorite part of the night is the time when I can sit down and enjoy the fire, but that didn’t happen until very late.
I certainly don’t know how we will top this party next time. Guess we will have to see how that happens.
Graduate School Loans Are Cut By Government
Where have I been? I’m glad I have finished graduate school, but I am so sorry for those who are in the midst of their studies and have this extra financial debt. As I understand it, the debt deal that congress has come up with is cutting subsidized loans to graduate students. What exactly does that mean? There are both subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans that have been offered by the government. An unsubsidized loans begins to collect interest while the student is still in school. A subsidized loan does not collect interest until six months after the student graduates or if they stop taking a full class load. Basically the government is doing away with the subsidized loans for grad students.
Another thing that is going away, is a credit that is given to students who have made one year of on time payments.
Threat Against Facebook May Damage Your Reputation
By Bridgette Mongeon
PLEASE NOTE:
I respect all of my Facebook friends and do not post porn, injured animals, or violent images.
This may have to be our post every morning. You may be posting porn or killed puppies, or God knows what, and you will never know that you did it.
Because of a hacking or a virus that is now showing up on many individuals Facebook news feed, your most respected friend, parent or daughter’s news feed might be showing pictures that you would never look at. The problem is, they do not see these pictures on their feed. They have no idea what is being spread or said about them. It is that their account is a part of a malicious hacking over much of Facebook.
On November 5th, 2011, “Anonymous” made a threat agasint Facebook. It is unclear if this is activity is actually the hand of Anonymous. However, there is definitely something happening to Facebook and it is damaging the reputations of individuals.
I woke up this morning and wondered a few things
1. What did Facebook have to say about this and what were they doing?
2. How can I protect my account?
3. What should I do if I see this on my Facebook feed?
Writer Emil Protalinski from ZDNet is keeping up with what is happening and he just posted this November 15th story “Facebook confirms images of porn and violence, is investigating “
That is it? They are investigating. This is not enough; I would certainly like to know more. I like Facebook, and use it for work, education and social purposes. As a writer and an artist I spend a lot of time in my office and studio, it is nice to stay connected through this social media. Through it, I have gained and developed friendships, and business contacts and I can see what is happening with my family and stay connected. I have walked through some difficult times with my Facebook friends, but, like others, if this continues I will have to leave. I’m anxious to see how it can be resolved.
WHAT CAN I DO?
I’m not sure what I can do exactly. I’m guessing here and please note that I am. If you are like me, when you have seen the images you have looked away, scrolled quickly but terrified to click on anything about this post, incase it should “drag you into the spam.”
HERE IS MY PLAN OF ACTION
Report Each Post
I have decided to report each post.
To do this, in the corner of the post, you will see a drop down triangle, click on it and then “report as spam”
I also am going to the person’s page and posting a message to them.
“My facebook friend, I just wanted you to know that your account was apparently hacked as I just received a horrible picture of a mutilated puppy on the newsfeed with your name attached to it. I am sure you didn’t send this. I marked it as spam. I do hope you can resolve this. ”
If they are a close friend I might add, “I would like to stay in touch, when you know it is resolved, please let me know, for now, I’ll block your feed. Good luck and, by the way, here is an article I wrote about this problem, should you need some help. ‘Threat against Facebook May Damage Your Reputation.’”
I hope if I am attacked someone will show me the same curtesy instead of mumbling under their breath and deleting me.
Unsubscribe
You can also unsubscribe from that person if you wish. This is apparently in the same drop down triangle but the moment I mark it as spam the triangle disappears.
How to protect your site?
Secure Server
I have my Facebook site set on a secure server. Look at your url when you are on facebook. Does the url begin with https or http? If it is just http, then you are not secure.
To set your account to secure setting go to Account Settings – Click Security on the left top corner – click Edit next to Secure Browsing, Check box, click Save.
Watch for Spam, don’t get fooled
Don’t click on anything that is a vote on this or you must watch this video. SPAM is everywhere, be careful.
What if I am already attacked?
Here is a link to what facebook says. https://www.facebook.com/help/hacked
And this step-by-step article “Help! My Facebook Account has been Hacked” by Andy O’Donnel might help
I know many of you also consider Facebook a kind of home or meeting place. We have to protect it the best we can, as well as our reputations.
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You are welcome to use this article on your facebook or blog, I encourage you to do so. I also encourage you to send it those friends who have been hacked.
OTHER ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC
Here are some other articles about this, should you want to protect yourself.
HOW TO: Avoid and Prevent Facebook Spam
March 28, 2011 by Christina Warren
Facebook users hit by hardcore porn, violence and animal abuse images
by Graham Cluley on November 15, 2011
The Publishing Industry And Changes Concerning Faith?
As many of you know I also have a Collectibles Gift line. The God’s Word Collectible company is also the sponsor of two podcasts, of which I am the host. The guests on my podcasts are often reflective of my own personal journey. This month I contacted agent Chip MacGregor from MacGregor Literary Agency. Mr. MacGregor has worked in publishing for a long time. He has sold books to both (ABA) American Book Sellers Association and the (CBA) The Christian Book Sellers Association.
As I complete my young adult novel and begin to think about publishers I’m not quite sure it will fly with Christian publishers, though there is a strong message of faith.
Blessed not Possessed-
Developing a Relationship With the Deceased
“While exploring black magic, a family of witches, the dead, and atheism, 15 year old Caroline’s inquisitive nature and detective skills tests her faith and proves her mother is not possessed.”
the sculpting of the deceased, and the science behind them.
I have written about what I think is happening with the changes in readership of what others would call “Christian literature, ” and the desires of young readers in a recent article on this blog.
This podcast with Mr. MacGregor follows this same train of thought.
- Can Christian Authors cross over from Christian publishing to secular?
- How is secular publishing changing to accommodate a Christian message?
- Is Christian publishing changing, allowing things that are more “edgy?”
If you are interested in listening you can do so several ways.
1. You can find all of our podcasts on our Facebook Fans. http://www.facebook.com/godswordinspires
While there, please be sure to “like” our page.
2. A link is also on our God’s Word Blog
WANT TO LINK THE PODCAST ON YOUR OWN BLOG OR WEBSITE?
For those of you who are writers and may want to put this podcast on your own blog or website you are welcome to do so by using this link. When people click on the link it will bring up a new browser that plays the podcast.
( Spoiler alert: the novel is quite biographical, based on some of my own experiences with sculpting the deceased and helping people heal through the process. Yes, someone once called me possessed. )
I Need 4 People In The Houston Area With A Novel To Edit
just need four people with a
novel written in the Houston area.
Any takers?
I hear this book Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison is incredible for revision. Already I think I like it because it is more of a visual revision. I know that sounds strange for a writer. I am presently searching for others who would like to go through this book with me on their own novel. The stipulation is you must have a novel that is complete.
I would like to find four people in the Houston area that would like to go through this process. It is kind of a critique group as well as we will each read each other’s novel. I would like to begin ASAP. If you are interested please contact me through my website at https://creativesculpture.com
Darcy suggests that a small group of four is good. Or course each needs the book. We all read each others novel as well. So, I’m putting it out there, anyone else ready? I am. We can do this in perhaps a Saturday all day thing, and then intensively until we get through the book once a week. I’m committed. Anyone else? Let’s get this process of revision underway.
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Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Let’s Give Our Youth Some Honesty When It Comes To Literature And Faith
There are times when I happen upon a book in my reading that leads me into an entire adventure of exploration. Thus was the case with a small little book called Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson. Of course, my personal journey of exploration is already in full swing, questions are being asked, prompts are in my head, before I jump on the wagon for a journey that a book may take me upon.
My personal journey is surrounding a young adult novel that I am writing. Perhaps I should say that this is my first novel. Though I am a published nonfiction writer, writing a novel is an entirely different process. Instead of recording facts or processes, I am imagining, delving into my own psyche and also pulling from the experiences as well as the loved ones around me. So it would make perfect sense that my novel would entail some sort of exploration of faith. I have the bare bones of the novel written and I am in the revision stage of things when it strikes me that Caroline, the main character in my novel is pondering her own faith.
In a 1996 journal article titled Spiritual Themes in Young Adult Books by KL Mendt, Mendt talks about the “Psychosocial crisis of identity” that all young adults go through. We might describe this as the pulling away from their parents to figure out who the heck they are. I had been thinking about a simple expression of this as I was growing up. When I was a child I loved the color blue. I am not sure what day it was in my young life that I figured out that I might not like the color blue at all, but that because my mother loved the color blue I had taken that love on as my own. I know it sounds quite simple but, it was a struggle to figure out what color I really loved. Not only that, but I felt a great betrayal to my mother for choosing another color. How much more complicated it is when a young adult realizes that they now must choose their faith. That what they grew up with, in my case, the “Now I lay me,” and the “Our Father,” and communion and all of that, is now challenged as they mature. I was nine when I had my first communion. I wanted to know God, I mean really know God. I thought that would happen when I received my first communion. I was devastated when nothing happened. After communion I was the same as before. Even when I convinced myself that perhaps it was because I must digest Jesus before I would notice anything. Perhaps I am still looking, resolving, searching for my place in my own spiritual life. Aren’t we all?
In my journey of writing and reading, such authors as Anne Lamotte and Donald Miller have presently surprised me. Dubbed as ‘Christian’ authors their ability to give us real life struggles of belief, and in Anne’s case, even with a cuss word or two, has been refreshing. I was tired of reading books with a ton of scripture that seemed preachy, or like Sunday school. Or worse yet, a horrific testimony’s that lead to a cushy life in the lap of the Holy Spirit and God.
Can we expect any less for young adults? Wouldn’t it be better to broach these topics honestly in literature? I’m talking about difficult topics such as atheism and Christianity, the truth about the church history or being gay and desiring to be loved and accepted by our family and our God. How about broaching the difficulty of accepting others, the desire for sex, or the intrigue with the occult? Isn’t it better to confront the loneliness of this passage in time from childhood to adulthood, and discuss these difficult areas honestly?
I feel I am doing this in this novel.
Yet, when I was in my writers group I asked if I should look for a Christian agent or go elsewhere for this book? The novel definitely has a strong element of faith and belief in God, and might even talk about salvation, but it also talks about many other different controversial topics. No one likes editing, but it is an essential part of creating a book. I suppose my fear is having the publisher use editing as censorship. Several individuals at my writers group said, “if someone is saved or if it has that three letter word, G-O- D in your novel you may have to go to a Christian publisher.” However, I fear no Christian publisher would be caught dead actually talking about these things that I propose.
My main character has a strong faith, but, God forbid, she also has doubts. In some ways, she is like me, but this is more than choosing your favorite color. She is scared to death of the things she is feeling. Won’t someone let me publish that?
K. Mendt also states that the benefits of these type of novels “provide young adults with a point of contact between religion and history.” There is no doubt that this is of importance in history. After all, how many wars are created because of religion? Mendt also points out that many young adult book characters are “in search of good and evil, of the self, and the meaning and mysteries of life.” My 15-year-old character in my book is doing just that, so is the 50-year-old author.
Mendt concludes, “Many young adults are truly in crisis during the passage into adulthood for a variety of reasons, In addition many young adults are dealing with new understandings of concepts such as death, their own mortality, spiritual transcendence, and they should. Young adulthood can be a time of loneliness, emotional turmoil and confusions. However, it can also be a time of spiritual growth introspection, and values, clarification specially when young adults can exercise their capability for formal operational thought through spiritual themes in young adult literature.”
I should point out that Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson, the book that caused me to think in more detail about this is not a young adult novel, but instead is middle grade. This concept intrigues me even more. I asked my husband, “Why are we so guarded against other options with our children?” His viewpoint, “indoctrination.” It reminds me of the day we came home from our Episcopal church, I think my daughter was about 9. She said, “I don’t think I agree with what the minister said in the sermon.” I swirled around and wagged my finger at her. “Wonderful! I said, “question it all, bring it inside yourself and think about it, pray about what you hear, investigate other ideas, and then come to your own opinions.” It was so important for me to say. I would rather encourage my children and introduce them to all sorts of information, even faiths, and have them decide on their own, instead of indoctrinating them or coercing them into my belief system.
A parent might think they are protecting their child, but really aren’t they limiting them? Though in the Judy Blume middle grade book, Hello God it is Margaret. Are You There? Margaret is given a choice, and she finds the choice is too hard to make, she wishes she had not had the choice, and that she grew up with a faith. Still, I’m a proponent of exploration and acceptance. I’d like to see that in young adult literature. Even my character in this novel, in the end of the book says that she has learned more from those who are different from her than she has from those who are the same. She is presently seeking out others that she can friend and converse with that can challenge her intellect and her spiritual muscles, while teaching her tolerance of others.
And by the way, at this moment, I’m not really sure what my favorite color is. For a time it was black, which as I understand it is a noncolor. For a time it was cranberry. I was in a purple stage for a while and I really love teal, which is almost blue, just like mom.
In light of this parttern of thought, and as suggested by the mentioned journal article, I have been reading.
Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved. Harper Trophy, 1980.
Potok, Chaim. The Chosen. Simon and Schuster, 1967.
Rylant, Cynthia. Missing May. Dell Yearling
Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. Berkeley: TQS, 1972.
Mendt, KL. “Spiritual Themes in Young Adult Books.” Alan Review 23.3 (1996): n. pag. Web. 24 Feb 2011. <http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring96/mendt.html>.
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Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast