They are very clever over there at The Bachelor. By now, the producers know what sells and drama is #1 on their wish list. This season, Sean's quest to find that forever woman, Tierra is providing the drama and making the producers giddy with excitement. She is providing enough fodder for two shows- the Bachelor and Evil Dating Woman ( a new reality show I just thought up). Why, in god's name, would anyone in their right mind brag to the camera about how clever they are about dating and winning competitions if they've watched past Bachelor shows and have seen what a social death wish it is for the evil contestant? Look at Michelle Money who later came back on the Bachelor Pad and spent the whole summer trying to prove she was a nice person. Look at Courtney who broke up with Ben and went on to date Ari. You think she's not living down an evil reputation in her every day life. Oh yes she is. Just ask Brad Womack who was supposedly in intensive therapy for years after he did chose a woman in the final episode and later broke up with sweet Emily (who might not be all that sweet if she can't hold onto Jef).
Check out my novella on Amazon: The Husband Hunt http://amzn.com/B00BN1YNS0
It's about a reality dating show and can be read in one hour! Now back to my blog about this.
Being the evil dater women is not good in Bachelorville. Someone tell Tierra. Unless she's going for that roller derby job, and I seriously think so seeing she snubbed funny Lindsay last night on the derby remark, T is doomed for dislike. Did anyone see how the editors cut the skating piece last night to look like T was pushing gals all over the rink and even caused an injury? And now, what we are most looking forward to when they go to Banff or wherever all that ice and snow was, it looks like T runs out onto the ice, gets really cold and it makes her mascara run down her face in emergency proportions. See, I can't say anything nice about her at this point because of her camera bragging?
On the other hand, shame on Sean for choosing roller derby action just because he wanted to see some catty girl fight action. Shame. And shame on him for picking Sara, the lovely woman with only one arm, to go on that date. And shame on the producers for talking him into that. There is a lot of shame going around that Bachelor set this morning.
Front runners for me: I like Ashley for Sean. She's sweet, maybe too sweet for him after that roller derby activity and giving Leslie M diamonds, treating her like a princess and promptly dumping her before they even heard James Taylor's son sing one measly song.
And even though I am not sold on Sean as a sexy bachelor, I will be watching next week to see Tierra's makeup run to her chin in the snow. And isn't that what those shameful producers want?
Check out my soon to be bestselling novel on Amazon NECESSARY DETOUR about a rock star who retires and can't avoid danger to save her own life. http://amzn.com/B00AU50M76
It's holding at #22 on Amazon Suspense!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Rock Star Confidence Crumbles
I teach a humble little course about Confidence to writers who tremble at the thought of getting up in front of thousands of adoring fans (or even 2). This story is what happened to me one Saturday, whilst teaching...
As I gazed out on the
audience of attendees who came to ‘Channeling Your Inner Rock Star’ and I
cautioned my listeners how to avoid reading the audience too closely, I realized
that the group in front of me looked more bored than a group of supermodels at a
class about humility.
I almost broke a
sweat as I worried about how the women in front of me were receiving what I
said. Am I being too confident about self-confidence? Not confident enough? Can
they tell I’m worried that I’m not helping them enough? Am I simply feeding my
desire to be watched, by doing this class? To be loved?
Accepted?
I stopped myself. Be
confident. Assume they love you, Kim.
I followed my own
advice and believed that they were praising the day they saw my name on the
workshop lineup. It’s what you should do in a situation like
this.
My audience on
Saturday was a small group, given that the AVON live-stream online chat was five
feet from our door (with cupcakes), but I was pleased at the turnout. I’d been
prepared for one or two. Having been in the Bellevue Hilton bar years before,
when we’d added to our group of cocktailers a gal who didn't have anyone attend
her workshop. “Oh dang,” we’d said with glasses of chardonnay, “join us and you
can do your workshop on us.”
Not my workshop
though. I had attendees! After all, it was only 11 am. These pioneers had waded
through a Cherry Adair chat and Avon loving bodies to get to the door of the
workshop that would teach them how to channel the most confident, most engaging
side of oneself in the new days of self- promotion. These gals had put off other
incredibly helpful classes to see if I could offer some insight to confidence.
All I needed was one person in the class to need me. To need the confidence to
do their own PR work.
I raged on. And it
was magic.
After the class, the
person who I thought was most likely to run for the door in boredom, approached
me with a story to break my heart--to make this reader want to champion for her,
to read everything she’s written. And, I wondered what, in an audience of
writers who worry about self confidence, was I expecting to see? The writers who
attended my class, gave me confidence that there are many ways to support, to
love and to champion for the women who have left the safe path to write novels.
And that we totally rock. You totally rock. Just the fact that we write books,
hoping to entertain and enlighten... I love us.
Singing ‘We are the
champions, my friend...”
And now, in an effort
to Channel my inner rock star, here is my new signature to show I’m social-media
savvy...
Fancy Signature,
Kim Hornsby
Commercial
Women's Fiction
You only journey if you dare to leave home
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Technically Challenged but Hey, I Can Blog!
Ok, so I can't figure out Createspace, can't attach music to my slideshow/trailer and may self destruct as I try to promote my first book, but I'm trying, aren't I? At the age of 55, I was raised in an age (and town) where computers just weren't available. If they arrived in the school system it was after I graduated. I never sat behind a real computer until I was 40 and had my first baby. The internet had to be explained to me years before by an infommercial host I worked for who called it "the information highway". I'm pretty sure I rolled my eyes and thought he was drunk. How could you get all that information from a box on your desk, I mean really?
Twenty-two years later I have my very own kompooter and can type all kinds of things and publish stuff and pretend that people are listening to me. Yes, I have a blog, yes, I have a web page and yes I can email with the best of 'em but please don't ask me to format anything or delve too deeply into the bowels of WORD to fix anything. Or to go into the bowels of anything, come to think of it. I'm not very savvy at the box on my desk. I recently lost my whole address book in email and can't figure out how to get it back. This is not good seeing I want to email everyone I've ever known to ask them to buy my book. A year before I couldn't figure out how to access my photos, then realised that they have their very own file. It's too much for this old brain. Do I have to learn all this too even though I just think I figured out how to write a book. Yes, yes, I think so. I fear I will get left behind like the kid in Home Alone if I don't learn to keep up. Tweeting is baffling to me and I keep asking my ten year old to figure it out and then let me know in 4 words or less. Facebook is relatively understandable. Email is a breeze unless I go on vacation and can't get in to my account that I've had since I sat at my first computer. BUT, creating slideshows with music has got me pulling my already thinning hair out by the roots and having to join all these groups in Yahoo and post and contribute has me wishing I was a little more technically minded. I'm exhausted just thinking about all this.
Here are some words that didn't exist when I was at the top of my retention and understanding game: Download, jpg, tweet, kindle, pinterest, blog, vlog, hyperlink, internet, search engine ( I still am not sure what this is) and smart phone. The latter of which I do not have, nor do I want.
I am a self published author, as well as published with a real, live NY publishing house and I'm damned lucky to have gotten that far. Super, uber-lucky, some would say, namely some lady on Goodreads named Jayne something who gave my novel a rating of 2 when everyone else loved it. I know I'm fortunate to be where I am, although self pubbing is only a matter of choice, not brains or talent, and I am thankful to be in this space age decade of being able to read off a glowing panel in my hands as I lie in bed at night, especially reading my very own book--words I put on that page. The thought of it is heady.
So when you ask why I haven't created a kick-ass trailer for either of my published books or why I don't tweet more, or share cool photos on FB, please imagine my ability to do these things as a baby lying in a blanket waiting for someone to diaper and feed it. Useless. Dependant on whatever information another writer wants to throw my way.
It isn't that I don't want to do these things. I do. I'm just not developed enough as a modern writer to draw on these new-fangled, dad-burned devices to use what's in front of me. I'm trying the best I can with what I have. No tweeting for now and probably no trailers. But at least there will be books.
Over and out for now. Thanks for reading, as always!
Kim
Twenty-two years later I have my very own kompooter and can type all kinds of things and publish stuff and pretend that people are listening to me. Yes, I have a blog, yes, I have a web page and yes I can email with the best of 'em but please don't ask me to format anything or delve too deeply into the bowels of WORD to fix anything. Or to go into the bowels of anything, come to think of it. I'm not very savvy at the box on my desk. I recently lost my whole address book in email and can't figure out how to get it back. This is not good seeing I want to email everyone I've ever known to ask them to buy my book. A year before I couldn't figure out how to access my photos, then realised that they have their very own file. It's too much for this old brain. Do I have to learn all this too even though I just think I figured out how to write a book. Yes, yes, I think so. I fear I will get left behind like the kid in Home Alone if I don't learn to keep up. Tweeting is baffling to me and I keep asking my ten year old to figure it out and then let me know in 4 words or less. Facebook is relatively understandable. Email is a breeze unless I go on vacation and can't get in to my account that I've had since I sat at my first computer. BUT, creating slideshows with music has got me pulling my already thinning hair out by the roots and having to join all these groups in Yahoo and post and contribute has me wishing I was a little more technically minded. I'm exhausted just thinking about all this.
Here are some words that didn't exist when I was at the top of my retention and understanding game: Download, jpg, tweet, kindle, pinterest, blog, vlog, hyperlink, internet, search engine ( I still am not sure what this is) and smart phone. The latter of which I do not have, nor do I want.
I am a self published author, as well as published with a real, live NY publishing house and I'm damned lucky to have gotten that far. Super, uber-lucky, some would say, namely some lady on Goodreads named Jayne something who gave my novel a rating of 2 when everyone else loved it. I know I'm fortunate to be where I am, although self pubbing is only a matter of choice, not brains or talent, and I am thankful to be in this space age decade of being able to read off a glowing panel in my hands as I lie in bed at night, especially reading my very own book--words I put on that page. The thought of it is heady.
So when you ask why I haven't created a kick-ass trailer for either of my published books or why I don't tweet more, or share cool photos on FB, please imagine my ability to do these things as a baby lying in a blanket waiting for someone to diaper and feed it. Useless. Dependant on whatever information another writer wants to throw my way.
It isn't that I don't want to do these things. I do. I'm just not developed enough as a modern writer to draw on these new-fangled, dad-burned devices to use what's in front of me. I'm trying the best I can with what I have. No tweeting for now and probably no trailers. But at least there will be books.
Over and out for now. Thanks for reading, as always!
Kim
Friday, January 4, 2013
Necessary Detour is LIVE on Kindle!!!!
So excited. So busy. Can't believe it. Writing short form.
Last night I got an email from The Wild Rose Press marketing director Lisa Dawn and found out that my second book Necessary Detour is Live on Amazon and has been for a week. I felt like I gave birth 7 days ago and hadn't seen the baby. Rest assured I ran to the nursery, saw the baby, held the baby and told it I loved it. Phew.
So now I have two novels on Amazon where two months ago I had none. I"m a bit overwhelmed and can't even stop long enough to correct my apostrophes. Or check the spelling of apostrophe!
I seriously doubt anyone reads my blog but someday, someone might and if they delve into former posts, I want to have chronicled the excitement of publishing my first books.
I like both novels. Alot. But then I think writers should like their own work. Are there things I would change in Necessary Detour? Sure. But it's out of my hands now, published by someone else and all I can do is wish it well in the journey to the best seller list.
I'm still making corrections on The Dream Jumper's Promise, including a re-do on the cover and having control of that feels good. Wish I didn't have this darned full-time jobbie job. And that I didn't need to sleep. I want to email every person in the world and ask them individually to buy my books. Oh well.
Happy Reading!
Last night I got an email from The Wild Rose Press marketing director Lisa Dawn and found out that my second book Necessary Detour is Live on Amazon and has been for a week. I felt like I gave birth 7 days ago and hadn't seen the baby. Rest assured I ran to the nursery, saw the baby, held the baby and told it I loved it. Phew.
So now I have two novels on Amazon where two months ago I had none. I"m a bit overwhelmed and can't even stop long enough to correct my apostrophes. Or check the spelling of apostrophe!
I seriously doubt anyone reads my blog but someday, someone might and if they delve into former posts, I want to have chronicled the excitement of publishing my first books.
I like both novels. Alot. But then I think writers should like their own work. Are there things I would change in Necessary Detour? Sure. But it's out of my hands now, published by someone else and all I can do is wish it well in the journey to the best seller list.
I'm still making corrections on The Dream Jumper's Promise, including a re-do on the cover and having control of that feels good. Wish I didn't have this darned full-time jobbie job. And that I didn't need to sleep. I want to email every person in the world and ask them individually to buy my books. Oh well.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
# 10 - The DReam Jumper's Promise
I"m doing the happy/excited dance over here. My novel reached #10 on Women's Fiction Kindle free downloads last night and held it's own for hours. It's at 16 right now but I'm still dancing. I just posted on FB again and tweeted like a canary on speed.
This is the payback for all the promo I did in the last week I guess. Thanks go to my fellow 12 Authors and 12 Books! Lori Leger's book is doing really well. So is Diana Layne and the others!!!!
See below for the list of free books and if you haven't downloaded them, DO IT!
The Dream Jumper's Promise later reached #5 and held that spot for hours. So fun!
This is the payback for all the promo I did in the last week I guess. Thanks go to my fellow 12 Authors and 12 Books! Lori Leger's book is doing really well. So is Diana Layne and the others!!!!
See below for the list of free books and if you haven't downloaded them, DO IT!
The Dream Jumper's Promise later reached #5 and held that spot for hours. So fun!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Free Kindle Downloads!
Readers!
Here's 12 free downloads for Kindle Available December 25, 26th
My novel The Dream Jumper's Promise is available also on the 27th.
Scroll through, find your book for the Winter Break...
Kim
BUY
VOWS OF REVENGE by J.F. Ridgley (J.F.Ridgley’s Website)
After her patrician husband sells her to a fate worse than death, Aelia must learn that in Amalfi you live by your heart, not by Rome’s laws.
BUY
ADRIENNE’S GHOST by Leah St. James
FBI agent and psychologist investigate the murder of an FBI recruit and come face to face with the victim’s spirit.
BUY
THE GOOD DAUGHTER by Diana Layne (Diana Layne’s Blog)
Payback is a bitch…
BUY
LAST FIRST KISS by Lori Leger (Lori Leger’s Website) (Lori’s Cajunflair Blog)
Her daughters want a daddy…She wants her old life back…All He wants is the three of them…
BUY
THE SLAYER’S WIFE by Tenaya Jayne (Tenaya Jayne’s Blog)
Best friends turn into deadly enemies for the love of one woman.
BUY
HER DRUID TEMPTATION by Trish F. Leger (Trish Leger’s Website)
Prequel to Trish’s awesome Amber Druid series.
He’s always been her temptation…Will she finally give in?
BUY
QUOTABLE by Kathy L. Wheeler
BUY
MISS MERRY’S CHRISTMAS by Callie Hutton
The duke fired the annoying governess; his mother re-hired her as a companion. Now she’s driving him crazy.
BUY
LADY IN THE MIST by Alicia Dean (Alicia Dean’s Website)
A psychology student takes a job caring for a mentally unstable young man on a remote coastal island and becomes embroiled in a deadly mystery.
BUY
JOURNAL OF A LYCANTHROPHILE by Fierce Dolan
When the kink most forbidden is the monster that satisfies.
BUY
THE DREAM JUMPER’S PROMISE by Kim Hornsby (Kim Hornsby’s Website)
A broken promise has consequences…
BUY
BOUND BY DECENCY by Claire Ashgrove (Claire Ashgrove’s Website)
Here's 12 free downloads for Kindle Available December 25, 26th
My novel The Dream Jumper's Promise is available also on the 27th.
Scroll through, find your book for the Winter Break...
Kim
Ancient Rome Historical
BUY
VOWS OF REVENGE by J.F. Ridgley (J.F.Ridgley’s Website)
After her patrician husband sells her to a fate worse than death, Aelia must learn that in Amalfi you live by your heart, not by Rome’s laws.
Paranormal Romantic Suspense (Novella)
BUY
ADRIENNE’S GHOST by Leah St. James
FBI agent and psychologist investigate the murder of an FBI recruit and come face to face with the victim’s spirit.
Suspense Thriller
BUY
THE GOOD DAUGHTER by Diana Layne (Diana Layne’s Blog)
Payback is a bitch…
Contemporary Romance
LAST FIRST KISS by Lori Leger (Lori Leger’s Website) (Lori’s Cajunflair Blog)
Her daughters want a daddy…She wants her old life back…All He wants is the three of them…
Paranormal
THE SLAYER’S WIFE by Tenaya Jayne (Tenaya Jayne’s Blog)
Best friends turn into deadly enemies for the love of one woman.
Erotic Paranormal Romance
HER DRUID TEMPTATION by Trish F. Leger (Trish Leger’s Website)
Prequel to Trish’s awesome Amber Druid series.
He’s always been her temptation…Will she finally give in?
Contemporary Romance
QUOTABLE by Kathy L. Wheeler
Regency Historical
MISS MERRY’S CHRISTMAS by Callie Hutton
The duke fired the annoying governess; his mother re-hired her as a companion. Now she’s driving him crazy.
Gothic Mystery Novella
LADY IN THE MIST by Alicia Dean (Alicia Dean’s Website)
A psychology student takes a job caring for a mentally unstable young man on a remote coastal island and becomes embroiled in a deadly mystery.
Gay Paranormal Kink
JOURNAL OF A LYCANTHROPHILE by Fierce Dolan
When the kink most forbidden is the monster that satisfies.
Romantic Suspense with Paranormal Elements
BUY
THE DREAM JUMPER’S PROMISE by Kim Hornsby (Kim Hornsby’s Website)
A broken promise has consequences…
BUY
BOUND BY DECENCY by Claire Ashgrove (Claire Ashgrove’s Website)
Friday, October 19, 2012
Home from NIcaragua-Do Good,Feel Good
This month I took off with my beloved friend, E, to Nicaragua, a third world country in Central America. (North of the Panama Canal and south of Mexico). My cousin retired there two years ago and I have an unique in with the country that way. Family, language, tour guide and a familiarity I wouldn' t have if, say, I just up and went to El Salvador. BE SAFE was what we heard most before taking off for Houston and then on to Managua. I can relate to the warning when I compare our adventure to visiting a small, unknown foreign country with questionable lawlessness. Truth is that Nicaragua is safe, has a very low crime rate and the people are lovely. They don't even have an army. Recently when the Costa Rican army mistakenly marched into Nicaragua on field drills, they simply turned around and marched south again.
We flew Seattle to Houston and then on to Managua. Landing at Managua, we headed to the colonial town of Granada, 45 minutes away, where my cousin's son (2nd cousin) had recently opened a restaurant. El Camello, the cafe, became our hang out as we assembled every day after our jungle hike to gorge on a delicious lunch and make a plan. We travelled as a group of anything between three to six (more family members visiting) and sometimes a group of nine (if the restauranteers could get away). Canoeing in the Islas off Granada, swimming in the warm crater lake, Laguna des Apoyos, eating, eating and more eating, our schedule was full along with our tummies. Thank goodness for those 1-2 hour hikes at 7 am and 4 pm everyday to find Howler monkeys. Conversation often drifted to the local cast of characters who've moved to the secluded country, some genuinely lovely people-- retirees --and many the 'wanted and unwanted' as my cousin said. Because it is a poor country, there are many problems for the native population who must struggle to survive amongst the American, European and Canadian ex- pats. It's not unusual to see an old, wizened white man with a young, nubile Nica girl and warnings are everywhere around Granada to not exploit under age minors.
We left Granada after five days to begin our second leg of the journey, a personal mission to do some good in Nicaragua. Both E and I brought 50 pound duffel bags from Seattle stuffed with school supplies, learning toys, clothes and shoes in hopes of connecting with The Nicaragua Children's Foundation in San Juan del Sur, the only tourist town on the west coast of the country. When my cousin dropped us off in that beachside surfing town, we set out to find our contact and line up a way to help the remote schools that they support. Surfing would have to wait for another trip. Our mission was clear. Turned out it was much easier than we'd anticipated. When we got in touch with Veronica and she divvied up the learning toys and supplies to go to three schools, we were given orders to be ready to roll the next morning at 9 to help the Foundation all day.
Her car picked us up at La Posada Azul where we stayed (loved it, see Trip Advisor), and we went immediately to the Pali (think Safeway) to buy supplies for two families. E and I shopped for the poorest of families in the town of Ojachal and with the help of Veronica and a man named Martin, we bought rice, oil, boullion, powdered milk, TP, toothpaste, soap, cookies and a variety of everyday items we take for granted here at home. Juice was loaded in too, with ice and paper cups so we'd be able to take a treat to the village that had no electricity and no refridgeration.
Our first stop, once we got fifteen minutes out of town, was Miravelle's school where the children shied away from us, thinking we were American nurses, there to give them shots in the arm. The juice and ice changed things fast. The school's best students lined up and we gave out pencils and notebooks and toothbrushes and toothpaste to each one. Then we strung a pinata filled with candy and watched the same three boys smash that scary, pink-haired clown until carmellitas spilled out onto the school's tiled floor.
Next, we delivered a wheelchair to a stick-thin grandmother who'd broken her pelvis. She took my hands in hers and thanked us for the chair, from the bottom of her kind heart. I took the thanks on behalf of others, even though I was only a witness to what the NCF does to help these unfortunate people.
The village of Ojachal was only weeks away from electricity, thanks to NCF and the mayor of San Juan del Sur, and our next task was to hand out three lightbulbs per house. There was an anticipatory excitement in the air in Ojachal. The recipients handled the energy saving bulbs with such reverence and care, it was touching. Hiking back through a farm, along a dry river, up a hill, across a meadow, through barbed wire and up another hill we found ourselves at a piece of property we called the Three Anna's. Camped on the land was an extended family headed by a mother named Anna, and a father who was in town presumably at a job. Two daughters we met that day were named Anna as well, one being a 14 year old special needs girl who was sick that day. She sat on a wooden plank on the dirt floor,(her bed) in a corugated tin shack (their home), clutching a blonde Barbie doll. It was the saddest thing we'd see that day. Unable to look up, she was in pain and frightened. I had a flat of acetaminophen which I gave to the mother. We unpacked their groceries and took pictures on behalf of the NCF and after hugs, hiked out and moved on to the second family who'd get groceries that day. After more pictures and hugs we drove into the school yard and unpacked the learning toys and supplies that E had carried from Seattle. The little kids from the younger grades sat at tiny wooden desks drinking their juice (with ice!) and when we handed out pencils and pencil boxes, they giggled and swung their little feet. I took pictures and showed them what they looked like on camera, which seemed to be good fun, as well. We blew up some Oriental Trading Company inflatable toy animals, bounced a ball around that we'd brought and tried to converse with the mothers who'd drifted in with babies in arms to see what all the fuss was.
On our way out of town, we were treated to a meal by an enterprising young woman of 20 years who cooks and sells her food miles away at the main road. In this area of Sammamish she'd be called a caterer. In Ojachal she was simply trying to make a living to support her small, clean hut where we sat at a table set for enchiladas.
It didn't seem like much, what we did, but we had a feeling of accomplishment as the truck took us back to town. In the grand scheme of things it was barely a drop in an ocean but it was something, and we felt grateful for being able to help. It wasn't the last thing we'd do for the Nicaraguan Children's Foundation-- a non profit organization with headquarters in Vancouver Canada, and an office in San Juan del Sur. Their mission involves the running of a special needs school and helping with the town's public school San Francisco de Assis. They are reaching out to the rural areas now to provide education to children who wouldn't normally have the luxury. Please visit their site and see if there is anything you can do to help. You won't regret it. www.nicaraguachildrensfoundation.com
We flew Seattle to Houston and then on to Managua. Landing at Managua, we headed to the colonial town of Granada, 45 minutes away, where my cousin's son (2nd cousin) had recently opened a restaurant. El Camello, the cafe, became our hang out as we assembled every day after our jungle hike to gorge on a delicious lunch and make a plan. We travelled as a group of anything between three to six (more family members visiting) and sometimes a group of nine (if the restauranteers could get away). Canoeing in the Islas off Granada, swimming in the warm crater lake, Laguna des Apoyos, eating, eating and more eating, our schedule was full along with our tummies. Thank goodness for those 1-2 hour hikes at 7 am and 4 pm everyday to find Howler monkeys. Conversation often drifted to the local cast of characters who've moved to the secluded country, some genuinely lovely people-- retirees --and many the 'wanted and unwanted' as my cousin said. Because it is a poor country, there are many problems for the native population who must struggle to survive amongst the American, European and Canadian ex- pats. It's not unusual to see an old, wizened white man with a young, nubile Nica girl and warnings are everywhere around Granada to not exploit under age minors.
We left Granada after five days to begin our second leg of the journey, a personal mission to do some good in Nicaragua. Both E and I brought 50 pound duffel bags from Seattle stuffed with school supplies, learning toys, clothes and shoes in hopes of connecting with The Nicaragua Children's Foundation in San Juan del Sur, the only tourist town on the west coast of the country. When my cousin dropped us off in that beachside surfing town, we set out to find our contact and line up a way to help the remote schools that they support. Surfing would have to wait for another trip. Our mission was clear. Turned out it was much easier than we'd anticipated. When we got in touch with Veronica and she divvied up the learning toys and supplies to go to three schools, we were given orders to be ready to roll the next morning at 9 to help the Foundation all day.
Her car picked us up at La Posada Azul where we stayed (loved it, see Trip Advisor), and we went immediately to the Pali (think Safeway) to buy supplies for two families. E and I shopped for the poorest of families in the town of Ojachal and with the help of Veronica and a man named Martin, we bought rice, oil, boullion, powdered milk, TP, toothpaste, soap, cookies and a variety of everyday items we take for granted here at home. Juice was loaded in too, with ice and paper cups so we'd be able to take a treat to the village that had no electricity and no refridgeration.
Our first stop, once we got fifteen minutes out of town, was Miravelle's school where the children shied away from us, thinking we were American nurses, there to give them shots in the arm. The juice and ice changed things fast. The school's best students lined up and we gave out pencils and notebooks and toothbrushes and toothpaste to each one. Then we strung a pinata filled with candy and watched the same three boys smash that scary, pink-haired clown until carmellitas spilled out onto the school's tiled floor.
Next, we delivered a wheelchair to a stick-thin grandmother who'd broken her pelvis. She took my hands in hers and thanked us for the chair, from the bottom of her kind heart. I took the thanks on behalf of others, even though I was only a witness to what the NCF does to help these unfortunate people.
The village of Ojachal was only weeks away from electricity, thanks to NCF and the mayor of San Juan del Sur, and our next task was to hand out three lightbulbs per house. There was an anticipatory excitement in the air in Ojachal. The recipients handled the energy saving bulbs with such reverence and care, it was touching. Hiking back through a farm, along a dry river, up a hill, across a meadow, through barbed wire and up another hill we found ourselves at a piece of property we called the Three Anna's. Camped on the land was an extended family headed by a mother named Anna, and a father who was in town presumably at a job. Two daughters we met that day were named Anna as well, one being a 14 year old special needs girl who was sick that day. She sat on a wooden plank on the dirt floor,(her bed) in a corugated tin shack (their home), clutching a blonde Barbie doll. It was the saddest thing we'd see that day. Unable to look up, she was in pain and frightened. I had a flat of acetaminophen which I gave to the mother. We unpacked their groceries and took pictures on behalf of the NCF and after hugs, hiked out and moved on to the second family who'd get groceries that day. After more pictures and hugs we drove into the school yard and unpacked the learning toys and supplies that E had carried from Seattle. The little kids from the younger grades sat at tiny wooden desks drinking their juice (with ice!) and when we handed out pencils and pencil boxes, they giggled and swung their little feet. I took pictures and showed them what they looked like on camera, which seemed to be good fun, as well. We blew up some Oriental Trading Company inflatable toy animals, bounced a ball around that we'd brought and tried to converse with the mothers who'd drifted in with babies in arms to see what all the fuss was.
On our way out of town, we were treated to a meal by an enterprising young woman of 20 years who cooks and sells her food miles away at the main road. In this area of Sammamish she'd be called a caterer. In Ojachal she was simply trying to make a living to support her small, clean hut where we sat at a table set for enchiladas.
It didn't seem like much, what we did, but we had a feeling of accomplishment as the truck took us back to town. In the grand scheme of things it was barely a drop in an ocean but it was something, and we felt grateful for being able to help. It wasn't the last thing we'd do for the Nicaraguan Children's Foundation-- a non profit organization with headquarters in Vancouver Canada, and an office in San Juan del Sur. Their mission involves the running of a special needs school and helping with the town's public school San Francisco de Assis. They are reaching out to the rural areas now to provide education to children who wouldn't normally have the luxury. Please visit their site and see if there is anything you can do to help. You won't regret it. www.nicaraguachildrensfoundation.com
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