October 2010 News, updates, &
pronouncements from Pat Ballard,
the Queen of Rubenesque Romances
Nobody can make you feel inferior
without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt
Something to think
about....
She glances at the photo,
and the pilot light of memory
flickers in her eyes. Frank Deford
Sometime during the past year or so my
husband, Joe, has become a thrift store junkie. Occasionally he'll
run across a really good deal, and when he does he calls me so I can
research it on the computer. If it is a good deal, he'll bring it home.
This past Friday he called me, but it was to inform me that he was on his
way home with a six-foot-tall six-shelf "whatnot"-type cabinet, with a
drawer in the bottom of it. I had visions of which piece of furniture I
was going to have to use as firewood just to make room for this incoming
treasure.
Now, don't get me wrong. Joe will never ever choose something that he
doesn't think is quality. And for that reason, I totally trust his
judgment. But at the same time I know our house is reaching full capacity
and he can't stand "clutter," so I knew that something would have to go. I
was also gearing up to fight to keep my stuff. If anything was burned, it
was going to be his!
He had already told me that the drawer had some photos in it, so the first
thing I did when the cabinet was inside the door was start exploring.
There were family photos—some old, some new. But at the bottom of
the drawer was something wrapped in white tissue paper.
I took the tissue paper out and unwrapped the item and immediately got
tears in my eyes. In my hands was a beautiful white table runner with
delicate flowers embroidered on the pointed ends and in other key areas.
The piece had been lovingly pressed and folded "just so" so that it
wouldn't wrinkle. And it didn't have a wrinkle in it, other than the
folds.
I didn't even unfold it totally, because I knew immediately that as much
as I wanted to keep it, I had to try to get it back to its family.
There was enough information in the photos, etc. to give Joe and me some
search material, so we both got on the internet and found someone who we
thought might be connected to the cabinet. I contacted this person and
sure enough, they thought they had cleaned out the drawer before letting
the piece go. I'm making arrangements to get the items back to them.
At any rate, I feel really good that a good many family photos, a
beautiful heirloom and, hopefully, some good memories are going home.
What we remember from childhood we
remember forever—
permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, eternally seen. Cynthia Ozick
Hi everyone!
This past week
I got to dog-sit my 70-80 pound granddog, Lacy. Son
Eric and family went on a camping trip, so I had Lacy from
Tuesday afternoon until Saturday. We had a wonderful visit, Lacy
and I. She is solid black with some white tips on her paws and a
white spot in the center of her chest. Only once did she startle
me when I forgot that she was with me and looked around and
thought a person was standing beside me!
We've had some fun news recently. T. Graham Brown has
recorded two of Joe's songs! We don't have much information,
other than we received a CD with the two songs being sung by T.
Graham. The producer said that for now they're going to try to
push the songs to independent radio stations, internet stations
and in Europe, where DJs can play what they want to play. Here
in the states DJs on the major stations are sent "canned" music
that they have to play.
I have been elated with the cooler weather! But we're still
running a little warmer than normal. Soon...very soon, it will
be my kind of weather.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe October. Watch out for
those pumpkins with fire in their eyes!
Something
To Think About: Reflections on Life, Family, Body Image &
Other Weighty Matters by the Queen of Rubenesque Romances
As a young woman Pat Ballard almost died trying to starve her body into a
societally approved size. In 10 Steps to Loving Your Body (No Matter
What Size You Are) she shares the steps she created―and took―to
heal the damage of years of dieting. Join her in celebrating size
diversity, self esteem, positive body image, and health at every size.
Your body is a unique work of art.
There never has been, nor will there ever be,
another body just like yours.
Learn to love it and it will love you back.
More info at the Pearlsong Press website.
(All copies of 10 Steps
purchased from the Pearlsong Press website are autographed by Pat.)
Recently my attention was brought to our new
Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, who is a Big Beautiful Woman. She
got a lot of flack about her size when she was being considered for the
Surgeon General position. So she understands how it feels to be judged
solely because of her size. And she is a doctor!
With all the hype
Michelle Obama was/is getting regarding her "childhood obesity"
concerns, I wasn't sure where Dr. Benjamin stood on the subject. But I was
surprised to the point of being excited to listen to her short statement
on the Surgeon General home page. She says that we can be healthy and
fit at any size or weight!http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/
Maybe, just maybe we can
see the beginning of some sanity.
Reader Review of the
Month
Editor's Note:
Post a review of one of Pat's books
at an online bookstore, magazine, or public website,
email us at proclamation @ pearlsong.com to let us know, and we'll
consider your review for inclusion in The QP.
The following comment about Pat's books was sent via email by Nicky:
"I recently came across your books on Amazon and fell in love! I bought
and read all of them in about a week. Although it's SO hard trying to pick
a favorite, mine is a three way tie between
Wanted: One Groom,
A Worthy Heir
and
Abigail's Revenge. All the heroes are dreams! Do you have
any new work or plan on writing any more plus-size romance? I'm sure you
have heard this before, but being a single plus size young woman, your
books gave me hope and a new sense of self confidence.....Thank you for
writing such great stories."
Listen to the mp3 recording of Pat, her fearless publisher, and
several other Pearlsong Press authors in a Pearlsong
Conversationabout
creating fat friendly fiction and fat
positive characters.
Listen to a Feb. 11, 2009 Conversation with Pat Ballard
(blog post with link to 50-min mp3 recording of Pat talking about her
journey to
self- and body-acceptance and -love, her writing process,
and why a truly Happy Valentine's Day and satisfying sex life
starts with loving
your body,
no matter what it looks like.
Calendar of Events
Now available from Pearlsong Press—Pat's
newest book, the nonfictionSomething to Think About: Reflections on
Life, Family, Body Image, & Other Weighty Matters by the Queen of
Rubenesque Romances. It's a
FREE PDF ebook that can be downloaded at
http://www.pearlsong.com/somethingtothinkabout.htm or via the link at
the beginning of this newsletter.
Pat is now co-hosting Radio Free Nashville's
Health At Every Size show, which airs every Monday morning.
The show is streamed live
over the Internet 10-11 a.m. CST Mondays. You can
also subscribe to the podcast of the show. Go to
http://www.healthateverysize.info for more info, including archived
recordings, or to subscribe.
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Something
To Think About: Reflections on Life, Family, Body Image &
Other Weighty Matters by the Queen of Rubenesque Romances
