Molly’s Out in the World!

Dear Friends,

Yes, Molly is now out in the world. She is literally out of my hands.

As of today, she is on her own and will be available through CreateSpace.com’s extensive distribution network.

What in the heck does that mean?

That in 3 to 5 days she’ll be available for purchase (under the title, My Life as a Mule) through Amazon in the United States and Europe (and I imagine, Canada, of course) AND from other book sellers.

In the new way of things, each book will be “printed on demand.” Gone is the day of waste with boxes and boxes of books growing mold in someone’s attic. When you purchase a copy of My  Life as a Mule, it will be printed especially for YOU! : )

Thanks for being on this journey with me Riding the Trust Train. I look forward to signing your copy of My Life as a Mule whenever our paths cross.

But in the meantime, tune into KKCR.org on Sunday, June 24th from noon to 1 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (3 p.m. PST and 6 p.m. EST) for a LIVE interview with Taj Juré in her radio program, Transformational Tea with Taj.

A hui hou!

✫ Sj ✫

Update June 25, 2018: My Life as a Mule is now available at Amazon. Click on the title for the link to purchase your own copy. : )

My life as a Mule proof cover

Almost pau (i.e. finished) with “My Life as a Mule”

Dear Friends,

Yes, I’m almost pau (finished) with my first work of fiction, My Life as a Mule.

I’m awaiting the third proof, and once I’m able to give it a quick look-see and hold it in my hands, I’ll hopefully be clicking “publish” in CreateSpace.com.

Meanwhile, how’s about a sample chapter?

Enjoy!

Sj

p.s. Kaua‘i friends, keep your eyes open for a press release in The Garden Island. : )

Excerpt from My Life as a Mule by Sj Hylton LeHoven, Illustrated by Jocelyne Champagne Shiner

Why Am I Kissing Him?

“Why am I kissing him?” Molly wondered. She was enjoying the playful romp in spite of herself. “I don’t even like him,” she mused as she felt his tongue reach further into her mouth. “And what will Betsy think?” she thought guiltily. “She’s been such a good friend for so long. How can I do this to her?”

Finding strength in the midst of her remorse, Molly pulled away.

“What’s wrong Molly?” asked Tommy, an adorable Horse Stallion.

“The cutest ever,” thought Molly. “And Betsy’s boyfriend. Not yours,” she told herself with force. And yet, she couldn’t bear the thought of him not liking her.

“Nothing, Tommy,” said Molly simply. “Nothing at all. You’re a great kisser. It’s just, it’s just…”

“What can I possibly say to get out of this mess?” she wondered.

“It’s just that I’ve got to be going. I promised my mom I’d be back in time to put out the garbage,” she lied.

“Lame!” she silently shouted to herself, “Lame! Molly, couldn’t you have thought of something else?”

“Oh, well, okay,” said Tommy, obviously disappointed. “Mules,” he thought. “They’re a moody bunch. You just can’t ever tell what they’re thinking. Mom was right, best to stick with my own kind.”

Just a few days before when learning who her son was dating, his mother had exploded. “Whatever are you thinking? A Rabbit for a girl friend? Nothing can come of it. Nothing!”

“We could adopt, Mom,” he’d replied, thinking of social studies class. “The teacher was telling us the other day about all the poor animals abandoned after floods and fires, and…”

“You are not adopting bunnies. Or dogs. Or…” she had said in a shrill voice, rising to a crescendo, “Cats! No son of mine, who I’ve poured my heart and soul and good upbringing into is going to marry outside of his species. No siree, Bob,” she had shouted with such force that Tommy had practically buckled to his knees.

“Mom, I’m Tommy. Not Bob,” he had meekly replied.

“Tommy, Bobby, whichever son of mine you are, you are not. Do you hear me? You are not marrying outside of our species,” she had said with such finality that Tommy hadn’t dared make a peep. Or a neigh. He’d been literally struck speechless.

“But Molly,” he thought now, coming out of his reverie, “well, she’s the same species, right? Why not give it another go?”

“Tommy!” yelled Molly, pushing him away after his sudden advance. “I’ve really got to go,” she called as she quickly trotted away. “See ya!”

“What was I thinking?” she thought as she dashed towards home. Bumping into trees. Dropping her books. Molly was a mess.

“Molly!” she suddenly shouted. “Get a hold of yourself!” So, she did. She stopped and took a deep breath. And then another. By the third, she was beginning to calm down.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Betsy,” she cried. “What was I thinking?”

“You weren’t,” the little voice inside her said.

“No, I guess I wasn’t. It was just, well, it was just, he gave me that look, and I couldn’t help myself.”

For as long as Molly could remember, she couldn’t stand not being noticed.

“When did it start?” she wondered as she slowly drifted along a forest trail that ran behind her neighborhood. “In grade school? With Miss Granger? No,” she said, shaking her head. “Definitely not. I tried my best not to be noticed.”

Completely oblivious of a flock of birds swarming the maple trees, she continued to review her personal database of memories, stopping at Sunday School. “No,” she thought. “That doesn’t seem right.”

And then it hit her. “It’s only when I’m around boys! It’s like a switch goes off. And I just have to have them see me. Notice me.”

It didn’t need to be grand. A simple smile would do. But somehow, some way, Molly needed to be noticed. Acknowledged.

“Wow,” she thought. “I’ve been like this my whole life. Or,” she mused, “as long as I can remember. But Betsy? How could I do this to her?”

Walking in circles, Molly was worrying herself sick. And then, as easy as pie, the solution came to her. “I’m just going to act like it never happened. Ignore it, and it’ll go away.”

And that’s what she did. For the next few weeks, she simply avoided Tommy. He came this way. She went that way. He entered the lunch room. She left by another door. “I don’t have to explain myself,” she thought. “Deal with it in any way.” And it would have been perfect, except for when Betsy began to complain. “He won’t even talk to me,” she told Molly. “I don’t know what happened. One minute we were talking about where we wanted to go eat before the dance, and the next, he’s acting like I don’t even exist.”

“I’m so sorry,” Molly told her friend. Of course, she didn’t say what she was really sorry for. That would have caused all kinds of problems that she wasn’t ready to face.

“But why did he dump her?” Molly wondered. “That makes no sense. It only happened those two times.”

Not sure what to do and feeling more remorse than she thought possible, Molly decided to crack open her piggy bank. “It won’t make what happened go away,” she thought. “But it can’t hurt.”

“Wow! Thanks, Molly!” cried Betsy after enjoying a big bite of her hot fudge sundae. “Ice cream’s my favorite. And ice skating too! Wow! You’re the best friend ever!”

Update June 25, 2018: My Life as a Mule is now available at Amazon. Click on the title for the link to purchase your own copy. : )

I’ve written a book.

It’s coming out soon.

How soon?

In the next month.

Y E A H !!!

18 Dec 1954, London, England, UK --- The driver of the "bumpmobile" at right "bears" left to avoid hitting two shrieking females at a London fun fair. "Just a coupl'a human drivers," Susie the Bear remarks. The girls are Wynne Shearme (left), 23; and Marjorie Kennedy, 22. --- Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Sj from the Heart: Grace

Grace isn’t just some character in a popular TV show I never watched.

Grace is what happens when we get out of the way and surrender to life as it is.

Not in a passive way, but in a way of acceptance. A way of trust.

What’s happening IS what’s happening. It’s as simple as that.

And once we live in acceptance of what IS, the magic begins.

Ever been in a bumper car?

We think we’re driving. But we’re not.

We steer to the right. But get knocked to the left.

We try to go forward. But it’s backwards instead.

Life’s like that.

We plan and plan and plan.

Think we’re in control.

And just when we least expect it, we get knocked up side the head.

The cool thing about Grace is that she’s super strong.

She picks us up.

Gives us a helping hand.

In ways we never imagined.

Everything we’re experiencing is happening for us.

Everything.

It’s guiding us. Steering us. This way or that.

And when we can let go of expectations,

desired outcomes.

Trust in the guidance that’s always there . . .

Well, who knows what will happen?

No one.

But this I do know:

Grace is always present,

always at the ready,

always there for us whether we realize it or not.

18 Dec 1954, London, England, UK — The driver of the “bumpmobile” at right “bears” left to avoid hitting two shrieking females at a London fun fair. “Just a coupl’a human drivers,” Susie the Bear remarks. The girls are Wynne Shearme (left), 23; and Marjorie Kennedy, 22

DVD cover of the Italian film "Life is Beautiful"

Life IS Beautiful

Yes, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.

Last night I re-watched the award-winning Italian film “Life is Beautiful.”

This time I didn’t weep uncontrollably.

Yes, it’s still sad, but whatever in me it triggered has moved on.

And this morning while reflecting on that tragic but powerful tale, it came to me:

Life can be like that.

We can choose HOW we focus on experiences.

As a victim.

Or as in a game.

With a playful attitude.

Or not.

The horror is still present,

but the change of focus

allows Grace to arrive.

God’s Grace.

A Grace which gives us a Strength

previously

unimaginable.

Wishing you ALL a Happy Thanksgiving as you too reflect on how Grace

has played a role in YOUR life.

✫ Mahalo Ke Akua 

Sj on her bed in her camper-van looking out the back.

A SHORT Video of the making of a mini-camper

This video is made completely from stills. It’s short; it’s sweet; it’s how I made (with the help of MANY friends) a cargo van into my tiny home.

Enjoy! And hang in for the credits. You can meet one of my new friends. : )

 

Pegasus Vanity Plate

A Mini-Camper is Born

Pegasus, aka Pegi has come to life.

It’s been a transformation fueled by Grace. Yes, Grace with a capital G.

And I have been simply a Witness watching it unfold . . . step-by-step-by-grace-filled-step.

Earlier this year when I realized that I’d be leaving Kauai for an indefinite walk-about, I imagined that I’d buy a vehicle in California (while staying with friends). But there was another plan afoot, a plan that unfolded right before my very eyes . . .

In August I went to Tennessee to visit family and experience the total solar eclipse. One evening at dinner my brother casually said, “Call my car guy; he goes to auctions and can find what you’re looking for. You can trust him; I’ve bought at least twenty business vehicles through him.”

So on that Monday when the total solar eclipse crossed America, I called my brother’s contact. “I don’t normally get vans,” he said, “but the person who was leasing it backed out of the lease, and then it somehow found its way to me. It has only 287 miles on it. I think it’s meant for you.”

K. Looks like I’m buying a vehicle in Tennessee, not California.

And through this one act of Grace about five thousand million have followed.

Really?

Yes, really.

Even though I haven’t lived in Tennessee for 31-years, my family is still there. In the blink of an eye, I was surrounded by people who wanted to assist me on my journey.

Who?

I’ll make a list.

  • My brother who told me about his business associate.
  • The man who sold Pegi to me (and was very, very fair).
  • My mom who provided two thick L.L.Bean sleeping bags (from a trip to a Canadian island years ago while visiting the man who saved the snail darter), remnant carpet, my grandmother’s step-ladder, an almost 100 year old stool (that my mom needed to step on to get inside Pegi), the fuzzy mattress pad, a camp chair, jumper cables (I could go on and on and on . . . Thanks MOM!)
  • Rob who works at Lowe’s (no relation to THE Rob Lowe, Liz : ) who gave me over an hour of his time one Sunday morning as we pondered how best to build a bed platform.Rob at Lowe's cutting wood.
  • My brother-in-law who that very same Sunday helped me build this just envisioned bed platform.
  • My sister (and her husband) who provided a base-camp, towels and some plastic dishware. (AND a wonderful place to swim!)
  • An efficient sales person at Bed, Bath & Beyond who marched out to Pegi with magnetic curtain rods and insulated curtains in hand, determined to help me find just the right gear.
  • My oldest sister who let me use her sewing machine for hemming and adapting the insulated curtains so I can have some warmth and lots of privacy.
  • A dear friend who brought four lemons and the powder needed to bless Pegi ala Indian fashion.Indian Lemon blessing of a car
  • A longtime friend (who works as a dental hygienist) who gave me loads of dental floss!
  • A wonderful college sorority sister and her husband who let me use their home as my California base camp, AND gave me their Thul-eh!

Do you get the picture? Do you notice that it wasn’t just family but also kind sales people, friends, random strangers?

When you’re Riding the Trust Train, you realize that you’re ALWAYS surrounded by support. Always.

You don’t feel supported? You don’t feel that you’re being helped?

Stop. Take a breath. Maybe even close your eyes and let yourself notice all the help that’s been there for you ALWAYS. Even under the guise of challenges, annoying people. It’s all still help, assistance. Guiding you. Steering you to the best place for you to be in any given moment. Saving you from something that would have been much, much worse.

For this gal who’s Riding the Trust Train, it’s blatantly obvious that I’m not in charge. That a higher power is. That there is a plan in place. Even if I’m the last to know.

•   •   •   •  •

For a bit, I was caught in the whirlwind of building, sewing, pondering.

And then one day, it hit me.

I’ve created a home! My home. A home with wheels. A tiny-tiny-tiny-tiny-tiny tiny house. And it fits me like a glove. Like a well-worn leather glove.

“But, Sj,” you ask, “didn’t you realize that that was what you were doing?”

No. On a certain level, I didn’t.

On a certain level, I was the last to know. The last to get it.

For when you’re the witness, you just witness. Observe. Reflect.

And then with a gentle plop, I landed in my body and saw what God had wrought. And it was good. : )

Mahalo Ke Akua.

Mahalo Dayton, Kurt, Mom, Chris, Casey, Rob, Jan, Mark, Nancy, Hannah, Dwight, Evan, Chantal, Katie, Vicki, Helen, Rich, Bevin, Jocelyne, Mike, Sharon, Ken, Thor, Tanya, Tristan, Sienna, Liz, Jim, Kat, Claire, Paul, Timi, Ed, Janine, Deb(s) . . .

Thank you ALL for your kind and loving support.

If I missed you, I’m sorry. Thank YOU!

When you’ve received five thousand million acts of grace, a few might just slip through your fingers of remembrance.

Mahalo Everyone!

“Now what?” you ask.

Now I go park myself somewhere, show up, and write.

Write what?

No idea.

Remember, when you’re Riding the Trust Train, you simply trust. Listen to your heart. Follow the clues that lie all around you in the most perfect acts of Grace by friends, family, and complete strangers. We passengers on the Trust Train are never alone. Help is always just a breath away. Help is always afoot.

•  •  •  •  •

Stay tuned for a very SHORT video I made so that YOU TOO can experience the transformation of a Nissan NV 200 cargo van into a mini-camper van, aka Pegi.

✫ Sj out ✫

Riding the Trust Train

The train has left the station.

For parts unknown.

What is this all about?

This video will fill you in:

The trust train first showed up publicly after kayaking Na Pali on Kauai. A chat with Congolio gives that background:

I plan on updating this website to reflect the changes . . . that will happen when it happens.

I’ll write and post now and then as I’m called to.

If you too experience life by trusting completely, HOP ON!

Even if you don’t, I invite you to HOP ON! You may find that trusting really isn’t so scary.

Kay den. Thanks for your time and attention. Sending lots and lots and LOTS of LOVE your way!

xoxoxox

✫ Sj out ✫

Total Solar Eclipse 2017

Dogs. Crickets. One Moon. And One Sun.

What more can you ask for?!?

Three Sisters. <3

Enjoy!

Are You Self Conscious?

When a person is self-conscious, they’re anything BUT Self conscious, i.e. Self aware.

This just came to me while reading the introduction to Elliott Erwitt’s book of photography, “To The Dogs.”

He writes: “It’s not really that dogs are never self-conscious. In fact, a cruel person, or a photographer, can easily embarrass them. But they are usually unaffected because of something like innocence, or lack of worldly experience. Perhaps that’s why they seem to have such a natural bond with children. Maybe they still have some fundamental values that haven’t been corrupted by society.”

And maybe those dogs who ARE self-conscious (when being embarrassed by a cruel person) are actually being self aware, or at least aware of a human self who is unaware.

Wherever this musing leads, it’s dogs who are the real leaders for they continuously model how to love unconditionally.

Haven’t seen Erwitt’s book of photography? Ask a dog. Chances are she or he has a copy.