Category Archives: Vitality Stories – Lesson #

Crazy Happenings at the Library


Vitality Stories


Crazy Happenings at the Library


 

My exam and other bizarre results

So today was the day: the day of my proctored New York Real Estate Exam. I’ve studied for the past several days (months if you count the required 75 hours of an online course that all but made me bonkers with cartoon lessons). This test has kept me from writing, from reading a good book, from doing nothing. I’m so happy to remove the idea of taking a test–something I haven’t done now for decades–from my energy field. Anyway, the exam required a proctor, and my proctor was the wonderful Mr. Tom at the Tompkins County Library in Ithaca, New York, and…I PASSED! Yahoo!

And then the most bizarre thing that has ever happened to me at a library happened, and it involves a novel I previously read and loved by Scott Wilbanks: The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster. Continue reading

Dear Me by Mary Jo Hazard

Vitality Stories

Dear Me by Mary Jo Hazard Vitality Stories


Dear Me,

If I could have whispered in your ear way back when you were around twelve years old, I’d tell you that you’re perfect just the way you are.

Oh sure, you’re going to learn many things over your lifetime — you’re a work in progress, but you don’t need to be perfect. You don’t have to have the perfect report card, the perfect hairstyle, the perfect figure, or the perfect answer for everyone in every situation. It’s okay to mess up; it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” It’s even okay to say “I made a mistake.” Continue reading

What Makes You Laugh?

Vitality Stories

Teri Case

What Makes You Laugh?

In the light of day

Two weeks ago in the middle of the night, I was lying wide awake in bed. I was too excited–too happy–to sleep. Hours before, unexpected donations for the Tiger Drive Scholarship had started rolling in and the kindness of friends and strangers, and the idea that we might be able to help not one but TWO students, had my head spinning. Continue reading

What makes you laugh?

Vitality Stories

Vitality Stories

What Makes You Laugh?

Look with your hands

Inspired by author and illustrator Lisa Sinicki’s latest project, I recently signed up for an online comic strip drawing course with Paris Christou at ToonBoxStudio*. Early on, Paris points out it helps to choose a comic concept by considering our own stories or experiences in ‘little strips of gags,’ or punchlines. This makes sense, right? It’s why Garfield, Dilbert, Calvin and Hobbes, and The Family Circus are popular; they are true to life, and therefore, relatable and funny.
So I started writing down all of the silly, short conversations in my own life that have stuck with me and make me giggle. Below is one of my favorites, and perhaps one day, I’ll adapt it as a comic: Continue reading

Don’t Forget To Feed Your Inner Dog

Vitality Stories

Vitality Stories The Positive Dog

Gretchen LeMay Photography

Don’t Forget To Feed Your Inner Dog

Positively grateful

I’ve been sending a Vitality Stories Newsletter to my email subscribers every Thursday morning since last August, and then on Thursday, April 14th, I didn’t. I was obsessing about the right balance between quality and quantity, and I assumed I was the only one who was paying attention to my schedule. Continue reading

I’m glad Dad wasn’t fired for getting me an egg

Vitality Stories


Teri Case

Leona and Bonnie, April 1935

I’m Glad Dad Wasn’t Fired For Getting Me An Egg

I’m excited to begin sharing excerpts of Bonnie’s memoirs with each of you on a regular basis. As is my practice, I strove to capture her memories word-for-word out of respect for her voice, recollection, and perspective. I hope you enjoy her reflections and memories as much as I did. Continue reading

From Brain Trauma to Art

Vitality Stories

Erica McClain Humming Bird

From Brain Trauma to Art

Brain Freeze

Over the summer I found myself in Port Angeles, Washington, killing five hours until the next ferry to Victoria, Vancouver Island. We wandered next door to the Heatherton Gallery which hosts artwork for more than forty local artists. Ted noticed a black and white piece with three hummingbirds. The ink seemed to rise off the paper and the flowers and birds seemed multi-dimensional. Ted walked over to the register to buy it.

The cashier was explaining how the gallery worked like an art co-op and he asked Ted, “Did you read the artist’s story? It’s on the wall.”

I was still looking at Erica McClain’s pieces. There was an asian influence to her work and I had future plans to visit Japan. I found her bio: Continue reading

An Interview with Director, David Wachs – Part One

Vitality Stories

David Wachs and Jack Beers

David Wachs and Jack Beers

an interview with

Director, David Wachs

Part One – Behind the Scenes

 

Who, What, Why

In October, I wrote about Jack Beers and the documentary of his life, Holes In My Shoes. And when I couldn’t get Mr. Beers out of my head, I also mentioned him here.

Vitality Stories captures the life stories of those who have lived and learned, so it’s not a surprise I was drawn to a feature documentary called Holes In My Shoes. 94-year-old Jack’s zeal for life heavily influenced me, and in large part, this is due to the man who met Jack Beers and recognized there was a vitality story to share, someone who had the vision and talent to deliver the documentary in a way that would, indeed, make it ‘An inspirational story for all ages, and that man is Director, David Wachs.

I wanted to better understand the connection between David Wachs and Jack Beers, and as a person on her own creative journey, I was curious how and why Mr. Wachs chooses his projects, which are many and varied, ranging from pilots to children’s series, including We’re Puppeteers! for Nick Jr. He granted me an interview, and after a long conversation with Mr. Wachs, I was rewarded with a life lesson and inspiration as I learned more about his recent endeavors. Continue reading