Third Book in Seven Years

For the third time in seven years I'm giving birth to a book. From our 2007 cross-Canada selling trip with the last book, I've written the next one in the RV series: RV Canada With Boo the Menopausal Van. This bright new fun, fanciful and full of factoids book will be here by Feb.27.Whether arm-chair traveller, big dreamer, or RVer, there is something for everyone.

June 1 we'll be taking it and Boo towing our 27' trailer on a Great Northern Tour for four months. Our route will take us up the Cassiar Hwy. past Stewart, BC and to Dees Lake and into the Yukon to Whitehorse. Then up to Dawson City in time for summer solstice celebrations before we take Boo without the trailer over the Top of the World Hwy into Alaska. A tiny town with a big attitude, Chicken appeals to our sense of humour. A side trip to Skagway and Haines, Alaska should produce some amazing photos.

Back in Dawson we'll take the 700+ km. of gravel Dempster Hwy across the Arctic Circle to Inuvik. That will put us in the land of the midnight sun. Our ultimate dream is to sell books in Tuktuyaktuk, Canada's northernmost community on the mainland. I want to toast with our blackberry wine making that dream come true. We're looking for a sponsor to fly us in the 150 km. from Inuvik.

Dropping back down Yukon into the top of BC, we'll soak at Liard Hot Springs. Then up into NWT and over to Yellowknife to fish on the Great Slave Lake before dropping down into northern Alberta where I was born.

What a trip this will be! There are many strangers out there just waiting to become our friends like they have all across Canada. It doesn't take a lot of money in the bank to make such a trip. It takes courage, faith in your dreams, and willingness to work on the way. The result? Memories and people to last a lifetime.

Cross Country Dream Come True

May 26 to Oct.1/07 we made dreams come true! When we drove back into our yard we'd covered 19,962 km in 130 days, sold at 38 venues, walked in both oceans and 10 provinces. But the highlight was being in Newfoundland for 2 weeks. Our dream came true because we dared to dream outside the box.

Without enough money to make the trip, just like in 2003, we still set out with boxes of books, driftwood, jewellry, 195 jars of brandied blackberry sauce and hundreds of Powell River magazines and pins. It took courage and tons of faith. But now we have stories to write in the next book.
"RV Canada On A Dime And A Dream" (our 2003 trip)continues to sell well with my goal to be sold out by the end of Dec. and have a second printing done. The book has inspired people all over the country as they realize that age or lack of income are not reasons to sit at home and wish you had of...
Click on the link for the RV Canada site to read up on the trip.

Dance with life! Have fun! Make a difference!
Barb

RV Canada On A Dime And A Dream

We, affectionately known as the Geriatric Gypsies will hit the road with our book RV Canada On A Dime and A Dream May 26. Here we are on the last trip in PEI, celebrating the miracle of a trip made on a metaphorical dime. It was so much fun and we made so many friends that we're doing it again. This time not only will we sell at farmers markets but will be doing book signings as well. Anyone with passion, belief and commitment can live their dreams. You just have to really believe in your right to live them and their strength to take you places you never thought possible. If you're interested in following this journey from the west coast of BC to Newfoundland and back, email us at: dreambg1@shaw.ca and we'll add you to our cheering section and send you updates...probably on one of our blogs.

Live with passion! Make a difference in the world everyday! Have fun!

Barb and Dave/Geriatric Gypsies

www.write2dream.com

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Hiatus to Finish My Book

Dreams can be elusive unless we really really believe in them and our power to make them happen. Time and our dreams easily slip through our fingers like mercury IF we don't stay focused.
Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true IF we have the courage to pursue them." Not only do we need to start the pursuit much as a lover would, but we need to be so in love with the concept that we stay commited to seeing it through.

Well, after a one year hiatus from this newsletter and the blog in order to finish my book, here I am standing proudly before you ready to birth this baby Dec.16. 'RV Canada On A Dime And A Dream' in all its 240 pages of finery will be delivered! It's the adventure of us, the 'Geriatric Gypsies' leaving home on the west coast with only $300 in an old 27 ft. motorhome loaded down with driftwood, brandied blackberries, books and lots of faith June 21, 2003.Our goal to pay for the trip across Canada and back by selling at the markets. For those who want practical information on where or what to sell, where the tourism offices and the sani-dumps are; thats all there too.

The Tsimshian Native people have an expression "wai wah," meaning to "just do it." After 2 years of letting everything else get in the way of making my dream of publishing this book come true, I had to "just do it." For those of you who kept asking me, "where is your newsletter," thank you for your patience. I hadn't even realized that a year had gone by I was so busy with many things besides the book. But once I focused on having it on hand for us to make the return trip back across Canada in June 2007, I had a solid goal to reach for. The dream went from a wispy cloud-like state to rock solid.James Allen said, "Dreams are the seedlings of realities."

You can check this book and my previous one at my new web site: www.write2dream.com
There you will find a message board, my photographs, and more.

As we close up another year, let's take a moment to review, what we accomplished this year, what didn't work and what our vision 2007 will look like. Does the light shine on the top of your mountain? If not, what can you do so it does?

Yours in making this world a better place one person at a time,
Barb

Share Your Pain

Oprah said to a brave woman who went from over 500 pounds to under 200, "Your pain empowers someone." Not a twisted way of thinking but an honest one. When we share our pain in a way that doesn't ask for pity but rather respect,there is someone out there who relates to our story and is empowered.

When I decided to bare my soul in my bio/self-help book "Lessons From the Potholes of Life" it was with much trepidation. What would they think if they found out what I'd done in my life? What if they didn't love me anymore?What if they didn't respect me?...and so on and so forth.

Anyone out ever there felt like that? I'm here to tell you that when you share your pain, there is someone out there who says," Wow! IF she could beat that or turn her life around, I can too." Not only did my presence in the community increase but so did the respect. 3 years later I still have people come up to me and tell me what my story did for them. I didn't want a best seller, just a book that would make a difference in someone's life.

You may never publish your story, although I heartily recommend it, but you can share your painful experience with someone who is hurting. Story telling is a powerful way to reach people. Try telling your story at your club, Toastmasters, kids school, church or to a magazine.

The one caution is to not do it as a way of getting even or cause pain to someone else. Unless we are talking about a predator or murderer, handle with diplomacy.This can be dangerous ground in families. No matter what a person may have done, especially if they are still alive, tell the story with compassion and dignity.

Paul Anka was asked how he felt about helping new rising stars , "If you can help somone, you have to." It's just that simple.

Keep in mind there are retreats, workshops and much more in store for you this fall. Email me or scroll down for details listed.

Live from a heart overflowing with acceptance and appreciation.

Celebration of life as the sun sets on Powell River. 

Retreats

It's part way through summer and already the retreats and workshops for the fall are lining up.

Sept.16-18 in Naramata(outside Penticton, BC) I will be teaching at the "Wise Woman Weekend". For schedule and details go to:
www.wisewomanproductions.ca
This promises to be a wonderful spiritual experience for women from all walks of life to gather and be refreshed and renewed.

Sept.23-25 at Kent's Beach Resort south of Powell River, we are holding a "Seaside Writing and Musical Retreat." This all inclusive weekend promises to give the creativity of both writers and musicians the space to flower and breathe. I will be teamed up with professional musician Helena Sandler (www.saternamusic.com) to provide free onsite coaching, great food, ideas, fun, free journalling course and more for as little as $275.

Call toll free: 1-866-373-2607 or email: dreambg1@shaw.ca for details and a brochure.

Oct.15 at the French Club, The Powell River Festival of Writers presents "The Publisher and The Scribes" starring Howard White author and publisher of Harbour Publishing teaching "Publishing in the Rain." (www.harbourpublishing.com)

He'lll cover various aspects of publishing and writing. Rounding out the day local historian and author Karen Southern will share her experiences on writing, followed by an open house for the public and book sales. From 9:00-5:00 you'll be inspired and educated for only $40. Watch the festival web site soon for registration information: www.prmicro.com/festivalofwriters) or call above number.

And today and everyday remember that life is an unforgiving partner who expects us to learn the moves, to live it with love, laughter and light. Keep on dancing whether you're writing, painting, singing, traveling, or doing anything else pleasurable!!

Journal For Fun or For Enlightenment

Does a scene like this make you want to get out your journal or note book and start writing? Or at the very least capture it on film or with paints? Watching the ocean leaping with joy at our cabin moved me to write and write. The waves were dancing in wild abandoment inviting me to let my emotions dance along with them....and I did. Instead of moaning about yet another wet stormy day, I felt empowered by the power in the waves.

Ever had one or a series of days when you felt like a stormy ocean? When it felt like nothing was going right? That my friend is exactly the time to grab your journal and start scribbling. It's in these moments that pure honest enlightenment shines forth. Getting the chatter out of your head and onto the paper is good for the soul. I've had many "eureka" moments when I look at what I've written. It seems to clarify things.

But journaling can be great fun too! A couple weeks ago I took 4 women out to our cabin for a "Journaling Just for Fun" day of retreat. By the end of the day the floor was covered in scraps of paper from pictures we'd added to our journals, drawings were done, some life changing decisions had been reached just from talking among ourselves, and most of all we had a whale of a time! These women went home refreshed, with new friends, and new determinations to journal more often.Out of the fun and scraps came very important insights.

I provided some journaling prompts(which I'd be happy to send to you if you email me) to get us going. One of them I used at the cabin during the storm was : "What are you most afraid of?"I obviously needed to do it because everytime I started writing another thing down, my stomach tightened up.It was very enlightening to see what fears I still carry around and what they are related to.Try it....IF you dare honestly look inside your heart. How can we continue to make changes in who we are or grow if we don't have the courage to really dig deep? It can be a freeing experience.

You don't have to wait till you have friends over to experience fun and enlightenement. Making time regularly to journal will gradually free you,teach gratitude and appreciation and may even help make your dreams come true.

Hope this day finds you waltzing with life!

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Events and Products

Seaside Writing and Musical Retreat...Sept.23,24/05 at Kent's Beach Resort in Powell River.Both writers and muscians are invited to take a break from their routines and spend the weekend in a beautiful quiet setting by the sea. Write ...or not. Compose...or not. Practice..or not. Or bring your paints, but do whatever you want to in order to relax and just BE!

Both groups will have access to onsite coaches, author Barb Rees and musical guide Helena Sandler(www.saternamusic.com).

"Journaling Just For Fun" an optional course will also be offered for those who wish to take it.

The retreat starts about noon Sept.23 going till noonish Sept.24 and includes: coaching,food, catered dinner by one of Powell River's finest Saturday night,shared accomodation,handouts, and gifts.

Choose either:

Plan A: Shared accomodation with 5 or 6 others in a large cabin: $275

Plan B: Have your own cabin that could sleep one other: $295

Registrations paid in full by Sept.1/05 receive $10 discount.Payment accepted: Cheque, MasterCard, PayPal(go to www.paypal.com and put in my email: dreambg1@shaw.ca)

Or ask about special payment plans.

Call for details and registration form:

Toll Free: 1-866-373-2607

Local: 604-485-2732

Email: dreambg1@shaw.ca

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A Day With the Publishers

Powell River Festival of Writers Society will host their fall workshop "A Day With the Publishers" Oct.15/05 , 9:00-4:00pm in Powell River,location TBA. Writers...get those questions about publishing you've always wondered about answered from both a mainstream publisher and a self publisher. Listen to them in the morning and book an appointment with them in the afternoon, network with other writers, enjoy a book fair.

Watch Festival of Writers web site for details and registration form soon to be posted:

www.prmicro.com/festivalofwriters

Or call Barb: 604-485-2732 or email: dreambg1@shaw.ca

*****

Barb's Books:

Important Dates Calendar>>> If you ever forgot someones birthday or anniversary, this calendar is the answer.It will never be outdated but will hang on your wall for years to come with its beautiful Powell River scenes on each page. Photos taken by myself and my dad Fred Kobsted.

Special summer sale: $18 Canadian plus shipping according to your area.

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Lessons From the Potholes of Life...Dig diamonds out of your difficulties with the 26 story lessons I learned while digging out of the potholes. Each chapter has quotations and an exercise page for personal insights. This little book has encouraged many people from all walks of life.

Special summer sale: $15 Canadian plus shipping according to your area.

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Taking bookings for fall workshops and motivational speaking held in your area if there is enough demand. Let's see what we can craft just for you!

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Till next time remember that life is our dance partner, one we can get much pleasure from and one that will not tolerate wasted time or talents.

Keep dancing,

Barb