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Look beyond the lapel pin

A VMFP panel discussion gets underway at the 2009 Biennial conference in Arlington, VA.
A VMFP panel discussion gets underway at the 2009 Biennial conference in Arlington, VA.

Six years ago this weekend, Veterans and Military Families for Progress held its biennial national conference in Arlington, Virginia. I was a founding member and for several years served on the board of the national 501(c)4 organization. That weekend event hosted high-ranking government officials from the VA, DOD, a number of national veterans non-profits and other agencies and organizations.  And it was my great honor to serve as chair of the three-day event.

The conference covered weighty issues such as the challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life, reconnecting with their families, and rejoining the workforce. An awards gala recognized the legislative advocacy of Congressman Chris Smith of NJ, former Cabinet Secretary Max Cleland, and Bob Woodruff, the TV News Anchor injured in Iraq. And through a fundraising effort, we were able to reunite and host an entire U.S. Army Fireteam that served together in Iraq.

I’d been involved in Veterans causes since high school when I served as a “candystriper” for not one but two local Veterans Administration hospitals in the Nashville area. The fact that my dad served directly under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in the European theater during WWII and an uncle was a Marine officer killed at Iwo Jima added to my desire to serve veterans. But becoming a blue star mom was the thing that confirmed my commitment to this noble but small percent of the population as I endured the deployments of my two sons to Iraq a total of five times.

Living in Tennessee at the time, the weekend before that major conference in Virginia, my husband and I were fortunate to volunteer in Operation Stand Down Tennessee’s weekend stand down annual event collecting, sorting and distributing warm clothing for homeless veterans living in the Nashville area who were fortunate enough to be bused to that weekend event. I might sound corny, but my eyes still tear up as I think about those individuals, what they endured and continue to endure because of their service and duty to our nation.

In three weeks time it will be Veterans Day. All over the country politicians will be pinning their Old Glory flags to their lapels.  I’d like to believe they keep our Veterans and those serving and their families in mind as they ponder legislation, budgets and taxes.  I’m afraid that’s not always the case and have found it helpful to follow the legislative updates of non-partisan veterans organizations out there to find out what’s really going on and who’s really advocating on their behalf and who’s really just sticking on the lapel pin for show. Another way is to delve more deeply into their particular voting record for yourself at Project Votesmart. It’s time consuming, but if you’re passionate about it, it will be worth your time to cut through “the filter” to parse votes yourself.

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Reviews on my book – loving these!

Word cloud built around some of the key words and phrases in reviews written about The Gray Lady of Long Branch novel.
Word cloud built around some of the key words and phrases in reviews written about The Gray Lady of Long Branch novel.

I’ve got to confess… I find it weird — but very gratifying of course — to read enthusiastic reviews of The Gray Lady of Long Branch. I mean. I loved writing this book. I felt the emotions in it. I cried at the sad parts, laughed and chuckled at the humorous areas, and felt the elation and sorrow and everything in between that was depicted in this book.

So it’s with great pleasure that I’ve read reviews of others who felt those too.  Here are some of them. But one commercial announcement first: If you haven’t read the book, and these reviews compel you, feel free to purchase from the publisher at 30% off using the discount code MSBlog for whichever format you choose (and remember, it makes a great gift!).  So now, without further delay, some lovely, favorable book reviews:

“Satchell excels at drawing readers into the lives of her characters and making you care about them. The characters, and their experiences, are all easily relatable to our own stories, our own personal triumphs, challenges, and tragedies.” —  G. Robert Frazier’s Adventures in Writing

 “In these pages, you’ll meet several owners and renters who come, stay a while, and leave. … The multiple stories of the various visitors – families and renters – all narrated by the house, is the glue that holds the truly remarkable history of the house together. The people celebrate the good times, and support each other through the bad times. …I cried at the sad ending, but at the same time, was happy with the surprise circumstances of the ending. It is my pleasure to give ‘The Gray Lady of Long Branch’ 5-stars. It is a book I’d read again, and recommend to others.” — Dayna Leigh Cheser, Author

“The Gray Lady of Long Branch is a house set on the New Jersey shore in the town of Long Branch. Inside its walls, life happens – life, death, and everything in between. The house here tells its story through the stories of its inhabitants from World War II to almost the present time… The book is sweet. The simple approach to the story telling does not make these moments more or less than what they are. It simply describes them. The different scenes cycle back to some of the same characters such that you see them at different points in their lives. The book is about the small and the big moments of everyday life.  I enjoy the story for its simplicity and for its unvarnished sense of real life.” —  Memories from Books Blog

“Recommended, a nice, light, relaxing read. I read Sci-fi often enough, so I was comfortable suspending belief and listening to a house as narrator. I never saw the twist at the end coming…Bravo.” JohnChic / Library Thing

“With interesting characters and their interactions, a plotline that proceeds nicely through the years with visits to local New Jersey shore restaurants and other attractions, “The Gray Lady of Long Branch will delight New Jersey residents and former residents and those readers who love fiction of 20th century life.” – Alice D. / Goodreads

“Her tone is conversational, candid and often humorous. She is proud of her appearance. She describes her observations and expresses opinions. The plot is engaging. The novel is so well written that only the Gray Lady could be the narrator. From the very beginning, it was easy to feel affection for the Gray Lady. The author takes on heavy issues, some of which are love, honesty, respect and loss. The characters are well developed and their stories easy to relate to. As for the ending: I didn’t see it coming!!! A total surprise.  I loved reading this unique and very special book. Highly recommended.” — Evie / Library Thing

“What a glorious beach read or story to read in the midst of any season when one is heartsick for the simple and timeless joys of summer vacations by the ocean’s shoreline. The sub-title of “If Walls Could Talk” is so appropriate as “The Gray Lady” shares her perspective of the history of her memories. There are stories within the overall history of the beach house and together they share not only the genealogical story of the families but are also shared within the chronological history with an American perspective. For anyone that has a history of memories at the beach with their families, this story will be a very endearing read and will also make a lovely gift to remind one of cherished times with sun, sand, and surf shared with family and friends.” — Corduroy / Library Thing

“What a beautiful read. … The gray lady saw families through their good time right along with the grief that they experienced. I really enjoyed this story and could relate to many of the events.” – Joanie / Goodreads

“This was a lovely read with a chick lit feel to it… The author writes well and puts a lot into her characters and story. I enjoyed the concept of key American dates being referred to. A recommended read.” – Jane / Goodreads

“I loved the book. Having an outside source telling about a family is a nice way to tell their story. Having the old Victorian home tell it is a nice alternative.  I will recommend this book to friends.” – SandraCeltic / LibraryThing

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Another book review – Malcolm Gladwell’s OUTLIERS

 This was my first introduction to Malcolm Gladwell’s works and I was compelled to read it based on the theory behind it. A wonk by hobby myself, I love the idea of finding patterns those who don’t bother to look deeply below the surface might miss. This book is all about that kind of thing – patterns that could well be missed but when cobbled together, provide an aha moment about something. In this case the aha moments are there to identify a link between gigantic and known successes — be they professional Canadian Hockey players or The Beatles, or some Asian countries’ students penchant to outperformance others on standardized math tests.

The version I “read” was the unabridged audiobook read by Gladwell himself. I think hearing it in his own voice, in his own inflection was interesting, like being in a lecture hall with him right there, delivering the findings live. Be warned about considering that option, though, because it’s the kind of book you want to pick up and refer to again and again. To marvel over certain passages and certain findings and wonder at them and share them with others.

Gladwell makes an astonishing, provocative, and, dare I suggest sacrilegious (in this day and age), assertion — that a highly successful individual’s prowess is not built upon just the hard work and rugged individualism of that one person. Rather, he suggests, it is built upon the circumstances — be they the societal timing, the culture, the season, the access to resources or, even in one instance, the prejudices — in which the individual finds him or herself, that deserve the credit.

I’m taking an agnostic view on that assertion, and only suggest you listen or read this with an open mind. If you do, I think you’ll find it a highly entertaining and very interesting read with a lot to mull over once you’ve reached the end.

Cross-posted on LibraryThing and Goodreads.

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Jackson the cat

Jackson the cat watercolor painting by Maura SatchellI did this watercolor for a colleague at work. This is Jackson, her cat and he was a stray she brought home one day after getting beyond the grief over the loss of her previous cat.

I find watercolor a serious challenge and that it requires a far gentler touch than acrylics or oils which, as my long ago teacher Miss Hazel used to say you can “just slap some more paint over it” and cover up the flaws.  The thing is, with their gentler touch, translucent qualities, I love watercolors.

What’s your preference?

PS:  If you really love this, you can by it in various forms, including print, canvas, notecard, even as a throw pillow here at this link.

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14th Anniversary of 9/11

The New York I Recall painting by Maura Satchell, includes the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. Reclaiming New York in a 9/11 homage
The New York I Recall painting by Maura Satchell, includes the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. Reclaiming New York in a 9/11 homage

This is always a somber day when I think about all that went before, and after it.  All lives — at least in the U.S. and in some other western nations too — redefined by this single day.

My sons and all those other mothers and fathers, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters at the mercy of fate and the heavens. The brave and principled who stepped up and heeded the call. The unfortunate “others” – non-westerners feared for their differences and clustered with the “them” against us.

And so I paint. And write. And avoid. For copies, notecards and more cynically commercial products.

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Music in art creation – my process

Druid Tree Painting by Maura Satchell, ArtistAs you might know, I make visual art as well as write. Recently, I’ve noticed an interesting thing. I work by two different mental processes when creating, depending on whether it be by words or pictures. Here’s the scoop:

The other day I was asked about my process in writing my (insert shameless plug here) second novel The Gray Lady of Long Branch  (Four Pillars) and in explaining my strong dedication to the organic process, I also mentioned I work in silence. No music, no television, no people (if I can help it, but that depends on how close to deadline).  I do this because those external distractions would dim “the voices in my head.”

I know what you’re thinking: Get out the straightjacket. =)

In all seriousness, though, I can only describe it in this way:  Thankfully, I type blindingly fast, so, I process my thoughts in my brain and type to follow up. Usually it’s my own thoughts, but sometimes, I get the voice of the character, or a reminder voice of an old professor, or some other voice coming to me. It informs the process of what I’m doing or downright puts the dialogue right into my mind, accent at all.

When creating visual art, I find creating to music pleasant and sometimes very helpful. It seems to free up my work so my strokes are less controlled, more flowing and easy. The most striking marriage between my painting and music came several years ago when I was working on this Druid Tree painting for a solo show at a fabulous restaurant in Nashville years ago. I was painting to Dave Matthews Band and still remember the feeling of that union as I created that work.

How about you? Check in and tell me what type of art you work on and about your music or non-music preferences. OR, take this conversation to your favorite social media channel and carry on the discussion there!

 

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Book launch party

Today was the day! Sweltering but I was heartened to see such a huge crowd. And to sell out the stock of books I had brought with me that day.

Good times!

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Tomorrow = Launch Day!

Launch TimeIt’s hard to believe, launch day is here! It’s been a whirlwind ride to bring The Gray Lady of Long Branch to publication, but it’s done. Hard to believe when I think about lounging around in that adorable little beach home on the rain-drenched Florida Panhandle, forced to stay inside, that the seed of an idea sewn there would blossom into this novel.

But it did. And I’m so happy with the finished product. I honestly am. While writing it, there were more than a couple of times that I laughed out loud and some funny thing I’d written, or sobbed with tears over another part.  I hope you, my reader, gets the whole gamut of emotions I did while putting it together.

And I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I put it together, I’ll acknowledge that. But I also had some voice or unseen force or muse whispering to me along the way. It may sound crazy, but it’s my truth.

Elizabeth Gilbert, writer, gave a TED talk that nails it, this inspiration that comes at times. I’ve watched her presentation several times and each time, it inspires the hell out of me. And each time, it reminds me to have the courage to trust in my personal “geni.”

I use the term “courage”, and, honest-to-God, that’s what it is! You have to learn to take the ego out of whatever it is you are doing, and just trust. Trust in that inner voice, and just do your job. So inspired am I by that TED talk that I’m putting more of them here:

“If the divine cockeyed genius assigned to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed for just one moment through your efforts, than ole! And if not, do your dance anyhow and ole to you nonetheless! Just for having the shear human love and stubbornness to keep showing up.”

If you’re curious as to the kind of inspiration that went into The Gray Lady of Long Branch, here’s a link to the publisher’s entry on the paperback version. It’s also available from the Publisher in ebook form.

I’d love to hear from you on the topic of inspiration or muse or geni voice. Do you hear or have you heard it too?

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Geekgirl exposed: I’m a huge fan of Elon Musk

Source: Fast Company
Source: Fast Company

If you’ve followed me on Twitter (@MoesseArtist), you know I have tremendous admiration for Elon Musk. I don’t know when he came on my radar, but on so many levels, what he is doing and trying to do just rocks my world.

Consider:

He’s brought to market a sleek, elite electric car everyone loves, under the company name Tesla (Another icon of mine from another century).

He’s put together the talent and genius to build rockets that might someday go to Mars at costs far below the usual players and upending the space industry.

He’s behind SolarCity – the nation’s largest residential solar installer and is disrupting the energy industry in a huge way as well.

Taken alone, each of those efforts is enough to launch an individual into that rare air stratosphere of titans of industry and let’s face it, in this day and age, the U.S. is lackluster in the innovation department, to say the least.

The thing that really gets me, that shows me this guy is for real trying to build a better world, is when Elon Musk released all the Tesla Patents “in the spirit of the open source movement.”

This is how he explained it:

Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology.

I don’t know about you, but to me, that move is a stunning example of a selfless desire to better the world.

I’ve just finished Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance (a geek-girl’s dream). It’s exceptionally well-written and Vance does a superb job of covering this amazing individual.  Jump over here for my review of that book . The enormity of Musk’s accomplishments is the stuff of legends and Vance does him justice.

Were you familiar with Elon Musk? What do you think about him?

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Me: Part 2

Us and boysAfter a couple of years in the country, we relocated back to Nashville where I went through two years of high school before another move to Murfreesboro, an hour south of Nashville. During my high school, I got involved in school programs, ranging from sports – basketball, track and swimming – to acting (yes, acting!) and church (I was secretary of our CYO group) and even earned a 100 hour badge as a candystriper volunteering at the local V.A. hospital.

Despite all these activities, the transition to Murfreesboro was tough since I’d left some close, wonderful friends behind during a crucial time in my teenage years to try to gain acceptance in a school where most everyone had grown up together. I processed my feelings in writing and escaped into books even more. In fact, I often got in trouble for reading off-topic in class — even honors English class.

I absolutely loved writing and felt comfortable doing so. So much so, that in college, I frequently wrote other student’s term papers along with my own.  I left school to earn a paycheck, married young and soon had a couple of children and life as a stay at home mom bringing in a little side money as a sportswriter for a local weekly paper and then working as a stringer for another local newspaper.

My tumultuous six-year-marriage ended so I entered the ranks of the 9-5 employed in customer service. A few years later I remarried a wonderful man — my best friend — and continued to work, too busy to write. I returned to school and received a B.A. (cum laude, I might add) in Mass Comm from Middle Tennessee State University. While there, I was writing for the school newspaper and as a stringer with the Tennessean, covering some random stories from a major pollution issue to the cotton crop’s prospects to tragedies such as a young boy dying from diabetes.

After graduating, I moved into a fulltime reporters role with a suburban Nashville daily paper and wrote for a few years longer before deciding a corporate communications job would be more lucrative. I simultaneously joined forces with a friend of my brothers and co-wrote a screenplay and, with my partner’s approval, wrote the subsequent novel based on the story. It gathered dust on a shelf as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan raged on but I’m glad to say became my first published novel, Empty Sky, which was finally published in 2014.

The art came into play this way: My two sons joined different branches of the military and served in Iraq. They both served in the infantry and both were embroiled in some of the worst fighting during our years there. My eldest, a Marine, was in Nasariyah in the beginning of the war which was described as “a Turkey Shoot, with our Marines as the targets.”  My younger son was in the mechanized infantry in Anbar Province where half-ton IEDs were the widow-makers and son-stealers.

I’ll be honest. It unbalanced me for a few years. Not that I became a raging alcoholic or ended up in an institution. Rather, I let anger and outrage over what I perceived as an egregiously ill-advised course of action eat away at me. I was bitter and intense and outspoken and not a pleasant person to be around.

Then I found art.

My sons were stateside and safe and I was able to let down my guard. With a makeshift studio beckoning, I taught myself some basics and took classes and workshops and found a community of fellow artists to paint with.  It was the release I needed and at once my soul felt so much lighter!

Technological advances sent my consulting business the way of travel agencies, and forced me to find steady employment. I did, and have since moved to Florida with my husband. Thankfully, we have a great home with a great studio and separate office where I can paint or write as is my inclination. I decided after finally publishing Empty Sky last year to take a stab at completing the sketch of another story I’d started years ago. Over this past several months I finished it. It is my sweet second novel The Gray Lady of Long Branch and it’s being released August 25.  I hope you’ll consider reading it!