My fellow Women Writing the West member Gin Getz is a writer based out of the wild high mountains of southwestern Colorado. Born Virginia Tone in New Jersey, Gin Getz lives and works at her remote, off-grid guest ranch, far removed from town, telephones and traffic, alongside her husband, son and a bunch of four legged and feathered friends. Gin's website is www.GinGetz.com and her home/guest at www.lost-trail.com.
Well, how many writers can say they have published two books in one year? It's an exclusive club, to be sure! Here are the two that came out in 2014:
The Color of the Wild is the beautifully told story of one woman’s life, love, family, resolve and determination. More than a memoir, with stunning stories interspersed and intertwined with powerful poetry, prose, and stunning photographs, Gin’s captivating tone and intimate view bring to life the drama and trauma of one year on her family’s ranch, scenic and secluded, surrounded by and a part of the wild world around them.
An intimate, intense personal account of the effects of our changing climate in her big back yard, Colorado’s majestic mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness, The Last of the Living Blue recounts a year of drought, fires, floods, and the healing of mountain and mind.
Well, as the saying goes, to hurry up and get a lot done, take your time. Over to Gin:
Summer is slipping away. A couple more weeks and the kids will be back in school, summer house closed down, swim suit diets a concern of the past. I still have this idyllic notion that summer should be spent sitting on the beach with a good book, long evenings by the camp fire with a tall glass tinkling ice in one hand and a grill fork in the other or running around barefoot playing kick-the-can. Reality, so it seems for most of us, is something altogether different. We’re way too busy! So, for all of us who find ourselves missing out on the lazy, crazy days of summer time, I present to you:
The 5 Best Ways to Slow Down – and the Links to Help You Do It.
1. Read a good book. Not sure what to read next and looking for recommendations? Check out GoodReads.com. Part social media for the bookworm, part helpful resource for the real reader.
2. Get out in nature. Okay, that’s not always easy if you live in the city. This site, on National Geographic, has some great ideas.
3. Spend time with family. Here’s a good place to start, from a kids perspective:Top 10 Ways to Spend Time with Family.
4. Downsize. Simplify. A wonderful list of 52 reasons why and how to.
5. Meditate. Right – easier said than done for some of us. There is hope. Try this: Tiny Buddha: 8 Ways to Make Meditation Easy and Fun.
> The Archive of Madam Mayo's guest-bloggers includes:
John Kachuba on 5 Literary Ghosts;
Peter Behrens on 4 Canadian and 1 Irish Writers You Must Read;
Andrew Dayton on 5 Books to Get Your Head Inside Iran;
Sam Quinones on 5 Books of True Tales;
Susan Coll on 5 Favorite Comic Novels.
COMMENTS are always welcome.
