A Girl and Her Dog

Here's Henry with his person--the one and only Jenna Blum.

They arrived bearing gifts--champagne and chocolate mice (a tribute to Mister Pickles or an homage to my Mouse Car problem.) But then, maybe that's my insecurity speaking.

Jenna is the world-famous author of Those Who Save Us, which spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list. People--two years!

So yes, I was a little nervous--even though I've known Jenna for many years--since my early days when I taught at Grub Street in Boston, back in the 2000's. But, we were more colleagues than anything else. So, to have her here--gracing the land that is known as La Belle Farm--well that was momentous!

But you know what--she's a charmer! She's so nice. Really nice. And her handsome black Labrador Retriever, Henry, is a total gentlemen.

Creative friends, it's a myth that we have to enroll in some artistic boot camp and starve ourselves and be tough and mean and hard-hearted to be successful. Yes, pursuing a life as an artist is no trivial thing. It takes a lot of hard work, and an awesome amount of dedication--and yes, even a certain toughness. But, I will tell you, dear readers--if you are protective of your time, your heart, your sensitive nature, your artistic vision and if you save enough psychic time and space for your creative endeavors--well, then you can be both kind and successful. You can get a show at the Whitney Museum. You can star in an off-Broadway show, or heck a Broadway show! You too, can spend two years on the New York Times bestseller list. And you can be the next big superstar. 

But truly, being a superstar is not the point. Making art and being a good person and a good friend--well, that's the point.

Creative Friends--your assignment for this week is to go for a walk with a kindred spirit. Share your dreams. Don't expect anything in return, just be your authentic and honest self. As you are climbing the ladder of success, take the time to be nice. And yes, be charming. Throw a tennis ball into the air. Perhaps a Black Labrador will retrieve it --and smile at you, enthusiastically panting, with complete unbridled joy.

Love,

Jamie