My Favorite Most Inspiring Friends

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

One of the songs I find myself singing or humming is from The Sound of Music “These Are A Few of My Favorite Things.” Since my February theme was about things I love, I am taking a bit of license to change this out to “These are a few of my Favorite People.”

Let me introduce you to friends who inspire me and others. They aren’t nationally well-known people but those of us who know them recognize their dedication to the less fortunate in our society.

Kris Bella and I’ve been circle sisters and friends since the mid-90’s. I will admit I didn’t understand why it was important to her to be one of the founders of Free Arts Northwest, but a decade and more later, I can see what she has accomplished. This non-profit provides opportunities for at-risk youth to be involved in art. Kris has her master’s in art therapy and is an adjunct professor in Marylhurst College’s Art Therapy program so she does know how healing art can be. The program Free Arts NW has that I’m most familiar with is Spring Break Film Camp. While I’ve not been to every premier I’ve been to more than one.

During this week in March, youth write, direct, perform, edit, etc. their own films. After they are professionally mastered, the Hollywood theater is the venue for the Premier. What I love about this program is that these youth not only have a chance to express themselves but they learn all the pieces to the creative film-making process thus gaining a life-long skill. Many of the youth come back year-after-year until they age out.

Kris is someone who dreams big and then follows her dreams. Check out her latest dream manifestation – Arte Soleil, a Studio and Marketplace (Gift shop) that she and her musician husband, Pete Fennell started. If you are in the Portland, OR area, check out Arte Soleil’s website to see hours and when Open Mic and other special events are scheduled.

When my neighbor Juanita retired, she told me that she wanted to volunteer. She’s always loved animals so she looked for opportunities to volunteer with  programs that support animals. Initially her time was spent with Project Pooch, a non-profit program that matches stray/rescue dogs with incarcerated youth.

Juanita started Beading the Odds another non-profit that she heads up under the auspices of Janus Youth Programs. BTO volunteers travel every Sunday to teach young men how to bead. They learn to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  Juanita attends several events a year to sell the items these young men create. Profits go into their accounts. They can keep items and give them as gifts to family members and friends.

Again, when they are released, these young men have a skill they can use (some are Very Talented artistically) on the outside.

Both Free Arts NW and Beading The Odds accept donations (cash or supplies). You can reach them directly or if there is a problem, please let me know and I’ll connect you.

Who do you have in your life who is an inspiration?

My first non-fiction book, Staying Sane in a Crazy World is available at your favorite e-retailer. By following the simple process outlined in this book, you can create your own personal staying sane plan when the world around you goes crazy.

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Intend Kindness: Support Other's Passion

Staying with the “Intend Kindness” theme of the past two weeks, I’ve one more suggestion along those lines.

Intend kindness by showing support to others who are manifesting their passion.

It may be a published author whose books you’ve read. Write a Review.

It may be a friend who is excited about an idea. Listen.

It may be a non-profit fund raiser for a cause you believe in. Share the News!

For several different reasons, I’ve had time to read this year. Here is a list of the books I’ve enjoyed and certainly recommend!!!

Paty Jager

The Halsey Brothers’ series

Secrets of a Mayan Moon (An Isabella Mumphrey mystery)

Double Duplicity (A Shandra Higheagle mystery)

Peggy Bird

Sparked by Love

Tracy Weber

Murder Strikes a Pose

Delilah Marvelle

Romancing Lady Stone

Christy Carlyle

Whitechapel Wagers series

Jim Roy

Champion of Choice

Stephen Skinner

Sacred Geometry

Susan Pesznecker

The Magickal Retreat: Making Time for Solitude, Intention and Rejuvenation

How am I following through with the other two suggestions?

I’m supporting a wonderful woman who has single handed started a non-profit “Beading the Odds” that works with juvenile males, teaching them how to bead. This has been life-changing for several of the young men because they are successful, develop a camaraderie with a caring non-staff adult and each other outside the regular routine of incarcerated life.

November 7 – 8 the Bead Society is hosting a Bead Bazaar in Portland, OR. Even if you aren’t a beader, think about stopping by and checking out the fantastic work of these young men. Meet Juanita and see passion at work.

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nurture the soul.

You can find Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s website here; her Windtree Press author page here.

Thoughts on Friendships Old and New - Part Two

Me wearing a lei from Hawaii

The story behind this picture also has to do with friendships-friendships of the cyber kind. You know, the people you meet through social media from around the world.

Sarah Raplee and I launched Romancing The Genres four years ago May 1. We've been fortunate to find authors who are committed to putting posts up at least once a month which means there are twenty of us and we post once a month.

I've met some wonderful authors these past four years including Marcia King-Gamble! Check out her website to learn more about her amazing life! And if you click on this link, you can read her June 08, 2015 post.

With twenty (counting me) Genre-istas, why am I featuring Marcia today?

First: she gave Sarah and me and the other Genre-istas a fantastic gift for our 4th Blog-O-Versary and second: she had this lei sent to me.

If you read last week's post, you'll know much of May was challenging. To have this wonderful lei arrive a week after I returned was a special gift.

Over the past four years I've "met" several other people from around the world who have become friends --- not in the sense that we have lunch together or spend the day at a coffee shop for an impromptu writing retreat --- but they are people I've gotten to know beyond mere superficiality. I know a bit about their personal lives and they know a bit about mine.

Some of them are authors I now read...and some are authors I admire because of the challenges
they've overcome. (There are some sub-genres of romance I seldom if ever read even if I know and like the author. Why? Because I'm one of those people who have a difficult time separating reality from fiction to read a horror novel or thriller, a dark paranormal or sci-fi, even some fantasy is beyond me. A week of nightmares is not an enticement to read in these genres, even if they are really good books.

However, that doesn't mean I don't like a bit of suspense and conflict but keep the blood and gore to a minimum. Think Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes - the old Sir Arthur Conan Doyle version.

But I digress.

I've made friends over the years I've been involved with the Romance Writing Community. Some I hope to meet one of these days. Others will be long distance friends. I'll see their picture from time to time, I'll read their books, we'll exchange emails but the probability of meeting them in person is minimal.

Does that mean I value their friendships less? Absolutely not! Look at my picture and think of Marcia King-Gamble, I know I do!

BTW: Marcia spearheaded Romancing The Genres' first Facebook event held the last two days in April. We had authors from the UK, North America and Australia. We shared our love of books and travel and had a glorious time. I learned something from Marcia I'll use when we do this again --- she asked for ideas to heighten the conflict in a story she is writing. That's how I got the lei. Who knew at the time I typed in some ideas how important this flower necklace would be to me!

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationships to romance..

Check out her website for more information on The Sacred Women's Circle series.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.


Hunter, the fifth book in the series is due out by the end of June, 2015.

And for more about another amazing friend, read my post about Juanita Garnow and her work with Beading The Odds.