Journey of Shunya Means Zero

I just received my author copies of Shunya Means Zero, a book that's had a very long gestation...23 years!!! Sometimes, when you flip an idea on its head, it falls into place.

I've always been fascinated with numbers and patterns and so it was natural to write about the history of our numerical system. Magazine writing has trained me to have a tight focus so I decided to stick to the history of zero, which was invented in India, and followed it with an introduction to the history and culture of India using the tried and true method of counting. Zero violence. One Taj Mahal. Two Language Families. Etc.

 
I started submitting to publishers in 2003 and after about a dozen submissions over three years with only a few personal rejection letters encouraging me, I shelved it. I was busy writing other books and teaching. In 2017, I revisited Shunya (see Vijaya Bodach: Journey of Little Thief! Chota Chor! ) and flipped it--first the counting, then the history of zero and it was accepted right away by Reycraft. My editor, Sunita Apte, helped me make the text even tighter and I was so delighted that Nayantara Surendranath was again paired with me to do the illustrations. But it was a long wait...but God's timing is always perfect. And worth the wait. 

I wrote this for my children, but it is their children who will be the beneficiaries of this book. I was able to dedicate it to my grandbabies. Just five days after Dagny's baby boy was born, my editor sent me the final art (I'd seen some sketches before but seeing the art in full color took my breath away) and we went through another round of tweaking the text. I had the baby's initials for the dedication. Yay! I wrote to Max and Laura, asking whether they had decided on a name for their baby girl. I promised I'd keep it secret and only my editor would know, lol. But they hadn't decided. So I went with babyB. 

I got an email with the final proofs the day Max and Laura's sweet baby girl was born. We still didn't know the name until the evening, but once they decided, I shot back an email to my editor for the final dedication. Whew!!! 

More importantly, although I'm proud to be American, I have not forgotten my roots, the place that began shaping me into the person I am today. I have wanted so much to share it with my children, but by the time they were old enough that they'd remember a trip to India, my health was declining, and travelling was (still is) too hard on me. Max and I had the opportunity to go to Kolkata and work with the Sisters of Charity in 2020, but the lockdowns meant no travelers were being issued visas. It was a huge disappointment. I pray that we'll all be able to take a family trip to India with the children and grandchildren...but in the meantime, they'll have this book. It is so much more meaningful now than when I first penned it. I can't wait to share it with not just my grandbabies, but with school children everywhere. Here's Grandpa practicing for reading to the grandbabies :)     

Prayers Answered--Hallelujah!

Last night, I very much felt as I did in 2016, that we were at the edge of a precipice, that our country wouldn't be the same if the democrats stayed in power. I remember going to bed that night, praying that Trump would win, but didn't really think he had a chance. Imagine my joy when Michael woke me up to tell me he'd won. I only heard lamentations from some of my liberal friends--many stopped speaking to me. Yet, their fears were unfounded. President Trump governed well. The world was more stable. And we moved in the proper direction towards defending and protecting life. 

These past four years, we've seen a terrible deterioration in our nation and instability in the world. Public policy regarding Covid was tyranny. So many people's livelihoods were destroyed due to the lockdowns, especially the small businesses. So many were coerced to take the shots that have done more harm than good. And the lies!!! Suppression of valuable information. Persecuting anybody who questions the narrative. And the relentless persecution of President Trump. And yet, I believe that God allowed us to have leaders who were incompetent at best and evil at worst as a punishment for our sins as a nation. I am thankful because these past four years exposed the corruption and collusion within the govt. along with the media and big tech. Trump didn't have to run given all the grief he's been given for the past ten years, including two assassination attempts; he could've retired in his palatial home in Florida. But he fought for the American people. We the people came to support him.

I predicted to my friends that he'd win in a landslide, mostly because I couldn't imagine anyone so blind that they'd want to vote for such a weak candidate as Harris. She has no accomplishments to show, only a great desire to have abortion on demand. It is so bizarre that so many people still supported her for something so horrible. I wanted Trump to win the popular vote too, so there'd be no question. We the people have spoken.  

We the people have been praying and fasting for our nation. I am so thankful to God that finally we can return to some sanity. It's going to take some time to clean up the various departments; he is surrounding himself with knowledgeable people who can help him and I am hopeful. As are so many of our young friends. We oldies were invited to a mega MAGA party and it was such a consolation to see the red wave across the country. Last night, when I went to bed, I knew we'd pulled back from the precipice. Thank you, Lord. With Your help, we can make America great again. This is my prayer from America the Beautiful:

America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

Ascension of our Lord

Happy Feast of the Ascension!!! Where our Lord is, there we hope to be too! It is the second Glorious Mystery and we pray for the virtue of Hope. What's been lost in the new liturgy are the three Rogation days prior to Ascension Thursday. It's when we pray for blessings upon our crops, for a bountiful fruit. With the industrial food system, we don't think about these things, but when you consider how unnatural it is, how detrimental it is to have pesticides and hormones contaminating our food (no wonder an increasing number of people have chronic health problems), think about supporting your local farmers. Since the Covid crap began, we began buying our meat, eggs, raw milk, and whatever vegetables we didn't grow ourselves from local farmers. Our health is so much better and it feels good to know where our food is coming from. 

We'll also begin the world's oldest and original novena in preparation for Pentecost! That's one of the reasons I don't like that Ascension has been shifted to Sunday. It's Ascension Thursday for a reason: 40 days after Easter. Plus novena = nine days of prayer. Yeah, the numbers matter to me. Le sigh. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

It's hard to believe that it was only last year Dagny graduated from Ave Maria.

Feasts Days During Lent

Whew! What a week! What a weekend! We had two High Masses, one on Friday to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation and one for Laetare Sunday--because we're more than halfway through Lent. And last week was also the choir's turn to provide soup and sandwiches for after Stations of the Cross so there's been a LOT of socializing. But it's been lovely. And I could not believe it's the 10th anniversary of my total consecration of Jesus through Mary. JOY! 

I was also finishing up a writing project (secret for now) so it was a great relief to have the writing finished on Thursday before choir practice! Our choir director brought in an original vellum of the chant we'd be singing, penned in the late 15th century. It's only slightly different from what we sang. It's quite large and in medieval times the monks would gather around to sing.  

There was also consecration of Russia and Ukraine. I can't help but think of the Fatima seer, Sister Lucia, who said that Mary told her that by the time the consecration happens, it'll be too late. Pope St. John Paul II had made a consecration that was accepted in heaven but Russia had already spread her errors. And we're already in a war. So I don't know what the most recent consecration will mean. Then there's the little matter of Biden and Obama establishing bioweapons labs in the Ukraine and the never-ending covid crap that continues to be used to usher in a new era of health dictatorship even as the authorities backtrack and say they made mistakes. What a bunch of liars. Everything was done with malice. And this is why I pray because what can a person like me can do? I have no power except in Christ Jesus. 

I had an interesting conversation with Dagny, who's taking a class in Mariology, and who said that until the fifth dogma is proclaimed--that she's the Mediatrix of all graces--we'll never have peace. It's such a strange thing that our Lord will not do anything without our cooperation. The Virgin Mary had to give her fiat for the Incarnation to happen. Jesus comes to us through Mary and He wills that all graces pass through her hands. This comes up over and over IN SINU JESU. I tell you, this book is a love letter! We simply cannot comprehend a love so great. But BELIEVE!!!

I close with a picture of the girls at Ave Maria celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation!  

Antidote to Chaos

Does anybody think that the same people who advanced Covid theater are now promoting war? Have we learned nothing from the bloodiest century? I'm retreating more into prayer. Beauty will indeed save the world. On Valentine's Day, this copper spire went up on St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on Daniel Island. Watch: 

Spire Lift Video - YouTube

The church will be finished next year and I have a feeling there will be many conversions because it's so beautiful to worship in a space set apart for worship. It's one of the things I love about the traditional Latin Mass. It's set apart from the ordinary. It has a way instantly orienting my thoughts to the Almighty. The antidote to chaos. Yesterday at choir practice, the pastor was meeting with cadets from the Citadel who are in RCIA and I was flooded with memories of our time in RCIA. I still can't believe it sometimes, how I've grown in love. But when you're drinking from the very Source of all Love, how can it not? I pray this Lent will be the best ever, bearing much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

When we first moved here and I saw the lacrosse field across Bishop England High School, I knew it'd be the perfect place to have a church. And it is. Deo gratias!

 

Author Series and Marches

Suzanne Detar of the Daniel Island News (and herself an author of Don't Lose the Ball in the Lights and Other Life Lessons from Sports) invited me to kick off the Daniel Island Author Series along with Pamela Brownstein, another children's writer, who is promoting her first book, Low-ku: Haikus of the Lowcountry and illustrated by Tessa Liesecka. What a privilege it is to be able to share my writing journey and encourage others to devote time to the dreams God has placed upon their hearts. I loved this ad that the editor made, especially it's placement right below Snuggles. You can read more about it here in the paper: The Daniel Island News launches monthly author series | The Daniel Island News I love living here--it truly is a community and the local newspaper Sue started is a big part of it. Local friends, please come if you can. This is the first in-person authorly event I'm doing in two years. 

I also loved the timing of this event. My thoughts naturally turn to building a culture of life, with BOUND my small contribution, on the anniversary of Roe v Wade that brought in a culture of death in our country. My kids have been going up to DC to March for Life with their friends and I love that the future is pro-life.  

This year, there was another important march to end all the Covid-related mandates. Many people don't realize this, but the vaccines are either produced or tested in cell lines derived from aborted babies, that the new drugs they're making, including monoclonal antibodies, are made in humanized mice, which require freshly aborted baby parts to be grafted into mice. It's unconscionable that we would sacrifice children to save our own lives. Never mind that the past two years have shown that masks, vaccines, and lockdowns did not work as they were purported to work and can possibly do more harm. Here's an overview. What's required is common sense and compassion. Please also note that studies from India and Africa back in 2020 showed that ivermectin works well both in prophylaxis and treatment of Covid. The reason FDA/CDC did not approve its use was so that they could push the vaccines (emergency authorization). And as this video shows: From 100% to 20%: Video Shows Radically Shifting Narrative Of Vaccine Effectiveness | Citizens Journal, we've been lied to. But the truth is coming out and it will set us free. Pray, pray, pray.   

Reading

This year, with Epiphany being celebrated on Jan. 2nd, I felt that Christmastide was being cut short. Alas, we were not able to hear Mass on Jan. 1st or 2nd because we were sick with a winter cold/cough. We stayed home this Sunday as well just to be sure. However, since we are living in the age of covid, I started us both on ivermectin for 6 days and it stopped the symptoms from becoming debilitating. We also had sunshine so spent our days out on the porch, reading and resting, getting much needed Vit D. And thank God for all the citrus. The Lord really does provide all we need for good health and cheer. But the fatigue--it's real. Today, I finally had enough energy to put away Christmas. But the memories will linger.

We've had some lovely new books to read though. And I begin with this gorgeous Bible, a gift from Max. The typography and layout is so beautiful it's a joy to read. I think this will be a book that I will read over and over because the Word of God is living and every time you read it, you receive what you're meant to. Plus, the Four Gospels are foundational for all Christians. If you know nothing about Jesus, but want to know Him, these are the four books you must read. It's how we fell in love with our dear Lord Jesus. 

Our gift to Max was from a local artist, Theresa Hoffman of Sea Island Art. May he ever hear the lowcountry bid him home. Theresa said that she had just finished this painting the day before. How lucky for us to have found it at the farmer's market. 

And some day, one of our kids will inherit Kris Manning's beautiful cookbook: The Field Guide to Fabulous Food. It's so well-designed, hand-lettered by Kris with watercolor paintings from Barbara Meierhusby. Kris wrote it for her young sons and what a legacy to have a cookbook from your mom with all the favorite things she made. Kris is an artist extraordinaire. This is a limited edition so if you want a cookbook for a young adult, give this to your sons and daughters. There's plenty of white space to jot notes as they embark on their own culinary adventures. Truly, the food you make at home is the best. I feel so privileged to have the chance to work with Kris and hope we can collaborate again. My head is full of ideas :) 

Wings Forever: the true story of Donn Deisenroth, American WWII fighter pilot by his daughter, Verla Kay is another treasure not just for her family but for the rest of us who value freedom. A labor of love, it is an account of his time during the war. And this is why we must fight any and all tyranny, including all the unconstitutional mandates around covid. These brave young men and women didn't fight so that we could be cowed by a corrupt govt. We owe it to them to fight for our freedom now, for the sake of our children and grandchildren.  

Finally, a couple of lovely ARCS: Dodos are NOT Extinct: they're just in disguise by Paddy Donnelly is a humorous book wherein a dodo takes readers through the natural world to show them where the other "extinct" animals are hiding, sometimes in plain sight. Great voice. Fun illustrations. And a summary of the animals that are no longer with us. Shapes and Patterns in Nature by this trio by Magdalena Konečná, Jana Sedlackova, Štěpánka Sekaninová is mesmerizing. The simple text introduces shapes and patterns in nature and is breathtaking in its detail. It works well as a field guide too because the many patterns and shapes are identified in beautiful lettering. Each page also seeks to classify the major patterns. A gem of a book! With many thanks to the publisher for an ARC. What are some of the wonderful books you've been reading during Christmas holidays? 

Reading, Writing, Watching

In my previous post, I wondered if there was a schedule of childhood vaccinations that lessened the risks of adverse effects from vaccination and indeed there is. The Vaccine-Friendly Plan by Paul Thomas, M.D. and Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D. is a fantastic resource. It's easy to read and understand and gives new parents the tools to discern what is right for their child. Because let's face it, our children are more sick now than ever before. In 1983, the CDC recommended 11 shots until the age of 16 whereas in 2015, they recommended at last 50 shots starting at birth, with most of them given before the child turns two years old.  

"To what extent is overvaccination contributing to the rise in chronic diseases and other health problems among America's children? To what extent is overvaccination a trigger for autism? Have we taken an unquestionably good practice (childhood vaccination) and turned it into something that is actually causing harm?"

The Vaccine-Friendly Plan is a comprehensive look at all the vaccines currently in use, their ingredients, as well as a schedule of vaccination that makes better sense for each child, rather than the current guidelines that follow a "one-size-fits-all." The authors recognize that "vaccines are preventative medicine. They do not cure an illness--they give a boost to an already healthy immune system so the body is less likely to succumb to illness in the future." Therefore it's "even more imperative that we have proof that the vaccines we are recommending are both necessary and safe." One thing is clear, the medical industry must start following its own mandate: First, do no harm. 

Alas, this has been sadly missing with the Covid vaccines. It's very rare for a child to die from Covid, yet our govt. agencies continue to push mask and vaccine mandates upon our children. The former VP of Pfizer, Dr. Michael Yeadon, says that a child is 50X more likely to die from the Covid vaccine than of Covid itself. Covid remains a problem for the elderly and those with comorbidities, so we should be focusing on keeping them safe, not making the rest of the people, including children take a vaccine that may or may not be useful. Here's a well-written piece on rethinking our strategy for managing Covid. 

It is the unreasonableness of the vaccine mandates that made me question our current protocols. It's up to the parents to do due diligence because we can no longer trust the CDC to evaluate what's best for our children. The Vaccine-Friendly Plan follows a chronological approach from before birth to adulthood, with emphasis on the child's well-being. I highly recommend it. I've already invested in my own copy and know I'll be lending it out. 

So, I'm a fan of Julia Cameron and her morning pages. They really work. I've been writing morning (sometimes they turn into afternoon or night pages, lol, but all writing is beneficial) off and on for several years now and it is amazing how much clarity one gets not just in writing but in life. Michael is nearing retirement so I got a copy of It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Middle Age and Beyond, and we're both enjoying going through it. The one thing that resonates deeply for us is that human beings are naturally creative and we seek expression. Michael put aside many of his hobbies to focus on being a husband and father who provides and is present to us. What I've appreciated most is that he cultivated so many of the home arts in his spare time, from gardening to cooking. The newest interest is in all things fermented. He started with kombucha and beer, not the easiest things to manage, and onto pickling, and now yogurt, kefir, cheese. He's having fun. And we're often consulting Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz or On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee. It's so lovely sharing books and ideas. And what joy being a beginner again. We spend a lot of time together and I'm looking forward to when he can retire and spend more of his time doing ALL the things he loves. Perhaps he'll write a book too! As for me, I'm deep in revisions of my historical. This time it's do or die! I just received a wonderful conference critique with so many helpful suggestions that resonate, that I'm confident I can polish this until it shines.  

This past weekend we watched Show Me the Father in the movie theater. I've not been in quite some time and even surprised that it was available, wondering how they can even sustain being open. Our little art house theater has closed permanently :(  But the movie! Beautiful! It's about fatherhood and how important it is because it reflects the fatherhood of God. He's not distant, but near. We cry out Abba! Daddy. How many of us are lost because we do not have a father and don't know the Father's love? Even the best of fathers aren't perfect. The Kendrick brothers share not only their own story about their father, but also follow a couple more men and their struggles with an absent father and the blessing of other father figures in their lives. This movie touched me so deeply, to my core (couer?), I cried. I needed this very much, even as I bow my head to pray, Our Father...  Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. It's reminds me God so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Go see Show Me the Father. Know that you are loved. Covid be damned.