08/22 Monday

....and then you wake up and you to start all over again.

I'm not sure how it works but most of my skin has a thick layer of numbness to it, including my face, but then under neath are deep layers of seering/burning pain. I don't understand how I can be numb and in pain at the same time but that's RSD. But at least the deep saddness is gone today - I can get back to work.

As of Saturday I only have the book cover left to do (or redo), it shouldn't take that long but I can't seem to come up with a layout that I like. Normally things just flow but this whole project has been laborious and now I'm down to the last page, the front page, and I can't seem to get it right. Oh well, may be today.

I'll be glad to have this finished and printed so i can move on to selling it and producing the next book. I can't stand having anything take so long but I also need to make sure it's exactly what I want before I move on.

What I'm working on is  aseries of illustrated wordless books about 6 characters: Dixie, Joel, Jimmy, Jack, Bugsy and H.B.  and their friendship(s) and adventures in a small town called Scootertown. The characters are inspired by Cape Codders whom I admire for their uniqueness and their steadfast inner compass.

The first book "Growing up" shows how different characters are brought up and taught to be happy  and loving while one character, Jack, is brought up to be a bully. While other character's are taught to read and walk, Jack's only interaction with a grown up comes in the form of a very large pointing finger.

The next book is tentatively titled "Potluck extravaganza". Dixie, a cheerful, rollerskating bird,  has decided to hold a potluck picnic in town square but instead of letting each character bring something they like and know how to make he assigns each character with a dish - Joel, an adventureous, self reliant little squirrel is assigned meatloaf;  Bugsy, a pup who lives in a house boat, is assigned cupcakes; H.B. is given nuts and cheese; etc. None of the characters have a clue how to make the assigned dish but Dixie wants what Dixie wants for his potluck party.

Another book "Adventures" is all about imagining great adventures and making things- Joel climbs mountains and travels in his sailboat; H.B. and Jimmy (a little boy and the only person in the book)build castles to gether, ride camels in the desert and build a space ship and fly to the moon together; Jack dreams of being a great artist while Dixie dreams of being a great baker- the book shows each character building and dreaming and sharing what they want to be.

Each book will a new contain a removeable map of the town and or cutout and color projects like finger puppets and paper air planes. I want the feel of the books to be old fashioned - I want children to be able to play with the facets of the books and use their imagination(s). I want to give children gentle guides to good behavior, the how's and why's of bad behavior and also ways to play instead of telling them how to play.

I've said this before but as soon as I can I'll post examples of the first book.

Alright, enough goofing around. Gotta get dressed and try to get to the gym.