Well my friends, last month I spoke of change, and since then, while our attentions were elsewhere, Summer slipped quietly out the backdoor and Autumn greeted us with a knowing smile at the front, vestiges of her travels caught up in the folds of her luxurious velveteen skirt; jewel-toned fallen leaves, sprigs of dry grasses, a few stray acorns, all skittering and scattering about as she waltzes by in a swirl of mist and mystery...

It was a summer that many would be happy to forget! But let’s not dwell there. Let’s focus on the Good Stuff! Amidst ongoing social restrictions, upheavals, unrest, and the weirdest wildest weather and catastrophic events, the beauty of life continues to unfold. Like, marriage ceremonies - smaller and more intimate than last year’s soiree’s - bonding families and enlarging circles of love in the same way as always. And brand new babies, bursting forth with promises and hope in a meaningful future. As well as countless acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity, seen and unseen, felt in big and small ways, meted out all around the world.

Let us focus our thoughts and our energies on these. Yes, acknowledging losses, and yes, helping however and whenever we can, but still focusing forward, always forward with LOVE at the center of all we do.

October Book Club | The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

by Heather B. Moore

BUY NOW

History is a funny thing. I often find that what’s left out of the lesson plan can be even more powerful than what’s left in. At least it’s generally more interesting! Perhaps the motivation for omitting such chapters is because the topic is just too uncomfortable to be spoken of.

My book club pick for October, The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a powerful historical novel based on actual events and is such a topic; covering a dark period and the practice of trafficking young Chinese women into the United States in the late 1800′s.

Fake documents provided a means for illegal entry into the United States, and in this example, into San Fransisco’s Chinatown, where the moniker “paper daughter” originated. Once here, the woman had no legal identity and no means of escape.

Thankfully, even true stories have heroes as well as villains, and it’s the heroes that make this book a worthy and exciting read! Like those at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls, a bright spot in an otherwise bleak landscape...

"Told in alternating chapters, this rich narrative follows the stories of young Donaldina Cameron who works in the home, and Mei Lien, a “paper daughter” who thinks she is coming to America for an arranged marriage but instead is sold into a life of shame and despair.

Donaldina, a real-life pioneering advocate for social justice, bravely stands up to corrupt officials and violent gangs, helping to win freedom for thousands of Chinese women. Mei Lien endures heartbreak and betrayal in her search for hope, belonging, and love. Their stories merge in this gripping account of the courage and determination that helped shape a new course of women’s history in America."

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a terrific historical read, timely, and a good reminder of how valiantly women have had to fight for their freedoms and equality, especially those in already marginalized populations. It’s theme reinforces my own for this newsletter; bad things happen, but the good is always near, waiting to spring forth from the shadows and triumph!

Get your copy HERE

New Movies | “2 Hearts” & “When We Last Spoke”

Two wonderful new films will be released this month, 2 Hearts, and, When Last We Spoke.

2 Hearts

Fair warning, ‘2 Hearts’, starring Jacob Elordi, Adan Canto, Tiera Skovbye, and Radha Mitchell, which opens in theaters on October 16th, will require at least one full box of tissues!

Two separate love stories, in two separate decades, seem completely unrelated, until they aren’t. When the connection is made, it is under unexpected, emotional, and powerful circumstances.

Like all good stories, faith, hope, and charity are woven together in a tapestry of love that will leave you in that happy/sad reflective state, compelling you to reach out to your loved ones, and reminding you to treat each new day as a miraculous gift.

WATCH THE ‘2 Hearts' TRAILER

When We Last Spoke

‘When We Last Spoke’, a Fathom Event taking place on Tuesday, October 27th, and Thursday, October 29th, takes us back to 1967, the Vietnam War, changing social norms, and life in a rural Texas town.

Sisters, Juliet and Evangeline, are dropped off with their grandparents, Walt and Ruby Cranbourne (Corbin Bernsen and Melissa Gilbert) when single parenting gets to be too much for their mother. Life becomes something that none of them were expecting nor prepared for, but they do their best using love and laughter to navigate the tricky circumstances they find themselves in.

Love, faith, and forgiveness are the supportive branches to this family tree loaded with lovable nuts.

WATCH THE “When We Last Spoke” TRAILER

FIND TICKETS HERE

Fall Craft | Paperback Pumpkins

A few weeks back, I posted a photo to my Facebook page that I’d found on the internet. It was of a group of paper pumpkins, made from discarded books, and it got quite a bit of attention!

I asked my niece (and personal assistant extraordinaire!) to give the project a go. She did. In a way that our family is (in)famous for, she just looked at the photo and dove in without instructions or materials list.

The photo here is the result of her efforts - she says if she does it again, she’ll shape the pages a bit differently because it looks too much like a giant apple to her - but I love it! You can read about how she went about it, and find a link to an actual tutorial on my blog - click on over!

Paperback Pumpkins

Sweepstakes | {save} skincare

I’ve been telling you all year how much I love these incredible {save} skin care products that are inspired by nature!

Some of my favorites from their line, derived of simple formulas, without unnecessary additives and chemicals, are the Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Anti-pollution Sleeping Mask, Gentle Gommage Exfoliator and my absolute new must-have, their Ultra-light Moisturizer!

Now, 10 lucky people have an opportunity to win everything on my favorites list - a $121 value! Simply like {save} on Facebook or Instagram and you’ll be entered to win!

The {save} sweepstakes will be open to US residents 18 and older from October 7 - October 21st.

Good Luck!

Yes, Autumn is here. I watch more leaves drop every day, envisioning with each, a burden, a sorrow, a grief... descending and gently alighting, soon to be washed away by the season’s rains or covered in a blanket of snow.

Autumn ushers in a season of feasting and festivities I want to enjoy, and I want you to enjoy them too. Please do, while remembering to give generously to those in need, so that they do not know hunger or fear, or more despair than they are able to bear. To be able to give is a very great gift indeed.

This is the way we move forward, by practicing compassion for ourselves and others. In short, I’m simply asking you to Love Someone.

-Delilah

Cox Media Group