Lynne Fuqua and I have been friends for 30 years. We first met and performed together in the Storefront Theater production of 10 November, in Portland, Oregon in 1990. As vocal musicians, we made an instant connection and soon after became co-partners, along with  founder Susan Banyas and actress Marie Taylor Selland, in the Dreams Well Studio - a homing space for experimental theater, dance and music during the 1990's in Portland. 

Though our paths diverged over the years, Lynne and I kept in touch. Last year, just as the pandemic hit, I sent her a compilation of our vocal jams from the Dreams Well years. We reminisced and talked about collaborating on something again. That's how this long-ago poem - written for Lynne's infant nephew - prompted the creation of A is for Aardvark, an Alphabetical Animal Adventure for the little ones in our lives. 

Below is a sampling of spreads from the Kindle book version. At the end of the Alphabetical Journey are pages of Fun Facts about all the animals in the book. Both softcover and hardcover versions also have an activity book section and Kindle readers can download the activities from Lynne's website.  This book is sweet and FUN! If you'd like a copy, here's where to buy:

With the year past still casting shadows of sorrow and disconnectedness, I offer a sweet and simple song prayer for Mother Earth and all of her children. We are rushing in peril to the edge of life it seems, and it is time to bow down together and honor the Great Mother. To listen deeply, to go where we are needed, give what we can, and raise our voices when change must come.  Each action we take to shift towards sustainable, equitable living, no matter how small, adds energy to our collective rebalancing efforts. So: keep speaking up and adding your energy in through those everyday (and more challenging) choices - and sing for life!