Whose Birthday is it, Hello Kitty?
(Hint: she's 50!)
Did you grow up thinking that Hello Kitty was a cat? Me too! Many of us were perplexed when Hello Kitty’s company, Sanrio, proclaimed that she’s always been a girl. Really, with whiskers and ears?!
Either way, Hello Kitty is celebrating a birthday this week. She was born on Nov 1, 1974, so she’s reached the half-century milestone. Aww happy 50th birthday!
As a kid, I was a fan of Hello Kitty-branded everything. Store shelves beckoned me with perfectly imprinted pink and white pencils, erasers, and plush dolls.
In a playful nod to the characters that I loved, this year, I dressed as Kitty’s Goth friend Kuromi for Halloween.
Source: Youtube @kurominnie
Here’s a photo of me attending our favorite Halloween tradition. It’s a charity fundraiser for a school for kids with autism where I’ve served on the board. I donated hardcovers of the full Goodbye Orchid trilogy for the silent auction (see basket). Thank you to my friend Pippa for inviting us for the last 24 years!
Happy Birthday, GOODBYE ORCHID!
But birthdays aren’t only for Hello Kitty. In the last six weeks, all of my book babies celebrated anniversaries. Always Orchid turned ONE year old, Orchid Blooming is TWO and firstborn Goodbye Orchid just passed the 4 year mark!
(Thank you to my admin, Joan, for this image. Note: it appears to be Gen-AI generated)
Most of all, I’m grateful that you’ve joined me on the journey of this trio’s birth. The trilogy couldn’t have achieved all it has without YOU. Thank you for every way you’ve supported these heartwarming stories, from leaving reviews, recommending the series to friends, and inviting me to speak at your book clubs.
Every accolade, award, best-selling status, and wonderful review is a collective accomplishment. The biggest wonder of my author experience has been sharing the journey with YOU.
For those who’ve asked how you can support my writing, please leave a review!
Gratitude for you!
RECIPES for YOU
As a token of appreciation, and in recognition of upcoming winter holidays, I’m happy to share some family-tested recipes with you. My humorous hubby is vegetarian so this recipe collection includes some of our meatless favorites!
BOOKS for YOU
If you’re looking for reading recommendations, I just posted my top 3 reads from the last year on Shepherd (shout out to my friend Laura who recommended the last one!) Funny enough, I just saw that my top pick is the #1 top selection on the site!
In addition, here are books to peruse if you like memoir, historical fiction, or women’s fiction. Happy reading!
As always, I’m wishing you joy, meaning, and orchids…
P.S. In case you’d like to help those affected by the storms in Appalachia, I’ve partnered with authors to donate items to fundraise for non-profit Samaritan’s Purse.
ICYMI: Here are pictures from my October events.
Barnes & Noble book signing in Center Valley PA with author Rob E. Lofthouse:
Workshop with the Bay Area Romance Writers:
Interview with author Christina Consolino:
