Teenagers: A Mindset for Life!

Betty White says, "I'm a teenager trapped in an old (90-yr) body." Psychology Today magazine calls this mind set an "anti-aging" formula.  The psychology of perpetual youth, according to Dr. Leon F. Seltzer, stems from maintaining an outlook of innocence, wonder, and awe. View things with a fresh perspective, be curious about everything, lighthearted and fun, fostering a sense of adventure. View challenges as a game to play with options and choices, bets and risks.  To many, this may seem foolish and Dr. Seltzer anticipates as much in his article. But the fact is this is exactly my life. It's not foolish, it's possible. I'm not my chronological age, I'm 17.  Gavin Enright should know--he's 17 and he says I act just like a teenager. I'm more excited planning a road trip with 5 teens for a fab birthday weekend in Montreal than I am about going to a literary festival with adults in Jamaica! It's not the place or the event--I can't wait to see Treasure Beach, Jamaica, and I love books, but ultimately, it's that I feel more comfortable with teens. I love them. I understand them. I fit in.  When my sons and their friends hang out at the house talking about who's dating whom, where the party is gonna be and why certain folks should not attend, I know everyone's names, all the characters, the gfs and bfs and BFFs. I know about the drinking, the drama queens, the fights, the mean girls, shy girls, liars, loners, rockstars and the wanna be delinquents. I give advice because I'm the so-called adult, and what I can truly offer them is reflections on my own experiences, the good and the bad, the journeys and the destinations I've reached, because after all, I've had many more than they have. But in the end, I still view the world through the eyes of a teenager.  First love, possibilities, dancing until your clothes are sticking to your back, talking until the sun comes up, and yes, even feeling left out. And no, I'm not dancing in the dark here. I see and acknowledge the bad stuff, too, like the online bullying, the teasing, and the meanness that teens can master in a heartbeat. And I call them out on it. I try to show them the loss of their own humanity when they engage in it. Put them in the other person's shoes. There's a No Bashing rule set in stone in my house! Yes, I'm a teen but I run things! What a great positon to be in--I have the best of both worlds, forever young, but fully loaded with experiences, knowledge, hard-earned wisdom and a little cash! Who better to share all that with than a house full of teenagers? And Montreal better watch out. The Wombatz are Coming! 

The First Year of My Writing Life!

This year 2012 is my year to celebrate being a writer and to turn my attention to the one constant passion in my life. I've been writing since I was 8 years old and despite having published 8 books and having a new one coming out called Flowers in the Sky, to be published by HarperCollins next Winter, I have yet to devote the time and energy to my craft that I long to.  Well enough! I finally asked myself, "When will you take control of your dreams and 'pursue them as if your head is on fire.'" (Joseph Campbell).  Thanks to all those who have helped me make 2012 my year of being a writer--thanks to Dion James, Christine Joseph, Eva Martinez, Peggy Kern, Baz Dreisinger and Brandt and Jared Scott. Thanks to all the friends and relatives who believe in me, Laurence and Caroline, Mom and Dad, my brother Gerard and his wife, Ria. Thanks to Christopher Vecchio at www.webprecision.net for creating a lovely web site for me to start my professional writing life. And special thanks to my dear sis Christine for providing artistic funding. Love you all. I'll do you proud! Check me out at www.lynnjosephauthor.com launching Tuesday January 17, 2012.

Day 3 to Montreal Through Lake Champlain!

Sunshine, sweet potato fries and inspiring lake scenery--what a day for riding 65 miles across Vermont!  I awoke in the Rose Room of the Emerson Guest House, very romantic, although completely wasted on my tired self.

The Rose Room in Emerson Guest House, Vergennes, VT

Bill, the owner of the Emerson made us delicious Vermont cheddar cheese and spinach omelettes with crusty multi-grain toast and fruit, so I was off to a great start.  The ride from Vergennes to Burlington took me through classic country roads, including the scenic Greenbush Road, where the quaint town of Charlotte, Vermont soared over Lake Champlain with magnificent views of NY's Adirondack Mountains across the lake and Vermont's Green Mountains on this side of the water.

Greenbush Road on way to Burlington

In Burlington, Vermont, I met up with Dion and explored the funky Church Street pedestrian mall, including eating lunch at an outdoor cafe, Sweetwaters, where we shared crispy sweet potato fries and a small flatbread pizza. I was almost too rested to continue my ride.

Dion wanted to check out a tent in an Outfitters Store in Burlington--as if! 

I pedaled on and I was so glad I did.  The sun shone enough to make up for its disappearing act during the last 2 days, and the scenery was breathtaking.  I rode through Lake Champlain's islands of South Hero and North Hero and I wanted to stop every ten feet for another photo op.  The fresh water lake glowed in the late afternoon sunshine.

South Hero, Vermont in middle of Lake Champlain

South Hero on other side of the road--I could see the lake from both sides.

The islands of South and North Hero were named after Ethan Allen and his brother Ira, two Revolutionary War heroes.  Ethan died in South Hero after he hung out all evening in his cousin Ebenezer's tavern tossing back a few drinks with friends and then while "driving his hay wagon" home across the frozen lake he had an accident and died--thus, the mantra against drinking and driving goes as far back as 1789. Anyway, the views just kept getting better as I crossed into North Hero, with its affluent homes, golf courses and to-die-for sweeping lawns ending lakeside with sleek boats on private docks and jetties.

North Hero

View of lake from Aqua Vista Cabins on North Hero

I pedaled on through all that beauty to the Ransom Bay Bed & Breakfast in Alburg, Vermont, just 5 miles from the border to Canada.  I am still in Vermont, but my dreams are of Montreal, Canada tomorrow on my last day in the saddle!