By Kathleen Pickering http://www.kathleenpickering.com
My job rocks!
My dear friend, Heather Graham, won this amazing Dream Date with Dolphins from a fund raiser at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Florida. Guess who she invited?
Yes, indeed. Yours truly. (This photo is dubbed: The Board Meeting)
Heather and I spent the entire day with trainer, Linda, and DRC director, Mandy, who took us through their daily routine with the the dolphins. OMG! You just know that an amazing experience such as this, as well as watching Heather transform into the proverbial Mermaid while swimming with these charming creatures, could turn into nothing less than on-site research.
You see, Heather has invited me to join her, and authors Beth Ciotta and Deborah LeBlanc to write a Christmas anthology slated for 2013. The characters will be in line with her Keepers series. That said, my search for a “Keeper” character who will transform from animal to human was easily found at the Dolphin Research Center.
Between the dolphins, sea lions, peacocks, exotic birds and other aquatic life surrounding the compound, you know that I discovered my character for the Keepers anthology.
But, I’m not telling. Not yet, anyway.
I really don’t have a question to ask you folks today, but would welcome your comments. If you’d like to talk about how lucky I am at my job, well, feel free. I heard Steve Job’s Stanford University speech back when he originally made it in 2009. When I heard him ![thumbnail[3]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pcIlaLc9tGw/TpNQckJiYyI/AAAAAAAAA_c/ytIio89b_y0/s1600-h/thumbnail%25255B3%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg "thumbnail[3]")
then, I punched the air saying, “You’re so right, Steve!” Up until around 2005, I had been sidetracked, and letting “stuff” get in the way of my dreams. But no longer. It’s amazing how, when you decide to live true, you world unfolds in ways you’d never expect. Hence, a dream date with a dear friend at the DRC, and what do I get? The character for my next book. Not too shabby, eh?
So, let me leave you with this last link to a day made in heaven. If you have ten minutes, you may enjoy viewing Heather’s and my first ten minutes of our dream date morning at DRC. Click Here:
http://kathleenpickering.com/Dolphin_Videos.html
Yeah, we’re hooked.
Oh, and if you’d like to read an in-depth discussion of our fun day, visit Heather’s blog: http://thelipstickchronicles.typepad.com/the_lipstick_chronicles/2011/10/dream-date.html
Happy writing, one and all!
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19 comments:
I, like you, am livin' the dream, Kathleen! So thrilled to be on the Keepers Anthology with you, Heather, and Deborah. Dying to know about the 'character' you discovered via your DRC Dream Date. So enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! What an amazing opportunity to hang with Heather AND write an anthology with her.
I am so thrilled for you. This post is absolutely charming. I'm already starting to imagine what human would be hidden inside a dolphin. Can't wait to read this book.
Thanks for sharing your amazing research trip.
The dolphin center is pretty amazing, and Im so glad you found a character, too! You and Heather (and the dolphins) look like you are having the time of your life!
Beth--and it shows! Thanks so very much for stopping by. xox
Hey, Jordan--I highly recommend the experience!
Yes, I am blessed in my friends. It's humbling, to say the least.
Not telling who/what my character is yet. Time will tell . . . :)
Traci--I know you've been to DRC before. I've seen those mermaid pictures of you as well!
Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
I very nearly did that dolphin thing with my kids when I was in Florida last spring ... till I saw the price tag. An extra grand meant I would continue to imagine what it would be like swimming with Flipper when I go fishing and watch the porpoises pass the boat.
Still, one of these days.
Wow girl! You look like you had the time of your life.
As far as your success, I look at it this way. Good things come to good people my friend. And you are a good people!
And it's only just begun!!
Good luck and a big hug!
Wow girl! You look like you had the time of your life.
As far as your success, I look at it this way. Good things come to good people my friend. And you are a good people!
And it's only just begun!!
Good luck and a big hug!
Basil---you might inquire at the DRC in Marathon, if that's not where you went. The price is surprisingly reasonable. Sounds to me like you went to the Seaquarium in Miami.
Thanks for stopping by!
Mary-- you would love it! Thanks for visiting and leaving a note. xox
How amazing the dolphins were, and to think you gained a character (or two) in the process.
Sounds like a dream! Oh, how I would love to experience what you did.
Sounds fabulous!
What a great day Kathleen! I'm so happy you found your character and that you and Heather had so much fun! I can't wait to read this anthology!
Great post Piks!
Sandra--The DRC is there, just waiting for you. You'd be surprised at how reasonably priced it is at DRC to get up close and personal with the dolphins. It's life changing!
You go girl. Jealous for all the right reasons.
Clare, I spent the whole day saying, I can't believe we're doing this! Hope you get the chance to go to DRC one day. :)
Bloggedin, thanks! And since you called me Piks, we know each other. Who are you? :)
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