Hot Flash! book by Pamela Hastings

I promised images of new work in my last blog - and I
will post some soon, but last week my copy of this
new book by my friend, Pamela Hastings www.pamelahastings.com
arrived in the mail. She sent it to me as a thank you
for my contribution to it.



Pamela and I met in the 70's when we were both doing
the craft circuit. I stayed, but she moved on to doing
a vast array of activities including doll making workshops
on and off line, getting trained as an occupational
therapist and more. We reconnected at a doll show
a number of years ago and she told me about this
project and asked if I would contribute to it. She was
reaching out to women artists and writers she knew to
reflect on the concept of "Hot Flash!" and to reflect on being
a women in this age we live in. Some of us responded to
her questionnaire, others contributed poems, thoughts,
insights, stories, images of artwork and ourselves and
even a few recipes! In all, over 60 women ranging in age
from 20's to 80's are represented.

The result is a fantastic compendium of stories and images
and insights into extraordinary individuals. Pamela
explains the organization of the book in this way:
"I have collected and arranged these contributions in a
non-linear way, like stories told around a late-night bottle
of wine by long-term and new friends. Long ago I noticed men
meeting each other share accomplishments, women share
stories. Welcome to your large messy collection of new friends. "

Pamela goes on to say, " I hope this book will start and continue
each of you in your collecting, listening to stories, making ART
out of your experiences. Couldn't all the Energy of Hot Flashing,
of experiences exploding, be harnessed to save the planet..or
at least our Selves! "

It's taken eight years to complete and worth every
hair tearing moment along the way. I certainly plan to get
to know some of these new "friends".

To get a glimpse of some of the stories, check out
Pamela's blog:
http://pamelasjournal.blogspot.com/2010/09/hot-flash.html

This book would be a great holiday gift for any
dear friend or yourself!! It can be purchased through
Pamela's website.

Now back to stitching a new dragon...

Journey on...Wendy