Tonia Allen Gould

Everything Happens in Threes: An Ode to an Olive Tree

I wouldn’t say I’m a superstitious person, necessarily, but sometimes things in my life – ultra-important, good or bad – seem to happen (to me) in threes. One of my favorite relatives from my childhood, my Aunt Grace, died recently (rest her soul) from a heart condition. A week later, my beloved dog, Bogie, my sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, also died from a heart condition.

Two. When the second coincidence strikes, two-in-a row like that – I earnestly wait, fearful that proverbial “other shoe” will eventually drop, and something tragic will happen once more. I knew that day soon would find me, and it did. The bad news finally arrived today in the form of the sound of a loud crack from the fall.

Forty-five MPH, howling winds appearing from out of nowhere, shook it’s thick branches, rattled its frail heart, sending it soaring to a perilous demise – killing my precious olive tree. The same tree that was freshly planted right before we bought the house. The same tree that grew- up alongside my children. The tree that over-shadowed the pool where the kids splashed around while I sat beneath it, stretched out on the chaise, reading a book with my dear Bogie splayed out by my feet.

The olive tree was tall and luscious – a handsome, winding, fruit-bearing, full-of-life kind of tree, but it was growing too fast and I knew it. It was too big for its living quarters set on its small, sloping bed of Lantana and variegated Bougainvillea. After all, it had already lost a major limb a couple of years ago. I knew then my tree was in trouble, that perfect tree near where we spent impossibly perfect summer’s days – but I didn’t work to save it. And, while I loved that olive tree, today I am almost thankful and glad we didn’t try and save it, because after all – it’s just a tree and not another person or pet we could have lost and loved more. During this time when life begins speaking to me in threes, I always stop and take the time to listen, and today it rings of three. Death. And I am, in this case, thankful this is, perchance, the number three.

So, dare I say goodbye to your rustling branches on sweet summer’s days. So long to your dark fruit squished beneath our flip flops. Farewell, oh sweet olive tree…may you truly be the third in this series of threes. But, not to worry as you lie there, lifeless and snapped in two; I suspect your roots are strong and you’ll wind your way back to me.

If a tree falls in the middle of your yard, would you hear it?

Battle of the Books Practice Session

I’m quite honored to be the official emcee of Battle of the Books, sponsored by the Camarillo Public Library and the PVSD GATER program. See you at the competition!

-T

Madam: Milk Does Not Swing from a Tree

Note to My Most Stubborn Self

Madam Persnickety-Pants: You are in Europe. Henceforth into perpetuity, when ordering a latte while visiting here – you must come to understand there is only one kind of milk – it’s called MILK. It’s not 2%, fat free, almond, coconut or soy – just plain old, whole milk from the mature female of a brown-eyed bovine animal, not unlike what was served in Frankfurt, Madrid and Rome, and to you when you were an unassuming, snot-nosed kid after playing in the dirt of Northern Indiana. So, stop asking for something new in your froth, because the subsequent disappointed pout is not becoming to a lady of your stature. Madam, here in Italy, MILK most certainly does not swing from a tree!

P.S. Milk Does Not Swing from a Tree, is a very good title for a picture book.

A Writer’s Dream from Venice, Italy

December 19th, 2014

I’m just waking up on Giudecca Island -Venice, Italy – to a volley of sights and sounds – a deliverance from the cathartic, but brooding ancient history of Rome, from where we just came. Here, I imagine, I’m in a living painting, and an artist, with his paintbrush and palette in hand – captures me and my robe-covered torso, thrust outside my unscreened window – just now at the Hilton Molino Stucky, from his own studio window across the Grand Canal.

Outside, I hear the reverberating serenade of tolling church bells, which I can pinpoint with my own eyes, to various steeples, speckled with pigeons and seagulls. Each tower stands guard of her parcel of Venezia, soaring high above, looming and majestic, and traipsing along the Canal.

Splashing waves steadily rise and fall onto the foamy, green and blue algae and barnacle-covered docks and seawalls, swept up by power boats which dot the landscape like steed on an aqua-colored, rolling field. Each ship is captained by proud, generational seamen, who glide their ships in various directions, transporting trusting townspeople and holiday tourists about their elusive city. And, it’s through this foggy haze, I know I am graced with an inspiring, omnipotent view – and it occurs to me, I must be here, in Charles Dickens’ Modern Venice, the one he imagined long ago in his “Italian Dream.”

when thought turns to hate

What makes discussion great is when thought leaders advocate, debate, pontificate, commiserate, relate, educate and collaborate…until thought turns to spate, promotes hate, carries weight, problems accelerate, personal ideals dictate, ideas deflate, people turn irate. And, then it’s too late.

-TA Gould

Would Your Child’s Teacher Enjoy Free Books?

This month, I am giving away Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore. Twenty-four autographed books will go to one special PK or K-5 teacher and her classroom. All you have to do is write individually on my Author’s Page on Facebook- not here in this post – why “your” teacher deserves the gift of books in his or her classroom. The story with the most likes on my wall gets the books. Contest ends 12/31. Who knows, I might even pay that class a visit sometime in 2015. Approximate retail value of the books is $500. Happy Holidays!

Tonia

A Family Christmas Pictorial

Underwood Family Farms. We found the tree!

Come here, cute stuff! Let me squeeze the dickens out of you in front of a tree that isn’t ours.

Sure dad. Park the car under a big tree that overshadows the tree we picked out on top of our car.

I cropped out the fact that both of my men are wearing shorts on a day we picked-out our Christmas tree. Note my chilly weather attire. In their defense, it was 73 degrees outside. I was burning up.

As I was shooting this picture. Santa told Miles that I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll when I was a little girl. I reminded Santa – yes, but it never came. Miles smiled.

A big old wad of tangled lights. John can handle this. I’m not equipped.

What was in the 20-gallon storage bin (labeled “SHOES”) taking-up all that space in the garage, you ask? One string of lights and three bows. No shoes in sight.

You thought I was kidding about the SHOES, right?

What are these weird, fake plants doing in the holiday decorations? Hmmm.

He always looks like he’s waiting for me to leave the room so he can pee on the tree. He never does. But, I always think he will, eventually pee on the tree when I’m not looking.

Found another giant bin in the garage filled with only one angel, one star and one string of lights. WHO puts this stuff away?

You thought I lied about the peeing on the tree thing? There’s my dog again just waiting for me to turn my back so he can snatch a chocolate. (Note the glass is almost empty.)

The stockings are up! My husband asked me if I could iron them. What? They are made of felt. No one irons felt. Wait. Do they?

I asked John to stand behind the tree while he was stringing the lights, because he was in boxers. No one needs to see that. P.S. That’s his annoyed face.

“Here mom! Let me help you hang ornaments!” What a good son.

One of those is a crystal wedding present. He’s broken two ornaments after hanging five ornaments.

It was a three glass of wine kind of night. #deckthehalls

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Where do all the unstrung ornaments go? #ornamentgraveyard

I love this Santa. He takes up too much room, but I love him.

A Personal Path to Growth

This week, I’m especially thankful – thankful I have a solid roof over my head and a home with windows and doors, and readily available food hand-picked from a market, proper medicine and supplies, running water and yes, definitely yes, flushing toilet facilities and a roll of paper always at an arm’s reach to me.

I’m equally thankful I’ve seen with my own eyes, through experiential and cultural travel, a part of the world along the Caribbean Coast, in developing Nicaragua – so now I know what it means to call myself truly fortunate.

I’m thankful for the opportunities, present and past, I’ve had bestowed upon me simply because I’m a red, white and blue, flag-waving American, and thankful to know I could, if I had to, live without surplus and modern conveniences, electricity and things that don’t really matter if it came down to instinctual survival. I am heartened and enlightened to know there are nations of people everywhere, especially in developing countries, that know far more about survival than many of us ever could. And, it is they that have much to show us on what that really means, and globally, we can each benefit from showcasing our cultural differences in a non-exploitative, educational way.

I’m thankful to know I can survive under dire circumstances because I’ve seen people, with my own eyes, who have literally nothing and yet maybe, in some ways, they have everything they could ever want and need, because they know how to live and thrive in some of the poorest conditions on the planet and still know what it means to be a part of a community and to love and support their families.

I’m thankful that I can now put my personal judgements and biases aside, because I’ve seen impoverished children, far more impoverished than I ever was growing up – living below the poverty line in Midwestern America. While many of the people I met may be lacking in opportunity, Nicaraguan children still smile and are happy, because they are each cared for by an entire village of people, and causes, who invest their hearts and souls into their wellbeing and care, despite economic conditions.

Mostly, I am thankful that I have stumbled upon the Finding Corte Magore project which has put me on a personal path to growth and the opportunity to work and mindshare with some of the smartest and caring people I can ever hope to know. I am thankful that we have “found” Corte Magore and that I have had the great pleasure of coming to know the Campbell family, and their beautiful, private island of Hog Cay, Nicaragua, and that I have personally earned their family’s trust and support in the Finding Corte Magore project. It’s a huge undertaking and I’m comforted to know, it will take our own village of incredible people, to raise this project to be everything it promises to be.

See you on Corte Magore!
The Finding Corte Magore Project
Coming Soon on Hog Cay, Nicaragua

Tonia Allen Gould

The Finding Corte Magore Project, Live in Nicaragua

Day 1:
We woke-up in Managua, Nicaragua’s Capital. We had hoped to be on the future site of the Finding Corte Magore project today on Hog Cay, but our flight to Bluefields, Nicaragua cancelled due to a tropical depression that moved in. We took advantage of the rain delay and Team Finding Corte Magore hired a driver and we traversed our way to historical Grenada. We hit the streets and really got to be tourists on foot and from inside a horse carriage. The highlight of our day was spending time out on Lago Nicaragua and getting caught in the rain.

A Dream Coming Closer to True

By Tonia Allen Gould,
AKA: #ArcheryMom

There’s a common theme in my family and it has to do with all of us daring to dream BIG. Allowing our children the freedom to dream is a value my husband and I have instilled in our children, pretty much since birth. We believe that no one should ever squelch someone else’s dreams no matter how crazy and impossible the dream may sound. After all, I’m currently working on developing an entire 28-acre island along the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua for social good. Had I not dreamt the impossible, and had my family not supported me along my journey, I wouldn’t be in the throes of conquering my dream in such a magnificent way through the Finding Corte Magore project.

So, it comes as no surprise to me that my son, Miles, has a gargantuan dream of his own. For the past two and half years, ever since he picked-up his first bow and arrows at a resort during my husband’s company picnic, Miles has dreamt of one day making it to the Olympics. But, being “good enough” is only half the battle for him. The trouble is, his bow is making his dream impossible–that is, unless compound bows are ever allowed into the Olympics alongside their counterparts, the recurve bow.

Still, all that isn’t stopping Miles from going after his dreams. My twelve-year-old currently holds the California State Champion title in both indoor and outdoor archery in the compound bowman division. During this year’s California State Outdoor Championship, in Long Beach, Miles set a new California 30M state record held since 2009 of 355. Miles broke the record with a score of 356 out of 360. It takes laser-sharp focus to shoot a nearly perfect score in a high-stakes tournament like that one.

Maybe there is hope on the horizon for our young compound bowman yet. All his successes have taken Miles one step closer to his Olympic dream, because Miles has been invited by USA Archery, the archery governing body of the Olympics, to try-out for the Compound Junior Dream Team at a week-long selection camp held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. Up until now, the Junior Dream Team consisted of 36 of the most skilled and promising Olympic-style archers in the country, all shooting recurve. But, recently, compound archers have been added to the program and Miles hopes to earn his spot on the team, as a compound bowman, and one step closer to his Olympic Dream.

Even if the compound bow never makes it into the Olympics, if selected to the Junior Dream Team (JDT), Miles will intensively train weeklong at the Olympic Training Center once a quarter with some of the best junior archers in the country, regardless of which bow they are shooting. Between training camps, JDT coaches and archers will continue to train together by utilizing video conferencing via the internet.

Shooting at Miles’ level takes a lot of practice. He shoots an average of 100 arrows a day on a range safely set-up on our backyard sport court. Miles is privately coached by World Champion Compound Archer, John Norberg. He shoots a Hoyt Freestyle Compound Bow, 35 lbs., with 70% let-off. He releases with a Carter Evolution Plus back tension release. He uses PSA Radial X Weave Pro 100 arrows with Blazer vanes.

Here’s to dreaming big, son! Good luck this month at selection camp and keep dreaming, no matter what the outcome is, this time around.

#GOTEAMMILES

Love, #ArcheryMom

Just a follow-up to the post: We are so proud of our dreamer, Miles B. Gould, who made the FIRST EVER COMPOUND Junior Dream Team under Head Coach, Linda Beck! Miles is elated beyond belief. (Needless to say, so is the rest of his family!)

Where Autumn Never Comes

On Saturday, a box arrived on my front porch, and I remembered an old friend back home in Indiana recently asked me for my address. The package was fairly large and perfunctorily, I pondered what could be inside; the box felt as light as air in my hands when I stooped over to pick it up.

Curiously, I tore off the tape and peered inside. On top of a pile of various, vibrantly shades of fresh autumn leaves, rested a note that read:

Tonia,

I read a post of yours about missing the fall leaves of the Midwest & I thought I could help with that! I hope these bring a smile to your face and you’ll enjoy them for a little while!

Love & Miss Ya!

Regina

One lone tear rolled down my cheek. I was surprised by how overcome I was with raw emotion. After all, it was just a pile of leaves, wasn’t it? But, on the contrary, the gift was more thoughtful and meaningful than anything ever given me by a friend. It was a gift so powerful that it left me forever touched, because it was so simple. Regina knew I was a bit homesick for the Midwest and sent me a piece of HOME – vivid, reminiscent hues from my youth – all raked-up, and packaged nicely and left waiting for me on my doorstep by the mailman on an average, sunny day in California. Where Autumn never comes.

Regina’s gift is a reminder that giving isn’t about spending or going through the motions; giving is about getting personal and evoking feeling from the recipient as a result of the kindness bestowed by the gesture. If the gift is heartfelt, it will surely be richly treasured, in a way much like I felt about my wonderful, crisp pile of leaves.

As for me and my colorful treasures, I will discover fun ways to use them this fall. And, when autumn first turns to winter, I will seal them back up in Regina’s carton and use them again for another reason in a different Autumn season.

Thirty things to do with fallen leaves.

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Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore Special Price for October!

Author, Tonia Allen Gould, with Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore Photograph by JennKL Photography: http://www.jennkl.com/

I’ve arranged a special hardcover book price for October. You can order an autographed book for $12.99 + shipping.

Stock up for the perfect holiday gift for that little loved one in your life.

Cheers!

Tonia Allen Gould

She Will Die In Her Race Against Time

Camera poised and ready to shoot, I stand and wait as the Monarch paratroopers glide in, iridescently adorned in polka-dotted trimmed uniforms of orange and black. They’ve stormed my garden, sailing over it, scanning and probing it for flight fuel to carry them along their journey.

I zero in on one lone butterfly, fluttering overhead – her wings flapping hard against the late summer’s breeze, the full span of them glistening against Midday’s high sun. She finally maneuvers low to navigate her perfect landing, descending onto the tip of the buttercup-shaped lantana where she sips her nectar, letting It nourish her completely before she takes flight again. In moments, recorded only by the click of my shutter, she drunkenly ascends and joins her airborne troop.

I am saddened to know, in probably just a few short short weeks – she will die in combat – for she has always been in a race against time, like some people I have known and loved and lost. The butterfly’s brief lifespan, despite her sheer will to live, was always destined to be fleeting. And, so I feel special that we shared our brief interlude, here in my garden, where she stayed with me awhile on her personal flight home.

Tonia Allen Gould
©2014 Tonia Allen Gould, All Rights Reserved

Today, I Snapped A Perfect Photo of an Endangered Species

The Monarch butterfly only lives three weeks. I always feel special when I cross paths with any butterfly because they are so beautiful and here for such a short time on Earth. Incidentally, the Monarch are now an endangered species and that makes this picture even more special.The photos turned out great because she let me get right up next to her and take them.

The Monarch Butterfly is endangered. http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/monarch-butterfly

Camarillo Hosts 5th Annual World Multicultural BookFest

The Fifth Annual Multicultural World BookFest will be held at the Camarillo Community Center on Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 10am-3pm.
I’ve been selected as one of the children’s book authors to present at the event at 11:00 AM, followed by book signings and readings.

• We will have six storytents representing: Asia; Africa; Latin America, North America, Europe, and Australia & New Zealand.

Location: Camarillo Community Center 1605 E. Burnley Street.
Take the 101fwy exit at Carmen Drive. Going north turn right @ light. Going south make 2 left turns; go over fwy. Continue on Carmen past City Hall to 4 way stop which is Burnley. Turn right then left into parking lot. Event will be inside the gated Community Center Room

Please join us for a day of books, readings, food trucks, fun and culture.

Hope to see you there!

Tonia Allen Gould/Author
Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore

Need Trade Magazine and Children’s Picture Book Writer Reviews, Please

Barnes & Noble has accepted Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore in their online distribution network, but before it will be accepted in stores, the book needs trade magazine reviews and comments from other well-known writers in the genre. The children’s book market is highly competitive and sales go to children’s books that have these reviews. I am learning something new every day.

All that said, I need some help there, and I’m the first person to ask for help when I need it. I’m happy to return the favor and write a review for your children’s picture book, or in any way I can, really.

We’re almost there! It takes a community to build an author. And, I can’t thank you enough for your contributions to the success of my tale, Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore!

Sincerely,

Tonia Allen Gould

Plagiarism is Purloining. Or is It?

Tonia Allen Gould

It’s good to have smart people in your corner. Mentors can help you take your writing far, and I’m quick to lean on people for advice or to get help when I am stuck. Like most writers, I get fixated on “what” I’m writing so often, I try to remember to consult with people from time-to-time about “how” I’m writing. I’ve been having some ongoing dialogue with my former high school English and Journalism teacher, Vickie Benner, who read the first three Chapters of my new novel, When it Comes in Threes. For some time, she and I have been discussing whether or not I should change the voice in my first draft of the book from an adult to a child’s narrative as suggested by someone I highly respect in the literary community. When I finally decided to give the new voice a whirl, I discovered I was having much more fun writing the piece from a…

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My Pre-Teen Boy is Now Eager to Do Chores

Step 1: Seriously restrict your pre-teen boy’s computer time for two weeks on Minecraft. Give him an allotted time, to be on the computer and don’t waiver. Step 2: After two weeks, ask him if he’d like to earn a half-hour more (if all his work is done). Step 3: When he exuberantly says YES – look around the house for things for him to do, and tell him to come back to you when he’s finished. Step 4: Walk around the house and review his handiwork. Applaud his effort if everything is completed and done well. Step 4: Give him the extra time he’s earned. (Set a timer!)

#eagertodochores

Indiana’s Autumn Leaves

And Sixthly, I Need to Be as Creative at Selling My Book As I Was to Write It

…and Other 3:00 A.M. Preponderances.

It’s late and I’ve not yet mustered enough energy to wiggle my way beneath the covers where I get to enjoy Night #2 of Belgium linen sheets from Restoration Hardware. I’m restless. Feeling stuck. Inert. That could be thanks to Diesel the Cat; he’s wedged so comfortably and close to me on top of the blankets–I haven’t the heart to remind him that he’s my daughter’s cat and I’m actually a dog person. And my dog, Bogie, would love to occupy Diesel’s prime real estate on the bed next to me. Except the dog’s afraid of you, Cat-with-your-claws-still-in-tact, and maybe I am a little bit too.

And that’s not why I’m really feeling stuck.

I don’t often feel like this, so on top of the covers I sit, while my husband snores (despite the funny snore gizmo his dentist fitted for his mouth, coupled with my swift sock in his arm to get him to roll over). I’m both restless and rejoicing in the fact that I’ve finally found time (that’s a compressed paradox if I’ve ever heard one) to READ, errr…SKIM…mindlessly through newly pressed blog posts hoping to find clarity in my own lackluster writing as of late. My narrative dribble has been a slow, steady, stream of spit.

For months, like all other attention-seeking first-time authors, I have been trying to get you, the parents of my demographic, children aged 4-8 to notice one tiny little meteor of a factoid. H E L L O. Knock knock. I mean, come on! How obvious do I need to be? I wrote and published a WHOLE darn book over here. Doesn’t that account for something?

I’ve waited…and waited patiently in angst for the clouds to part and to hear those glorious angels belting their angelic refrain in my literary honor. But, the sky is quiet and dark. And, while my books are certainly selling, I somehow expected…I don’t know…more.

No one told me, at the very same time I published my book, so did one trillion other authors who dreamt too, their whole lives through, of publishing their FIRST book and that I would be competing for space on your child’s bookshelves, let alone their hearts and minds.

Okay. You got me. Maybe I am feeling just a tad bit sorry for myself. Maybe I have set my expectations way too high. Maybe I am questioning whether or not I’m doing anything right over here. For the consummate optimist, who forges ahead for the sake of sheer will and determination, that’s saying a lot about where my head is tonight. And since wallowing in wee-hour self pity is just plain silliness, and not my thang, I think we all can agree we’re glad that’s over.

I wouldn’t be me without some newfound clarity here. I do realize I have learned a thing or two about publishing a first book along the way. (Find the good, Tonia. Find the good.)

So here it goes:

Being an author, in and of itself, is no longer unique. Everyone’s an author these days, and I still have to figure out how to break out above the noise to get me and my book noticed. That’s a challenge. I like challenges.

My book is what makes me unique as an author. But unless I get you to notice it, and share my terribly good news about it with the world, my career is still in its infancy as an author. I like that. There’s no mad dash to the finish line here. I’ve been in a hurry my whole life. It’s okay to take things slow. And, thank goodness I still have a day job that warrants my attention at the bank on payday.

One trillion people are trying to get your attention in the exact same way I am: So even as an experienced marketer, with 21 years of marketing under my belt, I may still FAIL to get your attention. (Hopefully that doesn’t actually make me suck as a marketer.) When things aren’t working, it’s time to explore new things. I need to continue to try new things to get my demographic to notice me.

As a person with a never say die mentality and a fair amount of book sales already under her belt-given her first time authorship-I need to give myself a pat on the back and thank my supporters. I’ve accomplished more than most. I get to say I’m a published author, because there aren’t really one trillion authors who published a book at the same time as me.

I’m probably not going to sell many books to you on Twitter. Or Facebook. Or LinkedIn. Because everyone in the world is hocking a book through social media. If everyone is doing something the same way, then maybe we’re all doing it wrong. (But, WordPress is fair game. I’m going to politely ask you to go to Amazon and buy my book and DO IT NOW. Wait. Just kidding. That would be presumptuous and rude of me to bark an order like that.

And sixthly, I need to be as creative at selling my book as I was to write it. I also need to check and see if “sixthly” is even a word. (Clearly it should be, since it chronologically eventually follows firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc.) I think most written thoughts taper off after the third point anyway to avoid checking to see if “fourthly” and so on even exists in the dictionary. But, I digress because I’m punchy and I’m anxious to enjoy these new sheets.

Anyway, thanks for the ear, but that’s all the clarity I can muster-up in the wee hours for now. I’m tired and I’ve got to dislodge a demented cat from my ribcage.

Toodles.

Preponderance’s by Tonia

A Better Life for Yourself is Tangible and Within Your Reach

I went into my first foster home when I was fifteen-years-old. Back then I knew a better life for myself was tangible and within my reach, I just had to want it and reach out and grab it. Books taught me that. Books, teachers, and having access to education saved me.

~Tonia Allen Gould
the Finding Corte Magore project

One-third of all Nicaraguan kids will drop out of school before they reach the 6th grade .

Simplicity: Mixed Media Photography by Tonia Allen Gould

Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore and the Schoolhouse Visit in La Dalia, Nicaragua

Check out our video to learn more about Team Finding Corte Magore’s first visit to the agricultural area of La Dalia, Nicaragua. When we arrived at the schoolhouse on a reputable coffee plantation, we began to understand the educational needs of the children who live there. Many of these children held a crayon in their hands for the very first time.

Our goal is to crowd-fund a “social good” island in Nicaragua to raise awareness to the children who may drop out of school before reaching the sixth grade. In an effort to promote dreaming amongst children at home and abroad–our goal is to rename the island Corte Magore, after a fictional island in the children’s picture book, Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore. The main character in this story had to overcome a lot of challenges to accomplish his goal of building a life for himself. We believe, with a little help from students and teachers in the US, crowdfunders, and the Finding Corte Magore project, the children in Nicaragua too can dream of a better life for themselves.

See you on Corte Magore!

Tonia Allen Gould

Author and Founder of the Finding Corte Magore Project

Order Personally Inscribed Books here

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My Book Signing at Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm

Thanks to Connie, the proprietor at Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm for the great book signing today! If you haven’t checked out her delightful bookstore in Camarillo, please do so and don’t forget to ask for your copy of Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore while you are there.

Nicaragua from My Lens

Filmmaker, Robert Bella, to Shoot Trip to Nicaragua for Finding Corte Magore

I’m honored and delighted that award-winning, filmmaker, Robert Bella, will be traveling to Nicaragua with me to shoot this first trip to Finding Corte Magore.

“Bella” will be traveling with me to a coffee plantation called Zaragoza in La Dalia, outside of Matagalpa where we finally get to meet some of the children we are trying to help in the country. Zaragoza supports childhood education and even erected a small school on the plantation. When the government learned of Zaragoza’s efforts, they stepped in to subsidize the educational venture.

Bella will be joining me as well, as we review the numerous islands for sale in the Bluefields, Nicaragua area. The ultimate goal in having Bella around is to raise awareness for the Finding Corte Magore project and to capture footage for plea video when this thing goes to crowd-funding. When Bella learned he had an opportunity to help raise funds and awareness for such a special cause, through an author who supports literacy domestically and abroad, he didn’t think twice to lend a hand. Bella has film credits in legions of movies such as Colin Fitz Lives! (Director), The Help, I Am Number Four, Real Steel, and Delivery Man. Gayla Nethercott of the Nethercott Agency attached him to the project.

Are You Doing What You Were Born to Do?

Just as every leaf on a tree is designed with its own intricate pattern, so were you born in that unique way. When you start doing what you were born to do, everything falls into place, as sure as that leaf eventually falls from its branches. I know this, because I’m living, breathing proof. When you start to follow your destiny, great things happen.

Pardon me for feeling philosophical today, but there’s really something to this. Beginning to live by doing what you were born to do, is the real secret to life–I just know it.

When I started to take my own passion for writing seriously, everything along the way fell into place. I began to skate easily over obstacles. People I had only been loosely tied to in my network, were suddenly there to assist me as quickly as my own friends and colleagues have been. I began to realize why I had met some of these people in the first place; we were destined to meet.

I can only hope my connections have been as impacted by me as I have them along my journey to rediscover what I was born to do, because what they’ve each done for me is immeasurable and I am indebted:

When I needed an illustrator for my story, my supplier friend, Jennifer Dawson, put me in touch with her brother, “Mr. Lawrence”, a storyboard director for SpongeBob SquarePants and also the voice of Plankton. Mr. Lawrence worked with his colleague, Marc Ceccarelli, who eventually produced most of the illustrations for Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore.

When I needed a publisher for my animated and musical picture book app for iTunes, a colleague, Nathan Bailey, put me in touch with Creative Director, Jacqueline Merrill, at Skies America who published my story.

Coincidentally, I met Robby Armstrong, the musician who eventually wrote and produced the original musical score for the app, on an elevator in Nashville during a business trip. We got to talking because his wife, Chimene Armstrong, looked so much like Cameron Diaz. (I later learned his wife IS Cameron Diaz’s sister.) Chimene is now one of my closest friends. Robby and I are both dreamers and it’s been a pleasure to watch his career take-off. Robby just got back from hitting his own stage at the CMA Music Fest in Nashville.

When I came up with the idea to use my background and book to crowd-fund an island for social good in a third-world country, my friend, Baz Patel, said, “Hey, I think I can help. I can introduce you to some friends in crowd-funding. Baz has also helped me build the Finding Corte Magore project from the ground up. Baz and I met on the golf course where our children played together in a golf league.

My client, Lorna Pierno, is Nicaraguan. When I told her I was going to Nicaragua and wanted to meet agricultural workers and their children who drop out of school in the fifth grade, Lorna knew she could help me. “Tonia,” she said, “I’d like to invite you home with me, to our family’s coffee plantation in Nicaragua, where you will meet one-hundred children who drop out of school early. (The plantation owners don’t make the decisions for the kids, the parents do.) My family would like to support you in this,” Lorna said. Lorna leaves for Nicaragua with me next week and will also be my guest while we tour some of the islands for sale on the Caribbean side of the country.

When my Literary Manager, Gayla Nethercott, saw what I wanted to do in Nicaragua for the Finding Corte Magore island project–connecting crowdfunders and kids here in the US with kids there to keep them from dropping out of school, she quickly jumped into action. Gayla said, “Hey, there may be a documentary or film in this.” She’s been working with me and Baz on pitch videos and she’s also connected me to award-winning filmmaker, Robert Bella, who is also leaving for Nicaragua with me next week.

When Robert started to put together his wish list for camera equipment for the guerrilla-style filmmaking he’ll do in Nicaragua with me, he advised we’ll have to purchase or rent very specific camera equipment. Just a day earlier, Lydia Hurlbut endorsed me on LinkedIn. I recalled that Lydia was in that business. (Lydia is a friend and is a wife to renowned cinematographer, Shane Hurlbut). Together, Shane and Lydia own Hurlbut Visuals and Revolution Cinema Rentals and are working to get us the right equipment for our trip through their connections. This trip came together in such a big hurry, I needed Lydia quickly. When I couldn’t reach her, I sent a message to a mutual friend, Star Ladin, owner of Women Entrepreneurs Group. Star knew how to get into touch with Lydia right away.

Yesterday, by the pool at a promotional products industry (my day job) event, a new colleague told me one of his best clients just left the corporate world in marketing to go teach English to kids in Nicaragua. He and I both knew we were supposed to meet to connect his client to me and my project.

I can go on and on and add names and friends and connections to this blog post and when I have a bit more time, I will. Everything is so serendipitous and connected, it’s uncanny. I can’t help but think this was all meant to be.

When I was younger, I wrote nearly every day. Back then, my teachers and friends applauded my efforts in writing and encouraged me to one day grow-up to be a writer. Along the way, I fell off my own path and stopped doing what I now know is what I was born to do. The phrase, “Finding Corte Magore”, to me, means getting myself back on my own path and, if I can, help or remind other people to reconnect with or discover their own.

See you on Corte Magore!

Tonia Allen Gould
Author of Samuel T. Moore or Corte Magore, Entrepreneur/Tagsource, and Founder of the Finding Corte Magore Project.

LinkedIn Pro Tip from a Social Butterfly

Let someone you invite to your network know how you came to find them or be referred to them. It can be as simple as, “I’m long time friends with so and so and I found your contact through her and think our connection here may be mutually beneficial.” Anything less than that is just creepy like the stock messages I’ve been getting on LinkedIn, “Please join my network.” My knee-jerk thinking is, “What do you think this is? Twitter or something? I don’t know you! I only talk to complete strangers on that social network.

The Finding Corte Magore Project

http://youtu.be/84EhYTlIGgk

It’s my living legacy. Will it be yours? #joinme

So, Did You Know I Want to Buy an Island in Central America?

Children’s picture book author, Tonia Allen Gould, wants to crowd-fund an island to bring awareness to the children of Nicaragua who drop out of school, on average, by the sixth grade.

The Finding Corte Magore Project works virtually to connect a global community of students and crowd funders in real time with the plight of educationally and economically repressed Nicaragua. The project incorporates social entrepreneurialism, gamification, and augmented reality and involves showcasing, purchasing and managing, through collective voting processes, one of the country’s own small, yet beautiful islands to create awareness, coupled with sustainable, positive and long-term impact on the country’s people.

Speaking Engagement Testimonials: Schools

Hello,

I am pleased to recommend Tonia Allen Gould as a speaker for child related events -and adults as well.

I am a den leader for a group of Tiger Cub Scouts (first graders). Our meeting plan was how media is used to reach large audiences. I read about Tonia and her book Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore on our neighborhood Facebook page and decide to contact her about speaking to the boys.

Tonia accepted and her presentation was more than I could hope for. The other dens (2nd and 3rd grade) joined us. She told the boys how she got the idea for her story, and how she turned the idea into an interactive and animated children’s book. She showed them the story that had music, narration and pictures. The story itself is wonderful for kids (and adults) about overcoming adversity to make your dreams come true and Tonia’s personal story is living proof. It was a great experience on many levels. All of the boys were engaged and interested. They were thrilled to meet an author and have signed books to take home.

I highly recommend Tonia and feel honored to know her.

Sincerely,
Victoria Turk

Congrats!
It was so nice to see you yesterday. It’s inspiring to see such a successful and kind person in such a positive place. Going to purchase your book for my little guy.
Wishing you nothing but the best!

Lisa Hothan M.Ed.
Third Grade Teacher
Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School

Tonia,
Thanks for coming out. I know the students and teachers felt the presentation was inspiring. Let me know when the next book comes out. We would love to have you speak again.

Kelly Borchard
Dean – Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School

Hi Tonia,

So great to have you in the office last week! Everyone had such great things to say about your fireside chat with Jeff (during #DevDay), and I know I can speak for everyone when I say you were one of the most inspirational speakers we’ve had to date.

Best,

Brittany Johnson, Cornerstone onDemand

For you are a Mere Human, Mortal, and You Cannot Fly

The birds of Hawaii, in their multitude of colors and forms, strut and alternate their strides with their heads held high. Bipeds that are confident. Secure. Fearless. Their flight plan involves plopping right down in your personal space, breathing your air and eyeing your food, waiting for you to leave so they can partake, but they patiently wait their turn by eating only the crumbs fallen at your feet. For days, I’ve been watching these birds and I can attest that they are completely undaunted by your presence here in their Hawaii. For you are a mere human, mortal–and, unlike them; you certainly cannot fly. The birds of Hawaii are showy, pluming and preening their feathers in front of you, as if they are courting you through Aloha Spirit. Californian birds, or the birds from my home state, are much more enigmatic, evasive, skittish and untouchable. California birds can sometimes be like some of the people who live there–capable of snatching your bag of Doritos right out of your hands, on a sunny day at the beach, if you’d let them.

Like Mother, Like Daughter…I See the Thoughtful, Burgeoning Writer in Her

I am Soul; I move like a needle and thread.
I pierce the crisp air with elegance and grace.
You breathe me in as I dance.
You breathe me out as I dance.
The gentle breeze is my partner and I follow his lead.
Your soft whisper interrupts my routine.
I move about the room like a paintbrush
dancing across an endless canvas. There is no paint.
You want my warmth so I blanket you with my dewy kiss –
as I escape the walls you have entrapped me in.
I dance.
I dance until I can dance no more.
You breathe me in.
You breathe me out.
My endurance fades; I leave barely a trace –
only the remnants of my dewy kiss.
You thirst for my Body; you can’t wait until I die.
Handle with caution as I can burn.
Blow me away and I will soon return.
I am Soul; I move like a needle and thread.

My daughter, Whitney Gould, is a Sophomore at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California. Whitney emailed me this poem to get my take on it. She said she had to write a poem, due tomorrow, from the perspective of another person or object. Her poem perspective is about the steam of a coffee mug. I think she nailed it. But, I’m a clearly smitten, biased mother. How did she do?

Tonia’s “Upside Down Day” Gluten-Free, Vegan Pancakes

Pancakes. I took them for granted when I was a kid. Now that I am all grown-up with adult onset allergies to both egg and gluten, pancakes could have become a product of my past like so many other foods I previously enjoyed.

I’m telling you all this because I want you to know I’m not on some vanity diet. No, I really do have to get creative making meals due to my allergies. So cooking, for me, has developed into a creative, culinary exploration in both sustenance and science. All that said, if you are vegan, gluten-free, or egg-free…these pancakes are for you! Even if you’re not deploying a similar diet, I’m betting you like my latest creation, “Upside Down Day” Gluten-Free Vegan Pancakes. My pancakes involve two meals: lunch and dinner.

For Lunch:
In your juicer, juice two large handfuls of chilled, fresh organic kale, two stalks of celery, two green apples, two large basil leaves, and two large bunches of grapes picked off their vine. Serve the juice with a refrigerated celery stalk to keep it cold, or drink it down. Preserve your pulp in the refrigerator for your pancakes you’ll make later. Run to Whole Foods and buy the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Pancake Mix and Egg Replacer.

For Dinner:
“Upside Down Day” entails serving breakfast for dinner. Hubby is never home when we celebrate “Upside Down Day.” While he is a fairly good sport, I’m pretty sure he would suck all the life out of the occasion and dangle his fabulous homemade tacos in front of our kids’ noses instead. (Plus he’s not invited because it’s imperative he never witness my slothfulness firsthand). If you haven’t figured it out already, “Upside Down Day” translates to “Lazy-Mom-Doesn’t-Really-Feel-Like-Cooking-Tonight-Day.” We used to celebrate the event more frequently when my daughter was little and I’d serve up bacon and eggs for dinner. “Upside Down Day” is a rare, special occasion in the Gould house now that I can no longer eat eggs due to my allergy. I can’t even cook eggs without itching…something about airborne allergens and what not. Who knew?

Anyway, I digress. Back to making “Dinner”:
Mix the gluten free pancake mix following box instructions, except substitute the egg for the egg replacer (following those box instructions as well) and also substitute the cow’s milk with VANILLA Almond Milk or VANILLA Soy Milk. Mix in the leftover pulp (where all the fiber is) from your lunchtime smoothie. Add more vanilla soy or almond milk to play with your desired thickness. Pour your batter onto a HOT, lightly greased griddle. I used canola oil because I was out of rice bran oil, my new “go to oil” because it cooks at high temperature points. You know your griddle is hot enough if a drop of water dances off of the surface. Pour your batter onto the griddle. My pancakes poured thick and imperfect, and I quite liked them that way even though they took longer to cook. If you like yours thick too, avoid burning them by turning them frequently once the batter has set. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the batter if you have OCD and prefer a perfectly round pancake. My husband’s banana pancakes are always perfectly round. Again, it’s your night to be a sloth, because you’ve kicked your husband out so you can make my pancakes.

I served ours the conventional way, with Earth Balance natural spread from Trader Joe’s and a hearty drizzle of Canadian maple syrup. My twelve-year-old son loved them, and he’s fairly hard to please, plus he got servings of both fruits and vegetables. I got to be a sloth and he ate his greens. It was clearly a win/win. If you try them, be sure to check back. Oh, and Happy Upside Down Day!

Enjoy!

The university of the public library

See the public library from a whole different vantage point–through a librarian’s perspective. I’m an author
and clearly a library advocate, but even I haven’t considered everything a library does for a community in any socioeconomic circumstance.

Press Release Announcement

Children’s Book Author Tonia Allen Gould Explores the Concept of Home in Her New Book (via PRWeb)

In her new hard cover and soft cover picture book with accompanying app on iTunes, entitled Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore, Tonia Allen Gould teaches life lessons and technology skills for kids. Life isn’t always peaches and cream, but if you’re willing…