Rising early is not normally on my agenda, but it can offer untold rewards. Strong hot coffee is imperative in my quest to chronicle the sunrise. I rise before dawn when the world is still dark, and before the birds break into song. If I lived on a farm, I would have to wake the rooster and remind him of his duties. Together we watch the black sky lighten and turn gray. As darkness blushes pink, and a golden glow tints the horizon, my reward is watching a magical mist lifting from the field. A cool morning breeze touches my coffee mug, and as I inhale, the promise of a productive day stirs my soul.

Trance-like, I wander to my desk with the dawn music singing in my ear. My muse demands I transcribe the whispered stories. Transmitting through my fingertips, ebony squiggles appear on the ivory page, but I don’t see black or white. Pink and golden hues color my words, and I taste the morning’s magical flavor. Emotions vibrate, twirling intimately with the words, my writing session is off to a wonderous beginning.

How do you start your day?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

If I said I loved books, would it surprise you? I also love history, and the two parts combine beautifully in Gutenberg’s invention of his printing press. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a video called “The Machine That Made Us.” The program follows the host, Stephen Fry, on his journey to discover the man, Johann Gutenberg, and his Das Werk der Bücher “the work of the books”.

Research reveals the Chinese printed with woodblocks in the second century A.D. In 1377, metal movable type was used in Korea to produce the “Jikji,” a collection of Zen Buddhist teachings. Gutenberg’s Bible was not even the first printed book in Europe. Other printers were using carved wooden blocks in their presses. While it was labor-intensive, it was still faster than the monk’s handwritten replicas. The ingenuity of Gutenberg’s press was individual metal characters. He devised a method of making cheap duplicates of letter punches from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony.

Experts estimate Gutenberg’s print run created between 160 and 185 copies. Roughly three-quarters were printed on paper, and the rest were on vellum. They think the entire process took between three and five years. Rubrication — the headings before each book of the Bible — were blank, leaving room for special scribes to add to the manuscript along with any illuminated decorations. The bibles were pre-sold, at a base cost for printing only. The extent of additional handwork depended on the buyer’s willingness to pay more. I guess some needed to allow for the expense of having spectacles produced so they could read their new book.

What is your favorite piece of book history?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

This quote makes me laugh. The implication being that poor ole dad doesn’t have any money left after paying for toys, clothes, doctor visits, schoolbooks, soccer balls, baseball mitts, tutus, phones, and family vacations. His wallet may be thin, but his heart is full.

Today is a good day to remember everything your father has done to support, encourage, and reassure your every endeavor. So, let dad show off his grilling skills, hand him his favorite beverage, and enjoy your day.

How will you celebrate Father’s Day?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The calendar says today is the first day of summer, yet I’m not sure how it arrived too fast. My sense of the seasons is off, a fact I attribute to not planting my garden this year. The challenges presented by 2020 meant something had to give.

Moving from spring plantings to summer’s bounty has always been marked by the progression of my tiny farming efforts. Sowing, transplanting, watering, and weeding are exercises requiring patience while we wait for blossoms and marvel as the plants set fruit. Corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash lend to the feel and smells I associate with warm summer evenings. Basil, mint, dill, and coriander provide mouthwatering spices.

There is great joy in grazing in the garden. Bright strawberries get added to beet tops, fresh-cut mesclun, and chives. If we are lucky, the early tomatoes ripen before the lettuce bolts. But the local farmer’s market helps supplement fresh meals. Thankfully, my farmer’s market is running, albeit with modifications, so I won’t miss my garden too much.

What signals summer for you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Friday arrives with the promise of another iconic date night. Pre-COVID, that meant gathering with friends at local restaurants to catch up on the week’s happenings, have a drink or two and dive into shared plates of delicious food. I am an adventurous eater, so my responsibility was to order the unknown dish on the menu and try to coax the peanut butter and jelly group to try it. We are fortunate to have a vast array of authentic family-run Chinese, Mexican, Korean, Indian, Polish, Greek, Bulgarian, German, Afghani, and Ethiopian restaurants. With such great options, I see no reason for boring food.

That’s not to say I don’t have my favorites. When I was little, we had a Tamale Lady. She ran a roadside stand and my mother often loaded us in the stroller for a tasty afternoon excursion. I have fond memories of homemade enchiladas, burritos, and chili con carne. There are lovely comfort-food worthy Chinese dishes.  Douban Yu and hotpot top my list. Saag paneer, Spanakopita, Fasolka po Bretonsku, Fasolakia Lathera, Moussaka also find a place at my table.

Lately, date night has been a challenge. While I cook more, we are lucky that our favorite haunts offer carry out, and I am happy to do my part to ensure their survival. As restrictions ease, tents cover their parking lots, and alfresco dining is in vogue. A light summer breeze, excellent food, and a chance to safely connect face to face with friends is an excellent reason for a celebration.  

Do you have dinner plans?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Have you ever wished you could see angels? Sometimes we wish for a sign, a clue to show you the right direction, the best choice, the correct path, anything to help you develop into a smarter, wiser, or an all-around better human. I have searched billboards, fortune cookie slogans, horoscopes, and messages in discarded bottles. They always disappoint me.

When the world seems full of hate, division, and animosity, I meet everyday angels. No, they don’t sport massive wings, wear shiny halos and flowing gowns, and choirs don’t burst into song when they arrive. They manifest as a call from a distant friend who knows the exact words to ease a worried mind. It is the friendly wave from the stranger you encounter on your daily walk.

Compassion manifests when a person materializes to open a door when you carry a heavy burden. Insight forms when a cashier offers a random comment that answers your most worrisome question, and the barista who recommends a life-changing book. Many dismiss these instances as coincidence, a fluke, or serendipity. I like to use them as inspiration.

Fairytales, fiction, and flights of fantasy with wizards and magic reflect these real-life happenings. Those moments of kindness and goodwill confirms my belief in the improbable, divine intervention, and the underlying generosity inherent in every living being. I embrace optimism and trust we will forge a remarkable future.

Will you become an everyday angel?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Trust me, you never want to hear me singing. The phrase ‘can’t carry a tune in a bucket applies.’ While I love music, the only time I allow myself to sing and dance is while I do my chores. I have a strict prerequisite of an empty house, and the volume cranked to ear-splitting decibels. I accomplish my work at a breakneck pace, and creativity spurs me to return to my desk. 

My real joy is composing as I listen to my favorite tunes. The rhythms keep words flowing, and my fingers typing. It is very productive and dreamy. Though in my daydreams, instead of riding on a garbage truck, I prefer flying through town on a fire engine destined to save a cat from a tree.

Does your writing let your voice sing?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Do you remember when crayons, paint, paper, glitter, and glue were your friends? I know you made masterpieces worthy of museum display. You know the famous wall that doubled as a refrigerator door? With fingers full of magic and traces of dazzling brilliance in our hair, we let our imaginations run wild. We created fantastical worlds and wonderful stories set beneath lemon-yellow suns smiling on stick-figure heroes, and lollipop trees.

Somewhere, somehow, something changed. As self-awareness developed, our joy dissolved. We compared our results with others, teachers assigned grades, and we hid our artistic efforts and denied our creativity. But talent lives inside every human being. We should not limit the field to painting, drawing, singing, or playing an instrument.

When you solve a math problem or design seating chart, you are tapping into your creativity. Anytime you allow yourself to daydream, plan a vacation, or cook a meal you are creating. Generating multiple ideas, considering different points of view, and helping another in need, means you are tapping your creative core. Finding novel connections between disparate things, so-called thinking outside the box also qualifies. Genius, imagination, and original thoughts emanate from every one of us.

Will you find the courage to create beauty today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It is easy to succumb to Monday morning drudgery and fall into the trap of negative emotions. There are countless psychological and neurological studies supporting the assertion that your current emotional state has a huge effect on your performance. Monday’s return to work dread can make you less productive, less motivated, less creative, less engaged. This leaves you depressed, tired, and feeling hopeless. And heaven helps if Monday returns you worrying about your company’s stability and you hope that this week isn’t the week you get laid off.

If your job is meaningful, and your position is secure, then looking forward to Monday is easier. Finding a career you are passionate about means each week is an opportunity to do what you love. Even if you love your work, you can still face difficulties that test your resolve. Clarifying the items that are bothering you, and taking corrective actions helps you maintain control. It may be as simple as preparing for Monday before you leave on Friday, getting organized, or addressing your most stress-inducing task first. Of course, a cup of coffee couldn’t hurt.

How will you make your transition from weekend to work week easier?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Living in a hotel room severely limits your options for distractions. Movies have become the background drone I rely on to cover the distracting, and startling noises created by some other guests. Normally, movies serve as white noise, but one failed miserably. Guardians of the Galaxy sucked me into Peter Quill’s world, and I watched both Guardian movies and put Footloose into the queue.

Before I realized what was happening, I launched a quest for some of the best dance movies ever filmed. The hunt sucked me into the late 70s to mid-80s with “Flash Dance,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Grease,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Risky Business,” and the cult favorite, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Talk about a time warp. I next swung into the 30s to visit dance icons Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ mesmerizing moves in Top Hat.

What is it about dancing that automatically lifts your mood? It seems silly that a little toe-tapping, moving your feet, and twirling around to the “Sound of Music” can make you smile like a fool. Whatever the cause, I think it is the reason we have viewed the Gene Kelly clip from “Singing in the Rain” almost 30 million times.

Peter Quill is right. Dancing IS the greatest thing there is.

What is your favorite dance scene?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer