Goals, 2021 - 2024

1. Make a vest of map-patterned fabric
2. Own property
3. Build a train set
4. Join a Toronto-based field study group
5. Make a skating rink
6. Learn more about coffee
7. Build a fire
8. Do a jigsaw puzzle
9. Camp in the backyard with my daughter
10. Do something active for 3 months straight
11. Grow my own mushrooms
12. Do more foraging
13. Learn how to felt
14. Grow crystals
15. Birdwatch with my daughter
16. Metal stamp jewellery
17. Make my own cleaner / shampoo / beauty products
18. Burnish rocks
19. Buy / make / set up a bird feeder
20. Take plaster castings of animal footprints
21. Make my own essential oils
22. Try at least three "life hacks"
23. Make candles
24. Learn more about rocks
25. Bake bread
26. Stop drinking bottled water at home
27. Tap a tree for maple syrup
28. Start my own sprouts
29. Make something new for my daughter of her old baby clothes
30. Travel somewhere with my husband and daughter
31. Make my own vegan doughnuts
32. Listen to five new music albums
33. Find five constellations in the night sky
34. Watch the sunrise
35. Extract dyes from plants
36. Complete my graphic novel
37. Make three things with my daughter
38. Make a bird Christmas tree in our yard
39. Play a board game with my family
40. Grow something new
41. Plant bee-friendly herbs
42. Buy an indoor pineapple plant
43. Build a snowman

Goals Recap, 2018 - 2021

I completed 31/43 goals.

I discarded 7/43 goals.

I carried over 5/43 goals.

Update #1. Propose a written text for publication

 One company communicated interest for publication fairly quickly, so many more goals than usual remain unsatisfied in this set, because I've either been busy doing this, or raising a tiny human. It's a good life.

Original goal list posted here

Update #1. Propose a written text for publication

Today I submitted, by mail, to companies that required hard copies:

- Fantagraphics

- Red Deer Press

- Titan Books

This was a lot of work because the printer I've had for at least fifteen years died (though the attached scanner still works perfectly), and I spent way too much time troubleshooting only to figure out that it is, in fact, very old and very dead.

Fortunately, Geoff purchased a mostly (they took the ink and USB cord) new printer/scanner from a garage sale last year. He got it working, I purchased cheap refurbished ink, and we're using my old dead printer's USB cord. I bought some nice three hole folders and plastic display sheets, along with some postage stamps. The printouts ended up looking pretty nice.

This is the last of the submissions for the foreseeable future, until I finish 25 - 50 pages of my graphic novel, as required by some publishers. This is a good thing, as it will compel me to keep on creating.

Original goal list posted here

Update #1. Propose a written text for publication

I researched some Toronto publishing companies and was very impressed with Second Story Books, so I made a submission to them today.

Still more to follow when different specs are met.

Original goal list posted here

Update: #15. read and write more poetry

Breathing (for my daughter)

By: Amber B.

The first night in the hospital, me in a half-sliced half-thawed Dilaudid haze,

your father stood over your plastic cradle at all hours,

because he wanted to see that you were breathing.

When we brought you into the larger womb of our home,

you'd splutter and groan all night with reflux,

waking up choking and gasping for air

and we'd pick you up and hold you longer than we had to,

because we wanted to make sure you were still breathing.

You've never been a sleeper

and, most times, the only way you'll nap is in a swing,

so, when you drift off, I silently set it to still

and sit beside you for an hour,

and I check to see that you are breathing.

Sometimes I think of the world outside the door -

your introduction and my return to life amongst it -

I watch you when you are sleeping 

and wonder what lies in wait

and I want to kiss your cheek and touch your soft hair

and tell you that I am always here,

but life has no guarantees

(all I know is you are fierce like me),

and I have to stop and remember to breathe.

Update: #1. Propose a written text for publication

 Completed additional proposals of graphic novel memoir to:

- Image Comics*

- Hound Comics

- Secret Acres

- SelfMadeHero

*This meant I had to complete my cover mock-up!

Still more to follow when different specs are met.

Original goal list posted here