33rd Time's a Charm

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

UPDATE: By inquisitor request, I've created a site dedicated to the cause. That is where I'll post all developments:

secret.jsdjohnston.com

It's time, friends — time for me to make public the particulars about the secret society that is trying to stop my 1881 upstairs-downstairs novel (and subsequent exposé) from being published.

I am most grateful to the Whimsicalidocious Arts nonprofit for taking up my cause by hosting a book launch party for the project at their Spring 2023 fundraiser. Because of the sensitive nature of the project, it's being rolled out in phases. Here's what to expect:

Saturday February 04 - First peek at the secret society. Come onboard as we take the train to the Tea House on Los Rios in San Juan Capistrano to dish out the particulars of the project and the activities surrounding it. Guests will be required to show "proof" of their trustworthiness as directed in their confirmation email. Guests will receive a secret token for use in official capacities going forward
Tuesday February 07 - We plan to blow the lid off the society with a 30-day Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign designed to get the books back on the shelves, or at least the novel—the exposé will only be available to those who back the campaign (at whatever level is best for them)
Thursday March 09 - This is the last day of our all-or-nothing Kickstarter campaign. Spread the word so the truth can be published!
Friday March 10 - To celebrate what we fully trust will be a successful crowdfunding campaign, we're hosting a crafternoon tea to make whimsical costume pieces for wear at the themed book launch & fundraiser in April. Dream Come True in Long Beach is giving us exclusive use of their craft & party room, along with afternoon tea. (Theme to be divulged later)
Sunday March 26 - Basket Case complimentary packing partea for those who volunteer to assemble gift baskets for the auction & drawing at the April 01 fundraiser - location TBD
Saturday April 01 - Whimsically-themed book launch & nonprofit fundraiser tea - location TBD (We'd like to host this at one of the Victorian home museums, if someone can help us lock one down)
On April 1st we'll also hold an online fundraiser with opportunity drawings for those unable to attend the in-person party
Friday-Monday 04/21-24 - Ride the rails with us to San Francisco where we'll visit the clandestine places mentioned in the books, including the secret society's HQ. Rumor has it there may be an induction ceremony while there. Expect teas, historic tours, fun entertainment, and dubious goings-on

If you'd like to be involved with any of the above from the outset, drop me a line. We need all the help we can get.

Surreptitiously yours,

~Joy

Thursday, October 6, 2022

🧹A Broom with a View — just in time for Pumpkin Season! 🎃

At long last, the latest rhyming book in the witch-based Bobbiez Bakery series is ready for reading, listening, and even playing!

Things are humming along smoothly at the Bobbiez Bakery, that is until little witch Gretchen gets her first broom and decides to right a wrong she observes on her travels.

The elder witches want nothing to do with Gretchen’s crusade, but she feels she has no choice in this 4th story from the Bobbiez series where good deeds are served up fresh from the coven.

This is a color-your-own story and activity book awaiting your artistic flair, brain power, and imagination. The back of the book contains a QR code to the complimentary narrated video.

Here's the link to the paperback

Here's the link to the narrated video

And here's the link to a PDF if you want to print specific activity pages

Sunday, September 25, 2022

It seems like it's been ages!

SB/K podcast episode for 25 September 2022

AUDIO

VIDEO

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Waxing omniosophical

Mixed-media artist Sanndi Thompson give her take on the Ocademy

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Look what just washed up on shore ...

... a podcast! The first one from my new digs

AUDIO

VIDEO

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

343◻︎' day 012 - I attempted to make a grown-up dinner

The story: I finally used my cute little retro air fryer for something other than toast. The salmon came out perfectly (I was amazed) and was a lovely follow-up to a glorious spinach, bleu cheese, pecan, and pear salad

The truth: I only took this photo to capture the fun of using a fish-shaped plate to serve fish. The little fryer did a terrif job, but the "thick" part of the salmon could have used a minute or two longer. I ate "the other" piece of fish while waiting for the rice to cook. I have yet to go through my spice cupboard and have no idea where I put the tarragon so I tossed on some unnecessary lemon pepper just for looks. The leaves pulled off my tree are there merely to distract from the fact the lemon was pre-squeezed (used for cooking). As for the spinach salad, the only greens I had today were the lettuce shreds on a half a taco leftover from yesterday! The salad in question is pre-made and will be consumed manana ... IF I remember and don't go for more tacos instead!

Oh and the red fabric? Yeah, that's a dish towel

Friday, May 27, 2022

343◻︎' day 001 - adventures in tiny living on the urban edge

This was the day my sleeper/sofa (ordered late February) arrived. A week prior, I'd been told it had been delivered to the local furniture store ... only they had no record of it. Mind you, these folks are on the ball and not the least bit flakey.

Since I'd been paying rent for 3 months for a place I did not yet live in (tried a foldout sleeper chair and it was a bust), I was not keen to go another 12 weeks. But miracle of miracles, the fine furniture folks pulled strings, called in favors, and had a new sofa made. That's the one I received.

It's got brass studs and was selected to sync with my living area theme of "a retired pirate captain from the Golden Age who went through a wormhole, ended up in modern day Naples LBC, and decided to downsize." ... Yep