Starting Over at 70 - Guest Blogger Barbara Barth

I was truly excited to be part of Barbara Barth's blog tour for her new memoir The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later: My Life with Dogs and Every Day Magic, because she is a living example of what I champion for women everywhere, but especially for women writers: that's it's never too late to start over, never to late to pursue your dreams. And while I connected most with Ms. Barth's moxie and commitment as a writer, the whole book is an inspiration (check back for my upcoming book review).

Without further adieu, Barbara Barth on starting over (at 70!):

    

The introduction in my memoir ends with these words, I recreate myself each year, not to be different, but to find my creative path. I’m pretty much the same person I’ve always been; a homebody, a nester, a writer, sometimes antique dealer, and dog hoarder.  I don’t travel because I love coming home at night to my dogs. Still, life is full of wonderful adventures if you have a creative path and an open heart. With my big birthday (turning seventy) staring me down I decided it was time to make the move I’ve dreamed about for years, finding that Victorian cottage that has haunted my dreams. In 2017 I moved from metro-Atlanta to a quiet historic town an hour away as the crow flies.

       Other than wanting an older home and different scenery, I moved to recreate myself again. Life was easy and fun in my old home, but nothing changed. I would always be the same me doing the same things. I wanted to be more involved and my town was too big for me to make a difference with what I had to offer. In 2011, I had an antique shop in Old Town Lilburn, a small hub about thirty minutes from my house that became a writing/art center. While that adventure only lasted nine months it was a glorious time for me with book signings, art openings, music, writing classes, all taking place at my little shop, putting me in touch with so many talented folks. Visions of making that happen again danced in my head. Moving to a smaller area might make it possible, I thought. I took the leap of faith, uprooting my life of thirty years in the same house to begin my new adventure in 2017.

    

I discovered the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts in Monroe, Georgia, a short drive from my historic cottage in Social Circle.  The director welcomed me, embraced my ideas for writing activities, open mic nights, a monthly writing group, and more.  I became the Literary Arts Chair on the Board of Directors, and while I’m not exactly Board material, meetings not my favorite thing, I wear my title like a crown and love being around all the members who enrich the community, teach me new things, and fill my life with friends.

     Inspired by all the incredible artists, I’ve started painting again, too. Mixed media pieces that are fun and keep me busy at night painting like I’m Picasso. I’m moving into a small studio space, a booth in an antique shop this month, where I can sell my pieces if anyone wants to buy them. I’ll also have them for sale in the gift shop at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts.    

     Now at seventy-one (OMG, really?), I’m energized, doing all those things I love. Change can be hard. Starting over can be scary at any age. A favorite quote says it all, “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” ― Erin Hanson.
I think I’m flying into my new decade.

Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness. Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between. Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.

Print Length: 374 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
ASIN: B07YBNHXZG

About the Author, Barbara Barth

Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, dog hoarder, bedazzled by life. Widowed ten years ago, Barth writes about finding a creative path back to happiness. Her recent move to a 1906 historic cottage brought many surprises, including discovering the Monroe–Walton Center for the Arts where she started the monthly Walton Writers group and is on the MWCA Board as Literary Arts Chair. Barth is a contributor to Walton Living Magazine and a former blogger for The Balancing Act, Lifetime Television’s morning show for women. Currently she lives with six dogs, rescue dogs that rescued her.

Visit her website at barbarabarthwriter.com, follow her on Twitter @writerwithdogs, and follow her Amazon author page.

Review: Heal Yourself with Journaling Power

I know from personal experience with more than one of Mari McCarthy’s courses and books that she’s onto something—Mari’s journaling methods opened up my journaling practice and transformed it from a “Dear Diary” record of life events to a meaningful practice in which I found inspiration and answers by looking within. And it’s no surprise that her previous work Journaling Power strikes a chord with her personal account of transformation through journaling.

But what I didn’t expect when I delved into Heal Yourself with Journaling Power was for such overwhelming evidence that the journaling community, specifically Mari’s has expanded, and what’s more, that it has included experts in science and medicine as well as writing. For those who missed Journaling Power, the book opens with a recap of Mari’s own story of the transformation of her health. What emerges in the following chapters is a collection of testimonial essays that pick up where Mari leaves off, expanding on and deepening the concept that a consistent journaling practice can be transformative. Each essay includes an introduction by Mari, a personal story, a lesson learned, and a journaling prompt that helps readers to begin a path to similar results.

What was even more impressive was to read that science and medical communities are now endorsing journaling as a viable component of healing. It’s something that Mari and members of her “CreateWriteNow tribe” have experienced for years and is now being validated by a wide array of professionals. Turns out that the fine shimmering thread that runs through any successful writing practice, whether it be journaling or any other creative writing, is also found in our search for health and happiness: a “healthy internal dialogue” according to screenwriter turned psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo in his Foreword to the book.

The chapters on rewriting your life story and manifesting your dream life are particularly inspiring. Reading the essays is uplifting. The lessons learned resonate with all of us. Follow any of the prompts, and you’re a member of the burgeoning global journaling tribe. All you need are a pen and some paper. And this book. Get yours here (signed copies here).

Print Length: 143 Pages

Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Help

Publisher: Mari L. McCarthy

ISBN-13: 9780463807361

ASIN: B07R47JT1T

I’m a writer of magical realism, a mentor to women writers of all ages, and a story magic archaeologist. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing, and I live in Los Angeles with my husband and our two Imp Muses (cats) Stanley and Sofia. Join my mailing list for a free guide on story magic!

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