It seems appropriate on today’s National Love Your Pet Day to give thanks to my ever-magickal partner, Astrid for choosing me to be her guardian and co-creator. Not only does she bring so much joy and love into my life, but she’s also the bestest companion for this leg of my journey. She’s my ghostwriter and biggest cheerleader and fan, helping me to bring my book to life, speed up the process, and keep me on point. She helps me with editing everyday, sitting by my feet and even taking over mom’s editing chair if I abandon it. She has her own way of telling me to “hop to it!” and follows in the footsteps of Nestor and Joy in how they used to do a quick nibble to the right bottom corner of my paintings to infuse their signature and energy. Here you can see her nibbling in some of her own energy infusions into the story’s creation, encouraging me not to stop the momentum.

And a big momentum is what I’m in the flow of right now, as my book has come back into main focus, with the completion of all house renovations finally. Yesterday, was a huge day finalizing the third round of edits. I’m feeling one more “hop” through to really tie everything up, feel out the flow now with all the edits, and tighten it up one last go around, including final formatting.

I’ve found that editing the tough parts is so much easier when I can tangibly hold the pages and mark them up with pencil, rather than using the computer – hence the pages Astrid is able to help out with. Seems she prefers that too. 😉

I’m a very hands-on person, which is why I also prefer actual books to ebooks. There’s something that triggers my brain more and all parts of my senses to have things physical. That’s why I also keep hand written lists, a daily calendar on my desk, write notes on my hand when I’m out, and never use technology to keep me organized. Anyone else like that?

Anyway, Astrid is excited and I’m excited too. She is anxious about getting the book done and our Wonderland writing room is perfect nurturing for that. I love having her by my side, as she’s perfect inspiration for this faery. I can’t tell you how much she’s supported its manifestation and its content.

She seems to be mirroring the shifting phases of the book too, with her own shifting fur.

I don’t call her the magick rabbit for nothing!

Could this be why I heard the nickname “Bubbles” whispered in my ear recently?

Or is it that Astrid is reflecting her joy in this name, or simply the joy bubbling through in exuberance for her new life, feeling safe and loved, and for being recognized for the gifts and path she has come to experience and share?

My bunnies always get nicknames, that shift as their energy shifts. They’re not names I make up, but that just come through. Astrid expresses her joy running, jumping, hopping, and twisting that feels like a bubble of passion rising to the surface and exploding. People call this a “binky” and here it earned her the nickname “Bubbles,” which I love because it expresses her silly side in compliment to her serious one.

In any case, her shape-shifting fur continues to change and produce beautiful symbols and markings. Here you see her incredible fur gifting us circles, or bubbles, and that gold at the back of her neck is aglow. Not visible is her silver toes, feet and tummy.

Her exuberance keeps “bubbling” through and she ceases to amaze. 

Nestor is the only other rabbit of mine that has done this with her fur. Always producing uncanny symbols I would call either hieroglyphics or crop circles.

Astrid has a lot of Nestor qualities, so it’s not surprising. In many ways, it’s like a piece of Nestie is in her, which makes our connection even more special.

Thank you Astrid for your way of keeping me on point, just as Nestor used to. I definitely needed your solid presence, commitment, sense of personal responsibility, wisdom, and joyous inspiration for this book and the rest of what’s to come after that!

Celebrating you with some extra love and recognition today. Hope you love the curly meadow twist chewy treat you’ll find in your romper room bunny play land.

An extra gift of gratitude for being my ghostwriter, teacher, and best friend.