The finish of what I started!

My published work!

Yesterday my book came in the mail

and when I opened the box

emotions truly took over!

I was so excited to see my work

actually in book form

that I was overtaken with tears!

I started my 100 poems journey last year,

June 15, 2012 to be exact.

It was my son Drew's 29th birthday.

I had set a goal to create a blog

with my original 

photography and poetry.

I would title it

100 Poems Journey

(click on this link and it will take you there!)

I had no idea at the time 

it would be such a commitment of 

labor and love.

I thought it would be easy to 

write some poetry and take pictures

to go along with the poem.

What I discovered was that it took

a lot of effort and thought,

love and patience to accomplish

such a task.

One hundred days is a long time my friends!

I grew so much during that time 

and lived through words and images.

A sample page . . . one of my favorite photos

I know that I will never forget

the experience of it all.

For I am in love with photography,

for it is poetry in picture form.

Looking at my world through a 

camera lens is awesome

and life changing!

I have truly learned to look at everything

differently and with a poetic eye!

Matching my images with words,

my poetic words, 

was a gift come true.

I have grown as an artist,

in so many ways!

When my journey was complete,

it took awhile for me to come back down

to a normal life routine.

It was hard for me, 

I couldn't settle back into norm,

I didn't even want to 

for something was different within me.

There is great joy within oneself

when you accomplish what you set out to do,

knowing that you did it well.

I began to research how I could actually

publish my journey,

that wasn't an easy task.

I tried them all . . .

Shutterfly, Lulu, iPhoto, Blurb

the complication for me

was words and photos together.

Then came along Blog2print.

It was difficult to process a book for months,

because each page and image ran together.

I wanted one page for each day.

Until one month ago, 

they added a new feature

page breaks between one post and another,

the result is what you see here!

(I am truly convinced they added

that feature just for Donna Lee!)

I was able to design my pages,

my book cover, the spine

and more.

I ask myself will I do another?

Not sure . . . it truly has taken a 

long chunk of time

to get where I am this morning,

holding my precious baby in my hands!

For now I am going to sit with hot tea

and re-read my poetry,

share it at open mic night,

and revel in the accomplishment

of my own poetic works.

For I truly did finish what I started!