Category Archives: Riding the Trust Train

Labor Day Weekend Promotion: 4-day Free Kindle Book Version of “My Life as a Mule” 2nd edition

Dear Friends,

This past year+ has been an adventure for all of us. I do hope that you are able to keep your head above water as you navigate life’s turbulent and unpredictable currents. As for me, I fell into the River of Revision. After months of hard work, the 2nd edition version of my first book My Life as a Mule has emerged.

Why a 2nd edition?
I realized that I needed to dish up more description to go along with the main course of dialogue. Also, I delighted in the discovery that I could add a few characters from My Life as a Toad: Tales of a traveling toad, i.e. Mr. Tafferty’s tale (which is currently in its first draft form – due date unknown). I also shifted a few things around and added a Bonus Material section.

Anything else?
I recently made several short videos of me reading excerpts from my book which are in this playlist  (specific links below):
Chapter 5 – Change is in the Air
Chapter 8 – Molly’s Grandma Rose
Chapter 13 – Molly to the Rescue
Chapter 23 – High School English
Chapter 28 – The Key to Success
Bonus Material
Short 1-minute promo


Read Along with me by clicking closed-captioning.


Free Kindle Book Deal
I’m running a 4-day free Kindle book version from Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6, 2021. After that the 2nd edition will continue to be available on Kindle for $8.88 and as a paperback from Amazon for $14.99.

Why are you giving away the Kindle version of your book for these 4-days?
Because I want to mahalo those who purchased a copy of the 1st edition as well as those of you who continue to support me.

Happy Reading!

Aloha,
Sj

Molly's story appeals to a wide age-range.
Molly’s story appeals to a wide age-range.
Out of this world

What’s YOUR Vorpal Sword?

A lifetime ago I earned a teaching certificate, knowing that I never wanted to teach.

Then why earn it? you ask.

Who the heck knows! But I did.

At the time, all I knew was that I didn’t know what I wanted to “be” when I grew up. But I did know that I was good at sports and loved language (hence the Bachelor of Science in education focusing on foreign language and physical education). (*)

Fast forward to 30-odd years later, and there’s Sj working as a permanent substitute teacher in the middle of a bunch of mask-wearing 6th graders. (The official teacher chose to retire due to health reasons.)

In the midst of juggling those unexpected lesson plans — while treading water as fast as I could — I fell in love with those kids. As graduation time neared, and no one volunteered to edit their graduation video, I realized it had to be me. That official graduation video is not for public consumption. This short excerpt, however, is.

Enjoy!

I am from my 6th grade past,

      from Sponge-Bob attire and ti-leaf lei.

I am from rainbows up high and chickens down low.

      I am from Kaua‘i nei.

I am from both A Groups and B.

      from Do we come this Wednesday?

      and Which class is your fave?

I am from two teachers: one retired and one who stayed.

Both are with me always, in ways I can’t explain.

I am from Black Ships Before Troy and Walk Two Moons.

From playing my classmate’s mother and wearing another’s shoes.

I am from four-square and kickball and Do we have to go INS?

That wasn’t fifteen minutes! Can’t we start again?

I am from Math time! andgroans all around.

From Can you turn the a/c on?  And—the lights OFF as well?

I am from a body that’s changing and talks about b.o.

Remember Monkey Man Mayhem?

And rolling-on-the-floor with a drum?

I am from Kumu on Wednesdays and library who-knows-when.

It’s time, Ms. Sj! You forgot—again!

I am from the land of the Greeks: 

fun Olympics and marching in sheets!

I am a poet:

Haiku and Cinquain

Future Me and ABC

Kilauea School

I am from lying on damp grass with my friends,

      arms straight, bodies curled, feet toe-to-toe.

Be I in the land of Aloha or far from these shores,

My Vorpal sword is ever ready, my strengths at my core.

I am from

      my 6th grade past.

• • •

Can I go to the bathroom now?

      I hope you can!

Inspired by: George Ella Lyon

Written by: Sj Hylton LeHoven for her 6th grade class

May 21, 2021

(*) I can see now that I was already riding the Trust Train. I trusted that my teaching certificate would lead to something exciting . . . and it did. First, a job as a fitness director aboard a cruise ship, and then later a position as a permanent substitute teacher on the island of Kaua‘i — a job I never could have imagined enjoying.

(**) Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll  

Vegetable-Frittata

Recipe — and Other — Exchanges

I love how…

these chain emails are crossing the globe: a poem exchange last week. And, today, a recipe exchange.

As most people are staying home and returning to things like: binge tv watching, sending chain emails to everyone they know, and occasionally–reading or playing games with family, I like to think that we’re all experiencing a great reset. A reset into being who we really are–and not who we’ve been conditioned to be. NO, I am definitely NOT SAYING that I am happy about the suffering that is taking place all over the world–that most definitely does not gladden my heart. But–I TRUST that each and every one of us will only ever return to the love that we are. Yes, that is my deepest belief.

So, if you’re still with me, I would love to hear what type of exchanges YOU are participating in during this quarantine-stay-at-home time. Or, other activities that you’re doing to fill your time (by commenting below–please, keep it rated PG).

And, for those of you who are are still-still with me, below is the recipe I submitted in the recipe exchange. Bon appétit!

Frittatas (as you probably know) can be made in a million different ways. With a million different possible ingredients.

In my opinion, the absolutely necessary ingredients are:

oil and/or butter

potatoes (red or white–not russet which get mushy)

garlic

eggs

cheese

Beyond that, you can add whatever you like AND/OR in these quarantine-stay-at-home kind of days, whatever is in your fridge.

onion 

(This is only listed below the MUST HAVE ingredients because THIS MORNING no onions — even dried — could be found anywhere in the house.)

olives

green peppers

mushrooms

tomatoes

jalapeños

pickles

salsa

okra

This list could practically go on forever.

How to make a Frittata if you never have?

1. Choose a large skillet.

2. Add butter or oil and heat.

3. Add diced potatoes (3 or 4 for 2 people with leftovers)

4. Cook until starting to get tender

5. Add onion and/or garlic

6. Add whatever else you want

7. Pour the beaten eggs (3 or 4 work for 2 people, add as required to covered all the veggies–AH, you could also add already cooked meat if you so desire)

Now…this is where the STYLE differs.

a. You can cook it like for an omelette where you use a spatula and lift at the outer inside-edge of the pan and then let the uncooked egg-goo slide under (so that it can also cook). 

If you choose this method, I find it best to do this in several places around the pan. If you have young children, you could turn this into a learning activity. As in, “What time is it where my spatula is? Now what time? Now what time?” This could go on for however long you can bear. Or, until the eggs are fried to a crisp and have set off your fire alarm.

b. Or, you can choose the broiler in the oven method.

For this, I highly recommend a pan that won’t melt. Something sturdy and made to be put under a very hot flame/or broiling coil.

Regardless which method you choose (a or b), next comes:

9. Add and melt the grated (or broken into bits) cheese.

Using a broiler is one of the easiest ways. But…if you’ve already been inside for a super long time, you might want to use a blowtorch from your wood shop. Or–the less scary torch that you normally use when making crème brûlée.

10. Serve and eat.

I recommend cutting the different slices as you would pizza-pie.

Or, if you have young children, you could turn this into another learning exercise of forced family fun. As in, cut the different pieces into triangles, squares, rectangles–and for the brave–rhomboids. Your pick.

You can serve your Frittata with:

crispy sourdough toast

rice

grits

tortillas

fruit

fruit juice

coffee

tea

water

or…mimosas

Again, your taste — and the state of your cupboards — will determine what you eat or drink along with your most delicious Frittata.

Bon appétit!

Mahalo to Yumna Jawad at feelgoodfoodie.net for the frittata picture. And, no, I did not look at her recipe before writing my own. ;-)

There are so many layers . . .

There are so many layers to things.

The things we say.

The things we do.

We’re constantly weaving a fabric with our thoughts, words, and deeds.

A fabric that covers the entire planet.

IS the entire planet.

An interlacing of all that we are.

So many threads!

Each

a part

of

the

Whole.

sjhl – april 11, 2020

131 votes for My Life as a Mule

Mahalo for your support!

Thank you friends for supporting my first book My Life as a Mule in the TaleFlick Discovery contest.

We landed 8th out of 40 books with 131 votes. Not too shabby! ;-)

And . . . in the eleventh hour I received the most AMAZING review from an acquaintance.

I met this “true reader’s heart” (how she described herself : ) years ago when I was the waterfront director at a camp for diabetic children, * TCDC. She was a camper. I haven’t seen her since (many, MANY moons!), though I have a wispy memory of her wide, vibrant smile!

Here is what she wrote:

“There have been several great stories told from the perspective of animals that gently urge us to take a look at ourselves. (Charlotte’s Web, Animal Farm, and Watership Down come to mind.)

Now, we have “My Life as a Mule.”

This book, told from the perspective of Molly, leads us to confront our own thoughts regarding class conflict, race relations, anxiety, bullying, self-doubt, and fear. Are our perspectives our own? Or are they the ones forced upon us by those around us that became comfortable because we’ve stopped challenging our values?

Molly is a delight as she moves through the challenges of her life and matures as her understanding grows.

Thank you, Ms. LeHoven, for daring us to look at our belief systems in such a non-threatening manner. It is a book you will love reading over and over again, but also one that you will share with loved ones and strangers, alike.

Open your mind and your heart. Molly is waiting.”

Wow, thank you Ms. Marquis for taking the time to find me on facebook, buy my book, AND . . . read it!  May Molly be a lifelong companion as you continue on your way. <3

With MUCH love and GRATITUDE for you ALL,

xoxox Sj xoxox

* I’m in that black and white photo from 1981 shown on the TCDC Alumni page. ;-)

Molly Needs Your Help

In getting the word out of her journey of LOVE

as told through her memoir:  My Life as a Mule.

Starting January 15th at 10 a.m. PT & ending Friday, January 17th at 4 p.m. PT YOU can VOTE that you would like to see her story adapted to the screen.

Hollywood producers will be following how many votes each story receives in the TaleFlick Discovery contest AS WELL AS the conversations revolving around each story.

How can you help?

By voting for My Life as a Mule (one vote per person). AND even more importantly, by participating in the conversation regarding Molly’s story.

Click on the icon on the right of the box for My Life as a Mule to vote and click on the conversation bubble to leave a comment or ask a question.

Last week’s winner garnered 4,448 votes. We’ll be jazzed to receive 100! But . . . if you can participate in the conversation and let people know how Molly’s story touched YOUR HEART, we would be most appreciative. <3

Molly's Epiphany Tea

Molly’s Epiphany Tea

With love and aloha from Molly and me,

xoxox Sj xoxox

P.S. And . . . if you want to share this with your friends, well, that would take the cake!!!

Mahalo nui loa!

Being in the Now

Being in the Now.

What does that mean exactly?

How can we just BE in this moment when there’s so much to do!

Projects.

People to see.

Bills to pay.

Life to live.

Earlier today I saw this word online: Focus.

A popular online personality said that she is going to make it her main word for the year –FOCUS. As in focus and get things done.

Okay, I thought, Yes, I do seem to get a lot done when I focus. It is definitely how I’ve been conditioned to BE in this world in order to be a productive, contributing member of society.

And yet . . .

There’s soooo much beauty. Soooo much peace when I’m BEing in the now. Savoring each breath. Noticing what’s going on around me. Within me.

And then I thought of TRUST. What it means to trust.

Okay, if I’m telling myself I need to focus. Put myself on some kind of a schedule. THEN I’m telling myself that I HAVE TO be that way in order to be productive. In order to accomplish whatever. Be a good citizen. Contribute to society at large.

And if I don’t, well, I’ll be a failure. Tossed about at the whim of whatever pulls my attention this way or that.

*****

And that brought me to some day in time when an image of a boat being tossed about at sea was the topic du jour. The warning of what can happen when one lives a life unplanned. Unfocused.

*****

And yet . . . when I reflect on my life, I recognize how unconventionally I’ve been living. How I have been letting myself be pulled this way and that by whatever is grabbing my attention in the moment. And still . . . in the midst of it all, I have been productive. Have accomplished things that could be considered successful to the outside world.

All while letting go and allowing the current to take me where it will.

*****

Okay, Sj, what are you trying to say?

Well, I think I’m trying to say that it’s possible to do both. To BE in the now and also focus on whatever interests us in the moment.

Because I’m realizing that being focused is as much a part of my nature as is daydreaming.

When I read a good book, I get lost in it. That’s focusing.

When I’m writing whatever, I get lost in it. That’s also focusing.

And when I used to compete in sports, I’d get lost in the moment. Thinking of nothing else except what I was doing. Another form of focusing.

And ALL part of my nature. Who I am.

So . . . on this Saturday morning when I thought I’d be out the door by now, I’ve been pulled to sit and write. To think and reflect.

Was it wrong? Should I have been doing something else?

No.

Because I’ve come to trust this guidance so well.

To trust my soul’s promptings.

It’s gotten me to where I am now. And this now is really, really good. ;-)

xoxox Sj xoxox

P.S. I made an Sj from the Heart video a few weeks back called “Being in the Now.” I had it scheduled to post on YouTube sometime in March (another video was going to be posted today), but . . . in the way that life just keeps unfolding and continually showing me that I’m not in charge, I changed which video would post today to the one you see below (to match this blog post). And there you go. Life is always, always changing, and we’re always, always being guided. ;-)

P.P.S. The image above is of a shower curtain, lol, being tossed about at sea. It is available for purchase if you like it. No, I don’t make any profit off of that, lol. Just find it funny that the image I found that I like is for a shower curtain. Also saw that it comes as a mouse pad and rug. Again, lol.

Prints Now Available

Jocelyne Champagne Shiner’s AMAZING ILLUSTRATIONS

from My Life as a Mule are now available for purchase by clicking HERE.

Choose either 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 for your high quality Art Paper prints.

They will definitely bring warmth to your home as you savor Jocelyne’s masterful drawings.

Mahalo for your continued LOVE and support.

Wishing you the BRIGHTEST of holiday seasons.

xoxox S j xoxox

Rumi on Steroids

Okay, please know that I am NOT saying that *Rumi took steroids.

I have never met Rumi.

He died a long time ago.

I don’t even know if people took steroids then.

But . . . I just read a poem of his that is much longer than the short sayings that are often posted in social media. And I thought, “Wow! Rumi on steroids! Go Rumi go!”

And then I realized, “Wow! This relates to a conversation I just had yesterday with neighbors. And to a discussion at one of the Trust Train Bookclubs I attended.”

Rumi lived in 1207 to 1273, y’all. And yet what he wrote so long ago is still relevant today.

Thank you Rumi for being You.

Thank you for taking the time to write down what came to you.

And thank you to all of YOU who are taking the time to read this now.

Be with this.

Blessings to YOU as you live your day as the SHINING STAR that you are. <3

**The Shepherd’s Prayer

Moses saw a shepherd on the way, crying, “O Lord Who choosest as Thou wilt,

Where art Thou, that I may serve Thee and sew Thy shoon and comb Thy hair?

That I may wash Thy clothes and kill Thy lice and bring milk to Thee, O Worshipful One!

That I may kiss Thy little hand and rub Thy little feet and sweep Thy little room at bed-time.”

On hearing these foolish words, Moses said, “Man, to whom are you speaking?


What babble! What blasphemy and raving! Stuff some cotton into your mouth!

Truly the friendship of a fool is enmity: the High God is not in want of suchlike service.”

The Shepherd rent his garment, heaved a sigh, and took his way to the wilderness.

Then came to Moses a revelation: “Thou has parted My servant from Me.

Wert thou sent as a prophet to unite, or wert thou sent to sever?

I have bestowed on every one a particular mode of worship,

I have given every one a peculiar form of expression.

The idiom of Hindustan is excellent for Hindus; the idiom of Sind is excellent for people of Sind.

“I look not at tongue and speech, I look at the spirit and the inward feeling.

I look into the heart to see whether it be lowly, though the words uttered be not lowly.

Enough of phrases and conceits and metaphors! I want burning, burning: become familiar with that burning!

Light up a fire of love in thy soul, burn all thought and expression away!

O Moses, they that know the conventions are of one sort, they whose souls burn are of another.”

The religion of love is apart from all religions. The lovers of God have no religion but God alone.

May we ALL Light up a FIRE of LOVE in OUR SOUL and burn, burn, burn. <3

* In case you’ve never heard of Rumi, CLICK HERE to go to his Wikipedia page.

** I read this poem in a cool book I found at the Friends of the Lihue Library’s June book sale called The Mystic in Love: a treasury of world mystical poetry edited by Shelley Gross. © 1966.