31 Scraps And A Couple More is about the perspective, the purpose, and the pursuit of life. From "God Bless the Friends" to "Now" ... 33 Scraps span Childhood to Grandma, Deep Sadness to Extreme Joy. Oh yes, there are actually 33 Scraps... 31 plus 2 Bonus Scraps thrown in for good measure. It is always nice to receive a little extra. Yes? We might call this collection a hodge-podge of life observations, but it is more. It is more than some poems and some prose. Maybe this book could accurately be described as a purposeful gathering of choice breadcrumbs... jotted down over a lifetime. You and I both know - we ALL get lost from time to time. It is part of being A HUMAN. These are Notes to Self, penned to lead the way back. Picked from the multitude of papers stuck between pages of favorite books, notes placed at the back of dresser drawers, and scribblings on fast food napkins in the glove compartment of my car... this is a smattering of 'helpers' for when I am lost. Because? Because Lost is just another leg of the human journey, it happens. We need remedies... scraps of perspective... waypoints from which to view success, joy, loss, sorrow, and the bitter scourging by our adversaries. These are my remedies, locational markers, and my dropped pins. All are scrap evidence of a life lived, rather than a life spent. I hope it is true: "Many people will find glimpses of themselves in these scraps." We are all running in the same human race. Life is about balance... I chose these scraps with intent, carefully. Some up, some down... balanced, as I am convinced 'Life as a Whole' is always in balance. We are the ones, however, who climb or are placed out on a limb and to the edge of things, and thus perceive imbalances. Yet, if we could step back far enough from ourselves, I believe we would see the Whole of Everything as a Masterpiece: A Mighty Work of Artistry by an Even Mightier Creator. And inspired from such, this book was born. Of the scraps gathered into this work, one is for my dear mother and one for my steady father. Some are friend-encouraged, while some are rival-inspired. As I have said, these were carefully chosen. Perhaps you will find a breadcrumb or two useful for you among them. Thank you for reading my first book of scraps. Pj Swink December 2015
About the Author: Pj Swink has always been a storyteller. Scribbling with crayons on walls at her Grandma's house, Pj discovered at a young age that writing on paper was preferred by all readers... especially those who cleaned and repainted walls. Her Grandpa taught her to tell big tales and think beyond the obvious, a talent also appreciated more by employing certain guidelines. Her 'fuzzies' gained her fame at school, but also a little trouble. She remains thankful for her understanding kindergarten teacher who informed her that tales were to be told as tales and truth as truth... and to always be sure her listeners were informed of the difference. Despite many bumps in the road, Pj grew up in small-town Missouri/Arkansas nurtured by a multitude of family and friends. Inside her head and her heart swirled the stories she heard and happenings she witnessed... and from her pen many tales and truths flowed onto pages. Pj was nudged away from Writing as an occupation and pointed toward the getting of a 'Real Job.' Perhaps it was 'small-town' or 'inside the box' thinking, perhaps it was accidental genius... regardless, it did not stop her from writing tales and truths. In fact, it allowed her to experience a variety of perspectives and have many new adventures. She continued to write as she successfully worked 'Real Jobs.' Graduating with a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Missouri State University in 1986, she continued her education and obtained a M.B.A. in 1988. As Business Manager of The Standard Newspaper, Pj consorted with many journalists and writers. As the owner/operator of a Commercial Printing Business for 17 years she wrote advertising, edited, and published the manuscripts of others. Returning to school in 2007, Pj became a massage therapist and later a massage therapy instructor. She edited and contributed to various Newsletters, Speeches, and Web Publications during this nearly 30-year span of time, in addition to her 'Real Jobs'. And yet her writing, mostly remained out of the sight of the public until 2015. Now, with her children grown and a new grandbaby for inspiration she is finally ready to pull back the veil and reveal her art to the world. Today writing is her Real Job.