Meet the newest AlzAuthor: Linda Austin

Aug 03, 2022 2:01 am

Dear AlzAuthor,

On our summer break, I took a trip "across the pond" to visit my daughter and son-in-law in England. Since starting AlzAuthors, I have made a number of connections in the UK. When I learned that two of them, Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, authors of Slow Puncture: Living Well With Dementia and Walk With Me: Musings Through The Dementia Fog, lived near to my daughter I made plans to meet them in person.

Our organization exists solely because of the internet. Without it, the founders would never have "met," and the management team would not function as well as it does. We see each other monthly via Zoom, converse daily via the Slack app, and on two occasions in seven years at least four of us have managed to come together physically in one place. I make it a point to meet the authors whenever I have the chance, to make personal contact and forge friendships. With 300 authors spread across the globe this isn't an easy thing. So my meeting with Deb and Peter was pretty special.

We met in a little beach town called Aldeburgh (pronounced awld-buh-ruh), walked the stony beach, and had a delicious lunch of fish and chips. Peter tried to dissuade us from eating outside, but we wanted to take advantage of the sea breeze and carried our food to the beach. We were soon attacked by a band of persistent seagulls who made off with my husband's chips and disrupted our entire meal! The experience left us with loads of laughter and happy memories. And that's what friends are all about.

I am happy to have met these two advocates for Alzheimer's disease and AlzAuthors in person, to have breathed the same air on a very hot day (it was day one of the heat wave!), and to share a meal and a couple of hours of joy.

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Introducing our featured author: Linda Austin

Linda Austin spent hours by her mother's side, visiting her in her care home. While she sat with her, she expressed their dementia journey in writing: haiku, tanka, and other short poems of few words but strong on feeling. She hopes these poems can help other caregivers on their own journeys.

She writes:

On the Alzheimer’s/dementia journey, we who care for our beloveds are ourselves often left without words. Without words to express what we feel watching someone we love be confused, fearful, even angry, and yet needing us so badly, like a child, to be there for them with patience, understanding, and unconditional love. In the tragedy, we have to be reminded of the shining, precious little moments of sweetness that do exist. Laugh, love, and treasure those moments.

Read the rest of Linda’s post: https://alzauthors.com/2022/08/02/linda-austin-writes-poetry-inspired-by-dementia/

Please retweet our announcement of Linda’s post:

https://twitter.com/AlzAuthors/status/1554637062875320322?s=20&t=x6ZbL8MVBbkXMmIS39ZcxA

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Our final 2022 HFC book event is August 16th

Christy Byrne Yates, author of Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation, August 16th at 4 pm EDT

This program is open to anyone interested in learning about these conditions. Short on time and can't read the book? Come anyway. This is a wonderful way to learn more about dementia and caregiving. All participants must pre-register to reserve their seat. There is no cost.

Details here!

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August 8th is Happiness Happens Day

Happiness. We all want it, and it means something different to all of us.

To celebrate Happiness Happens Day we're sharing a gift for you from Elizabeth Miller at Happy Healthy Caregiver:

an affirmation poster to amp up your happiness.

Download PDF

AlzAuthors wishes all caregivers extreme happiness everyday.

Learn more about Happiness Happens Day

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Treat yourself to something nice!

Our hottest summer deals, right here! Get 20% off all orders placed in the AlzAuthors Fundraiser Shop, August 2nd - August 7th. Every purchase supports AlzAuthors and our ongoing efforts. Don't miss this one!

Shop Now!

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Let's stay connected ...

Be sure to add yourself to these directories:

Audiobook Directory: if your book is available in audio

Author Directory: if interested in networking with other authors

Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:

Become an AlzAuthors Donor

Subscribe to our weekly blog

Follow our podcast and leave a review

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Volunteer your time and talents

Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource

Designate AlzAuthors as your Amazon Smile charity

Buy a book (or books!) in the AlzAuthors Bookstore

Join our Amazon book club

Leave a review on Google

Start or join a Round Robin Book Review Circle

Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey