Petty’s Pants

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Posted on May 28, 2014

We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. ~ Nicholas Sparks

How many of you baby boomers remember wearing “pettipants?” I remember them well. They were popular in the 1960s.

In our house, the mention of “pettipants” got a little confusing. Because the stellar character in my memoir, Fanny, called Scott, my little brother, “Petty.” So the mention of “pettipants” could have meant my little brothers breeches! Fanny had a different kind of way of communicating but as she became enfolded deeper and deeper into our family, our lives were enriched many times over as we learned about each others cultures.

I liked wearing “pettipants” to school better than a slip underneath my pleated skirts. They were perfect when cuolottes came in vogue. We used to shop for our “pettipants” in the lingerie department at Hutzler’s, Hochschild Kohns, Stewarts or Hecht Company – Baltimore’s iconic 20^th century department stores – many of which are now defunct.

These historic retail establishments were the places people went to shop before the suburban malls began to blossom and spread in the 1970’s. Many of the historic department stores met their demise when that happened.

Michael J Lisicky, author of “Hutzler’s: Where Baltimore Shops” chronicles the rise and fall of some of Marylander’s favorite shopping meccas. For more information on this book, please follow this link. http://www.amazon.com/Hutzlers-MD-Where-Baltimore-Landmarks/dp/1596298286.

Baltimore’s historic department stores hold many memories from my days of growing up and going shopping with my sister and our girl friends. If you are a baby boomer, no doubt you have fond memories of the places you frequented when you went clothes shopping, and the fashions that were popular during different eras of your lifetime.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, a story of multi-cultural love, faith, healing and life lessons.Sue’s memoir

Mark your Calendar, Hon!

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Posted on May 27, 2014

The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones, divine and human, by nature endeared to each other. ~ Epictetus

Mark your calendars, right now! The 2014 Bawlmer Hon Fest is coming up in less than a month. This year it is June 14^th and June 15^th. It’s a whole weekend dedicated to the culture that I grew up on the outskirts of, in the mid-Atlantic city of Baltimore. People like to poke fun over it’s regional subculture in self-deprecating humor.

Don’t know what I am talking about? The movie Hairspray with John Travolta will give you insight into what I am talking about. It’s hard to explain but once you are immersed in the jest, you’d quickly get it. It’s all about fun and fortune of being among friends or close family, hon, and speaking the same language.

That’s all I’m sayin’ except that the influences are there, in my memoir. I’ll say no more. I don’t want to get myself in trouble. Here are some pictures that might explain a little to outsiders.

This blog brought to you by Sue BattonLeonard, the author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.Sue’s memoir

Come on back tomorrow, hon, I’ll be sharing some more childhood memories from living in Baltimore, Maryland.

Energy & Healing

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Posted on May 26, 2014

It’s a pleasure to share one’s memories. Everything remembered is dear, endearing, touching, precious.” ~ Susan Sontag

“Interesting!” I thought, when I read the other day that the color turquoise means “healing and life giving flow of the Holy Spirit.” I ran across this information when browsing a book in The Enlarging Heart Bookstore. The publication was about the use of gemstones in alternative medicine. http://www.soularenergy.com/gemstones.htm

Perhaps that explains the love of I had for one of my childhood baby dolls – my little troll. Remember those little impish-faced playthings? Memories of the fulfilling hours my twin sister and I spent playing with our trolls have stuck with me all these years.

What was it that made my troll so endearing? Oh how I adored her turquoise hair and a little matching gemstone in her tummy. As a child I was not aware that turquoise is an anti-negativity stone that strengthens the body and energy field. It is said that it “soothes and brings peace of mind.” My troll doll went with me everywhere. She was my sidekick when my twin sister wasn’t around. I’d tell her my innermost thoughts.

I need to remember to ask my sister what color was her troll doll? I don’t remember. I only had eyes for my little turquoise pal.

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling. Off and on we will be digging up things out of the archives of my memories as a child.Sue’s memoir If you are a baby boomer, no doubt you will remember many of the things that will be featured.

Film Friday: Seeds of Resilience

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Posted on May 23, 2014

Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? ― L.M. Montgomery

All week long on All Things Fulfilling we have been focused on hopes, dreams and the resilience and determination that it often takes to see things through.

Seeds of Resiliency, a film by Susan Polis Shutz, is a documentary one movie reviewer said “was wonderful. It makes you appreciate even the smallest things in your life. I went to bed that night and I thanked God for the sheets on my bed. If you watch this, you’ll know why.”
For info. and ordering

As we watch this film, we come to realize that the small things in life that are so important to survival and accomplishing dreams is really all about personal attributes. Certain important character traits that are God-given, help us to overcome or turn challenge into triumph. These innate traits are what gives us the strength to get out of bed in the morning to face what can sometimes feel like insurmountable trials and tests.

Seeds of Resiliency has been shown on PBS but if you missed it, here is where it can be ordered.For info. and ordering

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday on All Things Fulfilling.Sue’s memoir

Follow the Flight

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Posted on May 22, 2014

It’s all up to you, baby!

This is one lesson we learn when we read stories of turning great challenge into triumph. Some of the most well-documented tales of inspiration come from people like:

Helen Keller – deaf & blind and still managed to write 12 books
Beethoven – lost his hearing yet wrote some of the best classical music, ever!
Victor Frankl – despite unspeakable horrors in concentration camps wrote Man’s Search for Meaning & 32 other books
Leonardo DiVinci, Walt Disney, Einstein – all had learning disabilities or dyslexia yet they did brilliant, impressive things and made their own extraordinary marks on the world.
J.K. Rowling – single mom on welfare until she wrote The Harry Potter Series. Now she’s got it made in the shade!

These are just a few examples of people’s personal histories that demonstrate why it is important never to give up on our hopes and dreams and pursue our passions in life. You never know where they will lead to if you dare to follow their flight.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the UnexpectedSue’s memoir

Writers Face Fears Head On

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Posted on May 21, 2014

“Have you realized that today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday? ― Jaachynma N.E. Agu, The Prince and the Pauper

Indeed, I have come to understand that! For many a year I had visions of writing and publishing our family’s story, and it has become a reality. Memoirs are important because they are not just about our immediate family. They often reflect and record a time in history, a culture or religion, a way of being raised, and the values we pass on to the next generation.

Oh, there were times when I doubted, got discouraged or couldn’t find the right words, but I never let it stop me. Action led to fulfillment of those dreams. I made it happen!

Each time the task seemed daunting or I couldn’t find the right words or hit a road block I’d press on remembering the words of Bill Cosby “Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.”

We published authors overcame our fears and live to tell the story of it!

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.

Sue’s memoir

Art Depicts Culture

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Posted on May 20, 2014

“Enjoyment is an incredible energizer to the human spirit.” ~ John C Maxwell

While I walked the streets of historic Park City I took in many art galleries and retail establishments filled with chic clothing, jewelry and handbags embellished with lots of bling. But what really struck me was the contrast when I walked into the Thomas Kearns McCarthey Gallery. It featured paintings of Russian Impressionism. The artists of this period celebrate in their paintings “the common people, depicting their lives, hopes and dreams and emotions in an intimate manner.”

Most of the pieces in this premier gallery of Russian Art, the Thomas K McCarthey Gallery, are from the 1930’s to the 1980s. The pieces are carefully selected for their depiction of the human spirit while laboring at their trade. To read more about the McCarthey Gallery, please visit this link.www.mccartheygallery.net.

The town of Park City is rich with mining history. But the attention to the arts and the stunning natural beauty of the area is what will draw me back, yet again. Hopefully, soon!

See you tomorrow – brave hearts and dragons will be discussed on All Things Fulfilling.Sue’s memoir

Dreams Expressed in Art

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Posted on May 19, 2014

“Think left and think right, think high and think low. Oh the thinks you can think up if only you try.” ~ Dr. Seuss

While I was in Park City, Utah last week, I stopped by the Kimball Art Center and took in the exhibit “What Dreams are Made Of.” This gathering of work came from students in the Park City region from kindergarten to high school age.

The Kimball Art Center www.kimballartcenter.org serves more than 11,000 students annually with free visual art lessons and also serves the community with more than 300 art classes each year geared toward all ages including adults.

In many of the two and three dimensional pieces on display it was very clear what interests the children want to explore further in their childhood and into adult life. There were works of art that included themes such as dance, ski racing, equestrian, fashion, writing and publishing, architecture and much more. Different art forms were used to create this display of mixed media – collage, photography, pottery, paper mache, sketches to name a few.

New exhibits are on-going throughout the year at “The Kimball” but I am happy that I was able to see the diverse interpretations through different children’s eyes and imaginations of “What Dreams are Made Of.” Through persistence, determination and hard work, hopefully many of these dreams will be fulfilled and realized.

Perhaps our society would benefit if more individuals could pursue what drives their spirit rather than just be focused on making a living. Fulfilling a dream feels wonderful. I recently published my memoir! Sue’s memoir

Special Interest Bookstore

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Posted on May 17, 2014

“Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.” ~ Carol Lynn Pearson

Some places you just have to return to. The Expanding Heart, a bookstore in historic downtown Park City, Utah is one of those kinds of places. I encountered this gem of a gift shop and bookstore on my visit to Park City two years ago and have never forgotten it.

It’s evident from what’s inside the store that great thought is put into their offerings. Those taking journeys into their hearts seeking self-realization can learn more about life’s natural energy forces through this bookstore’s publications and gift items. The focus of the store is all things that help fulfill one’s spiritual growth, emotional awareness and rejuvenation of the spirit. The sychronicity of the themes of the inventory is what makes browsing the store so interesting.

I came across a book that I couldn’t pass up because books in this genre are not a dime a dozen. At first glance I thought it was an unexpected find. But as I pondered the publication further, it indeed belonged among the other publications. It is all about self-expression and learning about oneself through art.

What was it you might ask? An historical art fiction book called With Violets: A Novel of the Dawn of Impressionism by Elizabeth Robards. It takes place in Paris in the 1860s when art had reached a new dawn, and creatives were freely exploring new styles of painting. Based on artist Edouard Manet and his relationship with one of his models, she comes to terms with the fact that she does not want to follow what Society expects for her but rather she will create her own future. I can’t wait to dig into it.

I enjoyed my second visit to The Expanding Heart and Svetlana, the store attendant, could not have been more enjoyable to talk with. Park City was a welcome get-away after having just completed a memoir. Sue’s memoir Come back on Monday I will let you in on a few of my favorite art galleries I visited in historic Park City, Utah.

Historic Main Street, Park City, Utah

Fool Notions and Fun

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Posted on May 16, 2014

Anywhere is paradise; it’s up to you. ~Author Unknown

Can you hear me clapping? It’s Friday and I am happy! I came along for the ride with my husband to one of my favorite places to visit in the West – Park City, Utah. He’s here for some ski business meetings. It gives me a chance to explore and have a much needed change of scenery for a few days away from Steamboat Springs. This is another beautiful mountain resort town where Olympians reign supreme.

On Wednesday, I scoped out the area to see what I missed my first visit here two years ago. I visited Redstone – an up-and-coming upscale shopping area just down the road from the ski jumps in Olympic Park.

All things fulfilling is what I found at Paisley Pomegranate. http://paisleypomegranate.com. The store was filled to the brim with whimsy, fun, creativity, art and design in this gift shop that has been voted #1 People’s Choice. It’s the kind of retail fantasy land I like to browse so I can think about fool notions and nothing at all, all at once. Pure escapism at it’s best. Here are some photos:

Next week I’ll post more of what I’ve mined from this training ground for Olympians and the home of the Sundance Film Festival. During the film festival the town is chock-a-block full of celebrity gatherings and independent filmmakers. They arrive on the scene to showcase their art and put their hopes in dreams of going home with an award-winning film destined for cinemas across the country.

It’s a gorgeous spring day here day here in Park City, Utah. The trees are just beginning to leaf out and turn green. There’s still white-capped peaks on the upper elevations of the Wasatch Mountains. Happy Friday, everyone! Do return to All Things Fulfilling on Monday.Sue’s memoir