Beautiful Silence

July 14th is the anniversary of Anelisa's passing. 365DaysXTen is here, and the book I am writing will be soon. I am working on more and more poetry in my spare time.

I have to say that I am better and better every passing day- my weight is falling off with my two hours in the gym and pool each day cross training. Brian rocks. He just does. I could not have asked for a cooler trainer.

I could not ask for a cooler life with friends like you around me.

My path did not go as I planned, but I was right about one thing- stay true to what you believe, work hard, love others, never complain, and do the best you can do.

There is only one regret in life for me, and that is you will never know what a wonderful person Anelisa was, except she was my mini me, only more beautiful.

Ane, as we called her was a good artist for her age and mentality. She got beyond the fifth grade when I home schooled her, as they predicted she would never be able to do anything other than handicapped type of work outside of the house, but she wanted to work for a vetrinarian. She loved animals, so I knew someone would have given her a job. Like her mom, she would have dabbled in her drawings, stitching, and other artistic endeavors. Ane even asked to help me make spaghetti and meatballs before she passed. She hated cooking before that, and only wanted mac n cheese from a box. You know where I stand on that one.

Anelisa we all miss you. Hope there are plenty of cats in heaven for ya to play with!

-Above is one of a series of self portraits she did on her own one weekend. I have this hanging up downstairs, and it is referenced in a poem I wrote recently.

Wine Art Music Poetry Project- Outdoor Festival

Or known as WAMPP- "Poetry and Music can be wondrous healing factors in one's life"- This is something I have wanted to get off the ground since my open mic, Cultural Art Expression group began a year and a half ago.

• Musicians
• Artist
• Poets
• Writers/Authors
• Children Performers
• Playwrights
• Wine
• Food
• Children Activities
• Art Gallery
• Sculptures

All will be available for your pleasure, and entertainment will collaborate upon two stages while the public enjoys their works for free in Pennington, NJ. 

The photo above is the muse for the artwork being designed for our posters and signs, as well as an idea I had when reading one evening. Between Bryan Borland.com, Jessie Carty @ 58 Inches, Annmarie @ Vox Poetica , and many others I now read and follow, I feel it was appropriate to place their books together for the photo. Well, along with one of my favorites, Shakespeare.

BTW- not to interrupt this programming for us ADHD readers, but Annmarie host a weekly Thursday Podcast each week, go check it out and you can hear past guest read their works which I believe is the coolest show, and a good way to hear how a poet intended for their works to be heard!

Things are moving along with WAMPP, as we are waiting for some zoning permits, and such. Alisandra W. at Straube Center is the most delightful girl. She initially contacted me to hold the event on her bosses property, and is an Art Major and has the passion to help make this possible. Straube Center is a non-profit Art and Sculpture Garden located on a sprawling few acres or more of land still housing the original Contreau Distillery. Such a cool space for the hopefully 'annual' event!

I need more poets. Plenty of musicians available, but I am hoping, so cross your fingers more poets will want to come out and be a part of this great cause.

This event will be raising money with a partnership of The American Heart Association, Straube Center, and I for Children's- Congenital Heart Disease. Something close to home, as most of you know my daughter Anelisa Diane Dillion passed away almost ten years ago from this birth defect.

Thank you everyone for making this possible. I believe Charity is part of what makes us caring human beings. Not just the money, but giving our time, outside of work and family. More details as they come...

Peace,

Elizabeth Dillion-Stelling

I also would like to thank Brooke S. Rochon, Web Designer/Graphic Artist for her charity in designing artwork for WAMPP, among other things she has done for me lately. She is an awesome graphic artist, and artist. Brooke You Rock!