JUSTIN MATOTT'S BLOGOSPHERE

GARGOYLES ARE COMING...

2012-01-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

AT 1:51 in this video you will meet my main character.

BOOKSTORE/TOY STORE/ GIFT SHOP HELP PLEASE

2012-01-20T15:57:00.003-07:00

This was posted today at the "fan" page on Facebook for me and my books, thought it was worth asking here too...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290?ref=ts

"We need YOUR help! Justin Matott's books were just picked up by a very large Distribution group and the sales people are about to hit the streets hard. But what really needs to happen is local bookstores need to become aware of Matott's books, SO, that is where YOU come in. Would you please the next time you are in your local bookstore, be it a chain or a local ask them to bring in some of his books? You won't be obligated to purchase them and once they are the shelves they should show the book store owners that they will have some perennial sellers on their hands. If you'd like more information, please email me at andy@justinmatott.com. Thank you in advance and also, please SHARE this on your wall if you would..."

There are Gargoyles among us...

2012-01-15T07:45:00.012-07:00

Meet Roderick, the main character of my present writerly obsession.

I am busy working on a book which I am targeting at the Middle Grade audience, but I hope will be full of enough "good stuff" that it will find an adult audience the way other "kid's books" have.

My book (presently in the manuscript stage) is full of fantasy, historical fiction, present day adventures, and incorporates unlikely subjects including; crime fighting, Guinness World Book Record type of activities, Parisian nights, Malibu days, underworld Basque conspiracies, extreme underwater swimming speed battles, a bumbling news reporter, La Costa Nostra and other crime elements, epic battles, surfing and surfers, Laguna Beach, California, exclusive yacht clubs and snooty people, a touch of romance, an ancient curse which must be broken, secret detectives, the search for Gargoylian Kryptonite, magic, a priest with an ancient text about Gargoylian lore, nocturnal carnivorous feasting, Grotesques and Chimeras who battle the Gargoyles for supremacy, California Coast Cruising (an extreme water sport few know about), some Red Hot Chili Peppers music, texting, social networking, video blogs and tons of mystery.

So much packed into one book and thus far this book has been tons of fun to write, but the hard work of editing, cutting, adding, refining, redesigning and restructuring is about to begin.

With all of the swirling elements it remains primarily about one subject; the Notre Dame Gargoyles, which have intrigued me for years, since seeing them on a trip to Paris, and I hope my book will intrigue readers as well.

While researching this current book project and scouring the world for examples of these creatures (my book is about Gargoyle Superheroes) I discovered one protecting the baggage area at DIA! He is sitting inside a suitcase.

Now how cool is that?

Do you know anyone who would want to read about gargoyle adventures?

I need some "fantasy"readers to critique several chapters to see if this new genre for me will work for you.

If you are interested in reading a bit of it and chiming in, please email me at justin@justinmatott.com I am looking for critique, not compliments (though they are welcomed too). I am hoping those who enjoy this style of book will give constructive criticism which would help guide me to a better book in the end.

PROCESS:

Trying to "zero in" on what is important in story, incorporating the outline devised for it. The structure of character development (WHO), describing settings which details place and time (WHERE AND WHEN) for the characters to dwell in, while identifying and sticking with a main idea and/or author's purpose (WHY) and ultimately delivering active plot lines which will keep the pages turning. (WHAT HAPPENS). Once those goals are articulated within the pages of the manuscript, I must determine if my reader can SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL AND FEEL THE STORY I have designed for them.

GO BRONCOS!

2012-01-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

From my book When I Was A Boy... I Dreamed:
I dreamed I was a football star,
and touchdowns were my goal.
I played with all my heart and might!
The Champion of the Superbowl.
(please note the colors are blue and orange!
GO BRONCOS!!!

Very interesting... to me anyway

2012-01-09T20:59:00.004-07:00

So, I just found a diagnostic tool on blogspot that I didn't know existed. I have kind of marveled that my silly musings have garnered over 30,000 views, then it was even more interesting to me to see how many are in foreign countries, especially Russia and the UK!

PLEASE CHIME IN and comment where you are in the world when you read this. It will only take you a few seconds to do and I will really appreciate it! Thank you to all of you who stop by, I will try to be interesting in 2012!

My Books are now NATIONAL!

2012-01-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

BOOKS ARE VERY MUCH A WORD OF MOUTH, RECOMMENDATION KIND OF THING... SO, I AM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT MY BOOK!

If you are reading this blog, chances are you are familiar with my books, my speaking engagements or me or perhaps you happened on my blog by accident. However you got here, I want to say THANK YOU for reading this far.

I want to ask a favor of you. It won't cost you anything but a bit of time, but I think it will benefit some kiddoes in your town. I have made it my mission to bring quality books to the world, with messages, entertainment, humor and hopefully an increased love for the written word. I cannot continue to expand my readership without your help. There are many changes happening in the book world right now, ebooks, economic threats to the independents as well as we lost a major chain last year. Books are a little on the endangered species list and that is a scary prospect.

Books and stories are "word of mouth" kind of things. Recommendations go a long way. I am asking you to go to your local bookstore and ask them to bring my books in.

I started my blog hoping it would provide some entertainment and because it allows me to express things in less than book length portions.

I have had a great time as an author over the past. After years of building my book fan base on a mostly western state/regional basis, I am taking the next step with a national distributor. The number of my books in a five state region that have been sold rivals many of the largest publishers and it is time for a coast to coast push and beyond.

PLEASE ask your local bookstore, toy store or other outlet for kid's books to order my books in NOW! I would greatly appreciate it!

The AC Project is underway!

2012-01-06T11:17:00.009-07:00

Be encouraged! The youth surrounding us are doing some pretty terrific things to change the world!

I spoke to Powell Middle Schoolers this morning about heroism, character and making a difference in the world.  Several of them suggested I blog about my son's journey, because they were impressed with the idea of young men traveling the world to make a positive change, so here it is!  

We talked about how you can make a positive change on the street corners of Denver (or any city, town or hamlet), by handing out sweaters, coats, gloves and food to the folks who are down on their luck.  No reason to wait!  

The morning at Powell Middle School was made possible by one student, LUCY, who is already a hero, a champion of others, a student of the NON MEism movement. A girl who puts her faith into action!  A girl who already knows she wants to go to Africa to make a difference for orphaned children!  I am very proud to know her and after meeting her parents realized the "apple didn't fall far from the tree".  It was exciting to see how her desire to change the world infected the others to want to do something similar.  WAY TO GO LUCY!

Ethan Matott, Doug and Ryan Wekenman left LAX this week and landed safely in Haiti where they will start this year long mission trip.  There is a facebook page set up to follow them as well as their website: http://theac.org/  Matt Fons will join them in June when he is done at with his last semester in college and then the four of them will continue on the trip.  

Take some time to read about what four guys who met at Colorado University in Boulder are doing to make this a better world. When they get back they will be showing their video journalism and setting up the foundation where other people can get involved and make a difference too. It is also exciting for me to think that Matt Fons, the WRITER, will be possibly bringing out a book about their travels.

Watch THE AC PROJECT in 90 SECONDS

http://vimeo.com/31881334

If you are on twitter, please follow their twitter feed for more information. https://twitter.com/?iid=am-114225476113257957525153798&nid=23+sender&uid=23076800&utm_content=profile#!/The_AC_Project

If you are on facebook, please LIKE their facebook page for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/

A Librarian's Lament

2011-12-28T14:09:00.009-07:00

I just got back from the library, where I am using old school tools (the best kind, real books made out of paper products) to research my upcoming Gargoyle book. I found one book I really liked, but sadly the last person to check it out must have been eating Cheetos while using it, because there were so many orange finger prints on the tops of the pages, that I got a bit grossed out and decided to buy it instead.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about a poster I made with John Woods Jr. and one of my favorite librarians in the whole world (Wendy Jo Woody) some years ago when we were promoting our first poetry book in elementary schools, There's A Fly On My Toast!, and I thought I would post the poster here for all to see.

Click on the image and it will get big enough to read well.
IF you like it, please feel free to use it, especially in a library!

Here is the text to the poem, since the image seems a bit small to read:

A LIBRARIAN’S LAMENT

I spend so much time selecting books.

Those special one’s that make kids look,

“I LOVE TO READ! THESE BOOKS ARE GREAT!

PLEASE ORDER MORE. I JUST CAN’T WAIT!”

And yet, sometimes, I become disturbed.

The way they treat books gets me perturbed.

When I look down in the book return,

what I see there can make me burn!

This book has water damage, torn pages, too!

The spine is loose! Oh, where’s my glue?

And right there damaged is another

“That wasn’t me, that was my brother!

He used it once to stop the door.”

The whole book’s bent, and here’s one more…

“The dog chewed it, then the dog got sick.

Puked on this book. Oh, yuck! Oh, ick!”

“I was eating lunch, my sandwich fell

into the book, so hence the smell.”

Salami in a book’s just not good.

They don’t treat ‘em the way they should.

Look, someone’s written in this book,

“I was taking notes and didn’t look…

Oh, by the way, that book won’t float,

I tried it out with my bathtub boat!”

How did this one happen? I must ask twice.

The pages are warped, no longer nice.

“I was balancing it upon my head,

to see if I was poised, but instead,

the book fell off and landed hard,

into my muddy, snowy yard.”

SO PLEASE, DEAR STUDENT, HEED MY ADVICE,

CHECK THE BOOK OUT, BUT TREAT IT NICE.

A BOOK IS TO BE READ, NOT EATEN BY DOGS.

A BOOK IS TO BE PONDERED, NOT SUBMERGED LIKE FROGS.

A DAMAGED BOOK IS SAD INDEED,

“TAKE CARE OF ME”, I HEAR THEM PLEAD.

IT’S NOT A BALL TO USE IN PLAY,

IT’S NOT A TABLE FOR FOOD TO LAY,

IT’S NOT FOR BATHTUBS OR WATER AT ALL,

IT SHOULD NOT BE TORN, PLEASE HEAR MY CALL.

TAKE CARE OF THIS PRECIOUS BOOK,

SO OTHER STUDENTS CAN HAVE A LOOK.

HANDLE IT LIKE IT WAS YOUR OWN,

PLEASE DON’T MAKE THE LIBRARIAN GROAN.

I GUESS I’VE SAID WHAT I WANTED TO,

BE NICE TO THESE BOOKS, OR I’LL BE BLUE.

Squirrels checking in...

2011-12-27T14:44:00.011-07:00

LET'S ALL GET OUT AND SEE SOME OF THAT AWESOME WORLD OUT THERE! GREAT ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2012!

It has been a looooong time since I blogged about squirrels, so I thought we'd check in with some of those we moved to greener pastures.
If you go back into the annals of my blog you will see that Tootsie (my beloved Italian greyhound) and I have been fighting a squirrel situation for many years. We finally got the best of them and they seemed to have moved on (for the most part).

We relocated them to greener pastures and had some funny trapping stories (no animal was hurt in the relocation process).

Then I find out they not only went on to a better place to live, but took up some awesome activities. This Christmas I got some postcards from them, thanking us for getting them out of their humdrum existences and onto exciting lives, all of them.

Here are just a few shots of their new adventures since they left my back yard. I hope 2012 brings GREAT ADVENTURE to you and yours. I know I plan to go on some and will surely blog from some exotic locales as I "research" my next books.

Go to the right hand side of this blog and find the word cloud down aways.

Hit Squirrel and it will bring up all of the entries about the
'GREAT SQUIRREL ERADICATION PLAN'. Some have gone peacefully
and some have been "drama kings and queens."

Guess which one this dude was????

Outdoor chandeliers

2011-12-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Outdoor chandeliers

I walked out my front door
'twas time to take a run
the air bit, oh so cold
but bundled up, it might be fun...

then something caught my eye
it sparkled in the sun's ray
amazing what the cold might do
to brighten up your day!

Go Ask Mom is OUT AGAIN!

2011-12-13T18:01:00.007-07:00

Go Ask Mom is redesigned, reillustrated and rewritten (some parts). I am very excited about the new look. IF you are familiar with The Gabriel Book of World Records, you know the awesome design and illustration David Schiedt puts into my work!

All over America, this scene is being played over and over as kids are asking Santa for GO ASK MOM under their tree. Now YOU can help Santa get it done!

I have a great special at my website right now and it is not too late to get the books in time for your holiday gift giving. www.justinmatott.com, you get buy 3 get one free AND a total of only $3 for shipping no matter how many books you order. A great deal AND I am happy to sign and or personalize all copies, just let me know what you want!

You can also order it at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1889191205/ref=sr_1_1_np_1_main_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323824428&sr=1-1&condition=new

I WAS TOLD TIM TEBOW WAS SO EXCITED TO HEAR THE BOOK WAS OUT AGAIN THAT THIS WAS HIS REACTION!

Win a Kindle for you and three of your friends!

2011-12-01T06:07:00.004-07:00

I was one of those people who once said, "I won't use one of those cold devices to turn pages!" Then I got an iPad and dipped my toes into the waters of electronic reading. The truth is I have several books on my iPad that I have read chapters from, but have yet to read an entire book that way, but magazines, blogs, websites that provide content while climbing the eternal stairs of the Stairmaster at the gym have replaced the books that would never quite fit in the magazine racks and magazines that spilled off the side when my climbing got too erratic. Non fiction works for me with my device, because I can read one chapter at a time and then move to another app. I have talked to buddies at the gym who have Kindles (which were originally designed JUST to read books) and they love them.

Let's move with the times! Books are being uploaded daily by the thousands and if you are like me you enjoy flipping pages in real books, BUT, there are times when the electronic glow of a good book makes sense. The gym, an airplane, waiting in line at the post office or dentist office. Plus it surfs the web and plays tunes... all in the size of a paperback book.

My own books are presently being prepared to upload to these devices, which will make them available in an instant to readers all over the world.

We are truly living in exciting times! Join the Facebook sweepstakes page and make three of your friends very happy and better readers!

https://www.facebook.com/Amazon?sk=app_172341942779663&sw_id=w-w-f-dec&fb_comment_id=fbc_10150396166152137_20055198_10150445165467137

Join in on the Girl Scout fun!

2011-11-27T09:20:00.002-07:00

I was asked to participate in a Brownie Girl Scout's fun with "Flat Juliette". I blogged about our adventure with her. Check it out!

http://flat-juliette.blogspot.com/2011/11/flat-juliette-has-thanksgiving-in.html

luck?

2011-11-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Is there such a thing as luck?

What is the deal with "number deja vu"?

That's the recurring number, that you see everywhere you go.

I have talked to several other people who say they have lucky or favorite numbers. The number 42 has always come up, over and over over the years for me.

42 is my number.

Do you have a number? Why?

Some days you get just what you need.

2011-11-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for a young man who took the time to write me a letter.

Sometimes our "jobs" can seem hard. There are times when the part of my job; visiting schools, is exhausting and leaves me wondering if I am leaving behind something that is worthy of the school's efforts to host me. THEN, I get a gift like this letter and it re-energizes my batteries and makes me want to do more.

If you feel this way, remember, YOU are doing relevant things with your life, it's just that we too often forget to tell you.

WIN SOME BOOKS!

2011-11-08T16:49:00.003-07:00

If you are interested in winning some books for your child's classroom or school library, go to the facebook page link here, LIKE it and participate in the idea which incorporates both this blog and facebook...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290

Snow's piling up!

2011-11-02T10:49:00.005-06:00

It's cold and it's blowy
it's white and all snowy
hot chocolate is floating whipped cream
I went to bed warm, and I woke up real cold
is this a weird wintertime dream?

I like to go sledding or snuggle in bedding
when the white stuff is whipping out there
we'll put in a movie
pop corn treats are so groovy
my snow hat gave me hat hair

School got canceled today
and that makes this day so okay
we're snowed in our house all together
With games and warm soup
no cold and no croup
it's all because of this weather!

You can't go home again...

2011-11-02T07:30:00.000-06:00

I don't know who first said it, but you truly cannot go home again. You can return to the scene of the multiple crimes, but alas, the old place has changed. First of all, there are new people living in the old house, so the house doesn't look like it used to. The ditch running behind the old house seems to run slower than it used to and the water isn't nearly as deep as memory serves. The pond is sad, it hasn't seen a group of boys exploring its banks for awhile. The lake where the monster carp and the legends under the raft, that floated around it seems to have been choked out by the cat-tails and weeds that are growing where once lines were cast to pull in one of millions of sunfish, bluegills, carp and the occasional rainbow trout, which at this point I think we must have dreamed up. The picture of the gatekeepers that sit on both sides of the once "grand" entrance are now surrounded by industry. A storage unit company has built their units right up next to my once country neighborhoods entrance and on the other side, behind the grand entrance sign I used to hide behind with my buddies to watch the cars roar down what is one of the longest highways in the US now is far less grand and looks like it is something someone soon will decide is no longer necessary and be removed.

The neighborhood that once held so much wonder now lives, seemingly only in this author's imagination and memory. Populating the world in which Gabriel Peters and his family and friends live in is a once upon a place that must be kept alive by recording it. How many country neighborhoods have been lost to progress? How many childhood echoes lost because the child, now all grown up has never passed the stories on? Perhaps the memories of a neighborhood that once existed are only in this author's mind. Perhaps the houses even back then were just as small as they seem to me now. As I felt like all was lost and I had somehow just imagined it all, I pulled up the street, past my old home and as I was about to leave and maybe never return I saw something that made me smile. Coming down the old ditch were two boys and on each one of their shoulders were fishing poles. Ahhhhhhh....summertime memories began to flood into my head.

I went from feeling slightly depressed to feeling quite envious. I wanted to join those two boys at one of the fishing holes and while away another summer day with my toes in the water and a fat bluegill wriggling on my line. Instead, I got out of my car and walked down the railroad tracks and found myself skipping rocks across the rippling waters of good ol' Tunnel Number Three trying to reconstruct the events that had happened there .

I got ready to leave and I was feeling more than slightly depressed and wondering why I had expected more, I swear I could almost hear my character, Mr. Patchett, calling from his back yard to warn me of some legend in the old neighborhood, pushing me to return to the echos of the neighborhood that still live vibrantly in my mind.

As I stopped to get gas at the multi-pump gas station with the mini-mart that was in the place one of my favorite places to ride my sting ray had been back in the day, I looked across the highway at a neighborhood I no longer recognized or really could relate to in modern day and saw the brick SKYVIEW signs that held so many memories of my back in the day.

I wonder how the old Skyview entrance structures might look in my front yard on opposite sides of my driveway?

Trick Or Treat?

2011-10-30T00:00:00.001-06:00

For years I have been writing about "misfits" and "weirdos" and have unintentionally become my own neighborhood's, just that.

Grizelda is a weird neighbor who the kids discover to be loveable as well.

Drinking Fountain Joe is a funny little misfit who is paranoid about germs in his school and becomes a hero.

Gabriel Peters, the hero in my Go Ask Mom series is a funny misfit kid, SO, wouldn't it stand to reason that the author is a bit of each of them?

On Halloween last year, I thought I would add some humor to the evening. So, I donned a makeshift costume (top hat & billy bob teeth) and grabbed a HUGE jug of Parmesan cheese and a big serving spoon. When I answered the door I offered to scoop some parmesan cheese into their treat bags and upon getting a few wrinkled noses said, "Oh, then would you prefer a package of Top Ramen?" and pulled a big bowl loaded with packages of the soup mix. A few confused moments later and with their parents standing off my porch laughing at my sense of humor, I then said, "Oh, okay, so you are candy kids?" and then dumped a handful of candy into each bag. The kids left slightly puzzled at "that author guy is kinda weird..." I overheard several saying. My wife just shook her head and implored me not to do that to the really little kids who wouldn't understand my sense of humor, which didn't actually deter me, heh heh...

Since then I have had three adults at my appearances mention the "Halloween gag" and prompted me to use that in a book somehow.

Several middle schoolers have passed my wife on walks in the neighborhood and mentioned that "Mr. Matott is a crack-up" and that they would actually have liked the cheese if it hadn't covered their candy and the fact is I actually had several kids return to my door that night asking specifically for some cheese or ramen...

ALL IN ALL I think my gag was a success. How many of those trick-or-treaters will remember that when the candy is long gone? Life is about adding interest, humor and fun. I don't mind being a tad eccentric, as long as they also remember that I cared enough to do something that would create a memory.... likely they will just think I was a "weirdo". BUT, ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS HERE IS; I HAD FUN!

One other thing I did on Halloween night was to have a reserve of my alien books right inside the door for any person who came dressed as an alien. Alas, no one did, BUT, as I mentioned this to a group of 4 middle school age girls, one who was dressed as a "Lady Pirate?" liked the idea so much, she whipped out her cell phone and called her mom, demanding green make-up and some other items.

About half an hour later she showed up on my doorstep in a new costume and received her copy of Aliens - all mixed up.

NOTE to trick or treaters in the Highlands Ranch area; next year come as a character in one of my books to receive a readable gift.... I just might give you some parmesan cheese or Top Ramen to go with it...

Life is short - ENJOY every day!

The words and pictures from an "Optimist"

2011-10-17T13:53:00.018-06:00

"The Northwest Denver Optimists were privileged to sponsor local author, poet and storyteller Justin Matott at Trevista at Horace Mann.

He is a dynamic speaker. I wish you all could have heard his message. Below are photos of him during the three assemblies.

The students were not disappointed.

After lunch Justin held two workshops in the library.
This is the time the students learned how, as an author, he organizes his thoughts, his ideas and how he writes, rewrites and rewrites some more.

At the end of each workshop the kids gave Justin the workings for a story. Then while the students worked on their "verb boxes", he wrote poetry. You will see the ideas and the start of a story/poem below. It was amazing. Again, thanks to everyone who supports the Optimists with their time, talents and monies. Because of YOU, these kids were winners today."

My thanks to the wonderful people in The Optimist Club of Northwest Denver, who care so much about their community. I had the wonderful opportunity to have lunch with the librarian, Cat, who is one cool cat for sure and Trish, who's life is seriously one of a hero. It is SO wonderful to spend time with people who have such rich, full hearts for children! I love my "job"!

TWO FRIENDS, THREE BOOKS = FUN & Self Esteem boost!

2011-10-16T09:28:00.005-06:00

I have had the honor of sharing space with the author of three delightful, fun, BRAND NEW books, written by one friend and illustrated by another friend. Sharing the booth I have overheard many great comments from moms and grandmoms primarily about how "that is a perfect book for my _____"! If you follow me, you know I am all about boosting kids self esteem and inspiring them to read and that is why I am sharing the great news about these books that are setting out on their journey to do just that! If you know my books Drinking Fountain Joe and The Gabriel Book of World Records you will recognize that AWESOME design and illustration of David Schiedt. These books are done by him under his pen name. Campbell Lawson is someone you should meet, but there is a place where you can do just that. Please go visit NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.campbelllawson.com/p/somebody.html

A Principal Speaks

2011-10-12T11:02:00.005-06:00

I am honored by the Principal Newton's response to my visit in her school and hope to live up to her praise in every school I visit!

As a principal at a highly impacted Title Elementary, I believe it’s my duty to spread the news when something works for our children and staff. The visit from Justin Matott was just the match we needed to ignite our children’s love for writing and reading. During our writing workshop Mr. Matott was somehow drawn to the exact students that needed to be encouraged and motivated. In one session we had five students who are served through our Severe Needs Behavior Program and Mr. Matott made immediate connections with them, without knowing who they were or that they were even in the room. This is the first assembly (ever) that my five have participated in without behavior support and they were writing too! How amazing is that?! In these tight budget times, I am always looking for areas I can cut and trim from our budget…Mr. Matott’s visit is one area I will try to uphold in the future. We can’t wait to invite him back next year! Our kids deserve it.

Principal Newton

Nisley Elementary

Mesa County Valley School District 51

Grand Junction

Often when I visit schools I am amazed that I am never introduced to the Principal or the Assistant Principal. If the school my children were going to was spending the money to have someone come in to entertain and teach my kids, I would like to know the Principal was aware of what happened in his or her school that day.

I am even more amazed then when the Principal AND the Assistant Principal are involved in district meetings (which they both lament the day before is mandatory) and then RUSH BACK to the school to catch all that they can of the assemblies and workshops and stay involved in all in spite of all of the normal, regular demands on their day.

That is what happened at Nisley Elementary School, where I met such leaders, who participated with great excitement during the day and made it clear that EVERY student in the building was loved and respected. It showed in the students AND the staff! We need more people in education like the folks at Nisley!

GO ASK MOM IS COMING OUT AGAIN VERY SOON...

2011-09-14T11:28:00.004-06:00

Four men offering muscle, faith, help and hope!

2011-09-10T09:43:00.004-06:00

In a world where it seems much of today's youth is self-centered, self-serving and sometimes simply selfish, (not that it wasn't the same when I was a "youth") it is a breath of fresh air to see four young warriors take up a cause and put it all on the line.

Take a moment to see what these four fine young men are planning to do to change our world for good. They have each already gone on numerous short term mission trips, all four came back transformed and changed and ready to do more after seeing the need outside of our "bubble" of comfort (yes, even in this tough economic time we are still rich compared to much of the world).

http://theac.org/about

There is also a Facebook page, set up for updates, info, conversation etc... come join in!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/122104614558045/

Now they will be spending a full year traveling the globe to bring hope, help and love and muscle. Building orphanages, fighting sex trafficking, providing clean water, equipping other youth to provide help for struggling communities are just a few of the ways you and I and they can provide assistance.

Their trip will be a journey of video journalism as well, so they can bring back the message to Americans and others around the globe who can help further to assist our world more.

Spend a little time on their website and you will learn of this brave and hope-fillled mission they have been planning for the past several years. http://theac.org/about

Please consider introducing this mission to your church, youth group, rotary and/or other works based clubs, synagogue, mosques, shoot even bake-sale-betties who can join in to help. If you own a restaurant or work for a company that is interested in change for good, please consider joining in on a fund raiser to send these young men out.

Your donation is tax-deductible and right now is matched dollar for dollar up to $2000.

SIX PHOTOS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE!

2011-09-09T15:12:00.018-06:00

When I first was acquainted with the wonderful and delightful Steckels; Richard and Michele, who have put together so many wonderful photographic displays (you have seen them in airports all over the world) I was delighted to be considered for their Milestones Project book http://www.amazon.com/Milestones-Project-Celebrating-Childhood-Around/dp/1582462283/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315604123&sr=1-1 that would be published with the express intent to bring down color, racial, religious, nationalistic and other barriers. With delight I submitted my story, a story about my first pair of glasses, which the editor LOVED and told me would be included in the book. Within a month she called me to tell me my story wouldn't be used after all. I asked why since she had been so profuse about how much she like my story. She replied "Well, we received a piece from JK Rowling and that is what she chose to write about." "WOW, I thought, I have been bumped by the one and only J. K. Rowling, what a claim to fame!" Then she told me she still wanted to include me if I were willing to write on another subject important to childhood. I wrote a piece about my first puppy and it was included. Imagine my delight when I saw the assemblage of people in the table of contents.

Now, the Steckels have asked me to contribute to a wonderful online assemblage of original photographs to feed the hungry and to promote other goodwill, which simply is what they do so beautifully! I am so excited to see who will be included in this wonderful display and see how many people it will help. When Richard called he listed off some whos whos and I felt simply humbled to be included. So, why me? Here is why. Richard and Michele have a delightful daughter who had a delightful daughter who is a fan of my books. SHE told them about me and told them they HAD to include me. Now, how do you like them apples. A little girl who saw me in her school got me in a book with the likes of Eric Carle, J K Rowling, Walter Cronkite and many other much more famous people. Thank you Sutton, you are a doll!

So, here are the photos I chose after looking at thousands and even posting twenty of my favorites on my fan page at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Works-of-Justin-Matott/213624096290 to get other people's impressions and limit it to six. If you were one who chimed in, thank you!

These are some boys my brother and I met in a small village in the Dominican Republic as he, my brother, took be to the villages he had installed fresh water systems in.

This is a homeless man in Dublin, Ireland who was preparing to feed the pigeons in a churchyard on a bench he sat on daily. When I asked him why, he told me that God feeds the lowliest birds, so imagine how he loves us. Quite sure I have read that in the GOOD BOOK.

In one of the villages in the DR, it wasn't unusual to see industrious people carrying water and other income sources on bikes and motorbikes. This one was just too good!

This bloke was a glass worker in the Waterford Crystal factory in Waterford, Ireland. Now, THAT is a character!

This pretty young lass was hamming it up for us in Sammy Sosa's hometown in the Dominican Republic. The people there were friendly and very family oriented.

These two sisters came and talked with my brother and me in the most beautiful spot on earth. We were enjoying some freshly caught fish and a local brew. They were delightful and delighted!