My Featured Blogger this Week is John Spiers of My Life With Gracie. John lives in England (I think) with an assortment of chickens who regularly inspire their human dad. Here’s one of John’s early posts to introduce you to this retired inner-city school-teacher-turned-children’s-book-creator. Not only are John’s illustrations utterly adorable, his lessons in life (for grown-ups too) are sweet and wise. Visit him now!
There is pure magic in the moment when a baby chick first stands on your foot. It is an indescribable joy.
You barely feel any weight at all, only perhaps the “hop up” landing. It is a moment you never want to end because it is filled with such innocence and trust.
You may think, “This is how life is intended to be,” and you would be right.
Even when grown, my chickens will still stand on my feet from time to time, and they are still amazingly light. They perform amazing arabesques and breathtaking leaps from a foot, from a lap, from a perch.
It did take some time before I realized Gracie’s secret love and desire was to be a ballerina. It’s that way with aspirations. Somehow acknowledging them takes away from the dream, and opens one up to embarrassment if the dream only ever remains a dream.
All of my girls enjoy the art of the dance, but Gracie sees it as her gift, the thing that she loves the most. I simply do not have the heart to tell her, or any of them really, it’s simply not possible. Chickens can’t be ballet dancers.
So they dance, and particularly Gracie. She dances so beautifully in her mind that I’ve started seeing her dream in my mind too.
One day I will draw her with pale pink ballet slippers dancing through the streets of Paris. We, Gracie and I, love our dreams…
and I love my Gracie.
I see why you chose this one. Thanks for sharing.
Loved it. John has the knack for whimsey! Go John!
Mitch, thank you for introducing another excellent blog/author.
Mitch,
Thanks for helping others get the word out.
In Christ,
Gary
This is so sweet. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this, Mitch. It’s interesting how quite a few people think my chickens and I live in England based on the way that I write. We actually live in coastal Virginia. But I do watch a lot of British comedies! Thanks again, John
Ah, got it, John. You mentioned Cornwall in one of your posts, and I assumed it was a reference to England.
What a fun blog! Thank you, Mitch for introducing us to John!
John, nice work! Your posts are fun and uplifting.
Aww, this is definitely a good one. Thanks!
Thank you, Lori. As soon as I retire, the first thing I’m going to do is get a dot, preferably an older one from the shelter. I love the concept behind your blog!
Well thank you so much! Your blog definitely touched my heart. Animals are so special and there are beautiful life lessons we can learn from them.
Your welcome, and that should have been “get a dog” not “get a dot”!
“Dots” are easy to take care of. Now dogs, in the other hand… ;>)
The simplicity of sharing love for a child shares it stronger to adults.
so beautiful
Wow, this was adorably cute. I have recently started hatching chicks, not me of course, the mother hen, and I can relate to them hopping on ones feet. PS. The illustrations are amazing, and cover as well.
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I just love John Spiers and his charming flock!
Our granddaughter, age 5, is coming for Memorial Day weekend, first time in 3 years! I mentioned to John Spiers that she will be getting copies of three of his dear books. He’s already sent her a note here, charming chicken stickers, and an apricot-hued chicken feather for her!
Wonderful, Joy. I’m sure she’ll love them!