Dear Succulents,

Welcome to our winter "Double Issue" eLetter!

I'm in an Arizona hotel room in mid-November, writing to you. Jeff Buckley sings Hallelujah on the CD player, sun streams in and highlights a towering bowl of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Yum.

I just completed a conference called: Celebrate Your Life. So many endearing and keen souls gathered for this purpose. It felt like I was swimming in blessings all weekend.

One of my joy-full blessings was getting a chance to have dinner with members of my Marvelous Message Board. When the waiter came, we proclaimed: "A god to serve the goddesses!"

Surely you experienced our laughter WHEREVER you were that night.

Very special thanks and appreciation to The Dish, Buttafly, Knoxy, loobiroo, Baby Emma, Curvy1, Kateryne, and Leslie S, who then constructed and painted a portable "Magic Cottage" that will go with us for the Succulent Pajama Party tour, starting on February 10th in Scottsdale, Arizona. Come and play with us!

Last month, I asked for your interview questions and was thrilled by your responses. I'll answer some here, and then more in February. Thank you to all who asked questions.

Q. (Sweetsuebug) What is the most vital or lovely thing the Marvelous Message Board contributes to us, the world?

A. (SARK) Henry Miller said "Cluster together like stars" and that is what I continually see on the Marvelous Message Board. People connecting, supporting, challenging, and gifting each
other with words and spirit. It's a virtual community that also becomes actual, and I'm so grateful for every soul that participates.It is vital that we connect and participate by whatever method we choose.

Q. (Paravaneh) What cookies or treats call out to you -- during your late night cravings?

A. (SARK) I remember reading a book one time called "No More Cravings" and felt horrified by all that it recommended, and I realized that I didn't want to give up my cravings. Then, about a year and a half ago, I changed my diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, and the cravings went away on their own. I don't know where they went, and I'm not contacting them.

Q. (Mirandaranda) Would you be mine ... could you be mine ... won't you be my neighbor?

A. (SARK) I'm already your neighbor! I'm the one whose yard is very overgrown, and a purple bicycle rests against the fence. If you stand at a certain spot, you'll hear me playing the piano...

Q. (Chickaboom) When you go to the bookstore, what's the first section you visit?

A. (SARK) It changes every time, and depends on the bookstore. I most often feel like a small woodland creature, burrowing through the stacks, sniffing for a spot to investigate further. I really go into a sort of trance in bookstores and can spend quite a lot of time wandering and reading.

Q. (Lemondrop) Wow. These questions aren't for me obviously, but reading through them for curiosity’s sake, I thought about what "my" answers would be and some of them brought tears to my eyes.

A. (SARK) I would love to know everyone's answers to these questions. I think that we all do this when we read. Clearly, we are all so indelibly connected.

Q. (Buttafly) A "four-part harmony” question:
1. When are you going to come to my house for a sleepover?
2. What is your favorite Lush product?
3. Do you knit?
4. Do you remember the moment when you chose Yes?

A. (SARK)
1. Did you invite me? Please come back to Arizona in February
or San Francisco in September for a succulent Pajama Party.
2. Hold on to your hat, I've never tried Lush. I love how you
describe it and talk about it, and what a great name.
3. No. If I could do it while sleeping, I’d be interested.
4. Right after my suicide attempt in my mid-thirties.

Q. (Ekajati) Do you ever get tired of being worshipped and/or wish you could show your dark side more, minus "sparkles" and "rainbows?"

A. (SARK) Any "worship" that comes my way is a projection, and I don't take it personally. I do sometimes feel impatient with being idealized, or thought of as always sparkly or cheerful. I've written pretty exhaustively about my faults and flaws, and would like people to remember that I'm plenty "dark" and crabby at various times. I joke that my evil twin sister is called "Dark." Maybe it's not a joke.

Q. (Giginya) I wonder what you do to feel cozy and safe when you are out and about in the world and feeling vulnerable?

A. (SARK) I identify the source of vulnerability, retreat if needed, meditate as necessary, re-center myself through music, movement, Bach flower essences, or calling a friend. Allow the vulnerability, and let it transform into something else.

Q. (Knoxy) Are you truly living as a succulent wild woman TODAY? Or, do you sometimes find yourself more as the author vs. living the experiences you give to so many of your readers?

A. (SARK) A succulent wild woman is "a woman of any age, who feels totally free to express herself in every dimension of her life. It is ripe, round, whole, rich, rare, ordinary, and original."

Yes, I am living as this woman today. Succulence comes in countless shapes and sizes, and I'm not going to miss out on a moment of succulence! People give themselves experiences of all kinds, so any experiences my readers have are theirs to celebrate. There are sometimes ways that I leave myself out of things because I feel shy or just not ready. This, too, is succulence.

Please remember what a gift YOU are. How deeply loved and divinely guided. Allow yourself to shine and glow, and let that light illuminate others.

I'll be back in February -- I'm continuing a writing retreat for my new book about friendship, both the celebrations and challenges. I might pop up from time to time ... if the writing is going really well, or if I miss you guys too much -- send me good energy!

Love,
Susan (aka SARK)

Imagine yourself in elegant or comfortable (or both!) pajamas and robes, spending the weekend at a Succulent Pajama Party with me, Karen Drucker, Lisa Hammond, and other surprise guests. There will be an abundance of chocolate and other delicious food, a dangerous tea party, and an actual magic cottage to shop in. Music and illuminations from Karen Drucker (KarenDrucker.com) and Lisa Hammond (FemailCreations.com). Calling all kindred spirits to join us February 10-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona, for relaxation, cool workshops, shopping, games, and music. What could be more delight-full? I've got to go get some ultra-cool new pajamas...

More details and registration info for this event is available in Ecstatic Events on PlanetSARK.com.

SARK’s 2006 Events Schedule:

• Feb 10 - 12, 2006 - SARK's Succulent Pajama Party, Scottsdale, AZ
• Mar 3 - 5, 2006 - Calling All Dreamers, Omega, The Crossings, Austin, TX
• Sept 15 - 17, 2006 - SARK's Succulent Pajama Party, San Francisco, CA
• Oct 6 - 8, 2006 - Juicy Pens, Thirty Paper, Omega, Rhinebeck, NY

Find out more about SARK’s Ecstatic Events on PlanetSARK.com.

What do you want to enjoy in 2006? If more relaxation is among your resolutions for the New Year, let SARK support you with SARK's Pure Relaxation Calendar for 2006.

Each month, SARK's play-full art and encouraging words grant you permission to breathe deeply and luxuriate in a calm place. Come midnight, offer a toast to 2006, put on your pajamas, and leaf through the 12-month's worth of ideas and reminders to see what's ahead.

Purchase SARK's 2006 Pure Relaxation Calendar in PlanetSARK.com's eShop.

See all the latest products under New Arrivals in the PlanetSARK.com eShop.

Thank YOU for supporting PlanetSARK.com! Purchasing books and products through the eShop directly supports the creation of new SARK products and the development of the freebies offered through our website.

Check out all the Free Stuff.

"Society of SARK; a loosely formed society of independent,
creative, succulent people" -- SARK

SPECIAL OFFER!
Purchase an annual Society of SARK subscription for you or as a gift, and the registered member will receive a FREE copy of SARK’s Pure Relaxation Calendar for 2006.

Society of SARK members have a personal Web Space on PlanetSARK.com where they can create a bio, image gallery, dream catcher, guestbook, and journal to share with all who visit.
Moreover, Society of SARK members receive a daily inspirational email from SARK that promotes succulence and juicy living.

Does this sound like the perfect holiday gift for a kindred spirit? We’d be thrilled to notify your gift recipient with an email message on December 25 -- timed just right for those who observe Christmas and Chanukah. To request this special electronic holiday gift notice, email the Planet SARK elves -- tell us your name and the name of your gift recipient (plus their email address), after purchasing a Society of SARK annual gift subscription on PlanetSARK.com.

You or your gift recipient will enjoy the benefits and camaraderie of PlanetSARK.com’s creative community throughout the year, plus SARK’s Pure Relaxation Calendar as a special bonus.

Planet SARK is thrilled to announce that Three Rivers Press will be publishing two new books by SARK. The first book -- a unique look at friendship -- will be published in Spring 2007. Three Rivers Press is a division of Crown Publishing/Random House.

 

For the latest company news go to the Planet SARK Announcements forum on the Marvelous Message Board

SARK invites you to take pleasure and inspiration from her FREE five-minute recorded message. Call 415-546-EPIC (3742) or listen online (MP3 download).

Copyright (c) 2005 SARK. All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this eLetter, so long as this copyright notice and full information attributing SARK are attached.
SARK photo by Steve Kricun