Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
Certainly nothing ironic about first discovering this book in 1983 when I was entering the world the protagonist was also entering. That’s actually what lured me in. Sure, Fudge was the comic relief and perfect antagonist, but it was the moments shared by Peter that made the story so endearing to me.
One scene that played out and still sticks with me all these years later was the trip to the shoe store. In that I learned that no two feet are the exact same size. That was fascinating to my 9 year old perspective. I also fell in love with the style of shoe that Peter actually wanted versus those crappy saddle shoes he was forced to wear because of Fudge. Little shit.
I had no idea at the time the depth of meaning Peter had when actually got to pick out the loafers. Reflecting and researching on the symbolism now however, I can see how much of an impact that really had on me then subconsciously. It was about emancipation from the uncontrollable system that he (and I and you) were subjected to.
Loafers are liberators? Who knew.
Perhaps that was a bigger moment for my spark to stir? I’m gonna have to say yes because it has certainly stuck with me for all of these decades.
Side note, in inviting you to follow me on my journey of fully Embracing and expressing my Spark, I spent a good amount of time today doing some more pre visualization work on the covers for the four books set to release on October 1st and the fifth that has no choice but to wait until January 2026.
I know the old adage of a cover should never come before the final draft but that’s not how I work at all. Never have. That axiom and saddle shoe will never be the way I walk my path.
Jim 06/04/2025
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