I love to share inspirational thoughts about good things and beauty!

Betsy Ross:  Revolutionary Woman!  History comes alive as Miss Kathy recreates Colonial America on the eve of the War of Independence through the eyes of a young widow named Betsy Ross.  Her name is synonymous with the American flag - but her story was unknown outside of her own family until 1870.   Born a devout Christian of the Quaker faith, Betsy was an anomaly of her time due to her superior skills as a seamstress which afforded her the privilege of an apprenticeship in an uphostery shop when just a youth.  Her sharp mind, wit, and bravery - not to mention her skill with needle and thread - would make a place for her in American history and single her out as a role model worthy of emulation in heart, mind, and deed.  The story of this spitfire of a young girl who knows her mind and weathers the trials of danger and tragedy together with the triumphs of patriot, businesswoman, wife, and mother, throughout her long life, will inspire women of all ages.    Not just for patriotic holidays, this is a dynamic program adaptable for any and all seasons, and can be tailored to suit an audience of youngsters in school, Mother/Daughter banquets, history groups, and is just the thing for a Revolutionary Tea Party!

Jane Austen Tea:  A favorite program wherein you put together the tea and treats with all the proper touches in table decor and lace - and don't forget the hats - while I come in Regency era attire such as Jane Austen might have worn, and a display of Jane Austen books, tea set, and an hour long dramatized reading of excerpts from Jane's works and the story of her life told through her relationship to tea itself.  Did you know she was the keeper of the keys to the tea cabinet in her Chawton home with mother and sister Cassandra?  A day in the life of Jane, plus lessons gleaned from her humble and all too short life make for a reflective and delightful time to be had by all.    I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!   How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!   When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library. Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice, 1811

Strolling Through Emily's Garden:  Prolific American poetess of the Victorian age, Emily Dickinson, never left her home and garden, and wore only white after the age of forty.  Still, for all her recluse tendencies, she left us a great heritage of thought in verse - never expecting her works to be read by anyone other than her family.   An eccentric living a confined existence, her garden was her treasure and inspiration.  Let's go into the garden with our Lady in White - as I shall come attired in period dress - and see what Emily saw that has so captivated eager readers around the world touching the commonplaces in people's hearts.  "Hope" is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tunes without the words - And never stops - At all -   Emily Dickinson

Vintage Toys and Childhood Treasures:  Do we ever grow too old to play with toys?  Not in my book we don't.  Of course, that would depend upon the kind of toy.  If it's a classic, it's never out of vogue no matter how old you are.  My toy displays may not rival the grandest Macy's store window of Christmas treasures, but they will stir up the nostalgia of childhood in children of all ages.  Meet the girls:  Pasty, Nancy, Maxine, Ann Shirley, Chatty Cathy, Tammy, Raggety Ann, Barbie, and little Miss Curly Top herself, Shirley Temple - and more - from the 1920's through the mid 1960's.  Plus, a special little gal from the late 1880's with a story about love and sacrifice.  Train sets and marbles from the 1930's, kitchen and housekeeping toys from the 1950's, classic children's literature and storybooks, too!  What are the stories the toys tell?  Metaphorically, they have much to teach us about ourselves and the world we live in as I explore nostalgic tales and spiritual truths though the companions of childhood.

Christmas Toys and Joys:  Here's a special Christmas program featuring a display of vintage toys gathered under the branches of a circa 1950's aluminum tree complete with vintage glass ornaments - all the rage at the time - and bringing audiences plenty of holiday cheer as we recall Christmases of old.  Reflecting on childhood memories of Christmas, we are challenged to return to the joys of a simplier time in our modern celebrations, and embrace the true meaning of the season.  Traditional carols and heart warming stories bless all ages in this multigenerational program easily adaptable to any group setting.

Vintage Hat Fashion Show:  Well, it's not all just hats - depending on the group presented to, my vintage hats, clothing, and accessories form the foundation for a show that can go down a number of rabbit trails - all leading to beautiful displays of clothing and accessories of a bygone age.  I compliment my displays with historical commentary on fashion, society, dress reform, and paint a picture of life from the gay nineties through the 1950's.  Using metaphor to weave life experiences and spiritual truths throughout the program, nostalgic chords are struck with songs of the eras visited and stories that take our elders back to their youth, and our youth beyond themselves to benefit from the lessons of another age.  A multigenerational feast for the heart, and a visual feast for the eyes!

Prayer Closet Clutter:  Sometimes our closets can become a disorganized mess!  Chaos breeds confusion and that is no way to steward our cherished possessions and wardrobe necessities.  Consider the need to find that "one important thing" we have stashed in our closet, only to be confronted by hats gone wild, shoes tossed to and fro, correspondence pending, bills clamoring, and an intimates drawer badly in need of an inventory check.  Somewhere in such a closet cacophony is a still small voice of reason and retreat.  Beautiful vintage clothing and artifacts illustrate a powerful truth to renew our prayer closets so we can find the important in the face of the urgent.

My Inspirational Speaking topics can be adapted for ladies' groups, church groups, families, and community groups with specific interests, wrapped in a variety of venues such as ladies' teas, mother/daughter banquets, adult library programming, history programs, literary programs, women's retreats, and more.  Appropriate costume, extravagant displays, and some audience interaction compliment each uniquely tailored program.    The above topics are tailored to your specific group's needs and can run anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour.  Fees for the programs vary per adaptation.  Call 856 205-9334 to discuss program options or to brainstorm on a specific topic not listed here - I write programming to suit your needs.