Susan G. Wooldridge - Foolsgold: Making Something from Nothing and Freeing Your Creative Process

This book is the result of the love and perseverance of a wonderful group of people. I thank you all from my heart of hearts. The book would not be here without you.

My grown children, Daniel and Elisabeth, continue to delight and inspire meas well as keep me in linein writing and in life.

My mother, Ethel Goldsmith, forever offers funny and bright material. Her love, along with that of my father, Julian, no longer here, has been a foundation for me.

For many years I've met on Wednesdays with my beloved friend and writing partner Elizabeth Singh. She's kept me going with astute, insightful, and sometimes dramatic encouragement.

If any of these chapters have coherence and focus it's also due to my sister/friend and world-class writing consultant Jane Staw (author of Unstuck). With gentle patience, she continues to teach me how to write an essay. Again and again.

Arielle Eckstut, my agent and dear friend, patiently guided me through several incarnations of this book. Her husband, David Sterry, has been an inspiring coach and support.

My deepest thanks to the Harmony team. Shaye Areheart, my editor, has provided trust, love, and full freedom. Anne Berry is both sparky and reliable. She and Min Lee, who keeps me legal!, have been a delight to work with. Janet McDonald, copy editor, is a genius with a light touch and infallible ear. Dyana Messina, Kira Stevens, and the marketing team are gracefully introducing Fools-gold to the larger world. The design and production teams have patience, vision, and resourcefulness. Thank you also to the sales team and everyone else at Harmony Books.

What follows is in no particular order!

My friend Kathleen McPartland visited various offices with bright ideas and snacks throughout all phases of this work.

Sharon Paquin is always there, with heart, to send a healing prayer and blessings.

Joanne Allred refined the book with her wise poet's eye.

Maria Navarro Easton, another sister, is a playful model of how to live creatively in the world.

Wayne Pease has loyally helped me define what I'm doing from the beginning.

Deborah Woodard cheerfully fielded countless e-mails.

Heather Altfeld, with a finely tuned ear, led me to add several chapters as well as to deepen and pare down many pages, along with Kim Weir, who helped me focus and structure the book and finally let go!

Linda Hummel has become an indispensable friend and support.

Mark Johnson, bluesman extraordinaire, nourishes my spirit with his wonderful songs.

My neighbor Mandy Pyle's door is always open. Thanks, sweetheart.

Trudie Leap, what would I do without you? You too, Tanha.

Valley Oaks Village provides home, a circle of friends, and true, playful family. I wish I could name you all.

Ruth Younger gave astute last-minute editing help, along with Kiara Koenig, who offered keen encouragement and advice.

Ken Sepeda, Amber Miller, and Dave Hurst supplied great ideas, and Michael Goloff offered his fine gift with a camera.

Carol Southern, editor of poemcrazy, always a wise presence, taught me to ask the vital question Does it serve the book?

The folks at various cafs, especially my home base, Caf Flo, along with Cal Java, Teaz Me, G'rilla Bites, Higher Ground, Peets, The Naked Lounge, and Bidwell Perk offer lively and nourishing offices.

My friends at Chico Natural Foods have sustained me with outstanding oatmeal, soup, sandwiches, and friendship for years. Special thanks to Arlene, Kevin, Rachel Oriana, Vince, Liza, Dale, Scott, Esther, and Rose. Thanks as well to the fine crew at S&S Produce.

Stephen Connors has given wise counsel for many years, as have Leah, Lila, Drew, Manu, Sheelah, and Esther, who are always there whenever I have the sense to go inside.

My dear friends and colleagues at California Poets in the Schools have provided the creative base for much of my work. You mean the world to me.

Much love and gratitude to the one and only Nancy Wieg-man and my other yoga teachers, Patti, Amaera, and Rex, who help keep me in shape.

Blessings to my sterling dance teachers, Jeanne Christopher-son, Deanna Figueroa, Nicole Ruff, Alaine Zinzou, and Djibril Camara (and thank you Jessa, Tanya, Tiffany, and all the drummers!).

Much love and thanks to other friends, colleagues, and family who continue to help in more ways than I can say, including:

Danielle Alexich, Cheryl Anderson, Vicki Artzner, Martha Bergland, Leonard Boehm, Season Braswell, Margaret Brett, Wendy Brown, Roxane Burnett, Carol Click, Chico VW (Willy and Kenny), Ruth Cooper, Cheryl Cozad, Judy Davis, Laura Denny, Joann Eckstut, Ellen Galena, the GardnersFlo, Kate, Lew, Liz, and MaryBob Garner, Trish Garone, Liz George, John Goldsmith, Mary Goldsmith, Rich Goldsmith, Sue Nelson Goldsmith, Lisa Holeman, Lynn Jacobs, Cheryl Klein, Jill Lace-field, Lilananda, Tanha Luvaas, Heather Lyon, Jack Mabie, Kristin Mahlis, Mary Ann McDonald, the Matrix Energetics team, Paul and Frances Newsome, David Pierot, Sharyn Pierot, Kate Pinson-neault, Richard Platt, Diane Prince, Rosemary Quinn, Renee Renaud, Chris Reynolds, Kirk Ridgeway, Marilyn Ringer, Christi Rowe, Thomasin Saxe, Trish Schiesser, Dana Smith, Beth Spencer, Ryan Tranquilla, Gary Vincent, Tori Vincent, Patricia Wellingham-Jones, Kent Wooldridge, Kam Yuen, Monica Zukrow, and many others.

INTRODUCTION

at creek's edge

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

HAROLD THURMAN WHITMAN

T oday I have an hour to walk by Chico Creek, time out for time in. Yellow sycamore leaves spin into the water near my feet and float past. Some swish to creek's edge and settle in like I do. I love to visit the edges of things where worlds meet and merge. Much of