Join children’s book author, writer, blogger and podcaster, Alison Paul Klakowicz, on her journey to inspire! By way of guest interviews, book reviews, life as a military spouse living in her home state of North Carolina– and so much more!
“I want to make a difference and make sure that our Veterans know there are many reasons to fight through the pain. They owe it to themselves and to those who lost their lives on the battlefield and the ones who lost their battle at home.” – Danica Thomas
You see back in Fall 2018 the two planned to wed, but Hurricane Florence had other plans for North Carolina (and their special day). The day the two spent a year planning from their California home— dreaming of beautiful memories to be made with dearest friends and family back home in North Carolina— would have to be postponed. True to the couple's fifteen year partnership, commitment and independent spirit, the two fled Raleigh out of the hurricane's path to the North Carolina mountains and eloped— as not to let Florence ruin the special union between these two strong, love-filled souls.
“If someone were to ask me the scent of my father, I would say my dad smells of juniper and sawdust. My earliest memories of him are flooded with the sound of a table saw and tiny bits of wood fluttering about him like golden powder. It is a sound and smell that takes me back to the safest and simplest of times. Sea spray and the rocking motion of a center-consul, flat-bottom boat also conjure up the essence of my father. He is an old salt. The sea runs through his veins as it does mine. My mother jokes I was most likely conceived on a sailboat in the river's tide...”
Old Mill of Guilford— an HISTORIC FULLY OPERATIONAL, WATER-POWERED, 18TH CENTURY GRIST MILL— has become a favorite pit stop of my family when traveling through quaint Oak Ridge, North Carolina on our way to visit my brother, a North Carolina State Park Ranger at Hanging Rock State Park. Once we leave the beaten path of… Continue reading Old Mill of Guilford: A Step Back in Time
"Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars..." From the moment you open the glass etched door of Antonella's Italian Ristorante you feel as if you've walked back in time into a Frank Sinatra movie, half expecting the rest of the Rat Pack such as Sammy Davis Jr or Dean Martin to… Continue reading Antonella’s Italian Ristorante: A glimpse of NYC Downtown Fayetteville, NC
I have Donna Cowan, California-based author of With the Courage of a Mouse: The Superhero School Series (https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Mouse-Superhero-School/dp/1640853839) to thank for this. She inspired me to take the plunge into the world of puppeteering. You see, Donna told me all about her special handmade puppet created by a puppet-maker genius and children's book author by… Continue reading I can add puppetry to my resume!
I've been out of the stroller business for several years now as my son is approaching second grade. Before I know, he will be able to carry me around. But today, I had the opportunity to spend some darling moments with a dear friend's precious three month old daughter, Little Miss Aurora, and we took… Continue reading Let’s Stroll Downtown Fayetteville, NC
https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Interview-with-Wendi-Iacobello-Strength-for-Spouses-e41odq Today, I was honored to sit down and speak with Wendi Iacobello— former Special Education teacher and college professor, Army wife, professional blogger, and freelance writer (among a host of many other talents and expertise). She is a native of Western North Carolina— raised in beautiful Marion, NC not far from Asheville, and the… Continue reading Wendi Iacobello Interview: NC Native, Milspouse, Advocate, Creator of Strength 4 Spouses,Woman of Faith
Over the past several months since publishing my first children's book, I have had to ask others for help and support. I've had to reach out and ask people to trust in me and my little book— and allow me to visit their elementary schools, libraries, bookstores, as well as other venues. Not to mention… Continue reading Do unto others and reap the rewards.
Fayetteville, North Carolina is graced with some extremely talented people. One group continues to shine and sweeten Spring nights with their theatrical flair— the one and only Sweet Tea Shakespeare. This troupe of thespians is a true treasure to our community which never disappoints with its delivery of unique, poignant, musically gifted and jest-laden performances.… Continue reading Maid Marian… was SWEET!
Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog 
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