The foot feels the foot when it hits the ground. And my feet have got to hit the ground running this month.

I have meetings, travel, speeches at conferences, and training sessions scheduled for volunteers in The Storybook Project.

Storybook Project is the prison ministry-literacy program Don Heern and I established 15 years ago in Newport, Arkansas at the McPherson and Grimes Units there.

It is expanding into another Arkansas State Correctional Facility, the North Central Unit in Calico Rock this June thanks to Susan Varno and an enthusiastic group of local, appreciative, community citizens and hardworking community service-rendering inmates.

There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend. Fortunately I am surrounded by good friends who not only encourage me, but who work alongside me in the activities I pursue day in and month out.

Upcoming is my delayed Christmas 2011 visit to two daughters and their families in South Carolina. Whenever I travel to be with my children and grandchildren, I can't help but be reminded of Erma Bombeck who titled one of her books: Families: The Ties That Bind and Gag Us.

I love my dysfunctional family members as well as YOU do, I'm sure. Since we haven't seen one another for more than a year, this visit will surely be on a par with some of Erma's adventures with her family, and will help set the tone for the rest of my month.