On July 26, 2026, I stepped into a new decade of my life in a way I could not have planned better – surrounded by books, inspiring local creators, readers, and meaningful conversations.
On the day of my 50th birthday, I had the pleasure of taking part in a Local Author Book Signing Event at the beautiful ARTery Gallery in Milford, PA. And I truly could not have asked for a better way to celebrate such a milestone!
The timing of this event felt especially meaningful to me. I have been working on my personal “surrender experiment” – learning to let go, trust the flow of life, and stop trying to control every outcome. This opportunity came my way entirely on its own, without me asking or looking for it. When it appeared, I simply knew I had to say yes.
And I am so glad I did.
Unlike my previous solo events, this afternoon gave me the opportunity to share the space with a wonderful group of talented local authors. The creative atmosphere of the ARTery Gallery, combined with the magic of the written word, made it a truly special setting.
I had the pleasure of sharing the event with:
👉 Barbara Moir – The Neuroscience of Reading Music
👉 Amy Ferris – Amy in Retrograde
👉 John DiLeo – author of several classic movie memorabilia books
👉 Patrick Fields – locally inspired mystery fiction
👉 Marta Hallett – Milford Moons
👉 Heather Housekeeper – The Botanical Hiker and several books about edible and medicinal plants
And, of course, I was there with my memoir, Karina: One Woman’s Journey from Fear to Freedom.
The afternoon was about much more than books. I connected with fellow local authors and readers, got to know the wonderful team behind the ARTery Gallery a little better, and spent quality time with my oldest son, Taino, who was my assistant for the day. Having him there made an already special day even more memorable. 🥰
I would also like to express my deep gratitude to the ARTery Gallery for opening its doors to local authors and creating a space where art, literature, and community could come together. THANK YOU! ♥️
They say milestone birthdays should be spent doing exactly what you love most. Somehow, without planning it this way, that is exactly what happened.
Books. People. Stories. Connection.
I cannot think of a better way to have welcomed my 50s. 💫
