Worthington resident Judy Creel signed copies of her newest book, “Shades of Time” last Saturday at Kittanning News.
by David Croyle
Judy Creel of Worthington never set out to write a best-seller. In fact, she really reserved most of her writings for her family and closest friends.
But last Saturday, the community showed up to a book signing at Kittanning News on Market Street to buy a copy of her newest book, “Shades of Time.” Creel said her new book covers many years of her life.
“Shades of time, different periods in my life, different poetries I had written for various occasions. And then I did a mystery story included in that book also,” Creel said.
Creel said her writings would come as a result of walking life’s journey with her friends and family.
“A lot of my writings were basically for certain people, so I was including certain people’s attributes and times in their lives which would coincide also with times in my life, and my privilege of meeting different people along the way.”
An entire section of the book is titled for the person to whom the poem was written… such as William, Stacy, Ralph, and Aunt Sara to mention a few. One poem even is directed at the postal rural route carrier, simply entitled: “Mail Lady.”
Thank you for delivering our daily mail
Oft times battling the rain, snow, sleet and hail.
Tis your routine job you perform every day
Please observe the scenery along the way.
Note the awesome beauty the seasons present
As you distribute packages and mail that’s been sent.
Watch out for the driver who hasn’t a clue
And vehicles that appear out of the blue
While you drive down the many roads you must take
May God keep you ever alert for Safety’s Sake!
Creel explained how she was inspired to write that particular poem.
“I just tried to envision myself as a mail deliverer, and some of the obstacles she may have along the way, and some of the blessings she could observe as she was doing her daily job.”
Creel also wrote poems for weddings and bereavement.
“For weddings, they are all so different and so special to those who are involved in the wedding. So in my mind, I would think of the various aspects and the various things you have to do to get a wedding to turn out properly. I have a wild imagination, so sometimes it’s not that hard for me to put those things together.”
Creel is retired now, after spending more than 30 years in the banking industry, in addition to part-time positions as monument salesperson, postal worker, and co-owner-manager of her husband’s retail tire business for 19 years. In addition to being a mother of two children, Creel said there was still time to write in the midst of her busy life.
“I guess it is like anyone. If you want the time to do something, you make time for it.”
Her first book, “Windows to My Heart”, is similar to “Shades of Time”, as both features poetry and a short mystery story.
The real inspiration to set her writings to print came from her late-mother.
“The main reason for putting both of those books into print was my mother’s desire that I write a book. Throughout the years, I have dabbled in poetry for various occasions (as you can see as you are reading the book), but my mother always said ‘You need to make a book!’ I told her no one would read my book, but she said she really wanted me to write one. So after she passed away, I kept thinking that all my life, I tried to do things that will make people happy. Even though my mother is gone, I am going to try to fulfill that wish that she had all those years. So the two books are dedicated to my Mom and her desire that I should write a book.”
“Shades of Time” is available is soft-cover for $19.99 and hard-cover for $29.99 at the Kittanning News.
