Kari's Creations and Musings

  Why am I putting a blog out on the Internet? First, I love writing. At the age of 12, I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be a writer. Books, magazines, journals and even the back of cereal boxes provided me with a sense of wonder and amusement and joy at what all was in the world. The written word has fascinated me since I began reading.  At the University of Alabama, I chose Public Relations as my major, thinking it would allow me to write while also being a far more marketable major than Creative Writing or English. As my career began, I discovered a love for all forms of communication, and worked to excel in this professional sphere. I’ve worked on both sides of the aisle, with a mix of newspaper journalism jobs and public affairs positions for non-profits, the private sector and the Department of Defense. Second, I love quilting, crafting and creating, and I want to share my joy for the textile arts. My hope is this blog will inspire and encourage quilters and qu...

 Launching Into Retirement With Gusto!   So, what have I been doing during nearly six months of retirement? Where do I begin?!? There have been many little adventures, including a meeting with Elvis! My work with the U.S. Army Materiel Command ended with a fantastic retirement ceremony. The place was packed with well wishers, and both our commander Gen. Ed Daly and our chief of staff Maj. Gen. Walt Duzzny participated in the ceremony ( Retirement Ceremony ). Gen. Daly, who himself is now retired, was not able to attend but sent a video message that was quite complimentary of my work in support of his priorities. Maj. Gen. Duzzny officiated the ceremony and was also exemplary in all the nice words he said about my work ethic and my support of his work goals. There were many accolades and awards, and I actually gave a farewell speech without crying! I practiced that speech nearly every day for the month before the ceremony. It was heartfelt and I was committed in its deliv...

For some weeks now, I’ve been debating how to start this new blog. Should I start it with “Hello” or some other salutation? Should I just start with my name and status in life? Should I tell you why I’m here online? How do you introduce yourself in a blog? My entire career has been based in writing. Search for Kari Hawkins online and you will find stories that I’ve written as a Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Army, as a reporter for The Redstone Rocket and as a journalist for the now defunct Huntsville Times (Ala.) and other publications. Pre-Internet, I was a writer for The Decatur Daily (Ala.) and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.). Other positions with The Boeing Co. and the Chamber of Commerce, both in Huntsville, Ala., also involved writing for various publications. Most recently, I wrote a story based on one of my passions – quilting, specifically quilting a 60th birthday year quilt – for McCall’s Quilting and Quilting Daily.com. ( Kari's Birthday ...