A Woman For All Seasons
By Jane Elsdon
Judy Sullivan is much more than publisher and editor of a journal. She is an artist extraordinaire. She is a master quilter and surrounds herself with the richness of her work celebrating the natural world. She is a creator of exquisite vessels bearing ceramic collages of all the animals she adores in the natural world. Lions. Dolphins. Great Blue herons. You name it, she has created it. Her creations in those arenas are always in great demand, for each one is a joy to the eye and a wonder to behold. She is a positive woman who sees things in their best light. She is one who sows encouragement, appreciation, and freedom to all those about her with trust. She sees the value in things; she sees the best in human beings. She savors beauty in all its forms.
Judy Sullivan. It was in 2010 that I first started hearing her name come up at meetings of Atascadero Writers Group. Always it was spoken with admiration, appreciation, and respect. Soon I learned that she published and edited an online publication, SLO COAST JOURNAL. One day when I read a couple of poems for critique, two of our members, John Bullaro and George Zidbeck, urged me, “Send Judy some poems. She’ll love them.” It was then that I learned both of them were writing columns for the journal.
It was that evening that I looked the journal up on-
I sent Judy a few poems, thinking that if I was fortunate, she would keep one or two to publish. When I heard from her, she offered me a column too. From my first email and phone exchanges with Judy, it was apparent that I had a new friend, as well. I hadn’t ever met an editor and publisher so clear in her communication and goals, who praised her writers always with such generosity. “Some of my writers have never written before, but they’re all great,” she would say.
Our mutual love of the natural world led us to meet occasionally, pick up lunch somewhere, and take it to one of our favorite places around the bay or by Morro Rock where we could picnic while breathing in the refreshing salt air and gazing upon the otter gathering in the bay, the ocean waves or the Great Blue Heron rookery by the Museum of Natural History.
It was not unusual for her to say “Oh! There’s Ratz”. And off she would go, telling me stories of her favorite Great Blue Heron. They were on such good terms that he would bring his latest prey and drop it at her feet or outside the car window where she sat. What greater expression of love could a Great Blue Heron offer? Sometimes she would spot him near the rookery and sometimes near the Rock. He got around and he had no problem finding Judy. They were the greatest of friends.
That is the Judy I know. A woman so open and adventurous that she had no need to make a long list of guidelines for you. Instead, she gives you her word and her trust. I would mention a friend whom I found doing significant work and she would say, “Have her call me.” Before you knew it, that artist, too, appeared in the pages of the SLO COAST JOURNAL. I would mention the people who were doing fascinating things in Atacadero Writers Group and she would say, “Why don’t they do a column for the journal?” And before you knew it, that too became a reality. She made things happen for all of us.
She always found a way to adjust around the reality of not only her own life, but yours, mine, ours, as well. She is nothing short of amazing. She has made space especially for countless seniors to share their work with the world during a time when their lives are changing at the speed of light. She will never know how much it has meant to us to have had the opportunities she has given us to share our work.
It’s no wonder, then, that since she retired her many writers, readers, admirers, and friends have sorely missed her. The SLO COAST JOURNAL has also been missed. So it is with great joy that we rejoin the angels who have brought this miracle back to life in a tribute to Judy.
This is Judy’s Place. And Judy, as can be clearly seen, is a phenomenal woman. Judy Sullivan is indeed a woman for all seasons.
All About the Journal
Founded by Judy Sullivan in July, 2009, the Slo Coast Journal is all about life in one of the finest, most beautiful areas of the country — the Central Coast of California. An amazing collection of eclectic, fascinating, and talented individuals from all walks of life have chosen to make this part of the world their home. Many of those who don't already live here wonder how they can make the move.
Our writers are an enthusiastic group of people who are on these pages to share their love of this special place. In case you are wondering, each is asked to pick a favorite animal for their banner. Some of the choices are a bit perplexing, but, oh well. Not only are the writers enthusiastic, they are sometimes a bit — ahh — let's say . . . Unique.
The opinions expressed on this site, whether by a columnist, advertisement, or editorial content, do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication's management or staff. We edit. We don't dictate personal or political stances or stifle anyone's way of expressing themselves.
Judy’s Friend, Ratz
Symbol of the SLO Coast Journal
Judy’s Place
The Journal will always belong to its creator and founder, Judy Sullivan. We know that readers will enjoy the special tribute below, written by longtime Journal contributor, Jane Elsdon