I had a blast at the San Francisco Writers Conference! For my first time attending and on a scale from 1-10, my experience was a 15! I came home with an abundance of information to digest, organize, and implement, and I made some great friends! The conference was held at The Hyatt Regency, which is a beautiful hotel with incredible architecture, right across from the Ferry Building.
Whatβs funny is I thought Iβd have time to read in my room and write in my journal. But the book and journal remained in my suitcase fully ignored, yet unintentionally. Along with attending self-publishing, poetry, and business tracks, I was in the company of amazing women authors either lunching, wine-ing, or enjoying good conversation and laughter over a delicious dinner. I made 3 consultation appointments for pitching another children’s book to meet with an agent, editor, and publisher, and received valuable feedback. Once I do final editing, I was asked to send my manuscript in, which was a boost of encouragement!
By the time I returned to my room each evening, I was exhausted, falling into my comfy king bed and sliding immediately into a much-needed slumber.
I was also thrilled to have my books, Ever So Gently and Coraβs Quest, on display in the onsite bookstore, and to sell a copy of each! By the way, how could I pass up more books to buy? I came home with six! Obviously, I’ll have to interrupt life to read, read, read! π
Below are more photos that I hope you enjoy…
If the planets align, I plan to attend next year! Such a rich experience!
I hope you are well, and I look forward to reading your posts again! β€οΈ
I will be away at the San Francisco Writers Conference beginning tomorrow through Sunday and may or may not have time to get online. If not, I will see you next week! On a side note, if you’re looking for a fun Valentine’s gift for your little ones, my first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, would be a great option. π
Click on the image to purchase your copy! Thank you!
Okay, this short update has concluded and I’ve turned comments off. So, have a wonderful rest of your week and weekend ahead!Stay safe! Be happy! π And remember…
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.“ ~ Nelson Mandela
I’m thrilled that my poem, “One Decision that is Yours Alone” is published on Gobblers by Masticadores today! A Huge Thanks to Manuela Timofte for sharing my work each month. I’m honored to be among so many talented writers.
One Decision that is Yours Alone
I see the tears rolling, slowly, but with purpose. Will you let me dry them? Your invisible scars are as visible as words of anguish in your eyes. But there is no room for shame even though time swiftly moves while memories remain.
No, you donβt know me well, and I canβt relate to the nightmare that stole your self-worth, and we havenβt exchanged a friendly conversation over tea, but you can trust me. I only wish you kindness in your unfair moments of nothingness.
Please click here or on the link below to read the full poem and to support this wonderful literary site. Thank you! π
Copper gets colder in his older years, so he appreciates the extra warmth.
Back in December
There I sat, sipping Chardonnay, reading Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas, background noise was college football on the tube. I heard my husband cheering for his team. We sat together for an hour, talking about our days and the Christmas holiday to come. Couldnβt wait to see the kids. Then I wanted to get back to the book, and football was calling his name loud and clear.
I sat there as my dog snored, curled up on his gray, plush bed, the heat purred, keeping us warm, and the multi-colored lights on the Christmas tree glistened, occasionally winking at me.
A peaceful night β some would say unexciting. Ahh, but itβs the simple pleasures that become the biggest blessingsβ¦
After a January that brought shocking tragedy, the simple things become true gifts. For on that night in December, I had a loving husband to share an evening of wine and conversation, another holiday to celebrate, my senior puppy, heat to keep us warm, a roof over our head, a live Christmas tree to enchant us, music on our retro stereo, a great book to get lost in, a TV for entertainment at our fingertips, and homemade lasagna in the ovenβ¦
And so, as a new month begins, we continue to take one day at a time, to keep the victims of those tragedies in our hearts, to not let hope get lost in the shuffle of chaos, and to remember that we are fortunate to have these huge blessings.
I shared my 5-star review of Cindy’s beautiful book in a prior post, so please check it out if you missed it.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. π
Recently, Cindy was kind enough to surprise me with her wonderful review of my book, Cora’s Quest. So, please allow me to relish in her delightful words:
First of all, the cover is endearing and the story of Cora will surely delight every child that sits on your lap with wide open eyes, begging you to read it again and again. The best news is you will enjoy reading it to them when they say, “again” after the 10th time. Lol. I have 2 grandchildren 17 months old and both of them love “reading this book” (moreover, pointing at the different critters in the book). These are cherished moments when they are soaking in the world around them in these precious and formulating years and what better way than to introduce them to adventure and the trials and tribulations of life when veering off the path. Although they don’t understand this concept yet, they love turning the pages and haven’t ripped one yet. That is truly a win. In the meantime, the illustrations are beautiful and captivating as they are learning to talk and say “deer”. My hats off to you Lauren on a new genre which is near and “deer” (pun intended) to our hearts! I highly recommend stocking up on them for birthday parties etc. ~Cindy Georgakas
Thank you again, Cindy, for this wonderful review! I am thrilled that not only your grandchildren loved ‘reading’ about Cora, but that you loved the story and illustrations too! π
Subject change…Do you have an event coming up that you’re looking forward to? Let me know in the comments because I do! Four months ago, I registered for a writer’s conference, and it seemed like years away. All of a sudden, it’s next week, Thursday through Sunday, and I’ll be staying at the hotel for the entire conference. I can’t wait to soak up information and gain more knowledge from the workshops I’ll be attending. This is my first writer’s conference, so I’ll finally be able to check it off my bucket list. I’m sure I’ll share with you some great takeaways later this month! βπ»
Changing the subject again…When each month ends, do you sing the same old tune like I do? “I can’t believe another month has passed by!” And here we are, Welcome February – the month of hearts and love, but not only for the romantic soul, but love for families, friends, and for all people! I’ve always loved hearts and all kinds of jewelry: silver, gold, a variety of gem stones, etc., so here are a few hearts that I wear…
As you move on from here, I hope love resides in your heart, joy blossoms, and challenging times lessen. I know it’s tough to keep up while reading all the amazing blog posts in this warm community, so please know that I appreciate you stopping by my corner of blogland in your busy schedule! Enjoy your weekend and stay safe in all you do!
As I mentioned in my last post, I’m sharing two more 5-star reviews, and a couple more will come soon!If you missed my first batch of brilliant books (see below image), you can read my reviews in my prior post (click above).
Today’s reviews… If you like fiction and/or mystery and intrigue, you’ll love both of these books!
Iβm fascinated with the concept of telling a story in so few words, similar to writing poetry in the truncated Japanese form of haiku. So, I dove into Annetteβs flash fiction and read her book in one evening! Each story is unique with an unexpected ending. Many stories made me smile. Several made me pause because of the gravity of the topic. Annette truly has the skill to tell a story in 99 words.
I appreciate each one for its message, but a few favorites are βA Bolder Gift,β βBedfellows,β βChocoholics,β βDaybreak,β βEyes Forward,β βRisk My Lives,β βIndian Creek,β and βLast Request.β There is a tale in this wonderful collection for everyone. I highly recommend to all fiction readers who enjoy short stories packed with a lot of substance and imagination.
I thoroughly enjoyed Broken Rhodes by Kimber Silver, her debut novel. So, when the sequel was released, Bullets in the Briar, I quickly paid a visit to Amazon to order my paperback copy. Another page-turner that I read in two days! I was quickly drawn into the familiar setting and genuine characters. In the beginning, it was nice to be reunited with the likable and sexy Sheriff Lincoln James and the strong Kinsley Rhodes. The sequel is just as compelling as the first introduction where I was transported to the fictitious town of Harlow, Kansas. Silver paints vivid scenes through her words, and the dialogue made me feel as though I was in the midst of the conversations. For the second go around, Kinsleyβs relationship with the sheriff evolves, raising the bar for exciting and spicy. Adding to the sizzle are Gabby and Dean, a sub romance that is just as searing. Small-town politics, romance, humor, and mystery, what more could a reader want? Highly recommended!
Simply click on the book titles to purchase your copies! Happy Reading!
And now a friendly reminder to vote at Spillwords. If you missed the details, please visit my prior post.
Photo credit to Spillwords
Click on the link below to cast your vote in several categories, and voting ends on January 31st. A Huge Thanks to you who have voted for me! It’s an honor to be nominated with many talented writers, some I consider friends in this wonderful community. So, no matter who takes the trophy, I believe we’re all winners! Good luck to All the Nominees!
I’ve been reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig, a new favorite author after reading The Midnight Library. Some chapters are one page, and one in particular resonated. So, I’m closing this post with “Islands Don’t Exist” (copying exactly as it is written in the book):
I had been an island. And yet now, thanks to Christina and La Presencia, I realised that there are no islands. If you go far enough down, everything is connected. Ibiza and Lincoln are joined to the same earth. Our minds swell into each other like a million currents at sea. We merge, we converge. Everyone flows into everyone else without even realising. Even cockroaches play their part. We aren’t just a person, we aren’t just a gender, we aren’t just an age, we aren’t just a nationality, we aren’t even just a species. The walls between us are imaginary. The thoughts we have that are ours are gloriously unique but also gloriously in the same continuing spectrum. Love, fear, grief, guilt, forgiveness. These are the standards in the repertoire. These are the cover versions we get to play. We think we are lonely because we are often blind to the connections. But to be alive is to be a life. To be life. We are life. The same ever- evolving life. We need each other. We are here for each other. The point of life is life. All life. We need to look after each other. And when it feels like we are truly, deeply alone, that is the moment when we most need to do something in order to remember how we connect. That is why we take the invite to Ibiza or send the email to the lonely old maths teacher or share the ridiculous truth of ourselves. We can’t just sit for ever in our lonely shells, making no sounds. To swim in the ocean, we sometimes have to make a splash.
I’ll let you ruminate on these words by Matt Haig in this amazing book, while also wishing you a lovely day. πΊ And as always, I am grateful for your presence! β€οΈ
Click on the image to purchase your copy! Thank you so much! π
When I opened my email this morning, I was surprised to find this exciting note from Dagmara at Spillwords Press (photo above courtesy of Spillwords):
Dear Writers,
We hope this message finds you well. We’re reaching out to share some exciting newsβyour outstanding pieces have garnered nominations in one or more categories for the 2025 Spillwords Press Awards.
Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition, and we eagerly anticipate celebrating the winners throughout February.
Voting is officially scheduled from January 26th to January 31st on our voting page: https://spillwords.com/vote/.
We encourage you to share this link with your family, friends, and supporters, as their votes can make all the difference.
Please note, that registration and/or login are prerequisites for casting your votes.
The Author of the Year award winner will be prominently featured on the sidebar of Spillwords.com for the entire following month. Additionally, all winners will be showcased in a special publication on Spillwords.com.
Below, you’ll find the complete list of nominations:
SPILLWORDS PRESS AWARDS NOMINATIONS:
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
Dawn Pisturino Ash Douglas Antonia Wang Lisa H. Owens Melissa Lemay Teodora Vamvu Ernie Stricsek Lou Storey Sanu Sharma Gabriella Balcom Joseph L.M. Sturm Michael McCarthy James Nelli
PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (POETIC)
This World is Yours by Michael L. Utley Tapestry of Dreams by Ginny M. Jones Haunt by Emma Wells Empty Lines by Smitha V In Your Face by Ximena Escobar Black Flies by David Estringel Song of Soul by Suman Pokhrel Isnβt It a Pity? by Daedalus Chaos Worn Slap Out by Joni Caggiano Sentimental Ebb by Aurora Kastanias Birth Dance by SR Inciardi Treats Only, Please! by Lauren Scott Ethereal Encounter in the Nightβs Embrace by Yasmin Hemmat A Squirrel’s Front Teeth Never Stop Growing by Barbara Harris Leonhard
PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (NON-POETIC)
Miriam and Her 13,149 Days by Janete Cabral The Grand Adventure by Jim Bartlett The Seagull by Patricia Furstenberg Precious Moments by Valli Henry-Boldini A Christmas Heckler by John Christopher Moccona With Two Sugars by Sarah Kelleher Dunker Church by Robert Walton One Life to Live by Lise Rowlandson Kaivopuisto by S. Anand Adrift by Julie London Tasseography by Dominic Rivron Murmurs by June Hunter New Beginnings by Lisa Rivers Kiesling The Night My Daughter Never Came Home by Diana Burns PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
I’m not only thrilled that my poem from Halloween last year, “Treats Only, Please!” is nominated for Publication of the Year for 2025 (after winning Publication of the Month for October 2024), but I’m honored to stand beside so many talented authors. There are several categories to vote in, so I hope you take the time to sign in and vote! Voting begins today, January 26th, and will end on January 31st.A Huge Thanks to Dagmara and her amazing team at Spillwords for continuing to share my work. It’s a privilege to be a part of her wonderful literary community. β€οΈπ
Now as promised from my previous post, I’m sharing my first group of book reviews that I gave 5 stars. Please note that the length of my reviews is irrelevant. All of these books are different but highly recommended, so my thoughts vary on each…
The one thing Pete Springer knew post high school graduation was that he wasnβt going to college. He worked several odd jobs, but then through his dadβs friend, Springer found himself working in a position that developed into a rewarding experience. He was doing something that mattered, which motivated him to consider college again, only this time with a goal in mind.
After reading the first few pages, it didnβt take me long to learn that Springer was a caring and dedicated elementary school teacher. The kind that all parents wish for their children. They Call Me Mom reads like a memoir of how becoming an educator impacted his life in a positive way, as well as the positive difference he made in his studentsβ lives. Readers are guided on a journey spanning over three decades of his career. Springer offers sage advice to new teachers beginning from setting up the classroom to the importance of getting to know the students. βThe obvious question is, how does one go about connecting with students? Well, it starts on the first day of school.β Working with parents and creating teamwork among staff and administrators is also paramount in obtaining trust.
Springerβs memories made me laugh, and some tugged at my heart. His personal goal was to be the best he could be for each classroom ranging from second grade to sixth grade. Some of Springerβs former students stay in contact with him too, which is telling in itself. And it wasnβt all about the curriculum β so much more goes into teaching than simply following a textbook. Through his anecdotes, he talks about the joys, challenges, and rewards of a profession that should be valued to the highest degree. Springerβs compassionate character evokes memories of my high school choir teacher, Mr. Perry, who encouraged me to step out of my singing comfort zone. Because of his support, I was able to realize my dream at the time.
I highly recommend They Call Me Mom as a tool for new teachers, and for current teachers to be reminded of the valuable reason they chose their career in the first place. Parents will also gain more insight, finding this book extremely useful. For those of us who donβt work in education, Springerβs book speaks to creating healthy relationships which is inspiring and can be applied to everyday life. I have a much deeper appreciation for teachers after reading this account of a fulfilling teaching career.
Vicki Atkinsonβs book is an honest and emotional memoir about living with her mom, Sue, who was plagued with mental health and addiction issues. Sueβs moods would shift from joyful to rage in no time, causing confusion and pain to anyone nearby. Vicki disclosed only the truth, no sugarcoating any situation, and even inserted humor at times. In the midst of chaos and after she moved out from her motherβs house, she remained concerned about her disabled sister, Lisa, who landed on the receiving end of their motherβs manipulation and abuse.
How Vicki met each challenging moment with resilience, compassion, and strength was absolutely amazing to discover. She uncovered the means for coping while also providing us a glimpse of the good side of Sueβ¦her fun, entertaining qualities, and empathetic heart that advocated for others. I found this perspective to be heartwarming and inspirational. Vicki became a licensed counselor, so Iβm sure living with her momβs unstable personality offered insight for her future to counsel others. This book truly demonstrates what it means to love and forgive, and to stay strong in turbulent times. Highly recommended!
When Balroop Singhβs husband unexpectedly passed away, she turned to writing poetry to provide a place for her grief to exist. Just One Goodbye is Singhβs invitation to join her on a journey that will make your heart ache. I canβt pretend to know how she feels because I havenβt experienced the loss of my husband. However, I can understand a love so strong, and a husband who became my best friend that even imagining a world without him is unimaginable.
Singh begins the collection with βA Journey through Griefβ in which she speaks of how the tears flowed when she wrote these poems, and how they flowed again when she re-read them to edit. After reading the first poem βJust One Goodbyeβ I knew her collection was going to be heart-tugging and emotionalβ¦
β¦I look at the door wishing it could open one more time I yearn for one more smile One more hug I promise Iβll let you go Just let me say goodbye
The love and bond shared between Singh and her husband was profound, so Singhβs grief is intense. When a loved one passes suddenly, especially a spouse, how does one make sense of such a heartbreaking moment? Sorrow takes the spotlight in the beginning, but as I turned the pages, I began to see a slight ray of hope. Singh begins to write about a future without her husband, expressing that such a feat is possible, though the grieving will never end. The shift in Singhβs writing from sorrow to hope is encouraging for all of us who will have to say βgood-byeβ to a loved one at some time in our lives.
I have always admired Singhβs beautiful poetry, and this collection was a continuation of her brilliant writing talent. Iβm only saddened that the subject matter was painful for her, but I hope that as time passes, grief will loosen its grip, and writing will continue to provide comfort. I highly recommend this powerful poetry collection.
Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas is a companion guide to her successful debut book, Re-Create and Celebrate, but this collection of conversational poems can easily be read alone. While immersing myself into her beautiful writing, I felt as though she and I were chatting over a cup of coffee in my home about the ups and downs life has delivered. In a world where tragedy appears to be never-ending, the inspiration and motivation found in each poem is warmly welcomed. On the other hand, Georgakas dips into vulnerability and authenticity that we all can relate to; no words are minced, a fine detail of her writing that I love. I suggest you keep this book nearby for easy access on your coffee table or nightstand. Many poems also speak to the healing magic of nature which resonates with me because of my love for hiking, camping, and backpacking.
Even though weβve heard it before, Georgakas reiterates: βBe who you are. Everyone else is taken.β And in βBe the Tree: We are pods in the tree of life: our stories will not go untold. From ashes we are to ashes we must go, as we take root, trusting with all our might.β
Celebrating Poetry inspires and touches souls, whether they feel whole or broken. Many poems resonate, remind, and enlighten, but I’m spotlighting one that really stands out:
The Insidious Mind
The mind is so insidious. We thrash our inner world to pieces, judging, critiquing, berating ourselves to a bloody pulp.
Itβs no wonder the world is full of hatred and ugliness when we canβt even treat ourselves kindly.
Self-doubt reflected becomes too painful to feel, so, we wear a mask of false bravado, hoping no one will see our fractured parts.
This inner war invading our world is the culprit of hiding our greatness, turning us inside out, free for the taking.
Bring it to light, remember this is the job of the mind and not who you are. Release these demons so you can be free.
Donβt let these words live rent free in your head, you deserve better than these lies and deception theyβll have you believe. Be your own best friend, evict them with no further notice, so you can get the show on the road and take your power back.
As a matter of fact, this poem should be read and processed by everyone. Then maybe the never-ending tragedy would finally reach its expiration date. An empowering and lovely poetry collection highly recommended.
Sesi Says Goodbye to Granny is a beautiful mother-son collaboration by Robbie and Michael Cheadle. Together they have written a delightful story about Sesi, an elephant calf, who is worried about the matriarch leaving the herd. Young Sesi questions that if her treasured Granny leaves, who will guide and take care of her family? In this charming tale, we learn about African Bush Elephants and are pleasantly entertained with exquisite images and artwork by Robbie Cheadle. I bought the paperback and was captivated by the vivid colors and stunning visuals with each turn of a page. My fascination with elephants began years ago, so it was interesting to learn more about the magnificent animals. Sesiβs adventure is a real treat for children; I can only imagine the curiosity and excitement a child would feel, but honestly, her story is for all ages because of the educational element. If you wonder about Granny and the future of the herd like Sesi does, then youβll need to purchase your copy, and I highly recommend that you do!
I know I’ve packed a lot into this one post, but with my family and work, time won’t allow me to post or blog every day. So, your takeaways today are to VOTE at Spillwords Press by simply clicking on the link above and signing in. If I am honored to receive your vote then I thank you in advance. Most of all, I encourage you to support the wonderful authors whose writing enriches all of our lives.
And now you have more books to read! You can click on the titles that will gently carry you over to Amazon to purchase your copy. I wouldn’t be a normal author if I didn’t include a plug for my book too, so here it is. π Click on the image below to purchase your copy of Cora’s Quest (a children’s book that will be enjoyed by kids from 2-92!) And remember that reviews are like hugs, so if you enjoy any books here or in general, please consider sharing a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. No rules apply: short or long, it doesn’t matter. Your time and support are appreciated by all Indie Authors. β€οΈ
Lastly, I am so grateful that you chose to visit me in your busy blogging schedule. I know it’s hard to keep up, so thank you! And I wish you a great day and week ahead!
How are you??? I can’t believe a month has passed by since I began my blog break! The holidays were magical, and I read a lot! I had so many books lined up from my friends here in blogland, so I took the opportunity to dive in! One by one, I was enchanted by evocative poetry, hooked by compelling fiction and fantasy, and moved by an inspirational memoir. In my next post, I will share those wonderful books. I also wrote reviews and posted them on Amazon and Goodreads, which felt good to help my fellow authors.Anyway, the photo above was from watching (from the comfort of our sofa) the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. And the poem that I’m sharing below was written in December prior to the fire devastation in Los Angeles that began early January.
December Musings
I didnβt need mistletoe on New Yearβs Eve to touch my lips to his nor an array of gifts resting beneath the Christmas tree I have a roof that shelters from winterβs rage and cools from summerβs hot embrace
The stars dance each evening in the vast sky above They shimmer and shine for all eyes to see – fathers and mothers sons and daughters aunts and uncles sisters and brothers – for you and for me.
A new year has arrived, the calendar tells us so I wish the holiday spirit would continue through the seasons Let it flow! Let it flow!
How lovely for childrenβs laughter to be music filling our days and love for All people to be the purpose of our waysβ¦
My words still ring true, but our hearts ache for those lives that have literally been turned upside down because of the fires. The devastation looks unreal, but to everyone affected, it’s a living hell. For lives lost, for homes burned to the ground. The victims remain in our hearts. We have donated, and I hope everyone helps in any way possible. β€οΈ
While watching the news and staying informed with heavy hearts, we also celebrated this week…Cheers to 36 years of βhappily ever afterβ for my husband and I – 37 years together! And to think a refrigerator linked our paths! π Life has presented us with an abundance to celebrate, but also hurdles to jump when things happened out of our control. Matt and I would jump those hurdles all over again hand in hand. Happy 36th to us, and to many more anniversaries to come! β€οΈππ₯
A random thought…I pass by a mural often, reminding myself that someday I should stop and get a picture. Well, that ‘someday’ came. I took this in such a hurry though that I forgot to get the artist’s name. But I love the joy of nature this artwork displays. Does this mural make you wish for spring? π»
And lastly, if you recall from last month, I was dealing with a big hiccup regarding my paperback of Cora’s Quest. It was ‘out of stock’ and ‘on hold’ with the company I published it through, and because this occurred during the holidays, it was beyond frustrating. Well, it’s fixed! The image pages needed to be upgraded to a premium color level at no additional cost to me, so it’s all good, even though the wait was infuriating. Cora’s Quest is back in business, available in paperback (recommended for the full magical experience) and in e-book version.
For those of you who ordered the paperback and had to wait, have you received your copies? Thank you for your patience! And to those of you who have read, loved Cora’s adventure, and shared your 5-star reviews, Thank You, Thank You!!! Please consider sharing a review if you loved the book. Reviews are like hugs to Indie Authors! If you haven’t read about Cora yet, her story isn’t just for little ones; all ages will appreciate the important message found in the midst of Cora’s lively forest.
Click on the link to purchase your copy. xo
“A wonderfully uplifting story of lessons learned and the power of love. I recommend it for children and adults of all ages!” Award-winning Jan Sikes
Thank you for taking the time to pop in, and I look forward to reading your posts again!
This will be my last post for the year, then I’ll be going offline until January. It’s been a great 12 months with my health improving, many adventures throughout, and concluding with the publication of Cora’s Quest(even with the current snafu). I love spending time with all of you on your blogs, reading your beautiful poetry and stories, oohing and ahhing at your stunning photos, and traveling vicariously through your virtual itineraries. The support I receive for my writing and books is so appreciated, even I can’t find the words!
I searched high and low for my muse, but she has already departed on holiday vacation, so I didn’t write anything new for today. I’m sharing instead a poem that seems to circle back now and then. I hope you enjoy again, or for the first time. I included an audio as wellfor your listening pleasure. π₯°
An older photo of Copper enjoying the warmth.
A Christmas Soliloquy
The noble fir smells heavenly Pervading throughout the room Lights twinkle in red and green Adding to its festive costume.
Stockings embellish the mantel Eager to be filled with treats Garland graces letters in gold Spelling out P.E.A.C.E.
Dangling to model icicles, White lights sparkle on eaves Ornaments shimmer on branches All this, the stuff of dreams.
But can dreams still come true When years become displeasing? Amidst the tears and heartache, Is there room for believing?
I have faith that joy weaves Its way through the pain Angels keep watch while Love Is the magic that remains.
I donβt know your story The details are yours alone But I do wish you Happiness That you may seize and truly ownβ¦
As we listen to the marching rhythm Of the exultant Christmas drum For these holidays upon us And for the New Year to come.
I also hope you’ll forgive another (subtle) plug for my book, Cora’s Quest…the good thing is it’s not a Christmas story, so children (and adults) can enjoy reading about Cora anytime of the year! The paperback is still out of stock (hopefully, not for much longer), but the e-book is available. So, you can wait for the paperback or you can purchase the e-book and read about Cora immediately. If you choose to add my first children’s book to your home library, thank you in advance! π
“I thought your message to children through Cora was outstanding, a lesson that even adults wrestle with. Get out of of our comfort zone because overcoming our fears is one of the most overpowering feelings in life.” ~ Pete Springerfrom petespringerauthor.wordpress.com
A Huge Thank You for visiting my cozy corner in WordPress, and I wish you all a peaceful holiday filled with nothing but joy. The holidays aren’t always happy for everyone though, so if you’re struggling in some way, I hope you have support to help you find even a tiny ray of light. I want nothing but harmony and magic to fill your days during this month of December and in each day to come. Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate as well! I’ll respond to comments if you’re kind enough to leave one. Sending virtual hugs! β€οΈππ
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 