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Writing Wins
The 105 Meadowlark Reader has accepted another of my short stories for publication. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this publication of Kansas stories.
My story, Blue English Racer was in the third issue and Little Things will be in the upcoming fourth issue. If you love short stories about growing up in Kansas a subscription to 105 Meadowlark Reader is just the ticket.
Individual books can be purchased on 105 Meadowlark Readers website, or you can purchase a subscription!
Uprooted
If you love historical fiction you would enjoy Hazel Hart’s Pierce Family Saga and now her spin-off, Uprooted, The Adventures of Hanna True: Book 1.
It is a quick read.
I enjoyed the history and cultural aspects of the book. Women are just coming into the time when they are bravely pushing for the vote and other rights. Hannah has been left with nothing after her father dies and leaves the hotel she has been managing to her brothers-in-law. Women could not inherit property so Hannah has to find a new identity in a world hostile to women. She meets a man on the train that offers her a surprising solution. He owns a detective agency and wants Hannah to work for him.
The book is well written and in the tradition of Mrs. Hart’s other books, the history is researched and incorporated well. I have enjoyed each of the books in the Pierce Family Saga, and look forward to the next of Hannah True’s adventures.
Wow! Another post already.
I just wanted to share another poem that will be in the upcoming book. We had about six inches of snow and it made me think of sharing this poem.
Winter Clouds Barren boney-fingered Trees reach to the heavens Searching For life in Winter clouds Brooding dark filtering light Holding back the warmth of Sun Teasing with glorious sunrises Sunsets that dazzle Waiting for the melting Season of life Heavy with snow or icy rain Turning the boney fingers Into a crystal wonderland Sometimes Dumping random mounds Of white like Cossack hats Accents to counter Starkness Winter clouds the canopy In natures rhythm A time to gather strength Storing nourishment preparing Sun Breaks through the grey Quilt and warms the earth A peek at the fluff of white Soon Light will come with The thunderheads of Spring and Summer skies
Valentines Day
I thought I would share a poem for valentines day that will be included in the poetry book that I hope to have completed in a couple of months.
Love changes as we grow and change.
Love Is Love was A tsunami of passion, Cresting, plummeting, Sucking you into the deep, Then lifting you to start again. Adrenaline rush, Breathless kisses, Electric touches, Like the tides, Ebb and flow, So is love. Mellowing, Softening, Need becomes us, Not me. Thoughts not I But we. A glance Cherished, A touch encouraged, You the other half Of me. We pant together in birth, Cry together in death, Pray together to reclaim faith. Our beauty fades, But I see In me what you see, The jewel that Love is.
The dilemma
My book series is complete, and I am working on a book of poetry. I always thought I would be a poet, but now that I got side-tracked with fiction, I find I like it. I want to publish some of my poems and then possibly some historical fiction.
The dilemma is: Should I put together several chapbooks or one or two larger themed poetry collections? I have several themes. Faith based poems, awareness poems, seasonal and weather poems, life, lessons, beauty. Where to begin?
I find I will read chapbook poems in one sitting and rarely go back to them. I am more likely to return to the more book type collections. One author with several themes in one book. Not a large volume, but more than a chapbook.
I would love to hear from readers. What is your favorite type of poetry and preferred book style? I am considering doing a couple of volumes with several sections.
Here is one for Autumn. Tell me what you think.
Autumn
The colors are of Earth not sky No soft pinks But Vibrant earthy hues Orange, brown red Yellow spun In golden highlights These colors are What remains Rushing through Veins of grasse Of trees Celebrating Victory over Drought, Flood Thriving Through Heat, Winds disease Pestilence Surviving they Wave their Colors Jubilant Proud as They prepare For retreat To mother earth The colors are of Earth not sky A final splash On the canvas OF Life Until it begins Again
Direction
Wow! Retirement is something else. So far because of Covid a lot of my goals are on the back burner. I have done a lot in the house. Painting, re-organizing, and cleaning out but have a lot more to get rid of. I hate feeling like I don’t have an income. I love having time to catch up on some reading and writing.
This brings us to the consequences. I set up an office for myself and disregarded the fact that my new desk was higher than the old one. Tennis elbow in both arms is the result and an impinged shoulder. Not life-threatening obviously but a wake-up call that I have changed how I use my arms and I am getting older. Hopefully, a cushion to raise my seat and a little physical therapy will alleviate this and I can get on with what I want to accomplish.
My poetry book is coming along, but most of the poems need some editing and re-thinking. Rarely a poem is perfect with the first writing. We can always make them better. We would all like to believe that God just puts the pen in our hands and writes for us, but writing well is an art. Writing is both a gift and a learning process.
Today I hear the Covid risk is returning and masks might be mandated in public places again. I thought about auditing some classes but will wait it out. Normal is still a very elusive thing.
I would love to hear from some of you about your choice of a poetry collection. Do you like them to be more of a chapbook or a larger collection? The very mention of poetry strikes fear in the hearts of many when we remember the rhyming and meter lessons from high school. Fortunately, there are all kinds of poetic devices and many are rich in visual and relatable words that won’t leave you wondering what you should take from it. My poems are straightforward and not rife with underlying meaning.
If you have a preference, please comment! I would love to hear from you.
Blessings
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A blessing came my way today
A patchwork trophy to display
I did nothing to earn the gift
But it gave my heart a welcome lift
A gift given with no thought of return
A selfless act that all could learn
To share freely what we can
No agenda or self-serving plan
To see a need, feel a pull
Giving to others when life is full
A touch, a coin, a simple word
Only the joy of giving is heard
Yes, a blessing came my way today
Not an item for display
I’ll find someone with true need
And with joy I’ll plant a seed
I wanted to share this today because we never know where or when a blessing is going to come our way. Today I was sitting in my shop and saw a friend that had recently purchased my book series come in the door. She reached out and handed me an envelope. It contained a note that was a blessing to me. This is a short version of her message.
Deb
Just finished the third book and I hope there is a 4th in the series. You have a beautiful gift of writing and each book was read in one day. I felt drawn into the stories and they were a joy to read.
God Bless you and thank you for sharing with us.
This is better than a check. This validates my writing and my purpose. Today you are my blessing.
Seasons Greetings
I’m excited to introduce a new offer for the Holidays. When you buy the Heroes series as a bundle it will be a straight $25.00. No tax or shipping for the rest of December and all of January! You can go to my web site dairsik.com and click the book tab. Scroll down to the series bundle and viola’ , you can get all three books+all of the swag for only $25.00!
Check it out and have a blessed and safe holiday!
Doesn’t it look great under the tree?
Life Moments 