​If you are like me, you're enjoying an early Spring. It's been quite a winter, hasn't it?

In our area, the Pronghorn have returned, lifting everyone's spirits. These beautiful animals roam the pastures around us and mix with the cattle. They join the song birds to announce the season. 

It's a special relief to put away the winter coats. The exercise always evokes dreams of the days to come -- when I'll plant my garden. 

Enjoy the day, my friends. 🌞

Hello, blog friends ~ 

A change in seasons is exciting, don't you agree? Everyone seems happier - especially the four-legged among us. If you are like me, you've packed your winter coats and boxed up your boots -- oh, the freedom of sunshine and warmth!

The world has awakened, and in my locale, mountain bike enthusiasts crowd the trails for the 20th Annual Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Biking Event. The Prescott hills are a beautiful area to bike, and folks travel notable distances to participate. Oh course, the pro purse of $34,000 is alluring as well. 

This weekend is also busy with gardeners -- like me. The big nurseries are packed with folks buying mulch, starter plants, and seeds. There's the hope that there will not be another freeze. 

In keeping with the change in seasons and the accompanying excitement, I'm embarking on a new endeavor with my books. My publisher closed its doors earlier this month, so its clients must go elsewhere. This development prompted an adventure I had not expected.

For the past week or so, my mountain bike experience has been to tiptoe into the self-publishing world. I now see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, but I'm still learning. At my age, being in grade school again is a bit uncomfortable, but it has elicited even more respect for all of you who self-publish and already know the trade. 🌞 Fingers crossed, I'll be joining you soon. 

Have a wonderful week, dear friends - hopefully with adventures full of smiles, blessed with warm weather, and free of challenges. 

Hello, blog friends ~

Today I'm sharing a personal story in response to the #TankaTuesday prompt of what's happening underground. 

Most of you know know that I grew up on a farm in the southern California desert. My dad was a veteran of WWII and loved exploring. He built a dune buggy using parts from around the farm and elsewhere. Once completed, he took the seven of us kids (and sometimes cousins) into the desert and the surrounding mountains. If there was a cave, we'd explore it. 

One time Dad took us to New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns. This experience left me with a great love of rock formations and crystals. I was and am amazed by what lies beneath our feet in this beautiful planet of ours.

I started collecting rocks when I was young and eventually gathered crystals. Below are a few of my collection, which is scattered about the house. Some are large and some are small, but all are beautiful.

I hope you have a wonderful week, and I hope you'll share what is happening beneath your feet.  🌞 If you want to know more about crystals, I've linked a brief video. 

Hello, blog friends.

In our area, children run freely under the Spring sun. The long winter has passed, and joy abounds. My poem reflects on the season and the dance of time. Selma hosts Tanka Tuesday this week, and she invites writers to capture movement. 

Perhaps you'd like to join in the fun. If so, take a peek at the instructions and add your poem. It's a fun challenge and with Easter fast approaching, we've much to celebrate.

Here's my contribution:
​

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. Let's all run freely -- if only in our dreams. 🌞

Hello, blog friends ~ 

I'm excited to showcase the latest Poetry Treasures edition: Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures. 

The collection includes poems by many of your favorite writers: David Bogomolny, Kaye Lynne Booth, Robbie Cheadle, Colleen Chesebro, Elizabeth Gauffreau, Jude Itakali, Barbara Leonhard, Michelle Navajas, Dawn Pisturino, Ivor Steven, and Margaret Watson. And, you might notice my poems as well. 

Kaye and Robbie organized, edited, and compiled the collection. And Teagan Geneviene provided her artistry -- the book cover, the beautiful image above, and the heartwarming trailer. Together these three talented women created a jewel of a book. ​If you love poetry, this volume is a must. You can purchase it at Amazon and a multitude of other distributors. 

Check out the trailer:  

Don't you love the baby's smiles? This little one can brighten anyone's day.
​
There are plenty of Small Pleasures threaded throughout this book.
Kindle version available now.

Hello blog friends,

I live in the Northern Hemisphere, in the high desert of Arizona. Spring arrived a month ago, but for some inexplicable reason, it teases us. 

Last week it snowed - to the surprise of all. This photo is of our front yard. To the left is our plum tree in full bloom. Beautiful, don't you agree? The white puffs did not last long. They quietly melted a few days ago. Since then, the temperatures have vacillated between 40 and 80 degrees. What a Spring!

My #TankaTuesday poem is below. Melissa Lemay leads us today and invites contributors to write a Double Ennead poem. This form is composed of five lines and three stanzas. The syllable count is 6/5/11/6/5. It was created by the master - Colleen Chesebro. We're instructed to focus on the season.

Here's my attempt -- Blessed Awe.

I hope you have a wonderful week - no matter what the weather might bring. 🌞

​Hello, blog friends...

Hubby and I had a wonderful trip to my childhood home of Brawley, CA. We visited some of my siblings and spent time with the incredible Shroud of Turin Exhibit.

The trip was a journey through time. As the eldest of nine (seven living), I walked back through the decades with family memories. 

​Then with the holy Exhibit, I experienced the centuries from 33AD to the present. Visitors of all faiths and ethnicities spent time with the images, the research, and the historical data. There was no attempt to convince viewers of one truth or another. Each person was invited to come to his or her own conclusion. My lovely sister was one of the guides.​

May your week is full of sunshine! 🌞