Hello blog friends,

Poet Colleen Chesebro has a new Ekphrastic prompt. She asks that we use the painting below by artist John Singer Sargent as inspiration for a syllabic poem. She adds, "Remember... don't just describe the woman... we can all see her. Like all of us, this woman has a story. Write THAT poem..."

I've written a simple tanka (5-7-5-7-7) and suggested a story. I wonder if you have a similar one after studying the painting. Do let me know. It's fun to hear how each of us perceives a work of art. 

I hope you have a fantastic weekend. ❤️

Hello blog friends.

Today D.L. Finn features my new book REDEMPTION on her beautiful website, and I'm super excited. Denise is not only an award-winning writer, she's also a dear friend. On this second day of the book tour, she shares her thoughts and my comments here. Maybe you'd like to add your own? 

Denise is a prolific writer and has more than a dozen books on Amazon's shelves. Her tomes include poetry and novels of various genres. Much of her writing is inspired by the forests in and around the Sierra foothills of Northern California where she lives. If you enjoy natural beauty, you'll love her work. 

Three of Denise's recent books are featured below--The Angels & Evildwels Series. If you haven't read them yet, I encourage you to find the time. You won't be disappointed. Just click on the image to travel to Amazon.  

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for celebrating with me. ❤️​

Dear blog friends,

It's been heartbreaking to watch the details of the recent derailment of a train in the little town of East Palestine, Ohio. For those who are unaware, this train was loaded with toxic chemicals, and the fumes from those burning chemicals now permeate the air. It affects all life -- little children, adults, beloved animals, wild animals, the fish in the river... all life.

I've written a short syllabic poem entitled To Breathe, which I share below. My prayers accompany it. No one should be afraid of the air they breathe. ❤️

Dear blog friends, 

It's Tanka Tuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has a new prompt. She invites us to write a syllabic poem using synonyms for the words change and grow. We cannot use the two prompt words in the poem. Sounds like fun, right? 

My response is a simple tanka (5-7-5-7-7). I hope you enjoy it. 

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. I look forward to reading your poem, if you're inclined to share. 😊

Hello blog friends,

I've some good news to share. But first a confession - I'm an avowed introvert, especially when it comes to marketing. I'd hide, if I could. That admitted, my friends at Voice of Indie pulled me out of my cave and invited me to their podcast on Wednesday. We'll talk about my new book, REDEMPTION. If you have interest, the link is below. 

REDEMPTION, A Father's Fatal Decision is a story of forgiveness, intertwined in a suspense thriller. The theme travels through family secrets to the final resolution of the turmoil. A brother and sister team solve the mystery of their father's hidden life, and in so doing, they discover the meaning of redemption.

Maybe of interest? If so, please join us.
​ 
Enjoy your week, dear friends, and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! ❤️
​

​https://www.blogtalkradio.com/voiceofindie1/2023/02/16/voice-of-indie-episode-133

​a simple tanka, inspired by Redemption

Hello blog friends,

​It's poetry time...

This week poet Colleen Chesebro offers a beautiful photo prompt created by photographer Terri Webster Schrandt.  My response is a simple tanka (syllables of 5-7-5-7-7). The rose and Valentine's Day are my inspiration. 

Won't you join in the fun? I'd love to read your poem. ❤️

Have a wonderful week!

Hello blog friends!

I'm excited to share that poet Colleen Chesebro invited me to participate in her Meet The Poet feature. Colleen is well-known for her beautiful syllabic poetry and has multiple published collections. Through her tireless efforts, she has mentored and inspired novice poets across the planet. Her reach truly extends into the hearts of poetry lovers everywhere.

If you'd like to visit Colleen's post and her interview with me, here's the link. I hope to see you there.

​Have a wonderful week. 😊

Hello blog friends,
​
Today author Colleen Chesebro invites us to create a poem using select random words. This approach is one that poet Jane Dougherty started last year. 

Random Word Poetry is new to me, but it was a fun exercise. I chose the words walk, touch, inhale, and bereave from the assigned list at the bottom of the page. I hope you enjoy it. 

My poem consists of a four stanza haiku. The first poem guides the following three, each of which begin with one of the lines from the first poem.  

Won't you consider adding your own poem? Here's the list of words. It may seem daunting, but once I started, the words flowed. 

I hope you have a wonderful week! ❤️

Hello blog friends.
 
I'm elated to showcase friend and author Joan Hall today. She's just published a collection of thirteen short stories entitled Menagerie. The assortment spans eras and genres, and the characters include the old and young. Truly, there's a story for everyone. 

If your life is like mine, time is elusive. Reading a complete story in one setting isn't possible, unless it's a short story. It's been a pleasure to pick up Hall's book, and read a story to its end before turning off the lights. 

My 5-Star review is posted on Amazon, where you'll find many other 5-Star comments. Menagerie is a winner, and I think you'll discover it to be as well.

Congratulations, Joan!

Gwen, thank you so much for hosting me today. I’m excited to be here and to tell you and your readers about my latest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story where I tell what inspired me to write it. Today’s feature is Hot August Night, a contemporary/family fiction/coming of age story.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the years I’ve been writing, it’s to always keep notes of story ideas. They often come at the oddest times and in the most unusual ways. Such was the case with the idea behind Hot August Night.

When I still held a public job, my drive home went through a tiny town with a population of around 500 people. As you can imagine, there wasn’t much there, but railroad tracks ran alongside  the state highway that passed through the town.

I’ve always had a fascination with trains, and it was probably a hot August afternoon, when inspiration struck. I imagined a couple of people sitting on a porch on a hot summer night when a train passed through town. The noise of the engines and sound of the train cars along the track drowned out other night sounds. Something happened in those few minutes, but what was it?

Once I got home, I made notes, not knowing what I wanted to do with the story or when I would use it. When I decided to scrap another story originally intended for this collection, I looked over my list of potential stories and Hot August Night was born.

Written in first person, the story follows a young woman, Amy Beth, who has returned to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral. While there, she remembers another hot August night when she was thirteen years old. A teenage girl disappeared, right about the time a freight train passed through town. Amy Beth has reason to believe her older brother, Denny, was involved.

This leads to a strained relationship between the two of them. Their grandmother was the glue that held the family together. Now she passed away, Amy Beth is uncertain what will happen with her brother.

Like some of the other stories in this collection, Hot August Night takes place in the twentieth century. It begins in 1980, then flashes back to 1968. Somehow, I couldn’t see setting it in modern times. By the way, Amy Beth often sneaks into her brothers room to play his records. I used to do the same thing with my brother’s collection.

Hello blog friends,

Today Colleen Chesebro posted a new poetry challenge. Interested writers are invited to use the painting by George Henry Boughton, Lady of the Snows, as inspiration. This form of poetry is called Ekphrastic poetry. 

Studying the image, I'm drawn to the lady's expression. How about you? What do you see in the painting? I've tried to capture my reaction in a simple haiku. Maybe you'd like to add yours? It would be fun to share.

Have a wonderful week and bundle up. It seems winter hasn't left us yet. 

Hello blog friends.

Today I'm honored to host friend and author John W. Howell. He is on a book tour, and my site is one of his stops.

Most of you know, John. He's widely visible in the blog world, and he's an accomplished writer. I've known him for years, so it gives me special delight to introduce him and his writing achievements to you today. Let's offer John a very warm welcome.                                                                                      ~ ~ ~​
​I am so pleased to be with you today, Gwen. I want to thank you for helping spread the word about The Last Drive. I think it is no secret to your readers that you and I co-authored a book together. During that time, I got to know you better and appreciated just how much you empathize with those who are in trouble. In this story our characters are called up to help a soul who is struggling to find his way in eternity. Sam feels very strongly about being able to help and at times has her own struggles with how to best do that.

BLURB
In the sequel to Eternal Road - The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan's hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.

The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie's journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey takes the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.

This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of
spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while
staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.

​EXCERPT
Slight pressure, as if they’re rising in an elevator too fast, settles on Sam and James. Then
comes a soft bounce as though the Olds has gone over an unexpected speed bump. Sam opens her eyes, thrilled to see the LA Coliseum rise above them. “Look, James. We’re in the parking lot of the Coliseum.”

James gapes. “Wow. Beautiful.”

“I know.” Sam pops the door and moves to get out. “Looks like we landed in a reserved
spot.”

James thumps the wheel. “Figures. We’ll have to shift the Olds. I could see someone having
it towed away and leaving us here in nineteen-sixty-seven.”

Sam slides in and shuts the door. “Okay, drive until you find a regular bay.”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. The original Super Bowl wasn’t a sell-out.”

“Really? Why not?”

James checks around. “Some believed the twelve-dollar ticket was too high. You know how
much the tickets are now?”

“No idea.”

James rubs his fingers and thumb together. “Minimum four-thousand dollars. Those twelve
bucks look quite good.”

“With inflation, it would be higher.”

“Yeah, maybe to ninety-five or a hundred dollars. So, what’s our game plan?”

“Walk to the stadium and check to see who’s at quarterback for Green Bay.” Sam gets out of
the Olds, comes around the front, and heads toward the Coliseum.

James exits the car and shields his eyes from the sun while he admires the beauty of the
Coliseum. The crowd noise makes him want to catch up with Sam so they can talk. He does a
double-time step, and when he reaches her, says, “So, we’re just going in there to check it out?”

“Do you have any better ideas?”

“No. … I know, I know. Then, shut up.”

Sam can’t keep from laughing. “You said it, not me. Okay, here we are.”

James steps in front of Sam. “Wait a minute. We don’t have tickets.”

Sam waves for James to get out of her way. “We can move ahead a few seconds and see
ourselves inside the gate.”

“Oh, yeah, that worked before. Let’s do it. Here, hold my hand. I’ll do the timing.” Sam
grabs James’s hand, and they both close their eyes.
​
James and Sam arrive inside. The ticket taker has no idea. James asks, “So, what now?”

PURCHASE LINKS:
The Last Drive is available in paper and Kindle editions on Amazon. Here are the universal
links. The Kindle edition is on sale for 99¢ through mid-February.
Kindle https://mybook.to/FYmkKr
Paper https://mybook.to/BCsWV
​
AUTHOR LINKS:
Blog     Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads     Amazon Author’s Page     BookBub  
Eternal Road Buy links:
Kindle Universal link  mybook.to/EternalRoad
Paper universal link mybook.to/Eternalroadpaper

Hello blog friends,

If you're living in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope you're staying warm. This winter is proving to be a challenge, isn't it? Ice, snow, high winds, freezing rains. It seems we've had it all, and surely, there is more to come.

Perhaps with weather in mind, poet Colleen Chesebro offers a special photo prompt this week. She invited photographer Terri Webster Shrandt to share one of her images as inspiration. The beautiful blues stirred my imagination.

Shades of Silence -- I hope you enjoy it, maybe even relate to the sentiments.  

Have a wonderful week! 

Hello blog friends,

Author Colleen M. Chesebro posted a new #TankaTuesday challenge today. She asked that we use a synonym for new and experience in our poem. I played around with that idea a bit and created a tanka that suggests both. 

I hope you enjoy this lighthearted effort. ❤️ 

​Have a fantastic day! 

​Hello blog friends, 
​
On this first day of the New Year, I've decided to share a few prayers from religions that might express their understanding of life and the Divine quite differently than you. And yet, even if this is the case, I think you'll find the prayers familiar and inspiring. 

I begin with a story: Twelve years ago, I was fortunate to hear the Dalai Lama speak at the University of California in Irvine. The packed arena grew silent when the frail monk walked onto the stage. He smiled and chuckled and then began talking about - Love.  His microphone was faulty and it was difficult to hear him because he spoke softly. But the students roared their endorsement. It was then that I realized that it wasn't his words that reached them. It was him. 

We may not be monks, but each of us has the extraordinary gift of life. And we can be countercultural by risking love. Let's make 2023 a year of miracles. I suspect we're all weary of last year's struggles. Maybe a neighbor needs help or a child needs a storyteller. Small steps can lead to big leaps in transforming our world. I know this to be true, because the students showed me the possibility. ❤️

Happy New Year, dear friends! 

Hello blog friends,

Winter is upon us in the northern hemisphere, and yet it seems like summer was just last week. How did the months fly past so quickly? Though I don't have the answer, I want to share a theory.

For much of this year, various threats populated our days. Breaking News warned us of dangers real and potential. Because of this, I think the miracles of life often slipped by unnoticed. If you check your calendar, I suspect you'll find all the must-dos that kept you busy. At least that is how my calendar looks. What you won't find, probably, are the miracles. I think it's time for us to claim them. 

I've walked back through my year and rescued some of the miracles. I'd like to share a few of them with you, and I'd love to know some of yours as well. Here goes...  

​This simple exercise shifted my thoughts from the latest catastrophe to the beauty that surrounds us all. I hope you enjoyed the highlights, and I also hope you'll share some of yours. We all need to pause and consider the wonder of life. Let's do it together.

My simple New Year's resolution is to intentionally claim 2023 as the Year of Miracles.  ❤️

Happy holidays, dear friends!

Through the simple poem below, I try to capture the gratitude and respect I hold for each of you. Your stories and blogs have transformed the year. Thank you.❤️

I'll be traveling this coming week and will miss visiting your blogs. But on the upside, I'll be reading some of the many books buried in my kindle. Hopefully, yours is top on the list. 

Blessings to you and yours. I hope you stay healthy -- and warm. The forecast is for chilly weather, so let's bundle up.  ❄️☃️❄️

​Hugs,
​Gwen

Hello blog friends, 

Our neighborhoods shine brighter every day with outside lights and colorful decorations. Spirits grow happier as the holidays approach. It's that time of the year, and Andy Williams says it better than anyone: the most wonderful time of the year. 

If you're like me, you want to be with family. I live a long flight away from my adult children. Phone calls bring us close, but not close enough for a hug or three. In the absence of immediacy, though, I've discovered an expanded family. 

You are the reason for this new definition of family. Most of us have never met (and never will), and yet, we claim one another as friends, because the written word has brought us together. When we read, we weep, celebrate, fall in love, dance, dream, and sometimes scream. It sounds like a family, doesn't it?

Today I share a few, and only a few, of those whom I now recognize as family. I've spotlighted eight books that earned five-stars from me this year, and I'd like to share them with you. 

Harmony Kent's Sorrowful Soul ripped open my heart and brought me to tears. Jill Weatherholt's Searching for Home helped me see all that is beautiful in life. D.L. Finn's A Voice in the Silence drew me into the forest and mystery. Pete Springer's They Call Me Mom warmed my heart immensely and gave me hope for our children. The anthology Distant Flickers kept me turning the pages wanting more. Dan Antion's The Evil You Choose revealed the choices of a hero and those of the deceitful. D. Wallace Peach's The Necromancer's Daughter exposed good and evil and left me in awe of the story itself. Mae Clair's and Staci Troilo's The Haunting of Chatham Hollow brought the past into the present powerfully, via a generational mystery. 

Family? I think so. When our kindles are full, so are our hearts. Thank you, all, for being part of my reading family.

I hope your holiday preparations go perfectly. And I hope you and your families (near and far), find time to be with each other. May gratitude and laughter abound! Happy Holidays to all. ❤️

Hello blog friends, 

Today I have the privilege of introducing author Harmony Kent and her most recent publication, Sorrowful Soul. I've read many of Harmony's award-winning books. She writes through her heart, and in so doing, she reaches ours. 

Harmony's background is unique. She was a Zen Buddhist monk for thirteen years. That experience provides the foundation upon which she faces life's challenges, including a horrific life-changing injury. 

​I never was a monk, though I am familiar with that way of life. For five years I frequented Zen Buddhist temples, joining other contemplatives longing for a deeper experience of the Divine. I mention this because Zen Buddhism isn't a religion; it is a philosophy, a way of life. At the close of my meditations, I went home. The monks remained and lived in that quiet setting full-time. I can only imagine the culture shock Harmony must have experienced when she left the monastery. 

I have deep respect for the monks I knew. Their kindness guides me still. When I met Harmony through her blog and her books, I found a sister, a friend, and a mentor. She is a teacher without a title, and a writer with a powerful voice. She deserves the spotlight and more. 

Please join me in welcoming Harmony Kent. ❤️

 ​Hi, Gwen.
 
Thanks so much for hosting me today.
 
It’s always wonderful to visit with you.
 
Here’s a little bit I’d love to share about my latest book of poetry, Sorrowful Soul.  Full of freestyle poems, which provide company and compassion through the devastating journey of grief and loss and onward, this heartfelt collection shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone.
 
The cover for Sorrowful Soul depicts a Calla Lilly, which comes in many colours, holds much symbolism, and finds itself called upon for both weddings and funerals and many occasions in between. This beautiful Lilly is well known for crying—where water droplets form on the petals—and this phenomenon inspired my design for the front cover.
 
The wonderful, versatile Calla Lilly has truly caught my imagination. Do you have a particular flower that speaks to you? If so, chat with me in the comments.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
 
If we’re lucky, we meet twilight at the front door and old age creeps in on the night breeze.
 
Even if we make it to our twilight years, the more we age, the more loss we must endure as part of the cycle of life. Many of these poems lament death, but they also relate to broken relationships, severed friendships, and the loss of youth. This book of grief poetry is as much about saying goodbye and working through loss as it is about death and love split asunder.
 
This heartfelt collection provides company and compassion through the devastating journey of loss and shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone. Within these pages we share shock, numbness and denial, catapult into anger, bargaining, depression, loneliness, and guilt, and—eventually—make the seismic shift into testing the possibility of a new normal and finding acceptance.
 
 
Universal Sales Link:  https://mybook.to/SorrowfulSoul
​
​Book Trailer: 

Hello blog friends. If you celebrated Thanksgiving this past week, I hope you enjoyed family, friends, and plenty of good food.

My celebration was twofold and very different from prior Thanksgivings.

​First, my adventurous sons returned safely from a two-week trek to Patagonia, Argentina. Their 24-hr flights to and from were challenging but their journey more than made up for that inconvenience. They had an amazing time. And ... this mom is very thankful they are home.

​Second, the washing machine broke. The water seeped under the flooring into the closet and our bedroom. We initially could not understand why the carpet was so wet. Spilled water? Then we feared the worst. Burst pipes? After several hours of worry and search, a friend came to our aid and identified the culprit. 

I was immensely grateful that all we needed was a new washing machine. The thought of digging for a broken pipe was horrifying, but buying a new appliance, well that could be fun--and was. Friends pitched in by lending us their fans, and now we have dry carpets and baseboards AND a new washing machine.  

Since this is the final Tuesday of the month, Colleen Chesebro asks that we share our day via a poem. I've done so through a tanka. I hope you enjoy it. We all have so much to be grateful for, even with our unexpected hurdles. 😊

Have a wonderful week! 

Hello blog friends, it's #TankaTuesday, and author Colleen Chesebro has a new Ekphrastic (photo) prompt. She asks that participants choose a syllabic form and create a poem about the image. 

My poem is a tanka, a simple 5-line form (5-7-5-7-7), and it is my response to the photo of the Ukrainian dolls below. 

Have a wonderful week, dear friends.
In the United States, we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.
David's photo above is all the more poignant because
the children in Ukraine are not able to join us for the table feast.

For peace, I long. For peace, I work. For peace, I pray.
May we all, someday soon, celebrate as a family. 
❤️ 

Today is Veterans Day in the United States, and I'd like to share a personal story. 

In my pre-retirement years, I worked at a college in southern California near the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Many returning servicemen enrolled in classes. They went from the warzone of Afghanistan to a privileged setting of lattes and frisbees. The culture shock was profound.

These young men, and a few women, had no place to gather, and they clearly needed each other. I turned my office suite into a Veterans Center and took a small office. Soon the place was bustling.

What I didn't expect was how transformative this experience would be for me.

Firsthand I saw the impact of war. Physical, mental, and emotional. I heard and saw things that broke my heart, and slowly these brave young people became family. I've many stories, but there is one I'd like to share with you today.

An Army Ranger veteran came to me. He looked like a Hollywood movie star, but below his exterior, he carried experiences few could imagine. He explained that he had been promised an education, but at the college he was considered a non-resident. This meant his classes would cost a fortune. He said, "I don't know what to do. This is my only home. I have no other. Why must I pay out-of-state tuition when non-citizens are considered residents?"

He was not being political. He simply stated facts. I met with college officials and did what I could, but ultimately, this young man returned to Special Forces. He explained, "It's something I do well, and I can't make it here. I don't have the funds I need to take classes."

This encounter disturbed me greatly. No matter which country we call home, if we expect our young people to defend our country, we have an absolute responsibility to help them transition back into civilian life at the end of their tour. 

I wrote to many California elected officials and met with a couple of them. Before I retired, I believe the law was changed, and veterans in California are now given residency. I hope I am not mistaken. 

The young men below are a few of the veterans who made my office their campus home. 

Veterans Day for me is an emotional experience. It is not a nationalistic day, not a day to say my country is better than yours. No. It is a day to honor those who innocently decided to give their lives to serve their country's ideals. 

When asked how many veterans are homeless in the U.S.A., PolicyAdvice.net states, "A precise count is almost impossible to make, yet, according to estimates, over 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night..." 

​​In the United States, we give hotel suites to illegal immigrants. We offer them food. Why aren't we demonstrating that same respect to our veterans? 

Today I honor all those who wore the uniform. And I ask veterans to forgive us if we've walked past you on the street and offered not a coin. Forgive us if you are unemployed and need help. Forgive us if we've forgotten our obligation.  

Hello blog friends. As I write, it's election day in the U.S.A. Most folks are on edge, wondering how the votes will swing, and if there will be a huge backlash. I've never seen our country this divided or this contentious. For most of us, it's a heartbreaking era.

Hoping for the best, whatever that might mean, I have a poem to share. This week author Colleen Chesebro asks writers to compose a Kouta poem. Never heard of it? I certainly hadn't, but here's a bit of history.

Kouta is an ancient Japanese form, used by the geishas during the 14th through the 16th century. It remains popular in Japan today and typically follows a 5-7-5-7 or a 7-7-7-5 syllabic structure. The focus is usually on everyday circumstances.  

My poem is a bit escapist. I'm hiding from the news and anyone wanting to talk about current events. I've chosen to be a bit dreamy in this poem, following the second syllabic structure mentioned above. 

I hope you enjoy it. Simple. Sweet. My answer to chaos...

Have a lovely week! ❤️