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On The Way To Valentine’s Day

   Warning! The following may be too sugary for casual consumption:

 

“Love’s Euphemistic Garden Of Hearts”

In the garden of hearts, a tender bloom,

Where butterflies dance in sweet perfume.

A puzzle of souls, intertwined and entwined

In the language of stars, their secrets confined:

The first embrace.

 

It’s the fire that ignites, a passionate embrace,

A journey of souls in a timeless chase.

A whisper of dreams in the moonlit night

Where hearts find solace in love’s soft light:

Consummated pleasure.

 

A symphony of feelings, a dance of the heart,

A canvas of emotions, a work of art.

It’s the magic that binds with an unseen tether,

A euphoria of souls in this world and forever:

Intimate promise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect this beautifully designed original artwork from artist J. R. Cotner. Makes a great gift for Valentine’s Day or any day. Exclusively available from Cotner-Artworks.com

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December 10th, 1830: The Birth of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was a prolific American poet known for her distinctive and unconventional style. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, she lived most of her life in relative seclusion, and only a few of her nearly 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime. Emily’s work is characterized by its brevity, unique punctuation, and exploration of themes such as death, nature, love, and the human psyche.

 

Her poetry often reflects her fascination with the mysteries of existence and her profound introspection. Emily’s use of dashes and capitalization set her apart from her contemporaries, and her poems frequently challenge traditional poetic forms and conventions. The following poem “Hope is the thing with feathers” explores Emily’s theme of hope and its enduring presence in the human spirit, even in difficult times:

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

 

After Emily’s death, her work gained recognition for its innovation and depth, making her one of the most celebrated and studied American poets. Her poems continue to resonate with readers for their profound and enigmatic exploration of the human experience and the mysteries of life and death. Emily Dickinson’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human soul.

 

 

 

 

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…And It’s Friday!

 

Did I mention it was Friday?

And one more thing:  Happy Oneth of December.

 

 

 

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“Pharaoh Cat #1” Women’s Relaxed T-Shirt

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A Simple Life

As we head into the traditional (at least around my neck of the woods) month of Winter Holiday gift-giving, I want a simple life–free to use my imagination and creativity without the hustle and bustle of early rising to write, edit, create artwork, run my online business, keep up with my blog and social media posts, and attempt to otherwise stay sane. So, my “Wishful Christmas Card to Santa” will read something like this:

 

 

Please visit my online shop for some great, unique gifts.

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“Ill Wind” by Nevada Barr

Nevada Barr is best known for her mystery novels featuring the character Anna Pigeon, a National Park Service ranger. “Ill Wind” is the third book in the Anna Pigeon series.

“It is whispered that the Old Ones still haunt Mesa Verde—the restless spirits of the Anasazi, who carved their homes in the mountain’s face eight centuries ago…and then disappeared from the Earth.”

“Newly assigned national parks ranger Anna Pigeon seeks solace from her own personal demons in the ancient cave dwellings of a vanished Native American civilization. But an inexplicable illness affecting visitors to the popular Colorado landmark has dragged her from her reverie—as have two mysterious tragedies: the death of a child…and the murder of a friend. And now she must find the very human source of the evil wind that is blowing through the ruins. For it threatens more innocent lives. Mother Nature…and Anna herself.”

“Ill Wind” is set in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. In this novel, Anna Pigeon is on a temporary assignment as a district ranger at Mesa Verde. The story revolves around a series of mysterious deaths and accidents that occur in the park, and Anna becomes embroiled in trying to solve these crimes. As she investigates, she uncovers a complex web of secrets and danger in this remote and beautiful national park.

Nevada Barr’s novels are known for their vivid descriptions of national parks, their natural beauty, and the challenges of law enforcement and investigation within these settings. “Ill Wind” is no exception and offers readers an interesting mystery set against the backdrop of a stunning natural landscape.

This is the second book by Barr that I’ve read, the first being “Track of the Cat” and my review of that work can be found here.

 

 

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Looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift? Check out my Christmas mugs

“Merry Christmas” Mug with Color Inside

Thank you!

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“Do The Dead Call?”

Do the dead call?

If they did, could we hear?

Would the voice be from afar?

Or would it seem quite near?

Would we listen with our minds?

Or would we run in fear?

Would we open to the chance?

Or would we jump and swoon?

Would we think it summer breeze?

Or howling at the Moon?

Do the dead call?

You tell me.

I wonder if you know.

Do they call on summer days?

Or whisper in the snow?

You tell me.

I’d really like to know.

 

I was honored to have this poem selected for inclusion during NPR’s National Poetry Month.

The poem opens Chapter 31 in the 5th Century Celtic novel, “Mystery Of The Death Hearth”, as the intrepid protagonist–a young Celt magistrate–must work with those whose ways are alien to his Elder Faith beliefs. Along the way, he must find an elusive young Celt girl and her missing grandfather, unravel the mystery of an Elder’s runevision, and avoid death at the hands of an assassin as he faces the greatest challenge of his life.

 

 

 

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“Shattered Mirror” by Iris Johansen

“Shattered Mirror” is a thriller and part of the Eve Duncan series. It follows the adventures of forensic sculptor Eve Duncan who finds herself at the center of a dangerous mystery.

The story revolves around Eve’s quest to uncover the truth about her daughter, Bonnie, who was brutally murdered years ago. Despite her grief, Eve has dedicated her life to using her forensic skills to help solve cold cases and bring closure to families. However, when a man named Jim Doane comes to her claiming to have information about Bonnie’s killer, Eve is plunged into a web of deception, danger, and long-hidden secrets.

As Eve delves deeper into the investigation, she realizes that not everything is as it seems, and the people she thought she could trust may have hidden agendas. With the help of her friends and allies, including her lover Joe Quinn and her adopted daughter Jane, Eve must navigate a treacherous path to uncover the truth about Bonnie’s murder and confront the dark forces that threaten her family.

I personally do not enjoy novels that are rife with running, page-heavy dialogue and the occasional indefinite pronouns that confuse and slow down my reading. Again, that’s just a personal thing. And, honestly, this book did nothing to make me want to explore other works by this author.

On the positive side, if you enjoy suspenseful mysteries with strong, determined female protagonists, and don’t mind plentiful back and forth dialogue, you may find “Shattered Mirror” an interesting, worthwhile read.

 

 

Visit my online store for some great gifts! Looking for something with a feel good Winter vibe?

“Snowy Winter Cabin” Mug with Color Inside