March 18, 2023 - Reading time: 2 minutes

When I was yonger my children would sometimes ask me to write them stories. You see, story time was a fun time, we read many books, and we told many differet stories, but the stories we told were gone once they woke up. This was a magical time for all of us, and not many of the stories from that time survived. The other day I was going through some old notebooks I came across this story. It really is just a short story, but it has some impact and I wanted to hare it with you. Maybe you will find the desire to tell it to your children. Who knows. I do hope that you will enjoy it though.

I'd been swimming for what seemed like hours in the ocean, and all I could think about was finding my family. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I noticed something on the horizon. As I got closer, I realized it was a lifeboat containing a small child.

I decided to assist them because the poor little thing appeared terrified and exhausted. I swam up to the side of the boat and pushed against it with my paws until it started moving in the right direction. The waves were still pretty rough, but we made it back to shore eventually.

I couldn't believe this little human had survived such an ordeal on his own when we arrived at land! All of the other sea creatures around us were astounded as well, and soon some caring humans came to their aid. Everyone clapped their flippers together in celebration after the child was saved and applauded me for being such a brave hero.

It felt great to help someone in need, and even though my family is still somewhere out there, this experience has taught me that helping others can bring so much joy into your life. If you ever see an otter stranded at sea, remember: no matter how small or large you are, when you have kindness in your heart, you can do anything!

The last time I read the story to them I think my yongest was about five years old. The others knew it, they had been listing to it for what felt like forever but it had become a classic. Children under five will probably find it the most interesting, since five is that special time when they start thinking they aren't small children, and everything that came before is for babies.

February 13, 2023 - Reading time: 4 minutes

The experience of becoming a grandmother has been one that has brought me a great deal of joy as well as a sense of greater responsibility. When I became a mother, it was different in a lot of ways, but becoming a grandparent was completely different for me. It is a time when you have the opportunity to see the miracle of life unfold in front of your very eyes, and it is also a time when you become a part of a unique bond between generations that can last for many years.

When you watch your grandchild achieve new goals, reach new milestones, overcome challenges, and mature, it can oftentimes fill you with an overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction. It's possible that your love for your grandchild will overpower any excitement you feel about being a part of their lives. Additionally, grandmothers frequently take pleasure in having a relationship with their grandchildren that is distinct from the one they shared with their own children when the latter were younger.

The moment you find out that your child is going to become a parent is the first moment of pure joy that you will experience as a grandmother. Everything is going to change from this point on. When you become a grandparent, your primary role changes from that of a parent to that of a grandparent, and all of a sudden there is a new little person in your life whom you can indulge and love without conditions. You no longer have the day-to-day responsibilities or worries that come along with being a parent.

However, along with joy and excitement, there is also the necessity for humility. When you become a grandmother, you gain a new appreciation for the rapidity with which things can advance, the volume of information that can be acquired, and the diversity of viewpoints that can be observed within a single generation. You are aware that the world we live in now is vastly different from what it was like when you were bringing up children, but that it is, at its core, essentially the same. The cycle of life continues to repeat itself, bringing about change while at the same time remaining unchanged. When we become grandmothers, we gain a new perspective on our lives and our place in the world. It serves as a reminder that we, too, were once innocent and immature, but that we now have a great deal of experience and knowledge to share.

In addition to these feelings of appreciation for a more holistic perspective on life, becoming a grandmother also results in deeper personal connections and relationships than ever before. This is especially true in the context of family. Grandparents are often looked up to as role models by their grandchildren because of the unwavering support and unconditional love that they provide. This is something that parents, who are often preoccupied with their own lives, may not always be able to give. Grandparents frequently find themselves in the position of advising their grandchildren or instructing them in various skills, such as gardening or cooking, which they may have mastered in their youth but neglected to practice until they themselves became grandparents. This connection between generations helps to maintain traditions while also creating opportunities for growth and the exploration of new interests, which is something that is immensely beneficial to both the grandchild and the grandparent.

Becoming a grandmother is an experience like no other; it is one that is filled with immense joy as well as moments of deep reflection on what it means to continue the journey of life together across multiple generations. In general, becoming a grandmother is an experience that is unlike any other. It enlightens us about our past, gives us reason to be hopeful about our future, and strengthens our personal connections in a way that no other experience could ever do; consequently, it is something that should be celebrated by everyone who was a part of it.

I am grateful that I have survived up to this point. I count it as a gift from God that I was picked to be here to witness it. Becoming a grandmother is one of life's most precious and memorable experiences, and it has the potential to bring an extraordinary amount of joy.

February 9, 2023 - Reading time: 2 minutes

The palace in the clouds, so high and grand,
Shining bright and true like a diamond band.
Twinkling stars each night to light their way,
Majestic view of earth from day to day.

Dreamy art adorn its walls divine,
Like tapestries of time they intertwine.
Beds of snow white linens fill the hall,
Embrace its beauty as if nothing at all.

Stairs that spiral up into the sky,
Carrying kings and queens who pass them by.
Tall towers with flags waving in the breeze,
Remind us mortals of our humble knees.

Peaceful haven for those lucky few,
Fate calls them there where dreams come true.
Serenity calms within this place,
Far away from mankind's own disgrace.

This sonnet describes the palace in the clouds, a majestic and beautiful place that only a few people have the opportunity to visit. It is described as high and grand, with a diamond-like shine and stars lighting up the night sky. Its walls are adorned with dreamy art that looks like tapestries of time, and its hall is filled with snow white linens. The spiraling stairs carry kings and queens with flags flapping in the breeze. The palace provides tranquility and peace far from humanity's shame. It is a place where dreams come true for the fortunate few who are summoned by fate.

The sonnet's first four lines depict a palace in the sky, high and grand, with a diamond-like shine. Every night, the stars guide them, and they have a magnificent view of the Earth from day to day.

The next four lines depict the dreamlike art that decorates its walls like time tapestries. Its hall is adorned with snow white linens and embraces its elegance as if it were nothing.

The last six lines describe the stairs that spiral upward into the sky, carrying kings and queens who pass by. Tall towers with flags waving in the breeze remind us mortals of our meager knees. It is a peaceful haven for the fortunate few, where fate calls and dreams turn out to be true, providing serenity far from mankind's disgrace.

February 6, 2023 - Reading time: 3 minutes

I graduated high school in 1986, one year after graduating college with a B.A. in English I became a mother. Now that my mother duties, while not finished, take less of of my time I have considered the prospect of trying to revisit my past aspirations.

Yet, there is a small problem.

When you are an adult, it can be intimidating to attempt to break into the world of writing, particularly if you do not have any prior experience in the field, which is my case. However, this is not an impossible task, and in fact, there are a few distinct benefits that come along with beginning the writing process later in life. After years of working at other jobs, you may be ready to transition into a career as a writer. Here is what you need to know to make the transition successfully.

To begin, you should equip yourself with information and resources. Make sure you have all the information you need before you start, whether that means taking a class on writing or reading up on the industry. Before you start, make sure you have all the information you need. In the long run, this will help reduce the likelihood of experiencing any frustrations or disappointments.

Determine the direction in which you want to take your professional life next. Do you want to try your hand at writing some short stories? Novels? Articles de non-fiction? Poetry? When beginning a career as a writer, it is critical to identify the subject matter that most interests you. After you've figured out where your passions lie, you should concentrate on honing your craft by studying a variety of writing techniques and genres through reading and practice until you find the one that corresponds most closely with your objectives.

You should also think about becoming a member of an industry group, such as The Authors Guild or The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE). The members of these kinds of groups have access to helpful resources like job postings and contacts in the industry, in addition to receiving support and having opportunities to network with other writers.

Last but not least, take care that the pieces of writing you produce are reflective of who you are as a person and not of what other people believe you should be doing at your age or what they consider to be appropriate for someone of your age group. There is no one way to write that is superior to any other; instead, you should embrace creativity and let your individuality shine through in everything you make. If you do this, you might not only get noticed, but you might also set yourself apart from younger competitors who might not have this authenticity in their work.

Becoming a writer in your later years can be a demanding profession, but it doesn't have to be an overwhelming one either! It doesn't matter how old you are or how much experience you have under your belt; anyone can become a successful writer with enough commitment, enthusiasm, and self-awareness. Therefore, make the most of the numerous opportunities that this line of work presents, and begin laying the groundwork for your success right away.

January 8, 2023 - Reading time: ~1 minute

Sadness creeps the halls in one of my more melancholic sonnets.

An empty house so large and sad,
Where echoes linger long and bad.
No soul to hear the sombre sound
Of nothingness that circles round.

The hollow walls no longer warm,
Yet still the silence can transform.
It's like a ghost inside this place;
A voice within an empty space.

As shadows flitter 'cross the room,
My heart is filled with eerie gloom.
Those hungry echoes never cease--
Infecting me with deep unease.

And yet I find myself drawn in...
The lonely mourner of my kin.
Life here may be but fleeting breath--
But I'm content to share its death.

I wrote this sonnet not long after my youngest moved away to college. There was a saddness in my home that I think is hard to describe in normal words. The sonnet allowed me to express what I was feeling in a creative way and reduce the slight depression I was feeling at the time. It is one of my favorites and its haunting rytheme sometimes still accompanies my footsteps through the halls.

December 29, 2022 - Reading time: 2 minutes

This sonnet celebrates a rare and enchanting phenomenon: a rainbow in the night. It's about holding on to optimism and beauty despite adverse conditions. The poem is a celebration of the beauty to be found even in the darkest of times and a gentle reminder that life is full of wonderful surprises, even in the worst of times.

A rainbow in the dark? What wondrous sight,
That brings a glimmer of sublime delight.
It seems so unreal - too good to be real -
But yet I'm sure that's what my eyes alight!

The air is heavy but not with despair;
A spectrum of hues reflects up there.
It warms my heart, for though night may seem far,
This rare vision shows me hope still lingers near!

My gaze is held and I can't turn it away;
Colors dancing across this starless sky.
As if a beacon in an ocean of gray,
It fills my spirit with pure ecstasy!

Oh what majestic beauty I behold-
A reminder of life and all its wonders unfold.

The first stanza of the sonnet is awestruck by an unexpected sight: a rainbow in the darkness. It's about finding happiness and pleasure in the midst of adversity, as if this view were too good to be true.

This rainbow is a symbol of hope and new beginnings, the second verse says, even if there is still darkness to come there is hope to be hand. The third continues by elaborating on the profound emotional impact of witnessing such a sublime scene.

In the fourth stanza, I contemplate the awe-inspiring grandeur of this scene, which can lift the spirit to new heights. Last but not least, the final verse stresses the importance of always celebrating life's wonders despite the fact that it has its share of difficulties.