Writer’s Mental Health
Even So …. #21
Day ? of the pandemic. A robin builds a next to the bedroom window; a wren builds a nest by my office door, a chickadee builds a nest by the windchimes hanging from the arbor, in spite of everything. A big old watersnake guards its territory by the creek bank and startles me so that…
Read MoreEven So…. #19
It’s been a few days since I last posted, because things got busy, even so. A very old friend, Michael Cheeks, passed away from cancer. I’ve known Michael since I was eighteen. Born in Guyana, Michael ended up, with his beautiful wife, Linda, in Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories. Michael was a big man, well…
Read MoreEven So …#17
Day ? of the pandemic. I woke this morning to the news that someone we know, who used to live two doors from us has passed away from Covid19. The circle of friends, acquaintances, and loved ones grows tighter, closer, in spite of everything. I came across a quote from Peace Pilgram today: “With inner…
Read MoreEven So ..#10
Day ? of the pandemic. A friend I haven’t seen in 35 years reached out to me from an island off the coast of British Columbia. So much to celebrate about her wonderful life, in spite of everything. A friend’s daughter who has suffered a terrifying health crisis was embraced by a circle of caring…
Read MoreEven So…#4
On day ? of the plague: The full moon offered her silver energy to my open arms last night, even so. Lightning lit up the sky in the witching hour, a display full of wonder, in spite of everything. The bread didn’t rise, but thanks to a friend’s recipe, the tontons were delicious, even so.…
Read MoreDo You Keep Writing? Three Lessons
Every day I hear from writers who tell me how impossible it is to keep going, how they are broken by this ‘business’ and they see no reason to continue. Often this means they see no reason to continue living, since being a writer/creator/artist is so deeply embedded in the soul as the archetype by…
Read MoreWhen The Veils Are Thin
According to the calendar, tomorrow is Samhain/Halloween, but for me, this is the day. Why? Because I woke up with my head filled with the flames of my ancestors, some of whom I know, and a few I don’t. (Calendars are odd. So man-made, regardless of the energies that manifest. ) There are different names…
Read MoreQuiet Grace
This wet and green May morning I’m sitting in a log cabin next to the Bushkill Creek, drinking coffee, dog by my side, My Best Beloved in the chair by the big window, which is filled with the sweet green leaves of spring. It’s raining today, so green is greener, tree trunks are browner, the…
Read MoreWriter’s Block of Ice Breaks Up!
Thank you, everyone, for your support during a dry spell, for encouraging, and listening, and understanding this fragile writer. I’ve learned some things, and I want to pass that on, so let’s talk process. It goes like this: I begin a novel. Oh, the golden glory and silver slide of words from mind to finger to…
Read MoreGlug, horror, attention!
As some of you know I have, with the help of the wonderful team of Bob and Garrett Griffith, created a raised bed vegetable garden. I love it. Veggies, you know? But here’s the problem… Bailey the Rescuepoo wandered out past the garden and was suddenly all muddy, as many short-legged white dogs might be.…
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