Happy Holidays!!

 

I’ve never been one for excuses, but the holidays have kept me away from blogging. Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and are planning a festive December. With everything going on, it’s a miracle I’m still saving a few minutes here and there to write.  

Did you see the Fall issue of In2uition Magazine? Subscribe to the magazine, or read my column called Apple Blossoms for free here:In2ition Magazine

How about the online article I wrote that touches on the Me too movement? Read it for free here:The Casting Couch Blues

Did you order your copy of the new anthology called Winners? Preordered books will be distributed sometime before the end of the year! Plus, the publisher is adding two extra eBooks from their catalog as gifts with each purchase. Your support means the world to me. Order here:Winners Anthology

Anyway, sorry for packing this with so much promotional hoopla, but I’m thawing something that needs to be roasted, our little dog just barked at the delivery guy, my email has too many sales notifications, there are coupons flying out of every drawer, the radio is playing Jingle Bells— (it’s still November), my poinsettia is still not blooming, but general holiday mania is taking over. Truthfully, all is good, and I’m blessed. Especially for having readers who read some of my stuff. Thank you. I am grateful, and hope your holidays are spectacular!

Dormant but Alive!

I pray for for those who are working full time during these difficult times. The police, the sheriff’s department, firemen and women, the cashiers at the stores, those who stock the shelves or drive the trucks. Those who clean the store and have to pick up rubber gloves left by sloppy, selfish people. Those who deliver groceries or mail; those who work in hospitals, clinics, testing stations and laboratories; those who work at curb-side pickup restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food. I am grateful for all you do.

(And victims. Those who are suffering from this virus.

 I pray you recover, soon.)

Thank you to everyone who helps the world continue to rotate on its axis. 

We are not shut down. We are alive.

We will bloom again. 

Thank you Bees

The month of November reminds us to be grateful for the little things. Can you imagine Thanksgiving dinner without vegetables, salad, green beans, potatoes, pies or even the centerpiece of flowers? Without bees there wouldn't be honey-roasted carrots, or honey-mustard dressings, all-important herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. The delicious and festive holiday would be bland and rather boring. Of course, the bee is not responsible for our cooking or dull and dreary relatives. 😁 

Here’s a little poem I wrote about bees.

Every year,

they forget.

Arms flailing,

they live in fear.

Our hive abuzz with laughter.

But not for long.

Little guy in our garden next to a small twig.

Joyfully busy,

we make time to

land on colorful petals.

Proud part of a team. 

Until they spray.

And my family fades.

Intangible Greetings

Choosing Laughter

The days are shorter and the air cooler now.

There,

 at the top of the hill,

 is our warm,

 comfortable home.

A place we nurse wounds,

shed tears,

laugh if we can.

Sheltered from rain,

we read books,

write stories and play board games.

We’ve grown to appreciate the way the birds sing.

We’re grateful hospitals send us home,

because we’ve known young people

sent to hospice.

Yeah, young ones.

Believe it.

And fresh faces who passed while sleeping.

It happens.

They looked healthy....

We might complain on a sofa asking for a tea.

Flowers entertain our aching bones.

Trees sway near the window,

the dogs make a fuss,

visiting grand kids giggle on the stairs.

Someday,

there’s the promise of a better place.

I’m bundled up imagining it.

Cozier,

filled with love,

and those traveling before us.

Higher,

much, much higher,

with expansive panoramic views.

No tears,

or pain.

We won’t need doctors anymore

probably not even tea,

              and complaining will be a thing of the past.

              Until that time--

              each time I drive

              or walk up that little hill--

              my heart fills with immense anticipation,

              bubbling with appreciation,

              for stucco walls,

              a tile roof.

             Where I can cry if I feel like crying,

             or choose to laugh.

             Where I can be thankful,

             for another cool day--

             in Autumn.

Eve Gaal

Copyright 2017

Top 10 Canine Truths Proving It's the Heart and Not the Brains

Yesterday I saw another one of those videos where the dog helps around the house and seems to be able to do everything. Of course, most of these short films are created to make us laugh, but this particular clip was about a service dog that held the shopping basket and ran up and down aisles in a supermarket. This brainy dog could do it all. Made me think of my little mutts, who can’t do anything, except shed hair, make a mess and bark. So the more I thought about it, the more I realized how important they are and all the various things they do to make me happy.

1.       Good Security

No one had better come within twenty-five feet of our property, even though the houses in our neighborhood are standing about twenty feet apart.

2.       Mail Alert System

It’s like a sophisticated App you can download for your Smartphone. Want to know when the mail arrives? Ask Pinky and Fiona because they will let you know! In fact, they will let the entire neighborhood know. 

3.       Comfort

If I’m tired or sick, they like to snuggle. If I’m angry, they’re on my side. If I’m crying, they will lick my tears away. This alone is worth the price of admission.

4.       Laughter

I love comedies, variety shows and most comedians. I even have a good friend who does stand up. But these two fur-babies, Pinky and Fiona, can make me double over in laughter just from a silly expression. Most of the time, they crack me up.

5.       Exercise

There are several types of exercises associated with Fiona and Pinky. Generally, there’s a daily walk for Pinky. Fiona doesn’t obey anyone so I have to go chasing her around the house or the backyard if I want to find her. There’s also exercise obtained by cleaning up the mistakes. As inside dogs, they get confused about optimal places for doing their duty. I think all this confusion adds a couple of years to my life. Which is a good thing, right? Sometimes I dream of being that sedentary writer who can focus on her manuscript instead of the aroma coming from the hallway.

6.       The Economy

Indisputable proof:
See the big heart?

With pets, it’s hard to save money but spending it helps the local economy. Not only is there some sort of foreign collusion in the dog-toy business but the kind-hearted vets dish it out with a smile. Plus there’s that city license, puppy pads, snacks, leashes, sweaters etc. When a Chihuahua can chew through a fifteen-dollar toy in one day, you know there’s something wrong with this world. Recently, Fiona had a bout of stomach flu and we took her to the Emergency Pet Hospital. Six hundred dollars later, they sent us home with a fancy X-ray and said she’d be fine. I’m proud to say, both dogs are a boost to U.S. capitalism and sadly, cheaper toys are not an option.

7.       Listening

      One major problem with the world is listening. Almost everyone has an opinion. Even the nicest folks go around telling other people what they think without listening to their friends. There are enough people in the world to trade in friends for new ones if they don’t agree. It’s like people who dump their dogs at the animal shelter when they move.  I have high school and college friends who have left me behind for new friends because I may not have immediately rushed to agree with their political viewpoints. Makes me sad but at least Pinky listens to everything I say. Fiona may not always listen to me but she hears me. Her ears move like antenna trying to find meaning in my words that her tiny little mind cannot process but her heart tells her to keep still and keep listening because her mommy loves her very much.

8.       Foot Warmers

There’s nothing better than reading a book and having two very cute friends keeping your toes warm. The downside is that they too are relaxed—leading to not-so-adorable emanations--commonly referred to as Chihuahua farts.

9.       Crumb Catchers

Forget the vacuum. I have built in little sniffers who find every fallen morsel.

10.   Love

There are few places in the world to find unconditional love, that’s why I recommend the Animal Shelter. Both of our pups were rescues and every once in a while, with tails wagging, they come and place a paw on my chest, and look me straight in the eye. That’s when I feel the overwhelming thank you and the love. Of course, it might also mean, give us a snack or we’ll piss in your bathroom, but honestly, I feel the gratefulness.  

Understandably, those clever videos with the smart dogs make my dogs look like dummies, but these two cuties have underappreciated talents and are sweet enough for me.

Do you have super intelligent dogs or lovable dogs like mine? 

Sharing November Surprises

First:

I was delighted to find out a poem of mine had been accepted by Poetry for All. The publisher selects one poem for a chapbook that features one sole poet. They then create artwork around the poem and distribute them like gold doubloons or scattered seeds. My little booklet is #1371 and here’s what it looks like:   

 

The inside not only has my poem but a
lovely illustrated overleaf created especially for this poem.

Perhaps my poem will travel across the country in a warm overcoat and then turn up later in another person’s beach bag. While I’m going to distribute them at book signings, I imagine the publisher will be sharing them too. Let me know if you ever come across my poem, Ear Buds. If you order a signed copy of Penniless Hearts or The Fifth Commandment from me directly, I'd be happy to add a copy of the adorable poetry book. But there's no reprinting. When they are gone, they'll be gone to travel the world. Anyway, either email me or reach me through My Website.

The Back Cover

Secondly:

Most of my online followers have already read the latest, Fall edition of our Guild’s magazine but if you missed my story, Home Banner Cafe then here’s the link. This month, Straitjackets Magazine has something for everyone including: poetry, suspense, mystery and even my little romance. I've attended many different writing groups in my life but the extraordinary members of The Diamond Valley Writer's Guild keep shocking me, surprising me but most of all, impressing me at every turn. It's an understatement to say I'm proud to be a member. 


Lastly:

Hey, it’s November! The month of thankfulness, when even small things like a published poem and a story in an online magazine can mean so much. Writing is a way of sharing my heart with friends and those who follow this blog. Of course, there are the big things such as health, friends, family and God, that I hope none of us ever take for granted.
Sadly, I used to work so hard that I shamefully forgot to be grateful and learned my lessons the hard way. Take a lesson from my past and cherish those around you. But first, take time to care for your own feelings, your own health and even your own physical and intangible hearts.   

Is there something small but meaningful, that you are especially thankful for this season?

Call Your Friends!

 A friend I haven’t spoken to for over seven years called me the other day and said he wanted to thank me. Thank me? I scratched my head and listened with a grateful heart.

“Eve,” he said. “I enjoyed working with you more than anyone else. Thank you.” And even though I wasn’t his manager or supervisor, he called to voice honest appreciation by telling me the work we did together had been fun and interesting. As we spoke, he told me about how he had suffered five strokes and part of his body had become paralyzed. His speech slightly slurred, my heart wanted to reach through the phone to embrace him. Such a talented individual—never a bad word about anyone—a fount of positive energy—he had taken on my enormous workload with a smile. If anyone should be thanking anyone, I should be thanking him.

In case you're too young to remember-
-phones used to look like this.

Do you have people in your life—perhaps among your FB friends who would love to hear your voice? Maybe you have thought about calling them but the busyness of life got in the way? Maybe now that you’re older, you have the courage to call or private message them, simply to thank them for being your friend. In most instances, you will probably make their day. Are you afraid to hear about the knee surgeries, the hernias and the hip replacements? You can respond to the surprises with kindness and prayers and they, I’m sure, will be thankful. The passage of time changes everyone but friendship can be eternal. It’s a flame that begins like a bonfire leaping high with excitement, burning like warm embers and unless occasionally stoked or prodded, can fade like smoke into the night.  

A Happy Mother's Day Thank You Poem

To All the Moms

by Eve Gaal

To all the moms who kissed away tears,

listened to our fears,

taught us how to sing.

To moms who baked pies,

told us white lies--

about how cute we were in bell bottoms.

To moms who scurried off to work,

putting up with jerks,

who talked down to proud women.

To moms who tried to curl our hair.

Braiding or trimming as we sat restless in the chair,

working on her patience.

To moms who tried to make us eat,

our veggies and some meat,

while we made faces and ducked under the table.

To moms who scolded us when we were bad

but reminded us not to be sad,

because if they could do all of this—

then someday--maybe 

so could we. 

To those devoted moms who wait for calls,

from deserts or hallowed halls,

while their child marches to a bugle. 

And....

To moms who planted special seeds,

by having books around for us to read,

prompting gardens of creativity,

filled with mindful blossoms and wildly grateful hearts.  

(I hope every mother has a wonderful day including mothers of fur babies and dads who had to step up to the plate and be mothers too, not to mention us empty nesters and stepmoms who wait for happy calls.May all of us remember our own mother with love, this Mother's Day.)

A Catch-up Post

1.       Sorry, due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven’t been reading or writing many blog posts lately. Don't worry, because the force that's controlling me away from blogging is building character and giving me more material to write about later. I’m very sorry and hope to be back to reading my favorites soon. In case, this takes me longer than expected, please have a great December and Merry Christmas.

2.       My short novella, The Fifth Commandment is now available in Portuguese and Spanish. Plus, right now it's on sale! Oh--- and the most exciting news is that my humble, faith-based novella reached bestseller status in Australia! By the way, I need some reviews for this one!

           The Fifth Commandment

3.       Penniless Hearts has a gorgeous new cover! Have you seen it? This is the third one. What do you think?

Penniless Hearts

4.       I need to update my website: www.evegaal.com (soon).

Acknowledging God's Love

People see God every day, they just don't recognize him. ~Pearl Bailey

God enters by a private door into each individual. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My mother used to marvel at how I could create a dinner quickly and with very few ingredients. Flattered at the time, I now realize those early meal endeavors were not my genius and had very little to do with my talent.

Later, she told me how incredible it was that I could go out and earn money simply by using my wits and bubbly personality. Of course, there was more to it than that, but the intangible aspect of advertising did make my family wonder about my product, my nice suits and fast car. My product was ‘space’ and it wasn't the final frontier. During those years, I placed a lot of emphasis on teamwork and never felt that my ideas were the sole reason clients loved our newspaper. I was part of a daily jigsaw puzzle that needed ink, graphic artists, pressmen, reporters, circulation staff and a publisher. Now I look back and realize there was something even more important helping me along. This something is stronger than anything on Earth and back in those days I wouldn't have known how to explain it to anyone—this invisible force opened doors, helped me smile when my pantyhose ripped or my car’s air conditioner went on the blink and made normally cranky, overworked businessmen listen to my sales pitch--on top of all that, I wasn't even aware of this incredible phenomenon and worked like an underground army ant in total oblivion. 

Today, I’m cognizant and extremely grateful. If I make a dinner and it doesn't quite taste or look the way I expected, there’s still gentle reassurance coming from my loving husband who will eat anything I prepare, while telling me he loves it. Again, the unconditional love coming through to me, building me up and reminding me I am important.

(My post today is about small things that move us along-- not the coping mechanisms and magic assisting us during tragedy and painful loss-- which is miraculous and worthy of a deeper discussion.)

In conclusion, every one of us is important. (If someone jumped in front of you in line at the coffee place this morning, maybe tomorrow, you’ll get a quicker line or fresher coffee. Maybe they’ll be offering a two for one coupon for customers coming back the next day with a friend and it's fair to consider that the one who jumped in front of you might have been hurrying to a hospital. Only God knows everyone’s story.)

Summary:

The intangible love of God surrounds everyone. 

He knows what you need.

Whether you pray or not, He wants to help.

Have you noticed this too?

Arrogant Clouds in July

Summer blew in on some high and mighty clouds.

Bringing hot air--

Mild humidity--

Soaring temperatures--

Over 100,

Still 15 to 20 degrees cooler than our previous residence.

The locals complain but I feel grateful.

Thankfulness washes over me like a waterfall.

Or perhaps it’s time to turn on the air conditioning?

Juiciest watermelons, straw hats, evening strolls under magnificent starry nights

Where the big dipper sits low and June bugs scatter,

Now that it’s July.

Are you thankful for something right now? 

Thank You for Visiting!! (M)

The word for Thank You is simply:
Mahalo

If you plan on going to Hawaii, make sure you learn this one word.