Photo Blog of Santa Rosas

 I wrote about hiking in the Santa Rosa mountains five years ago, during a drought. Here's the link to that post: https://evegaal.blogspot.com/2014/11/hiking-preserving-good-ideas-praying.html

Imagine how lovely everything is after the recent rains.

 Here's our April hike. 

Snow in the distance

California poppies

Crazy wild cacti

The adobes

Poppies

The road less traveled.

Connecting With a Brilliant Author!

Connections. Isn’t that the entire reason for the Internet and all the various, social media sites?

Here's a bizarre tale of a tale:
The other day, we had a new LED bulb that went dark in the kitchen. I got on a chair with a wooden spoon and pushed the bulb, gently towards the ceiling, a tiny bit. It had lost its connection. When we flipped the switch on the wall, the bulb lit up like magic.

Oddly, this was a precursor to a special connection I was about to make that very same day!

You see, I have read a few books by my friend author Barbara Roman, but never thought I'd be lucky enough to meet her in person. I love reading many different types of books, but somehow, I’m especially drawn to fantasy and fairy-tales. Her spiritual stories captured my heart. 

So, imagine my curious feeling about the light-bulb in the kitchen, when I know I’m about to meet an author who wrote a mystical, children’s book about how people are similar to different types of light-bulbs! Yes! A light-bulb went off in my brain, that seemed to say,"Try to listen, Eve. You might learn something."

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity of making a human connection because of technological advances that were not possible even twenty years ago. And, after the light-bulb in my kitchen incident, I realized it’s an important, one-of-a-kind connection.

We both wore pink. 
Lovely Barbara's on the right.

 My interview with author, Barbara Roman

1. Tell us the name you write your books under and give us an easy way— or a clue perhaps—a type of memory hint-- that will help us always remember your name or the name of one of your books.

Hi, Eve.  Thank you for the opportunity to be featured on your Blog page. 

I write under two names:  I use B. Roman for my novels (The Moon Singer Series and my suspense thriller “Whatever Became of Sin?”) - somehow I thought just using a first initial wouldn’t influence a reader’s bias about it being from a male or female author and let the story speak for itself.   

For my children’s books I use the full Barbara Roman.  I felt it was softer and more approachable than just a first initial.  My children’s books definitely have a “feminine voice” so I wanted my name to be an indicator of a softer style.

That said, I could be completely wrong and am just confusing my readers!  Ha. 

2. Tell us something that no one knows about you.

Like many writers my background is somewhat eclectic.  I’ve been a professional singer since my teen years (eons!) and my “jobs” have been in journalism, marketing, promotion and feature writing for newspapers and magazines.  All of this intertwined with writing about music, then into children’s stories, then novels. 

I love all kinds of movies except horror and slasher/hacker violent films.  My television addictions are medical shows (Saving Hope, New Amsterdam, The Resident); and legal dramas (For The People), and political shows such as Madam Secretary  and Designated Survivor.  And just for contrast would you believe I was completely obsessed with the fantasy TV series Smallville?  Loved it.

3. What are your favorite genres to read? Favorites to write?

My reading tastes swing wide, when I have the time to read, which is very limited.  But I am especially drawn to legal thrillers, and have read a lot of spiritual and metaphysical books that are self-empowering.  These preferences are evident in the books I have written.

4. What are you working on right now?

My work-in-progress is another suspense thriller called “A Man’s Face.”  I have a lot of work to do on it but here’s a little teaser:   

A teenager walks in on his mother’s murder but now, 15 years later, can still only remember the scarred face of a man standing over her body. Through many plot twists and turns he discovers that the man he saw is his fiance's brother. Worse still, his fiance's father is the actual murderer - the brother had covered up the crime.  It’s a multi-generational saga of treachery and corruption set in the backdrop of the elite wine industry from Spain to California.

Suspense/Thriller

Wow, "A Man's Face," sounds like it's in the vein of your suspenseful novel, "Whatever Became of Sin".
 Well, anyway, thanks so much for meeting me, Barbara.  You, and your books are wonderful. I'm so glad we made this connection. 

For any age child.

5. You can buy her books by going to these links:

http://mybook.to/BeforeTheBoy

http://mybook.to/Clipper

http://mybook.to/WChamber

http://mybook.to/TheWindRose

http://mybook.to/WBSin

http://mybook.to/AliciaLightBulbPeople

http://mybook.to/hubertinheaven

Spiritual

Update: While in the kitchen for lunch, before finishing this post,

 the same exact bulb flickered. Coincidence? 

How about you? Have you met any of your online friends? 

Happy Easter Anyway!

I’ve heard stories about how the crocus flower peeps through the snow.

Daffodil bulbs with an innate desire to grow.

Tulips that thrived in the cold,

withering when shipped to be sold.

Fiona spots one of our tulips

This one has blown away.

I’ve read Eliot’s poem about April being cruel,

especially noting the price of fuel.

I see the icy highways on the news,

wild seas and the unpleasant cruise.

Watched our petals take to the sky,

like butterflies waving a brief goodbye.

Though things seem bleak,

the way many speak,

we cannot mope.

We must understand this visual depiction of hope.

The promising end to winter storms,

as a time to be reborn.

Easter-time.

Metamorphosis and a Long Journey

You, tender little thing, along with millions of friends and relatives, were born down south, beyond the border in romantic, sunny Mexico. And yet, somewhere in the four steps of your life, perhaps while nibbling on the leaves of jalapeno pepper plants, as a hungry caterpillar, you remembered a song and had a deep desire to lift off someday, and head north. Perhaps it was part of an unspoken, mandatory plan. Patiently, you waited for the rain to subside.

Inside that chrysalis, you changed into your superhero outfit. A flashy number in shades of tangerine orange, against a background of black, with white polka dots decorating the edges. In case you were wondering, the chocolate-hued lingerie coordinates perfectly. Elegant, almost like a miniature Monarch. The media calls you a Painted Lady, but you know you’re more than your colors. You have the strength to travel thousands of miles, and are determined to see the world.  

When the rains drained into the sandy soil, you emerged, flapping adorable, transparent wings. Traveling by day, you avoided windshields and swooping birds that rushed towards you, as you fluttered over fences.

Taking a short break on my rosemary plants.

At times, you’d stop along the way for pollen refreshments before checking out the famous super bloom of poppies along the fifteen freeway. 

The warm spring air and the blossoms of sweetness will carry you as far as you desire. Goodbye butterfly. Safe travels.  

Ten More Days Until Spring!!

Signs of Spring

This Monday in March,

I searched for evidence.

A comforting reassurance hidden behind turbulent clouds.

The garden fairies were sure to be shivering,

But the sound of tiny wings fluttered above.

Their voices subdued,

as if humbled by the weather.

Perhaps working overtime and exhausted,

paintbrushes dry,

canvases sodden with months of rain,

they hide in the wild clover.

Stitching petals in the overgrowth,

behind evergreens and tall grass,

on the other side of the gazebo,

they create the magic.

I noticed small hints.

Wee colorful scraps,

vivid shreds,

akin to short pieces of yarn,

swept into the dustpan after crafting.

They popped out near the rosemary.

Tiny bouquets of pink,

sprouting bulbs,

a single African daisy.

Each a smile bursting from the soil;

The promised harbingers of Spring.

Physical hope,

here in my garden.

--Eve Gaal

Library Love!

So sorry that you weren't able to make it to our local library last Tuesday. My presentation took place in a large room filled with smiling faces and lots of hospitality. There were snacks galore, such as cake, sandwiches, appetizers, cookies, muffins, etc.  What a wonderful group of kind and generous human beings! I want to thank the Friends of the Murrieta Library for allowing me to speak. It was a huge honor. Of course I talked about my books and The Intangible Heart.
 Here are snippets from my talk:

My name is Eve Gaal and I’m a local author from Wildomar and a member of the Diamond Valley Writer’s Guild. My hobbies include reading, crocheting and walking my naughty chihuahuas.

One of my favorite books is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. Most consider it a children’s book but it has tremendous words of wisdom, which I’m sure most of you have heard: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” 

Which leads me to what I call: The Intangible Heart. Not the vessels, aorta and throbbing organ pumping blood throughout our body, but the biggest, best piece of equipment we have. Because even though we can manage anger, hunger, most of our tears and bodily functions, there are things we can’t control. And yet, we’ve been given this super power that allows us complete control of our non-tangible hearts. Total free will to love.

These hearts of ours prep like Olympic athletes because they feel our emotions. We have those bad days, and sad days that take our breath away. But like the song from the movie Titanic, “Our hearts will go on.” It’s part of our inner spirit. It is a gift. It can reproduce as much love as you want to give. The more we give, the more we receive.

Most everything I write is about a lost character who needs to find a way back, through an adventure of trials and errors where love saves the day!

I’m convinced everything happens for a reason. Not much is random. Maybe confetti.

Ask yourself. How much of your life can you control?

Have you ever tried to train a cat?

Nail jello to the wall?

Remember the Little Prince and how he wanted total control of his rose, so much so, that he placed it under a glass dome?

But we don’t live on Asteroid B612.

Here on Earth, it seems things can appear out of control. And that’s when we reach for love. We can let our inner riches flow and our heartfelt undying gifts spread like wildfire. Love is the shield that protects better than an iron umbrella in a rainstorm of negativity. Love is our weapon. People say, “Oh that’s impossible,” but then someone comes along and surprises everyone by doing it. Love is the footstool that helps us climb over barricades. Love is the reason there are miracles. Things we can’t explain.

When you leave behind a legacy of love, you will be remembered forever. Not because you have the biggest house, the fastest car or the prettiest hair. It’s your story. Create the ending you want.

And so on....After this I gave examples from my own life when I was not in control and yet still unafraid. Then I also read a paragraph from Penniless Souls. After that, we did an exercise to manifest love. We closed our eyes and imagined our intangible heart  producing heart shaped flyers we could pass out to everyone. I called it a slot machine/ copy machine combination. Everyone went home with a figurative jackpot of love. 

I ended with the following:

For me, love’s the reason I breathe, the reason I write and the reason I am here. And while I may not be the greatest writer, in my intangible heart, I am extremely grateful to those who read and review my books.  Please support your local authors. 

Valentine Greetings!

“Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.” ... (Matthew 4:4)

Happy St. Valentine’s Day from my little crumb catchers!

And by the way, please come see me talk about my newest novel, Penniless Souls at the Murrieta Library on February 19^th!  My topics will include love and the mindful inspiration that springs from our intangible hearts!

Hope to see you there!