Valentine Hope!

 

It’s gray outside, in fact, it looks and feels bleak. Our country is not only cold, as in rain and snow, but also battling a virus. For the last few months things have been horrible and depressing. My noise cancelling headphones broke in half—so now there’s nowhere to hide from the six o’clock news. Our friends are in and out of hospitals. Sadly, despite our constant prayers, a few didn’t make it. Another is stuck in hospice.

Even during the darkest days, we know things will get better. Of course, they will, but even smiling broadcasters don’t have a clue as to when. But there’s always hope, or at least there should be hope.

“Where there is no hope, it is incumbent on us to invent it.”
~ Albert Camus

At 7:48am this morning someone sent me flowers. The doorbell rang and the driver, who should have worn a mask, handed me a lovely bouquet of roses, lilies and daisies. After setting them on the counter, I immediately washed my hands. Still, it came as a delightful surprise.

Five minutes later, a romantic couple of large, mallard ducks flew into our backyard as a sort of harbinger of spring. Splashing and quacking, they shook their tail feathers and sat down on the flagstone. Every year a couple, maybe the same ones, return to lay eggs behind our mesquite tree. Once the ducklings hatch, they toddle off behind mama duck, to a local creek. Why would this year be any different?

An hour later, my Valentine went to get his first dose of the vaccine. Things are looking up. There might even be a bit of sunshine today!

 

May hope and love fill your heart this Valentine’s Day!

Nervous Birds!

 

When I look at the birds, I feel sorry for them. Outside in the cold, they sit on barren trees, exposed to the elements, in what folks in California describe as cold weather. 

In ancient times, way before they had fast-talking meteorologists, there were natural ways to figure out upcoming changes in the weather. I don’t mean fast-talking as a slur, but here, during Golden State winters, we have a lot going on.  Periodically, I even worry the forecasters need to take a breath, lest they keel over on camera.

Arms gesticulating in front of a giant map, they inhale and explain how rain is swooping in from the north, while heat is coming in from the south. There’s a dangerous current blowing in from the east, snow in the mountains with light precipitation in the valleys, a heat wave in the desert, and hazardous rip currents at the beach, with an onshore flow that will bring coastal fog to low-lying communities.

Oh, my goodness, it all sounds so exciting, even my heart begins to race! (It doesn’t take much during this stay at home order and pandemic.)

As a viewer, we try deciphering the diagrams pertaining to our area, but somehow, the predictions rarely match reality.  Maybe we live in a micro-climate? While the doppler radar can foresee our future, we scratch our heads wondering where our home fits into the analytical scheme of things. Still, we’re a sucker for entertainment so we keep watching the weather report.

But outside, there’s something different going on. “Relax,” the birds outside my window seem to chirp. “You have a home— so stop complaining—stay inside. Sure, it’s cold—it’s winter—duh. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re busy. We need to build a nest as soon as possible. I need a twig. I need to call my friends. How am I supposed to raise a family? I need to sing to warn the others that bad weather is coming, and I need to find food to sustain me when it’s cold.”

Every night at 5pm, hundreds of crows fly overhead.

Okay, I see their point. Just like weatherpersons speaking faster in winter, they fly and flit with a greater urgency. Time is of the essence. Based on what I see, it’s going to rain tomorrow.

Beyond the Story with Author Sandra Jackson

 

 Gorgeous Giulia

I have a question for some of my writer friends. Have you ever come across a character who was annoying and obnoxious from the moment they popped into your head?

Let me introduce you to gorgeous but naughty Giulia. This is a character I don’t know much about but she sure knew how to start trouble in my novel. When author Sandra Jackson asked to interview one of my characters, I thought it would be hilarious to find out more about Giulia.

The best part of the interview is that Sandra seamlessly was able to read between the lines of my vague responses. Giulia is Juan’s sweetheart, but her heart is all over the place, as you'll see in this funny and entertaining interview.

Sandra Jackson's Blog--Expressions

Sandra J. Jackson

The Happy War Reviews/January SALE

 

 

Take a look at these tidbits from some amazing reviews!

Don't let the cover fool you.
This isn't your every day romance-
-it's a Machiavellian tale about changing the world!

“This is a fantasy romance wrapped in the Impossible Dream.”-Marilyn J. Collier

“This book is true escapist fare, giving readers a “Gee, I wish we could really do this!” fantasy, and a time-out from all the current world chaos.”-Bjonsmom

“The author took me on a two-week, worldwide journey filled with twists and turns that kept me riveted.”-Arch Font

“Captivating and smartly written, it is another of the author’s “I can’t wait to see what happens next” books. Gaal’s writing is fearless and fast-paced. I love her quirky humor and heartwarming moments!”-Sunny Simon

“Will happiness be achieved? What a fun ride this was... -L. Carmichael

“The story is well-crafted, the characters believable, and the plot moves quickly to keep you engaged.”-Gina R. Mitchell

“Read it to discover whether the girl gets the man, the man gets the girl, or if the world gets peace”-Kenna McKinnon

 

ON SALE for ereaders through January 8^th for .99 cents.

FREE for Kindle Unlimited users. Available in paperback for $10.26 and the hard copies are almost half price at $23.37 for a limited time.

 Click here: for your copy!

I can’t wait to hear what YOU think!

Intangible Gratitude

 

As we come to the end of 2020,

 I realize this is the year of the intangible heart.

Days without friends,

celebrations spent apart.

It’s been a year of reflection,

personal growth,

a wild election.

 

Virtual hugs,

helped us avoid

killer germs--disastrous bugs.

And,

while the business world met on zoom,

our goals were to stay clear

of anything resembling a hospital room.

 

Online charity doesn’t feel the same;

I feel like a number,

at least I have a name.

A few dresses in my closet,

have yet to be worn,

but only if things return

to some sense of norm.

 

Al-bums—picture files,

I stalk old photos

searching for smiles,

funny memories,

of travel,

and dogs.

Then there’s music,

Which has a way of making me

rise above complications,

silent,

self-absorbed situations.

 

Suddenly,

I’m kind of domesticated.

There’s cooking, baking,

laundry and more,

putting my heart into whatever I’m making.

Not a bother,

Not a chore.

Maybe a poem,

about staying safe

and wearing a mask.

 

And if ever,

(my intangible heart

is trying to say,)

there was a time,

to get on my knees to pray,

it’d be now.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family members!

Please stay safe!!

Thanksgiving 2020

Yes, even this year, with a horrible virus going around,

 I am thankful for many wonderful things. 

I suppose we used to take life for granted. 

This year it's on the top of my list.

Being alive and being able to share

life with those we love is a gigantic blessing.

 Of course, I miss relatives and friends, but I'd rather

 know they are snug at home,

 instead of taking a chance and being exposed to dangerous germs.

Fortunately, I also have many virtual friends like you, and I imagine you're staying safe!

It's not that I'm oblivious--I'm a writer and I have a great imagination. 

I can visualize you with a mask on, while you're social distancing!

Additionally, I can think of about five thousand other things to be thankful about.

What about you?

 

A Dose of Sunshine on a Rainy Day!

 

 

 

This morning, it’s raining outside. Fluffy gray clouds are passing overhead unveiling patches of blue. Californians are always grateful for rain, especially because of the recent fires. Me, I’ve never liked gloomy gray. It’s my least favorite color and it’s sort of depressing. Usually however, the rain doesn’t last long, and rays of sunshine will soon be blasting down. 

Today, as luck would have it, I notice an Amazon package at my gate. I step over a few puddles to retrieve it and am delighted at the timing! Inside the wet, brown wrapper is a dear friend’s book, filled with instant sunshine!

Sunny Simon recently published a book called Life on the Sunny Side—Inspirations for Busy Women. Though I had read an eBook version, today I received the impressive paperback copy.

Oh, my goodness, this is not just some flimsy little booklet with motivational adages. This book has serious inspirational information you can begin using immediately. There are fabulous quotes throughout, from Yogi Berra or Dale Carnegie, but don’t misunderstand, it’s not simply a volume of platitudes and short little sayings. Every chapter is an example of why, and how, we should remain sunny during the tough and gloomy times.

With an extensive background in career and life coaching, Sunny tackles those unexpected challenges that take us for a loop. She takes examples from friends, her husband, colleagues, party-goers, messages in dreams and even her dog. It’s a mindful creation meant for busy people who might need to slow down and focus on the present. It’s a book I’ll return to again and again, because everything she writes is uplifting and sunny. Thanks, Sunny!

If you’re interested in a book that might change your life, click here: