Words from the Heart

  Recently, someone asked me why I was writing poetry...again...for the 30 Poems in November challenge. First and foremost, poetry has been a lifeline for me since childhood. Poetry allowed me to find beauty amidst poverty, disease, and abuse. With poetry, I could dive down the rabbit hole with the like of Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Edna St. Vincent Millay to cavort with language that painted pictures in ways that gave voice to the fear and longings I had.  My second thought when asked why I would get up early each morning to write a poem based on a prompt someone has sent me was, "Why not?" Writing stimulated the brain, which is something scientist are now telling those over sixty is very important for their mental health. Writing helps to de-stress you, lowering your blood pressure and activating the hormones that help to keep you healthy. As you can see my first two reason are very selfish, but I am not only thinking of myself when I write. I am thinking of my ...

Ruby Pearl, the heroine of Dianne Floyd Boehm’s novel stands precariously on the cusp of life. In the small village of Oilton, Oklahoma. Horse and buggy are still the primary means of transportation. Ruby Pearl has been transported by her mind. She hears the call of modern life in a big city like Tulsa, Oklahoma City or Chicago.  Diann Floyd Boehm has written a Young Adult novel based on the life of her grandmother. By deftly weaving memories and history of the 1920’s, Ms. Boehm. fictitiously, recounts her grandmother’s struggle to achieve the life of her dreams. Ms. Boehm’s grandmother's dream is not the life assumed and expected by her parents and the community of Oilton. Ruby Pearl loves to read and write. She also loves her family. A husband, children and home are important to her. She does not want, though, to become as the author writes, “the CEO of the household” without first experiencing life in “the big city.” She wants to live in a big city like Tulsa, Oklahoma City or ...

I am thrilled to share a post with writer, Diann Floyd Boehm. Diann's new book, Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More,  is an excellent example of how inspiration can come from past memories. Diann was born in Tulsa, OK. She was sister to five brothers. Together they grew up in Texas. Diann graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Education. She is married and the mother of three children. Throughout her life, she has traveled, taught elementary school and lived around the world.  Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is her fourth book.   ~~~ How Memories of the Past Inspire Writers After I decided to write the story of my grandmother’s life, with the hope of inspiring young people to follow their dreams, I began really studying the history of my great-parents’ times growing up, and how my grandmother opened doors to understanding the past and the ripple effects it had over the years. My grandmother was born in 1904 in a small town in Oklahoma. It was so far...

When asked to review, Odyssey of Love by Linda  Jämsén , I was intrigued.  Not only did Linda have roots in the same part of Eastern Europe as my family, but her family lived not far from my present home. In addition, she lived in Boston, close to where I grew up as a child.  Parallel's like these always draw me to a book, but what really keeps me reading is the writing. Linda  Jämsén is an excellent wordsmith who knows how to turn a phrase, build tension and create suspense, all of which enable the reader to feel as if they are part of the plot.   One thing that truly touched me was the advise Linda receives from the psychic, Angelica, that she visits to "settle down, not settle for."  If the reader gets nothing else from this book, this one bit of advice is worth its weight in gold! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs, love stories and the drama of real life! I know I am looking forward to the release of her sequel, Triptych ! About...

Over the past week, I have noticed an increase of vitriolic posts across social media. This makes my heart ache. Our world is filled with so much pain, so much suffering, I find it impossible to understand why people feel the need to add more of the same on social media.   My mother told me (more than once!) that if I didn't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.  I have tried to practice this throughout my life.  (I have not perfected it in any shape or form, but I try.)  What I have learned over the years is to try and stop before I say or write something I will later regret or that might hurt others. I think mindfully about how the words I am using will sound and what meaning they may convey.  Often, I rewrite something using words that are not as inflammatory or vicious.  I have also learned not to ever write for publication when I am full of anger. I may put down in words my feelings, but I don't share what I have written. I let it...

  When you teach English to adult immigrants and refugees, you quickly realize that we are all connected with the same hopes and desires regardless of culture, religion, race, or gender. When you hear about the joys of your students, you celebrate with them. Likewise, when you hear of their sadness, you mourn with them. My "heart is down and my soul is heavy" with all the pain and suffering in the world. I have dear students from all over the world with families suffering because of earthquakes, storms, fires, war, and madness.  I pray constantly that good will conquer evil. I preach the Golden Rule faithfully. I KNOW that Love IS the answer. I also know that fear feeds evil in a way akin to how steroids feed a body but make the mind mad.  As difficult as it is, we must continue to care for one another...to see the beauty inside each person we come in contact with during our days. We must not fall prey to hate. Like a vampire bite, hate produces more hate, and the cycle b...

For Those Gone Too Soon            by Linda M. Rhinehart Neas  The mind searches –    Within the mind palace - What were the last words spoken ?  Your laugh, your smile  Echoes through rooms and halls  Long lost and barely remembered.  The news came shockingly –  A happened upon obit,  A message from someone you knew,  A call from a mutual friend.  The particulars of how, why, when  Carry little weight –  What matters is that you are gone.  Time, the thief, stole you from now,  Never allowing for a proper goodbye –  Oh the things left unsaid!  Those left behind,  On learning that you now live  In days gone by - among foggy dreams Where the sun always shines –  Pain has ceased its incessant knowing –  Where youth and beauty reign,  Are numbed by the realization that -  No longer will you call - No longer will you hold their hand - No longer will...

  Writing About God for the Secular Children’s Audience  by Cinda Jo Bauman  Spoiler alert. The 12-year-old main character in my book, Only My Horses Know , says “crap.”  Several people told me that if a publisher for Christian books found interest in this manuscript, they would make me take the “crap” out of it. But I wanted my characters to be slightly rough and rowdy, a little like I was way back then. I wanted God in my books, but I wanted the books to be available in all bookstores, not only the Christian bookstores. So, I decided to take my chances and let her say it, more than once even.  I was lucky to have been raised to believe in God. Thinking back, I really can't remember my parents talking to me about faith. We were not huge church goers. I loved vacation Bible school each summer, and I enjoyed the occasional church visits with friends and family; so, it must have been a combination of the great example my parents set for me and the pieces of teachi...

On my first visit to my grandchildren in over a year and a half, I took Read-Aloud Stories with Fred Collection by Fred Olds . I thought that if the grandkids liked the stories, then my work writing this review would be easy. What I wasn't prepared for was just how much they liked them! After reading "Sammy the Royal Rabbit" to my granddaughter, K and grandson, L, I asked, "What do you think?" L, who is five and a half, looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I like the ending. Can you read another?" K, who is ten going on one hundred, responded, "Yes, it had a good ending. It taught a lesson, which is good for children. I think it would be a great book to use when teaching comprehension and character development."  Needless to say, I was speechless. On the other hand, they gave me fodder for my review.  I highly recommend this book for children of all ages. The stories have a lovely quality of truth to them. In other words, they suspend disbel...

  How often do you say the words, "I love you," "I am sorry," "I forgive you," or "Thank you?"  Short phrases that carry so much power. These are the phrases used in the Hawaiian prayer Ho'oponopono.  (Click the link to learn more about this healing practice.) The power of these words lies in the sincerity by which they are uttered. Too often, they become pat sayings used to fill gaps in conversation or used lightly to show sentiments for which English is lacking.  Let me give you an example. How often have you heard someone say, "Oh, I love my new car (or dress, or whatever.)"  Do they really "love" these things?  On the other hand, I know that I have said, "I'm sorry," upon hearing something for which I had not words to express the feelings I had about a situation.  Sorry wasn't the right word, but I have yet to find a word that adequately expresses my feelings when someone shares the horrors of their l...

Photo from Bing   Do you think you could ever get comfortable on a cactus couch?  I saw this on a post a friend put up talking about chronic pain.  The minute I read the caption, I knew this was a great analogy for sharing just what it is like to live with chronic pain. I have been blessed to be able to control the pain I have from arthritis and fibromyalgia for many years now without prescription medication. Unfortunately, the last thirteen months has increased my stress levels to the point that I am out of remission. This means, I hurt...all...day...long. I cannot take pain meds. I react badly to them. I take extra strength Tylenol and sleep.  Usually, that gives me the edge I need to keep going forward. The past two weeks, this isn't working well, so I have returned to what I did almost 15 years ago, now, and that is cut back, regroup, rest, and try to be gentle with myself.  A lot easier said than done! Thing that really causes people with chronic pain, or i...

I am so happy to share an interview with one of my favorite people who has just published a new book.  Kim Lloyd!  I met Kim virtually through my daughter, Courtney.  Her positive attitude, compassion and enthusiasm resonated with me.  When I learned about her book, Start Where You Are : A beginner's guide to lifting weights and feeling great, I knew I wanted to share it with my readers. Let the interview begin! Welcome, Kim! Before we delve into the book, could you tell the readers a bit about how you got where you are today?   Thank you Linda! And thank you so much for inviting me to share on your page.  Author Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) has an incredible talk about not following your passion, but following your curiosity. Though I didn't recognize it at the time, I spent my twenties and thirties doing exactly that. I wrote for a newspaper, coached college sports, freelanced as a photographer, and worked more than my fair share of odd jobs. (Hos...