Sunday Morning Sunshine: A Burst of Poetry

January brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow...
--Mother Goose

Winter: slippy, drippy, nippy.
--Mother Goose

Lighter than thistledown
Blown by a fairy,
Fine flakes of snow fall through
Space gray and airy. 
Whiter than lily that
Blows sweet in summer,
This first snow of winter,
This gentle newcomer.
--Ivy O. Eastwick

The fenceposts wear marshmallow hats
On a snowy day;
Bushes in their nightgowns
Are kneeling down to pray--
And all the trees have silver skirts
And want to dance away.
--Dorothy Aldis

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it odd
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of east wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
--Robert Frost.

Happy Winter!

Rambling Friday: A Kind Word

Oh, my, what's better than a kind word spoken or a gentle act of love to cheer the heart?

I was in the checkout line at Wal-mart the other day, and when I got ready to leave, I looked at the clerk and said, "You have a nice day."

She glanced at me, a bit of surprise on her face. Her lips widened in a smile and she said something like this: "Thank you. You are always so nice."

I'm not totally sure how it affected her, if she cared, or even if she needed the words of kindness. But, oh, they affected me. My own words. And her answer. From a drab day to a day that's like:

a fire sparkler sky,

An anchor is a storm-driven sea,

A ride on an old bicycle on a summer day,

Sunshine on a forest path after a week of rain,

Mustard seeds at the local grocery, reminding us to have faith.

Faith in ourselves, our kind words, our fellowman, our God.

We sure won't go wrong with those! 

Happy day! 

Serious Wednesday: Passionate Writing--When the Light Hits!

2019 was a tough year for me as far as writing is considered. I struggled with coming up with ideas, plots and how to proceed, no matter how many times I  brainstormed with myself or other writing friends.

The problem?

• Too many things going on in my life. When you get so busy, you fail to accomplish some goals. There's no way to do everything. Sometimes something has to give.
• Taking on a project that seemed bigger than life. Especially one that, at times, I didn't know how to do or even want to. 

The solution:

• Adjust your life goals. Sometimes shorter is better. It seems more attainable. You can always add more as your list grows shorter.
• Evaluate what you really want to do, what you feel you should do, and what is important to you. Once you have the answer to these things, it will be much more satisfying to make your list of goals. 

For me, 2020 dawned new and bright. The discouragement and stress from 2019 evaporated. I was able to begin focusing on what I wanted to do, what I needed to do and how to go about it.  

Late one night right before I fell asleep, ideas popped into my head. Perhaps through the turmoil of the past year, they'd been percolating inside my brain, waiting for the right moment, the time to reveal themselves.

I felt invigorated and inspired to write. Eager to write, thrilled that the hated blockage of writing ideas had disappeared. 

In the days following, I've been hard at it, with a plan, to follow through and continue to labor toward my goals. 

What does it take to break through a rough patch of writing? I can give you answers, but sometimes none of those will do the trick. 

I think, at times, the brain and body need a break. Maybe there were things going on I'll never realize or know. And that's okay. For now.

Let me tell you one thing. I hope I never have such an uninspiring writing year as 2019. 

Here's to a goal-driven, prosperous and successful year of writing! 

For sure! 

Happy writing, authors!

Sunday Morning Peace: Winter

Cold

Snow

Frozen

Peace

Berries

Sunshine

Winter.

Stay warm!

Serious Wednesday: Linda Weaver Clarke has a new book out!

Welcome to my friend, Linda!

Learn about her new book, just out,

and...if you're interested...

sign up for her newsletter

and get a FREE ebook! 

(Details below)

Enjoy!

A Willow Valley Rivalry

This new Historical Romance series is set in the 1800s. Each story has a mystery to solve and each book is family-friendly. I have released a new book in this series, which takes place in 1839 in the United States. This was a time of turmoil for many, especially for those who supported the abolitionist movement.

In A Pleasant Rivalry, Angelica Davis is surprised when she finds out that an old school chum has returned to Willow Valley to take over his grandfather’s business. Since she writes articles for the Chronicle and Simon Morgan owns the Willow Valley News, they just happen to be rivals. The competition is on. Who will be the first to discover the identity of the jewel thief or the arsonist? Will it be Angelica or Simon? Gradually the feelings she once had for him return as they both search for the same stories. To her surprise, Angelica realizes she is losing her heart to her rival.

“I loved this book!  It was a great historical read and full of surprises.  I totally didn't expect what happened… to happen.  The time period was an interesting one and I love how the author intertwines historical events into the story.  It was a new and refreshing tale.” –Sunnie Reviews

You will learn about the Trail of Tears, the abolitionist movement that began in Illinois, the refugees that were kicked out of Missouri, and you will fall in love all over again as you see two classmates bond in a pleasant rivalry.

It has been thirteen years since Angelica saw her classmate. He left at the age of seventeen to join the Navy. Now he’s back to run his grandfather’s newspaper business. With Simon running the Willow Valley News and Angelica writing articles for the Chronicle, the competition is on. Who will get the story first? Angelica or her rival?

“Watching the rivalry between these two will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. I would give this book a higher rating than a five-star review if I could. Linda Weaver Clarke is an amazing author.” – Debbie Jamieson, Reviewer

Since this is book three in the series, you will meet a few of those from previous stories. You will see Nicholas and Felicity from book one and Emmeline and Lucas from book two. They were beloved characters that snuck back into this story and are even more enchanting. They add a bit of spice to this story.

The first book in the Willow Valley series is One Last Dance. Felicity Brooks is an artist but her career is cut short when her father passes away. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. Nicholas Adams is on a quest. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father had discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn.

“One Last Dance is a historical romance with a mystery to add to the tale. Felicity has always been a strong and independent woman. Amongst mystery, loss, paintings, and a career, she is going to have to decide if love has a place in her heart.” --Author Anna Del C Dye

The second book in the Willow Valley series is Angel’s Serenade. Emmeline Scott is raising her sister’s two children and is surprised when she finds out the new doctor in town is helping her nephew adapt to his surroundings. It is not easy to be uprooted and have to start a new life. As Emmeline gets to know the charming doctor, Lucas Golden, they become intrigued by her neighbor’s mysterious behavior. Will they discover his secret? And who is the leader of the River Pirates, who is causing so much havoc?

“Clarke has created a sweet romance that will warm the heart, and it’s wrapped up in fascinating yesteryear details of courting, medical practice and river pirates. I highly recommend the book to those who enjoy sweet romance with a bit of mystery.” –Author Gail Pallotta

Here is a video link for you to dance to with One Last Dance:

https://vimeo.com/310912310

Linda’s Website: www.lindaweaverclarke.com

My Book Blog: https://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com

A Pleasant Rivalry is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z49N2LJ

Angel’s Serenade is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RV79LDN

One Last Dance is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVNWSP9

About Linda:

Linda Weaver Clarke was raised among the Rocky Mountains of southern Idaho and now lives among the red hills of southern Utah. She is the author of Historical Romance, Cozy Mysteries, Swashbuckling Romance, a Children’s Book, and Nonfiction. Linda teaches a class about writing your family history that is free to the public at the Family Search Center in Southern Utah. She is also a missionary at the Family Search Center where she helps people find their ancestors and learn about their heritage.

GIVEAWAY!
Want a free book? Everyone who wants to sign up for Linda's newsletter will receive a free ebook when you email Linda at lwc@lindaweaverclarke.com   She'll send you the ebook and sign you up.


Happy Reading!

Sunday Morning Peace: New Beginnings!

Remember not the former things,

neither consider things of the old.

Behold, I will do a new thing;

now it shall spring forth;

shall you not know it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43: 18 & 19

Shall not God lead us in the way we should go?

Don't look back.

Always forward, with eyes fixed on the goal God has given us.

It may be a surprise: a new thing,

but surely God will give it.

a way through the doubts and fears,

and blessings (not a RIVER but RIVERS)!

Looking ahead...

Rambling Friday: Christmas is Over!

We celebrated Christmas on December 24th this year. Our youngest son and his family couldn't be
here on Christmas eve or day, so our oldest son and a friend enjoyed a great meal and unwrapping gifts on December 24th.

You'd think Christmas was over, right?

Not so fast. For a person who LOVES Christmas, I don't let go until forced to by a forbearing hubby who finally (in February) insists that the live tree must go. Sigh.

So...with my devious mind (ha!), I made plans to enjoy another Christmas celebration this coming Saturday with both my sons present, another meal, laughing, unwrapping packages and whatever else we can cook up!

I began today making a new dessert. Ordering a coconut cream pie tomorrow, removing the frozen ham from the freezer tomorrow, and, hopefully, prepare more desserts tomorrow, along with finishing the wrapping a few more gifts.

To say the least, I'm certainly looking forward to Saturday, another day to be with family, be thankful Jesus came as a babe many years ago, and that, so far we're all fairly healthy.

And I figure, that as long as I keep Christmas in my heart--the real meaning of Christmas--then I can celebrate the season as long as I want. Sounds good to me! :)

How much do you love Christmas?

Have a blessed New Year!