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My heart keeps its vigil in the white silence of winter, measuring the miles between us with the steady beat of hope. I still hear the ghost of your laughter— it catches my tears before they fall. I am waiting for the thaw, for the day the distance dissolves I can finally hold you close again. #nocontact #love #poems

As the sun dips low and the Arctic winds pick up, a unique phenomenon begins to take hold of Iceland. It isn’t a storm of snow, but a storm of stories. Locally, it’s called Jólabókaflóð—the "Christmas Book Flood"—and it might just be the most wonderful holiday tradition you’ve never heard of. While the rest of the world might be rushing for last-minute gadgets, Icelanders are settling in with something much older and arguably much better: a brand-new book. Book Flood? The tra

The holiday season is often painted with broad strokes of vibrant red and green, sparkling lights, and the joyous clamor of celebration. But for many, December also ushers in a different kind of quiet – a reflective blue and grey, illuminated by a flickering, solitary flame. This is the world Otto Hesselbom invites us into with his profoundly moving 1896 masterpiece, Christmas Eve at the Grave ( Julafton vid graven ). You might not know Hesselbom by name, but his work, deepl

The lights are far too bright this year, A neon hum that grates the bone. The table has a hollow chair, A silence where a voice was known. One man is gone, his stories stilled, The other—lost in rooms of mind— A mother with a cup unfilled, Forgetting all she leaves behind. And then the phone that doesn't ring, The son who chose a different shore. The sharpest salt the season brings Is waiting by an open door. To feel it all would be to drown, To let the tidal wave break throu

Dedication: I dedicate this blog to my best friend, Gwenna White Maddox. She and I had the challenging and painful experience of burying a parent on the same day in 2023. For both of us, we navigated the waters of caring for two elderly parents. I am still caregiving for Mama, now in year 12 of her dementia journey. Gwenna, I love you , and I took some of the best things we learned on our journey as caregivers, and I hope this blog helps someone. I love you, Bestie. Holidays

Southern Christian Writers Conference has released the 2025 anthology of winning submissions! I appreciate them for having a monthly contest to enter! I am honored to have been one! Get your edition at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GBTGQNKG #SouthernChristianWritersConference #Writing #Poetry

Christmas, 2025, in all its glory comes, To the rhythmic beat of winter’s drums. A year of shifting tides and high cost, Between the treasures gained and spirits lost. No Christmas tree is up, no decorations abound, Just an existence of everyday, where no revelry is found. But on this sacred day, I seek the light, To keep His holy Mass within my sight. I find the blessing in a Savior’s birth, A hope renewed for all the tired earth. No crowded halls or social noise for me, Jus

Remember this? https://youtu.be/BoXu6QmxpJE?si=ottu20o2f1g_VfJP As I sat at lunch and contemplated that I had lost my cool, I read it was the anniversary of Emily Bronte's death. Ah. Bless her! Great lady! Then, "Carl Jung" popped up on my YouTube and I said... "I am going to blog about Wuthering Heights and Jungian philosophy . " You might have to have a minimum of a gradate level degree to enjoy this drivel, but hey, who's gonna read this? (Probably five people). Emily Br

Card Shower at Christmas, For Mama, December 17, 2025 The tree is lit with a gentle glow, While outside falls the winter snow. And though the days may drift and haze, We bask within this papered blaze. A shower of love, a grand display, To brighten up your Christmas day. From friends afar and hearts so near, The mailman brought a wealth of cheer. Envelopes of red and gold and white, Now fill the room with festive light. Each one a bridge, a hand to hold, With stories of you

Jane Austen’s novels have captivated readers for over two centuries, not only because of her sharp wit and memorable characters but also due to the vivid settings that bring her stories to life. On the occasion of her birthday, it’s fitting to explore the places where her novels unfold. These locations are more than mere backdrops; they shape the social dynamics, conflicts, and romances that define her work. From the rolling countryside of Hampshire to the refined streets of

A poem wishing Jane Austen a Happy Birthday! The Parlor's Cartographer No sword drawn, no great siege upon the wall, But in the drawing-room, she saw it all. The minor siege of status, slight, and stare, The subtle, perfect cruelty found there. She was the chronicler of Highbury's lanes, The silent registrar of social pains. She measured passion with a steady hand, The most accurate chronicler in all the land. In Pemberley, the pride was overthrown, In Mansfield Park, discret

· For James Swords (Aunt Jim) 1987-2006 He taught history and knew every date, A brilliant, kind soul, and a lover of fate. A Social Studies teacher who stood tall and refined, With the biggest and best collection of its kind. His life was a study of Scarlett O'Hara's bold will, With Margaret Mitchell and Tara kept still. The movie, the scripts, the rare editions he owned, A professional passion he beautifully enthroned. He was Mother's best friend, her laughter and guide, An

Writing a World War II romance novel demands more than just a compelling love story. To truly engage readers, your narrative must feel authentic, grounded in the realities of the era. Research plays a crucial role in achieving this authenticity. It helps you create believable characters, settings, and situations that resonate with readers who appreciate historical accuracy alongside emotional depth. This post explores practical steps to guide your research process and enrich

Every novelist knows that writing a story is just the beginning. After the first draft, the manuscript often feels rough, with awkward sentences, unclear ideas, and inconsistent flow. This is where line editing plays a crucial role. It is a vital step that transforms a raw draft into a polished, engaging novel ready for readers. Line editing focuses on the clarity, style, and flow of your writing at the sentence and paragraph level. It goes beyond basic proofreading to improv

Nativity, at Night, A Christmas Poem Inspired by the Art of the Same Title of Geertgen tot Sint Jans, 1490 Beneath a Northern star, his life cut short, Geertgen tot Sint Jans, of Netherlandish sort. An oak wood sheet, his genius would proclaim, He built his Christmas mystery not for fame. Inspired by faith, the artist sought to spread The holy words that Saint Bridget had said. She saw a light no earthly sun could claim, A radiant glory round the Manger flame. "The sun in hea

I was a girl at the First Methodist Church of Griffin, Georgia, when Reverend Kellum told us, one Christmas, the story about John Wesley and a ghost. "A ghost?" we gasped, sitting cross-legged on the rug in the Sunday school classroom. "Listen closely - and I'll tell you the tale. It really happened!" The story stayed in my mind for decades, until I decided to write my own version. Here is the story, based on real events Reverend Kellum cited, told through Wesley's pet, a rea

The Hex of Hadley: A Tale of Mary Webster and Old Scratch The year was 1684. In the small, struggling settlement of Hadley, Massachusetts, Mary Webster lived a life defined by quiet, often weary, virtue. Her husband had passed three years prior, leaving her with little more than a modest cabin, a few hardy hens, and a deep knowledge of the local flora. She was poor, and in Puritan society, poverty often signaled a lack of God's enthusiastic favor. Yet, she was pious, diligen

The year was 1634 when Anne Hutchinson arrived in Boston, a town newly carved out of the rocky Massachusetts wilderness. She was a woman of extraordinary intelligence, a sharp mind honed by years of theological debate in England. These attributes, coupled with her natural charisma, were not just rare in colonial women—they were inherently dangerous. Anne had faithfully followed her beloved minister, the revered John Cotton, but she brought with her a profound, personal theo

Wreath Laying at the Corinth National Cemetery, 2025 by Anne Hendricks, M.Ed. The ground is hushed beneath the winter sun, In Corinth, where the solemn stones all lie. A sacred duty, once again begun, Beneath the vast Mississippi sky. The lines of white, a silent, perfect row Bear names of heroes from a distant fight, From Civil War's long, agonizing woe, To battles fought in freedom's modern light. And here we gather, not for pomp or show, But with the green of life to crown

The Battle of the Bulge stands as one of the most intense and pivotal confrontations of World War II. Fought in the dead of winter, this battle tested the endurance and resolve of Allied forces against a fierce German counteroffensive. The harsh winter conditions added a brutal layer of difficulty, challenging soldiers beyond the enemy’s firepower. Among the key figures who shaped the outcome was General George S. Patton, whose swift and decisive leadership helped turn the ti