Menagerie of Hidden Influences

My synaptic mailbox is full. Sitting in a relatively quiet room—the birds are chirping outside, the downstairs refrigerator is rattling, and the drier is whirling about—I alternate my gaze from myriad unfinished projects to pictures and paintings covering the walls to the well-tended jungle growing just beyond my porch. In […]

Remember

The wonder of a child’s stare,  As once we climbed a tree on dare. The humming, buzzing bee, Ourselves did marvel at flurry-wings see. Sharp green apples snatched, High branches, contentment wrapped. Unleashed from class, Homeward dash. Friends to play, Blazing trails to stray. Holiday fun-arranged, Presents-exchanged. Growing, planning, hoping, […]

Opportunities

Every now and again, an opportunity strolls up and shakes my hand. Over the years, my response has changed from over-exuberant my-life will-now-be-so-much-better fantasy to a take-it-as-it-comes-live-in-the-moment reality, saving me a great deal of disappointment and offering me a whole new take on life. Recently, I connected with two podcasters, Dick and Jay, who […]

Catholic Teen Books

Guilds with a small “g” serve as the organs of The Catholic Writers Guild. Small “g” guilds include critique groups, chapters, committees, conference gatherings, and other community-building entities. They encourage the vocation of writing among the member and sometimes, the members venture into parallel enterprises, for example, the organization known […]

Turning in Circles, by Michelle Buckman

Within a sleepy farm community along the South Carolina coast, two families coexist. The Thaines and their neighbors enjoy hard work, hospitality, horseback riding, pie, ice tea, kittens, and each other. The Darlingtons favor extortion, white privilege, domination, abuse, dog fights, and freedom from the consequences of their nefarious activities. […]