My poetry book Walking in Cemeteries is now available for purchase on Amazon.
Walking in Cemeteries https://a.co/d/91pHMJ3
This has been a project that I started this summer, and is a culmination of ten+ years of poetry from different stages of my life. To say that I am simply proud is an understatement. 🤗❤️
Author’s Note:
I am very lucky in my current situation to be able to work from home. My heart goes out to those who work in essential jobs who are more and more at risk everyday. It’s been stressful for all of us. Our chocolate lab, Koda, has been providing the entertainment here. He might not be the most well-behaved co-worker sometimes, but he is definitely our free-lance therapy dog right now. Below is just silliness.
Stay safe everyone!
Amanda
When my dog works
It’s all about play
He sits near your chair
As you begin your day
Somehow, his ball makes
its way on your desk
His wet nose touches your elbow
You tell him to rest
Just when it’s quiet
You have to go pee
Of course, he has to come along
(In case there’s something to see)
Back in the office
You answer a call
He gets stuck under the desk
While getting his ball
He looks up at you
With a big doggy grin
Wagging his tail
Let’s do it again
And again
And again
And again
I pad through puddles
Feels nice on feet
squishy wet grass
is a tasty treat
I find stick
tastes yummy too
water drips on my nose
I chew and chew
Then towel time
So warm and soft
I chase and play
As Human dries me off
I miss the rain
When it goes away
I like the wet and mud
Every day
Should I write, or take a nap? My body doesn’t really give a crap.
My head says no, my heart says yes
Maybe I should just get dressed
Just lying here in bed
The fan swirling around my head
My heart chiming its steady beat
Its really all up to my feet
Should I stay or should I go
The rest of you say no
Feet say yes, and wiggles toes
Let’s just see how the rest of this goes
This is just silliness this Saturday. But my, it does feel good to relax today! Just finished watching Guernsey and the Literary Potato Peel Society on Netflix. I feel so inspired to write now. What a great feeling!
Wrote some blackout poetry at the library today. They had a little station of copied pages from books, and only a red marker – I guess someone took the black? Anyway, I had fun.
It reads:
Then stillness
the one I’d wanted
were standing outside the door
breathe the landscape
that enclosed us
the tender edges
our centeredness
her dress
her name
blended
with the room
Got the Yankee – Astros game playing in the background, the fan is whirling and making a steady shwooo noise, and I’m snuggled in bed with a book.
Everland, by Wendy Spinale. It’s this steam punk version of Peter Pan. I love the cross genre and diving into the realm of fiction classics is always fun, too.
What are you reading? Anything good?
I am appreciating the outdoors today and the sunshine, even though it’s pretty cold outside! It’s as if Bob Ross were here painting all his happy little trees…
Mike took this picture on our walk today. This up and down weather is taking its toll on the small streams and canals in the area. There’s been some flooding from blockages from ice floes.
I somehow caught pink-eye over the weekend; and the handle to my driver’s side door snapped off when I tried to open my frozen car door last night, but I am choosing to remain positive. Was actually a great triumph for me to laugh about it, instead of let my anxiety take over.
Plus, I’m inside and warm, and that always helps, too. Hope everyone has a great Sunday and keep safe out there!
Happy Writing all!
I have this story that I’ve been trying to write a draft for. But after working all day sitting at a desk for 8 hours, do I want to come home and sit at my desk to write? No. It’s so frustrating. My notes/drafts/brainstorms are all on my computer, so it’s just so much easier to type out my draft for my story. Buut…I’ve been doing everything else tonight.
Here’s some things I’ve been trying to keep motivated:
Listening to Music ~ This has been doing a great job in keeping me relaxed, and I’ve switched to the Pop/Hip Hop workout station on Pandora, which makes me want to get up and dance, of course.
Stumbleupon.com ~ Mike’s really the reason why I know about www.stumbleupon.com. You basically create an account, edit your interests and click stumble. Next thing you know you’re surfing the web based on your interests. Can be very inspiring for writers.
Looked at Vacation destinations ~ This is really because Mike and I are shopping around for a place to go this coming summer, but this might be a good way to trigger a location for a story.
Also came upon this ~ 33 Ways to Stay Motivated. This was a stumbleupon result.
I’m jamming away, relaxed (now maybe a little sleepier) and trying to get that passion for writing. So funny how when writing becomes work, I suddenly am not inspired at all. Except when it’s like 10PM on a Sunday, and then suddenly all hell breaks loose. So typical.
What are you guys up to tonight? How do you stay motivated? Any tips?
Happy Writing!
Happy New Year!!! Got any New Year’s Resolutions this year?
This New Year’s was kind of pathetic for Mike and I. It was too cold to go anywhere, so we just hung out with a friend, watched the ball drop and then went to bed. We didn’t even drink!! How lame.
Anyway, it was nice and relaxing, though. And it was kind of fun to see all the announcers on ABC, (people who we don’t really like that much anyway) freeze their asses off in the New York weather. Bahahaha!
I think New Year’s Resolutions are kind of hokey, but it is basically a list here like any other; and for us anxious types, lists are great for organizing thoughts, chores, goals, work, etc.
Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for 2018:
1. Write More
This goes without saying, really. If I’m going to get something published, I need to write. Even when I am feeling down and tired from work. No, note to self: YOU SHOULD WRITE when you are tired from work. This is where I find my purpose. When I feel like I am truly doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
2. Read More, especially some new books!
I have several books on my bookcase that I haven’t read. And yet, I will still buy something new at the bookstore. I can’t seem to help myself. I will let books fill my life until I am drowning in them. I will breathe in the pages and choke on the words and I will never be satisfied that it is enough, even when they’re piled around me and I get anxiety about deciding what to read next. Huh…do I have a problem? Maybe. Just maybe.
3. Exercise, Eat Healthy, Take Care of Yourself
Tomorrow it’ll be in the negatives. No, I will not be going outside for a jog. But still, I need to remember to drink TONS of water, I never drink enough when it’s cold outside. I’ll also bundle up like a burrito in front of the TV. But I don’t need to eat cookies every night. Even though I want them…and they want me.
4. Make New Friends
It’s hard to put yourself out there when you spend all day being customer-servicey and you just want to shut yourself away from the world for a while after work. I need to find a writer’s group.
5. Find Writer’s Group
This isn’t the last because it’s the least important. Really it’s the last because I just thought of it…but this could be what I need to keep motivated, make new friends, AND get some writing done. So, really this is an essential part of getting a few things on this list done. I think I could be brave enough? Eee…baby steps! I know I can. This would be a good thing for me.
Anyway, that’s it…what about yours? Got any New Year’s Resolutions of your own that you want to share?
Happy Writing!
About a week ago, Mike and I had to say goodbye to his dog, Marley. He had Lyme disease that went to his kidneys and after a few trips to the vet we were saying goodbye sooner than we ever thought possible.
Although he wasn’t mine, I loved him. He was our family and now he’s gone. We are dealing with it as best we can. But it’s never easy saying goodbye.
Saying Goodbye
I didn’t want to say the words, “put down”
Like he was some shiny toy
We had picked up and lost interest
too cold to think of leaving
Such a treasure behind
to think of all the tail wags, the last sniffs in the snow
the moment before the final moment the worst
a deep sleep that hurts
One final pin-prick, back leg trembles.
I couldn’t find the words to say
I’ll help you
I’m right here
I’m sorry
Then, sobbing in the car like I’d lost something I’ll never find again
Tail wags, brown, liquid eyes full of courage
You’re hurt and you’re dying and all you have to say is: I love you
A. J. Morse 