by Jane Richards
 
I wasn’t always a poet.  I followed a steady diet of novels for much of my life, from Nancy Drew to Thomas Mann to James Michener. To me, novels were seven-course meals, an indulgence to be enjoyed on long afternoons. From the age of seven, I wanted to be an author. However, I took another path, and established a social work career.                                                            

It wasn’t long before I realized how much I missed those long afternoons with books, so I returned to school to learn to write novels. Although the required poetry writing course offered a taste of the pleasures of verse, I was determined to pursue the writing of my own novel and shelved the pursuit of poetry.

Prose writing is very demanding, and as my schedule filled to the brim with other responsibilities, those long afternoon writing and reading feasts became shorter and shorter. I found I only had time for quick repasts, so I turned to poetry.  I learned to love the small bites—a poem was like a sumptuous dessert, its ingredients pared down to only the richest and sweetest—rather like flourless chocolate cake (my favorite!). I love the way a poem heightens a brief moment, intensifying experience with vivid sights, sounds, smells and textures.  A simple autumn afternoon, when penned by a skillful poet, is full of carefully chosen colors, fresh scents, and unusual birdsong.   A poem can tell a story, and say things that are difficult to put into words.  A poem infuses a moment with meaning. Sometimes it makes me laugh.

My experiences in nature inspire much of my writing and after 6 years, I felt I had written and published enough poems to create a book.  Publishing was an area I knew nothing about, and it was Margaret Kay who convinced me I could make it happen. From her, I learned how  to make my childhood dream come true.  The result was the birth of  The Feather Variations. Below is one of the selections, “The Bluebird Trail”. It tells the story of my first year as a bluebird monitor, which made a deep impression on me. Bon appetit!
 
The Bluebird Trail
 
One spring I monitored bluebird boxes.
Every week I would open the panels and peer inside,
scan the darkness, count and record,
while from a nearby branch
an azure-feathered parent watched,
fretting.
 
The nests, well-crafted as an Amish bed,
cradled blue eggs one week,
hatchlings the next--
the open yellow beaks a bouquet in full bloom,
each attached to a small sack of ashen skin,
lumpy with bones.
  
Limp bodies grew down the color of first light,
then wild quills poked out all akimbo.
The nestlings took on heft and form.
Now my intrusions prompted them to hunker down,
wing to wing in the cramped quarters,
still as stones.
 
When the feathers gleamed like a rocky creek in sunshine,
I knew the day of  fledging approached:
I was not prepared for the swiftness of their departure.
I shut the abandoned home                                        
rejoicing--yes!--but not before a moment,
fretting.  
 
First published in The Weekly Avocet #282
 
The Feather Variations is available in paperback from Amazon.com.
 
 
https://mybook.to/FeatherVariations

Welcoming grandchildren into your home marks a joyous occasion that introduces new responsibilities. Ensure the safety and happiness of these young guests throughout their stay. This guide offers essential strategies for transforming your home into a secure and joyful retreat. Make your space a safe haven where your grandchildren can thrive and feel at ease. Focus on creating an environment that is both protective and conducive to creating happy memories.
Child-proof Your SpaceEnsure the safety of your home, as it is crucial for curious and energetic little ones. Secure heavy furniture to the walls, cover electrical outlets, and store hazardous substances out of reach. These proactive measures effectively prevent common household accidents. Create a secure environment that enables your grandchildren to explore freely and without worry. Focus on safeguarding their surroundings to ensure they can enjoy their adventures safely.
Maintain a Balanced RoutineBalancing work and childcare, especially if you're working from home, can be challenging. To keep your grandchildren engaged and happy, introduce them to unique activities they don't usually experience, like a special movie time or interactive educational games. This not only keeps them entertained but also helps you maintain your productivity by setting specific times for these activities, thus managing your work-life balance effectively.
Set and Communicate BoundariesEnsure clear communication of house rules for a harmonious stay with your grandchildren. Discuss these boundaries respectfully and firmly to convey their importance in your home. This approach establishes a respectful environment and minimizes misunderstandings. Make sure everyone understands what is expected during their visit. Your efforts in setting and communicating these rules contribute to a smooth and enjoyable time together.
Engage in Suitable ActivitiesEngaging your grandchildren with activities suitable for their age ensures they remain interested and stimulated. Whether it’s crafting simple art projects, baking cookies, or reading stories, these activities are not only fun but also provide valuable learning experiences. Tailoring activities to their interests and age can help develop their creativity and cognitive skills while you make lasting memories together.
Supervise Outdoor AdventuresWhen your grandchildren engage in outdoor activities such as gardening, playing in a sandbox, or riding bicycles, it's essential to maintain vigilant supervision. Your watchful eye ensures their safety and allows them to enjoy the fresh air and freedom without worry. Knowing they are protected from potential hazards brings you peace of mind. Embrace the opportunity to bond with them while keeping them safe during outdoor play. Your attentive presence is key to ensuring their well-being as they explore and have fun outdoors.
Educate Kids on Safety PrecautionsEducate your grandchildren on essential safety measures such as road safety, the dangers of talking to strangers, and basic first aid. Teach these skills to empower them with confidence and security in unexpected situations. These lessons are invaluable and instill lifelong habits. They will help your grandchildren navigate the world more safely. Such education equips them to handle various challenges they might encounter.
Consider Dietary NeedsBe vigilant about any dietary restrictions or allergies your grandchildren may have. Always seek advice from their parents and meticulously check food labels before meal preparation. Ensure the snacks and meals you provide are safe and appropriate for their dietary needs. This attention to detail helps keep them healthy and free from allergic reactions during their visit. Your careful planning allows everyone, including you and their parents, to relax and enjoy your time together.

As you embrace the grandparent role, embrace the unique joys and responsibilities it brings. Implement strategies to create a nurturing and safe environment for your grandchildren to flourish. Relish the deep connections and lasting memories you create during their visits. Your efforts in ensuring their safety and happiness have a profound impact. Cherish the satisfaction that comes from providing a secure and loving atmosphere for them. Recognize that your role is crucial in shaping their experiences and sense of security.

By Denise Long

Explore captivating romance novels with Sisters Romance—discover your next favorite read and dive into unforgettable stories today!

Surprising, rewarding, challenging.  That’s how I feel about working with the Sisters in creating the covers for their books.
 
Surprising.  
Just think about it.  A retired, amateur photographer is asked one of those “would you consider...” questions by the authors. We had worked together in different professional capacities, and we found that our work complemented each other.  We agreed to give it a try.  So we did photo sessions in various locations involving some talented models.  It sounds simple but it is not.  These covers are the work of a team and we are proud of the results.
 
Rewarding.
Producing the covers has been more rewarding than I thought possible. It is so great working with, for example, Margaret Kay.  She has a clear vision for a cover and she is ready to make decisions. We agreed on the process early on: it is about the cover, that’s it.  We are both wiling to say when things work and when it is time to try again or even scrap it all and start over.  The covers are the outcome of many discussions and what-if options.  And we know when to call it done.  Having done quite a bit of photography for others, and just basically working with people, you know how unique and rewarding an open and honest collaboration can be.
 
Challenging.
I am so lucky.  We have digital cameras, Photoshop, Blender, and DAZ Studio and great ways to share the work-in-process covers.  Over time, we have created all-digital covers (using Blender and DAZ Studio), photo covers made better through Photoshop and a number of covers where we use a combination of the 3D rendering and photographs. Sometimes the vision for a cover pushes to the edges of the products we use.  
 
Those are some of the things I think you should know about what goes on to make the covers for Sisters Romance. And what a great way to spend retirement!  I am happy and so very lucky to be a part of their success.  I’m sure there are more covers to come.

by Harry R.

​Reading has probably saved my sanity on more than one occasion. As I sit here with a book in my lap and a small emaciated dog at my feet, my thoughts go back and forth from the reality of my day and the riveting adventure that can be found between the pages of the book in my hand. Today has been a day of highs and lows in animal rescue. I've seen people and pets at their best and at their worst. I've had sobbing people beg me to take their dogs because they couldn't afford critical veterinary care and I've had tiny puppies literally tossed to me by an "owner" who couldn't care less what happens to them. I've had to make some hard decisions because donations aren't flowing in the way they used to and I've been blessed by an unexpected donation of cat food. I delivered pet food to an elderly homebound woman and left her home feeling both overwhelmed and inadequate because I couldn't do more for her. I took in a cat who belonged to a domestic violence victim who hadn't left her abuser because he threatened to burn her cat alive if she did so that she could go to a safe shelter. We will hold her cat for her until she's ready to start over. I spend my days weighing what I can do, what needs to be done, and then oftentimes desperately trying to find additional resources so that those two points can intersect. Animal rescue is not for the faint of heart. You can't be emotional about it. You can't take things personally. You have to understand that even though you will try your hardest, you can't save them all.  And above all, you have to understand that animal welfare is connected to human welfare. You can't choose to just impact one and not have a plan on how to address the other. To do so would result in an endless cycle of frivolous activities and missed opportunities. Animal issues are people issues and until we start to address both and their underlying causes we will forever be spinning our wheels.

So, here I sit. My old rescue Basset sleeping on the couch next to me and a small frail terrier laying on a bed at my feet because I couldn't say no even when I should have. For tonight, I plan to reset and lose myself in a good book with a story that will always have a happy ending. A story that may contain loss or sadness, but in the end, the hero will triumph.  This is how I recharge so that I can do it all over again tomorrow. Somehow, at the end of a day like this, getting lost in the relationship of Doc and Elizabeth in Operation: Fallen Angel makes the world seem all right again for at least a little bit. 

By:
Christy Fischer
Executive Director
Wichita Animal Action League
waalrescue.org. ​