Heart of the Matter and Memories

Scene #1: The autopsy report states the victim has multiple stab wounds, and photographs reveal several jagged cuts below the woman's abdomen. The location of the bloodless wounds suggests a crime of passion. A reporter asks, "Why did the killer wait until after the victim died to target certain areas?" to which the coroner replies, "He went for the heart right after he hit the jugular, does that count?"  The reporter shakes his head. "It’s not the same, the heart is symbolic of love."

The heart is also a symbol of Valentine’s Day. While my thoughts immediately go to the heart of the murder, someone who recently endured a medical exam might picture a stethoscope monitoring an anxious heart beat. Newly-weds have vastly different thoughts.

Valentine’s Day hearts conjure up memories of love. One heart with two wedding rings brings a smile to a couple wed on Valentine’s Day. A cross-stitch of red hearts reminds a daughter of a mother’s gift; a royal flush to the Ace of Hearts has a Vegas winner beaming. Others get all fuzzy over a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a grinning cupid, or a pair of cooing love birds. Hearts on Fire can only mean young love, and boys naturally love heart-shaped balloons.

A heart surrounding a globe brings a tear to the eyes of grandparents whose families live far away. The mantle holds a framed purple heart of a loved one lost in battle. Flowers and an arrow-pierced heart represent a lifetime spent with a childhood sweetheart, the memories bittersweet. The Sacred Heart means salvation for many, and bright lockets remind one of a young girl’s special day.

Happy Valentine’s Day, and wishes for a wonderful day: Especially for You and Your Loved Ones!

What special memories do you have of this holiday?

#64 and #65 Turning From Diamonds

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

70 Poems for 70 Days 

 is a collection of poetry I wrote as a birthday present to myself and gifted in book format to 70 of my friends and family members. Over a period of 70 Sundays, I am submitting the poems in the order of composition, along with a short comment about the poem’s style or theme,

often including a complementary photograph.

 

With linked poetry, a form of Japanese Renshi poetry,

the last lines of one poem are used to form the title of the next poem,

then the next poem shifts to a different topic.

I hope you find a few entries that bring a smile to your face or a long buried memory to the surface of your consciousness. Poetry is like that, whether you are the reader or the author.

64

Recurring Thoughts

 

The day this thought

first occurred,

words spoken in her mind

She knew an end had come.

So loud the words:

“One cannot hate until one

has learned to love.”

Was it possible, she

tried to reason,

to experience both emotions

in a single span

of time?

Engulfed and smothered.

Memories meant to last,

turned now from diamonds

back to coal.

 

*****     *****     *****

 

65

Turning From Diamonds

 

 

Paris in the ‘70’s inspired

you to express

the longings deep within

To hear the music that your soul played

Whenever spirits craved

Encouragement

Euphoria filled the air as you

Strolled the Avenues

and Champs Élysée,

Searching 

Diamonds were not treasures worth

your heart strings, in a place

where wine

and chocolate

Co-exist

 

*****     *****     *****

 

HOLIDAYS and GRATITUDE #62 and #63

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

70 Poems for 70 Days 

 is a collection of poetry I wrote as a birthday present to myself and gifted in book format to 70 of my friends and family members. Over a period of 70 Sundays, I am submitting the poems in the order of composition, along with a short comment about the poem’s style or theme,
often including a complementary photograph.

With linked poetry, a form of Japanese Renshi poetry,

the last lines of one poem are used to form the title of the next poem,

then the next poem shifts to a different topic.

I hope you find a few entries that bring a smile to your face or a long buried memory to the surface of your consciousness. Poetry is like that, whether you are the reader or the author.

62

Now The Pie

 

Holidays bring family close together

with birthdays a favorite, for the cake.

Chocolate is the choice most every time.

 

The 4th means potlucks and fireworks

displays in the park, on the island,

or near the shore. With watermelon

chilling in the cooler for dessert.

 

Thanksgiving’s feast means

now the pie takes center stage, topped

with vanilla ice or fresh whipped cream.

 

Christmas is a winter solstice celebration

most anticipated every year. The sacred

offering of bread and wine consumed with

wrongs forgiven and gratitude expressed.

 

 

*****     *****     *****

 

 

63

With Gratitude

 Geckos on my lanai bring

good luck into

my home.

With gratitude

I watch their

high-speed sprints.

 

 Birds on the high wires

chirp me awake

the sun our silent clock

Their downy feathers

floating on trade winds

demonstrate a ballerina’s grace.

 

Nature delivers peace

at morning’s start,

lightening my cares.

Sipping caffeine black,

the pain subsides

leaving only re-occurring thoughts.

 

 

Ah, the unparalleled pleasure of sipping morning coffee on the lanai before the weight of the day demands your full attention. Still not fully awake, unmindful of opinions pressing down with unrelenting force, obligations stacked for later consideration, and disorderly expectations of unruly humanity. 

 

Soon, the geckos scurry for cover,

the birds' chirps become more frantic,

and the sun's golden rays appear to tarnish

 

Back to a world of reality. 

 

 

*****     *****     *****

 

 

IT'S #NANOWRIMO TIME: No Wrong - Just WRITE-WRITE-WRITE!

Gail's stock picnic lunch
during NaNoWriMo 

 

This year, I've decided to have a "no cook" month of writing. All my meals will be grab-and-go picnic foods like lettuce salads with chicken or salmon chunks, tuna salad, PB&J on English muffins, protein drinks, hummus with baguette slices, yogurt, cottage cheese, Cup O' Noodles, and fruit cups.

Of course, there are the "Write-In" days at Pa'ina Café downtown with our NaNoWriMo tradition of Frozen Hot Chocolate drinks and poke (raw tuna) bowls! That's every Saturday. On Thursdays, we'll be meeting at Coffee Talk in Kaimuki where they serve mega-choices of fresh baked goods and croissant sandwiches.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if my excitement is more about writing my next novel or choosing my next meal. One thing is certain, though. I'll be supplementing my food choices with plenty of

C * H * O * C * O * L * A * T * E

 

And my goal? To get another one of these:

 

 

 



 

**********

My #Goodreads Read and Review Challenge Week-46

As I near the end of my Goodreads reading goal for October 2015 - October 2016, I am pleased to find ever more exciting novels to entertain me when I want to read for pleasure. My range of choices for September will include newly published novels, an anthology, a Kindle Scout winner, traditional and self-published novels.

* * * * *

FEAR DREAMS by J.A. Schneider
Author J.A. Schneider seamlessly shifted from writing medical thrillers to a psychological thriller, adding a paranormal twist without requiring the reader to totally suspend disbelief.

My goal in reading novels is to be entertained by a plausible story with believable characters, colorful settings, and especially satisfying endings. FEAR DREAMS earned my 5-star rating by delivering on all accounts.

Several excellent reviews on Goodreads, (including those by Uvi Poznansky and Melanie Adkins) offer insight into the plotline and the author's ability to portray a character's almost tangible fear.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29522370-fear-dreams?from_search=true


TALES FROM THE CACAO TREE Anthology of Short Stories

Chocolate is a food choice for me. I can make a meal out of mini peanut butter cups. A box of Godiva chocolates takes me back to my father's ancestral land of Belgium, although the trip usually lasts a short time. It is difficult to make Godiva last for more than a day!

The short stories and poems in TALES FROM THE CACAO TREE had me smiling like a silly school girl. Every time I read the book's title, I had to reach for a mini cup to satisfy a craving. Is it possible to express your love for someone with flowing chocolate? Is the anticipation of chocolate of chocolate melting in your mouth really better than s-e-x? Can chocolate be the beginning of a beautiful friendship or cause for suspicion?  You will find answers to these questions and many more in this lovely anthology.

* * * * *

 

Other September selections include:

LETTUCE READ WILLS by Una Tiers

BREAKING MEASURES by Emma Raveling

DARK DAWN A Lei Crime Series Novella for Kindle World
by Fiona Manning

R is for ROOT BEER FLOATS AND SUNDAES #AtoZChallenge,

 

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at
illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write.
Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.

R is for Root Beer Floats and Sundaes 

 

 

 

My early childhood is best remembered as drives through the countryside on Sunday afternoons, with stops to visit relatives along the way. This was followed by a trip to the Custard Stand, on the east side of town, for root beer floats or ice cream sundaes. I’m talking real pop (that’s Wisconsin-speak for soda) and honest-to-goodness real dairy-fresh ice cream.

 

The visits often included a stop to see an aunt's three solid acres of gladiolas, which she planted in a wild array of colors. As I stared at those long-stemmed flowers, my young mind didn’t understand how she must have taken great pleasure in planting each gladiola bulb in spring, then watched the green leaves sprout and rejoiced with the eventual budding of the perfect petals. If that was the case, her joy would have matched my own juvenile excitement at the first taste of a root beer float or chocolate-topped sundae. 

 

 

Yes, Ithaca, New York . . . Two Rivers, Wisconsin is the birthplace of the original ice cream sundae! 

 

Which food or other non-guilty pleasure did you enjoy, sparingly, in your youth?
 

Link to site that shares the history of Root Beer:

http://whoonew.com/2013/07/root-beers-made-in-wisconsin/

L is for LAKE MICHIGAN #AtoZChallenge

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.

L is for LAKE MICHIGAN

The prevailing wisdom for writers is to “write what you know.” I was born and raised in a small town which extends seven miles into Lake Michigan and is known as “the coolest spot in Wisconsin.” The reflection of sun and moonlight on the pristine waters was visible from the long expanse of beaches along the state’s eastern shore. From the lake’s depths, fishermen pulled an endless supply of fish that had populated this Great Lake since its formation during the glacial age. 

What simple pleasures we enjoyed in our youth at the lake, building sand castles and drifting with lapping waves, devouring concession stand hot dogs for lunch, and contending with hot sand between the toes. 

 

My first swimming lesson, many, many years ago!

Thanks, Dad.

Such experiences are the fodder for enticing stories and voluptuous poetry. Reliving these times is a way to savor The Fun in Writing. Innocent memories, of course, are distorted by the adult writer’s mind after consuming too much caffeine. Lapping waves become treacherous tides. Moonlight over the water reflects instead the sinister flash of a gun. 

Imagination is a gift all humans should cultivate, along with a side of humor. And there’s nothing wrong with serving up a helping of fun with that caffeine, be it from coffee or chocolate.

 

HELP YOURSELF!

 

 

 

A is for APRIL A-TO-Z CHALLENGE MONTH #AtoZChallenge

What is the April A to Z Challenge?

 

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 4 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.


For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots of coffee and chocolate. For me, the chocolate part keeps me going like an energizer hare (although, between hair touch-ups, a more appropriate analogy might be old grey mare!)

*****   *****   *****

One of the most fun things a writer can do is to participate in the annual April A to Z Challenge. You will accomplish a valuable goal. And, as a blogger, you encounter a new writing technique.

By blocking your inner editor, you allow thoughts to rise from your subconscious. You have a plethora of information stored in your mind that has been accumulating since before you were aware of thought processes. Allowing thoughts to flow freely onto the page/computer screen is comparable to opening a water faucet. If you stop in mid-stream, starting to write again becomes more difficult. Thoughts that only started to surface may sink and be lost forever.

As long as you don't obstruct the stream of words, more will come.

This means not editing while you are writing the first draft of your blog post, essay, short story, or novel. The story is in your head. Let it flow onto the page.

 

BUT ... BUT ... aren’t you supposed to

Edit! Edit! Edit!

Isn’t writing all about editing!?

Yes, ULTIMATELY.

But you can’t edit what’s in your head. You need to see it on paper!

 

Writing 26 posts for the month of April is a terrific way to begin writing faster, and an excellent method for developing a new habit, one that will serve you well throughout your writing career.

 

If you want to be a writer, you must write . . . regularly.

The best way to do that is to discover

The Fun in Writing

 

Davy Crochet having fun with April A to Z Blogging Challenge

 

 

A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate. For me, the chocolate part keeps me going like an energizer hare...


Luv this colorful bunny crafted by close friend, Kristen.
The multi-hued hare energizes me!

 

 (...although, between hair touch-ups, a more appropriate analogy might be old grey mare!)

 

Yes, I know this doesn't look like a mare, and it's not grey,

but you have to admit, he is really, really cute!

 

You may have noticed the predominance of the color brown in this post.

That's because my mind is always thinking:

 

CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE!

 

In one word, my theme is FUN.

What is your theme for April, in one word?

 

Just leave one word below, and I'll visit your site to check out your theme plans.

 

 



SUPER CONFIDENT -VS- INDECISIVE Tongue-in-Cheek

 

It’s time for another edition of

 The Insecure Writer’s Support Group,

hosted by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

It is often tempting to slip into the role of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, to pretend I am the master of my universe, capable of accomplishing anything from bungee cord somersaults and helicopter jeep-drops to Samurai stick-fighting and barefoot Alaskan dog-sledding. Then I hit a brick wall of reality that sets me back on my heels, creating indecision and uncertainty. 

As I struggle with my latest WIP, searching not for a 5000-year-old key to time management but for simple direction, my confidence wavers and insecurity tunnels ever deeper. Of course, all doubt needs fuel for sustenance, and self-pity is a consistent, ever-replenishing supply source.

 

Soon, rather than continuing to wallow, I realize a reward is in order for all that I have already accomplished. I apply a quick swipe of make-up, slip into a "non-writerly"' (i.e.: clean and unwrinkled) set of clothes, and head for the monthly Honolulu ‘EAT THE STREET’ food wagon round-up down on South Street. This month’s theme is Chocolate, and I plan to indulge!

 

Everyone knows chocolate is a much better source of fuel than self-pity for sustaining a healthy mind and body, and that is why I plan to reward myself . . .

 

raw cacao beans;
cacao beans whipped into a paste;
extreme - chocolate on beef sandwich;
ultimate - truffles

 

wait for it . . .

 

 

until the cacaos come home.

 

 

Choosing Between Coffee and Chocolate

Is it fair to ask you to choose between two simple and relatives inexpensive caffeine pleasures, coffee and chocolate? I didn’t think so.

While reading the morning newspaper on Kindle, I enjoy two cups of freshly brewed coffee, usually 10% Kona but this week 100% Molokai dark roast. For me, beginning the day slowly is sort of a pleasant, guilt-free ritual. For years, I awoke to a clanging alarm clock, rushed through breakfast and morning tasks, then traveled to my place of work, whether across town, miles down the highway, or merely a few short blocks' walk. It was the choice I made when I was sixteen years old and continued to make for decades. Now that I can stay home and compile stories at my own pace, another choice freely made, I appreciate the more relaxed lifestyle.

Recently, I attended an informal talk given at the Duty-Free Shop in Waikiki by an author and coffee aficionado. Shawn Steiman earned his doctorate in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i. One of his comments, something to the effect that coffee opens the mind and clarifies thinking, stuck with me. Could this reasoning apply to my writing? It was an idea worth some thought.

It isn’t necessary for me to have a clear idea of what I want to express when I first transform my thoughts into written words, I reasoned. But once the thoughts are on paper, I need to convert those ideas into a comprehensible format for others to easily understand. The mystery within a novel should not remain a mystery after the reader finishes the story. If I understood Shawn correctly, a cup of coffee, once consumed, should open my mind and give me the ability to clarify important details.

Yes, I know, the writing process still requires that I bring all the tools with me to the coffee table.

Shawn’s book, The Hawai‘i Coffee Book - A Gourmet’s Guide from Kona to
Kaua‘i also peaked my interest in coffee production and the diverse varieties

of coffees grown here in the islands. Some are even described as having a “chocolate character” so there really is no need to choose between coffee and chocolate. You can have your chocolate, and drink it too.

Knowing your brain needs stimulation to function properly, and assuming you have eaten all your vegetables, could you make a choice between that cuppa joe and a chunk of Belgian chocolate?

Click on the link below to check out Shawn Steiman's book:
The Hawai’i Coffee Book