Glazed periwinkle blue, a clay jar sits alone on the window sill. Loosened, the cork stopper no longer shields my stash from daylight’s glare.
Single file my words escape to the floor, sidle past the sleeping cat, and bow to those who lie in repose on bits of crumpled paper.
The motley parade scrambles onto the blank page and jostles for a position like misbehaving schoolchildren; jabbing ribs, batting heads, and pulling shirts.
With self-satisfied smiles, they whisper. Take the pen, give us life, or else we die.
I take pity and write till my hand goes numb and my knuckles crack.
When the ink runs dry, they still come.
The little bastards never utter a single thank you.
Played like a fool by my own words, I reseal the jar to quiet the others.
Almost too late, I realize their plan to exchange my life for theirs.
Photo from https://www.pexels.com/@lanophotography
They retired it years ago. Did you even know they retired badges? I didn’t. Today, there are badges for things I would never have dreamed.
GEOCACHING? COMPUTER CODING?CYBERSECURITY?
It makes me extremely proud of how well the Girl Scouts of the United States of America continue to empower girls to dream big. I loved being a Brownie and a Girl Scout. Fun times and great memories.
For the record, and full disclosure, I’m still a dabbler. Whew. It felt good to admit that. Along with my writing, I dabble in cooking (not really my strong suit unless it’s something I can throw in a crockpot!).
And rock painting. And yoga. And Tai Chi. And line dancing. And journal making. And leathercraft. And jimbe drumming.
Here are a few of my dabble-examples.
I’d love to hear about your dabbling. Leave a comment and let’s start the discussion!
Every author’s process is different. Let me share how I developed one character from my Nocturne Falls Universe falcon-shifter series. I started with a semi-structured idea of the story and where it will go. But the writing process took off when like a film director, I visualized the first scene.
In the first book in the series, THE FALCON FINDS HIS MATE, scene one takes place on the wrap-around porch of a two-story Pepto-Bismol pink Victorian house. Way before I wrote the first sentences, I had a firm idea of what the place looked like based on a collection of pictures I added to a Pinterest album. For me, it’s critical to over collect photos of places, people, and things even if only a few details make it into the book. By the way, the house is an important character, too.
If you’ve read my Nocturne Falls falcon stories, does this look familiar?
It’s the Carpe Diem
Once I had the house, I started asking questions. Who lives here? Why here? What sets this place apart from others? I decided the house belongs to Echo Stargazer (a made up name). Since Nocturne Falls is an extraordinary town, it needs an extraordinary person. I did an Internet casting call and decided who else could play Echo but…
Iris Apfel
How did little gravely-voiced Echo come to live in a house like this? Magical people are drawn to Nocturne Falls. That’s when the fun begins and I can make up ‘stuff’!
Echo’s ancestry dates back to Colonial America. Her great-great-greats were persecuted for their psychic gifts, escaped and migrated to the Carolinas. There gifts passed through the generations. Echo is a clairsentient who blocks the noise when she has to by wearing a special bracelet. With it off, she reads minds.
Widowed years ago, Echo came to Nocturne Falls to raise her son and daughter. To earn a living, she converted the first floor of this house to a gift and tchotchke shop she called the Carpe Diem. Town tourists love what she sells in the front of the store. In the back and with complete privacy, locals can purchase supplies for spells, cleansings, charms, rituals, and the like.
Upstairs is the living quarters where Echo supplements her income by giving readings with her special cards. The cards aren’t Tarot or Oracle. They are black as onyx, and only the client sees the images on them.
This photo is of Iris Apfel’s apartment in NYC. It inspired Echo’s dining room-card reading area. In the story, Echo’s house was crammed with her preciously-pink chintzy décor. Just like Iris’s place.
And doesn’t this look like Echo’s kitchen?
Finally, there’s Crealde, Echo’s nineteen-pound bundle of contentment. Never! Either he’s “hangry” or he’s not around. Curious, nosy, demanding, vociferous, and a howl that can wake the dead. But loveable and cuddly, only on his terms.
Once I have the location and characters, I create a story bible with facts, fables and details. It also has timelines, peripheral characters, places and events. The bible is ongoing, especially in a series. Echo has a role in each of my Nocturne Falls stories. It’s easy to forget details. If I do mess up, my dear readers will let me know!
When that’s all done, I’m on to the plot, character arcs, and the juicy stuff! That’s best left for another discussion. Hope it gave you a small insight into
Goodness knows the world can use more kindness. It doesn’t take a boatload of money to offer someone a smile. Or let the person with a fussy child go ahead of you in the checkout line. Or give up your seat on a bus or subway car to someone who looks more tired than you.
Or let that person who is stuck in the parking lot, exit into your traffic lane, even if it means waiting a second time for the signal to change.
Whatever we do, we should do it with no expectation of getting something in return. I believe in the ripple effect, and the good you do for someone will be passed on. Sadly, the opposite is true, too. And we see this much too often today.
There are some fun ways to accomplish Random Acts of Kindness otherwise known as RAK. Something I’ve gotten hooked on is painting rocks to hide around the community. You might already be a part of one of the hundreds of rock painting Facebook groups.
I started a Pinterest board to collect ideas for my projects. Don’t be intimidated by some of the rocks you’ll see. You don’t need extraordinary artistic ability to paint and hide a rock. Trust me as I’m no artist! But there are some incredibly talented people who create mini-masterpieces.
How do you start?
If you’re on Facebook, check out some of the group sites. I’ve only listed four of the dozens in the Tampa Bay area. I’ll wager there are groups in your area.
YouTube has many free rock painting tutorials that guide you step-by-step.
Get some rocks, paint and brushes. And paint! You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Get kids involved, too. They love it.
Once your rocks are prepped and ready, find some fun places to hide them. Parks, libraries, stores, hospitals…you name it.
So, what happens if you find a painted rock?
You can keep it or rehide it. I’ve done both. If there’s a group name on the back, take a photo of the front and back then find the group online. Usually you need request to join the group before posting your photos. The creator is always “tickled” to see their rock appear as that doesn’t happen very often. Joining a group doesn’t mean you have to paint rocks, so no worries!
I was excited a couple of weeks ago when a simple little rock I painted ended up in Sweden. Now that’s pretty cool! Here’s a photo of it. Remember, I said “simple“.
A sunset is, after all, a natural astronomical phenomenon. Scattered gas molecules and changing light waves.
Not a big deal, right?
Something that happens every day when our little rock (sorry, I’m not a flat-earther) sails around the monster gas ball we call the Sun in a solar system that is an infinitesimal blip in one of a billion galaxies.
Sometimes we witness the sunset, sometimes it’s cloudy or rainy and we can’t. The precise time is a mathematical calculation. Even my smartphone can tell me what time it will happen.
Ancient cultures to modern times have revered the sun and its daily trek across the sky, even to the point of worshiping the sun as a god.
And we still love sunsets. Some studies suggest why.
Relieves stress
Boosts well-being
Increases life satisfaction
Elevates mood
Helps us live in the moment
Turns everything into beauty
Considering the fifty dozen sunset photos I’ve saved in the cloud, I love them. What is the attraction for me? It might sound a little out there, but for me, the setting sun is a reminder of nature’s unconditional love and assurance that we did everything we could to make the most of today. And a reminder that if we are lucky, we’ll get another shot at making tomorrow even better.
Ryan Ford is the hero in my Nocturne Falls Universe paranormal novella, “The Falcon Finds His Mate.“ Oh. I should mention Ryan is a shape-shifting Peregrine falcon–one of the fastest birds on Earth.
Though the shape-shifters in my story are imaginary, falcons are real!
I’ve fallen in love with these creatures. Until I researched falcons for this story, I had no idea there were different members of this family.
In one scene, Ryan–in human form, is a contestant in a charity benefit for the local animal sanctuary and models with a North American Kestrel Falconon his gloved hand.
Ryan chose the small and mighty Kestrel, because anything larger might frighten the unsuspecting humans in the audience. (Hey, it’s fiction–remember?)
Sometimes called a sparrow hawk, the adult Kestrel weighs between 5-6 ounces; the approximate size of a mourning dove or a robin. The female is slightly larger than the male.
Though their larger cousins like Ryan (the Peregrine Falcon shifter) are faster, these little ‘race cars of the sky’ hold their own. Long wings and tail allow them to maneuver and kite in the air, and fly at speeds of up to thirty-nine miles per hour.
This photo is an adult female. Note her rust-colored wings and back. Her tale bands are narrower than the male. Those distinctive ‘sideburns’ and ‘mustache’ are found in both the female and male. If you look closely at the nape of her neck, you’ll see two dark patches that resemble eyes. These are thought to be deterrents to a predator approaching from behind. These faux eyes appear on both the male and female. (Photo courtesy Chris Mayne)
Speaking of sight, the Kestrel has incredible vision. They see in the UV light range so they can track prey at night, though they do most of their hunting during the day. Their coloration is camouflage for their own survival and for confusing their prey. (Photo courtesy D. Allen Martin)
The adult male has slate-blue on the head and wings, but when perched, a black-spotted rusty mantle and scapulars predominate.
Depending on the gender, the adult wingspan can be up to 24 inches. The photo to the right is a male. Note the large dark band at the tip of his tale feathers.
Though they can spot prey from a perch, Kestrels prefer to hunt by hovering over the ground then swooping down when they see a tasty target, moving so fast their prey doesn’t see them coming.
Ready for your quiz?
Male or Female?
#1#2#3
#1 = Female #2 = Female #3 = Male
(The above six photos courtesy Gerald Friesen)
The Kestrel’s yummy gourmet menu includes lizards, insects, snakes, rodents and small birds.
And eat like a bird? I wish! Kestrels eat up to 21% of their body weight each day. If I did that I’d have to consume…well, you don’t need to know everything!
They store food they don’t need in crevices in trees, utility pole boxes, rocks; wherever they can. Never know when you’ll need a quick bite when you’re out and about.
The bad news? The predator is also prey for larger hawks, crows, dogs and cats. The good news? This keeps the Kestrel on guard and alert. (Photo courtesy Linda Simmons)
Even though it’s small, the Kestrel is used in sport falconry, sometimes as the beginner bird. If captive for sport, the falconer must be mindful of the Kestrel’s weight as even a small weight loss (we’re talking ounces!) could be fatal.
During courting, the pair often gifts each other with food. The Kestrel mates for life and often returns to the same nesting site year after year.
By the way, the male chooses the nesting site, but the female has the final word before they move in. Umm…that sounds familiar, yes? (These two photos courtesy Chris Mayne)
Finally, all of us have a bad feather day now and again. But not everyone looks as darn cute as a Kestrel!! (Photo courtesy Gerald Friesen)
Hope you enjoyed this mini-lesson and that I’ve piqued your interest in reading “The Falcon Finds His Mate.”
One more “shout out” to these awesome photographers for permission to use their photos:
How did a self-proclaimed God-fearing community condone hanging their citizens, based on the hysterical rantings and accusations of a gang of pre-teen and teenage girls?
No single reason. No precipitating event. No one tipping point. Comprised of a hundred pieces, it’s a puzzle with common elements.
Fear. Superstition. Power struggles. Greed. Jealousy. Disenchantment.
The Puritan settlers’ strong belief system evolved from a complex evolution of theology and religious practice that ultimately caused their separation from the Anglican Church. Yet debate continues over whether religious persecution caused them to leave England. Could it have been the allure of a new land? The promise of religious freedom? Or something else?
Regardless, the Puritans were among the first settlers in the colonies but were unprepared for the harsh realities they faced in the new land: a bitter climate, smallpox, the Anglo-French War, the constant threat of attack by Native Americans.
Over time, the town elders began to lose their tight rein over the community. As some families prospered, others’ resentment grew. Neighbors feuded. Distrust and malcontent escalated as did the fear of outsiders.
Fuel for collective paranoia.
Then the new minister arrived—a man who had failed in business but felt the ‘calling’ to preach.
Ironically, as heated discussion ensued over Reverend Samuel Parris’ demands for a higher salary, so did his daughter and niece’s fits.
Image of Rev. Samuel Parris from Danvers Archival Center–Peabody Institute Library
Mystified by the girls’ bizarre condition, the town physician attributed this to the only thing it could be—the work of the devil’s handmaidens. Witchcraft. With the stage set for disaster, an ugly chapter in American history unfolded.
Rebecca Towne Nurse hanged as a witch on July 19, 1692
324 years ago a 71-year-old frail, nearly deaf, ‘God fearing’ Christian woman was hanged as a witch on Gallows Hill. Taken from her home, reportedly from her sickbed, she was imprisoned and repeatedly questioned by the local authorities from March through July. She was found guilty based on the testimony of a few deluded children and adults, despite a long list of character witnesses who spoke in her defense. Below is the transcript of her first “examination”.
Retrieved from http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/tei/swp?div_id=n94
(Spelling exactly how it was transcribed.)
***
The examination of Rebekah Nurse at Salem Village 24. mar. 1691/2
Mr. Harthorn. What do you say (speaking to one afflicted) have you seen this Woman hurt you?
Yes, she beat me this morning
Abigial . Have you been hurt by this Woman?
Yes
Ann Putman in a grievous fit cryed out that she hurt her.
Goody Nurse , here are two An: Putman the child & Abigail Williams complains of your hurting them What do you say to it
N [Rebecca Nurse]. I can say before my Eternal father I am innocent, & God will clear my innocency
Here is never a one in the Assembly but desires it, but if you be guilty Pray God discover you.
Then Hen: Kenny rose up to speak
Goodm: Kenny what do you say
Then he entered his complaint & farther said that since this Nurse came into the house he was seizd twise with an amaz’d condition
Here are not only these but, here is the wife of Mr Tho: Putman who accuseth you by credible information & that both of tempting her to iniquity, & of greatly hurting her.
I am innocent & clear & have not been able to get out of doors these 8. or 9. dayes.
Mr Putman: give in what you have to say
Then Mr Edward Putman gave in his relate
Is this true Goody Nurse
I never afflicted no child never in my life
You see these accuse you, is it true
No.
Are you an innocent person relating to this Witchcraft.
“Why Salem is important today is because of acts of individual conscience and resistance to a government that was overreacting out of fear of a global enemy. It’s important to know today what happened there for the sake of us and American history.” Benjamin Ray, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia
No one really knows for sure what spurred the Salem witch hunt. Most theorize that the Puritans lived in fear of death by ‘savages’; death by starvation; death by exposure. The only common thread is fear.
The truth is this: 19 women of good intentions were accused, tried and hanged.
YouTube produced by University of Virginia, Retrieved June 4, 2016 https://youtu.be/v-KrexSNHVY
Over three hundred years later, using a variety of resources, experts agreed on the actual location where the hangings were conducted.
Top: Site of the actual witch hangings. Middle: Gallows Hill Bottom: Map of the location
