Discouragement and Optimism – can we choose?

I came across an old book of poetry entitled Homespun, by Wilhelmina Stitch. It was published in 1930, the price – one shilling net. The language is formal, but very interesting to read. Here is one that caught my eye—an uplifting poem.

The True Optimist

He’s not an optimist because he found

all wheels oiled within the daily round;

his life was not an ordered, easy thing,

with ne’er a pin to prick or lash to sting.

But when to him discouragements drew near

he found the lamp of hope to banish fear.

 

However steep the hill, yet would he climb,

saying with smiles: “The peak is mine in time.”

And though he walked along a humble street,

yet would he say, “Life’s kernel is still sweet,

and though I’m poor I’m rich in friendship’s gold,

and I have much that can’t be bought or sold.

The weather’s bad today, better tomorrow;

and I’ll know joy again after this sorrow.”

 

He didn’t shut his eyes and call all fair.

He faced the murk and saw stars shining there.

Said he, “There’s joy and grief and sun and shade;

there’s balm and pain; and rough and smooth the grade;

so I will travel on, star-led, sun-kissed,

trusting in God—a thinking optimist.”

 

This little poem is different from today’s offerings. It’s about someone who walks an ordinary road, with the same difficulties and setbacks we all face. And it’s encouraging to read. What do you do when you get discouraged?

Aura Weavers – a fantastic new fantasy trilogy

The Healer, The Bard, The Scribe, all by LizAnn Carson – a new release. Have a look on Amazon –

Imagine a Land…

Where the air is clear, and life is lived simply but fully;

Where the seasons follow the sun from sowing to harvest, from winter’s hibernation with music and stories through the revels and feasting of summer;

Where people called Weavers, people with special powers, walk the byways to bring healing, entertainment, and knowledge to towns and hamlets.

And now, imagine this peaceful land under threat…

Her Healing Powers Were Ripped Away

Willow left her childhood behind to become a Weaver, one of a select group of men and women who bring their skills as Healers, Bards, and Scribes to the scattered hamlets of the Midland. She has never been without access to the planetary Aura, the all-pervasive energy that enhances her healing skills, as well as assisting with tasks like starting fires and communicating across distances.

Then a space pod from a devastated planet disrupts her peaceful existence. It carries two grievously wounded men and threatens not only the Aura, but a way of life. Nor is the Aura as benign as everyone believes, and Willow pays the price.

A shadow of herself, she sets out through spell-clad hills to find her own healing.

Fair is fair, and you should know that Willow’s story doesn’t end with this book. See book 2, The Bard to continue the saga.

Canada 150 – New Short Story

Spring is here and my garden is leaping ahead as the weather finally warms. And where am I? I’m glued to my laptop, working away on a story about Canada, 150 years since Confederation.

It’s been a challenge, a group of writers who have committed to each compose a short story or novella about Canada illustrating an era sometime in the last 150 years of history. The interesting thing is we’ve all chosen a story that is quite different from the others, taking place in a separate place and time. With a country this big, and a history this long, it hasn’t been too difficult to do.

Given the different areas from the north, the eastern maritimes, the west coast, the prairies, the vast stretches of Upper and Lower Canada, there is a lot to choose from. With connections to French settlers, British immigrants, Russian contact in the north, the gold rush up the western mountains and into the Klondike, America along the southern border, the Doukhabors, Mennonites, Viking  explorers—there’s a huge choice.

It’s a stretch for me to step out like this, and also a lot of fun. One day soon, it will be available for your enjoyment.

Moon Shine – new novel in boxed set, pre-order now!

moonshine_cvr_sml

Pre-order now! Find this boxed set at http://amzn.to/2gxkiRh 

In the 1930’s, can a country doctor and a determined widow save the lives of these abandoned strangers?

Some secrets are too dangerous to keep…

After losing her husband to a deadly illness, Julia Butler is determined to look after her family, but this is the 1930’s and times are tough for everyone. As the endless string of jobless men trudges past her farm, she does her best to hang on. Then two strangers suddenly appear at her home. They are hiding something that places her family in danger, and nothing will ever be the same.

Dr. Will Stofford has become disillusioned with women. In an effort to heal his broken heart, he leaves his brothers behind and sets up his medical practice in the Kootenays where no one knows him.

Meeting Julia throws his plans into chaos. Will can’t turn his back on a challenge and he won’t rest until he solves this puzzle and puts things right.

Pre-order at the link above!

Travel to Florida

We had a fabulous trip, starting out from Vancouver airport. We had a stop in Montreal, then straight down to Fort Lauderdale. We were lucky enough to stay in Florida for five days. It was lovely, we visited friends in Fort Myers on the western side of the state, who live in a gated community — quite different from our sprawling landscape. Then we travelled over to Cayo Costa which is west of Fort Myers to visit some Canadian friends who spend the winter down there on their boat — again very different from our ability to take up as much room as we need. It was beautiful, we saw manatees, a gorgeous lagoon and were fed a delicious lunch.

P1040133The ferry taking us to Cayo Costa

P1040145The bay of Cayo Costa

When we sadly left our friends to return to Fort Lauderdale, we were ready to board our cruise ship for a trip across the Atlantic. Never imagined we would ever do this, but it was fascinating. More to come. 🙂