Heed the Call – A Graduation Dedication on Life

Waters ripple… breezes beckon… conspiracy tempts the soul to motion.

Pitch and roll… whispered secrets, call little boats out to the ocean.

“Come see what land lies far beyond the protected shelter of your bay.

Maybe there a brand new life… untold treasures… a brand new day.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Tethered to a dock below… while maternal mountains tower above

Mighty eagle shares the sky with hawk and harmonious dove.

Shoreline grasses dance their best to lapping sounds of waves at crest.

Sunshine blesses happy home… tied to wharf where safe it rests.

~~~~~~~~~~

The waters repeat their gentle pull and winds they whip the boat astern.

“Come out to sea… adventurous be… there is so much more for you to learn.”

A tempting draw to far off lands beyond the dune of comfort sands,

But they will not coax too far this time… destiny not yet in one’s own hands.

~~~~~~~~~~

Abrasive sea. Relentless fear… it wears upon the shaken hull.

Stormy weather threatens high before there is another lull.

Chipped and worn and tossed about… what’s to become of thee?

Salty tears for journey’s loss… feeling unworthy of the sea.

~~~~~~~~~~

Loving hands mend wounds that show and soon will heal okay.

A fresh new coat of make-up paint covers pain of yesterday.

But what of scars too deep to mend… internal bonds a rift?

Silent waters… emotions deep… despite care’s loving gift.

~~~~~~~~~~

What of the winds that call out to you, “Come to the great beyond.”

Home is dear, but lands far and near, encourage you to respond.

Someone said the sorrow sweet in ways when we part so…

Then set it free to chance the storm… untie it… let it go.

~~~~~~~~~~

Waters surround, and then out to sea… waves set life in motion.

The rope untied. Heart filled with pride, as craft sets out upon the ocean.

A distant spot that bobs and rocks… while fading out of sight…

Follow stars. Land near and far; determined dreams you cannot fight.

~~~~~~~~~~

Although it seems a modest boat cannot compare to ocean liner.

Refurbished bow and stalwart oar… make proud the ship’s designer.

To heed the call of destined squall… a dreaded lifelong wait.

Cut the ties… despite the cries. The journey… a captain’s fate.

~~~~~~~~~~

Linda J. Pedley © 2003

Life’s Lessons

To a writer, the impact of an event is significant to our craft. Based on this effect, we word sculpt a rendering of it in our minds, then record it in our journals, on our blogs, in letters, as poetry, use it in writing projects, or in some other written form we store it as a keepsake. It is a reminder of the way we saw it happen. It also provides research from which to draw at intervals along our writing journey. Over the course of our career, we have opportunity to experience many events; we meet people who have a purpose in our life; we have also heard the adage “write what you know.” Memories from events that happen to us, or with us, or around us and people we meet for a “reason, a season, or a lifetime” are the basis for this knowledge.

While attending a graduation ceremony the other night, a myriad of thoughts passed through my mind, but as a writer I was drawn to the words spoken throughout the night. They were given as accolades to the accomplishments of the year; they were shared as encouragement to fledgling citizens about to embark on the next steps of their journey; they were confirmation that the expected, although a long time in coming, was now upon us and would soon become a memory. Hearing these words, not only allowed me to reflect on the current situation – Sabrina’s graduation ceremony – it naturally expanded in my mind to encompass the graduating class and those around me; it took me back to my own daughter’s commencement in 2003, and ventured further back to my own in 1975. Those words of encouragement given were not unique to the night even though their focus was on this school, this class, this year…

The universality of the message directed to these grads focused on today and what was truly important to them, yet those same words have been delivered to every class and every year, past – and will certainly be delivered to future classes with the same bravado.  They did, however, single out this event’s importance in the passage of time. They recorded it as not just a beginning, but also an end. The experience would be happy and bittersweet, the outcome expected and unexpected, its completion freeing and overwhelming, its direction planned yet unknown. The future holds in store the same offering as it did, and will, for everyone – dreams are out there to be discovered, even if in the asking you don’t know quite what they are yet. The success of one’s future will be based on what you gain from your experience and all is dependent upon the choices you make. Memories and experience, good or bad, are created with each passing.

Significant events and people we encounter during our life provide the basis for memories. Some memories we covet fondly, bringing them out to experience their joy, over and over again. Sad memories are also held within that reservoir although we much prefer to keep them covered and hidden. It may seem, in retrospect, that we hold on to them with as much reverence as we do the happy ones. However bad their recovery, they create a connectedness we are sometimes reluctant to release.

Reference was made to a graduation speech that defined the friendship you have with yourself as being the most important relationship to invest in and foster. After all, you will spend each and every day with you. If you are not your best friend and truly love yourself, you will be spending a lot of time with someone you don’t like. Is that the basis of a good relationship? Everyone, not only new graduates, needs to discover the person they are, and in that process, like that person. Who you are is not defined by what you have; it is based on the contribution you make to the greater good and the legacy you leave behind.

The world can be overwhelming, scary, confusing – little comfort is gleaned from the fact that others have gone the way before you – your concerns, your dreams, your direction, your story – is your own and no one can tell you the best path to take. Whether a new graduate, a life veteran, or a writer working on a story, the world is your oyster – take the pearl, learn from the experience, and create your own jewel to pass along.

The Order of My Mind

Here I sit, attempting to put order to the thoughts rushing around in my head, nine days into May and counting. We just got finished with our local writer’s conference held this past weekend and as with all events I participate in, there is somewhat of a recovery period to follow… I will not admit to getting old, just getting tired. My mind is strong though, and I would even go so far as to define it as versatile; like a large filing cabinet with deep drawers where lots of crap can be crammed into the corners, seeping up to the top edges, filling it to the brim. It’s all in there, somewhere. Order? Well, that’s another thing completely. I guarantee it’s in there and I know it’s in there, but don’t ask me to put it all on that nice little neat piece of paper so you’d know where to find it, too. Sit me in front of the necessary task and it comes out coherently, and most of the time, without hesitation. I guess that’s where I should take my cue that the cabinets are getting full and might automatically purge someday.

Oh, where would I be then?!!

And let’s not get into suggesting the revealing order of science and the propensity for things to work so much more efficiently if given some order. Or, provide them an order, lest they don’t already come with one. Let’s not quote and compare notes to say we remember this, that, or the other – some might not fair well, and then it might just be farewell to all.

I think my mind resembles the several desks I work on and the several books I write in and the several stacks of files and piles of notes I keep close at hand, one (or two) on each and every desk, and perhaps more with each and every journal. Again, there really is no order, except my own.

I often wonder when that sense of perfectionism left me. At one time, it was necessary to keep everything in its place because as we all know, everything has a place. Was it after “one too many” moves? Was it when I decided to heap the platter with “to-dos” higher than the edge of the receptacle itself? Was it when I went beyond mere memory testing to see exactly how much I could remember without the backup of written support? Was it… just because I got too busy to care about order and ordered more in the care of the end product?

Is that possible?

Today, I am just writing from my heart, or rather – my mind… letting it go where it sees fit and free-falling my way to a blog of some kind, hoping you are going to be interested in what my mind has to say on the matter of order. Perhaps, it won’t matter, and to me, that doesn’t matter, either. For in the natural order of things, in the context of the big picture, and all that is important in the world, this is not a test or testament to anything other than the power of words and our ability to spit them out in a somewhat coherent fashion.

Ah ha!

There is some order in my life, because I would not be able to write all that I write, without it.

Temptation of the Night – Celebration of May Day

As the sun set, a cool breeze played among the grasses on the knoll above the village. Great preparation had filled the day for the May Eve celebrations heralding the season of warmth. With offerings to the gods, there were always prayers and much hope after the long winter that the next six months would reap a bountiful harvest from the fields; that the herds bred during the last warm spell would produce healthy calves and any human babies born to the world birthed during this time. Just as the men took care to see to the livestock, the women took painstaking measures to ensure they did not conceive off-time and deliver during the deathly cold of winter – the baby would be sure to die.

Caolan and Caoimhe knew the significance of this May Eve – their only daughter, Dairine, would be united with her own mate even at a mere fourteen. She was to be brought forth as their offering to the fertility gods asking only that their land bear fruit enough to carry them through the next winter and to the next Beltane. They never asked for more than they needed and always promised if there was extra, their village would share in the wealth. No one went hungry during the winter in close-knit village of Ambrose.

Dairine watched her father with pride – he had been chosen this year as one of the honored nine and he worked without a break during the festival preparations to provide enough firewood to light the biggest bonfire the people had ever seen. Her father promised her the heavens would be alight as if it were daytime, on this, her special day. She knew the significance of the Eve, as well, and was somewhat torn by the decision that was made for her. She knew there had to be more than just the tie to the schedule of the seasons, dividing the year into two six month sections – one of warmth and light and bounty, the other of dark cold, and deprivation. It would be nice to have her love, Finnian, always by her side and to provide a legacy for the clan. But she wondered, is that all there is to life?

“Dairine.” She had been daydreaming watching the sky grow darker as the sun made its way to another place, leaving them in the darkness of the night. The wind played at the flowers and braids intertwined throughout her thick, long hair. The remaining glow from the sun teased at the outline of her head, its fiery color, even more enhanced.

 ”Ah, Finn.” He took his hands in hers and pulled her to her feet from her posted watch along the edge of the knoll. The wooden fence stretched beyond their sight and disappeared into the thickening shadows.

“Let us away to the hill.”

“Aye. Be ye in a hurry young lad?” She teased him, knowing he would be thankful of the dimming light, for it was common that his blush matched his shocking head of hair on many occasions.

“Quiet, girl.” He laughed, practicing his stern father voice and he leaned in close to kiss her cheek. She put a hand up to stop him, laughing and teasing.

 ”Soon enough, a ghrá mo chroí.” They ran, hand in hand, toward the now increasing crowd that gathered on the crest of the hill.

With a rush and a roar, the timber took the flame and the fingers of heat and light and fire reached toward the heaven. The crowd cheered. It was a magnificent display. From where she stood, Dairine could see the town, abandoned in the dell, dark, its collective hearths doused in order to channel all the prayers and offerings from a single fire. The drum beats began and she danced, laughing, soon losing herself in the crowd of her people. Somewhere Finnian danced too, and she knew he would find her when their time came.

She felt him before she saw him. Her arms waved a glowing stick in the air, circling, circling… and then she stopped. He stood before her – handsome, smiling. Who was this man with such dark hair and eyes, the glow from the fire shimmering on his skin? She felt entranced and alive yet unsure.

 ”Allo.” Dairine was cautious but curious.

 ”Conas atá tú?” He was charming.

“I am well.”

 ”You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. Have we met?”

“No… I am from another place, far away. My name is Ciar.”

Dairine was intrigued. She dreamed of far away and now knew there had to be more. She did not feel fear although she might have if alone. Around her the festival raged with costumes of goat skins and horns; fire sticks made circles of light everywhere in the smoky darkness. She focused back on the man in front of her, feeling the heat of the fire and suddenly her knees trembled.

“Are you alright?” The man held out his hand to her, but she shook her head.

“Far away? Tell me what it is like… far away.”

“It is always light and warm and you would be treasured. I can show you faraway. You do not need to be tied to the seasons anymore if you choose to come with me. I have watched you and wanted you. You have dreamed of me.”

Dairine was intoxicated by his voice. His smile was alluring and his promises nothing she had ever heard. Her life here only offered the limitations of the land and the people, but this man was offering her the dreams she dared not disclose – the one’s she prayed for in the dark of the night in the depths of her bower.

“Come dance with me through the smoke and the fire. Take my hand. Feel cleansed and we shall go far away.” Again, he held out a hand, firm and solid – sure, she extended hers slowly.

“Dairine! Dairine.” A bounding Finnian dressed in shearling, his hair wild in the night wind came up to her with a smile, breathless and sure of himself. “It is time, Dairine.”

“But, Finn… this man…” She pointed into the darkness behind her as Finnian peered past her, laughing.

“What man, precious? I’ll beat his hide iffin he puts a hand on you.” Still laughing he looked her in the eye, and seeing her confusion, pulled her close. “You are cold, my love, come share the heat of the fire.”

As they walked away together, Dairine continued to stare into the darkness. Where once stood her means to far away and her secret dreams, there was nothing – a roar and hiss went up from the bonfire as the long timbers fell, burned through. The crowd cheered and they continued to dance through the cleansing smoke.  

Call to Conference – A Writers Conference, That is!

The premise of this post is based on the skeleton of a blog I did two years ago; however, I have changed most of the content, not only to reflect the current “state of affairs” but also to write prior to the conference, instead of after it’s all said and done. Perhaps, this will entice you to take part in our event if, by chance, you are in the vicinity. It will be a lovely affair and aptly titled: “For the Love of Writing.”

In our attempt to encourage free fall writing, our group rep Mandy posts weekly writing prompts. Once titled (and still available on the calendar of events), the Saturday Writing Prompt has now become the Weekly Writing Prompt, encouraging participants to use their creative inspiration at any time. The “Saturday” tag was misconstrued to mean that you could only write to that prompt on that particular day – not true! As with the now weekly prompt, we encourage our members and others to use the prompts whenever the muse strikes. The prompts are meant to engage our members and the public who visit our web site with topics and questions to challenge the imagination and spark new or renewed ideas. The interesting thing about these challenges is not in the prompts themselves (although, sometimes you wonder… where the heck did that come from?) but rather, the diversity of writing that follows. As a member of the WFSC, you are allowed access to the internal web site where  you can blog, post, and share your literary offerings.

The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County will hold their 2012 Writers Conference on Saturday, May 5th; the writing prompt posted back on in 2010 added the tease “you should be at the Conference”  but it was posted as it always is and many of us got back to it after the event was completed. The following question was the prompt for that week and I have tailored by response to what my 2012 answer would be… (to read past posts, follow the links on the right to April 2010):

“If you could invite anyone, author or not, to the conference who would it be? Why?”

When planning an event that involves several aspects of presentation and display, there are people you consider inviting who would add to the day either by their ability to draw or engage a crowd, or by the relationship they already have through past encounters. You also tend to, just by human nature, go off on an imaginary tour grabbing at farfetched ideas and dreams hoping that by some slim, whim of a chance a celebrity or awe-inspiring mentor might grace your roster.

Although my past comment indicated that I would love to have someone who inspires me as a writer attend a conference upon my invitation and I listed some who I would enjoy listening to… I feel we fulfill that mandate each and every time, with each and every presenter we invite – in all honesty, everyone should inspire you in some way - we can learn from everyone. At this point, our conferences are small in comparison based on attendance, but that doesn’t mean they are ineffective. Perhaps, they are more effective than larger events because you are able to connect on a more personal level with those around you – you can network, share, learn, and take away valuable industry and information.

The people who asked to present workshops at our Conference, are not just those who may have been available on that day, they are, more importantly, people who have a special place on our roster of writing friends. This year’s line-up is impressive and we not only welcome returning writing friend and presenter, Judy Schultz, but also add new workshop topics to be presented by Lynn Gagne-Webb, Anna Marie Sewell, Suzanne Burkett, and Gord Steinke.

Our trade and author displays showcase the diversity of support and talent within our literary network – artwork, books, inspirational writing, business, and organizations, bring their unique blend of products and services to the table. An artist, no matter their creative calling, adds their own spirit to the group who mingle with a single purpose in mind – to share their passion for creativity.

Participants who register to attend our event do so for various reasons. It may be to further their own knowledge and understanding of a topic and learn what they can from those who are experts in their field. A writer may be finding out about themselves and in discovering that, they discover others who share their passion. Mixing and mingling with like-minded people creates a bond. Strangers become friends. Groups encourage fellowship. Everyone becomes connected. Inspiration lies in the sharing.

Looking over the guest list – our committee, our members, our community, our leaders in council, organizations representative of industry, experts in the writing field, artists, authors, local businesses…. If I could invite anyone to the Conference, who would it be? I think we have everyone we need to make this Conference the success past years have proven it to be, so in advance, thank you for sharing the day and the passion for the written word.

(p.s. in the back of my mind, of course, I have a wish list – you know that far-fetched dream likened to a fantasy, often unspoken or held in secret (or not so secret) containment… – Viggo Mortensen? Poet, artist, photographer, actor, Renaissance man-extraordinaire! YOU have an open invitation. Maybe an influential Facebook or Twitter friend? Check out our posts on both! Oh, yes, and of course, William… but that’s really reaching

April – wherefore art thou?

April – my precious month, the beginning of my own spring tides, bearer of my birth. Where have you gone in such a rush? It is not like you will be forgotten, passing into the calendar abyss without renown or reward, but do you have to go so fast? Don’t you know you are my favorite month as you are the time of year I came upon this earth and then as if returning the gift, I presented to you my own offspring to herald the very first day of you? If I write nothing else to post here, it would be to proclaim all the glory that you offer me each year, however fleeting, however quick.

Yes, spring arrives in the waning weeks of March but it is April I connect to; Aries I am borne of… and spring anew is welcomed with open arms each year. There is uncertainty in the time even with all the future holds, so close to grasping summer’s warmth… yet within reach of the cold hold winter still tries to lay claim. You packed surprises with a punch this year as snow fell, blizzards hit, rain and hail and lightning – yet there was sunshine, too, as if to ease the passing of any final winter wares. I celebrated with friends and family as yet another year turned forward and I beam with pride as my daughter continues to mature and grow into a most wonderful human being.

Work keeps me grounded yet my dreams continue to soar as my own publishing business increases in popularity and project. I revel in the marvel of books and the stories authors share. I am honored to help contain those words within personalized covers that will forever house their creative works. April, you will be a banner month for Dream Write Publishing and I would expect the rest of the year will follow suit influenced by your lead.

With all that keeps one busy during the normal course of a day, my days are filled past normal work hours to include my investment of time and expertise to a growing business; I remain overly active in the workings of the local writers group and foundation; events for each of these entities fill weekends and evenings with planning and presentation, and although tiring and taxing upon this body, outcomes are undoubtedly profitable and pleasant.

I have been presented with many profound opportunities and awarded recognition for my efforts – I am deeply humbled and appreciative of all I have to claim. April in all your newness, you bring rejuvenation to a soul wrapped to guard against winter’s chill, and though I hesitantly shed those protective layers as days grow longer and warmer, I thankfully welcome with open arms what is yet to come.

It is almost good-bye April – I will await your visit next year.

Here are some fun April activities involving me and my passions:

http://www.renajtraxelblog.com/2012/04/s-is-for-sonnet.html?spref=fb my interview on Rena J. Traxel’s blog “On the Way to Somewhere” – Rena covered National Poetry Month with tributes to poets and poetry styles using the alphabet. I was excited to be a part of this with “S” for sonnet…

http://www.worldshakespearefestival.org.uk/ Oh, William – you look and sound wonderful for 448 years!! You will always have my heart. Be warned – the site is very, very vibrant in color! (I know I shouldn’t use very, but using two, does that cancel them out, out brief candle … that is the question…)

Planning for the upcoming Writers Foundation of Strathcona County Conference well underway and we have an amazing line-up and outstanding support!  http://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/fp/2012-writers-conference-saturday-may-5th

It was fun participating in the 6^th Annual Evening of Poetry on Friday the 13^th at the Strathcona County Library – how lucky! I have only missed one event of the six and I not only love listening to the different poets invited as guest readers, I am pleased to share a couple of my poems during the open mic session – this year I shared along with a free verse poem called “Begging” … the sonnet featured in the blog post above, and this one:  http://wildhorse33.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/metamorphosis-of-a-poem/

The recipients are not yet posted on the County’s web site, but I was nominated for this award to be given out on June 11^th in a celebration at Festival Place in the category Professional Development: http://www.strathcona.ab.ca/departments/Communications/pride-of-strathcona-awards.aspx  I have the official letter from the Mayor’s office and I am honored to be chosen for this award. I thank (over and over) my colleagues and writing friends for their letters of support (and Mandy for spearheading the application!) Now, if I can get through the acceptance speech without blubbering…

I am attending on behalf of my employer the Alberta Community and Cooperatives Association AGM in Red Deer to participate in the meeting and cooperative discussions. I represent the AFREA on the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2012) planning committee at the provincial level, working down through the communications and grassroots committees, to being a proud part of the local Strathcona County Co-ops Cluster group. Creating awareness of the cooperative business model is our mandate – providing educational/leadership opportunities to young co-op members or members-to-be.                                          

http://www.afrea.ab.ca/trade-fair-display-visit-us-booth-35 

http://www.afrea.ab.ca/iyc-launch-reports-and-links                                                                                   

I will wrap up April with other office, work, company, home, family and friend duties and pleasures – but also with a supper at the Morse Telegraph Club annual meeting. I am attending on behalf of my author George Campbell who wrote “Good Night Old Man” and created a stir across Canada and US with his book. It has been well received and written about in many papers; check out this book review:                                                           http://groups.yahoo.com/group/techbooks/message/882

                                                                                                -30-

Versatile Blogger nomination – thank you

Hello Versatile Bloggers and Readers! I have been given another award nominated by a versatile blogger –  mandyevebarnett

Here are some rules involved:

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 8 blogs you enjoy reading.
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

7 things About Me :

1. I am a lover of all things Shakespeare.
2. I not only love to create written images but have an artist’s eye, too.
3. Several small manuscripts are done so I plan to publish more than one e-book this year.
4. The backbone of my support system includes my mother, my daughter, and my writing friends.
5. Just celebrated another happy birthday with many memories to carry me forward.
6. Everyone has a story and I encourage them to share it without asking “who am I?”
7. I love my company and promoting others’ words – you can find them at http://www.dreamwritepublishing.ca

Chosen Versatile Bloggers goes to…

Amelia          http://lifeintheblueridges.wordpress.com/about/

Grace            http://www.turbogrannys.blogspot.ca/

Ann               http://anniegirl1138.com/

Rena             http://www.renajtraxelblog.com/

Natalie         http://thewritersideoflife.wordpress.com/

Kaspa & Fiona       http://www.writingourwayhome.com/p/small-stones.html

Irene         http://irenesroth.wordpress.com/

Matt          http://www.mattleblancart.com/en/category/blog-roll/

Thank you to Mandy Eve-Barnett, an inspiring writing friend, for nominating me -

http://mandyevebarnett.wordpress.com

Please pass this award on to your favorites! Share our words and expand our world wide writer’s support network.