Hello. My blogs are primarily about my work as a writer, faith as a Christ follower, gardening and my childhood in mid-century England. I hope that something I say will make you smile today and encourage you in your journey.
*(I’m an Amazon affiliate and earn a small commission for book sales at no additional cost to the buyer).
*The Poetry Prompt is from Smash Poetry Journal, by Robert Lee Brewer“Take the phrase ‘I Am (blank)’ and replace the blank with a word or phrase… introspection reflection.”
In April, after the snow melts and doesn’t return before the progging is done and the soil is tilled I put pencil to paper and delight in planning my pots and plotting my plants.
The problem with our zone 4 gardens is that the weather has changed dramatically over the past few years, and we sometimes have snow left on the ground when the temperature suddenly rockets to 29 degrees (C).
Because of this, many plants that used to survive the early spring here no longer do. Now, we wait until May 25 to plant our new perennials and annuals when the risk of overnight frost has passed. That’s a long weekend here in Canada and a perfect time to plant new things in newly tilled soil.
I’m happy to plant again this year to celebrate the healing of my broken arm. My favourite colour is purple, so I’m planting this beauty as soon as possible. If it turns out lovely, I’ll take a photo.
rough sketch of a pot idea
Plants — Salvia, Coral Bells, Dusty Miller and Petunia.
*note: “Progging” is an old English word for searching for anything and is widely used to describe the collection of fallen branches and twigs. We use it often in April at White Rose Shire as we experience many storms that down the trees in the woodland surrounding our gardens. I’m chuffed to hear my grandkids use the word whenever they talk of spring at our place.
I’m so happy to be outside in my gardens again–finally!
If you’d like to support my writing, please subscribe to Medium to get access to all my stories and poetry, as well as stories by hundreds of other writers. If you subscribe to my profile, you’ll also receive an email when I publish new content. Thank you so much!
I planned to write a short, cozy garden mystery for NaNoWriMo. Dutifully, as a plantser (hybrid planner and pantser), I began jotting down notes for possible clues and motives and searching Pinterest to create my annual NaNo board to spur me onward to my goal.
I felt good about my progress when a financial shift occurred out of the blue. We discovered our monthly income was not what we’d received in previous months. The only solution was for me to monetize my writing better.
That meant more writing of what would bring in a return the fastest. As I saw it, I had three options.
1. I could carry on writing my mystery story and hope for a fantastic book launch with considerable sales in three months (experience said, “not likely.”)
2. I could write several ebooks for my Etsy shop with more chances of earlier success.
3. I could write more on Medium and hope I’ve got the algorithm right this month.
Hmmm.
Daunted and confused, I turned to prayer. (I should have started there. Hey, that could be another poem!) It became more apparent that I had not one choice of three options but three options to achieve the same goal collectively.
NaNoWriMo Woes
I had an idea this time to write a mysterious crime with murderous beast five suspects at least and victim appearing deceased.
But life took a turn to the side and all of my notes I did hide. Instead, I did flop facing my laptop and outlined new books for my shop.
Then joy filled each thought as I prayed like I ought and I saw that I could do both. With November’s troth I wrote down a personal oath.
And now Nano’s here and I have no fear. I can write a cozy plus two Etsy ebooks for you. That’s three books in all brand new!
Miniscule rainbows shimmering like prisms on white. I hesitate to step to crumple the wonderment The Creator blessed me with.
If I did not feel so inundated with less ethereal tasks I’d sit and soak in the majestic sight as a child until the sun hides Its rays behind the pines and I would thank Him for everyday blessings.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1a, NIV
His creation reflects God’s glory. It calls us into praise and worship of our Heavenly Father every day–if we’re not too busy to see it.
‘Til next time, remember you are loved by the One who created you in His image.
Lynne Collier 