Simple is best

I snapped a shot of one of my old calendar pictures (2003) with a verse by Robert Louis Stevenson that sends a gentle message. Sometimes it’s difficult to find comfort in the world today, what with strife and struggles clearly happening almost on our doorsteps, now that social media can reach out to all of us with true accounts from all over the globe. Not only do these stories bring fear and uncertainty into our lives, but, also, a sense of confusion as to what we can do to help.

Someone once said that a tree is only as strong as its base, with deep roots firmly holding on to a solid foundation. Before we can reach out to others, we must make sure our roots are firmly grounded. I see that message in this short verse on my old calendar. We should look for the best in things closest to us and we’ll be comforted and blessed to find the sweetest things in life. While we’re doing that, our roots will grow strong and cling tightly to the things that really matter. That growing strength will reach out to others and help lift them up.  As Elizabeth Ann Seaton said, “Live simply, that others might simply live”.

We're not too weird...

I realize our family and friend photo album looks a little odd at Halloween. With masks and painted faces, costumes of all sorts, and shenanigans galore, we tend to act a bit out of character.  Isn’t that what Halloween costume parties are all about – a chance to become – for a few hours – a cherished dream, a haunting nightmare, or a mythical personage of ones’ imagination? Adults are supposed to stand aside, and watch their children participate in this fascinating and fantastical ritual, but I just can’t help myself! The temptation is too great! I want to be a princess, too! Or, possibly, a super star, or the queen of some magical land. I must admit that the older I get, the more enticing the inducement to venture into the play-land of Halloween imagination. It’s only for a few hours – a chance to be a child again, along with your own children. The memories of our own childhood Halloween’s come alive as we, once again, pretend. Sometimes it’s fun to be a little foolish, a little daring, and what better time than a Halloween party to become that famous race car driver you’ve always admired, or that big pink bunny rabbit that your kids love, or that astronaut, fireman, or ugly green creature…

The Denver layover surprise!

The most interesting thing happened last January when I elected to give up my seat on an overbooked plane in exchange for an overnight layover in Denver. All compliments of the airlines. Sounded like fun to me, so I opted to do it. A retired couple also chose to relinquish their seats, and the three of us banded together and became fast friends. In the course of our conversations, I shared the fact that I had written a series of books categorized as romantic suspense genre.  As avid readers, they admitted that reading together was their choice, and showed me the current book they were reading. It might take more time to complete a book, but the intimacy of sharing a book and discussing it afterward was their reward. They immediately showed interest in reading my books and wanted to purchase the three that had already been published, plus the last one in the series that was soon to be released. 

Nine months later, I received this touching contact on my webpage that I will share with you now: 

“We just finished reading the last book in the Winter Secret Series. Derek and Cynthia have been on our minds for the past nine months as we followed their lives from the Craters of the Moon to the end, at the castle. It has been a delightful, anxious, romantic, late-into-the-night reading because we couldn’t set the books down. All of the interesting turns and twists, characters and personalities and finally the answers to all our guesses answered as we finished Autumn Hush. It’s been a roller-coaster ride. Thank you for this wonderful ride! You have made our reading together a fun experience. Just as the book, Autumn Hush, fell off of the shelf just at the right time, the three of us giving up our airline seats, and bringing us together was no less of a miracle. Thank you, Linda, for giving us this adventure and bringing Derek and Cynthia safely home.”

I was fortunate to meet new friends, have an adventure, and in the end, discover readers who love my books!
 ©Linda Gatewood 2015

Digital is now available on Amazon for the newest book, Autumn Hush!

www.amazon.com/author/lindagatewood

Kindle, digital version update

For those of you who are still waiting for the kindle version on Amazon, it shouldn’t be too much longer. I still have a few digital download cards left so let me know if you want one. Also, you can still get the download from my publisher, too! I appreciate all of you who have loved this story! Remember, the soft cover is always available! www.lindagatewoodbooks.com

Letting go of Mother...

              
My mom, who has been gone 8 years now, was my best friend.

I wanted her to stay until Christmas,

Just 'til the lights were lit and music played

To spread good cheer.

Until the snow fell from the sky and covered the ground,

And the church bells rang for all to hear.

I asked her to stay until Thanksgiving

When leaves of gold and yellow, fall

With Wild abandon of living;

Until gusty winds build a wall

of dried colors slowly fading.

I hoped she would stay until the end of October

Could bring out the ghosts of past,

To share the evening with goblins

Costumed and cast

With no fear of sins

I wished she would be strong 'til end of summer

When blooms of fruit and harvest

Manifest colors so bold,

Promises that life goes on, a wonder

To behold.

She left in mid-summer, silently slipping away

While butterflies played on a sunny day.

Her silver halo of hair crowned her face, as her life faded,

Her cares given up and traded

For a much better place.

I wanted her to stay. 

                                           
Erma Wells, 1920-2007 

                                                            -©Linda Gatewood 2015