Scribblings on Whatever

Soul Seasons

6/19/2024

In the fall nature releases its attachment to the fruits of its last growing season. Flowers wilt, and leaves fall. Rather than an ending, it is the necessary preparation for new growth. During winter, the outer visible parts of the plant appear dormant, but beneath the surface, the plant is developing the root system and nourishment for manifesting a new level of growth. In the spring the budding flowers and unfurling leaves spark a joyful remembrance of the beauty and wonder the new season holds in store. When summer comes, there is time to enjoy the fruits of those seasons of preparation.

The seasons of your soul mirror these cycles of nature, and just like in nature, you do not get to linger forever in the sweetness of summer. You must let go of your attachments to where you are and prepare to move onward. These are the cycles of your spiritual growth.

If you're interested in reading my poetic diary, ranging from fourteen years of age until culminating at fifty years of age with my poem titled "The Seasons of My Soul," click on the book image. It is available in both paperback and Kindle.

These poems were simply my way of expressing the emotions that were overtaking me at different times in my life and yet filling me with wonder at other times.

These “poems” were my safety valve—the outlet that let me release my unproductive emotions. They were also the way I was able to express my personal growth when those around me did not see things the same way I did. So, I bless them. . .warts and all

AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/The-Seasons-My-Soul-Poetic/dp/0972605843

https://www.amazon.com/Seasons-My-Soul-Dannye-Williamsen-ebook/dp/B00BIPJTWG

Summer Dreams Make Me Feel Fine

6/5/2024

This is Alfred, our 1957 Ariel 500 Red Hunter single cylinder motorbike. What a blast we had riding him. Alfie also won quite a few trophies at classic bike rallies.

As one, we effortlessly lean into each turn, perfectly attuned to the bike’s movements as we mimic the twists and turns along the narrow two-lane road.

When you think about summer, what comes to mind? Hours of sunshine, colorful fields of wildflowers, corn stalks dancing in the breeze, flittering butterflies, curious bumble bees, a tomato fresh from the garden, a cooling dip in a lake, strolls along the beach, sticky fingers from an ice cream cone melting faster than you could eat it, an ice-cold glass of lemonade.

Close your eyes and picture your favorite summer memory. As the mental images run through your mind, nearly forgotten details bring the memory to life as if it happened yesterday. Savor the feeling as it makes you smile recalling the sights, sounds, tastes, and textures associated with your thoughts.

One of my favorite scenes from the past is riding the Ariel along the winding mountain roads in Virginia.
The cool air envelopes us, and we forget the oppressive heat we left behind. I wrap my arms around Bob, holding him as close as possible. As one, we effortlessly lean into each turn, perfectly attuned to the bike’s movements as we mimic the twists and turns along the narrow two-lane road. The one-of-a-kind clattering beat from the single-cylinder engine and the beautiful, twittering exhaust note hum their own unique tune as we climb and descend the steep hills. It’s the closest thing to heaven I can imagine. I never want the ride to end…

Of course, the memory excludes the return to reality and the numb buns and legs at the end of our journey. Still, that temporary discomfort was part of the charm of riding our vintage single-cylinder motorcycle, and I want to remember it too.

Bob and I experienced many happy summer days over our thirty-five years together. I’m thankful he shared some of his fond memories through his haiku. I enjoy reading and reliving some of our adventures along Memory Lane. I hope you do, too.

After a few days of touring, Alfie gets a bath and his cases repolished. Yes, you see it right. The bikes lived inside our apartment - the Ariel in the dining area and our '72 Triumph Tiger in the living room.

SUMMER DREAMS
Bright sun in blue sky
Heat waves rise from dusty road
I seek the cool shade
***
Streams flow peacefully
Trout laze in deep shady pools
Deep woods invite me
***
Corn grows green in sun
A snake slithers through tall grass
Insects buzzing near
***
Clouds rise to the east
Distant rumble of thunder
A storm is coming
***
Blue skies and pink clouds
Tall wheat hides us from all view
You are in my arms
***
Leaves are fading now
We walk between apple trees
I hold your soft hand
***
Whispers of our dreams
In pictures of long past days
All lost to me now
***
Gone like summer wind
Old memories fill my mind
Salt tears fill my eyes
***
A beach warm in sun
Breaking waves slide high on shore
Land and sea are one
***
Sun bakes fields and farms
Cicadas sing in the trees
Sweat drips from my brow
***
Sweet and sour taste
Cools my throat on summer day
Ice cold lemonade
***
Old man pushing cart
Selling ice cream on the street
Cool and tasty treat
***
A sea of color
Bright umbrellas in the rain
My mood is lightened

Blossoms in the Snow
Poetry by Robert DeBurgh

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092SXPNW5/

Universal link -http://viewbook.at/blossomsinthesnow

Where Do I Go from Here?

5/15/2024

Dear Reader,
I actually wrote this book in 1988. At the time I didn't know much about the publishing business, independent publishers were not as powerful as they are today, and technology had not transformed the publishing industry. I sent the manuscript to a well-known publisher in California. The reply I received was: "We are not interested in this kind of information at this time."

Unfortunately, I took it to heart, assuming that the mainstream really wasn't interested, and I would never get it published. I actually allowed it to forestall my writing for publication of any kind for another decade. With the advent of the World Wide Web and the increased use of it by the mainstream, I realized there are a lot of people out there looking to change their lives. So I began to write. I have used some of my thoughts here in later writings, but I only stumbled across this manuscript in recent years and decided to release it.

It's short, but it is direct. I hope you enjoy it. For all those other things I've been writing — you can find them here on Sassy Scribblers or at my web site: www.DannyeWilliamsen.com.

The Soul Seasons

4/17/2024

In the fall nature releases its attachment to the fruits of its last growing season. Flowers wilt, and leaves fall. Rather than an ending, it is the necessary preparation for new growth. During winter, the outer visible parts of the plant appear dormant, but beneath the surface, the plant is developing the root system and nourishment for manifesting a new level of growth. In the spring the budding flowers and unfurling leaves spark a joyful remembrance of the beauty and wonder the new season holds in store. When summer comes, there is time to enjoy the fruits of those seasons of preparation.

The seasons of your soul mirror these cycles of nature, and just like in nature, you do not get to linger forever in the sweetness of summer. You must let go of your attachments to where you are and prepare to move onward. These are the cycles of your spiritual growth.

If you're interested in reading my poetic diary, ranging from fourteen years of age until culminating at fifty years of age with my poem titled "The Seasons of My Soul," click on the book image. It is available in both paperback and Kindle.

I wouldn’t begin to pretend that these poems have any value to the literary world because I’m quite sure they don’t. They were simply my way of expressing the emotions that were overtaking me at different times in my life and yet filling me with wonder at other times.
I won’t apologize if their structure falls short because these “poems” were my safety valve—the outlet that let me release my unproductive emotions. They were also the way I was able to express my personal growth when those around me did not see things the same way I did. So, I bless them. . .warts and all!

Sparking Kid’s Imagination

4/3/2024

Think back to your childhood. Do you remember listening to an adult reading Mother Goose nursery rhymes to you? I loved hearing them and was eventually able to recite the short poems about Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Jack be Nimble, and Hey, Diddle Diddle to whoever would listen.

Mother Goose was a very good friend of mine. In my imagination, she was real, and I talked to her picture on the cover as I “read” my book. She looked so sweet and was always happy and smiling. Her patience while I created my own versions of her tales is probably why I became and still remain a book lover.

In the sixty-plus years since then, I’ve learned and forgotten many things, but not those beloved rhymes. When I became a preschool and elementary school teacher, Mother Goose entertained those kids during storytime just as she had done for me. I hope my students carried on the ritual with their own kids.

Traditional books, stories, and poems such as Mother Goose may lose some of their popularity with the more modern approach to children’s literature, but they’ll never die out completely.
With my Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series, I aim to continue the conventional themes of teaching kids about caring and sharing while entertaining them with humorous and delightful tales.

I want Patchy and Calico to spark their imagination so the early readers can visualize the mischievous dog as he embarks on yet another one of his exciting (mis)adventures, with Calico tagging along to bail her friend out of trouble. Children enjoy the hijinks as their young minds picture the dog and cat performing in a circus, running away from a scary ghost, or tracking down the mysterious gift snatcher.

I want the kids to laugh when Calico tricks her not-so-smart friend into thinking he can fly and then be proud of the silly dog when he finally does zoom through the air.
Along with entertaining their audience with their crazy antics, I hope Patchy and Calico demonstrate how being kind to others and giving presents to your friends can be so much more gratifying than receiving them.

Will my children’s stories become known worldwide and treasured by generations of children? Short answer – NO.

But I can dream, can’t I?

Did you become an avid reader as a child? If you have children, do you read to them? If your children are older now, do they still love to read?

Unraveling Memories

3/20/2024

Brita Madison has come a long way since she first met James Weston five years ago. After nearly being killed twice and losing her best friend James at the hand of an evil pedophile, she appreciates the slower pace of her interactions with the spirit world since moving to Phoenix with her new husband, Sam Jenkins. All that comes crashing down when the past returns with a vengeance, threatening her family and friends.

As if to make up for lost time, spirits begin showing up whose muddled memories test the resolve of Brita and her friends, old and new, to meet the challenges from the past and the present.

“The common thread across all of Ms. Williamsen’s novels (and I’ve read them all) is the genuineness of her characters. I always turn the last page unwilling to let them go.” ~ Sharon Giarratana, long-time fan

If you've been following the series, you will see that life has definitely taken a different turn for your favorite characters! If you haven't, check out the links below.

Unraveling Memories – Book 3 of the Brita Madison Paranormal Mysteries series
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Memories-Madison-Paranormal-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07T91CWHC
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Memories-Madison-Paranormal-Mysteries/dp/1075965926
Universal Link: http://viewbook.at/UnravelingMemories

Glimpses into the Soul

3/6/2024

What's the most effective form of writing to express your innermost thoughts, feelings, or emotions? Poetry would be my answer. Whether it rhymes or not, a poem reaches inside the poet's heart and expresses their deep-seated musings. Each verse draws a reader into the writer's mindset and shares the sadness, loneliness, frustration, happiness, or joy the poet describes.

Dannye uses Free Verse to explore her deepest thoughts. For example, her experiences as a caregiver encompass a wide range of emotions. Every day was unpredictable. She never knew which direction her rollercoaster ride would take her. Fortunately, Dannye could voice the ups and the downs, along with the loop-the-loops, and share her erratic journey through verse. I'm sure the writing was painful at times, but the result has proven beneficial for other caregivers undergoing the same trials. Knowing someone has been there, done that, and survived makes the journey bearable for the rest of us.

Poetry offers us a glimpse into the soul.
On the other hand, poetry also shares the joy surrounding us that is often overlooked. My late husband, Robert, used Haiku to convey his love of life. This didn't apply only to people but to nature as well. He looked beyond the surface to explore the interactions between humanity, flora, and fauna. He wanted to delve into the beautiful souls residing within all living things.

Robert's collection of verses in Blossoms in the Snow offers a glimpse into the mind of one who appreciated and loved all the facets of our natural world. His attention to the smallest details allows us to see, feel, smell, and hear the sensations he experienced, as well as the pleasure associated with them.

His deep appreciation and fascination with nature come to life in his haiku. The simple three-line poems open up the deep-thinking side of the poet, who cherished all aspects of beauty in nature and life.

Spring is on its way. Warmer temperatures and longer days signal that it's almost time to witness nature's grand reawakening of the precious lives sharing this planet with us. Bare trees are starting to sport new leaves, nuts, and fruits. Barren fields are filling up with colorful, nectar-filled wildflowers.

Birds, insects, and other hungry creatures take advantage of warm days to venture from their winter homes to scout out the early blossoms. They appreciate the new life as much, if not more, than we do.

Robert loved springtime. He reveled in observing the transition firsthand and sharing the delight he experienced. From the cloud of gnats hovering overhead to the picnics shared with our loved ones to the lengthening daylight allowing us to spend more time outside, these simple joys are priceless. That's the gift Bob wants to impart to his readers through his haiku.
Read and enjoy!

SPRING'S REAWAKENING
Gnats in frenzied flight
Hover above fallow fields
Soon to feel the plow
***
Dappled morning light
Sunshine heats the noontime air
Cool and gentle eves
***
Sunny afternoon
A wicker picnic basket
On green river bank
***
Goldfish in a pool
Moving splashes of color
Among the lilies
***
People hurry by
On crowded city sidewalks
Taxis honk loudly
***
Night in the city
Neon signs brighten the dark
Traffic slows its pace

Blossoms in the Snow

Kindle
https://amzn.to/3C8Cfvz

Read for free on
Kindle Unlimited

Invisible Shadows

11/15/2023

Giving is as Much Fun as Receiving

11/1/2023

The holiday season has arrived. You either love it or not. The Canadians are smart and celebrate Thanksgiving in October giving them a little breathing room before Christmas. Here in the U.S., the holidays can become overwhelming, especially if you are the family's chief organizer, cook, decorator, and shopper.

When I was a kid, it didn't seem so hectic. Of course, there were no such things as Black Friday, multi-story malls, online shopping, and all the electronic gizmos that get so much attention now. My go-to shopping centered around the Sears catalog, the five-and-dime store, and the toy department at the local department store. And that didn't start until after we'd finished the turkey and dressing.

Concentrating on one holiday at a time was much simpler, easier, and less stressful. I know this is an old-fashioned mindset, but seeing aisles of twinkling lights, ornaments, and giant Santas competing with Halloween candy clashes with my memories of excitement and anticipation waiting for my folks to finally bring out the boxes of Christmas decorations.

Nonetheless, Christmas will always be special. It was never about being on the run, going to events and such, but spending time with my parents, grandparents, and uncle. Being the only kids, my brother and I grabbed the spotlight on Christmas Eve when we exchanged presents. However, something else stands out in my recollections – tagging along with my mom and dad when they went "visiting."

I recall the absolute joy on the faces of the old folks when we gave them a plate of food and a little inexpensive gift. For some of them, we were their only guests during the holiday season. They were so thrilled. Their joy was contagious; I felt so good! I learned that giving is just as rewarding as receiving, and that's what Christmas is really about.

That lesson has stayed with me and never lost its appeal. I still get the warm fuzzies when I can spread some sunshine in someone else's life.

That was in the back of my mind when I wrote a Christmas book for Patchy and Calico. In Christmas with Patchy and Calico, the lovable dog and cat discover the true spirit of the holiday season.

The two friends find a wealth of chestnuts and receive lots of treats from their human mommy. They share their goodies with all the dogs, cats, squirrels, raccoons, possums, and deer they can find and learn that giving and sharing are just as much fun as receiving presents.

Patchy and Calico's acts of kindness also helped the four-legged detectives track down the mysterious gift snatcher who had stolen all the gifts from under everyone's Christmas trees. The trail leads them to an underground lair where they confront the thief and uncover the bully's secret.

Download the ebook or purchase the print edition to uncover what drove the gift snatcher to do his dastardly deeds. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy reading these humorous stories. I'm sure it will make you smile.

Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!!

Christmas with Patchy and Calico

Available at Amazon

Print - https://amzn.to/3C3Fu7y

Kindle - https://amzn.to/3qqXvKU
Free on Kindle Unlimited

The Elyrian Emergence

10/18/2023

The Elyrian Emergence has been my only foray into the science fiction genre. I chose to tell this story the way I did because of my interest in metaphysics and spiritual psychology. In Metaphysical Minute, I define Metaphysics as “a fluid and wondrous approach that allows you and me to explore the same waters without prejudice or rules and receive from them the substance we need for our individual spiritual growth. Like the ocean, it is forever changing and forever constant. Universal laws always apply, but it is our use of them that changes. It is our use of them that reflects our spiritual growth. Unless we go beyond the physical to find the intimate connection that exists between our state of being and that which we call God, Source, Allah, or simply Creator, we cannot grow in spirit.” [Williamsen, 2006, p. 7]

Although The Elyrian Emergence is science fiction, the psychological struggles of the main characters, Milo, DeLana, Dylan, and Humphrey, are as real as those with which you and I often struggle. The darker forces will always be there in our lives, and conscious choice is required to avoid their influence.

Unfortunately, we can sometimes, in our complacency, fail to understand that good and evil create a balance. The power, the shift in the balance, comes from our choices: choosing good over evil or evil over good.

A Brief Blurb on the Story for You
Located in the Andromeda Galaxy, the planet Galen is unique in that it hosts only one country: Elyria. The principles on which this civilization was founded many centuries ago are demonstrated by the choice of names for the planet and their country. The names have metaphysical meanings, giving them importance beyond simple nomenclature.

Elyria is the only country on the planet of Galen which is in the Andromeda Galaxy. Galen meaning calm and Elyria meaning blessed place demonstrate the foundation upon which this civilization was founded many centuries ago. The inhabitants of Galen escaped from their ancient planet before it imploded as the result of their destructive policies. The mission of the Founders, those who orchestrated the means of escape, was to develop a civilization based on the philosophy of Self-Emergence.

On the surface, it seems to be working until the Karons, the sensitives who monitor the global energies, detect a negative shift in consciousness. The Karons’ visions shake those in charge from their complacency and send them scrambling to curb the decline, which it appears has been engineered by someone with an inordinate amount of power.

The questions this team of people find themselves asking are these: Can we stop this before it’s too late? How could we have not seen how vulnerable we are?

The ultimate question is whether Elyria will wake up and realize that Self-Emergence is a forever journey, one where fear of the mistakes of the ancient planet has no place. It is a journey that does not allow resting on one’s laurels, whether as an individual or a civilization.

https://www.amazon.com/Elyrian-Emergence-Dannye-Williamsen/dp/B094281ZXF

https://www.amazon.com/Elyrian-Emergence-Dannye-Williamsen-ebook/dp/B092P8XQXR

I will read forever because it lets me visit in my mind the worlds that I will never be able to see; it helps me put away the stresses of the day and relax into the rhythm of the story before me; it lets me bring to the surface and experience without regrets those feelings I hide away; it lets me re-experience the thrill of first love through someone else's eyes; it keeps my mind juiced so that it will never desert me; it is always there for me even when there's no one else. I will read forever no matter whether it is print or digital because the words will always call to me. ~ A Sassy Scribbler