Hello Friends,
I hope the new year is treating you all very well. If not, send it back! Start over everyday until you find a day you like and enjoy the hell out of that day!
I have been busy trying to build and promote my latest Substack
- if you enjoy poetry, come on over and subscribe! A few of you are already there and I truly appreciate your support.The only resolution I made for 2023 was to be myself. I usually am myself. Who else would I rather be at this age? At this age (46), I can recognize my own reflection anywhere whether it be in a mirror, in a picture, on the surface of a lake or in a stream, in the words of what I write, and in the hearts of those I’ve had any kind of profound influence on - my children, friends, co-workers. I am at peace with that reflection because I have carefully groomed it to be what I would like to see in others. Now, obviously, I’m not talking about my physical appearance. NO! Any beauty I enjoyed in my youth has abandoned me over the past few years. My health sometimes takes a toll on my appearance with a hollowness around my eyes, a drooping smile, dry flaking skin, broken teeth, ridged nails, dull brittle hair, and extra weight around my belly and thighs. But I am still me. I still pose for family photos. I still wear leggings and a Tom Petty ball cap to the grocery store during peak shopping hours. I still laugh out loud - mouth wide open - exposing the black cavity on my top middle tooth. I could better groom my superficial looks, but it has always been about grooming my words and actions to reflect the ideals I hold important in my heart.
I hope each of you will resolve to be yourself in 2023! And from this year forward, be someone you love being.
What Am I Currently:
Reading: beta reading a maniacally brilliant mix of prose and poetry by Phil Jeske entitled Mr. Cryptic
Writing: Substack posts - who has time for novels anymore?!
Watching: The Menu on HBOMax and The Pale Blue Eye on Netflix
Listening to: The Goo Goo Dolls: Greatest Hits Volume One The Singles
One of the best nights of my life was when my best friend, Brandy Hoggatt, surprised me with tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls live at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, MS. I still love them (and her) after all these years!
Aaron Wulf made his poetry debut on The Daily Rhyme last week. Check it out!
Rachel Rowan released a new book this month! Unspoken - “a steamy friends-to-lovers aristocratic romcom novella” - is the second book in her Entitled Love series. I can’t wait to read it!
If you have young children (5-9) or grandchildren who enjoy fun educational picture books, you’ll want to pre-order a copy of Pebbles and the Biggest Number written by Joey Benun. This book is adorable! (I’m holding out for a copy of the hardback version to send to my granddaughters.)
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