Guest blogger Archives - Page 3 of 5 - View from the Front Porch

20 06, 2017

Storytime at the Villa Maria – Guest Author

By judythemorgan|2017-06-19T09:51:03-05:00June 20th, 2017|Guest blogger, writer|0 Comments

Today Constance Walker, a new friend and fellow writer, is joining me on the porch. Sunday we celebrated our fathers. I think you’ll find Constance’s answer to the frequently asked question about where authors get ideas for their stories a fitting honor to her father.

Welcome, Constance

I think the beginning of my newest novel, Storytime at the Villa Maria, came about when my Dad moved into a senior citizens’ facility.

I thought about all the memories, all the long-time friendships, the neighbors he knew so well, the familiar stores where he shopped, the sounds of the neighborhood … how do you say goodbye to all that?

How do you leave a house that has been “home” to all your dreams, your hopes and your fears? Where your every known emotion existed, where every celebration — whether a life or a death or a graduation or birthday, or a new job — mattered?

And how do you begin again when you’re in your golden years?

Next I played the “what if?” game – what if the central character didn’t want to move? How would that affect his children?

That evolved into thinking about the other seniors who lived in the building: They all would be about the same age – they all lived through the bad and good times of America. Many of the men and women were World War 2 veterans. And most importantly, all these people had memories. All these people had life stories to tell. What if they shared their storytelling as a way of bonding?

So, I dug back into my own remembrances of hot summer evenings and sitting on our front steps with family and friends and neighbors. I recalled listening to the senior adults as they talked – in everyday conversation — about their jobs, their families and friends, even the weather and how “really hot or cold it was a few years ago.”

They spoke about when they were kids or teens or young adults … when and where they went, their first jobs, politics, their favorite baseball teams, the music they danced to in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and just about all phases of nostalgia they wanted to share about their lives.

I put bits and pieces together, added my own thoughts and imagination and that was the beginning of the book I knew I wanted to write.

One more thing — about the characters in the novel — none of them are real — although, I must admit, I wish they were, because, in writing them, and I know this sounds strange, I absolutely loved them. But they are imagined composites of people I have known or met – or even just briefly seen, and they exist only in Storytime at the Villa Maria. I hope you like them.

Storytime at the Villa Maria

A charming novel of senior citizens, storytelling, nostalgia, and a world gone by but not forgotten.

Meet …
Dominick, who married “the most beautiful woman in the world”
Sophie, who is haunted by terrifying memories of the Holocaust
Ella, who made “sweet apple pies” for her war veteran husband
Tom, whose music lured women into his arms
Artie, who is plagued by the ghosts of long dead soldiers
Frank, who can’t let go of his yesterdays, though a better tomorrow beckons

Join them and others as they gather every Monday night in the library at the Villa Maria to share their memories, their fears, and their dreams.

Storytime at the Villa Maria is an unforgettable book about life lived and still to be lived, and about the mysterious threads of joy and heartache and love that are woven into every life—including your own!

Available from these retailers:

AMAZON Kindle

AMAZON Paperback

BARNES AND NOBLE Paperback

BARNES AND NOBLE Nook Book

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Constance Walker is the author of The Shimmering Stones of Winter’s Light, Lost Roses of Ganymede House, In Time, and Warm Winter Love among other works of Gothic and contemporary fiction.

Connect with her on

Goodreads

Facebook

Thanks so much for sharing, Constance. Storytime at the Villa Maria sounds like a wonderful read and a lovely tribute to your father.

8 06, 2017

How Pets Help People Cope With Mental Illness

By judythemorgan|2017-06-02T08:09:52-05:00June 8th, 2017|Guest blogger|1 Comment

Today I am hosting guest blogger Brandon Butler. Brandon is a dog lover and vet tech. He loves helping pet owners by sharing advice on Fur and Feathers.

After you read this blog, you’ll truly appreciate the benefits pets bring to our lives.

Photo via Pixabay by Foundry

A Guest Blog by Brandon Butler

Studies done on the human-animal bond and show many benefits for people with mental illness. Pet ownership or therapy sessions with animals can be an excellent alternative or supplement to medications. This method can cut back on the possibility of substance abuse by the mentally ill, who tend to be more susceptible to addiction due to the desire to self-medicate.

Dogs especially can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. They encourage playfulness and exercise and introduce joy and unconditional love to those in need.

Physical Benefits

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play a major role in easing symptoms of PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, autism, and other mental illnesses. Having a pet to care for helps people focus on getting out of bed and finding a purpose for their day.

Walking a dog is a daily routine that helps both the owner and the dog get exercise. Spending time with your pet solidifies the bond between the two of you, and getting outdoors can make your body feel better. Fresh air and sunshine are healthy and joy-inducing, and you may even have more positive social interaction by getting out of the house and meeting other pet owners along the way.

Try taking your dog to a dog park and see how contagious your dog’s happy social interactions can be. You will likely have some nice conversations with other dog owners while you are there.

Playing with and loving your pet will elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine which calm and relax. Having a pet can lower stress levels and anxiety, which in turn lowers blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure keeps you healthier, helps you avoid heart problems, and can add years to your life.

Mental Health Benefits

People struggling with mental health issues see their pets as the central support in their lives, and often, even over family and friends. A pet offers unconditional love on days when you are feeling good and on the days you are feeling terrible. They will never judge, and that can be a powerful support system when you need it.

Isolation (felt by many with mental illness) is alleviated by having a furry companion. The structure and routine of pet ownership can help the mentally ill not withdraw from society. Knowing that their pet needs and depends on them can also deter them from having suicidal thoughts.

There are many people who cannot or do not work due to their mental problems. Having a pet that they care for and treat well can also be a source of pride when they feel like they have nowhere else to contribute to society.

Ultimately, pets increase confidence, comfort, safety, and peace when dealing with mental health issues. They offer loyalty for life and could be just what those suffering from mental illness need.

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Great insights, Brandon. Thanks for sharing with us today.

4 05, 2017

Writing Myself Out of the Brink of Depression

By judythemorgan|2017-04-28T12:00:37-05:00May 4th, 2017|Guest blogger|0 Comments

Enjoy this very candid blog by guest blogger Danny Adams about how creative writing helped him defeat his depression.

SOURCE: www.pexels.com

Have you ever reached a point in your life when nothing seems to work? A point when nothing seems to make sense anymore. No better thing to do but sleep the whole day or watch TV to get the troubles out of your mind. Funds are running low, friends are nowhere to be found, family giving up on you, and you can’t seem to figure out how to snap out of it.

I once felt this way. I was on the brink of depression.Good thing I was quite aware of it but I don’t know what to do about it.

People around me would continuously give me pep talks. Colleagues suggested reading materials to help me get out feeling so low. I even tried incorporating it on my essay submissions when I was working at EssayHelp.

Nothing seemed to work, though. I was already considering seeing a shrink. Until one fine day, I did what I used to love doing – writing.

I created this character that is carefree and having the time of his life. Then he got into obstacles he had not encountered before. It became difficult for him to overcome the challenges he faced. I was writing freely and continuously. In a matter of a few hours, I had drafted a short story.

The character in the short story was a tad bit like me, but he has some traits that I could only aspire to. He’s adventurous, I was calculating.

He triumphed, and I was losing.

He was young, and I was past my prime.

Then it hit me, why should I limit myself with my traits? Can’t I become like that character in the story?

I continued with my writing, and as I did, matters in my own life were put into perspective. It was me separating myself from the situation and logically analyzing what else can be done revealed through the story I was writing. The issues in my own life became clearer. Fears, anxiety, and worries surfaced. I became aware of them. With this newfound clarity, I had something to work on to improve my state of being.

Creative writing became my therapy. I did not limit myself to short stories. I wrote essays and poems. With this, I had a clearer picture of my life. I was able to recognize the silver lining. I had more things to be thankful for.

With writing, my mood improved and the people around me sensed it. I welcomed help from friends and family. It was the start of putting the broken pieces of my life together again.

Since I regained a positive perspective, I became more hopeful with my work. I came up with better ideas to do my job better.

I eased my way out of the brink of depression through writing my heart out.

From then on, writing has become my outlet. I don’t just write when I go through rough times. I realized that writing about positive things in life result to even more positive things. By writing about happiness, I have a lot of reasons to be thankful.

With gratitude comes hope. Hope helps bring the best in me.

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Author BioDanny Adams is a proud alumnus of the University of Oregon with a degree in creative writing. With his writing finesse and knack for managing people, he co-founded EssayHelp. Some of his published articles are aimed towards helping and providing opportunities for freelance writers. If his busy schedule permits, Danny indulges in golf or hockey.

27 03, 2017

Who’s Telling Your Story?

By judythemorgan|2017-03-22T14:53:27-05:00March 27th, 2017|Guest blogger, Writer's Corner, Writing Craft|0 Comments

A Guest Blog

Today I’d like to introduce a writer friend, who also happens to be a fabulous teacher and excellent editor—Alicia Rasley. She’s going to offer advice on how writers can decide which character’s POV to use.

All fiction books are written from a particular character’s perspective (POV). As readers, you probably aren’t aware of POV specifics, but we writers can struggle with it. That’s why I invited Alicia to help.

Thanks, Judythe, for inviting me to guest blog!

I know I’m not the only writer kind of obsessed with point of view, so I thought I’d talk about one aspect of POV — which character should narrate a particular scene.

Often this is an easy decision, but if you’re having trouble making the scene as dramatic or deep as you want, consider changing the point-of-view character.

Now there is no RIGHT answer to which character point-of-view to choose for any scene. It will vary depending on many factors, including the author’s own natural POV approach and of course the events of the scene.

But here are a few questions to help guide you in the choice. Each of these questions emphasizes a different approach to the scene. One might lead to a more action-oriented scene. Another might lead to an emotionally dramatic scene.

Let’s use as an example a hanging in some foreign land, a public execution of a man (call him Tom), with his wife there near the gallows (call her Sue). Very dramatic scene!

Whose head should we be in?

POV Choice Questions

Which character is there right now at the scene?

It’s often better to go with the eyewitness rather than the one who just hears about it later– the TV cameraman at the execution, not the anchorman back at the studio.

Which character has the most at stake externally?

The one in physical danger maybe? That would probably be Tom, the condemned man, about to be hanged, of course.

Which character has the most at stake internally?

Sue, who is watching the hanging despairingly from the crowd, knowing that her baby (due in three weeks) will never know its daddy?

Who has the most intriguing perspective, or will narrate the event in the most entertaining way?

Maybe the hangman? Or maybe Sue isn’t so despairing… maybe she’s furious at Tom and will be glad when he’s dead? <G>

Who will change the most because of this event?

Maybe the judge who condemned the man, as the hanging draws closer, comes to regret his vengeful decision, and decides that he’s got to save Tom. The judge might be a good POV character because we can participate in this great change.

Who is going to have to make a big decision or take a great action during this scene?

If Sue is going to storm the gallows, seize a sword, and cut Tom down, she might be the best POV character (then again, I’d love to be in Tom’s head as she comes charging up the steps and aiming that sword towards his neck… <G>).

Whose goal drives the scene?

Maybe Tom has decided to make a great emotional speech and rally the onlookers to riot and save him. He’s the one with the goal– good POV choice.

Whose got a secret and do you want the reader to know?

If Tom is actually an undercover superhero who can burn the noose rope with his x-ray eyes and fly away, but wants first to implicate the judge who condemned him, so he stands there patiently waiting for the hangman… it depends on whether I want the reader to know what he’s planning or his secret powers.

Yes, I want the reader to know, so I put the scene in his POV, and concentrate on how hard he has to work to keep the secret secret.

Or no, I don’t want the reader to know: I want the reader to gradually suspect, along with – or before– Sue and/or the judge, that there’s something a bit off about this guy and the way he keeps aiming his intense gaze up at the rope…. that might mean staying OUT of his POV.

Who is telling all already through dialogue and action?

If Sue is being completely open and upfront about what she’s thinking and how she’s feeling, why bother to go into her head? The judge or Tom might be a better candidate for our “mind-reading” then.

You can see that this is not a checklist– any one of these is sufficient to make a choice, and some are obviously mutually exclusive.

But you can also see how many different ways there are to analyze the choice, and it all boils down to:

What effect do you want to have on the reader in this scene?

And whose POV will best create that effect?

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Bio: Alicia Rasley would rather write about writing than… well, write. Nonetheless, she has written many novels, including a best-selling family saga and a contemporary mystery novel.

She also wrote a handbook on the fictional element of point of view: The Power of Point of View. She teaches writing at a state university and in workshops around the country and online.

Her website has articles and posts about the craft of writing. Sign up for a writing newsletter and get 13 Prime Principles of Plot and other free plotting articles!

7 07, 2016

Keeping Kids Safe When Summer Heats Up

By judythemorgan|2016-07-02T14:26:23-05:00July 7th, 2016|Guest blogger|0 Comments

A blog by Guest Blogger Sean MorrisVacations, camping out, trips to the swimming pool and park. Summer is an awesome time, with tons of activities to keep little ones occupied and entertained for hours. But spending time outdoors–where the heat and sun can take a toll–comes with a few risks, and it’s important to be prepared and educate your children about summer safety.

Riding bikes, swimming, and spending time at a park or playground can be great fun for any age, but there are some things to keep in mind if you want to ensure safety. Share these tips with family members and babysitters so that you and your kids can have the best summer ever.

Prepare for the heat

Summer days can be downright dangerous. In states like Texas and Oklahoma, temperatures in the hottest months can easily reach 100 degrees or more. No matter where you live, it’s important to remember that the sun is powerful enough to burn some people even when they’re sitting in shady areas, and it’s easy to become dehydrated in a short amount of time.

Have cool bottled water on hand to combat this; you might even consider keeping several bottles in a cooler with some ice for easy access.

Keeping sunblock accessible is also imperative for any child who will be spending time outside, and if they’re in the water, check the label to see how often you’ll need to reapply it.

It’s best to keep babies out of the sun altogether, since their skin is so sensitive. If playtime outdoors is a must for older kids, take everyone out during early morning hours, before the day gets too hot. Keep a lightweight hat available for infants to cover their head and protect their face.

Finally, never, EVER leave a child in a hot car for any amount of time.

Since 1998, there have been nearly 700 infant and child deaths due to heat stroke after they were left in a hot vehicle, and they were all preventable. Never allow a child to play in a garage or around a car, even supervised; they may take it upon themselves to do climb inside when no one is paying attention, which can lead to an accidental death.

Water safety

Aside from educating your kids about swimming safety in pools, lakes, and the ocean, it’s always a good idea to enforce the same rules even in a small backyard pool. Little ones can drown in just a few inches of water or less, so an adult should always be present when water is involved.

Make sure all safety equipment–such as life vests–is in good working order and fits properly, and never allow neighborhood children to use a backyard pool when you aren’t home. Keep a fence with a locked gate is the best prevention.

When supervising children in the water, be present. Stay off your phone and make sure you’re well rested so you can focus and make split-second decisions should the need arise.

Bugs and illness

Keeping pests from biting and stinging can be an overwhelming task for parents whose kids are outside much of the time, especially in rural areas. Preventative care–such as safe bug repellent, long pants, and citronella–can go a long way in keeping bug bites at bay.

It’s also important, however, to think about your lawn and the areas around your home. If your kids have a small pool in the backyard, avoid letting water sit longer than a day as it can attract mosquitoes. Never leave food or open trash cans sitting out, and if you live in a wooded area or have high grasses and brush near your home, check your child for ticks when they come in.

Summer months are wonderful for kids and parents alike, but they can also come with added worries. With a little bit of careful planning and vigilance, however, you can keep stress at bay and ensure your kids have a great break.

Sean Morris is a former social worker turned stay-at-home dad.

He knows what it’s like to juggle family and career. He did it for years until deciding to become a stay-at-home dad after the birth of his son. Though he loved his career in social work, he has found this additional time with his kids to be the most rewarding experience of his life. He began writing for LearnFit.org to share his experiences and to help guide anyone struggling to find the best path for their life, career, and/or family.

25 09, 2015

Chicken Sweeping

By judythemorgan|2015-09-06T09:15:38-05:00September 25th, 2015|Guest blogger, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

By Guest Blogger Chicken Wrangler Sara

The chicks are finally big enough to join the big girls.

Rachel and I moved them one evening. We found it works best if they spend the night in their new home and wake up thinking they had always been there. The challenge comes in the evenings when they forget where they are supposed to roost for the night. They all gathered by the fence separating the big girls from the bantams.

Rachel found an effective way to encourage them to go into the coop. She used a branch as a broom and “swept” them into the coop.

Actually they went around the coop and then some went in. The rest would go back to their spot by the fence.

Rachel would “sweep” again and I would stand near the coop door to encourage the chicks to go in. It took several tries but eventually we got all the chicks into the coop.

Rachel was gone this weekend so I took Beekeeper Brian out to help sweep the chickens. They were all already in the coop. I was thrilled.

I texted Rachel to let her know her chicken sweeping career was over. She was not at all sad.

18 09, 2015

Melon Hurling

By judythemorgan|2015-09-06T09:08:49-05:00September 18th, 2015|Guest blogger, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

By Guest Blogger Chicken Wrangler Sara

The food pantry where I volunteer had an abundance of honeydew melons last week. I got rid of as many as I could, but some still got too soft to eat.

It was time to treat the chickens. I discovered if I hurled the melon just right, it split into pieces when it landed.Then the birds could easily get to the yummy inside.

After several throws, I decided this could be a new Olympic Event – melon hurling.

I might even get a gold medal.

11 09, 2015

Bee Research

By judythemorgan|2015-09-04T21:49:51-05:00September 11th, 2015|Guest blogger, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

by Guest Blogger Chicken Wrangler Sara

There are many wonderful things about living in a university town. There is a lot of energy and excitement created by the young, enthusiastic minds at work. There is also a lot of traffic but that is another matter entirely.

Part of being near a major research school is having research conducted all around. In fact, my husband was approached by a graduate student studying bees. He asked if he could use our bees in part of his research.

I didn’t think much about it at first. There are always random things going on at Miller Farm. Then our son made the comment “it is so neat that there is a research study happening in our back yard, literally.”

When he put it that way, I decided I should find out more about this research project.

The graduate student put a pollen collector on one of the hives.

Once a month, Brian puts the guard down so the pollen is scraped off the bees legs as they enter the hive.

The graduate student then comes and collects the pollen. He also uses a pipette to extract nectar from some of the cells in the honey comb. He actually wanted to collect wax as well but the bees had not drawn any comb. The nectar flow had been interrupted by the rain in May. The pollen and nectar are analyzed to determine if there is any residual pesticide. The student also determines where the bees collected the pollen. It is all very interesting in a scientific research kind of manner.

So the next time you are perusing a science journal and see an article about bees and pesticide, think of Miller Farm. It is where all the action is.

28 08, 2015

“Eat and Grow” – Chick Watching

By judythemorgan|2015-08-22T11:34:10-05:00August 28th, 2015|Guest blogger, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

By Guest Blogger Chicken Wrangler Sara

The chicks have gotten too big for the long cage. This is good. It means they are growing.

This is bad. It means we have to move them.

Rachel and I decided to move the larger ones first. I chose 14 hens and gave them to Rachel who clipped their wings. Then we put them in the bantam coop. There was lots of noise initially but eventually they calmed down.

The chicks remaining in the long cage on saw horses still seemed to be picking on each other. This was not good.

We decided to move the long cage to the ground in the bantam yard. Then we open it during the day and let the chicks run around. At night, we put them back in the long cage and close the doors so they are safe.

Watching 32 chicks run around on the ground for the first time in their short lives is hysterical. They tend to stay in groups. One will run across the yard and others will follow.

Bella finds their activity particularly entertaining.

She spends long periods of time just watching them. Fortunately, none have come over the fence to “play.” The bantam yard keeps them entertained for now.

The next step will be moving them over with the large hens. They need to be a little bit bigger. I tell them every day “Eat and grow, eat and grow.”

13 08, 2015

(Almost) End-of-Summer Safety Tips for Dogs

By judythemorgan|2015-08-02T17:32:11-05:00August 13th, 2015|Guest blogger|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Vee Cecil

SOURCE: Via Flickr – by Luke Ma

If you’re a dog owner, you know that they enjoy the summer almost as much as people do. They get to spend more time outdoors, take advantage of human eats at their owner’s summer parties, and if they’re lucky, take a dip or two, in the pool or lake.

But pet owners should keep in mind that there are a few summer-specific dangers that come with all that fun. Here are a few things to watch out for so that you can ensure you and your dog fully enjoy the rest of the summer.

Do a thorough clean up after summer get-togethers.

Many dogs enjoy being around visitors. So, they find summer, with its outdoor barbecues and parties, especially great. But as the MSPCA explains in its tips for having a pet-friendly summer, these get-togethers are often rife with possible dangers for your dog. For example, if you aren’t careful, your dog might chomp down a barbecue skewer, which could be very dangerous for them. These parties also tend to produce a lot of trash. Make sure you’ve secured it properly so that your dog can’t fish out “dangerous items like corncobs and bones.”

Keep ‘em hydrated.

Just like humans, dogs need to stay hydrated. Whether they’re at the pool, at the park, on a hike, or just going for a walk around the neighborhood, be sure they’re drinking enough water. As these end-of-summer safety tips recommend, it’s best to bring water along with you when you have your dog in tow. That way your dog can have a drink whenever he or she needs one.

Lock up the chemicals.

All you have to do is take one look at this list of common pool chemicals and their uses to know that you don’t want your pet getting anywhere near them. In fact, when not properly handled, these chemicals are toxic for humans and animals. So, if you have a pool, be sure your chemicals stay locked up and out of reach of children and pets. And if you’ll be visiting a friend or neighbor’s pool, ask them where they keep their chemicals so that you can be sure to keep your dog away.

Know the signs of heatstroke.

Yes, pets can suffer heatstroke, too! The Humane Society explains that signs of heatstroke in your dog might include, heavy panting, glazed eyes, lethargy, and more. And it explains that some animals may be at higher risk than others. For example, if your pet is “very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or [has] heart or respiratory disease,” then you should keep a close eye out for signs of the above symptoms and try to keep your dog as cool and comfortable as possible in the summer heat at all times.

There’s no reason your pet can’t enjoy these last weeks of summer just as much as you do. Keep these tips in mind so that you can keep your four-legged friend healthy and happy.

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Vee Cecil has a passion for wellness. She loves studying the topic and sharing her findings on her recently-launched blog. She is also a wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor.