Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 2

The currency of ink

On the other side of the door
disconnected from crypto wallets, gold coins, and accounts, offshore
a poet, using the last bit of their ink, is born

My photos from Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, are submitted to “Thursday Doors.” Thank you to Dan Antion for hosting and for the opportunity to participate. Thanks for stopping by and best to you! Kind regards. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Huckleberry Dreams beneath the Beaver Moon

A soft serenade
Huckleberry dreamers sway
Moonglow lights the way

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (3/9) Movie CLIP – Moon River (1961) HD Audrey Hepburn was not the first to sing “Moon River,” but she was the first to perform it on film, in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

“Moon River”

Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end
Waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me

Songwriters: Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

Thanks to Pat at e-Quips for sharing full moon info…

Full Beaver Moon, November 5

featured photo by PeachShutterStock / my full moon photos

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

A reading from, You Better Be Lightning

“The Year of No Grudges, Or Instead of Writing a Furious Text, I try a Poem”
by Andrea Gibson

I know most people try hard
to do good and find out too late
they should have tried softer.

I’ve never in my whole life
been levelheaded, but the older I get,
I’m more level-hearted—

and I think we make gods
who look like us for a reason.
I think, in spite of it all, we trust

we can be believed in.
When I don’t believe in myself,
I try to remember I have walked

on water, like, seven-hundred times
in Maine in the dead of winter.
Where I come from, you can drive

a pickup truck from one side
of the lake to the other, and people
have an unusually high quantity

of missing teeth and fingers,
but you can still count on them
to buy whitening strips and wedding rings

because where I come from
beauty is in the eye of anyone who sees
what’s missing but can’t stop pointing

to what’s still there.
If there’s no definition for love yet—
I think that’s a good one.
…………………….

Thank you for visiting. I’m honored to share the first few stanzas from Andrea Gibson’s poem and to learn more about this talented poet and performance artist, who lost their life to ovarian cancer in July. Warm regards. Michele

If you missed my recent post, November, New! — sharing that Jade’s Broken Bridge is now available in audio format. My debut novel can also be ordered directly through me from my msefton.com. Thank you so much for the support received with my book project and much gratitude to those who’ve left reviews.

my lightning photo (September monsoon storm) / airport photo turned audio poem w/text

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Unbound Luminescence

A key
can unlock the bars
that form a cage
Passion and perseverance
can melt the barrier
into liquid silver
that flows freely
smooth and reflective
like silk spun from stars

Thanks for stopping by. A beautiful and brilliant week to you! Michele

my morning photos

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Where grace quietly sits

“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”
― Albert Einstein

“For now she need not think of anybody. She could be herself, by herself. And that was what now she often felt the need of – to think; well not even to think. To be silent; to be alone. All the being and the doing, expansive, glittering, vocal, evaporated; and one shrunk, with a sense of solemnity, to being oneself, a wedge-shaped core of darkness, something invisible to others… and this self having shed its attachments was free for the strangest adventures.”
― Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
― Lord Byron

Thanks for joining me in a stroll through the Owen Rose Garden and a wonderful week to you. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

November, New!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to join The Morning Show, hosted by the dynamic Melissa Farley and Marshall Shore. Produced by Ann Cabano, they all do a fabulous job highlighting what’s happening in Arizona. I shared a few things about myself and my debut novel, including a bit about the first chapter, a moving scene about a grandmother’s final hours and a granddaughter’s failure to see the finality of the situation, caught in her own turmoil and self-destruction. Based on true events, writing Jade’s Broken Bridge has been a way for me to transform buried shame into an artistic offering and to make peace with my past, an ongoing journey. Although I can’t rewind time and complete a final task requested by my grandmother, I can honor her memory and perhaps encourage readers to understand the urgency of a final moment and the consequences of decisions.

My kin (in this photo) are gone, however, as guardian angels, they are always with me. Knowing this gives me strength to step forward in courage with the goal of doing right by them and making a difference before I too become a photo memory. Earlier this week I had another opportunity to share my book and writing journey, including the tumbleweed backstory, with a local reporter. We met in my hometown, at a park I played in as a child, with dozens of cousins. Of course, I was honored by the invitation and the reporter’s willingness to meet me in this special location, an overwhelming experience for me. I held it together for the questions () then let the emotions flow after he left, recording my thoughts into a video that I shared on my IG feed, stopping myself from feeling my share needed to be perfect or polished. That’s not what this journey is about for me. It’s about being real, believing that my story and authenticity will land where it’s supposed to, with those who might benefit from something I’ve shared. Watching a heartfelt video reaction to my book last night, affirms that I am on the right path.

Seeing the need for an author website, and with the help of two amazing professionals (Jeniffer T. and Kim C.), I began that journey a few months ago. The site (msefton.com) is now ready to go! Drawing from the same spirit as my blog, it is a digital space to buy books directly from me (signed with a bonus gift), to feature and schedule book talks, and of course, my blog and poetry, which aren’t going away, are part of the mix. In other book news, Jade’s Broken Bridge is now available as an audiobook.

Living in one of the “last” time zones, I’m always tardy to the party, as other Pacific Time Zone bloggers know, but my plans of sharing a few Halloween photos yesterday fell short when my time downtown ran long. We’ll just call it fashionably late with these shares. The climbing skeleton (in St. Helens, Oregon) reminded me of pole dancing. Thanks to my friend Patricia for driving to “Halloween Town” and cheers to my fellow dancers who shared the dance floor with me last night. We had a grand Halloween time! Thanks for stopping by and a wonderful weekend to you! Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Pausing for a puppy

A lost puppy, a jogging woman, and I crossed paths this morning. Actually, there were two stray dogs that appeared to know each other but the larger one ran away when this kind lady and I stopped to help. She read the number, and I made the call. No answer so I left a message on what sounded like an answering machine. What now? We couldn’t leave this trembling little puppy on a city sidewalk, so I hustled back home, jumped in my car, returned to the kind lady (training for a half marathon ), and gave her a ride to her place (she had ran quite far), where a kennel could become this cute pup’s temporary home, until the owner can be reached. Sure hope the telephone number is current and the other one found its way back home.

Angels appear in many forms. Author, blogger, and retired nurse Dawn Pisturino is another. She has been most generous with her time—reading, sharing, and reviewing my novel, Jade’s Broken Bridge. Dawn’s dedication to her craft and supporting others is becoming legendary, in a most authentic and wonderful way. Thank you very much, Dawn! In gratitude, Michele

Book Review: “Jade’s Broken Bridge” by Michele Lee Sefton

angel photo by Zwiebackesser

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Thank you, compassionate community

Gentle is the morning,
that sings love through petals softly glowing
nature’s blush, not telling yet showing
all that is true, gracefully unfolding

Jade’s Broken Bridge By Michele Lee Sefton Review

Popping in to say thank you to blogger, author, and entrepreneur P. J. Gudka at LifesFineWhine for featuring my debut novel, Jade’s Broken Bridge on her blog yesterday and for doing so with beautiful sensitivity, compassion, and understanding. I am grateful for the angels showing up to share messages and poignant lessons found in this book. A book I almost didn’t finish because it was just too hard to write at times. Something happened while working on the first draft that snapped me out of that mindset and motivated me to keep going. A painful something that still haunts me and a woman’s decision that will forever alter those directly affected by the news that I’m about to briefly summarize here.

One of my daughter’s friend’s mom took her own life during the time I was writing my debut novel. Shocking. Heartbreaking. We met through our teenage daughters—she and I broke bread a few times, exchanged some laughs, and talked about life. From the “outside,” she had everything going for her though looking back on our limited time together I see signs that revealed a woman spiraling… a chaotic messy house, fractured family connections, and during our one lunch meeting, a white substance on her nose after returning from the bathroom. I told her she had something on her nose. Maybe I could have done more. I’ll never know. When I received the news of her tragic decision, I knew I needed to keep writing and maybe help someone else down the road.

Although Jade’s Broken Bridge is not about suicide it is about a young woman lost and alone who does ruminate about ending it all, including a harrowing scene of another young woman. Having done some research on suicide statistics for an article I wrote recently, this feeling and these tragic endings are on the rise, as too many people know, with heartbreaking stories of their own. Sharing a resource below.

Sharing the mission and link to 988 Lifeline: “If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.”

Thank you for visiting and reading. I’m extending the same invitation for P.J.’s outstanding review post and if you’re inclined to share a thought about the details she’s presented, please leave her a comment. Best to you, Michele Lee [image error]

My photos taken yesterday morning while out walking in the Pacific NW

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Fall Break following a heartfelt thanks

Yesterday’s lift off landed me in the Pacific Northwest, where my loves live, including two precious cats. One is cuddling with me now, the other likes to take her time, though she eventually comes around. Caly and Ayla. The flight from Phoenix to Eugene is an easy one, compared to traveling overseas. So easy, I laxed in my packing. I forgot my umbrella and portable phone charger. Suppose there are worse things than splashing and dancing in the rain with a dead phone in my pocket.

If experienced with daylight, the flight is beautiful, too. I do my best to choose the “right” side of the plane so that I can view Crater Lake and there are a few other breathtaking mountain ranges and landscapes along the way. The turbulence experienced yesterday would have once sent me into panic. Not anymore, I take it all in stride and know it’s just part of the ride.

My bloggy presence will be scarce over the next few days, so that I can soak up precious time with the girls and spend time with life-affirming trees, admiring their changing leaves. I also have a few punches left on a nearby pole studio pass. Now Caly is purring… sweetness.

Before I step away for a few days, I have the honor of thanking author and blogger John W. Howell for featuring my novel, Jade’s Broken Bridge on his site today. I have yet to have a cup of coffee, but my cup does runneth over this morning. I met John a few years ago thru blogger and author Cindy Georgakas, when I featured her book, Re-Create & Celebrate. John stopped in to share friendly support, as he does. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of reading John’s posts: (Sunday/Neighborhood, Monday/Top Ten Things Not to Do List, Tuesday/Anything Possible, Thursday/A Little Personal (cute doggy dialogue), Friday/Good News & Haiku, Saturday/Stream of Consciousness. John’s kindness and consistency are mainstays on his site, in addition to humor which veers toward the dry side. Please give John’s site a visit, consider sharing a few words of support for all he does for others, and a thanks to you, for visiting mine. Warm regards. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Desert Dwellers wake to rivers

I encountered a few obstacles on my ride this morning. A lift, up and over the broken trunk, my bike and I did go. So very sad to see this tree toppled. A few smiles, further down the road followed. Desert Dwellers are quick to react and take advantage of unexpected rivers.

Sharing a photo from my photographer friend, Mary Leece, and a description of what you’re seeing in her image. Every autumn, the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Arizona, reveal a rare phenomenon known as the Cougar Shadow. When the evening sun strikes the cliffs at just the right angle, a perfect cougar-shaped silhouette appears on the mountain face, drawing visitors and photographers eager to capture the fleeting desert magic. So excited to share this with you! Thank you, Mary.

If you’re in the Valley of the Sun this evening and feel like dancing… join us at Dance Fitness in Tempe for some fun choreography and 80s music, inspired by the setting of Jade’s Broken Bridge. (Sign-up required to dance – Desert Siren Dance). They’ll be some book talk and giveaways, too. It will be a wonderful way to wrap up my book launch week, that included a fiery dance and heartwarming reception at the pole studio last night. I should probably go mix up a protein drink with extra veggies and take a catnap before the evening’s festivities. Take care and thanks for stopping by. Michele

my morning cell phone photos / “Cougar Shadow” photo by Mary Leece

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife