Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 7

Strolling through Old Pueblo

Rolling down I-10
the Sonoran Desert sings
wipers keeping time

Sharing some music from Tucson born, Linda Ronstadt (July 15, 1946). Selling over 100 million records worldwide, Ronstadt is an award-winning American singer who has performed and recorded in multiple genres, including rock, country, and Latin Music. She is also the author of Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir (Simon & Schuster 2013).

Here are a few of her tunes:

“Heat Wave” “It’s So Easy” “Tracks of My Tears” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” “Blue Bayou”

If you’d like to learn more about Ronstadt, including her challenges with Parkinson’s disease, please visit her page on Biography.com. I appreciated learning more about her while putting this Tucson post together and listening to music from my childhood. A popular singer played on the radio or through an 8-track tape in my parents’ trucks.

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be around for a while today, then I’m stepping away for a few days. Taking a little summer break—venturing to a part of the country I’ve never seen. I look forward to sharing more, including photos, when I return next week. Take care. Michele

my photos from recent Tucson visit

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Cloud collaboration and celebration

matronly white clouds
with majestic grace and poise
billow against the blue

Haiku by Bill Bisgood

Thank you to poet Bill Bisgood for allowing me to share his haiku, in collaboration with my cloud photos taken on Thursday (July 17th). Here’s the story… these beautiful billowy clouds caught my attention from my office window, so naturally I had to pause and take some photos—the birds in flight and spraying water in the distance were a bonus. A bit later, I came across Bill’s haiku. I reached out to him and asked if I could share his poem and he graciously agreed. If you’re not familiar with Bill’s site I encourage you to give him a visit. He’s writing some lovely lines over at The Write Idea-a creative writing notebook. That it is!

Now for the celebration… this post marks my 700th! Although I don’t pay much attention to the numbers in this space, I’m delighted that I caught this one. Exciting for me and deserving of a celebratory moment. On the eve of my blog anniversary month (August) this number feels significant and sweet. Cheers to all of the prolific blog posters out there—it has taken me nearly six years to accomplish this feat! A dance photo feels fitting for this share but in looking for that I came across this smiling selfie, taken last year. Here’s what I love about this photo and why I selected it for this joyful occasion… over my left shoulder is a childhood photo collage of my daughter, artist Sammi Lee and over my right shoulder is a beautiful painting by blogger and artist Tiffany. My heart is dancing! Thank you so much for being here! Michele

featured photo of children looking at clouds by Johnstocker Production

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

The doors of St. Andrews

“Architecture is the triumph of human imagination over materials, methods, and men.”
— Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Thank you for visiting. For the first time, I am joining “Thursday Doors,” hosted by Dan Antion at nofacilities.com. Sharing my photos from St. Andrews, Scotland and a quote from Scottish architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (7 June 1868 – 10 December 1928). Born in Glasgow, Mackintosh was also a designer, water colorist, and artist who is considered among the most important figures of the Modern Style. I’ve selected Mackintosh’s quote for its relevance and his nationality, not for his affiliation with architectural or design work in St. Andrews (town or university), which I found no evidence of.

St Andrews is a historic town on Scotland’s east coast, renowned not only for its university and golf, but also for its striking architecture spanning many centuries. Although I don’t mind a round of golf on a cool desert day, my skill level (or lack thereof) will never qualify me to play the prestigious St. Andrews course (the oldest golf course in the world). I did enjoy exploring and photographing the town, a friendly walkable one.

Here are some notes and details about the town, for those interested in architecture and history:

St Andrews Cathedral (started in 1158) Style: Romanesque transitioning into Gothic Architect: Unknown medieval masons and church builders Notes: Once the largest church in Scotland, now a dramatic ruin. Features include St Rule’s Tower and intricate stonework.

St Andrews Castle (13th century origins) Style: Medieval fortress architecture Architect: Unknown Notes: Former residence of bishops and archbishops. Known for its bottle dungeon and siege tunnels.

St Salvator’s Chapel (University of St Andrews) (Founded 1450; Gothic Revival restorations in the 19th century) Style: Late Gothic Architect: Original unknown; 19th-century restoration by James Gillespie Graham Notes: A centerpiece of the University and still in active use.

Madras College (Built 1833) Style: Classical with Scottish Baronial influence Architect: William Burn Notes: Founded by Rev. Andrew Bell; an important educational institution.

St Salvator’s Hall (University Residence) (Built 1930) Style: Arts and Crafts with Gothic elements Architect: Sir Robert Lorimer Notes: A notable example of early 20th-century collegiate architecture.

University Library (Historic Building) (Various phases from the 17th century onward) Style: Mixed Architect: Various Notes: Contains historic reading rooms and a blend of classical and modern influences.

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Someone’s someday (✏️)

Into a dream jar leisurely lunches
and polished nails went
traded for a “someday”
when their value’d be better spent

focused and purposeful, her steps
smiling at the laughter
            floating around her
drowning the gossip that came after
watching birds sip rainwater
before soaring into the ether

focused and purposeful, her steps
moving her in the direction of an unencumbered future
when the green of youth blooms to silver

Last two lines of first stanza were missing in the first post. If we can’t edit here, we can’t edit anywhere!

It’s a most gorgeous Wednesday morning in the Valley of the Sun. There’s a slight breeze and monsoon clouds are cooling things down. Thanks for stopping by and kind regards. Michele

Join us next Wednesday (July 23) at 10:00 AM Pacific Standard Time for our July Creative Call*. June’s was lovely—lowkey yet high in encouragement and creativity. *A once-a-month casual call open to all creatives where we discuss the topic of creativity, including projects and creative goals. Please send me a note if you’re interested. Thanks and best wishes to you!

featured photo of woman walking by Ann Haritonenko / my flower photos taken in Scotland

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Quick visit, lasting impression

“So fine was the morning except for a streak of wind here and there that the sea and sky looked all one fabric, as if sails were stuck high up in the sky, or the clouds had dropped down into the sea.”
― Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

If I ever “disappear” you might find me here… in this lovely fishing village, somewhere along the route to St. Andrews in Scotland. This desert dweller felt quite at home in this picturesque place. Perhaps it was the peaceful vibe or the cool breeze carrying the scent of the sea or the charming locals who offered sincere “hellos” or was it “hiya” I heard. Perhaps my Scottish ancestors were speaking to me. Maybe fishing feels like home, having grown up with fishing parents. Endless hours sitting quietly in a boat, casting a few lines of my own. The sweet taste of fresh caught bass dipped in real butter is the memory that now rises to the surface. Maybe it’s a combination of all of the above. To know for sure, I will need to return.

Thanks for stopping by on my somewhat Silent Sunday. Kind regards. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

A work in progress (a novel and a life)

“Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.”
― Flannery O’Connor

Six summers ago, I began a personal writing project, just after starting my blog, that I labeled, “Fifty Life Stories” (fifty short stories from my life). Without expectations of what might show up or the order of stories, I began writing, letting one memory and one story lead to the next. A revealing writing journey that was a creative and reflective response to turning fifty a few months prior. Seven months after beginning my project, I completed my fiftieth story. A total of seventy-thousand words that represented countless hours and plenty of tears—healing and discovery, too. A beautiful gift to myself.

Grateful for the experience and proud of the accomplishment, I realized a few of those stories weren’t done with me. After much internal debate, I decided to listen and set out to turn those select stories into a novel. Although daunting, deciding to fictionalize my novel allowed me to move forward and my belief in the story’s potential to offer hope to even one reader is what kept me writing.   

Two years (to the month) after completing my personal story project, I completed the first draft of my novel (over 86,ooo words). Initially called, the “Book of Hope,” with several drafts labeled as such. The story is now titled Jade’s Broken Bridge.

So much has happened with this story since completing the first draft over three years ago, including numerous edits and revisions. Through the process, I’ve also learned how to write a query letter, how to properly select and vet literary agents, and how to submit queries, either directly to agents or through various platforms. Although not aggressive with this approach, I have received some positive feedback and encouragement from literary agents who wished me well, even though the story wasn’t a “good fit” for their clients. Knowing that agents took the time to read my submission and respond at all has been inspiring and the learning has been priceless, especially about myself.

That continues… my manuscript is currently with a final proofreader, due back to me sometime next week. I will then set about making the final changes to the document based on suggestions. The manuscript is already typeset, with all but the back cover ready to go. I’ve received a few blurbs from published authors to include on the back cover with hopefully more quotes to follow and the cover was designed a few months ago. A gorgeous one that will be revealed in August.

More things are happening behind the scenes with this book project, growing me as a writer and a woman. I have my share of moments where it all feels, too hard, too much… I just want to write (right?), but I keep returning to what gave me the strength to write this story… a vision of one reader finding hope from Jade’s story.

I would like to thank Melissa Lemay for agreeing to read my manuscript a few months ago, just after I decided to move forward with this project “on my own.” Melissa came to mind as someone who felt trustworthy and as a reader who would engage thoughtfully with a story that deals with heavy themes and content. Written in poetic prose, I also believed her sensitivities as a talented poet would be a match for this story. An intuitive thought that I am glad I listened to because Melissa offered several suggestions that strengthened my story, and that was just in the first few chapters!

Something else transpired from Melissa’s generous time and our interaction. A realization that, despite being “professionally edited,” my manuscript needed more polishing. I let go of any resistance to the contrary and set about revising my manuscript. The work has been arduous; however, I am grateful to Melissa and appreciate her discerning and detailed eye that set me on the path toward a more polished story. This story and future readers deserve the added attention. Thank you, Melissa!

Please visit Melissa’s portfolio to learn more about her editorial work and publications. If you’re looking for a detail-oriented and knowledgeable editor dedicated to the process and your success, I highly encourage you to reach out to her and if you’re not familiar with her online journal that features writers and poets, please click on the “Collaborature” link to learn more and possibly submit your own entry.

Thank you for reading and following my writing journey. Not an easy one as every writer knows. Every writer also knows that, like breathing, we have to write. Found this funny little photo when I was looking for a dad photo for my last post. My daughter Sammi took this photo when she was a kiddo – with one of those disposable cameras that needed to be developed. Remember those? Artist Sammi also created my Tumbleweed Spirit logo, recently adding the word “Press.” Thank you, Sammi. Of course I can’t do this “on my own,” nor would I want to. Kind regards. Michele

featured photo by Everett Collection / vintage typewriter by spongePo

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Wild Buck

Thanks for stopping by. This picture post is dedicated to my dad who would have been 78 today, July 10th. He passed on Valentine’s Day in 2019. I began this writing/photography blog a few months after his passing, partly as a way to process the grief I was feeling. Writing my way through it brought healing. Not a writer himself, my dad was more of a numbers guy, though I do have several cards from him with short verse and I remember finding a few poems written by him when I was younger. Wish I had those poems now.

My dad enjoyed fishing, water skiing (younger years), riding his Harley, golfing, driving his bass boat and a few Corvettes along the way, and after retiring he spent a lot of time behind his camera. The yellow rose and Salt River Wild Horse photo are his and the black and white is of my dad and brother. I revisited my younger love of photography after my dad passed. I regret that we never ventured out together with our cameras, but it does warm my heart to share our photos together here. Good night from the Sonoran Desert. Michele

my sunrise and Buck Moon photos

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Dressed for (a heart’s) success

This morning, I asked my heart
where it would like to be.
On my sleeve
for others to see
or folded up
tidy and neat.

Tucked securely away,
beating to my own rhythm
without the world’s interference
is tempting, my heart contemplated.
In the warmth of your bosom
that nurtured life—a miracle given,
I could spend the rest of my days,

but…

what if someone comes along
who genuinely needs me.
What if one smile or encouraging word
is all they need to get through another day.
What if they’ve encountered too many others
with hearts safely protected, out of harm’s way.

(I waited for my heart to reach a decision.)

I’d like to be seen, my heart said.
Not timidly or haphazardly,
but boldly with love emanating.

We’ll be OK, my heart did say.
I know you’ll take care of me, come what may.

I may get a few balloons popped along the way, but I’d rather not live this life with a heart buried inside.

Thanks for reading my poem, born from morning thoughts while getting ready for the day. Take care. Michele

photo of woman with heart balloons by Kiselev Andrey Valerevich / my bench photo from Scotland

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Little flyers

What you might not notice,
beyond their vibrant ornament,
beyond their penchant for nectar,
beyond their swift grace,
is how hard the little flyers work
for every sweet drop they taste.

Saturday morning shots of a hungry hummingbird.

With the holidays, I got out of town for a few days and spent time with my Tucson dancing tribe. It was a wonderful time of friendship, movement, and inspiration at the Tucson Creative Dance Center and visiting after. My dance teacher, Holly, is one of my angels. We’ve been dancing together for seventeen years. I wasn’t even yet forty when I met her! Anyway, I adore her, and I just about knocked her over when I hugged her (I would never let that happen). We had a good laugh. We do a lot of that, including when we catch each other’s eyes during dance. She’s a vivacious spirit from Chicago who always chooses beautiful music to move to. From her, I’ve learned not only countless routines, but also how to embrace life’s changes with love, style, and grace.

I spied a few sunflower patches that I believe to be on the University of Arizona Wildcat Country Market property. I couldn’t find a way to access the closed location, short of climbing under the barbed wire (did that as a child and gave myself a good scratch on my back). Thank goodness for a telephoto lens.

A proper monsoon storm rolled in with a thunderous entrance while I was there. It was awesome!

My regular dance studio was closed this week for the holidays, so I thought it’d be a good time to try something new. I found a pole studio, not too far from Arizona State University, that also has Aerial classes. So excited to try this! The environment was welcoming, and the instructor was friendly and helpful. My fellow newbies were very nice, too. One of them inspired me with her ability to persevere even though the entire experience terrified her. Her friend, who had invited her there, was supportive and encouraging. I told her she was a good friend. It was heartwarming to watch their exchange.

Thanks for visiting and a lovely Sunday to you. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Oblivious birds

Capturing a peaceful golden moment just before the Valley of the Sun turns into a landscape of exploding fireworks. Terrifying animals, both domestic and wild, turning the valley into a sulfuric dystopian nightmare, and what about all of the individuals dealing PTSD. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness* all day long, but this situation has gotten out of hand in my opinion. Pun not intended but it works. It is the desert after all. In a drought! This is a hot button for me.

There was a time when desert dwellers drove to watch fireworks, to watch from a vantage point or to gather in one location to watch a fifteen-minute show, if that. Carnival type games were played, like toss the coin. Hula hoops were a hit and a sure bet there’d be a food eating contest. Swatting a few flies and dealing with sweat was a given. Holding a sparkler if you were fortunate. Sitting barefoot on a blanket, eating watermelon.

Of course, seed-spitting contests would follow. I never won those – not very ladylike, you know. I did win a screaming contest once at a large Halloween party but that’s another story. A really good one! I surprised myself. Got the attention of the entire costume party when a blood curdling scream came out of me that sounded like three women. Rattled heaven! May have missed my calling as the screaming actress in a Campy Horror flick. What fun that would have been? That’s pretty much the story. Won some googley glass eyeballs. Still have those in a dusty Halloween box.

Back to the fireworks… the “show” will last well into the early morning. It’s going to be a long night. I can put my earbuds in and try to tune out the blasts. What about all the vulnerable people and animals who can’t. I’m off to gaze at some stars before a noxious cloud swallows them up.

*From the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… “

About the title of my post… I actually believe animals sense more than we might imagine, but doubt they knew a large boom would happen a few minutes after I snapped those bird photos. Here we go was my thought.

Thank you for reading my rant. Just getting started… So glad the sunset was peaceful. Stay hydrated and safe out there. Michele

my sunset photos

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife