Sheri L. Swift's Blog, page 3

Re-blog St. Patrick A Pirates Tale

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Not many people realize St. Patrick wasn't born in Ireland, in fact he was born in Britain.  Some say he was born into a privileged family with his father being a deacon and minor local official.
It was at the age of 16 Pirates kidnapped him for a ransom and carried him away by ship to Ireland.
He spent six years working as a herdsman and depended upon his faith to see him through; apparently his father didn't pay a ransom for his son.
One night he had a dream which told him a ship was ready to return him to his family.  He escaped his master and found passage to Britain.
He nearly starved and had a second brief captivity before he was reunited with his family.
In the Confessio, his spiritual autobiography he tells of another dream where he's given a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish."  As he read it he seemed to hear a certain company of Irish beseeching him to walk once more among them.
He had doubts of his calling, but in the end did return to Ireland with confidence in the Lord to see him through.

After many years of service, Saint Patrick died in Ireland having fulfilled his calling.
For more amazing facts about Saint Patrick, his faith and his love for the Irish people, check out Encyclopedia Britannica which was the source for most of my information; also My Holiday Ireland St Patrick's Day

The Symphony of Spring

The Symphony Of Spring The earth sleeps in quiet slumberBeneath the frozen groundMost of the leaves have fallenFrosty mornings without a soundAll await their CreatorTo conduct His symphony of Spring The tendrils long for the danceThey listen for the birds to singThe new saplings are eagerTo stretch forth their limbsThe Rhododendron waits in anticipationto stretch forth her stems
The Hydrangeas await the warmth
The sun will soon shine its ray
The hard ground will unlock
Upon the appointed day
When the Creator conducts
His music will ring
And all the earth will rejoice
And join in the symphony of Spring
- Sheri L. Swift
2/3/17

    

A SEASON OF ILLNESS

My Sweetheart doesn't like it so much when I brag on him, but he outdid himself yesterday.
I've been down for a few weeks with bronchitis and he's pretty much been taking care of me.
Last night he made this delicious roast, potatoes topped with sour cream, carrots, brussel sprouts with craisins and drizzled balsamic vinegar.

He also made this scrumptious cherry pie with Truvia baking blend.
I have to admit, I've been pretty spoiled these past few weeks.
For any of you who have read my books you'll know he's my Aidan and my Titus.  ;)

A Season for Celebrations

CANDY CANE SUCKERS


This year I decided to make something simple, yet special for my Christmas guests and grandchildren.

I just put two mini candy canes together with a lolly pop stick between the bottoms.  I poured melted white chocolate in the center and topped with Christmas sprinkles.
I bagged them and tied with curling ribbon and placed them into a basket.
This is just the beginning of a magical Christmas this year.
Can't wait to see the smiles on the faces who receive them.  ;)

A Pause For Thanksgiving

Too many times while traveling down life's highway we forget to take a pause and not only see the things around us, but to also listen and feel them.
Some of the next generation may never hear the rustle of leaves falling or a bird singing unless they see it on a screen.
Living in the state of Virginia I'm blessed to see the contrast of colors the leaves display this time of year.
I hope there will always be some who will dare to venture outdoors and feel the crunch of the fallen leaves, the morning dew upon the grass.
I hope there will still be birds nesting in very tall trees singing their happy songs.
Fresh air and the feel of a passing breeze through the pines letting loose their fragrance.

Also the smell of wood smoke from someone warming by a fire.
The rows of orange pumpkins growing on hill upon hill.  The feeling of straw in your hair after a hayride.
I'm thankful for these things, but also for teachers who will teach others about them and their importance.
For now I take joy seeing my children and grandchildren also enjoying all that nature has to offer on these fine fall days.

I'm also looking forward to gathering together to celebrate a time of family and God's bounty of food.
An Autumn Sunset When first I saw an Autumn sunsetI thought perhaps I was dreamingHow rich the red and amber colorsThrough trees the sunlight streamingI thought I saw a glimpse of HeavenShining through the crisp blue skiesI realized it was a gracious giftGiven to those who would open their eyes
~ Sheri L. Swift11/15/16

The Magical Days

I was a single mom working as a secretary at a loan office when I met my future husband John.  This is the engagement photo we took for him. To say he dove in deep is an understatement, lol.
We made a choice after we were married I would become a stay-at-home mom (yes I was an intelligent woman with other dreams, but this was my first dream).  We also planned to have another child one day.

Only two years later and another little girl was added to the mix.
I loved being a stay-at-home mom though it wasn't always easy.  Finances seemed to always be tight. Whichever car broke down became my car. Eventually we would sell the irreparable one which left me most the time without a car.
There were moments rising up within my soul to write again and I did write a few poems, short stories, but I knew that could all wait until my girls didn't need me so much.
What amazes me is that these days flood back into my memories so clearly; they are so special.  I call them ripples in time, because we were jumping, lol, dancing, singing, laughing, storytelling, playing games and wrestling (yes girls really do wrestle).
I've always called the girls *my little women* because that's what they were to me; little women in training.
I knew I was investing the very best of me into them. Not only teaching them to crawl, walk, talk, run, swim, dance, play games indoors and outdoors, but also do chores, laundry, cooking, how to save money in their piggy banks; most importantly to have fun along the way.
Even then I was a fantasy writer in my mind who enjoyed telling them wondrous stories of which they liked to play dress up and imagine they were Princesses.
When life would get really rough and I needed a break we would lie down very still on my bed with facials or newly painted nails; soon they would fall asleep.
Other days when things got a little crazy I would begin to sing this song while cleaning the kitchen very loudly:
OH NO! I forgot the dishes Laundry, forgot my bed There's still so much work to do Oh my aching head! But I love you, I love you I really, really do And I pray that God will guide me To do the best for you Yes I love you, I love you I really, really do And I pray that God will guide me To do the best for each of you
By now each girl would run into the kitchen with bright smiles and begin to dance around together while I sang.

My oldest daughter lives in California and is a Caterer, married to a Worship leader and soon to be Pastor. She has two children.

These are my other daughters, the second from the left is my so called *adopted* daughter.  God was good to me and didn't replace my oldest here in Virginia where I live, but made her absence a little easier with her addition.
As you can see there's still a lot of silliness in this family; a lot of singing, dancing, game nights and of course wrestling, but mostly with their children, lol.
They together have 9 children and one foster.  Two are Teachers, one is a Nurse and one is a Bank Manager.
I believe my investment was worth every minute and we all together are creating Magical Days of our own.  ;)

Why I love being an Indie Author

MY BOOKS Legend of the Mer series



The Hart of Telendaria An Elven Love Story

The reason I became an Indie Author was because I had always been an Indie Writer although I must say it was mostly in my mind since childhood.
Though I tried to publish traditionally that path was closed for me.
I began to realize just as a painter has to paint, a writer has to write.
I saw myself as an artist in my own right and began to publish as an Indie Author.
Although a shy person, I began to realize how the world had changed to allow me to express myself from behind a keyboard, lol.
I love the freedom to write my fantasy stories the way I see them.  I've heard so many different views on the proper way to write.
Bottom line, I love being able to tell and show.  I love being able to give points of view not only from my main character, but also minors as well.
I love speeding up within my story where I might think it boring to my readers and I love slowing down when I have something I think they'll like.
I'm not the big *W* kind of writer where the plot has to be laid out a certain way.
I write what comes to me, some might say a *seat of a pants* sort of writer, but I love it being real and authentic.
I do research for my writing, but only as it pertains to what I'm writing about, however, most of my writing is fantasy of my mind and the research confirms what I'm writing about.
I love the freedom of not doing a lot of book signings, again public speaking is not easy for me and my husband will usually join me.
I'm thankful to be allowed to write my stories and publish them for my grandchildren to read one day as a way to know me if I'm not around.
My beloved grandmother died when my children were little, thankfully we do have some home video for them to know and remember her.
After you've had cancer you pretty much keep your affairs in order and think of the future a little more.
All in all I love being an Indie Author for many reasons.  ;)

Repost ~ Autumn Reflections

AUTUMN REFLECTIONS What is it that makes my heart stirIn the autumn of the yearThe hues of gold, orange and scarletOr the blue skies so clearIs it the sight of the leaves swirlingAs the wind beckons them to danceOr is it the rolling hills of colorThat makes me take a second glanceIs it the sound of booming thunderstormsFrom sheets to gentle rain that fallsOr is it the brisk autumn breezesAnd the howling wind that callsIs it the brilliant starry nightsWith the October moon that glowsOr is it the little babbling brooksTo the raging river that flowsIs it the smell of fresh cut woodStacked neatly in a rowOr the sight of orange pumpkinsWith happy faces all aglowIs it candy corn, hay rides and bonfiresApples that are red and greenOr the smiles of happy childrenOn the night of HalloweenIs it the smell of Cinnamon and spice And wood smoke drifting in the airOr is it the blue jean overallsAnd knitted sweaters that we wearI guess it’s a time for family and friendsTo come inside and join in on the funTo sip a cup of hot cocoa or ciderAnd sit beside your special oneI love all that this season has to offerFrom sounds, tastes, scents, and sightsTo good food and fellowshipAnd a warm fire on chilly nights
~ Sheri L. Swift
October 26, 2010

Repost ~ THE HEART OF A PATRIOT

Re-posting in memory of 9/11 for the brave souls who died and those who fought and why we bleed red, white and blue
THE HEART OF A PATRIOT What is it about this Great Nation of America that stirs our hearts and evokes parents to give up their sons and daughters in service of her defense?  I think it is the whispers of our forefathers that compel us to be the Great Nation that they had intended; from George Washington, to Abraham Lincoln, and to Thomas Jefferson.
 We are a Nation blessed by the Almighty God and His mighty stretched out arm defends her still.  Whether we be rich or poor, no matter the color of our skin, or the length of ancestry that binds us to these shores; we are a free people.
Our land has been fought for by the blood and limb and life of those who answered the call to protect their homeland and those whom they loved.  Yes, she is stained and blessed, by the sacrifice of so many.  May God continue to bless those who fight for her still and the families of the fallen in her service.
We have seen peace and times of calamity; however, one moment we are strangers, and the next bonded brothers in a common cause to fight for justice; how well we have seen that played out in our Great Nation time and time again.
People from all corners of the world still believe in the dream and the hope that living in this great United States of America offers them; for they are coming still.  May we ever be the bright and shining light that the Statue of Liberty continues to represent.
From West Coast, to Gulf Coast, to East Coast, and the Mountains and Valleys between; we have a Nation of beauty and bounty.  May our children hold true to the values that make us who we are and who we have been.  May neighbor help neighbor and may our Government continue to listen to the people in which they represent. 
May our flag continue to wave proudly and the pledge that binds us hold true.  May we continue to sing of our Sweet Land of Liberty and may God’s grace continue to shine upon us from Sea to shining Sea!
                                                                                    Sheri L. Swift                                                                                    09/11/10

Song of the Mermaids

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SONG OF THE MERMAIDS Thank you mighty Arius for all of the gifts you giveThank you for the air which gives life to allFor the sun that gives warmth and strengthFor the beauty of the moon and starsFor the blue seas depth and lengthThank you for the ebbing tidesFrom gentle currents to raging wavesFor the crystal blue lagoonsFor the hidden glistening cavesThank you for the gift of familyFor all of creation on land and in seaFor your mighty protecting handFor your unending love for meThank you for my beating heartFor laughter and for sorrowFor the joy in each dayFor the new Promise of tomorrowThank you for your guidanceFor leading where I cannot seeFor helping me through the storms For choosing my destiny May I live a life that is pleasing to you my maker and High King~ Sheri L. SwiftExcerpt from my book Legend of the Mer