Wendy Isaac Bergin's Blog: Podcast: Altitude Adjustment with Leon Davis, Jr.
June 25, 2021
Podcast Appearances
I will be a guest on Leon Davis Jr.'s podcast "Altitude Adjustment." The podcast will air live on Saturday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. Central time. We will be discussing my novel Lessons in the Wild, as well as my 22 years' experience as a white professor at an HBCU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYRY...
Have a listen to another podcast, "Dirty Dishes,"
with host Jolyn Hart. We discussed Lessons in the Wild, as well as my experience as a single mother and current issues in education, such as funding for the arts, the pros and cons of technology, and why many university students cannot write coherently.
https://anchor.fm/jo351/episodes/Epis...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYRY...
Have a listen to another podcast, "Dirty Dishes,"
with host Jolyn Hart. We discussed Lessons in the Wild, as well as my experience as a single mother and current issues in education, such as funding for the arts, the pros and cons of technology, and why many university students cannot write coherently.
https://anchor.fm/jo351/episodes/Epis...
August 8, 2020
Great Review of Lessons in the Wild
Here's an excerpt from Diane Donovan's thoughtful, positive review of Lessons in the Wild in the Midwest Book Review:
" . . . a story replete with various threads of influence, from witchcraft and spirituality to changing social issues that all hold the power to transform Sebastian no matter where he chooses to live.
Readers seeking a multifaceted story of action, change, and transformation will find this literary piece quietly compelling, holding the ability to reach a wide audience from young adults to adults looking for a powerful story of one man's search for peace in a conflicted, changing world of adversity."
Click on the link for the complete review:
http://midwestbookreview.com/mbw/aug_...
" . . . a story replete with various threads of influence, from witchcraft and spirituality to changing social issues that all hold the power to transform Sebastian no matter where he chooses to live.
Readers seeking a multifaceted story of action, change, and transformation will find this literary piece quietly compelling, holding the ability to reach a wide audience from young adults to adults looking for a powerful story of one man's search for peace in a conflicted, changing world of adversity."
Click on the link for the complete review:
http://midwestbookreview.com/mbw/aug_...
May 25, 2020
New Novel Release!
Lessons in the Wild releases on June 22, 2020
The eBook is available for pre-order now at a discounted price of $5.99. Price rises to $9.99 on June 22nd.
Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088X3X7CW
Lessons in the Wild
A wilderness journey to prove the heart.
Retreating from the world and all its troubles, violinist T. Sebastian Morrow moves from Houston to rural Texas. Instead of peace and safety, he encounters tribulation in every aspect of life—domestic, financial, professional, and spiritual. His unlikely guide through the wilderness is young Leo de Graaf, a gifted and clairvoyant musician whose insights lend Sebastian clarity and strength. When tragedy strikes Leo and his beautiful mother Silvie, it is Sebastian’s fateful decision that will determine the outcome.
"I marvel at Bergin's characters, her plots, and her vigorous style. And, of course, the emphasis on music and spirituality speaks strongly to me, as it will, I expect, to many others."
~ William Gilbert, Associate Professor of English, University of Houston-Downtown
Attention NetGalley members: Lessons in the Wild is available to read and review until August 19, 2020
Get your copy here: http://netgal.ly/ZNjYvS
Don’t forget to add Lessons in the Wild on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
And visit me at https://www.wendyisaacbergin.com/
The eBook is available for pre-order now at a discounted price of $5.99. Price rises to $9.99 on June 22nd.
Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088X3X7CW
Lessons in the Wild
A wilderness journey to prove the heart.
Retreating from the world and all its troubles, violinist T. Sebastian Morrow moves from Houston to rural Texas. Instead of peace and safety, he encounters tribulation in every aspect of life—domestic, financial, professional, and spiritual. His unlikely guide through the wilderness is young Leo de Graaf, a gifted and clairvoyant musician whose insights lend Sebastian clarity and strength. When tragedy strikes Leo and his beautiful mother Silvie, it is Sebastian’s fateful decision that will determine the outcome.
"I marvel at Bergin's characters, her plots, and her vigorous style. And, of course, the emphasis on music and spirituality speaks strongly to me, as it will, I expect, to many others."
~ William Gilbert, Associate Professor of English, University of Houston-Downtown
Attention NetGalley members: Lessons in the Wild is available to read and review until August 19, 2020
Get your copy here: http://netgal.ly/ZNjYvS
Don’t forget to add Lessons in the Wild on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
And visit me at https://www.wendyisaacbergin.com/
March 21, 2020
Simple Equations in a Time of Crisis
Across the world, many people have died from the Coronavirus, Covid-19, or the Chinese virus, as Trump calls it. The speed at which this disease (or bioweapon) has spread, has helped create panic. It’s hard not to feel fearful when the grocery store has great swathes of empty shelves, and one wonders what to do when and if those shelves are not restocked. Most Americans are not used to hunger and lack. This surely is a time to re-read Psalm 91.
This virus has one thing in common with the events of September 11, 2001: It once again shatters the illusion of American security. The difference is that on 9/11, the vast majority of Americans observed the events, which were localized to three circumscribed geographic areas. Most people were not directly affected, except for the short-term travel restrictions. Now, the breach in our life-as-usual security has directly affected every individual in this country. We are shocked at the speed at which ordinary life came to an unprecedented halt, not only here, but the world over.
Aside from the danger of falling ill in this crisis, the looming specter of economic disaster has arisen for small businesses and large, and for those who have lost their livelihood. This creates another equally contagious virus—the virus of Fear and Panic, the worst of all. The equation looks like this:
Lack of Security = Fear
This leads to all kinds of evils, such as people fighting each other over bottled water and toilet paper. Me first, and my neighbor be damned. But the uncomfortable lesson of September 11th and the Corona virus is this: earthly security is an illusion. In truth, there is no real security—except in God. He is our only security, no matter what happens on the earthly plane. He is our provider, not Walmart or H-E-B. Therefore:
Lack of Security = No Lack at All
Why? Because God is in control.
God = Security in All Times, All Places, and All Circumstances
Perhaps this enforced time away from what we see as our “normal” lives can be a reset. When my phone malfunctions, I can take the battery out for a short time and reinsert it. Problem resolved. Maybe this time is for our people and our nation to turn back to God or learn to know Him for the first time. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate our lives, our relationships, our priorities.
Traditionally, Americans have been independent people, free-thinkers, unafraid of hard work, generous and sympathetic toward others. From the very beginnings of this constitutional republic, we have also honored the God who made us. If there ever was a time to do that, it is now.
Let us employ our generosity to help our neighbors, our ingenuity to find a cure, and our fiercely independent natures to face an uncertain future unafraid. Let us throw off the spirit of fear, which never comes from the Lord. Let us employ the unlimited power of prayer against this virus. Let us pray also against the corrupt ones in high places in our country who would use this crisis to implement their subversive agenda. May we never be so deceived as to trade our freedoms for the false promises of government security.
According to Psalm 91, we already have our own.
This virus has one thing in common with the events of September 11, 2001: It once again shatters the illusion of American security. The difference is that on 9/11, the vast majority of Americans observed the events, which were localized to three circumscribed geographic areas. Most people were not directly affected, except for the short-term travel restrictions. Now, the breach in our life-as-usual security has directly affected every individual in this country. We are shocked at the speed at which ordinary life came to an unprecedented halt, not only here, but the world over.
Aside from the danger of falling ill in this crisis, the looming specter of economic disaster has arisen for small businesses and large, and for those who have lost their livelihood. This creates another equally contagious virus—the virus of Fear and Panic, the worst of all. The equation looks like this:
Lack of Security = Fear
This leads to all kinds of evils, such as people fighting each other over bottled water and toilet paper. Me first, and my neighbor be damned. But the uncomfortable lesson of September 11th and the Corona virus is this: earthly security is an illusion. In truth, there is no real security—except in God. He is our only security, no matter what happens on the earthly plane. He is our provider, not Walmart or H-E-B. Therefore:
Lack of Security = No Lack at All
Why? Because God is in control.
God = Security in All Times, All Places, and All Circumstances
Perhaps this enforced time away from what we see as our “normal” lives can be a reset. When my phone malfunctions, I can take the battery out for a short time and reinsert it. Problem resolved. Maybe this time is for our people and our nation to turn back to God or learn to know Him for the first time. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate our lives, our relationships, our priorities.
Traditionally, Americans have been independent people, free-thinkers, unafraid of hard work, generous and sympathetic toward others. From the very beginnings of this constitutional republic, we have also honored the God who made us. If there ever was a time to do that, it is now.
Let us employ our generosity to help our neighbors, our ingenuity to find a cure, and our fiercely independent natures to face an uncertain future unafraid. Let us throw off the spirit of fear, which never comes from the Lord. Let us employ the unlimited power of prayer against this virus. Let us pray also against the corrupt ones in high places in our country who would use this crisis to implement their subversive agenda. May we never be so deceived as to trade our freedoms for the false promises of government security.
According to Psalm 91, we already have our own.
November 17, 2019
The Hot Chocolate Diet
If you’re worried about losing the extra five to seven pounds you’ll gain over the holidays, I’ve got the perfect diet for you. It works—I’ve already tried it. You’ll be pleased to know this diet begins with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Here’s how it works:
Step 1. Make the hot chocolate from scratch. Here’s my single-cup recipe:
Mix 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa with a dab of salt and 1 tbsp. water. Over medium heat, add 1 cup of milk and stir in 2 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and a single drop of peppermint oil.
Bring it almost to a boil. Pour it into a mug and cover with marshmallows.
Step 2. Take a little sip to taste the melting marshmallows.
Step 3. Immediately take a big gulp because it tastes so good.
Now that you have scalded your palate with a third-degree burn, the diet begins. You will not be able to eat or drink anything without severe pain for the next five days.
There go those unwanted pounds!
Step 1. Make the hot chocolate from scratch. Here’s my single-cup recipe:
Mix 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa with a dab of salt and 1 tbsp. water. Over medium heat, add 1 cup of milk and stir in 2 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and a single drop of peppermint oil.
Bring it almost to a boil. Pour it into a mug and cover with marshmallows.
Step 2. Take a little sip to taste the melting marshmallows.
Step 3. Immediately take a big gulp because it tastes so good.
Now that you have scalded your palate with a third-degree burn, the diet begins. You will not be able to eat or drink anything without severe pain for the next five days.
There go those unwanted pounds!
August 29, 2019
Wildlife
Country living is an adventure; all sorts of friendly creatures come calling. There’s the occasional scorpion in the sink or bathtub, snakes in the chicken coop, and the lone, snuffling armadillo who scavenges nightly in my yard. But this has been the Summer of Plagues.
Move over, Pharaoh, and let me tell my story.
Even as I write, garden spiders are attempting to encase my entire house in circular, three-foot- diameter webs. These arachnids are large. Black and yellow, they make a distinctive reinforced zigzag pattern in the center of their webs, and they are implacable. They don’t understand a simple brush-off. They have the same mindset as wayward toddlers to whom time-out means nothing. One must resort to corporal punishment—spank the kid, squash the spiders.
But here’s my milquetoast confession: I can’t bear to kill them. As you can imagine, the battle is ongoing.
I went away for six days, and on my return, my roofed, unenclosed porch was practically screened-in by their enormous webs. They are fast workers, and they like to dangle from the eaves, especially around entrances. I cleared away the webs, and the next morning I walked out into a net of silken strands that brushed my face and caught in my mouth and hair. I found myself practically eye-to-whatever with a colorful, creepy spider. We both screamed.
Inside the house, and unbeknownst to me, small gray pantry moths ate their way into two bags of rice and a box of cereal. They consider cardboard, plastic, and waxed paper first-course delicacies on the way to the second-course entrée. They thrive in darkness.
Little by little, their numbers increased, until I realized something was wrong. I had to wave my arms to disperse the fluttering hordes; my kitchen became a moth pavilion. (To keep this narrative rated PG-13, I’m not mentioning the stomach-turning wormy larval stage, which I found when I decided to cook some rice. Yuck.)
I declared war. I emptied the entire pantry, washed all the surfaces, and threw out a lot of food. Armed with new airtight containers, I restocked. But I still had to vacuum the moths off the walls and ceilings for ten days. Finally, the onslaught dissipated. Why? Because moths I can squash.
I would write more, but it’s time to take up my broom and fight my way out the door. The sun is dimmed; the webs are closing in. The spiders are spinning, spinning, spinning. . .
Move over, Pharaoh, and let me tell my story.
Even as I write, garden spiders are attempting to encase my entire house in circular, three-foot- diameter webs. These arachnids are large. Black and yellow, they make a distinctive reinforced zigzag pattern in the center of their webs, and they are implacable. They don’t understand a simple brush-off. They have the same mindset as wayward toddlers to whom time-out means nothing. One must resort to corporal punishment—spank the kid, squash the spiders.
But here’s my milquetoast confession: I can’t bear to kill them. As you can imagine, the battle is ongoing.
I went away for six days, and on my return, my roofed, unenclosed porch was practically screened-in by their enormous webs. They are fast workers, and they like to dangle from the eaves, especially around entrances. I cleared away the webs, and the next morning I walked out into a net of silken strands that brushed my face and caught in my mouth and hair. I found myself practically eye-to-whatever with a colorful, creepy spider. We both screamed.
Inside the house, and unbeknownst to me, small gray pantry moths ate their way into two bags of rice and a box of cereal. They consider cardboard, plastic, and waxed paper first-course delicacies on the way to the second-course entrée. They thrive in darkness.
Little by little, their numbers increased, until I realized something was wrong. I had to wave my arms to disperse the fluttering hordes; my kitchen became a moth pavilion. (To keep this narrative rated PG-13, I’m not mentioning the stomach-turning wormy larval stage, which I found when I decided to cook some rice. Yuck.)
I declared war. I emptied the entire pantry, washed all the surfaces, and threw out a lot of food. Armed with new airtight containers, I restocked. But I still had to vacuum the moths off the walls and ceilings for ten days. Finally, the onslaught dissipated. Why? Because moths I can squash.
I would write more, but it’s time to take up my broom and fight my way out the door. The sun is dimmed; the webs are closing in. The spiders are spinning, spinning, spinning. . .
July 30, 2019
New Website
Although it's still in progress, here's a link to my new website:
https://www.wendyisaacbergin.com/
More to come soon!
https://www.wendyisaacbergin.com/
More to come soon!
June 5, 2019
Chappell Hill Historical Society Book Club
I'm looking forward to meeting with the members of the Chappell Hill Historical Society Book Club soon. They've chosen my novel -The Piper's Story: A Tale of War, Music and the Supernatural - as their June book of the month! I'll sign copies, discuss the novel, and answer any questions at 4:00 on June 25th.
Very excited to be invited!
Very excited to be invited!
April 29, 2019
Butterfly
I'm fortunate to be playing a new production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at Opera in the Heights. There are two more performances, although there is currently a wait list for tickets. The production is unique in that the Japanese characters sing Japanese and the Americans English. Two of the characters are bilingual and translate for the others.
Eiki Isomura, our conductor and the Artistic Director at OH, has created the Japanese libretto, which closely follows the original Italian. Josh Shaw, the director, has made the English translation. It's a striking and beautiful production. Here is a link to D. L. Groover's review:
https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/thi...
Eiki Isomura, our conductor and the Artistic Director at OH, has created the Japanese libretto, which closely follows the original Italian. Josh Shaw, the director, has made the English translation. It's a striking and beautiful production. Here is a link to D. L. Groover's review:
https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/thi...
March 26, 2019
Help from Readers!
To all who view this blog, first of all, heartfelt thanks! A writer needs an audience.
I need your help, because writers also need feedback. I would appreciate it very much if you would click the LIKE button when you read the posts. (But only if you actually do like them.) There is no longer a view counter, so now I will have no idea how many people visit this blog (I've had counts from 8-470). From now on, the number of Likes and comments will be my only feedback. So, please enjoy the blog, and kindly let me know which posts you like. Many thanks!
(Only Goodreads members can like
the posts, but anyone can register and become a member.)
I need your help, because writers also need feedback. I would appreciate it very much if you would click the LIKE button when you read the posts. (But only if you actually do like them.) There is no longer a view counter, so now I will have no idea how many people visit this blog (I've had counts from 8-470). From now on, the number of Likes and comments will be my only feedback. So, please enjoy the blog, and kindly let me know which posts you like. Many thanks!
(Only Goodreads members can like
the posts, but anyone can register and become a member.)
Podcast: Altitude Adjustment with Leon Davis, Jr.
I will be a guest on Leon Davis Jr.'s podcast Altitude Adjustment. The podcast will air live on Saturday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. Central time. We will be discussing my novel Lessons in the Wild, as well
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