Vashti Quiroz-Vega's Blog, page 6
May 8, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ Gratitude
Hi, everyone! It’s the first of the month, and that means poets choose their own syllabic poetry form, theme, words, images, etc. Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge
The year 2020 has seen its share of major historic events and bizarre incidents in just a little over five months–– including the acquittal of President Donald Trump in an impeachment trial, the bushfires in Australia, the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and the entire world grinding to a halt as businesses shut down and people are quarantined.
As I ponder on these events and others like the death of (a legend) Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash, the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union, the Dow plunging 2,997 points due to coronavirus fears, the 2020 Summer Olympics postponed, and the fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their duties as senior royals in Buckingham Palace, I want to pinch myself to be sure I’m not in some dark and eerie nightmare. Despite the peculiar times we’re living in, I’m sure everyone can find at least one thing to be thankful for, right?
I’m thankful that my family and I are doing well, and that we have plenty to eat and drink, and our toilet paper inventory is full. I’m grateful that this nightmare has not prevented me from doing a lot of reading and writing. My cooking and baking skills have gotten better. Despite the fact that I miss my family I have enjoyed our zoom get togethers. I’m also grateful to be in such great company during isolation – there are no better quarantine buddies than my husband JC and Pomeranian Scribbles. I have a roof over my head and a great view of a golf course. How could I not feel gratitude in my heart.
Although there are a plethora of strange happenings there are also appreciable moments. To be honest, there have been times when I’ve been down, fearful, anxious – none of us has ever lived through times like these. It’s easy to feel vulnerable and like you have no control over the outcome of your life. But when have we ever had total control over the outcome of our lives? We can’t focus only on the negative – it won’t solve a thing. Let’s think about all we should be grateful for.
“The most powerful weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. Train your mind to see the good in this day.”
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Gratitude should be
as natural as breathing
Inhale and Exhale
[image error] Photo by Candice Picard @candice_picard
Stay healthy, helpful, and calm, my friends!
May 1, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ The Day After
Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 175, Theme Prompt. This month’s theme is: “The Day After”
[image error] Photograph by Jr Korpa
The Day After
As we hike through the wounded city
We search for something live and bright
Any remnant that we once
existed in the flesh
my ghost finds nothing
except the clear
evidence
that we’re
gone.
[image error] Photgraph by Clement Falize
Brilliant scientists
experiment in lab coats
doomed us all to hell
“This is the way the world ends,
not with a bang, but a gasp.”
I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but for a while now I’ve been reading about how scientists are working with microorganisms to engineer them to perform certain tasks. There’s good that could come from this, for instance, if a bacteria was to be engineered to locate and kill only cancer cells in a person’s body, leaving the healthy cells alone. If this works, other microorganisms could be used in the same way to rid the body of many diseases. Things can go horribly wrong, though. So many discoveries and inventions were made for the good of the people only to end up in the wrong hands and used for atrocities –– just ask Einstein. I know this all reads like the premise to a Sci-fi novel, but once scientists discovered how to read and map a strand of DNA they’ve been busy experimenting with things we can’t even imagine. Who knows what they’re cooking up in those labs? Like maybe a solution to the overpopulation problem no one wants to talk about. Like maybe engineer a virus that can target the old and diseased, and kill them by the thousands? That can certainly solve the overpopulation problem in the world while maintaining the young and strong safe. After all, they are the future.
April 24, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ A Photo Prompt
Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 174 Photo Prompt
[image error] Jude, from Tales Told Different, selected the photo for this month’s challenge.
Hello! I hope everyone is safe, healthy and having a fabulous day so far.
THE GOOD WITCH
Once upon a time they used to burn us
Because in our gaze there is a snare
And we dance beneath the glitter
of a starry night, singing
We float with subtle grace
over Mother Earth
drawing circles
in the air
to end
plagues
I hope you enjoyed my Etheree. When I saw the prompt picture I immediately thought of a witch. The kind that knows what to do with herbs outside the kitchen. ;D
A quick update: The 3rd installment of my Fantasy Angels Series is still with my editor (she works on several manuscripts at a time). I can’t wait to get it back. In the meantime, I’ve had an idea for a crime thriller gnawing at my brain for quite some time, so I’ve started on that. I’ve written a loose outline, some character arcs and began my first draft a couple of days ago. I’m excited about it so I’m writing as much as possible while the juices are flowing.
[image error] Keep an eye out for a contest involving this book (Coming Soon).
April 17, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ Idea & Fancy
Colleen Chesebro from Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge picked the two synonyms for this week’s challenge. Remember, there are many ways to use these words.
Here are your two words:
Idea & Fancy
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He’ll make love to the seven continents
and his offspring will rule the masses
but before then –– we surrender
to our desire to be led
the “We” campaign begins
a government scheme
Bring on the chaos
and they will
come to
me
[image error] Photo by Hudson Hintze
I have so many questions bouncing around in my mind about what’s going on in the world as it pertains to COVID– 19. I’ve been thinking a lot about the aftermath of this pandemic. What is going to happen to all the small businesses that are now closed? Will they recover? Will the school system be irrevocably affected? What changes will be made to the government?
We’re still a ways away from a vaccine, so when will isolation and social distancing end? When will people be allowed to go back to work?
How will this experience change our mindsets? Our mindsets shape our thought habits. And our thought habits affect how we think, what we feel, and what we do.
Now, we also have the Bill Gates coronavirus conspiracy theory to think about, too. I know I can’t be the only one with questions spinning out of control in my head. What are you thinking about? How do you handle the stress and anxiety that comes with all these questions?
***
April 3, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ Cinquain
March is the first month to feature five Tuesdays. So, Colleen Chesebro from Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge would like us to work with a specific syllabic poetry form.
This week’s form is:
The Cinquain & It’s Variations, (excluding the Tanka).
My contribution this week are a grouping of Reverse Cinquains:
[image error] Photo by Fred Pixlab
Listen
to the pounding of my heartbeat
it can better tell you
of my longing
for you
***
My love
I dream of you even when you
are sleeping by my side
and I miss you
always
***
We fought
harsh words tumbled from salty lips
fists balled like angry stones
sorrow lingered
I bled
***
I spoke
your name and cringed at its sour taste
it was all a dream that
ends in nothing
I woke
Sometimes relationships end badly, and all you can do is learn from your mistakes and move on. Some people argue as if it’s the last time they’re going to see the person they’re arguing with and so they say the nastiest things. Once you’ve crossed that line there’s no turning back. An argument doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship. This applies to disputes between friends, co-workers, siblings . . . We all have disagreements, but there’s no need to leave mental scars. There is a right way to argue. If more couples argued the right way there wouldn’t be so many break-ups. We can choose our words carefully because they are powerful, and if used to cause maximum damage things will end badly. Check out this article from Psychology Today. 10 Tips to Having Arguments the Right Way
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~Maya Angelou
[image error] Photo by cloudvisual.co.uk
I appreciate your visit! Stay safe!
March 30, 2020
New Book Reviews: The One Discovered by Yvette Calleiro, Journey to the Rainbow’s End by Forrest Stepnowski, and The Ex Chronicles by Maura Beth Brennan
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Hello, everyone! I hope you are all safe and healthy.
“There is no place like home.”
~L. Frank Baum
The best thing we could do right now to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to stay home. Of course, that’s not possible for everyone, but if you can work from home you should. Self isolation has worked well for other countries and in past pandemics. Practice social distancing even if you’re young and healthy because although your chances of dying from COVID– 19 is low you could still spread the disease to people that are vulnerable and could die from it.
I’d like to thank all the people in the medical field, including my brother Ralph, who’s at the front lines every day, and my cousins Lissette, Ray, Miguel, Leo, and Sonya. You’re putting yourselves at risk on a daily basis to help those in need. Thank you.
Changing the subject, I’ve been doing a lot of reading since I sent my manuscript to my editor. Today, I’d like to share three of the books I’ve read so far and my reviews. I posted the reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and although they are already showing on Goodreads, Amazon has yet to make all three reviews available.
Book Reviews:
[image error] Click on image to purchase on Amazon
The One Discovered by Yvette Calleiro
I don’t read a lot of young-adult fantasy novels, but this one came highly recommended, and the book cover enticed me. This is the first book in the Chronicles Of The Diasodz series.
Sofia is a seventeen-year-old girl in her last year of high school. Up until this point, she’s lived an ordinary life as the daughter of Liana, a single mom and girlfriend to lifelong friend Rafe. One night, she has an extraordinary dream in which she meets a handsome boy named Ar’ch. Her life takes a bizarre turn when she goes to work and comes across Ar’ch in real life.
Sofia learns that she is far more than she ever thought she could be, and that an entire world’s existence depends on her. She has a decision to make, but how can she leave her home and everyone she loves behind?
How does a teenage girl choose between her boyfriend, who’s been her best friend since childhood, and a handsome boy who makes her feel things she’s never felt before?
The story was slow-paced at first, but soon picked up. Overall, it had a good flow and kept me engaged. The characters were well developed and relatable, especially Sofia, Angel, and Rafe. The final chapters are captivating and full of action until the end.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a young-adult fantasy with a love triangle, excellent characters, world building, action, and drama. I look forward to reading the second book in the series, The One Enlightened.
***
[image error] Click on image to purchase on Amazon.
The Ex Chronicles by Maura Beth Brennan
“The Ex Chronicles” is a humorous short story about a couple named Angie and Bryce.
When Angie met Bryce, she thought she had found Mr. Right. She fell madly in love with him, only to find out he was cheating on her.
Believing their relationship was worth fighting for, Angie designs a plan to confront her boyfriend and the other woman. All the while, old black-and-white movies played in her head, and she imagined herself as one of the heroines starring in the movies, so she figured everything would turn out as she planned.
Unfortunately, things did not play out as Angie had hoped, and her antics will have you rolling with laughter.
I enjoyed author Maura Beth Brennan’s sense of humor and writing style. I recommend this quick and fun read to anyone who’s been in a bad relationship and only has a moment to spare.
***
[image error] Click on image to purchase on Amazon.
Journey to the Rainbow’s End by Forrest Stepnowski
Journey to the Rainbow’s End begins with a varied collection of freestyle poems, which are both beautiful and heartfelt. About halfway through the book, author Forrest Stepnowski gives us a short, insightful account (fictionalized memoir) of his journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance.
Robert grew up in a religious home where being gay was not an option. He was taught that homosexuality was a sin and punishable by God. From an early age, he struggled with whom he was and hungered for love, acceptance, and compassion—mostly from himself.
In his early teens, Robert felt an attraction to other boys, but he was conflicted and confused due to his homophobic religious teachings. He suffered many terrible experiences in his developmental years, including a suicide attempt and the death of a close friend.
Robert experienced sex, and like a bird released from its cage, he began a reckless way of life with multiple lovers. When he learned that a good friend was diagnosed with AIDS and committed suicide, Robert was forced to change his ways.
I enjoyed how the author combined his poetry with the narrating of his story because it gave me a better perspective. In the end, despite the difficulties endured by Robert, he managed to find his way to self-acceptance.
Overall, this book is about learning to accept who you are and adds another dimension to the LGBT story, which is a human story. I was touched by this book because the author bravely bared his soul to inspire others who may be walking the same path.
The story and poems were fabulous, but there were a few poems that stood out for me and moved me in some way.
“I Am Not The One” – I loved this line: “I am worth more than my weight in diamonds and gold.”
“Freeze” – I got goose bumps reading this one, and I loved the ending.
“That’s Gay” – Powerful and relatable, even to straight people.
“The Touch of Your Skin” – HOT
“The Song of Ever Changing Fairytales” – Who wouldn’t relate?
If you enjoy beautiful poetry from the heart and riveting short stories, this book is for you.
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“The ultimate luxury is being able to relax and enjoy your home.”
~Jeff Lincoln
I hope you enjoyed the post. Thanks for the visit, and feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
March 27, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ The Night Sky
[image error] Photo by Mark Basarab
It’s the fourth week of the month – time for a Theme Prompt! Last month, Colleen Chesebro from Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge selected Sally Cronin to pick this month’s theme:
The Night Sky
I am the night sky
you are the feverish stars
that fill up my soul
You are the night sky
I am the stars you embrace
only to help me
shimmer all the more brighter
you hold me close until dawn
[image error] Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger
Thanks for stopping by today! Have a safe and happy Friday!
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March 20, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ Photo Prompt
Welcome, everyone! I’m thrilled to have you visit. It’s the 3rd week of the month, and that means we have a photo prompt. Colleen’s 2020 Poetry Prompt Challenge.
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Padre, from Padre’s Ramblings, provided the photo for this month’s challenge.
Here’s my contribution for this week, a Butterfly Cinquain:
I Prefer a Book
tempted
by the Autumn
that labored to make it
thoughts of the soil and its duty
and the
full bellies of
grapes who hang on to vines
that twirl and reach to the heavens
s o r r y.
“Reading—the best state yet to keep absolute loneliness at bay.”
—William Styron
[image error] Photo by Tim Rebkavets @timreb9
“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” —Mary Schmich
I know there are many people who are self-quarantined or in mandatory isolation due to the coronavirus. Don’t despair. Grab a book, and meet some fascinating characters, walk in their shoes and take an extraordinary journey. I wish everyone a calm, safe and happy Friday and weekend.
March 17, 2020
Comes This Time To Float Blog Tour! Stephen Geez
Hi, everyone! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I’m happy to introduce Stephen Geez, a talented and prolific author. He has a new book out so I’ve invited him to share an excerpt and some information about it on my blog today. So please give a warm welcome to my fabulous guest author, Stephen Geez!
Salutations!
I am elated to find you here at Vashti’s blog on my extended blog tour. I am humbled by the kindness of my wondrous host for sharing some blog space today. I hope to interest you bookish types in trying my first book in way too many years, this my only collection of short fiction: Comes this Time to Float: 19 Short Stories by Stephen Geez.You could add another “by Stephen Geez” to that, as I put the moniker in the subtitle, too. I’d be forcing it to find a theme, except maybe that all my stories try to look at something I think is important, but told in a decorative sort of way. Written here and there among novels over two decades, they show a variety of genres and styles, as I get restless. Now they’re tucked between jacketed hard covers and softs, or in e-however-you-likes.
The Enticement
Each tour stop will offer the opening paragraphs of a story from the book, then link to the full story online. A few will also link to audio-shorts narrated by me. An RRBC-specific promo video will be foisted on you every day. Using a narrator didn’t seem right for my own trailer, so yeah, it’s me. Be sure to post reviews in your favorite places, most helpfully if Amazon. RRBC members, be sure to report the Amazon link to your Reviews Coordinator for quarterly credit.
And you, I thank, too.
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A Geez Author Blurb
Stephen Geez grew up in the Detroit suburbs during the American-auto domination. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. He retired from scripting/producing television and composing/producing television music, then expanded his small literary management firm into indie-publisher and multi-media company Fresh Ink Group. Now he works from a deck overlooking the lake in north Alabama, helping other writers share their compelling narratives with the world.
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The Book Blurb
Prepare to think as you explore these wildly disparate literary short stories by author, composer, and producer Stephen Geez. Avoiding any single genre, this collection showcases Geez’s storytelling from southern gothic to contemporary drama to coming-of-age, humor, sci-fi, and fantasy—all finessed to say something about who we are and what we seek. Some of these have been passed around enough to need a shot of penicillin, others so virgin they have never known the seductive gaze of a reader’s eyes. So when life’s currents get to pulling too hard, don’t fight it, just open the book and discover nineteen new ways of going with the flow, because NOW more than ever Comes this Time to Float.
The Promo Video
Today’s Sample: “Holler Song”
Retta danced the willy-nilly, grabbed at slick branches, then lost both feet and whomped back-end down on the ice. Hit ’em mean like that and 70-year-old bones act scared, then angry, then out for revenge—and they’ll complain bitterly for weeks. It’s not how hard the ground is, makes ’em mad; it’s how brittle the bones has got.
Now a sheet of frozen slick, this low patch in the double-rut drive-back had been needing some ’dozer work a long time running, one of many get-to’s set for when next year’s lump-sum money could hire some younger help. Hardly anyone drove it but Randall, easing the pickup ’tween overgrown mirror-snaggers when he brung groceries and what-not to Lurlene and her girl. Deputy Wallace used to ramble back here regular-like to pretend friendly and keep an eye for signs local cookers mighta set up, but when he found Hollis’s makeshift lab a ways down Cutter Road, his brother Cletus shot him dead. State Police come in and tore ’ern up from there to right up Middleton Holler just beyond. Now a new deputy’s done took over, but ain’t yet been out here lying about smells to claim “probable cause” when he trespasses on Lurlene and Retta’s private property. This very minute would be a good time, him to show for a howdy-ma’am, seein’ as how there’s an old lady needs picking up off her arse.
Retta rolled over on her side and wound up mashing the holdin’ end of that pocketed fish-knife into her thigh, then managed despite bad arthritis to pull herself up and set about shuffling forward, keeping to the treeline for more grab-branching. She came to sight of cousin Lurlene’s place, built by their granddaddy when he carried his unimpressed young bride here for a lifetime of second thoughts in the hills of East Tennessee. Lately the place looked embarrassed at being let to run down, but now the dim gray fog and last night’s snow gave it a fairy-tale gingerbread-house look, all sugar-frosted and gleaming with drips of icing drooping its eaves. Wisps of smoke fed by a stingy stack of splits curled from the chimney and bent north to tickle more sleet from dark clouds of a mind to paint these hollers another coat of quick-freeze.
Lurlene stepped out and stood on the wide, covered porch. Ten years younger than cousin Retta, she looked real old of a sudden. Bundled in wool coat, crochet hat and scarf, jeans and hide boots, she’d already got a mind to head out. “Found her, didn’t they?” she asked as Retta stopped at the slicked-over bottom step. Eyes red and swole, Lurlene had been crying, imagining the worst and expecting nothing better.
The Whole Story
I’ve posted the whole story on my blog today. Be sure to come back here!
https://StephenGeez.WordPress.com
Find the Book Now
Should be just about everywhere, but here are the biggies:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/comes+this+time+to+float?_requestid=1776240
Other Places I Lurk
Tweets by StephenGeez
Instagram: StephenGeezWriter
March 13, 2020
Poetry Friday ~ Comfort & Worn
I have several topics I want to address today, and it’s going to seem random. I apologize in advance.
Firstly, let’s talk about the coronavirus and COVID- 19. Unless you’ve been vacationing on the moon you’ve heard these terms before. The coronavirus has been around for a long time. It’s the same virus associated with SARS in 2003. COVID- 19 is the disease caused by the newly identified type of coronavirus that emerged in China in December 2019.
COVID- 19 symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Now, these symptoms are similar to the flu, and we are in flu season so if you have these symptoms call your doctor and let her know, but don’t go crazy thinking you have COVID- 19. Don’t automatically go to the ER without speaking to your doctor first because if you don’t have it the ER (emergency room) is probably a great place to catch it, and if you do have it you’ll most likely pass it on to people that are probably in a more vulnerable state than you are. Please call your doctor and act calmly.
There is no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent hand-washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow and staying home when you’re sick.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has these suggestions:
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds (about a round of Old McDonald had a Farm). Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.Stay home when you are sick.Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects people frequently touch.
I’m not a doctor, but I’ve worked in the medical field closely with doctors for many years. There are a lot of nervous people out there acting in panic, and that only makes things worse for them, others and people in the medical field who are only trying to help. You can calm your nerves by simply keeping yourself informed and by applying the 3 Ps: Positivity, Preparedness, and don’t Panic.
Let’s stay positive, but prepared, and please don’t panic it only makes things worse for you and others.
I also wanted to mention that someone sent me a DM (direct message) on Twitter asking why I only feature certain people on my blog. First of all, I’m an equal opportunity blogger and always have been. I’m constantly volunteering to host people on my blog. If we know each other, and you want to be featured on my blog let me know. Contrary to what some people may believe I don’t own a crystal ball. If you’ve never asked me to feature you on my blog don’t bitch complain about not being featured on my blog.
Lastly, don’t allow anyone to influence your thinking or how you feel about another person. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Before you reject, turn your back on or completely disregard someone because another person told you to do so, think for yourself. Judge someone according to the way they’ve treated you and by their deeds. Make up your own mind who that person is. Don’t allow anyone to do that for you.
Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge (Synonyms Only)
Here are the two words selected by Ruth Scribbles, winner from last month’s Syllables Only challenge:
COMFORT & WORN
[image error] Photograph by Aimee Vogelsang @vogelina
With painted on smile
she raises silent uproars
Once she brought you cheer
and kept you safe through the night
you happily held her tight
***
Now she’s forgotten
in a dusty li’l corner
wearing tattered clothes
recalling when a simple
hug could heal that broken soul
[image error] Photograph by Dominic Romero @domr_
Have a fun, safe and creepy Friday the 13th!
[image error] Photograph by Franck V. @franckinjapan
