K.D. Dowdall's Blog, page 19

Quotations on Imagination

Chares F. French as posted, I think, three of the most influential quotes on Imagination that have initiated and produced some of the greatest works of art in writing and everything else under the sun. Where would we be without it? Imagination has changed our lives in multiply directions, as in our written works, art, inventions of all kinds, medicine, lifestyles, and has created more jobs than anyone could ever have imagined, except those people that did.

charles french words reading and writing

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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.”                                                                  Carl Sagan

(portrait by Maurice Quentin de La Tour)

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

“The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.”

                                                                 Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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“Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.”

                                                                 Ray Bradbury

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A Sue Vincent Write#Prompt: Choices

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The earth is desolate now, even the ocean’s sand runs red. There are but a few of us left, but not enough of plant life left or cow or fowl or fish to eat. We had choices to prevent this end of everything we know. No one of import took it seriously, what lay ahead, though we were told a thousand times, and much sooner did the end come than we could have imagined.

It maybe too late for us that remain, but the earth itself will renew itself after many millenniums. It will begin again, as has happened many times before.

I am sad for all those we have lost and to think I regretted getting old, now, no longer an option. We buried as many as we could, but now most are fodder for the earth’s renewal, as I will be as well.

So, all is not lost and perhaps some of the most hardy and young will survive when the coming ice age arrives very soon. The ice age has a way of cleansing the earth to support life once more. This is a gift and I hope those that are left will see it for the blessing it is.

Yet, within me, there is this will to fight on, to not give up hope, to survive as well as I can, and that is my choice.

 

 

The Song of the Birds – Guest Post by, Kevin Morris…

These poems, from the book of poetry, The Writer’s Pen and Other Poems by K. Morris are so beautiful.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

As a child, I spent a good deal of time with my grandfather. He was a lover of birds an I do, I believe derive my affection for our feathered friends from him. I recollect a nesting box attached to the garden shed, and my feeling of excitement when BlueTits where born. I also remember the bird table which attracted a great variety of birds. 

Of course birdsong acts as a means of attracting a mate or warning off other birds who might trespass on the teritory of the songster. Nonetheless we humans find in the song of the birds an answering call within our own hearts. Their singing can bring joy to mind, or they may speak to us of sadness. A wonderful instance of the latter, can be found in Robert Frost’s poem “A Late Walk”:  

“And when I come to the garden ground, 

The…

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A Collage of Illustrative Drawings from a True Amateur

These are a poorly copied colored pencil drawings that I did for Delphi Altair Strange Beginnings, Book 1. They did look much brighter in the book, but some 40 odd drawings were really too much for my Science Fiction Fantasy, and I removed them from the book. These are just a few of them and they are all originals (of course…I am sure you can tell.) A short description of this book is listed under my K. D. Book’s page here. I loved writing this book and it is a trilogy, thus, I am now writing Book 2, Delphi Altair: The Star Map.

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Why You Should Never Stop Reading Fairytales!

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Never Stop Reading Fairytales! by Karen DeMers Dowdall

Considering that I am really into fantasy, paranormal, fairytales, and witches, this new blog title suits me to a T,,,Once Upon a time…. It is far better than just my name (it is way too long). This new blog title really makes me happy. It really suits me. I love fantasy stories that begin with Once Upon a time…Madeleine L’Engles, A Wrinkle in time, however, does not begin Once upon a time…it begins with, “It was a dark and stormy night”…that works too.

I have collected volumes of fairytale books, everything from all of Hans Christian Anderson to all of the Grimm’s Fairytales, Scotland Folk Tales, Irish Myths and Folklore, among many other volumes of Fairytales. Perhaps, one could say, I live in a fairytale world of my own making. So true. I can’t think of a better place to live…especially in the world as we live in today.

Also, my collection of books includes my favorite books of tales about Princesses, Dragons, Monsters, and of course…Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and all his friends, too. Less I forget to mention, my love of everything in King Author’s Court and the Knights, especially, the Wizard Merlin, and also,the Hobbit’s Gandalf the Grey. So many magical creatures that do often represent the best and the worst of humanity.

These stories tell me the most, that perhaps all of humanity is redeemable, because we are not given an instruction manual for raising babies, toddlers, and especially teenagers – God love them, one and all. Oh my goodness, it can be a real juggle out there for those growing up and with our delicate egos at risk…anything can go wrong.

Perhaps, that is why I love Fantasy, Fairytales, Paranormal, Greek Mythology, and Science fiction too. Quoting the famous words of Albert Einstein, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Well…perhaps it doesn’t work with everyone. I am still learning.

I will add to that quote, if I may, my own philosophy:  “Never stop reading fairytales. No matter how old you are! We are forever learning, and not much teaches us more than a good Fairytale!”

by Karen DeMers Dowdall June 4th, 2019

 

 

A Very Special Book Review: My Vibrating Vertebrae: And Other Poems by Agnes Mae Graham

 

[image error]Agnes Mae Graham’s beautiful collection of rhyming poems, My Vibrating Vertebrae, is stunning. And, like a brilliant jewel, her poems will take your breath away. Moments ago, I read the last poem, and I couldn’t wait to review this book of poetry, that did take my breath away. Aganes Mae Graham’s brilliant book of poetry gave me a sense of awe, incredulity, of the beauty, wit, charm, love, grace, and sorrow, with tears of joy too.

Agnes Mae Graham brings all of this beauty to each page of rhyme and rhythm with perfect beats that flow like cadence, lilt, and is music to one’s ear; that sets the stage for deeply felt and lived emotions that brings forth memories of a time lost to all, but those who lived it.

I laughed, I giggled, I felt joy and pain as her memories brought back memories of my own; of my father and mother who experienced similar moments in their lives as well, and the stories they once told, are gone forever. It was with great joy that I can now recall them, through Agnes Mae Graham’s heartfelt poetry.

Each poem she writes is unique to a place and a time. Three of her poems are especially poignant for me, The Antrim Coast Road, Journey in an Aeroplane, and Panic, yet every poem will touch you deeply and bring you to that place and time.

It is fair to say, that this beautiful, heartfelt collection will be with me always. I give this book of poetry a 5 star review. [image error]

Agnes Mae Graham

Smorgasbord Health Column – Top to Toe – The Brain – How the brain develops from conception through life by Sally Cronin

Sally, who is a qualified Nutritional Therapist for more than 20 years, creates a remarkable look at the human brain from conception through adulthood into our elder years (65). She creates a comprehensive and amazing look into our brain’s development. She is an excellent teacher. It is a fascinating look at our human development from conception forward. As a Clinical Nutritionist, PhD, RN and researcher, I can vouch that Sally knows her stuff inside and out, she has an in-depth clinician’s knowledge way beyond nutrition. She is amazing. Sally, thank you for an in-depth, beautifully done, look into the development of our human brain. Awesome!

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

It is two years since I posted this series on the major organs of the body and how they work and I am always looking for research updates to share with you. Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and other related conditions are rarely out of the headlines and it is probably everyone’s worst fear. There is a genetic link to some forms of dementia,but it is not as common as lifestyle related deterioration of the brain.  Even though we are living longer, dementia is not an automatic progression and understanding how this amazing organ works and what it requires to be health, is vital.

Part One:Brain – Introduction and Anatomy

How the brain develops from conception through life

How the brain develops.

We are hard wired and from the moment of conception there will be enforced changes to the structure and function of our brains. Whilst the process of development…

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Smorgasbord Writer in Residence – Back by Popular Request – The Party’s Over – Cabaret : the Evolution of a Musical

Cabaret is great play and a wonderful movie adaptation. Sally, thank you for sharing!

Release Day JUSTICE FOR BELLE!! #CreativiaPub #NextChapterPub

Congratulations to Didi Oviatt for her newly released Mystery Thriller. I have read several of Didi’s mystery thrillers and this one is bound to be great too!

Didi Oviatt

As cliche as it is to say ‘shout from the rooftops’ I was pretty damn tempted this morning to climb a ladder onto my house and let my entire suburb know all about the release of my latest novella!! Then I remembered that I’m a little clumsy, it rained last night on my metal roofing… and I don’t have a ladder. So, I guess that’s out.

I suppose I’ll settle for a blog shout out and share it like crazy, in hopes that it’s a loud enough shout to turn a few heads! I’m SO EXCITED to share this bite sized read with the world, I can’t even contain it right now! To make things even better today, I get to finish painting a freshly built chicken coop at my in laws house, and get rid of the smelly birds that have been taking up residence in my garage for…

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#WritePhoto The Language of Trees

What a stunningly beautiful poem that means more than mere words; trees are the life giving oxygen we breathe, and they are in grave danger, and so are all humans on earth.

A View to A Book

Trees speak to us

In the bursting green of buds

In the rustle of leaves

In the sway of branches

In the changing of colors

In the life-giving essence

we breathe

In the billowing shade

we shelter

In the roots spreading

Deep and wide

Connecting to nature

And to us

All for one and one for all

The living planet

Are we listening?

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