Jamieson Wolf's Blog, page 55
February 7, 2017
The Moment You Know – A Poem
When I first saw you,[image error]
your face was framed in light.
I couldn’t tell if it shone around you
or from within you. All I know
is that I was mesmerized.
Your eyes changed colour
in that light, shifting from
a soft blue to a light green.
We sat down, coffees in hand
and I was immediately entranced
by your voice. It had a deep timbre
and a soft cadence to it so that
it almost sounded like music.
The more we talked, the more I wanted
to know everything about you.
It felt as if I had known you before
though we had just met.
I was so comfortable with you,
I felt safe with you, as if I could
be completely open. I knew instinctively
that you would not judge me, that I was
free to be me with you.
Around us, I heard others talking
but it sounded like music,
soft and lilting. It took me a moment
to realize that the music
came from within me.
As we continued talking,
our coffee cups empty long ago,
I asked you if you wanted to go to dinner.
It surprised me that those words
came from my mouth.
On the way to your car, you took my hand.
You did it softly, hesitantly,
as if you were unsure.
I clasped your hand, just as softly,
as if unwilling to hold on too tightly
less you fluttered away.
Yet your hand felt right in mine,
It felt wonderful. The song from within
increased slightly, filling my body.
When you looked at me,
I could see that light from within you
glowing all the brighter.
Through out dinner, you told me
about your family, about your work.
But most importantly, about yourself.
Then you asked about me,
about what I was passionate about,
what drove me, what made my heart sing.
No other man had ever asked me this
and I was dumbfounded.
I told you that I was a writer
and as I spoke, I watched leaves and vines
begin to grow along the walls
of the restaurant, covering them
until it looked as if we were sitting
inside a garden. I wondered vaguely
what was making the plants grow
until I realized that it was my hope,
my wish that you could be someone
that I would be able to grow with,
that we could grow together.
When you took me back home,
you held my back on the stairs
and you held the door open for me.
I marvelled that I was moved
by such a small act of kindness.
That song within me began to sing
louder still as you moved your face
towards mine. When our lips touched,
it was as if an entire symphony
played within me, singing for us
as we began that dance,
that slow waltz,
of two people who had waited
so long to find each other.
Looking back on that night,
I knew then that I loved you,
and have loved you more
every day since.
February 3, 2017
Beyond the Page – A Poem
I remember the moment[image error]
when I first saw you.
You looked at me
with your head framed
by a halo of light
as if you were made
from the sun.
I remember the first time
that we kissed.
It was dark outside
but I caught a glimpse
of the stars and they
seemed to burn brighter
when our lips touched.
I remember the first time
that you told me
you loved me.
Time itself seemed to stand still
and the air around us
was silent but filled
with such longing.
Everything with you has felt
as if it were out of a storybook,
like it was too good to be true.
I have to remind myself that
what we have together
is not being lived inside a storybook,
that it is so very real.
We were lucky enough to find
a storybook kind of love,
yet it lives and breathes
beyond the page.
You are proof
that miracles do happen.
As we embark on the next chapter
of our lives together,
I can’t see what is coming,
but I know that I will have you
by my side.
January 29, 2017
The Empress Among Us – A Poem
* This poem is for Jackie. Happiest of Birthdays![image error]
You create portals in which
to see the world more clearly,
using colours and paints
to depict the impossible and
that which dreams are made of.
You are the infinite feminine,
full of grace and beauty yet
you have a thread of bravery
that runs through you,
with a warrior’s heart.
We can hear the drum beats
of your strength as you take
each step and we dance
to that beat, that song, that rhythm
that you create for it is
enchanting and intoxicating.
You leave behind colour
with each step that you take,
brilliant gold, supple red,
a soft lilac blue and a purple
that recalls the light at dusk.
You create such beauty
with your portals to other realms
that you make the world
a more beautiful place
because you are in it.
You are the Empress among us
and we are grateful for you.
January 28, 2017
The Girl Who Held the Moon – A Short Story
[image error]Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Inglewood Hamlet, there was a young girl named Kate who was very unique. She was the eldest daughter in a coven of witches.
Though she was only thirteen, her eyes had already started to turn black. Her mother, Rachael, had explained why this was: “It’s so people can see the wisdom inside of us. The depth of the black shows the depth of the magic inside of us.”
Kate missed her blue eyes. She would look at herself in the mirror and wish for her eyes to be the blue of a waterfall or a cloudless sky. This didn’t work; in fact, it just made her skin or hair turn blue instead. Thankfully, her mother was able to put her right again.
Rachael was the head witch of the coven that lived in Inglewood Hamlet. She always taught her two daughters and her one son that life had to be respected and honoured, that everything in life was a gift. The witches were respected for their magic and the way they loved the land. If anyone needed help with their crops or their animals or villagers needed help with their love life, the witches were happy to help. They aided with the births of children and with those that passed on.
The witches also provided a lot of magic that the villagers didn’t know about. They held many rituals and services during the full moon or the harvest to make sure that the magic stayed alive inside Inglewood Hamlet, for theirs was a land built on magic. Kate could see it thriving in the land, through the growing of flowers and trees to the strange mist that surrounded Inglewood Hamlet that shone like stars at night.
Kate knew that inside the mist, there was also a forest that spanned the entire width of the kingdom. Rachael had told Kate never to go there alone. “For creatures of magic should be left to their own devices. They work in ways that we can’t understand.”
Knowing that her mother was wise and so she paid heed to her words until one fateful day. She was wandering through the village when she heard the scuffle of footsteps behind her. Kate turned quickly and saw Amanda Havenforth, one of the other girls that lived in the village. Walking on either side of Amanda were Prudence Cavandish and Beatrice Gooderich, Amanda’s two friends. The three girls were plain and unkempt. Kate knew their reputation of malice first hand; she had been party to their teasing and misdeeds and tried to give them a wide birth when she saw them in town.
Walking a little faster, Kate heard the footsteps of Amanda, Prudence and Beatrice quicken pace as well. Kate had had trouble with these girls before. They had been good friends for many years, but as her eyes had started to turn black, they had started acting cruelly towards Kate. Her mother had tried to comfort her daughter.
“They are wary of the power you will one day have and of the power you already wield.” Rachael held up her hand and Kate pressed hers to it. Where their palms met, little stars erupted into the air.
“But why can’t they treat me as they used to? We were friends only a few weeks ago! Why are they treating me this way?”
Rachael gave her daughter a kind look and pulled her close. “Because they are afraid of you. People will always fear that which they don’t understand and treat it unkindly.” Rachael stroked Kates hair. “But here me daughter. You must never use magic against them. It must always be used in kindness.”
“What use is magic if we can’t fight back with it?”
“Magic is used to make the land full of plenty, to help the seasons pass, to help the sun set and the moon rise. We do not use magic to harm other people. Promise me.”
Looking into her mothers eyes, the sparkling stars that they had created still floating in the air, Kate said “I promise.”
Now though, as she walked quickly away from Amanda, Prudence and Beatrice, she wished she had never made that promise. The three girls began to walk even faster and so Kate picked up speed. She nearly fell when she felt something rush by her, grazing her cheek.
Kate stopped and turned to look at the three bullies. Each girl held a pile of rocks in their apron and each girl had a dark grimace upon their face.
“Witch!” Prudence yelled. She threw another rock, this one hitting her in the shoulder.
“Sorceress!” Prudence screeched. She threw an even bigger rock which hit Kate in her in her stomach. Kate put a hand there, as if to ward away the oncoming pain.
“Devil’s bride!” Amanda cried and threw not a rock but a piece of jagged glass. It sliced into Kate’s forehead and drew blood that began to drip along her face. It was the drawing of blood that did it, that tore away the shaky hold Kate had on her patience.
She raised her hands and felt her eyes go completely black. Storm clouds moved in above them and the trio of girls looked up at the sky. Kate let her hands fall down and there was a rumble of thunder, followed by three tongues of lightning. They fell to the ground in front of each girl, blackening the ground.
With a strangled cry, Kate turned and ran. She ran as fast as she could, until her legs felt as if they had turned to water. It was only as her senses returned to her that Kate realised where she had run. She was at the edge of the mist and could see the small stars within it glowing and pulsing like so many lights. She reached out and touched one and was rewarded with a pleasant, warm sensation running up her arm. Beyond the mist was the forest, its trees thick with vibrant green foliage.
She considered running back in the other direction and was going to do just that when she heard footsteps approaching from behind her. Kate knew that Amanda, Prudence and Beatrice were coming after her and this made her choice easier. She stepped into the mist and into the cover of the trees, letting the darkness close in around her and hoping that it would keep her hidden.
Kate had never been in the forest without her mother or one of the other coven witches, but she was not afraid. Witches honoured the light and the dark, knowing that one could not exist without the other. She wandered under huge branches heavy with leaves, some of the stars from the mist following closely in her wake.
Soon, she was deep in the forest. There was little light here and the stars surrounding her twinkled dully in the blackness. Hearing a rustling in the leaves in front of her, Kate called out “Who goes there? I’m a friend not a foe.”
She hear the whining of a dog and wondered if an animal was in peril. She put her palms together and blew into them. A fire sprang to life there, the sparks making more stars in the shadows. The Witch fire illuminated the dark and Kate saw a large wolf in front of her…or was it something more?
As Kate watched, the wolf’s limbs began to change shape. The legs began to grow and she saw tows begin to sprout out of the fur as feet made themselves visible. Fingers began to grow as hands revealed themselves. The wolf’s fur began to vibrate and a soft hum filled the air as a breeze flew through the trees, taking the wolf’s fur with it. Where the wolf had been there was now a boy.
He lay shivering slightly from the change and had dusty gold hair that shone in the shadows. The boy stood and looked at Kate with kind eyes. “No mortal has ever seen me change before. Their eyes do not see what they can not explain.”
Kate held out the fire she had created. “I’m not a mortal. I’m a witch.”
He gave her a generous smile. “That explains things. I am called Xavier”
“You’re a werewolf.” Kate said softly.
He gave her another of his wide, sincere grins. “Well observed.” He reached behind one of the trees and withdrew some clothing: a simple tunic, cotton pants and a leather belt, a pair of roughly hewn boots. As he dressed he asked her: “Tell me, why does a witch hide in the forest?”
Kate drew in a shocked breath. “How do you know I’m hiding?”
“Only those who are hiding here enter the forest alone. They are either foolish or recklessly brave. Since you are neither of those, then tell me: why are you hiding in the forest?”
Xavier came closer to her and she saw that he was only a year or two older than she was. “When did you become a werewolf?”
“Are you avoiding my question?”
“No, I’ll answer it. Just answer mine first.”
“Very well then.” He gave her a piercing glance and she saw that his eyes were a golden yellow. Rather than frighten her, his smile was warm rather than frightening and his teeth glowed in the light of her fire. When he spoke, his voice was deep, as if he held the shadows within it.
“I became a werewolf when I was born this way. My mother and father were both werewolves.”
“Oh, there are three of you here?”
“Just the two of us I’m afraid. Hunters in the land across the sea took my father from us. It is just my mother and I, now.”
“What happened to your father?” Kate voice was a whisper.
“Hunters found out what he was and they went after him. The King lets us stay here to protect us.”
“Oh, so are you the reason I’m not allowed to go into the forest?” Kate said eagerly.
“I believe you’ve had three questions. Now you answer mine: why are you hiding in the forest?”
The fire in Kate’s hand dulled a little, losing its sparks. “The girls of the village tease me and they’re mean to me. They bully me and treat me horribly. They were throwing rocks and glass at me a while back.”
Xavier looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “I see. And do you care about the opinion of these girls?”
Kate shrugged. “Not particularly.”
“Good. Then why are you hiding from them?”
“Well, they’re going to hurt me.”
“Only if you let them. Those that are frightened will always attack. It is the way of mortals, I’m afraid. You shine so much brilliantly than they do. Those that are afraid will try to snuff out any candle or flame.”
He closed her hand so that the palms were together. They were left in darkness and, though her fire did not normally hold any warmth, she felt the spark of it in her palms, as if waiting to break free. A lot of the warmth came from Xavier’s hands.
Kate opened her hands and her flame came alight again so that she could see Xavier. He looked down at the fire that Kate held. “But like any true flame, they will always come back. They may try to blow out a candle, but any true flame always perseveres.”
Xavier held out his hand to her. “Come, I want to show you something.”
The flame in Kate hand brightened. “All right.” She took his left hand with her right and as they moved deeper into the trees, Kate blew on the flame so that it became a small round ball of light. It shone a with a white glow and it looked as if Kate were holding the moon.
Xavier took her to the deepest part of the forest. The shadows were dark, but there was a light that she could see coming from between the tree trunks. The glow intensified as they got closer. “What is that, Xavier?”
“Do you know the true reason that you’re not allowed to come into the forest?”
“I thought it was because you and your mother live here.”
“There is more creatures here than werewolves. No, it is something more. Come on now, we’re almost there.”
They weaved their way through a few sets of trunks and then Kate came to abrupt halt. In front of Kate was a tree, but it was not like the others. It pulsed and glowed with a beautiful, soft light. She could almost here a soft music, as if wooden flutes were playing.
Kate’s whisper was one of fascination and awe instead of fear. “What is this?”
“This is the magic of Inglewood Hamlet. This is its heart. To you see how it glows?”
“Yes.”
“Well, this runs in you.” He cupped her hand holding the small globe of light. “You should not be afraid, you should celebrate what you are.”
“I do!” She was affronted for a moment. “I am very proud of being a witch!”
“I don’t doubt this, but then why do you let these mortal girls make you feel terrified? You can do what you need to survive. My father couldn’t.”
“But do what you will but harm none is witches creed. I can’t break that and I won’t be like them. I won’t hurt someone else.”
He looked at the light in her hand. “Does this light hurt you?”
“No. It’s my witch light. It never hurts me.”
“There you go then. Use that light. You can use your power to do good or do harm, Kate. It’s always a choice.”
“I know that. But what do you expect me to do?”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Do you think they will follow you into the forest?”
Kate sighed. “Probably.”
“Good. Then do what I say. We haven’t much time.”
*
They heard the girls before they saw them. Their voices screeched through the trees and the smaller birds took flight at the sound. “Do you really think this is a good idea?” Prudence said. “I mean, I’ve never been this far into the trees.” Her voice was filled with a sliver of fear.
“They say that there are beasts here.” Beatrice whispered. “They say that these beasts eat humans!” There was an air of panic in her voice.
“Shush, both of you! They’re going to hear us! Witches and werewolves have super keen hearing!” She whispered this out in a salient hiss. “When we find that witch, I’m going to cut her again!”
In the shadows of a clearing, Xavier whispered: “Are you ready?”
Kate looked into his golden eyes and saw the playfulness there. She was not afraid. “I’m ready.”
They saw Amanda first. She had a mean look on her face and another glass shard in her hand. Kate almost smiled when Xavier let out a frightened moan. Kate saw Amanda stop in her steps, Beatrice and Prudence bumping into her.
“Do you think I’ll let your insults slide?” Kate said loudly. She tried to make her voice sound menacing.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Xavier said, almost shaking. “I didn’t mean anything by it!”
“Well I’m going to show you what I can do to people who call me names.”
As they had practiced, Kate let a shower of silver stars fly from her hand. They covered Xavier like a blanket for a moment and then glowed softly so that they lit up the clearing and cast shadows on the leaves. Xavier let out a strangled noise and began his slow transformation into a wolf. Amanda, Beatrice and Prudence stood there with mouths open in shock and fear.
Xavier rubbed his wolf’s nose against Kate’s hand. Kate looked down at him. “Now go on, take some time to think of what you did. I will change you back when I calm down.”
Letting out a small whine, Xavier trotted further into the forest. Kate turned around and let out a small blast of air fly from around her. It ruffled the leaves of the trees and made her hair fly out a little, as if she had conjured the wind. “Oh, hello Amanda, Beatrice and Prudence. How nice to see you! Lovely evening, isn’t it?”
Amanda quivered and let out a moan, turned and ran. Beatrice and Prudence looked like they would faint any second now and let out twin squeals, turned and followed suit. Kate waited until they been gone a while before she let the laughter erupt out of her.
Xavier slipped out of the shadows in human form again. “Don’t laugh too hard, you’ll injure yourself.” He gave her another of his wide, open smiles.
“I’m sorry, but the looks on their faces were everything I could have wished for.” Kate wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath. She smiled at Xavier. “How can I ever repay you?”
“For what? You did everything.”
“Yes, but it was your idea. I would never have thought of any of that.”
“I’m sure you would have in time.”
“So, you didn’t answer my question. How can I repay you?”
Putting a finger to his chin in though, Xavier had never looked so handsome to her. Finally, he looked at her and said: “Will you come see me in the forest from time to time? It does get lonely here sometimes.”
Kate felt a blush light up her cheeks. “I’d like that very much.”
“Then it is settled. And until we meet again, remember: the power is in you, Kate.”
She nodded and began to walk out of the woods. Before she was completely free of the embrace of the trees, Kate turned to look back at Xavier, but he was already gone.
Or so the story goes…
January 26, 2017
Living Beyond the Waves – AVAILABLE NOW!
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Hey Everyone!
I’m super thrilled to announce that my newest book of poems is here!
Living Beyond the Waves is the fourth book in my series of poetry collections. Here’s a little bit about the book:
Living Beyond the Waves is a poetry collection that is part memoir part journey towards acceptance.
They are Wolf’s attempt to find a life beyond disease or disability. The poems contained within deal with Wolf accepting all part of himself, even those he has no control over.
They are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The poems show us that whatever life throws at us, with courage anything is possible.
With unflinching honesty, Wolf talks about disease, sexuality, physical disability and the healing power of love.
Talking to the Sky was about finding my voice again. Walking On the Earth was about coming to terms with my life as it is now and the healing power of love. Dancing with the Flame was about loving all of myself and learning to dance with life and really live. So, what’s the overall theme of Living Beyond the Waves?
Often, I find that I fall into what is safe, what is comfortable. I am a creature of routine. In 2016, I pushed beyond the pull of the water and really engaged with life, really tried to live as hard as I could and embrace what I found terrifying. I wanted to live beyond the comforting waves of safety and experience what was unknown.
You can get your copy here:https://www.amazon.ca/Living-Beyond-Waves-Jamieson-Wolf-ebook/dp/B01MR8MM5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485467816&sr=8-1&keywords=Living+Beyond+the+Waves
Reviewers have been very kind thus far. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“I read Living Beyond the Waves and entered into the realm of dreams. How can you not? Jamieson’s words carry us into an easy, deeper light of love. With empathic knowing of our mutual journey here. Captured in phrases of wisdom. Therein is the comfort of such a collection of grace such as this.” Lori Jane Day
“Jamieson allows you to see the cracks in the pavement of life, acknowledge that bad things happen to good people. He doesn’t stop there, though, helps you to see that without experiencing bottom you won’t reach for the stars. A real positive voice in the poetry genre; uplifting and supportive. Dreams really do come true, and the proof is positive in this delightful tome of verse. ‘Living Beyond the Waves’ is a must have for anyone who ‘feels’ life.” Sylvia Naomi DeBruyn
Living Beyond the Waves is It’s available in eBook or Paperback. It’s my most favourite of all my poetry collections and I truly hope you enjoy it!
Jamieson
January 3, 2017
Of Needles, Pills and Spoons – A Poem
* This poem is dedicated to Cait, who is one of the strongest people I know.
January 1, 2017
Living Beyond the Waves – A Poem
I am within the waves.[image error]
They are filling my world with noise,
with a torrent of force that
sweeps me through life,
deciding my direction
and taking away my choice.
I go where they take me,
where the waters bring me.
I try to keep my head above water,
attempt to quiet the battle
happening within me and outside of me,
but the force of the water
and the war inside of me is too great.
I dig down deep inside myself
and find a seed of courage.
As I hold it, its warmth spreads through me,
and the noise of the waves softens.
It is as if I am inside of myself and
all I can hear is the hum of that seed,
all I can feel is its heat sliding up my arm.
I look through the waves and see land,
a terrain that I find unfamiliar and foreign.
I know that, even though it is unknown to me,
that it is my salvation. With all my might,
I swim towards that piece of land,
that sliver of green that I can see
through the deep blue of the waves.
The waves sense my growing courage
and they amplify their force,
strengthen their torrent until I am
all but lost under the waters.
Through the sliver of waves that I can see,
a hand appears and grasps mine.
I grab hold of it and let whoever
the hand belongs to pull me to safety.
I let the hand pull me further towards
the piece of land that I was able to glimpse
and it is as green as I had hoped,
full of vegetation and light.
I look to the person who saved me
and am astounded to be looking at myself.
I regard myself for a moment.
He is the me that I used to be.
He is pale from weakness and lack of sun,
but he offers me a smile.
“You looked like you could use some help”
He said.
I nodded and said “Thank you.”
“Thank yourself. You helped me, now it is my turn to help you.”
“I don’t understand.” I tell him.
My past self gives me a sage look.
“You don’t have to live amongst the waves. You can choose the direction of your life.”
I look back at the waves.
“Sometimes, I feel as if I’m drowning.”
“Then make another choice. Choose to live instead of merely surviving.”
I nod as if I comprehend. But then I say:
“I do pretty well but sometimes, I forget to do that.”
He takes my hand holding the seed of courage
and unfurls my fingers.
“When you forget how, use this. It’s what its for. Here…”
He takes the seed and pressed it into
palm of my hand. The heat increases
until my body is alight with the warmth and light
that I felt from the seed. I can feel it
swimming within me.
“Live beyond the waves.”
He whispers.
I turn to look at the waves
at the tumultuous embrace they promise.
When I turn back, he is gone from my sight
but I can feel him within me.
I turn my back on the sound of water
and instead turn to take in the land
that spreads before me. I take one step
and then another. I look up to the sky and
feel the warmth of the sunshine
echoed in that small seed of courage.
“I will live beyond the waves.”
I say and take another step
towards my future.
December 30, 2016
You Are… – A Poem
This poem is for my Writing Sister Kimberlee. I hope it give you light on your Birthday. Much love to you, Wolfie WB.[image error]
You are my Sister,
there is a bond between us
that goes deeper than blood.
You are a Warrior,
never buckling under pressure,
you fight the battle of your life.
You are an Angel,
one of those rare people
that live beyond their body.
You are a Light,
filling the world around you
with stars and the sun.
You are Kindness,
making the world a better place,
just by being in it.
You are Magic,
able to create visions out of
ink and paint so real they live.
You are Love
and everything that it stands for,
you redefine what love is.
You are part of me,
and you are part of my dreams.
I only hope that they inspire you
to live yours.
December 28, 2016
Dear 2016
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Dear 2016.
First off, you totally rocked. I have been so fortunate and so blessed this year. In 2014, I my new year’s resolution was to live more and I’ve certainly kept that up! I’m so blessed to be living the life I have and equally blessed by everyone I have in my life.
This year was all about growth for me and deepening my interaction with the world. It certainly was a banner year and I got to see and do so much! I learned a lot about myself along the way and learned what I was truly capable of.
It was a hard year, though. We lost a lot of people this year, celebrities and otherwise. 2016 seemed to be a year written by George R. R. Martin or Stephen King. Though there were a few low points in the year, but that was counterbalanced by the amazing and wonderful things I got to experience and that the amazing people I know. I am truly blessed.
Ready to take a look back at 2016? Okay, lets go!
January
The time after Christmas is always hard, but I was comforted by the friends around me and Michael. I was also hard at work on the second book in what became the Lemonade trilogy! It’s amazing to me still that a little idea I had for a novella has grown into one book and has spawned a second, plus ideas for a third and fourth.
February
This month saw the publication of Dancing with the Flame, my third book of poetry. If Talking to the Sky was about finding my voice and Walking on the Earth was about deciding to engage with life again, Dancing with the Flame was all about falling in love with life again.
It was well received and I think it’s my strongest book of poems yet and I’m so proud of Dancing with the Flame. My poetry has touched so many lives, more than any other thing I’ve written.
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March
March was spent waiting for Winter to be over and Spring to begin.
April
In April, Michael and I celebrated our second anniversary!
It’s hard to believe we’ve been together that long. I still feel like I met him last month. Even though we’ve travelled the world and I have the pictures to prove it, what Michael and I have together feels timeless.
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I walked the MS Walk again this year! I managed to walk 5Km in just over an hour, a 10 minute improvement to last years walk. I’m so thankful for everyone that walked with me. Together, we raised close to $1000 to help end Multiple Sclerosis. I’m so proud of all of us. We all rock.
I also had my divorce party! I’ve waited seven years to be divorced from my ex-husband and it finally happened! How awesome is that? Here I am with my divorce cake.
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May
This month was spent waiting for Summer to arrive and watching everything grow. The world was filled with sudden, bright colour.
June
I was thrilled to be asked to take part in Prose in the Park as part of their poetry event. It was a whole evening of different poets reciting their work.
This was the first time that I’ve read my poetry in public. It’s one thing having people read it off the page; it’s something else entirely. I was so nervous! Thankfully, it went well and the response from the other poets and the public was wonderful.
I hope I’m invited in 2017!
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July
In July, Michael and I finally set up my office!
It’s the first time I’ve had one. I’ve always had my computer shoved into a corner somewhere. I can write anywhere. But Michael wanted me to have a room of my own where I could work on my writing and paintings and where I could do my workouts.
Well, in July we succeeded in turning the second bedroom into my office! I finally have a room of my own and my art hangs on the walls. It was a glorious moment for me and every time I walk in to the room, I am stunned.
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August
For my Birthday this year, Michael took me to Los Angeles! I’ve never been and it was always a dream to go.
While we were there, we went to Disney Land and to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter! The whole trip felt like some kind of dream and I am beyond grateful. We also went to Malibu and Santa Monica!
It truly was a magical trip!
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September
On September 10th, 2016, Michael asked me to marry him.
We had been planning a commitment ceremony but Michael felt (rightly so!) that if we were going through all the motions and doing everything but getting married, we should just get married.
I was stunned when he asked me to marry him and could only kiss him. I hoped that with each kiss, I could communicate what I couldn’t find words to say.
Afterwards, Michael said “So is that a yes?”
“Yes.” I said. “Yes, yes, yes!”
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I also had my latest appointment with my Neurologist. All my lesions have shrunk to the size of peas when before, they were the size of golf balls. They were also greyed out instead of brilliant, bright white. She took down all the information about what I’ve been doing to better myself (diet, exercise, Reiki, mediation, essential oils) in hopes that it will benefit someone else.
October
In October, I signed with Renaissance Press! They will be publishing Lust and Lemonade, the first book in the Lemonade books, in late Spring, early Summer, 2017. I couldn’t be happier with Renaissance Press and the treatment they are giving my book is beyond lovely. It feels like I’m part of a family and it’s like I’ve come home.
Here is everyone at this years Christmas party!
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November
In November, we went to Cuba!
This year, we went to Veradero and took a daytrip to Havana. It was amazing, seeing buildings that have existed since the 1400’s, being surrounded by a different culture. It felt like stepping back in time.
And it was the first time I swam in the ocean! We got to ride in old style cars from the 1940’s and the 1950’s. The food was amazing and the people were wonderful. The whole vacation felt like time stood still and as if it would only begin again when we left.
I can’t wait to go back.
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December
In December, I released my newest holiday novella called The Greatest Gift. This was a really special one for me in that it dealt with those that have passed still being with us. That though they aren’t in our lives anymore, they are still here in our hearts.
Here’s a bit about the novella:
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Lincon is living inside of himself.
Having lost his partner Xander three years ago, on December 24th, he is a shell of his former self. His only comfort can be found in a circle of stone where he can hear Xander’s voice. His friend, Dava, tries to get him to engage with life again, telling him that Xander would have wanted him to be happy.
Lincon is content to live out the rest of his life by not living. What he needs is a miracle. That miracle comes in the form of an angel. Those we have loved are closer to us then we could even dream. Having watched his lover drift further inside himself, Xander knows he must do something, but what can he do?
Gabriel is the one that tells him to find someone for Lincon, someone who shines bright. If Xander should find someone, how does he make sure they meet?
Thankfully, miracles do happen at Christmas…
You can download your copy for FREE here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/687873
That’s the year long wrap up for 2016! I know that I am truly blessed and so very fortunate to be living the life I have. I can’t wait for 2017! It’s going to bring its own share of awesome!
Happy New Year everyone!
December 24, 2016
Free eBooks for the Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
If there is one thing I love about the Holidays, it’s the chance to sit down with a cup of tea and read the new books that I (hopefully!) get each year.
I thought it would be fun to give you all something to read this Holiday season! So I’ve made all of my Holiday novellas free for the Holidays!
Here’s a bit about each of them:
[image error]The Greatest Gift
Lincon is living inside of himself.
Having lost his partner Xander three years ago, on December 24th, he is a shell of his former self. His only comfort can be found in a circle of stone where he can hear Xander’s voice. His friend, Dava, tries to get him to engage with life again, telling him that Xander would have wanted him to be happy.
Lincon is content to live out the rest of his life by not living. What he needs is a miracle. That miracle comes in the form of an angel. Those we have loved are closer to us then we could even dream. Having watched his lover drift further inside himself, Xander knows he must do something, but what can he do?
Gabriel is the one that tells him to find someone for Lincon, someone who shines bright. If Xander should find someone, how does he make sure they meet?
Thankfully, miracles do happen at Christmas…
You can download this for free right now!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/687873
[image error]The Magic of Stars
Oscar doesn’t believe in magic.
Though he lives in Inglewood Hamlet where magic is an everyday occurrence and his grandmother is the village miracle woman. Oscar still doesn’t believe in magic. Scientific facts are things that are proven, whereas magic has no quantifiable proof.
His whole world changes when one night, at his grandmothers urging, he wishes upon a falling star. “I wish I believed in magic…”
The next day, he meets a girl in the village named Laura. She seems unlike anyone he has ever met before. Even the snow seems to sparkle more around her. Though they have never met before, she seems to know him.
Little does Oscar know that Laura will change his life forever. Sometimes wishes do come true. It is Yuletide after all…
You can download this book for free right now!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/691736
[image error]Yuletide Magic
Abigail Ivy hate Christmas.
Working as a elf in Santa’s village in her local mall, all she sees all day is rude parents, whiny children, mean people and foul shoppers. But her hatred of Christmas goes even deeper than that. Her heart is hard and cold around Christmas; it will need a bit of divine intervention to melt Abigail’s bah humbug heart.
That divine intervention arrives in the form of Clayton Jasper Riddell Greyhound the Fourth, an Angel on his yearly Holiday mission: to bring Holiday Joy and Cheer to one who needs it. He tells Abigail that he is her destiny. She thinks he’s a fruitcake. But fruitcake or not, Greyhound means to show Abigail the true joy of Christmas and the Holiday season.
Whether she likes it or not.
You can download this for free from Amazon from December 25th to December 30th
[image error]12
Oliver hates Christmas. He hates the fakery of it, the false joy that lifts everyone’s spirits. But only momentarily, only until the next box is opened, until the next piece of paper is torn away. But he is a true bringer of joy. In taking their lives, he is the giver of ultimate pleasure; and what better gift could there be for the Holidays than eternal bliss?
But this year is special. This year is 12.
Every year, for eleven years, Oliver has chosen twelve people, one person for each of the twelve days of Christmas. This year is 12. The final year. This year is personal. This is the year of the 12, payment for all of Oliver’s hard work. And he intends to collect. Eleven victims have already fallen-and Oliver has saved the best for last.
Merry Freaking Christmas. This year, there will be blood.
You can download this for free from Amazon from December 25th to December 30th
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Lenore hates Christmas.
It was the season where her lust for blood began, where father Oliver led her on a path of killing and taking life-except he called it giving joy for the Holidays.
She has achieved some renown as a performance artist. What the art going public don’t know is that all of her “canvasses” die. She takes them all, the blood hunger Oliver woke in her all those years ago far too strong to ignore.
Hoping to fool Oliver, she intercepts him in the street and leads him back to her apartment, hoping to once and for all give her father the ultimate Christmas gift and end his reign of terror forever.
Lenore plans to kill her father and take back her life this Christmas Eve. However, Christmas has a few gifts planned for her that Lenore doesn’t count on and red, after all, is a colour of the Holidays…
You can download this book for free right now!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/268006
Cleo and the Cats
[image error] Shortly before Christmas, Cleo is visited by a cat; it watches her as she sleeps from her bedroom window.
Cleo has the strange sense that the cat is watching her; more that it understands her when she speaks.
Soon, there is not one cat watching her but three.
To learn the secret of the cats, Cleo will have to learn there is still magic in the world.
Download this book for free right now!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/20921
There’s something here for everyone. Whether you want magic, angels, miracles of something a bit darker, there is a Holiday Novella for everyone.
I hope that all of you and yours have the most wonderful of Holidays. Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Joyous Festivus. Whatever you celebrate, I hope you’re surrounded by the ones you love.
Jamieson
