hope

Red, Entertaining and Drinking

Posted on by mjlarter2

December is once more with us – the American festivals of Halloween and Thanksgiving now behind us. Hopefully, this year, with the restrictions forced on us by the pandemic, we will be able to see an easing of the rules and we will enjoy a family get-together. In Christian countries, we look forward to a joyful Christmas and then a fresh and happy new year, when, if we are lucky, we will enjoy a year of wonder and excitement, love and merriment and, for some, the ability to start towards a dream of their own.

Needless to say, as the year draws to a close and another begins, we will all have seen our share of sorrow, disappointment and even tragedy. But this month we should look forward, not back. Remember the bad times, by all means, but learn from them and strive for something better in the future.

Next year my blog will consist of a nice recipe, (For the eat part of my blog), a short story to read, and a dream to hold and try to pursue. After all, my blog is called ReadEatDream! I will continue to use the R.E.D. titles.

I hope you have enjoyed the art work I have presented throughout this year, and the short stories they have inspired. This story, for the festive season, is inspired by my friend, Annie Gabriel’s painting. She has also illustrated many of my children’s books.

Double shot 25 x 30 -$65

There was laughter around the table as Judy lifted her glass and said “Some more please!”

Judy wasn’t known for drinking, but it was Christmas, and she had let her defenses down. Besides, after a year of feeling sorry for herself, the new year was coming, and it was a perfect time to make a fresh start.

Judy knew that her smile and her conversation hid a mountain of heartbreak. Her Mother had passed away during May, and she had felt so helpless as she had watched the life drained out of her. Cancer was such a horrible disease. Then her father had succumbed to a broken heart in September – he just couldn’t face a life without his wife.

To make matters worse, Judy had lost her job and her long-term boyfriend all in the same month as well. Dennis had said that he couldn’t cope with her depression, her constant tears and the way she had pushed him away in her grief. The fact that she had had so much time off at work caused the boss to suggest she take a long look at herself, take an extended holiday, and look for another job.

The party noise lifted to the next level and Judy sipped at the red wine, not particularly enjoying the taste. Entertaining and being entertained wasn’t within her comfort zone.

But she tried.

But Judy was amazed. Although she hadn’t forgotten, and never would, the traumas of the past year, she discovered that she could move on. She could be happy. She could enjoy life. That it wasn’t a betrayal of all that had gone before, but a celebration of her parents, a celebration of her life.

She knew that there would still be hard times ahead, but she decided as she smiled and raised her glass to the joy of the Christmas season, that she would learn to live again.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. A male voice interrupted her thoughts.

“You have such a nice smile.”

***

My chapter books for middle school children often have the theme of not giving up in them. For example ‘Petey’ tells of a bird left alone by jealous siblings having pushed him out of the nest. The environment is hostile, yet he has the will to survive.

Even my fantasy series about a wizard, Rosferado, tells of the re-education and hope of a bright future – more so in the 2nd book of the series – ‘Rosferado, wizard – Banished.’

These are available for $18AU plus postage – feel free to give me a message with your details so I know where to send it.

Roving, Electricity and Devastation.

Posted on by mjlarter2

Over the last two years, life on our planet has suffered. We have had our lives turned upside-down in nearly every country in the world. Here in Australia we have coped with drought, devastation from fires, then floods, then the pandemic, which included border closures and business lock-downs. After beginning to rise from these catastrophes, we were hit once again by floods throughout the eastern seaboard. Electricity, Internet and mobile phone services were curtailed and supplies in the shops almost non-existent. Overseas travel just not available. Roving reporters went from place to place reporting on the destruction.

Elsewhere in the world, deaths from the Corona virus were horrific, and then some suffered with erupting volcanoes, political upheaval and even landslides and earthquakes. Life certainly hasn’t been easy.

But humans continue to survive. Rally against what is thrown at them, and still live with hope. The story that follows, inspired by the water colour painting by Lynnetta McGrath, is to show us, that whatever happens, tomorrow is another day. That life can flourish against adversity, and there is never a time when giving-up should be the way out.

Miniature – by Lynnetta McGrath.

The silhouette of the palm tress in the dying moments of the day reminded Felicity of the fires. She bowed her head and tears began to prickle her eyes. She had lost it all – her home, her family and her memories – all gone in an instant by a roaring monster of unbelievable heat. She wished Dan and the kids hadn’t decided to stay.

She sat quietly on her deckchair in the park and watched the sun disappear below the horizon, the tears finally tracking down her cheeks, the mozzies* enjoying a feast on her bare arms, and the sound of the music in the distance not penetrating her hearing.

How could she be in such a lovely spot, when her reasons for being had gone, her family burnt and her home left as a smoldering ruin? Now, not only was she in northern Queensland because her grief councillor had told her to move away to clear her head and come to some sort of acceptance of her situation, but now she couldn’t go home – the border to N.S.W. and her parents property had been slammed shut.

She took another gulp of the rum drink in her right hand.

A young girl wandered past and smiled shyly at Felicity. Felicity smiled back, though it was a bit difficult. The girl came towards her.

“You look sad,” the young girl commented.

“Yes,” Felicity whispered.

The little girl came towards her and placed a warm hand on her arm, batting away a mozzie Felicity hadn’t even known was there.

‘I was sad, too,” the little girl said. “My Daddy passed away last year, and then I found out I had cancer. Mu Mummy looked just like you do now.”

Felicity nodded.

“But then I fought and fought, and my Mummy had to help me. Now I am better, and I enjoy every day, and so does Mummy,” The little girl smiled as a woman came up to Felicity.

“I hope Gail isn’t bothering you,” she said.

Felicity shook her head.

“No – It was just the message I needed to hear,” Felicity took a deep breath and smiled.

And so began a wonderful friendship, and the glimmer of hope that was able to grow.

…

My children’s books offer hope, and friendship. If you have little ones, it is always a good idea to teach those qualities early in life. Most of my books are either chapter books or picture books. They sell for $18 AU and added postage if you are outside of Australia. I try to teach a lesson in all my book, and often talk about endangered animals as well as giving teachers ideas for projects in the back of my picture books.

A chapter book about a lost black bird in a hostile environment. Another bird finds him, they become friends and Petey survives.
Two bees show consideration for all the hard work the Queen bee does and throws her a party.
A lonely Galah that looks for a friend and then finds his family again.

Rocks, Echinacea and Disease.

Posted on by mjlarter2

Over the last weeks, we have all been on the edge of our seats as the boys in Thailand were trapped, then rescued from their prison beneath the earth.  It must have been terrifying for them all, in the dark and not knowing when or if they would ever be rescued. The wonder of a cave expedition would have lost its shine very quickly.cave

But, you know, that is what life is like. We all seem to be fumbling around in the dark, hoping we won’t hit the rocks and obstacles of depression, tragedy, violence, stress and disease. We all hope for the light at the end of the tunnel, looking for love and meaning in our lives, for happiness and success.

Remember though, never give up hope. Life can be wonderful, whatever the circumstances. Fight on – like those young boys, keeping each other lifted up with warmth and kindness. Be the coach, with your kindness to others, and your never ending gift of hope.

I commend all the rescuers and their dedication – it is wonderful what can be achieved with the will to help, and the strength of working together towards a common goal. It gives me hope for the human race when I see the energy of our psyches working together with love to better the world, and it certainly bettered the life of a team of boys and all their loved ones.

My condolences go out to the Navy Seal’s family, who lost a brave soul, and to the diver daisiesfrom Australia who put the boys lives first before his own family’s tragedy.

 

With that being said, my blogs are always based on the three words of my title – R.E.D.  today the Echinacea word has been left as a symbol of the effect of love over the cold of the caves that the boys experienced.

Let’s hope their lives will be lived out with happiness and gratitude for the beauties this earth gives every day.

With kindness

Maureen

P.S.Be sure to check out my second and third pages – free books and art to buy. Keep smiling – life can always get better.