Goodbye, February, hello, March! For us in Texas, March 2nd is celebrated as Texas Independence Day. It is also my oldest grandson’s birthday, and is his first birthday away from home.
I awoke very early Saturday morning to find my muse chattering in my ear. Really? It’s Saturday. I wanted to sleep. But he wouldn’t leave me alone. So, here you go…a poem that demanded I write it. 🙂
I never know how these things work, when they will come or the why of it, but I have learned to roll with it. Hope you enjoy the poem.
I’m starting into the final 1/3 of my current WIP and I know how it is going to go, so it’s a matter of putting it all together. I’m worried that my main character doesn’t seem to have any flaws. He is kind-hearted, loves history and learning and soaks up stories from his elders. He will to anything he can to help both people and animals. Then I realized that could be a flaw in and of itself. Giving too much can be a flaw, right? I hope so, because that’s what I’ve got. 🙂
I will be posting my February reviews soon. Lots of great reading! I always go to the TBR list on my Kindle when I finish one book and see what grabs my attention to read next. That’s my method. Of course, that gets interrupted when friends have new releases. I have made peace with the fact that I will never read all the books waiting on me because I keep adding new ones. I love this meme I saw on Facebook.
Yep! I think so.
The weather here has been beautiful the last few days with temps in the 70s. So, I took advantage of it yesterday and went to hear some music at an outdoor event. It was a songwriting competition a local radio station sponsors every year called the Ballad of The Balladeers. I enjoyed it so much. I’m always amazed at the talent out there. I enjoyed listening to the three contestants and was really glad I didn’t have to pick a winner because they were all three very good.
And I have a music event coming up this Saturday in downtown Dallas that my oldest daughter is going to attend with me. I am as eclectic with music as I am with reading and love all different genres of music. But Saturday, we are going to hear Tab Benoit. If you’ve never heard of him and love the blues, look him up. I am very much looking forward to an evening of entertainment! And I’m thrilled that I get to share it with my daughter.
Here’s the tarot card for the week. I love the positive message!
The Three of Wands is indicative of expansion and growth. The man is standing on a cliff, boats are sailing by and he can see far into the distance. Many chances are available to you to broaden your horizons through study, travel, business enterprise and learning. To take advantage of this potential, you must stay committed to your path and be prepared to stretch beyond your comfort zone, knowing your best hopes lie outside of your current environment. It is time to think BIG. Consider what you can to open doors to more development and self-exploration. This card encourages you to dream bigger than your limitations. Accept your vision and be confident you will achieve it.
That’s it from me for today. I hope you’ve enjoyed the post and I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
I love hearing about your updates, Jan, and your poem is wonderfully balanced. You sound so normal! Lol. Happy Birthday to your grandson, and Happy Writing. I think flaws are necessary, but there’s a lot of stress too when someone wants to be helpful all the time and just can’t be. Pulling back for the sake of self-preservation is a tough thing to do for a “fixer.” And have fun at the concert with your daughter. Stay safe. The tarot card was the first one that I’m having trouble relating to. I need to take a look at my headspace, obviously. Hugs, my friend.
Normal? What’s that, Diana? Lol! Thanks for stopping by and for all the good wishes. You are right in that pulling back for the sake of self-preservation is a tough one. It is for me. I’m a “fixer.” Not every card is for everyone. I just share what I get. I appreciate your comment!
<3 <3
Your poem is wonderful, Jan! 🌺
Thank you, Kymber. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Lots of great things happening in your life, Jan. I love the rhymes in your poem. It’s not stilted like rhyming poems can be. And it has a great message we can all identify with. You sweet character’s flaw is his weakness. Robbie put her finger on it because she is definitely that person. How does he feel when someone isn’t as giving as he is? Or when someone doesn’t follow through after he’s lost three nights sleep trying to meet deadlines. There are lots of down sides to that personality trait. What made him so giving in the first place. Is he reacting to a trauma in his youth that made him feel inadequate? Lots of possibilities in that sweet character. I can’t wait to see what you do with him. 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much for your input, Marsha. And my character’s backstory definitely explains why he is so eager to give to others in need. I appreciate your suggestions. I’m having fun with the story!
It sounds like a good one! I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
I really liked your poem and I know what it is like to have it there, ready to be penned – and I think we know it might never return if we ignore it.
And regarding the flaw of giving too much – yup, I think that can be a flaw and maybe the character can have a brief look at why they give too much – how it happened or is it making up for something? Or just an unchekced high-empath mode that might need some self-assessment ….. hmmmm
and best wishes as you finish up your WIP
Thank you so much for your comment, Yvette. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, and you are so right that when we ignore what we are given, it goes away. I’m glad I didn’t ignore it, even though I wanted to sleep. 🙂 Thanks for the input on the character flaw. I appreciate it!
I love your poem, Jan. It’s not easy to follow a rhyming scheme and you’ve done it beautifully. I like the tarot card and the message you’ve shared. Thank you.
Thank you, Balroop. I sincerely appreciate your comment!
Tab Benoit sounds like an absolute blast.
I am definitely looking forward to it, Craig. Thanks for visiting!
Love the poem that demanded to be written! That happens to me often on those weekends I want to sleep in. I think being too kind can be a flaw, especially if someone takes advantage of it or thinks it’s a weakness. Perfect tarot card this week. I am expanding my horizons, which had been time-consuming, but I hope it’s worth it! Have a good week xo
Thanks so much for your comment, Denise. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. And thanks for the input about the character flaw of being too kind. How exciting that you are expanding your horizons! Keep us updated.
Hi Jan, your poem is lovely. I like rhyming verse very much. I’m glad your book is going well. I think being to giving is a character flaw. In fact, I know it’s mine and I end up disillusioned when people disappoint me. To make it a flaw, you have to let it be known how it ultimately impacts him. Perhaps burn out or disillusionment.
Thanks so much for your suggestion, Robbie. That’s a good idea. I appreciate you stopping by and glad you liked the poem.
I love the poem, Jan. It does feel like coming straight from a place within.
How lovely you could see/here street artists. Spring has its way to feel like newley born.
And the card did not surprise me. It goes so well along with spring and new beginnings. I totally felt this today when I had to walk a while outside from and to my car. A new life!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Erika. Yes, the poem definitely came from within. All I wanted to do was sleep. 🙂 Spring is swiftly approaching. As you say, a time of rebirth. I am happy you enjoyed the post. Have a great week!
Thank you, Jan. You have a great one too 🌞
It’s great you can find entertainment, Jan. It is such a good feeling to hear entertainers that you enjoy. I can see why your muse wouldn’t leave you alone on the poem. It is a good one and an inspiration too.
Thank you, John. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
Wonderful post, Jan! Great thoughts in that fantastic poem and prose. Like Dan, I’m jealous of your weather. I really want to thank you for your wonderful review of The Valley Walker. I’m SO glad you liked it.
You are most welcome, Tim. Thank you for writing a compelling story! Yes, it has been super mild here the past few days, but I can’t help but think it’s just a tease. I don’t think winter is done yet, but I’ll take all the mild days it wants to give. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem. I appreciate you stopping by!
My pleasure, Jan. 😊
I sure enjoy hearing about your grandchildren and all of the things they are up to, Jan. It’s a joy to watch them experience new things for the first time. We’re staying at an Airbnb right now after our grandson took his first airplane flight. He did remarkably well. He’s cruising the furniture as I type this, so it won’t be too much longer until he’s walking.
Oh, what fun, Pete! It’s true that the grandchildren are a joy to watch. They grow so fast. So glad you are getting to spend some quality time with your little grandson. Soak it up! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!
I laughed when I read the meme about cleaning and books. March is always a time for spring cleaning, so my reading will have to wait. I have this urge to purge right now as well. Happy first week of March, Jan! xoxo
It is almost time for spring cleaning for sure, Mary. I intend to do that before I have my surgery. I need to do some deep cleaning. Thank you so much for stopping by. Happy purging!!
Great post, Jan. That poem is a keeper, and I can tell those three musicians would have played my kind of music.
Thanks for stopping by, Jacqui. The songwriting competition is in the category of Americana music and they all three killed it. And it was nice to sit out in the sunshine! Glad you enjoyed the poem.
I love the poem!! Good luck with your latest WIP. I’m about 65% finished with Amanda in Ireland. But I have no idea how it will end. Yikes! But that’s how I seem to work.
Lol, Darlene. Your comment about the ending made me chuckle. Yep that’s how we roll sometimes. Thank you for stopping by!
The meme about cleaning and reading – now that’s something I can get behind. I’m about halfway through A Noble Bargain and loving it! I was thrilled you included characters from the previous book so I can see how the peanut crop turned out, lol.
Awww, thank you so much Teri! I am honored that you are reading A Noble Bargain! And yes, readers who read A Beggar’s Bargain needed to know if Layken was successful in paying off the loan. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
I love your poem, Jan. It resonates with me this morning. Thank you for sharing it. It must be wonderful to be so connected to music and be in an area where it is so celebrated. Have a wonderful week!
I am so glad you enjoyed the poem, Joy. Yes, it is wonderful to be connected with the music community. But I don’t participate nearly as much as I did before COVID and when I worked for the music magazine. Have a great week ahead!
I enjoyed the poem, Jan! You and I have the exact same TBR method.😂 Hey, it works!
Lol, Priscilla. Yep, it works. So glad you enjoyed the poem. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m glad you gave into the pressure and wrote the poem, Jan. It’s a good one to think about. I’m a little envious of your weather. We’ve seen 55 degrees but 70 is probably a long way off. Enjoy the concert. Cherish the fact that your daughter wants to go with you.
Thanks for stopping by, Dan. The words wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote them. So, I was up early on Saturday. 🙂 Yes, the spring-like weather has been welcomed, although I’m thinking we may be getting teased a little. I don’t think winter is completely over yet. But who knows? I love that my daughter enjoys music with me. It’s definitely special. Have a great weak ahead!
Great poem, Jan! And I love the tarot card. It’s perfect for spring’s revival of birth and hope.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette. I appreciate you taking the time to visit!