Blog Archives
Honoring My Life Through Poetry
In Little River of Amazements, you invite readers to explore the human experience through your collection of poems featuring a variety of themes from travel to faith and religion. What inspired you to share this collection of poetry?
As I began to work on this collection of new and selected poems, at the urging of my wonderful editor, Diane Frank, of Blue Light Press, I realized it was different from compiling my earlier poetry books. It was constructing a life in poems, a creation of a personal mythology. It took me a long time to complete it – more than three years. Fifty pages are new poems – the others are from my previous collections. I love doing readings from this book because it feels that I am honoring my life, the people, the experiences, the learnings that are its center. And I think much of it relates to universal experience.
Of all the topics you write about in your poems, what is the one that resonates most with you? Do you have a favorite selection?
I can’t really choose one. Several themes unite the poems in this book and run through my life: the sacredness of nature and of the body, the lives of women in history — ancient, medieval, contemporary, the emergence of voice from deep silence and the spiritual silence we grow into, a lifetime search for meaning. My favorite poem in the book is a sequence of poems called “In the Margins of the Pages.” It originally appeared in my book The Illuminations from 2006 and came out of a study of the the Book of Kells, an eighth century illuminated manuscript on display in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. I loved responding to the medieval drawings with a woman’s interpretation. It pulls together so many of the themes that weave throughout all my poems – Celtic and medieval culture, architecture, symbolism, sexuality, interpretations of Christianity, visual art, immanence in nature.
I have also written some wonderful love poems.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from your collection?
I began writing poetry as a response to life and a search for personal illumination. I hope my poems inspire others on their journey and touch people with beauty through the music of language.
Can fans look forward to more poetry from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I am always writing poems and making books. My challenge is to create beauty in new ways. That’s what I am working on.
I will end with a quote from poet Nicholas Gulig: In my experience, poetry, at its best, breathes life into communities because poetry is, in essence, a deeply communal act.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
What Not To Do When Your Husband Dies: Neuroscience & Mindfulness As Tools To Navigate Grief
Grief is a profoundly personal experience, and while there is no universal solution, certain guidelines can help navigate the journey. T.J. Marchitelli, in her deeply personal and poignant book, What Not to Do When Your Husband Dies, offers an insightful guide on coping with grief and life after the loss of a spouse. Drawing from her own experiences, Marchitelli shares intimate stories, particularly the events surrounding her husband’s sudden death. She chronicles their life together, from their meeting in the vibrant Buddhist community of Manhattan to raising a family in East Hampton. This narrative backdrop sets the stage for a thoughtful exploration of grief, illustrating how our past and relationships influence our grieving process.
Marchitelli’s writing is both heartfelt and practical. She explores common pitfalls of grief, using her own mistakes and learnings to highlight what others might avoid. This approach makes the book relatable and accessible, offering readers a sense of companionship and understanding. Her reflections on her husband’s sudden death and its immediate aftermath are raw and unfiltered, providing a candid look at the shock and disorientation following such a profound loss. Her honesty about the debilitating nature of grief is refreshing, emphasizing that this book is not a way out but a way through. One of the author’s strengths is maintaining an approachable tone even as she discusses profound loss. She balances personal anecdotes with research-based insights, explaining how grief affects the brain and providing a framework for readers to understand the physical and psychological impacts of loss.
A key takeaway is the importance of self-care and a strong support network. Marchitelli emphasizes that losing a loved one is not a time to test one’s strength but to let others provide support. She suggests mindfulness and meditation as coping tools, adding a spiritual dimension to the narrative. Throughout the book, Marchitelli’s tone remains compassionate and encouraging. She acknowledges the uniqueness of each person’s grief journey while providing universally applicable advice. She hopes to serve as a beacon of light for those navigating the dark and confusing emotions of grief, guiding them toward rebuilding their lives with strength and grace.
Writing about grief with such openness is incredibly brave, and allowing readers into such a personal space is admirable. What Not to Do When Your Husband Dies is emotive, informative, and transformative. Its foundation on real-life experiences, supported by scientific insights, makes it a credible and valuable guide to grief. T.J. Marchitelli’s heartfelt writing is both comforting and helpful, making her unafraid exploration of her own pain a generous gift to her readers.
Pages: 154 | ASIN : B0CJKSZ111
Little River of Amazements: New and Selected Poems
Little River of Amazements is a captivating poetry collection that delves into a diverse range of themes, from the intimate dynamics of family to the boundless horizons of travel. Mary Kay Rummel’s poems invite readers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience. Her exploration of spirituality, particularly in pieces like “Life is Losing and Reinvention,” is both compelling and relatable, offering a candid perspective on faith and religion.
Rummel’s keen observation of the natural world is evident throughout the collection. Her ability to capture the essence of her surroundings is truly remarkable, as showcased in “Seven Ways to Change the Names of the Days.” The warmth and nostalgia in her portrayal of her deep connection with her grandmother add a poignant layer to the collection. These evocative poems stir memories of time spent with loved ones, creating a sense of intimacy between the reader and the author.
The author’s mastery of language is undeniable. Rummel crafts intricate sentence structures and employs vivid imagery, creating a truly immersive reading experience. Her poetry is both inspiring and challenging, encouraging readers to view the world through a fresh lens. Ordinary experiences are transformed into extraordinary poetic moments through her skillful use of language.
For those with a wanderlust spirit, Rummel’s travel poems offer a vicarious adventure. Her words transport readers to distant lands, inviting them to share in her experiences and insights. Through her poetry, one can almost feel the sun on their skin, the wind in their hair, and the wonder of new cultures. Little River of Amazements by Mary Kay Rummel is an invitation to view the world through the lens of the author. Rummel’s work is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion, inspire thought, and broaden perspectives. Her ability to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary is a gift she generously shares with her readers.
Pages: 236 | ISBN : 978-1421835570
The Possibility of Reincarnation
Ringo’s Rainbow Journey: A Memoir of Our Border Collie’s Return to His Soul Family illustrates the multifaceted relationship between humans and their animal companions, capturing the essence of love, loss, and the indelible mark a pet leaves on a family. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was compelled to write this book because of the extraordinary story my husband and I lived through. We began communicating with our dogs and cats through a very gifted animal communicator. Through these conversations, we learned some extraordinary things that 1) validated my beliefs in living, loving, and the potential for an afterlife. 2) turned my lifelong atheist/skeptic husband into someone who now believes in the unseen/unprovable mysteries of life. This book is primarily about the return of our elder male border collie, through reincarnation, coming back to us in the body of our sweet little female border collie. But, beyond that, it is an entertaining walk through the lives of many of our pets, our connection to them, and the unconditional love we have for them.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Well, this is a little unique and perhaps tips the “believability scale” for some people, but it was my dog who urged me to write this book because he had two important lessons to teach humans: 1) Bodies come and go, but the soul is eternal. 2) Gender fluidity is a natural and normal thing in the animal kingdom. Humans need to get over their judgment of it.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write Ringo’s Rainbow Journey?
I was in the corporate world, as a Vice President for a staffing company. In that role, I did a lot of writing and public speaking, teaching, and mentoring. I retired from that career in my late forties and became a yoga teacher. During this second phase of my career life, I began writing for an online publication, specializing in “the mindful life” – Elephant Journal. I became a featured writer for them, with over 90 articles published within about a two-year period. I stopped writing for them when I began writing Ringo’s Rainbow Journey. Writing has always come easy to me. My readers tell me that I write in a very conversational style, eliciting the feeling of two friends talking over coffee. The time I spent writing for Elephant Journal likely helped me hone my skill for writing my memoir.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I want everyone who reads my memoir to understand how intelligent and multi-faceted our animals are. When they read my words, I believe they will come to see the depth of character, of understanding, of emotional facility, and ability to love profoundly, not only in the stories I tell about my own animals, but also as they look into the eyes of their own precious dogs and cats. I also hope it will open people’s eyes to the possibility of reincarnation and that this could help people navigate loss and grief with a little more optimism and understanding of the bigger picture.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As Ringo and their matriarchal cat, Solo, faced health challenges and moved toward their end-of-life, Kathy and George were referred to Amanda Reister, a gifted pet communicator, to learn how best to care for their aging pets. Suddenly, everything changed.
The conversations they’ve had with each of their pets, through Amanda, were nothing short of miraculous and completely changed their paradigm. The wisdom, joy, and depth of understanding revealed caused them to view each pet as the uniquely wise being they truly are. It was Ringo, who urged Kathy to write his memoir. Through Amanda, he shared his important life lessons for us humans.
Bodies come and go, but the Soul is eternal. Gender fluidity is natural and normal. Soul Families are real. Return to them if you can. And the most important lesson of all, which is to simply love one another.
Ringo’s Rainbow Journey: A Memoir of Our Border Collie’s Return to His Soul Family
Ringo’s Rainbow Journey: A Memoir of Our Border Collie’s Return to His Soul Family, by Kathy Bolte, captures the precious bond between a pet and its family, a relationship often as deep as any other familial connection. Bolte’s narrative starts with the adoption of Ringo, tracing their shared experiences from joyous adventures to their eventual, inevitable parting. This book is more than a simple recounting of pet ownership; it’s an engaging, love-filled journey through life with Ringo, marked by vibrant anecdotes and moments of joy.
Bolte does not focus solely on Ringo; she paints a full picture of her life with multiple pets, both cats and dogs, detailing the family dynamics and the different personalities of each animal. Her writing brings us into the fold of her household, enriched with photographs that offer a glimpse into these cherished relationships. The inclusion of characters like Amanda, who possesses the ability to communicate with animals, adds a unique dimension to the narrative, deepening our understanding of the pets’ distinct traits. The prose is rich and evocative, effectively conveying the emotional landscape of living with and loving animals. It emphasizes themes of empathy and family unity. The story is beautifully told, with life lessons woven through the personal reflections and shared moments that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved a pet.
In Ringo’s Rainbow Journey, Kathy Bolte beautifully illustrates the multifaceted relationship between humans and their animal companions, capturing the essence of love, loss, and the indelible mark a pet leaves on a family. Her heartfelt storytelling invites readers into a world where pets are not just animals, but cherished family members with their own stories and personalities. This memoir not only shares the joy and challenges of pet ownership but also celebrates the unbreakable bonds that form along the way, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for the creatures that enrich our lives.
Pages: 238 | ASIN : B0D3KB31WW
Grief Does Get Easier
Suddenly: A Widow’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Healing shares the process you went through when your husband died suddenly, and you had to reframe your life for yourself and your daughters and find a way to endure. Why was it important to share your story with the world?
Prior to losing my husband, I read the book Radical Survivor by Nancy Saltzman. Nancy lost her husband and two young sons in a plane crash, and I was amazed by her resilience. I reread her book after my husband died, and her story inspired me to move forward. I am hoping my story has the same impact on others who have been widowed or suffered another loss.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I feel it is really important to normalize grief. Death is a part of life, and it is easier to deal with if grief is acknowledged. I wanted to convey to my readers that grief does get easier over time. We are never going to forget our loved one, nor would we want to, but we can move forward.
Healing from a loss like yours is never easy. What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
There are no rights or wrongs when it comes to grief. Don’t let others dictate what you can or can’t do. This is your journey, and you can grieve on your own timeline.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
My greatest wish is to provide hope. You can be happy again. I like to say that good things have happened to me in spite of my loss.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Website | Amazon
Danell was living her dream life with her husband Patrick and two daughters when he left for a morning bike ride and never returned home. Danell was suddenly a single parent who was faced with learning to move forward on an unfamiliar path. Danell treasured the impact Patrick had on the lives of others and dedicated herself to making that kind of difference in the future.
In Suddenly: A Widow’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Healing, readers will discover how Danell:
Used writing to record memories while they were fresh, helping to process grief
Discovered a new purpose through introspection
Strengthened family traditions and created new ones
Allowed herself to experience happiness and joy after the grieving process
Supported her daughters as they found their own purpose
Danell found strength in the stories of other widows. She aspires to have her story provide hope for others experiencing loss.
LITERARY TITAN 