Dear Ice Moon (Spell by Cleo Bell)

Here is where this book spoke to me, like the calling of the crows only some people hear. “Love was cruel and unpredictable, and yet he wanted it more than words, more than anything. He was a madman, it was true, but wasn’t every writer?”

I listen to the crows and the flickering lights— the beautiful tick-tock of dormancy, not death. Here and now. Hear me now. Alive. Not false.

Let misty autumn be our part! The twilight of the year is sweet: Where shadow and the darkness meet Our love, a twilight of the heart Eludes a little time's deceit.

The Buddhist child’s smile and Lucky’s stubborn realism both confront the fear of death. One accepts it as a peaceful transition; the other insists it is simply the end. Christians are called to something different: not merely acceptance, but gratitude for the gifts God has given us.

On May 4th of that year, Zeek moved into the next phase, a half-sleep. His form is similar to a giant pacific octopus. He was, however, at that time, residing between the northern part of Antarctica and the southern tip of Tasmania. During this half-sleep, he was connected to the conscious and unconscious world, having access to things unknown—past, present, and future. Like an Akashic database or a department of information, he was linked in while in this state.

By consciously rewiring your internal dialogue, you unlock three key neurological benefits.

Rude confidence defines Then came about A feline—

Yet each man kills the thing he loves . . . And alien tears will fill for him, Pity’s long-broken urn, For his mourners will be outcast men, And outcasts always mourn. Oscar Wilde

The “little monster” is nicotine withdrawal. He says that part lasts about three days. The “big monster” is the brainwashing: the belief that cigarettes help you relax, concentrate, cope, celebrate, or complete a moment. That belief is what keeps people smoking after the body has already finished with the nicotine and the physical craving is gone.

After reading The Nightingale, I remembered that I had once written a short review of another Kristin Hannah novel. That earlier story wasn’t a happy one. The Nightingale isn’t a happy story either, yet it is filled with love, loss, and extraordinary suffering, strength, and endurance.

Internal motivation is more powerful than external motivation because it gives us drive and sharpens focus. We are driven by the intrinsic reward of accomplishing something. Silence allows us to concentrate and builds the resilience we need to achieve.

That said, I saw the buzz about Yesteryear in Newsweek and figured I’d give it a shot before the inevitable TV/movie adaptation (Anne Hathaway is attached, apparently). The premise sounded intriguing: a modern “tradwife” (short for traditional wife) influencer—who promotes a hyper-traditional, homemaker lifestyle on social media—suddenly time-travels to the harsh realities of 1855.

In prior blogs I’ve mentioned shadow work. So, I’ve decided to write this blog to elaborate and clarify the subject. / Shadow work is done to achieve greater psychological wholeness. It is a deliberate process of exploring, acknowledging, and integrating the repressed or unconscious aspects of the self—often called the “shadow.” / Effective approaches share a common thread: they bypass the ego’s defenses to access and process unconscious content, fostering emotional honesty a

When she stepped forward, the reflecting light dimmed to a normal, yet still very bright sparkle. Jen walked the beach. It was a beautiful morning. The birds sang from the neighbors’ trees. The wind blew in the unique scent of the vast lake—a mix of fish, seaweed and fresh, crisp air. As she walked, the waves continued to roll in, washing over her feet and her sparkling toenails. She felt peaceful.

What I loved most is how purely it captures the eagerness, naivety, and loneliness of childhood — feelings that haven’t changed in over four hundred years. Isabel’s fear and excitement feel so real that you remember what it was like to be a child yourself.

Inspiration fuels creativity, yet it often feels elusive. Many artists, writers, and creators struggle to find fresh ideas or a spark that pushes their work forward. The truth is inspiration can come from three distinct places: the outside world, the depths within ourselves, and the mysterious in-between where everything connects. Understanding these sources can open new doors to creativity and help you tap into a richer flow of ideas. A peaceful forest clearing bathed in sof

A good series can motivate you to drive (through a snowstorm) to the bookstore because you can’t wait the one day for Amazon.

Here in Wisconsin, staying active is easier when the sun sticks around longer. Winter calls for routines that don’t rely on perfect weather. Habit stacking works well for me: right after my shower, I roll out the yoga mat. As long as the setup supports me, it happens naturally.

And when snowflakes fall I hibernate A dormant volcano on the edge of the sea while Pegasus flies over me.