Dear Diana,


"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."

~Lao Tzu



February is probably one of my favorite months. I suppose it has to do with the fact that February can be thought of as the month of love. When people ask me what my higher power is, my usual answer is that my higher power is love. What else could possibly save the world? I also believe that so much of who we are begins in childhood. My beloved father taught me that whenever confronted by a challenging or difficult person, the best thing would be to "smother them with love." It's difficult to hold on to anger when someone is smothering you with love, compassion, and kindness.


Many will agree that 2025 has been off to a rough start. As a resident of California, even those of us not directly affected by the fires were still distressed: many of us know someone who was affected directly or indirectly. It's been so touching how people have come together to help and be present for one another; however, the veil of grief is felt throughout the state—which has been so short of rain. We've had many evacuees in our town and my heart goes out to them. All the outpouring of love is only a reminder of the importance of the coming together of the collective.


In addition, I thought this would also be a good time to review an upbeat book, called The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The art of making the most of every moment, the Japanese way. The book provides ideas on looking for the light in the darkness. I hope you enjoy my review.


Happy month of love. May you be blessed and surrounded by love!

FEBRUARY Writing Prompts


  • Write what you remember about Valentine's Day during your childhood.
  • Write about a memorable Valentine's Day.
  • Write about what love means to you.
  • Write about your first love.
RECENTLY PUBLISHED WORKS

"December Snow Moon." (poem) Sense & Sensibility Haiku Journal. December 31, 2024.


"The Most Important Pieces of My Cancer Coping Plan."(essay) Tiny Buddha. December 2024.


"Tribute to Leonard Cohen." (poem) Young Ravens Review. December 2024.


"A Curvy World" and "Smell Nostalgia." (poems) Corvus Review. December 2024.


"The Most Important Pieces of My Cancer Coping Plan." (article) Medium. January 8, 2025.


"The Most Important Pieces of My Cancer Coping Plan." (article) The Good Men Project. January 16, 2025.



"2 Splendid Haikus" (poems) January 21, 2025. Literary Revelations. 


"Escaping Reality to Heal." (article) The Good Men Project. January 23, 2025.


"Luiza’s Heart, Luiza’s Kitchen." (poem) Al Dente: Food Narratives. January 2025.


"When All is Cold." (poem) Deep Overstock Soups & Stews. January 2025.


"Open Heart." (poem) First Literary Review-East. January 2025.


"Ways to Break A Heart," "What You Can Learn on a Deathbed," "Your Transition," and "Ancestral Connection." (poems) New English Review. January 2025.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES

February 13, 2025


3:00 p.m – 4:30 p.m.

"Love Letters from the Garden"

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Santa Barbara, CA

To register: Click here


*****


February 14, 2025


5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Special:

"The Art of Writing a Love Letter"

Clementine Carter Wines

Los Alamos, CA 93440


*****


February 16, 2025


3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

"Writing From the Heart"

Godmothers

Summerland, CA

To register: Click here

RECOMMENDED BOOKS
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The Book of Ichigo Ichie 

by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles (inspiration)



The premise of this book is that every moment in our life happens only once, and if we let it slip away, we lose it forever. In Japanese culture this is known as the phrase, ichigo ichie. The exact translation is more like, "What we are experiencing right now will never happen again."


The authors often refer to Steve Jobs, who practiced Zen Buddhism, allowing him to bring simplicity and harmony to many people world-wide, along with the idea of freeing ourselves from everything that is non-essential.


Another tenet which I truly believe in is the butterfly effect, in that although you might never know the full consequence of your actions and decisions, every moment holds an essential value.

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We Found Love, Song by Song 

by Annie Zaleski (nonfiction)




As someone whose happy place is attending concerts and listening to music, I could not help but pick up this book when roaming around my local bookstore.


I believe that love songs and poems share universal truths and therefore are for everybody, which means that so is this book. This is a beautiful keepsake for yourself or a wonderful gift for someone you love. It includes 100 of the most popular and cherished love songs of all time.


Again, as love is my higher power and, in many ways, a universal language in the human experience, this book is guaranteed to bring you joy in addition to a smile across your face.

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