Tag Archives: inspiration

Linger Here with Me for a Moment

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Most recently, this book has been my quick grab when I’m looking for a pick-me-up. 

I first read this selection a couple of weeks ago. I have not felt released to move onto the next writing. The words are deep. 

I’m not posting this to elicit spiritual divisiveness or to change anyone’s beliefs. For those who know me, you already recognize my faith is core to who I am. However, the words above contain so much truth, no matter what you believe. 

These words reminded me that years ago, I created a notepad as a giveaway for a training session. The little quote on it was something about how “You always find what you look for.” The message is still true.

This writing contains that same truth. In a world that is spinning so rapidly, promoting division and strife, these words speak to a more gentle, kinder nature, asking us to recognize how our thoughts affect everything we come in contact with. It’s our choice.

I want to live in a world where things are more gentle and kinder. How about you?

Card Creativity

creativity, , ,

May was a busy month for making cards. Many were needed for June events. Here are a few of my recently completed creative pieces.

What has been your creative release?

Morning Reminder

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These photos are from a couple of mornings back. I was up earlier than usual, finding the view breath-taking, I took photos. I’m grateful I was up early enough to witness this, because in a few brief minutes, the marine layer (otherwise known as fog) crept in and clouded the sky, obstructing the view. Everything about the view, changed.

These images are a reminder to me of how every day we are given a new start, the opportunity for a fresh attitude and the chance to find beauty — anywhere and everywhere.

Initial view of the western sky
Northeastern sky
Captured the marine layer was encroaching–western sky

I’m grateful for these gentle reminders. What stirs those emotions in you?

Challenge to all creatives

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Art on building in La Jolla, California

Especially during these days, when many of us are struggling with how to respond to life and all the changes challenging our culture and the world, the truth that artists have a duty to reflect the times seems incredibly important.

Creativity comes in different forms and mediums. I encourage you to mine those gifts from within yourself. That may mean painting, dancing, music, writing, building — simply creating something.

My contribution will be a book of poetry, to be revealed later in the year. 

Yikes, I’ve told you what my goal is. Now you all know, and may periodically inquire about my progress.

What will you contribute? 

The Desert

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Some ask, how is a story born? Where do you get your ideas? 
Read below to find a plausible answer to your questions.

The Desert

Stranded in a creative desert
Words escape me
Nothing to show on paper

Wisps of a scene dance through my mind,
then disappear before the words land in my story.

This journey is unsettling
Leaving me feeling ill at ease

Besides being dry and barren, deserts are often hot
To escape the dullness of these empty days
We went to a concert

The outdoor setting provided a great escape from the heat
Venue was filled with people enjoying themselves
An evening breeze blew in from the ocean
A lovely time was had

A threesome unlocked a creative muse within me
The characters were all – characters
I was certain there was a story beneath the surface

Back home, after a lovely evening of music by the shore,
a short story was born

Now, your part…

If you have a desire to read the flash fiction piece born of this evening, click the yes option. If not, click no. In a couple of weeks, I’ll tally the responses. Depending upon what I find, you may get the story. You will be updated.

Please select and press one of the options below.

(Disclaimer notice for you, my readers. I appreciate your patience as I worked through the details of the form. Thank you.)

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Thank you for your response. ✨

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Thanks for reading and following my blog.

Linda

The Big Easy

Things to ponder...., Travel, , , , , ,

Finally
Sitting in a quiet space
My senses are settling down
Sifting through the exposure of this trip.

After landing in the historic, multi-cultural metropolitan area
Sights, sounds, smells and flavors all came together at one time.

In one place…
Constantly
Traffic never stops
Sirens punctuate the air
Music blares, escaping various doorways
Colliding with the sound of those performing in the street.

People walk these streets
Holding hands
Carrying drinks
Smoking
The smell of marijuana hangs heavy in the outside air.

Honing my senses to look beyond the surface
I find buildings designed in days gone by.
Some proudly display hanging baskets and planters overflowing with flowers
Set against decorative metalwork balconies and entrance ways.
Others, covered with graffiti often host for-sale signs 
Hoping to lure someone into the neighborhood.

Many small shops emit strong fragrances from within
Tobacco from the cigar shop
Conflicted florals from candle shops or body works shops
Rivaling savory or smoky fragrances from the plethora of eateries
All compete against the backdrop scent of overflowing garbage bins and pot wafting through the air.

Cuisine is as varied as everything else in this city 
Showcasing the multiple cultures that settled and blended here.
Surprising
Delightful
And, so enjoyable!
I ate my way through the city with each meal awaking different taste buds.

The people who lived or worked within the city were friendly
They genuinely wanted you to enjoy your stay in their city. 
They were proud of their heritage 
Sharing stories of their history and the culture’s survival through time.

A few more days removed
I recognize how much new historical knowledge I gained while there.

Given the opportunity, The Big Easy could awaken something in you too.

Spring Thoughts

Clouds, Dreams & Fantasy, Things to ponder...., , , , , ,
Cut before the snow

Daffodils make me smile and remind me another season is coming. This piece was first published in Clouds, Dreams and Fantasy Copyright © 2023. (available on Amazon).
I seldom date my pieces. However, the spring of 2020 was the beginning of the Covid Pandemic and all the changes it brought to the world.

Happy Spring! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Between Life and Death

Spring 2020
by Linda L. Flynn

I cut my first 
bunch of daffodils 
before Easter. 

It snowed during the night. 
The blooms left for later 
bent under the weight.
Buds not yet open 
succumbed to the 
morning snow.

My bunch of daffodils 
in the living room 
brought sunshine and the promise 
of spring to come.
I’ve enjoyed this 
bundle of blooms. 
I’ve watched 
the petals on these beautiful blooms 
first become paper thin. 
Still beautiful, 
but the truth 
of their fragility 
is now evident.

A few more days 
and the edges of those paper blooms 
are dry and wrinkled, 
some have turned a darker color, 
others just became more fragile. 

How like us.
We bud and bloom, 
bringing sunshine and promise 
to those around us. 
Our lives bring beauty to some. 
Like these blossoms, 
we don’t even recognize 
the gradual process 
of becoming more fragile. 
Our bones are
more brittle, 
muscle strength 
steadily disappears, 
our skin becomes 
more translucent, 
and our hair thins. 

Like my daffodils, 
we often fail 
to recognize 
these changes until 
something happens. 

Last night brought one 
of those happenings. 
I feel like 
I should howl 
and be in dissent.
Today, I’m weary and wonder, 
what is this time all about?

Taking Chances

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Taking chances
Isn’t that what life is about?
Another journey around the sun.
Out with the old, In with the new
What does it mean to you?

The sun is shining, lighting up the land around me
Blue sky intensifying the colors of the day
A light breeze blows beckoning me outdoors
Just as the new year beckons me to throw aside caution
And enter with wild abandon into the unknown future

The future – 
…another year older
…deeper understanding 
…new challenges and adventures await
…refining or honing skills
…giving up unrealistic expectations
…savoring the gift of another day
…tenderly holding precious memories
…valuing relationships
…acknowledging more, the power of God’s love 
…and learning how to walk more in this love

It is all a chance.
A chance I take willingly.

Out with the old, In with the new
What does it mean to you?

Natures Preparations

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Packed and prepared to leave

Blurry-eyed I grabbed my purse

Sat and buckled in.

Relative quietness hung upon the town.

Entering the freeway

Ribbons of white or red lights

Streamed down the roadway.

Who would have known so many

Would be on the road long before light?

Dawn presented first signs of the day to come.

Heavy clouds hung on the mountain tops.

Light peaked through revealing the foothills 

beneath the shrouded peaks.

Spots of pink adorned the clouds.

Traffic intensified.

At times its pace was a crawl

Resembling more of a parking lot than streamers.

Drawn back to the coast—

We stand on the rocky shore

Listening to the crashing waves

Watching sea lions bob and play

Surveying crumbling walls

Succumbed to an earlier hurricane.

The air, the light, the beauty of the sea

on such a day as this.

To town we travel

Where we traipse from one art shop to another.

Early dinner on Main Street, then off to the lodge

Where we enjoy a hot drink, a fire and live entertainment

With other guests of the establishment.

We fall into bed, drifting off to sleep.

Morning comes.

Opening the shutters, I find the marine layer

And local ecology all decked out in preparations for

Halloween.

BOO !!!