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Heart Songs

— Jan Goldyn —

Paper decorations trimmed in lace

Reflecting the intricacy of snowflakes

Foil red and ribbons white

Sparkling like snow in a winter’s moonlight

Hyacinth blooms, a blush of rose

Chrysanthemum blossoms tied with a bow

Sweet air kisses from chubby small hands

Words penned from dear ones, simple yet grand

Whispers of love, they all display

Songs of the heart in February’s parade

^{_{February Update}}

February means Valentine's Day!
When I was in grade school, my favorite part of the holiday was decorating an old cardboard box with pretty paper, hearts, stickers, lace or other doodads my mom could part with. ☺

It would be used as a "mailbox" for my classmates to deposit their little valentines. If we were really lucky, one of our classmates would be handing out candy hearts or suckers! In the 70's that was a big win. ☺

I had been making creations with scraps of foil, ribbons and glitter for as long as I could remember, thanks in most part to my grandmother. We saved all of our gift wrap to make snowflakes, cards and various decorations. She even used items from the woods like moss and punk to make Christmas scenes!

How fortunate I was to have someone to share in and help my imagination grow!

I still love giving and receiving Valentine greetings! Valentine's Day is devoted to love. Love which we sometimes get or receive in small but beautiful "scraps", other times giving or receiving it in a bigger portion, like a "lollipop heart." It's all the same -- because it's the intention of the giver that expresses the love.

So lets be on the lookout for all the bits and pieces in our lives that bring joy and a little extra smile. They make a lovely pattern that we can then share with others ♥

February Sneak Peek

-Excerpt from Julia Prequel to Coal Town Girls--

The woods felt dank and cool out of the bright sunlight as Julia made her way toward Aunt Biddy and Francis’ house. She felt a disbelief that tried to push down the panic in her gut.

As she ran, she tripped over a tree root, her face landing in the musty dirt. She lifted herself onto her forearms and breathed in the richness of the forest air which she and Francis had loved to share. It can’t be. Tears made rivulets in her dirty face – the single wild rose she’d tucked behind her ear earlier was crumpled and drooping against her hair.

* * * * * * *

I am so excited to be working on my Prequel — Julia. You’ve all given me such super feedback on Coal Town Girls! Those of you who have grown up locally have been sharing your excitement at seeing the landmarks of your youth (or your present!) showcased within its pages.

Coal Town Girls started with a seed planted in a young girl’s mind by two remarkably strong, funny, witty friends who shared their stories of growing up in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania. The little girl was me and the women were my Mother Joan and her best friend Mary — friends from the ages of five to ninety-two!

Now, with Julia, I’m taking a journey further back in time to the people, places, struggles, triumphs and dreams of those who came before Joan and Mary. I can’t wait for you to join me.

Jan’s Reading Nook

Throughout history, our ancestors gathered around fires telling and soaking in the magic that is “story.” This primal need continues and has not left us! I love to share thoughts on nuggets of literature I’ve been enjoying and exploring. For me, a main focus has been historical fiction, literary fiction, family sagas. Although all genres have their own jewels.

Seasons in Upper Turkey Foot

A Countryman’s Journal

— Jeff O’Brien

“I write surrounded by woods, branches bent and glazed with ice, every tip of leaf and twig bangled. I hear the fire guttering and melt dripping off the roof as steady as a metronome. My back is warm, my knees cold under the desk.

In such a place I have the luxury of simple mindedness. I am content to feed the fire (a welcome break from translating sensations into words).”

These words captured my heart when I first read them back in 1999. Those were the days before a strong internet presence. Jeff wrote a weekly column in a local newspaper and each week I couldn’t wait to unwrap his gifts.

He has been the recipient of over 40 state and national awards as a syndicated columnist. And his insights and musings as a naturalist came right from my backyard! Well, just a little south of my backyard ☺

“At the edge of the field I sit with my back against the split rail fence, looking out from under the bill of my cap and across my life. The long view calms me alternating swaths of corn stubble, the greening alfalfa, the drift of blue-bottomed clouds.”

Mr. Obrien has a way of sharing common moments in the natural world with a matter-of-fact, yet poetic ease. The reader enters his quiet trek on a snow laden hill, or studies with him a spiders intricate weaving.

“It took a while to relax. I felt guilty wasting time. so much to do, checks to write, contracts to finalize, grass to mow. Deadlines and commitments. It had been months since I had walked the woods, weeks since I had simply watched the evening bloom……..

We want the good life and are willing to sweat for it. We want cellular phones in our European cars. We want central air conditioning in our summer homes. Vacations so frenetic we return exhausted.

Yet what ”The Good Life” really means, what we really want, is to relax and kick back from care for only an evening.”

And as he signed my copy of his beautiful works, his message carried on, “All the best wishes for the simple life close to nature.”

Coal Town Girls

Coal Town girls was an idea that bubbled up over the years and finally found its way to paper. My mother, Joan, and her best friend, Mary, were often found on our back porch, telling stories of their youth -- the town, the river, the people, the adventures, the sadness's, the joys. 

Each month I’ll try to highlight a tidbit of history from Coal Town Girls!

—-Excerpt from Coal Town Girls—-

Joan’s artistry came to an abrupt halt as Mary climbed to the top of the railroad passing with the ease of a cat skirting an electric wire. Joan figured if Mary had nine lives she had surely used up eight of them already.

Knowing the river as intimately as the sofa upon which she lay her head each night, Mary, in her rust-colored swimsuit, stepped lightly off of Black Bridge and plunged into its waiting crevices. Smoothly, the cat then shook her mane and glided to the shore. Joan exhaled.

As that morning turned to a thick afternoon, the friends headed home for a lunch of bread and beans. Mary clucked, “Did you get a load of Smokey, dragging off like a drowned rat in those sopping wet clothes?” Joan’s fear for her friend had subsided and she and Mary had laughed uproariously.

Guest Authors

Each month, I plan to bring to you a wonderful guest author. Published, unpublished, aspiring authors will share their journeys, goals and snippets of their work.

This month I feature myself and my writing journey!

Often, when I share that I’m a writer, I am asked “what do you write about?” I wish I had a crisp clear answer. Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Fantasy? No, not really. But also, yes!

Technically, my work is “literary fiction.” It focuses more on characters’ deepest thoughts, triumphs, failures and dreams. My tales are often “historical fiction” in nature, although I also love writing poetry and short stories of all types.

Savoring the art of words — painting pictures, exposing inner thoughts — that’s where my fascination lies.

This passion has led me to one of my next pursuits. Learning Latin! So many word roots in our culture originated in this ancient language. Wish me luck ☺

I will keep you posted! ♥