Midnight, The One-Eyed Cat – How a Cat (or Dog) Can Soothe Your Soul & Inspire You to Write a Book

The soft nudge of a cat’s nose against your cheek, the sloppy wet kisses of a blue-eyed Australian Shepherd on your eyelid – no wonder we love animals so much.

I have a friend that sometimes comes over and watches tv, and often tells me, “It’s so comforting to have your pets around.

Our big goofball (part Bernese Mountain Dog, part Aussie) loves to flirt, belly side up and wag his tail.

Our little girl kitten hops up on my lap, and snuggles on her grey security blankie.

I could go on and on about my pets, but there’s one girl in particular, who my husband rescued on a snowy, wintry night nearly 13 years ago, covered in motor oil, hiding under his car, who holds a special place in my heart. With the intentions of merely fostering, Midnight spent 10 days in the master bathroom de-fleaing, de-worming, and getting to know us. By then, we were in love with her sweet disposition.

Midnight, our black cat, just turned 18 years-old this week. That’s something to celebrate.

Something else to celebrate – she was the inspiration for the children’s book Pat Wahler and I co-wrote together, MIDNIGHT, THE ONE-EYED CAT.

For two years, I stared at a book title scribbled on a piece of paper, pinned on my office bulletin board. A book title that my smart, cute, clever husband came up with – THE ONE-EYED CAT WITH A FEATHER IN HER HAT.

They say sometimes if you write down your goals and read them every day, eventually they come to fruition.

The story, inspired by a dream I had, came true after I penned a poem, and phoned my friend Pat to brainstorm about creating a picture book.

A book deal and several years later, MIDNIGHT, THE ONE-EYED CAT, is available on Amazon pre-order, with a printing publication date of September 2018.

The ‘real life’ Midnight, who loves her butter and whip cream, inspires me to be a better person every day. Yes, a ten pound, 18-year old cat, inspires me to be a better person.

She loves her canine stepsister and brother so much, she cleans them every day. And when I rescued a pregnant stray two years ago, Midnight adjusted her comfortable life to include more cats. (We kept two of the kittens.)

Real life Midnight is resilient, positive and confident. She ‘talks’ to me when she wants something, has the loudest purr, snuggles on your lap, gives cat scratch kisses, and holds her own with the other pets.

Midnight, the One-Eyed Cat (the book version) who is bullied by other cats, learns to be ‘the best she already is’ with the help of her best friend, Starlight.

I hope the real life Midnight sticks around to see the book version in print.

Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Peace out and love,

Xoxo

Sheree

 

 

 

 

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A Gift From the Sea

Sharing this post again….it’s one of my favorites….

Sheree's Warm Fuzzies

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient…

One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.”

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Hubby and I just dined on fish tacos and carmelized scallops at MoJo’s Restaurant at the harbor.  We decided to take another spin around Bald Head Island in our golf cart before the 5:30 p.m. ferry back to Southport.

As we motored up to the beach access at Black Skimmer Trail, the salubrious breezes whipped through my tangled hair.  I slipped out of my orthopedic sandals, and slid on my black flip-flops, ready to experience the silky sand between my toes.  It was a gloriously sunny day.

As we meandered down the wooden walking path perched slightly atop the dunes, the majestic Atlantic Ocean came into view.

The sand was firm.  We walked the…

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Yoga with Baby Goats & a Coastal Irish Pub – my newest publications

Copyright Shenanigoats Yoga 2018

Good Morning Everyone,

Normally, I don’t post freelance publications on my blog. My blog is mainly inspirational posts and content. But…I’m just so excited on how these two assignments turned out, I wanted to share with you.

The first is a story on Shenanigoats Yoga in Nashville, Tennessee titled “Got Goats” (published in Long Weekends Spring Summer 2018) and how much fun goat yoga can be!

The second is a three-page spread on Fibber McGee’s, Sunset Beach, North Carolina’s only Irish Pub with a coastal flair, titled “Luck of the Irish” (published in South Brunswick Magazine Spring 2018). Sunset Beach is my favorite place to vacation, and Fibber’s is amazing!

So here you go! Enjoy the stories, and feel free to leave comments below.

Happy Monday! It snowed here in the Midwest last night, so I’m loving it!

Peace out,

xoxoxo

Sheree

Feeding Yourself – Increasing Positive Energy; Decreasing Things that Suck Energy

Yesterday, I met a writer friend for coffee, tea and conversation at our favorite coffeehouse – Van Buskirk Chocolate Bar, Cottleville, Missouri. The conversation was easy, as it always is with this friend.

Serendipitously, another friend, who I hadn’t seen since in a couple of months, just happened to be hanging out, working on his laptop. I noticed him as I stepped inside the door.

We greeted each other with a hug and a smile. I asked how he was doing, and he spoke briefly about his new endeavor.

At one point, we invited him to pull up a chair and chat with us. I knew this man designed beautiful websites and inspirational videos. I asked for some marketing advice about our forthcoming picture book, Midnight, the One-Eyed Cat, due out in September (Amphorae).

It was effortless listening to him speak, and before we knew it, three hours had flown by. We agreed to think about his ideas and get back to him.

I bid my writer friend goodbye with a hug, knowing we would see each other soon – connected by a project and similar interests.

I also hugged my male friend and bid goodbye. But the goodbye morphed into another conversation. A conversation about being fed – spiritually, emotionally, visually and creatively – and the energy that accompanies those specific points.

He often suggested to friends or clients to reflect on their own lives by making a list to identify which people, places and even actions, feed energy levels, or suck energy levels.

I began to think about his advice in terms of motivation, focus and goals in my own life.

I quickly realized that my fur babies, nature, song, dance, art, sunshine and exercise are a positive force in my life. At different times, my husband can be positive, neutral and even negative. (Sorry dear) Certain friends are always positive. Some friends fall in all three categories at one time or another.

So, what’s a person to do?

Spend more time with those people that give you positive vibes. Hang out where people are uplifting. Spent more time in nature, if that’s your thing. Needlepoint, paint, draw – whatever lifts your energy level.

The opposite is true for things that suck energy. Decrease those aspects.

For me lately, social media sucks energy. Often times, it’s so depressing. So, I’ve vowed to limit my social media time to a minimum per day.

As a writer, it’s hard to get away from social media, altogether. It’s an important aspect of networking, connecting with readers, and even selling yourself.

Since nature uplifts me, I spent more time with the pooches yesterday walking our property. Normally, I rush right through it, hoping they will do their business, get some exercise, so I get can back to writing.

Yesterday was more of a ‘meander’. Sure, it took longer, but we observed nature’s splendor and noticed the small things along our journey.

Things like –

The way the sun reflected on the slightly budding, yet naked trees and caramel-hued earth in my favorite part of the clearing.

The carvings in the smooth telephone pole, and shiny metal inspection tags left by the lineman over the years.

Twisted, tangled, fairy tale branches, leaning into another tree trunk for support.

A hollow depression in a log carved by some creature exhibiting ragged edges, wedged horizontally against a knobby trunk.

The way my blue-eyed Pretty Dog pondered life intently studying the landscape.

The wet, pungent leaves underfoot, and how Red Dog stepped gingerly to avoid the sticky Missouri clay on his paws.

Their noses to the ground, Red Dog and Pretty Dog explored new growth in the clearing, and coyote scat laden with seeds.

Yes, this was exactly what I need today.

I needed to be fed.

I’m curious to see how you increase positive energy and decrease things that take energy from your lives. Please feel free to comment.

Peace out,

xoxoxo

Sheree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Yin and Yang of Things….How Couples Complement Each Other

Have you ever wondered why your partner just naturally complements you?

According to the website, What’s your Sign, the yin and yang interact, and the good comes from the two being in harmony.

Taken from Pinterest, Coffee & Yin Yang

The Free Dictionary says the Chinese symbol represents perfect balance. Yin is negative, dark, and feminine, Yang positive, bright, and masculine. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe and to influence everything within it.

I started thinking about this idea, and I discovered that my husband and I complement each other more than realized. I came up with a little chart to explore our balances.

In the food category:

My likes – His preferences

tomatoes – olives

pickles  – cucumbers

raisins – grapes

dark chocolate – white chocolate

salty espresso drinks – sweet espresso drinks

white meat chicken – dark meat chicken

Don’t need a recipe to create a meal – He needs a cookbook

 

In the life category:

I like to tell a story, he’s to the point

I’m a tree hugger, he’s a hunter

I’m a wanderer, he’s a navigator

I change my mind a lot, he needs a plan

I remember names, places & faces, he does not

I’m artistic, he’s computer savvy

I’m a light sleeper, he’s a deep sleeper

I need written directions, he needs a map

I would leave out parts, he’s good with putting things together

I’m sure there are many more ways couples balance each other. I believe the longer you live together, you develop a natural rhythm.

So this Valentine’s Day – the day to celebrate affection and love – take the time to think about how your partner balances you. It’s the perfect time to tell your loved one they ‘mean the world to you’. (I wonder if that saying had anything to do with yin and yang?)

I’m interested to know how your partner complements you. Feel free to share your comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lists – Why We Make Lists…Why We Need Goals…Does it Stem from Our Childhood?

Today I got stuck on the subject of lists with an acquaintance.

As a young girl, I used to send notes airborne from the second-floor balcony to my parents below, via the winding mahogany staircase.

I floated notes to Mom and Dad on brightly colored paper whenever I felt they weren’t listening to me, taking me seriously, or when I wanted to voice my opinion.

My sister-in-law, Geri, reminisced about a time she was dating my brother, and was hanging out at our house one evening. I was four years old, and had refused to go to bed.

Most of my note scribbling pertained to reasons why I should stay up late.

Justifications were:

I’m not tired.

I hear something outside.

My tummy hurts.

I have to pee.

I need a drink of water.

I’m still hungry.

According to Geri, sometimes I’d convince Mom (based on which excuse would win her sympathy), to garner a more few hours with the adults in the living room. Other times, they ignored me. Eventually the effort of note-writing just wasn’t worth it, and I fell asleep, recognizing defeat.

I suppose I’ve made lists all my life.

At my first home, Post-It Notes came in handy.

I scattered lists all over the kitchen table. Since I attended college in the evening, and worked full time, my lists consisted of –

• What art projects I needed to finish
• Lists of supplies for class
• How to study for my anatomy quiz in Figure Drawing

When I began my career in Telecom, my lists morphed into color-coded spreadsheets of my customers whose circuits I was designing for their networks and stages (steps) of the Provisioning process.

After my first marriage ended, there were lists of goals I wished to accomplish. I was determined to take my mind off my recent divorce, and lift my spirits.

My lists were:

Take a yoga class.

Take a dance class.

Snap more photos.

Go on a vacation.

Get a promotion.

As I checked these items off my list, I met the man I was going to marry.

I created more lists!

What shape diamond do I like?

Where should we hold the wedding?

What flowers would be in my wedding bouquet?

Savory food for the menu?

What musicians should we hire?

What song would I walk to at our sunset ceremony?

What memory of my Dad could I include in the ceremony?

Today, I create lists of goals I want to accomplish as a writer.

• Tweet more
• Finish editing my essay collection
• Write a better bio
• Network more
• Figure out how to sell more books
• Prepare for those upcoming presentations at schools

Hubby, Russell, speaking at Troy Buchanan last year about our book, Folly Beach Dances

My writing lists seem far more stressful. Working at home can be both a blessing, and a hindrance. There is no sense of urgency on self-imposed deadlines. Or is there?

Taken from Wikipedia, Newton’s First Law of Motion states –

• An object that is at rest will stay at rest unless a force acts upon it.
• An object that is in motion will not change its velocity unless a force acts upon it.

For me, I accomplish a lot if I keep moving. I start my day early with a strong cup of espresso, a sunny bay window and a great view. This keeps me motivated.

Other times, I feel somewhat overwhelmed, so I accomplish the easy items first. Afterwards, I meet a friend for coffee, smooch my hubby, or play with the fur babies. I end up staying at rest. Not always a good plan.

One goal that’s sure to keep me moving – a new picture book with Amphorae Publishing slated for September release, titled “Midnight, The One-Eyed Cat”, with coauthor Pat Wahler.

Midnight, the inspiration for our new picture book, with her ‘Daddy’

It’s about overcoming handicaps, building confidence, and learning to be the best you already are.

Guess I could take some advice from Midnight!

Do you find lists helpful in accomplishing goals, or does making lists stress you out? I’d love to hear your opinion.

 

Peace Out and Love,

Xoxo

Sheree

 

 

Shifts Anthology – St. Louis Area Writer Featured in St. Louis Today

Sweet serendipity!

Have you ever stumbled upon something while searching for something else?

So nice to be mentioned by author and editor Trina Sotira, of Muse Write Press in Chicago, from her article in St. Louis Today published December 9, 2017.

Her story tells the story of women’s challenges and triumphs in Shifts – An Anthology of Growth Through Change.

As Trina states:

“The anthology features poems, short stories and essays by 35 women who represent diversity in age groups, geographic locations, marital status, parenting status, professions and sexual orientations. It highlights the strength of women as their life shifts ultimately lead to increased confidence and internal peace. The book was a 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Award and 2015 USA Best Book Awards finalist.”

I am honored my photograph of the “Glass Window Bridge” taken on the gorgeous island of Eleuthera, Bahamas, graces the cover of his powerful book (pictured above).

To read the entire article click on the story title below –

ST. LOUIS WRITER FEATURED IN ANTHOLOGY THAT CAPTURES WOMEN’S CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS” 

Peace out,

xoxo

Sheree