Christmas Dreams ;)

Christmas Dreams

Our Christmas tree is up and our home decorated for this special time of year.  I think I have as many Nativity figurines as I have Nutcrackers placed throughout the house.

I especially think of my girls which are now grown and have children of their own.  I even dream memories of them when they were little and eyes wide with wonder for all this season celebrates.

One of my favorite Christmas songs, especially to remember those times is Christmas Dreams by Francesca Battistelli.

Just click on the link below to have a listen.  I hope you enjoy it and have Christmas dreams of your own.  Merry Christmas and God's blessings for the New Year!  ;)

Christmas Dreams Lyric Video on Youtube

Autumn Reflections Poem

 A retelling of my favorite Autumn poem:

AUTUMN REFLECTIONS

What is it that makes my heart stir

In the autumn of the year

The hues of gold, orange and scarlet

Or the blue skies so clear

Is it the sight of the leaves swirling

As the wind beckons them to dance

Or is it the rolling hills of color

That makes me take a second glance

Is it the sound of booming thunderstorms

From sheets to gentle rain that falls

Or is it the brisk autumn breezes

And the howling wind that calls

Is it the brilliant starry nights

With the October moon that glows

Or is it the little babbling brooks

To the raging river that flows

Is it the smell of fresh cut wood

Stacked neatly in a row

Or the sight of orange pumpkins

With happy faces all aglow

Is it candy corn, hay rides and bonfires

Apples that are red and green

Or the smiles of happy children

On the night of Halloween

Is it the smell of cinnamon and spice

 And wood smoke drifting in the air

Or is it the blue jean overalls

And knitted sweaters that we wear

I guess it’s a time for family and friends

To come inside and join in on the fun

To sip a cup of hot cocoa or cider

And sit beside your special one

I love all that this season has to offer

From sounds, tastes, scents, and sights

To good food and fellowship

And a warm fire on chilly nights

- Sheri L. Swift (2010)

Autumns Fading

These are the last blooms of summer in my yard.  I always cut a few to dry so I have the remembrance of spring to carry me through the cold winter.

Most of the leaves on the trees have changed to golden, scarlet and orange which gives such beauty to the eye.

The blustery autumn winds have already taken many of the leaves and spread them where they will; giving the ground rich nutrients which cause the grasses to remain green nearly all year.

Even our pine trees are dotted with orange which is such a contrast to my former home in California.

Tonight we're expected to be 31 degrees and tomorrow a high of 49 and a low of 30.

It won't be long now and the trees will be bare and gray and every blossom dead and blown away in the brisk winter winds.

It saddens me to see such a death of the growing things and winter can seem so long.  But even in autumns fading and the soon arrival of winter, we have the hope of renewal in spring.  ;)

Lizzy's Dream House

Fantasy~Mer Pinterest

For those of you who are on the third book of the Legend of the Mer series (Song of Sirens) I thought I'd let you in on my Pinterest board Fantasy~Mer.

I've pinned several images which have inspired me not only on the third book, but also the first and second as well.

This is an image of Lizzy's Dream House pin for her dining room.

There are some images for the Prentis Home as well as images of people who might remind me of some of my characters in the book series.

If you're a fan, I hope you'll check it out!  ;)

Walking like a two year old ;)

I never dreamed I would one day have to learn to walk again, but I am.

On the 4th of July I was sent to the hospital by ambulance.  I had an infection which became sepsis.

In 24 hours I lost the use of my legs; not only could I not walk, I couldn't stand either.

I've been blessed to have a Physical Therapist as well as a Nurse coming by to help me out.

I'm so thankful to them both and all those who had a hand in my rehabilitation.

I've had the use of a walker to help me get started since I left the hospital nearly a week later.   

Over the past weekend I used a cane, but I kept trying to make my left foot step down at the same time the cane did.

This only frustrated me because it felt like marching and not walking.

Yesterday I decided to be brave and try walking without any assistance.  It worked!  Lol!

I am not walking very well, but I'm walking!

My legs are still stiff and don't turn easily and I'm not used to the full weight resting on my legs and not on the walker.

Although I'm walking like a two year old, I know I'm blessed to be able to do it again!  ;)

THE MERMAIDS BALL

Source

I usually share one of the poems within my books and this is the latest one published from Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens.

My character Lizzy wanted a way to remember such a special event.  She knew she couldn't write about it in her journal; someone might read it and find out about the Mer she and her family have sworn to keep secret for their protection.

She realized she could put it in a poem and no one would suspect it was real, just as she wrote about King Titan in a poem she wrote for a class project in Legend of the Mer II The New Guardian.

THE MERMAIDS BALL

I dreamt I was a mermaid

With Seashell top and tail of blue-green

I was summoned to the marble Hall

I was brought before the King

He proclaimed me a Princess

And gave me a shiny crown

I saw the smiling faces

Of the Mer-folk gathered round

Music began to play

Within the marble Hall

The Mer began to dance

It was the Mermaids Ball

The mermen lined up to dance with me

How many I cannot tell

We twirled around in circles

When each merman swished his tail

We danced the hours away

They behaved themselves quite well

One even gave me a present

A small bright pink Seashell

When the musicians ceased their playing

a tour was offered to me

Within the coral reef gardens

Hidden deep below the Sea

Whenever I cannot sleep

Watching the clock upon the wall

I close my eyes and dream

Of dancing at the Mermaids Ball

Sheri L. Swift

Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens

LEGEND OF THE MER SERIES I, II & III

I never dreamed in 2009 when I published my first book it would become a series.  Lana had been a part of me since I was a junior in high school.  I wrote her story through several rounds of radiation and it became an escape from the pain for me.

I couldn't keep thoughts of Jedediah out of my head and his book slowly began to form with his close friendship with his merman friend Makoa and their humor.  Jedediah's story was soon told.

Over the last three years I had been writing Lizzy's story and it is an exciting day as her story goes live today.  She discovers things about herself she never thought possible.

As God allows, I am now beginning to write the last Prentis sibling's story.  It's Will's turn to become a young man with decisions to make as to live the life of his Mer relations or to move to the mainland and build a new life for himself.

But that's for another day, today is Lizzy's day & I hope you all enjoy her story  ;)

Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens is available for pre-order

Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens is finally uploaded and available for pre-order in the ebook format on:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

As soon as I receive my print book cover I will upload it to Createspace for the print version.

The third of the Legend of the Mer series will go live on June 15th.

Can't wait to share it with you all!  ;)

Legend of the Mer III Cover Reveal ;)

Here it is everyone, my new book cover for the third in my Legend of the Mer series.

This is Lizzy Prentis, Rose and Cole's daughter and sister to Jedediah and Will.  Her half-sister Lana, is Queen of the Mer.

Derek Murphy helped me create a cover which would show the other side of Safe Harbor Island with Lighthouse and Keeper's house.

I'm still in the last edits for the book, so I'm hoping to do a pre-order soon.

Keep a look-out!  ;)

Poems & Prayers of Helen Steiner Rice

Poems & Prayers of Helen Steiner Rice

Whenever I'm not feeling well or just need to rewind and refocus, I like to read a poem or two from this wonderful book.

One of my favorite poems of hers is The Bend in the Road.

Helen Steiner Rice was a strong woman of faith who was especially tested when her husband, a bank manager during the stock market crash, committed suicide after only three years of marriage.

She had been an advertising manager (which was rare for a woman in those days), a chairman of the Women's Public Information Committee of the Electric Light Association, and campaigned for women's rights and improved working conditions.

She became a successful businesswoman and lecturer.  She wrote verse for the Gibson Greetings card company.

Some of her poems were even read on the Lawrence Welk television show during the 1960's.

Her books of inspirational poetry have now sold nearly seven million copies.

Helen Steiner Rice (May 19, 1900 - April 23, 1981).

To find out more about this amazing woman check out:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Steiner_Rice

She's been an inspiration to many and will continue through the ages.  She's definitely been an inspiration to me.  ;)

Saint Patrick ~ A Pirate Tale

Source

Not many people realize St. Patrick wasn't born in Ireland, in fact he was born in Britain.  Some say he was born into a privileged family with his father being a deacon and minor local official.

It was at the age of 16 Pirates kidnapped him for a ransom and carried him away by ship to Ireland.

He spent six years working as a herdsman and depended upon his faith to see him through; apparently his father didn't pay a ransom for his son.

One night he had a dream which told him a ship was ready to return him to his family.  He escaped his master and found passage to Britain.

He nearly starved and had a second brief captivity before he was reunited with his family.

In the Confessio, his spiritual autobiography he tells of another dream where he's given a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish."  As he read it he seemed to hear a certain company of Irish beseeching him to walk once more among them.

He had doubts of his calling, but in the end did return to Ireland with confidence in the Lord to see him through.

After many years of service, Saint Patrick died in Ireland having fulfilled his calling.

For more amazing facts about Saint Patrick, his faith and his love for the Irish people, check out Encyclopedia Britannica which was the source for most of my information; also My Holiday Ireland St Patrick's Day

Author Leanna Sain's Guest

If you'd like to know a little more about me and my books, today I'm a featured guest on Author Leanna Sain's Blog:

http://leannasain.com/weavers-of-words-wow-presents-sheri-l-swift

I first met her at the Author's on Grayson Street book signing and she became a friend instantly.

I hope you'll stop by and check it out!  ;)

Happy Valentines ;)

I have to admit, I love Valentines Day.

Not that I believe it's the only occasion to show your significant other affection; because I try and do it everyday.

I just like making an extra special attempt at honoring the man I love in special ways.

If you've ever read any of my posts about him, you know I affectionately call him my Sweetheart.

I don't take him for granted; I know I'm especially blessed with someone who cares the way he does and constantly shows it.

My husband really is my best friend in all the world and I thank God for him and pray for him always.

May you also be blessed with someone to share life with and honor on Valentine's Day.  ;)

Island Dreaming ;)

This time of year in the Blue Ridge everything is stark and grey, the wind is howling and the temperature is falling.  But it's also when I get most of my writing done.

Naturally I do a lot of island dreaming in the winter.  This photo was taken on my last visit to Ocracoke Island; which is my inspiration for Safe Harbor Island in my Mer stories.

This is the Harbor at Ocracoke and I can just imagine Cole down there getting the Bonnie Rose in shape for a long voyage to the South Pacific with his family.

Hope you're staying warm.  Time to get another cup of hot tea and pretend I'm sitting with Rose and Lizzy at the kitchen table.  ;)

WINTER ~ A Poem

WINTER

Some days are dark and dreary

Mist covers the mountains

Gentle raindrops fall upon my roof

Which then pour like fountains

Snow crunches beneath my feet

On a bright sunny day

Although its cold it becomes hot

I take off my coat to play

The wind can gently blow about

Making it easy to sleep

When blizzards come and howl

They can leave snow so deep

The world seems to slow down a bit

Which is alright with me

I continue writing my stories

Of the sand, surf and sea  ;)

-Sheri L. Swift