Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Firefly Dance

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The Firefly Dance

I went for a walk the other night
I never expected to see such a sight
A Lady Firefly was drifting by
She saw she had caught my eye
Where are you going in such a hurry?
I'm late for the dance she left in a flurry
Another soon followed as quick as could be
She barely took time to notice me
I see you are off to the dance as well
She smiled and continued lighting her tail
I hope you have a wonderful dance
She lit and flit with hardly a glance
I looked across the meadow just in time
to see them all dancing in a long line
They danced under the light of the full moon
It would seem to quite a melodious tune
They danced in the air and around an Oak tree
They danced far away and some near to me
I had to smile to know just by chance
I was privileged to watch the Firefly dance

- Sheri L. Swift
May 26, 2016 


Thursday, May 19, 2016

FULLFILLMENT OF A DREAM & TBT

Mom in Hawaii at the Polynesian Culture Center 2016

Mom has waited 38 years to finally go to Hawaii.  It only proves you should never give up on your dreams.  She just enjoyed a marvelous trip to the island of Oahu.



She's also found love again and I pray God's best for them both. She's my inspiration for the tenacity with joy she lives out each and every day.

She encouraged my brother and I to go to Hawaii during the summer between our junior and senior years of High School. It was for a Yearbook Conference which was offered to two students in Yearbook Class from each district in California.  

It was held at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu on the island of Oahu; Terry in 1977 and myself in 1978.

Since that time I've heard mom say many times through the years how she wished she could go to Hawaii.

So happy you got to go mom and so glad you made the sacrifice to let your children go.

The many opportunities we were privileged to do helped shape our lives; from camping, hunting, fishing, baton twirling in parades, horseback riding in parades and snow skiing which mostly had you on the sidelines cheering us on.

Thanks mom for all you did and are doing to make the world a brighter place for others.

TBT ~ My trip to Hawaii in 1978

These are some photos from my old photo album; most are blurry, but you can still make out the adventures I was having.



Getting ready to head to the airport


Terry waiting at the airport with me


I'm second from the left


Waimea Falls


Both of these are from the Polynesian Culture Center


How I knew the way to open a coconut in my Mer books


Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay which definitely gave me a mermaid perspective


Hanging out at the dorm; one of my daughters now has these pukka shells

Where did the time go and yet what wonderful memories still linger. The beauty of the island, the waters of the South Pacific Ocean and the kindness of the people of Hawaii are with me still.

Dreams really do come true if you have the desire and patience to see them to fruition.  ;)

Friday, May 6, 2016

WRITERS ARE LIKE ACTORS

"Writers are like Actors
in the sense we tap into
the emotions of our
characters as we write."
- Sheri L. Swift

I realized this the other day when I had to write a scene in which my 17 year old character had to tell his parents he wasn't coming home.

Then I had to tap into the emotions of his mother as she realized that no matter how much she pleaded it wouldn't bring him home.

Next I had to tap into the emotions of his father as he accepted his sons decision.

Whew!  That drained me.  I wasn't even very pleasant to be around my husband that day, let alone anyone else.  Lol!

Sometimes its hard to get into the mind of your character, but its so important for the reader to understand what they're going through.  ;)