Poetry and Prose by #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Co-Author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and Jan/Feb 2022 Spillwords Press Author of the Month
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you, and for everyone in my life that has supported me getting here today. I appreciate each of you more than words can convey.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and support.
the distinction between the stream residing, inside
and the one that trickles
within the mist and dew-ladened petals
trimmed
with honey, and the scent of jasmine herein
it runs back and forth filling my life with equal parts your love
and the love that dwells within my hope-filled heart
I am thrilled to announce that on Monday, August 1at 6 am PT the title and cover of my debut poetry book will be revealed! A big thank you to Ingrid Wilson, ofExperiments in Fiction, and to all of you for supporting me each day, every day. My love and blessings to you all.
April was an exciting month filled with much activity, both in my personal and professional life. It’s so much fun to watch life unfold, participate in it, and be fully engaged in every aspect of life. A true blessing.
At Home & Work
Linn-Benton Community College, Albany, Oregon
This month I spent time at the Community Garden, getting the soil ready for planting, which will begin in late May and early June. As you will read later in this review, I also spent a lot of time in April on my debut poetry book, and on book reviews. It’s so much fun.
As some of you know, I had planned a trip to London in May of this year, alas, I have rescheduled this trip to later in the year. I am excited about the new timing of this trip, as I will end up in London during the holidays, which feels lovely to me.
I am contemplating a trip to Los Angeles to see my mother and sisters this summer, which is always fun for me. It’s always great to see them and my nieces and nephews.
The team is busier than ever. The traction we have across all of the programs within Extended Learning is at an all-time high, and the services we are delivering are reaching a wider audience with each year that passes.
The Commercial Driver License Program completed its first cohort, with tremendous success; and the second cohort will begin training in two weeks.
A very busy month at home and at work, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My debut poetry book now has a title, and Ingrid Wilson, of Experiments in Fiction, is currently working on the cover design.
When the cover design is complete, I will update all of you on the cover design and the title.
Most of my writing time in April was dedicated to the book. I am excited to share that I have a rough manuscript, which I will begin to edit this month.
Once the editing is complete, I will send it to Ingrid, which will be in late May, or early June.
I am also continuing to send two poems each month to MasticadoresIndia, and MasticadoresUSA. I love being a part of both of these wonderful online publications. Gabriela Maria Milton and Terveen Gill are amazing editors and wonderful friends. Working with them is a blessing.
If you’ve never submitted to these two online publications, I encourage you to do so. You can find out about submission details on the respective websites.
April also found one of my poems, Realization Dawns, nominated for publication of the month at Spillwords Press. Though the poem was not voted as the publication of the month, the mere fact that it was nominated, is a great joy and honor for me.
I would like to thank each of you for continuing to support my writing and for being wonderful friends. Whether you are a new reader of my blog or someone that has been here for years, I appreciate each of you for taking the time you do to engage with me. You are all inspiring, and wonderfully talented.
Resounding Lights, by Tanushree Taruchayatakes the reader through reflections, contemplations, and introspections on deep pain and brilliant beauty.
Making connections to a life lived, and to nature, Tanushree draws the reader into poetry weaved from the soul.
The poetry contained in Resounding Lights will speak to every human being on this planet, for we’ve all known pain, and we’ve all known beauty, and both of these attributes are created gorgeously in this book.
I highly recommend Resounding Lights, as it is a bright light in a world that can sometimes feel very dark.
A Poem
I dream of lavender & the sun rising over the mountains of your heart
may I to you, at last impart
a wish
whispered on the winds of time a thought held in mind
of you, my love
caressing a feeling deep inside of a heart clandestine
At home this month, I’ve been continuing to stay vigilant about the pandemic, which simply means that I am home often. The paradox about this reality is that the State of Oregon recently announced that they will be lifting the mask mandate by the end of March.
The news about lifting the mask mandate fills me with excitement and anxiety, which is very normal as these two emotions are closely related to each other. I also know wearing a mask is an individual choice, and I will continue to wear my mask until I choose differently.
Exciting news came by way of my oldest son Justin this month, as I learned that he has been placed at Mercedes Benz for his second and last University internship. Justin is extremely excited, and I am as proud as a parent can be.
The team and I have also just recently produced theSpring Term schedule of classes, which is always a lot of work, and is an exciting time in the department. Lastly, I’ve been preparing to welcome our new hire to the team, which will occur in about two weeks.
All in all, it’s been super busy, and, yep, super fun.
As you all know, I’ve been contemplating compiling and publishing a debut poetry book for some time.
When I learned about Ingrid Wilson’s new endeavor withExperiments in Fiction, which you can read more about here, it felt like the perfect opportunity and partnership.
Ingrid and I have signed an agreement, which means that sometime this fall/winter my debut poetry book will be available. I will keep you all updated as this moves forward.
I am so excited!
A Spillwords Nomination & A Poem
I was elated to find out Saturday that I was nominated for Author of the Month at Spillwords Press. If you have a moment, I would be honored if you would go here and cast your vote. Thank you!
Voting is open through Monday, February 28.
dreams encapsulate me a cocoon risen from the sea as I stare at the stars pleasingly
layers of pain & grief fall away as I float with clouds in sorrows of the past drowned
I’ve been reflecting upon and contemplating the concept of Spark the past two weeks. The concept arose organically within the team about two weeks ago.
In theyouth developmental literature, Spark is associated with the Thriving theoretical framework. In short, developing a youth’s spark is positively correlated with thriving indicators and outcomes.
The above referenced article is decent, and here is a short two pagetheoretical framework, which includes the definition of spark listed below, developed by my graduate school advisor, Mary E. Arnold.
“A spark is a passion for a self- identified interest or skill, or a capacity that metaphorically lights a fire in a young person’s life, providing energy, joy, purpose, and direction” —Mary E. Arnold
Pragmatically, it simply means that when a person is ignited and excited from within, they feel better, and are more engaged and empowered.
It’s a very important practice to develop this kind of excitement on teams and within organizations. Actually it’s important for each of us as human beings on this planet to make sure our spark is always ignited, which is why I wanted to write about it this month.
If you have a spark and know what it is, amazing; if not, you can develop it at any time, and if your spark has dwindled, which happens, you can also reignite it at any time.
Spark is not a static concept, following a linear trajectory. Passion and excitement wax and wane, and they also change directions; and, that is okay. What’s most important is to always fuel our passion for life; and when that passion wanes, to reimagine and reignite it.
I felt impelled to write here that I stand with the citizens of Ukraine, and vehemently oppose the actions Russia is taking. Strength and power come through peace and love, not through war and violence. The latter are the products of egotism and narcissism, the former, of beauty and solidarity.
My love, blessings, and prayers for safety go out to everyone in Ukraine.
Alright, that’s all for this month.
Sending you all love, and wishing you a beautifully blessed March.
