Writer. Mystic. Pragmatist. Curious Soul.
Amidst Northern Arizona’s expanses of high deserts and unique geological formations dwells the presence beyond time and appearance. Of course I adore Sedona and her awe inspiring red rocks; and I pay my respects to the National forests and parks. However, it is in stepping off the grid into Arizona’s northern realms that brings me…
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What would you do if you were faced with immediate evacuation of your loved ones to safety in the face of approaching harm? Be it wildfire, flood, aggression, or natural disaster? Those who live life, unaware or in fear, are either bound to the fates or rob themselves of many joys of living in the…
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Coming of age means different things to different folks. The word ‘maturation’ carries myriads of meanings also. All living creatures progress through various stages of growth; and some even literally metamorphose physically from one creature into another, with remarkable transformation in appearance. Baby mammals grow at astounding rates to reach reproductive maturity, while life cycles…
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If you have ever had windows replaced in your abode, you know how may ways it can go wrong –awry — sideways, (everything from mis-calculations and broken seals to gaps and warps). Not only must the measurements for the window precisely match the dimensions of the exterior wall, but there’s very little room for error…
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Temple Chronicles Glossary: A Guide to Curious Terms Getting the lay of the land in a foreign country can be confusing. Vernacular is as fluid as the Atlantic ocean dividing North America and Scotland. So this blog post offers a few explanation of words sprinkled through the Temple Chronicles and their context in the story…
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The region where the southern reaches of medieval Scotland bordered England’s Northumbria was generally defined by the River Tweed. Not only was it a primary water source, but its flow carried commerce of all sorts and fed the population with some of the world’s finest salmon. Life depended upon its eastward flow, emptying into the North…
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In the spring of 1296, King Edward of England invaded Scotland. One by one, castles and abbeys fell into English hands, threatening Scottish sovereignty. On a brooding sea-cliff battlefield above Dunbar, Scots of all kith and kin fought valiantly but could not withstand the English onslaught. Acrid smoke and coastal fog shrouded the bluff from…
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Signs and symbols abound in The Häling and the Scottish Templars and most of them are introduced early in the story. The prologue begins the saga with unconventional spiritual language. These recurrent mystic motifs impart their greetings in the first scene and hopefully will become companions as the challenges and adventures unfold. Once could even say that…
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Of all the challenges of beginning a series, getting to know the cast of characters can be the most daunting. The Häling and the Scottish Templars story is complicated by the diversity of new characters and their unfamiliar historical occupations. Add to the mix, visionary elements and a menagerie of creatures, a glossary such as the one below can come in handy. Use…
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My posts have recently slowed drastically because I have been submerged in quantum popcorn. “What?” you might certainly ask, “the heck is she talking about?” My unorthodox metaphor is appropriate, however. Transformations are popping all around me, to the point I am wondering if the kernels inside myself and my environment are in a microwave…
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