tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22961176039283803442024-03-17T20:04:27.514-07:00Iffy Magic in the Ink!Welcome to the ramblings of amateur epeolatrist S.E. PageS. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-57617795490564054842024-03-04T12:14:00.000-08:002024-03-04T12:28:01.940-08:00The Best Part of You<p>My mom struggled with health issues ever since I could remember, but she passed away quite suddenly sixteen years ago. I don't know that I will ever get over the shock of waking up the next morning and realizing I would never, ever see her again in this life. Since then, more people dear to me have also passed on. Sometimes I wonder what it means to go on trying to create poems, stories, and art that I will never be able to share with them, but then I cherish words I saved from an old Juno account message my mom sent me while I was in college:</p><p>"Take care, and follow your dreams. They are the best part of you." </p><p>I want to honor her belief in me, in whatever small way I can. Our beautiful Earth is full of ecological disasters, and societal struggles and divisions, and I wonder sometimes in all this noise if my little drop of life/ink has any more meaning than the splatter of a rain drop on hard asphalt. Maybe not. Or maybe the meaning is solely up to me. Perhaps, the echo of those who loved us still pushes us towards being our best selves today. </p><p>I'm working on two sci-fi projects this year that I'm really excited about! I know they aren't truly important in the grand scheme of things, but these stories make me intensely happy (*excluding the revision process!), and when I finally share them with you . . . I hope they'll make you smile, too. </p><p>Stay tuned for more musings from the far side of my mind. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgDRakUhyphenhyphen8QXCF-kHgamQpcS3pX25uQHOdMAWui4eecEDDMEs8dn2N6yu_gSXsJ2CGbv1i4RfV24EQ8vE8Sy5jg54f7gPfP7hDvdwZ6g2AMPUmagLBQKYSYaP8Pl4A5U_vKQZ8heJq86CPh5u-nfbqXxmY7UdeThQHbqJax4jLZ3ZwVe4rxuXLaqc7zGE/s4032/PXL_20240226_123324660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgDRakUhyphenhyphen8QXCF-kHgamQpcS3pX25uQHOdMAWui4eecEDDMEs8dn2N6yu_gSXsJ2CGbv1i4RfV24EQ8vE8Sy5jg54f7gPfP7hDvdwZ6g2AMPUmagLBQKYSYaP8Pl4A5U_vKQZ8heJq86CPh5u-nfbqXxmY7UdeThQHbqJax4jLZ3ZwVe4rxuXLaqc7zGE/s320/PXL_20240226_123324660.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-12162161794138924922024-02-01T04:16:00.000-08:002024-02-01T07:08:00.294-08:00Ink Dreams: Blooming Versus Planting Seasons<p>When a woman becomes a lady of a certain age, the algorithms on her social media feeds mysteriously shift. They start bombarding her with inspiring mantras about how age is not a barrier against dreams, and talent and passions can still be pursued and developed to their fullest before one perishes from this earthly realm. For example, I discovered that Vera Wang didn't start designing wedding gowns until 40 (for the record, I absolutely adore Vera Wang's designs). <br /></p><p>Since I began writing novels over two decades ago, I've had my share of highs and lows. You lose more than you ever knew you had in confidence as the years roll by. . . and yet, you keep going. It will be so lonely at times, but your soul will still echo with stories, and the ink won't stop running in your veins. Sometimes rushing like a river, other times just a trickling rivulet. As a storyteller, it is both exhausting and exhilarating to acknowledge that I still have so much more to learn!</p><p>However, I can't truly do that unless I destroy my previous aspirations. I have to let go of the starry, wide-eyed dreams of the girl I was in my twenties. We don't even share the same wishes anymore, really. I need to keep to myself more, avoid being swept up in the Narcissus mirror of social media, and take time to sit down and shut up and just listen to my own heart for awhile. I must start from the ground-up with my writing craft, and gather the grit of all my experiences, both the sweet scintillas and tired, bitter motes (my creative loam, so to speak). </p><p>Why? Because I realized I am in a planting season. I recently watched a random video about how people get impatient when they wish to be in a blooming season, already reveling in the fruits of their labor, when they should concentrate on being fully present in their planting season instead. That's me now: I'm quite firmly rooted in a planting season. An extremely <i>looonnnggg</i> planting season! </p><p>Hopefully, one day, my ink will bloom into a flower worthy of your wonder . . . </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9vIHW_kFGF_XtiDCVWmT8leoh0NJeY-Dylsk2KFHBJZzm8Vn6wkRrAgW0KGJVpWhGE4ts_-7AjsmLEXajSvRrOzER6Vo18kKvVK0va3E1PgCF0TltoSTqo9RChQ0LlCYXGfumyb8kopxuR6LScKuEdFACE0ujIJnj_Lx2jTKiatIjS5RvugBhyphenhyphenafqSN/s4032/PXL_20240130_224228689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9vIHW_kFGF_XtiDCVWmT8leoh0NJeY-Dylsk2KFHBJZzm8Vn6wkRrAgW0KGJVpWhGE4ts_-7AjsmLEXajSvRrOzER6Vo18kKvVK0va3E1PgCF0TltoSTqo9RChQ0LlCYXGfumyb8kopxuR6LScKuEdFACE0ujIJnj_Lx2jTKiatIjS5RvugBhyphenhyphenafqSN/s320/PXL_20240130_224228689.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-62231647616600877852024-01-08T12:25:00.000-08:002024-01-08T12:55:40.107-08:00Locket and Clover<p>When I was a very little child, someone gave me a Valentine's Day card in school. I absolutely loved the two girls with frilly dresses and luxurious hair pictured on the card. I didn't know back then that they were "Maiden CurlyCrown" and "Maiden FairHair" from the Lady Lovely Locks series, so I called the golden-haired girl "Locket," and the brunette, "Clover."</p><p>I would make up imaginary adventures for them, and even after I lost the worn-out card, I never forgot them. Neither did my mother! Many years later, my mom gave me a birthday card with two regal golden and brunette-haired ladies, and told me it was "Locket and Clover all grown up." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNLCCBUFKBsGq9hJvt4_X9waiWw4_dIVnNjt2mXE1EIJ4B2SxW62UMYgEU3CllYfvqhUo0fbnBLwbGu2E5sVLe6FWgj2TrfRrNKvX1jO91x9Kz6iZwCecZONatp7njJkNqd3l7L149jvlZeUhp8pH03lpUGt26AqP0i03NQLp5DRZxCy1mZQRBwod8tQW/s4032/PXL_20240108_200431947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNLCCBUFKBsGq9hJvt4_X9waiWw4_dIVnNjt2mXE1EIJ4B2SxW62UMYgEU3CllYfvqhUo0fbnBLwbGu2E5sVLe6FWgj2TrfRrNKvX1jO91x9Kz6iZwCecZONatp7njJkNqd3l7L149jvlZeUhp8pH03lpUGt26AqP0i03NQLp5DRZxCy1mZQRBwod8tQW/s320/PXL_20240108_200431947.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>This made me super happy, and I framed the second card and took it with me through repeated moves. </p><p>Well, 2024 started out with a stelliferous surprise! Thanks to a random Facebook post on the Lovely Locks series that led me to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/594751038/lady-lovely-locks-valentines-day-card?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=lady+lovely+locks+valentines&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&cns=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1" target="_blank">Etsy</a>...I <i>found </i>them. The original card that inspired my Locket and Clover daydreams.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0Yz7uPRd8IPSP5r1y1cFji57Ckks8pVYY2Xlvy3qsMzE-R8byIqFKKZcOmoSiFoLvgf5sm3H3HElC5iWP3EAehN2AgugbBUfOgwQYaYcNoPaN4b6XlM9Qm7chwot1Wsad9Qr4YPWQrwXfIkgBZzx-oyF3f7ONJUfXuYXWlPTDzi5EZsn6vjLkdZbMDBL/s4032/PXL_20240108_200414808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0Yz7uPRd8IPSP5r1y1cFji57Ckks8pVYY2Xlvy3qsMzE-R8byIqFKKZcOmoSiFoLvgf5sm3H3HElC5iWP3EAehN2AgugbBUfOgwQYaYcNoPaN4b6XlM9Qm7chwot1Wsad9Qr4YPWQrwXfIkgBZzx-oyF3f7ONJUfXuYXWlPTDzi5EZsn6vjLkdZbMDBL/s320/PXL_20240108_200414808.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's a wonderful, rare thing to rediscover a little childhood magic! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uCU4B-9P2EHdgfdnyOQ00TjbKOrhFP9dlGNlnSjiubQQIlCigCJGgJ-7lag8NCsSaoAt-P9ACQ0GeLSEAQXJnHkikoRRHo4ONboYGmV35nI2Rl8vLg8xgaxQOf5K3GQTHvhkBa9R3WNNJ5Z7kD_K4sddomMhSnrIdAj9c02TBgUuP4-pKOP16N4ftpre/s4032/PXL_20240108_200449307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uCU4B-9P2EHdgfdnyOQ00TjbKOrhFP9dlGNlnSjiubQQIlCigCJGgJ-7lag8NCsSaoAt-P9ACQ0GeLSEAQXJnHkikoRRHo4ONboYGmV35nI2Rl8vLg8xgaxQOf5K3GQTHvhkBa9R3WNNJ5Z7kD_K4sddomMhSnrIdAj9c02TBgUuP4-pKOP16N4ftpre/s320/PXL_20240108_200449307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-61205059291629123192023-12-24T06:41:00.000-08:002023-12-24T06:43:20.620-08:00Glimmer<p>I recently read this quote about learning to pay attention to all the little glimmers in our life (tiny moments of peace and joy). Here is one such bedazzled moment created by my talented mother-in-law:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZiF_84XQZLk6u5jE1rxXoN66bXjRPbhhOhvGbxvsME_Lh7T1r_UjyhAxzVl3m7a2XNwUxSpa3glqWvPwfx_NP-0rNJ_zddJmqWYeD9PnONHSwFqBa6z9U3whDL-3W9sSoK8-Df_lizyvQHxS77ZhRHUP_bwMyU9LNKplvjuvtcXMoSptLd1PoY2Sbu2n/s4032/PXL_20231224_144044380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZiF_84XQZLk6u5jE1rxXoN66bXjRPbhhOhvGbxvsME_Lh7T1r_UjyhAxzVl3m7a2XNwUxSpa3glqWvPwfx_NP-0rNJ_zddJmqWYeD9PnONHSwFqBa6z9U3whDL-3W9sSoK8-Df_lizyvQHxS77ZhRHUP_bwMyU9LNKplvjuvtcXMoSptLd1PoY2Sbu2n/s320/PXL_20231224_144044380.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Happy Holidays! As we head into 2024, may we all find shimmers and glimmers aplenty. <br /></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-61370905178046427062023-11-29T17:35:00.000-08:002023-11-29T17:43:34.492-08:00Rainbows at my fingers<p>I'm really behind in my writing aspirations right now. But I'm excited to type stories with my new rainbow keyboard! Ink prism hopes into syllabic scintillation. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34P8rLUjFSDbwXjdd0Z9BTBuxl3gfl_HIoJnYTgrcWVzQb-vShhPMinia2jLKFFibgXu8kd36u1Smn9FYStmXbRun0Q2puorIiqsnZyHfNxIYVQuPs5Xq3kCeBqVLfjkg7YWNXH9nE0zlRhStAWS2LSD_F0pqh5_DofJk_gDzH9wYZbXhqPd0EnM3_iLy/s4032/PXL_20231130_013431034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34P8rLUjFSDbwXjdd0Z9BTBuxl3gfl_HIoJnYTgrcWVzQb-vShhPMinia2jLKFFibgXu8kd36u1Smn9FYStmXbRun0Q2puorIiqsnZyHfNxIYVQuPs5Xq3kCeBqVLfjkg7YWNXH9nE0zlRhStAWS2LSD_F0pqh5_DofJk_gDzH9wYZbXhqPd0EnM3_iLy/s320/PXL_20231130_013431034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-77318395390297144902023-10-27T18:11:00.002-07:002023-10-27T18:11:55.780-07:00Happy Halloween!<p> I was playing with Paint and made something for Halloween...meet Witcherella, my attempt at a spooky Cinderella!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4JUVc087nRue3TX9AYOwgag8N82vMcpmZp51eWNlRFIH6vVIu14E1hYU5EHB_lXZCSQEBmeyfxWTO3lXJe3MkVaf9EKUxX_l4fPNdqqTg4cJhK0TZmgejdna3tf0wk77ruYPUVR8xzEjq1x8_i6G8ok-iy8BXHcDlzyvmpxDnd3d5F_f_EJ4mYthMnyn/s1401/witcherella.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4JUVc087nRue3TX9AYOwgag8N82vMcpmZp51eWNlRFIH6vVIu14E1hYU5EHB_lXZCSQEBmeyfxWTO3lXJe3MkVaf9EKUxX_l4fPNdqqTg4cJhK0TZmgejdna3tf0wk77ruYPUVR8xzEjq1x8_i6G8ok-iy8BXHcDlzyvmpxDnd3d5F_f_EJ4mYthMnyn/s320/witcherella.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-59205013530211015462023-09-20T12:18:00.005-07:002023-09-20T12:22:36.374-07:00Introducing "Dear Voracia"<p> Just for fun, I've started a dragon advice column on <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/story/351672938-dear-voracia-life-advice-from-a-dragon-columnist" target="_blank">Wattpad </a>called "Dear Voracia."</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW0A8i6wHlkXa_mKC8XGFF-5aGpvzwEJ0h0Q6A8A6VeqR1vABXoAPwxrfIhWc8WM9hwY9ciAxc8TwCKpP1zia6jArmUcQAlQiJRKnqiwFqjCW4C3yyxoi3QzC5Q0hIKRqONjfNrdU6dnltd_WxNXnKs1yULxTZv5-DMnDTRYD7wdslqKcSFdYKE-S6pE/s1401/Dear%20Voracia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW0A8i6wHlkXa_mKC8XGFF-5aGpvzwEJ0h0Q6A8A6VeqR1vABXoAPwxrfIhWc8WM9hwY9ciAxc8TwCKpP1zia6jArmUcQAlQiJRKnqiwFqjCW4C3yyxoi3QzC5Q0hIKRqONjfNrdU6dnltd_WxNXnKs1yULxTZv5-DMnDTRYD7wdslqKcSFdYKE-S6pE/s320/Dear%20Voracia1.jpg" width="228" /></a></p><p></p><p> "Dear Voracia" is a magical phenomenon! The mysterious dragon columnist has been dispensing her wise admonitions and lethal stratagems for over a millennia now. Not sure if you should buy a cursed needle or a poison apple to hex your enemies? Ask Voracia. Arguing with your significant other over whether to add armored newts or battle guppies to your castle moat? Ask Voracia. Wondering if a pair of glass slippers is a fair trade for your soul? <br /><br />Ask Madame V.</p><p><i>*You can read the first two letters to Voracia, "Human Pest Control" and "Happily Cursed," right now!</i></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-8332400624565519062023-08-30T10:09:00.001-07:002023-08-30T10:09:40.906-07:00Summer's End<p> Summer always ends too quickly! I'm never ready. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iff3JCfsYoEymUF-97E7YGIMgtJIUEtbeAWKwMaRdUuizfDljPTKD0x1ktqdCrfob-Xl5fT0L5Ude1REe-PxotJBHfu122FOeJUFEbE96Gp-UGTBU8eeJ7uQRTTsNfOEzfsI0MBnnjtOadVZis-yFNsr8F-pMmz4D_ONCzUBKsla9H_5O6GMn7DVloiM/s4032/PXL_20230817_144132995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iff3JCfsYoEymUF-97E7YGIMgtJIUEtbeAWKwMaRdUuizfDljPTKD0x1ktqdCrfob-Xl5fT0L5Ude1REe-PxotJBHfu122FOeJUFEbE96Gp-UGTBU8eeJ7uQRTTsNfOEzfsI0MBnnjtOadVZis-yFNsr8F-pMmz4D_ONCzUBKsla9H_5O6GMn7DVloiM/s320/PXL_20230817_144132995.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-68933992801084113972023-07-31T20:04:00.004-07:002023-08-01T18:39:25.905-07:00Linear Perfectionism vs. the "Miyazaki" Method<p>Confession: so I have at least five novels where I wrote over 100 pages, and then I just . . . stopped. I am afraid I'm too much of a linear perfectionist! If I can't get my chapter outline ordered just right, all too often writer's block slams me and I just give up after awhile and trash my story. </p><p>However, after reading an <a href="https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3104354/hayao-miyazaki-beginners-who-studio-ghibli-founder-and" target="_blank">article</a> about legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and his creation method for his animated movies, I decided to try something new in my own writing. Miyazaki doesn't begin with a perfectly written script. Instead, the genesis of his story begins with "visual storyboards," and then he builds the rest of the story around these powerful core images.</p><p>I was stuck on a chapter of my own WIP <i>Agent Regalia</i> that was very important and introduced a lot of key players in the story. But the more I sat in front of my computer and stared at the mocking blink of the cursor on an empty white screen, the more daunted I felt and the <i>less</i> I knew what I wanted to say. So, I thought about a future scene in the story that I could really visualize and filled me with excitement, and I wrote that instead. I skipped the line! I ended up writing a whole other chapter that actually helped me understand what I wanted to distill in the previous chapter. And now I feel a bit more confident about stepping back into the linear track and tackling the hard part . . . <br /></p><p>I guess what this experience has reminded me is that there is no one right way to write. And that one writing method may help sometimes, and other times, perhaps a different ink hack will do the trick. Good luck with all your creative endeavors!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BfBTIiARZGLqm__5sEuPgkEtahm4IoMj3v_6IHPb7P3Hc4DIv6a1YCIfqtRM_ZdM6oDpN2tEm_36CImXwmb9L63rXgaKRScu-3_CA6PzTY_DF6cKeJoJz7Fc25BHMXGa7Bb5XPsuZs7mUILuUvh4lWGCgkkftY2seNOyFteO6Ha8d7yAcG36oXacf1u/s4032/PXL_20230704_231555262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BfBTIiARZGLqm__5sEuPgkEtahm4IoMj3v_6IHPb7P3Hc4DIv6a1YCIfqtRM_ZdM6oDpN2tEm_36CImXwmb9L63rXgaKRScu-3_CA6PzTY_DF6cKeJoJz7Fc25BHMXGa7Bb5XPsuZs7mUILuUvh4lWGCgkkftY2seNOyFteO6Ha8d7yAcG36oXacf1u/s320/PXL_20230704_231555262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-37136225979134439842023-06-25T11:26:00.000-07:002023-06-25T11:26:32.962-07:00Shiny Corners<p>In some ways, I feel like throwing my words out into cyberspace and the sea of submissions is like tossing pennies into the void. Most of the time, no one will even notice the splash of my middling ink. And the older I get, the more I begin to wonder if it isn't better to live one's life as elusive as Enya, weaving lyrical dreams in solitude beyond the reach of the mundane world . . . </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9bhDQa6xWqkJZ-oxCS44dDlR-Z85JU9yAacpxW88FSugwuu9QjVMFD3JxVJRnvQ2NQio8G6GG0lOFIxDIDT6IY70_XgjKqESLMC4IamBFv-wu8ajh5BGIr1IcNJS-NPzUD3AdT2t6De__UPxL6qSkjsZw9huGhBfQxXm_PMvUMMeerVG1hL553uFEBcR/s2225/PXL_20230625_181146074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="2225" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9bhDQa6xWqkJZ-oxCS44dDlR-Z85JU9yAacpxW88FSugwuu9QjVMFD3JxVJRnvQ2NQio8G6GG0lOFIxDIDT6IY70_XgjKqESLMC4IamBFv-wu8ajh5BGIr1IcNJS-NPzUD3AdT2t6De__UPxL6qSkjsZw9huGhBfQxXm_PMvUMMeerVG1hL553uFEBcR/s320/PXL_20230625_181146074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>But I suppose if I keep tossing pennies, I'll end up with a very shiny corner. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-36005947474097477882023-06-08T13:05:00.000-07:002023-06-08T13:05:21.352-07:00Summer Moonlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4Ftg2OvaCdp3wlAMfC_7eF9M7Rdt4-Ei_Mqz0eicEHA2F7bX9B_6FOQrKAHIG7cnF4PVW8lfr2_cQI4ePmleuYOppnpJnXCdtxNdfdYTsKQNVfkosPUWMiUKbpNOwDw0oBGtuspoCWGdoziegNq-9frFCwS6TQlEf3fyAauNdhi1IGlKtLHkysq5oA/s4032/PXL_20230601_015414994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4Ftg2OvaCdp3wlAMfC_7eF9M7Rdt4-Ei_Mqz0eicEHA2F7bX9B_6FOQrKAHIG7cnF4PVW8lfr2_cQI4ePmleuYOppnpJnXCdtxNdfdYTsKQNVfkosPUWMiUKbpNOwDw0oBGtuspoCWGdoziegNq-9frFCwS6TQlEf3fyAauNdhi1IGlKtLHkysq5oA/s320/PXL_20230601_015414994.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A peek of silvery white for any who need a wishing gem. I know I do sometimes. </div>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-90180140767769050362023-05-29T18:17:00.002-07:002023-05-29T18:17:45.949-07:00Trash Petal Treasure <p>When tossing clippings last year, I noticed heaps of iris bulbs thrown in a big trash bin. I adore irises and couldn't bear to leave them, so I rescued a few and planted them...spring ta-da! Amethystine and pink petal beauty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBFgP7nb3ZdX_us8S6lFFLyZJzG7sr8uKx1C7kIVxECE4iTwChjrsCPXwoIf7s5IEpLFUf1zE2MN_U1_ZYLVJhBwsHz4MGgyCgQvmjaLpDTpAW33WY5DR36D-ut0FdAu5B-dSIiPJPYzN97LFBRVHw6RE8irMb4vZ8PqWJtIcimfu6RiWzQcT5CY50Q/s4032/PXL_20230529_204243014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBFgP7nb3ZdX_us8S6lFFLyZJzG7sr8uKx1C7kIVxECE4iTwChjrsCPXwoIf7s5IEpLFUf1zE2MN_U1_ZYLVJhBwsHz4MGgyCgQvmjaLpDTpAW33WY5DR36D-ut0FdAu5B-dSIiPJPYzN97LFBRVHw6RE8irMb4vZ8PqWJtIcimfu6RiWzQcT5CY50Q/s320/PXL_20230529_204243014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHH8dIm3mtwEd3ouwW8k9dATwfCu1MpwnlQ9jh6IqONPtwkUyLDqsw-8UP7ZiuIswxKU84Tm32aT9j5GkGbElMyTwRjeDU8h9FowtO-4XG0UNiNpqS3hJRxVtaqtmEy5nEVmozuA5sJ8wlXM9jexVwQRl07mYprYsfcbTtTt9U7XCvL-7tG38NdR9xQ/s4032/PXL_20230524_150230698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHH8dIm3mtwEd3ouwW8k9dATwfCu1MpwnlQ9jh6IqONPtwkUyLDqsw-8UP7ZiuIswxKU84Tm32aT9j5GkGbElMyTwRjeDU8h9FowtO-4XG0UNiNpqS3hJRxVtaqtmEy5nEVmozuA5sJ8wlXM9jexVwQRl07mYprYsfcbTtTt9U7XCvL-7tG38NdR9xQ/s320/PXL_20230524_150230698.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I feel like my writing journey is similar...I trash my ink again and again, but sometimes a surprise springs up that makes it worth all the effort! </span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-89264706177514918022023-04-14T08:27:00.004-07:002023-04-14T08:38:09.266-07:00Hint of Sky<p>Winter has been far too long for me! I can't wait for springy green things again, and flowers with petals soft as silk tears...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE5WIxxOAqfQyGDkHbAlwVfTE9UO0tJDgRjA4HEbZ7MG5h7oL9b0tYRY6gdbvx9zL325YOdD6CkiC8tWCAOJkRngBvA_HAJPRIJqw96yu-AmTCUT8rP-7N_mFM3N0SnuJBm_TfHXV2JLn_eg8SgzsyawZlZ04le8siNLvlG9XZKqR-Qad2-67L8VC/s2048/330042002_101094349634978_8334847689452927664_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE5WIxxOAqfQyGDkHbAlwVfTE9UO0tJDgRjA4HEbZ7MG5h7oL9b0tYRY6gdbvx9zL325YOdD6CkiC8tWCAOJkRngBvA_HAJPRIJqw96yu-AmTCUT8rP-7N_mFM3N0SnuJBm_TfHXV2JLn_eg8SgzsyawZlZ04le8siNLvlG9XZKqR-Qad2-67L8VC/s320/330042002_101094349634978_8334847689452927664_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Actual roses beneath all this snow, I promise</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I used to judge myself a total failure as a writer because I couldn't make my ink bloom beautifully and consistently year round. But you know what? Even nature needs its fallow spells, its winter chill, naked branches and solitary shivers that go straight down to the soul. Sometimes, detritus is required to make rich loam for fresh imaginings. <br /></p><p>I've been on planet Earth for almost 4 decades now, and I still don't know where my stories will take me next...but there is light in my basement window again, and I treasure that hint of sky. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jH0U5D0h40C4Qz8O34qYEOC2TeBdMDV7_fADxM-wW4xvnGT2nD3YnyDRgHTc49kKFSwR82Zy-QbG25wSo9HOD8g2YEZL2xZlbWbX8Btv3FCz0U52tKCjqKglR7V1d9NwSo5kFsahaBazrXLNNlw10yaSpHfzjZsWzyzVpjlNNYyeGqjcBMshKcpN/s2048/341027718_239203465419934_5209570961094081666_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jH0U5D0h40C4Qz8O34qYEOC2TeBdMDV7_fADxM-wW4xvnGT2nD3YnyDRgHTc49kKFSwR82Zy-QbG25wSo9HOD8g2YEZL2xZlbWbX8Btv3FCz0U52tKCjqKglR7V1d9NwSo5kFsahaBazrXLNNlw10yaSpHfzjZsWzyzVpjlNNYyeGqjcBMshKcpN/s320/341027718_239203465419934_5209570961094081666_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-70733385293982215642023-02-21T17:19:00.001-08:002023-02-22T18:06:02.621-08:00Star Sticker<p>One of the most important habits I picked up in my creative writing classes was to always email myself updates of my drafts. That way, if my computer died or a tornado carried my house off to the land of Oz, at least my work would be accessible online! Recently, on a whim I started adding a tiny pep-talk with each attached draft email. </p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS0YbzsfSzdThPw22BF-xoBW5fztQxKc4JCsmP-jGNnBodBASehMd-ObfAGmofirKsN-Awn-LrHQUl366Qji2BVDywvSG4i_UcXm7IlIPb5fisYJawuz7HWrO2PKZYygkZoGw3O3AS-BVH7oJ_dOt8-dpfGqF14w5gfvCyY4M11OAsndF34MoG0Nh/s960/Good%20job!.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS0YbzsfSzdThPw22BF-xoBW5fztQxKc4JCsmP-jGNnBodBASehMd-ObfAGmofirKsN-Awn-LrHQUl366Qji2BVDywvSG4i_UcXm7IlIPb5fisYJawuz7HWrO2PKZYygkZoGw3O3AS-BVH7oJ_dOt8-dpfGqF14w5gfvCyY4M11OAsndF34MoG0Nh/s320/Good%20job!.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Embellished screenshot of email<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>We writers can be really tough on ourselves sometimes...so why not be our own cheerleader occasionally, too? </p><p>I'm happy to report that I am now one-third done with my first draft of <i>Agent Regalia!</i><br /></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-9752188553133404782023-01-08T17:15:00.004-08:002023-01-10T18:13:11.109-08:00And the Word of the Year is...<p>Some friends unexpectedly invited us over for a new year's party. We played board games (I'm a Dixit fan forever!) and enjoyed scrumptious snacks and celebratory carbonated grape juice. However, I was baffled when I was asked what my "word" for this year would be. I struggled to think of an appropriate focus word to reside at the heart of all my goals, and settled on "drive." </p><p>However, I discovered an even better syllabic confection that I wish to use as the prism lens to filter all my wishes and goals this year: <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">EUNOIA </p><p style="text-align: left;">It is Greek for "well mind" or "beautiful thinking." I want to learn to balance all my aspirations and energies evenly. I don't want to be outpaced and outstripped by my dreams, but to work in silence and strength towards my better self . . . and best stories yet!</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPhYHV3-Yt0mzTtA8OvH2OJnJeCLVhvPUsHHtqFZmm2FsC2ji6L1Yj2kkF-7ATtbyQWJUnItYvrSMqLYOKDSrNb-UFzkWgK-dCix6pOC-ttFoa2lSEVVw6DL82jUGnZXRbjq7aneL1dpjkYz_3L4_UCjnLQxOP-kZC9dq6L5FJlUDNRVqhTLL-cnv/s960/20228575_10154767201647546_4966514875099706694_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPhYHV3-Yt0mzTtA8OvH2OJnJeCLVhvPUsHHtqFZmm2FsC2ji6L1Yj2kkF-7ATtbyQWJUnItYvrSMqLYOKDSrNb-UFzkWgK-dCix6pOC-ttFoa2lSEVVw6DL82jUGnZXRbjq7aneL1dpjkYz_3L4_UCjnLQxOP-kZC9dq6L5FJlUDNRVqhTLL-cnv/s320/20228575_10154767201647546_4966514875099706694_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Wishing you serendipity with all your endeavors this year, fellow Earthlings. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-76108123272240935122022-12-21T11:55:00.005-08:002022-12-27T10:51:31.460-08:00A Winter Poem from my Past<p>My mom passed away after I had barely published a single poem, and before I had completed any of my novels. So it gives me great joy that some 20 years later, an old poem that she loved of mine has finally found a home in the 2022 edition of <i>Northern Narratives</i>. An ode to Orion: <br /></p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In
Seasons of Snow </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I waited for you</span>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At the edge of a lake,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A frozen space</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Outside the city’s glare.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Earthbound, I scrambled down</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">An ice-glossed jetty—</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Searched crisp-gemmed skies</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That only winter keeps.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My eyes snagged</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On the loop of your belt,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Three stars strong.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My mist tinged bright</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By moon</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I sounded you out</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Off a single breath:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Orion.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pursuer of the Pleiades,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Scorpion’s stalker,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Giant Hunter—</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I, too, have become</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A huntress, and in</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Seasons of snow</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I ransack the stars</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To flesh you out.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I would be your Artemis—</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But my arrow would be no
accident,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Nor tipped with killing head.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Accept my heart into your breast,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A weak ember next to your fierce</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Magnitude of light, yet even so</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I would add my high-shot
scintilla</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To the bonfire of your strength.</span></p>
<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p>I'm not this girl anymore. I've aged, or rather edged, more into weariness than wonder as the years have piled on. But I hope my heart will never forget the starlit gladness thrown into the sky by nature every night. My mom had a beautiful Rabindranath Tagore quote I try to always remember: "If you cry when the sun is gone, you won't see the stars." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1L1jaU7nxQ7wbQrHkHX0F7yoITmV8eVDZf5pwYQSDUxH4ZGDRKdGrK3axaRPeJlkMx0IkylZ8xG0vb78RxOdFpBSWWkURoRDT2oPRxN2JFemW_L4LV91tApR1Iwz394QVAVX2zEyWxmy8Ui-ml_49BMpvPQpdm3jbIXqTwBejEqpP8nXz3ccg6K01w/s3142/PXL_20221221_200641225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3142" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1L1jaU7nxQ7wbQrHkHX0F7yoITmV8eVDZf5pwYQSDUxH4ZGDRKdGrK3axaRPeJlkMx0IkylZ8xG0vb78RxOdFpBSWWkURoRDT2oPRxN2JFemW_L4LV91tApR1Iwz394QVAVX2zEyWxmy8Ui-ml_49BMpvPQpdm3jbIXqTwBejEqpP8nXz3ccg6K01w/s320/PXL_20221221_200641225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>As this year ends, may we all find those little starry joy-gems in our life that rekindle our hearts. <br /></p><p></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-28392929171713592112022-11-13T18:27:00.004-08:002022-11-13T18:30:09.002-08:00Pearled Thoughts<p>I've always adored pearls, those shiny gossamer sea moons that bedew one with an ineffable shimmer! I never feel prettier than bedecked in pearl strands and pearl-embroidered chiffon and tulle. I imagine Primrose wears fairy shifts much like these for her everyday use:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReCQhjXhPQjSMUrvdhHON0e1iDaQNFt2wICda956fN_aSTpBwZUV7WCjhHWZZA5S9-4bG2wkim_2i3W_Dr1Ul2ZdbC4Db5VpXslJhr_7BGGhSUZUw1H1W3OGmr-_Tpv2Y4Kf35hZRCjbrWardSbzxvyKbimRcckFEfqt1Eok_gqzpAfWRh6vTzwYxEw/s4032/PXL_20221113_201537640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReCQhjXhPQjSMUrvdhHON0e1iDaQNFt2wICda956fN_aSTpBwZUV7WCjhHWZZA5S9-4bG2wkim_2i3W_Dr1Ul2ZdbC4Db5VpXslJhr_7BGGhSUZUw1H1W3OGmr-_Tpv2Y4Kf35hZRCjbrWardSbzxvyKbimRcckFEfqt1Eok_gqzpAfWRh6vTzwYxEw/s320/PXL_20221113_201537640.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>*(pictures taken at YDBN, Kirkwood Mall, Bismarck)! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sGgqK7XmLEcw7v29GURpaCiBGAgZRH7W0DVOqbG76QFQG-uyNeeD2wXn14qjoX4kO1xuHznO_3y7aLHpdLcjhRsdOp_jCzWK89o7t7SSY3QBmIDe4rb9WOHgUXcHpfDs39GtXNN15mP53qGfd56CwbaH9N4xTwoElgzO88_TmXixGpvJLp2atN7Xvw/s4032/PXL_20221113_201520820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sGgqK7XmLEcw7v29GURpaCiBGAgZRH7W0DVOqbG76QFQG-uyNeeD2wXn14qjoX4kO1xuHznO_3y7aLHpdLcjhRsdOp_jCzWK89o7t7SSY3QBmIDe4rb9WOHgUXcHpfDs39GtXNN15mP53qGfd56CwbaH9N4xTwoElgzO88_TmXixGpvJLp2atN7Xvw/s320/PXL_20221113_201520820.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I have no practical use for a pearl-gown, but pearls are never practical...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfOyj374txf0yvzVYyuiFSpveXm7ZHbcnYEZyh83om7tFZYmbH0Sg5i9XBxFIInhQ_JFYB5n-yuPWGMu82xvAN2NV37_5B8LyuAGxCoCOhrh9etIosRdzmhmxBC-feGQQZG4PpK2Xa-rTRnU2gjGFlztefniaoRhXkuWKmNZd_oVlv0oQlTnQHvLx0g/s1782/1583.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="1337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfOyj374txf0yvzVYyuiFSpveXm7ZHbcnYEZyh83om7tFZYmbH0Sg5i9XBxFIInhQ_JFYB5n-yuPWGMu82xvAN2NV37_5B8LyuAGxCoCOhrh9etIosRdzmhmxBC-feGQQZG4PpK2Xa-rTRnU2gjGFlztefniaoRhXkuWKmNZd_oVlv0oQlTnQHvLx0g/w240-h320/1583.jpeg" title="A fairy tale Torrid gown" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>They are no more and no less than ethereal orbs holding the wishes of countless humans. </p><p>Emily Dickinson knew full well that "<a href="https://www.americanpoems.com/poets/emilydickinson/we-play-at-paste/" target="_blank">gem tactics</a>" may be learned from the making of our own pearls, just as sands may one day become semiprecious jewels.</p><p><br /></p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-90857771326775940312022-09-28T06:06:00.001-07:002022-09-28T06:07:38.675-07:00The Sharp Cut<p>I am thrilled that my poem "The Sharp Cut" was chosen by<i> </i><i>Northern Narratives</i> for publication in Issue 6! It touches on a feeling that has only pierced deeper with the passing of the years. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aCPScWwHnOxSO_rzL9oO0UeOnwrbcd_5UPVKs0Vvsra5A287-VuyMQCFL3XKGH8ATAFtvx8Smx5JmEYECakMHr_DG8OAvl5GYuFVHfC3f8hknSSZL0DksoJlGRmWg83FLr-2va5zlt8LHmrYgA1Pq-7tsfhHhGRGgV2X16964VZMW4GP_WAyLiZW5w/s4032/PXL_20220928_130055877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aCPScWwHnOxSO_rzL9oO0UeOnwrbcd_5UPVKs0Vvsra5A287-VuyMQCFL3XKGH8ATAFtvx8Smx5JmEYECakMHr_DG8OAvl5GYuFVHfC3f8hknSSZL0DksoJlGRmWg83FLr-2va5zlt8LHmrYgA1Pq-7tsfhHhGRGgV2X16964VZMW4GP_WAyLiZW5w/s320/PXL_20220928_130055877.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The
Sharp Cut</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “The
children who swallow the star are the poets—</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">like
Yeats or Tolkien—who become wanderers </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">between
two worlds.”–Colin Wilson</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I throw these words out </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">like
ground-down diamond dust</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">for all
the children who once </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">gleefully
gulped star beams,</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and yet
now find their shadows </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">time-bound,
stretching far and away </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">into
grown-up bones and days </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">where worn
skin barely holds heart </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">inside
anymore—</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just don’t
forget </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the sharp
cut of clean rays </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">across the
glad blue of you, or the slide </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
starlight through dark and dreams </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">thick with
possibility and the rich </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">twinkle of
questions</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">once—</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You dared
to ask the universe. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*If you
can still wonder, </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you may
wander</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">yet again.
</span></p>
<p></p><p> </p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-61744949660038285592022-08-07T20:45:00.007-07:002022-08-08T01:40:48.007-07:00Lessons from the Iris<p>I hope I may bloom like the Iris one day. They grow straight and sleek as blades cutting towards the sky. My favorite flower only blossoms for a few stray weeks in the summer, but oh, what showy diadems they bare under blue airs! Fragile and fleeting and utterly worth every hour it takes to grow and mature into something that defies gravity with beauty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6tkGVD7jBtX5Vo-_PZLfJ6BxwKuNe3iZqoFlcPolr18iLwsXioeNTAyHHkAjo5hJbFsTY-wPjJkRE5ijFcVTPNomAkxlCx52OcXuTWEqQl4K_Y1EZOwN_Ew1I7HKie81rtjz51ZjQpTm7SC48MEcZTNigNY5yz06tiMRQ_zD2PcQNRolMRc2vvlE8g/s4032/PXL_20220610_200551178.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6tkGVD7jBtX5Vo-_PZLfJ6BxwKuNe3iZqoFlcPolr18iLwsXioeNTAyHHkAjo5hJbFsTY-wPjJkRE5ijFcVTPNomAkxlCx52OcXuTWEqQl4K_Y1EZOwN_Ew1I7HKie81rtjz51ZjQpTm7SC48MEcZTNigNY5yz06tiMRQ_zD2PcQNRolMRc2vvlE8g/s320/PXL_20220610_200551178.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Many years ago, I hoped to burst into unyielding incandescence. But now, I bide my time and grow in the soft dark of my dreams, ever so slowly constructing a transient tiara of ink and pages. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO66g1hUC8h9YhgBXfqG2Ea6ZvFVgyq1CljBJshUSU1CcJnjzfA_GmGgi9fJBbAmtEM5emC0CEt-nFIHNWOfpz2vlqGoNsy_8h2EABcc-nheQb57lT2YSjO1wRTcz648vNsznG3k1QldX1Khizuzm7apHqszCq9xjfyawepui-_cndkU25FZH70EeKBA/s4032/PXL_20220610_200429691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO66g1hUC8h9YhgBXfqG2Ea6ZvFVgyq1CljBJshUSU1CcJnjzfA_GmGgi9fJBbAmtEM5emC0CEt-nFIHNWOfpz2vlqGoNsy_8h2EABcc-nheQb57lT2YSjO1wRTcz648vNsznG3k1QldX1Khizuzm7apHqszCq9xjfyawepui-_cndkU25FZH70EeKBA/s320/PXL_20220610_200429691.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One day, perhaps I will have a coronet of petals to share in the light, too.<div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPRs9ABxu5J3SXDYeZAhbqu1cKxIGsaLCRDottvIQgN9kgAsQwnDmGV6aC7KdZvRNB7EfrT1NV_WpLLYcOOXHDkoZBd3QTFqCl0w4XxlXTCv_6Q-4W_Ln72M3TF0gCRqpVC1cYx1deVzL3ccoyDEede_7Y7BPqB-dAw4iBpxT4gSPRH6JUQuIKRvUOw/s4032/PXL_20220612_203919736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPRs9ABxu5J3SXDYeZAhbqu1cKxIGsaLCRDottvIQgN9kgAsQwnDmGV6aC7KdZvRNB7EfrT1NV_WpLLYcOOXHDkoZBd3QTFqCl0w4XxlXTCv_6Q-4W_Ln72M3TF0gCRqpVC1cYx1deVzL3ccoyDEede_7Y7BPqB-dAw4iBpxT4gSPRH6JUQuIKRvUOw/s320/PXL_20220612_203919736.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-91187462098780118182022-07-23T13:53:00.006-07:002022-07-23T17:31:26.923-07:00Unexpected Flowers<p>Unexpected flowers are the best! My little African Violet, which a fellow writer friend gave me over a year ago, surprised me with showy petals this July. I think that petals can be like pages, too ... such stelliferous secrets furled in both syllables and hue! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireF_yJkS7B4Qe5n6f4LjaUR7B3D_Tx3tQ7yTM8XRFP1qVrkbrNWF1obAuqlDTbaY8kl2SnBAkrhcy5FWY6ZQxW-LsSzN-_yncPqtfqV608KdATM8YCJcXNaUjyGt-J3SKgKMG9oDLR_MGoz4pb-lqv32Slxb294kMX8FwUFSzDIAzcNE2ucevJQlfGg/s4032/PXL_20220717_210131086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireF_yJkS7B4Qe5n6f4LjaUR7B3D_Tx3tQ7yTM8XRFP1qVrkbrNWF1obAuqlDTbaY8kl2SnBAkrhcy5FWY6ZQxW-LsSzN-_yncPqtfqV608KdATM8YCJcXNaUjyGt-J3SKgKMG9oDLR_MGoz4pb-lqv32Slxb294kMX8FwUFSzDIAzcNE2ucevJQlfGg/s320/PXL_20220717_210131086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-9225729951241096022022-06-07T08:26:00.001-07:002022-06-07T08:26:37.394-07:00Poetic Musings and Moonlight<p> A poetry free write . . . <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkERuklROhryVeCxk0ioH07rQ3kt1H7dNXSeETZGkwaobfk4A41wV0Sw-qEKDgRHwfA1DtqBtksIUraN-mEnyAOa1ByqYbSw6APOjG221zOU2xfb-f6177mGSZyudG9QU_693fSPMtxzYuRUeZGSSkIdco5TKaR6zKm0AdWIO9SryI1B9UUz5RDuX/s4608/DSCN2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkERuklROhryVeCxk0ioH07rQ3kt1H7dNXSeETZGkwaobfk4A41wV0Sw-qEKDgRHwfA1DtqBtksIUraN-mEnyAOa1ByqYbSw6APOjG221zOU2xfb-f6177mGSZyudG9QU_693fSPMtxzYuRUeZGSSkIdco5TKaR6zKm0AdWIO9SryI1B9UUz5RDuX/s320/DSCN2843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <b>Shadow Maide</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Oh, there’s a girl grown gaunt with dreams—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">she fed too long on wishful things</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">made of airy wings of gossamer,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">with no meat or bone or blood </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">to sustain her wistful frame. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Now the daystar blazes </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">too bright for her face,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and even the moon </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">calling her name </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">with silvern rays</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">burns like</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">shadows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">on fire. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-64791385540970492382022-05-07T08:55:00.003-07:002022-05-07T12:55:36.742-07:00Falling Stars<p>Sometimes falling stars are hard to catch! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfItczUq4-35IuX-NnXXR6U8aHJYdvBqpXg_FMABPpfsiYFeU8LrinmWE_aAaD3NX3AaIlDSayVvolUT3oy8ADMRLodZX56SO3oPLaxMFIV8RS61_cs_qhslayzWyvD4oE4wpLWDEhXrODXJbye-8u7H10Y-3z4X_15_BezekrYNEp_T0A9I3r9qBeGw/s1080/FB_IMG_1651886438765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfItczUq4-35IuX-NnXXR6U8aHJYdvBqpXg_FMABPpfsiYFeU8LrinmWE_aAaD3NX3AaIlDSayVvolUT3oy8ADMRLodZX56SO3oPLaxMFIV8RS61_cs_qhslayzWyvD4oE4wpLWDEhXrODXJbye-8u7H10Y-3z4X_15_BezekrYNEp_T0A9I3r9qBeGw/w322-h181/FB_IMG_1651886438765.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><p>I'm meandering along through my <i>Agent Regalia </i>draft, and I know I probably won't be done until the end of the year. But I'm having fun with my ink again! The storyteller in me has recovered a handful of sparkles from the dust.</p>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-34228380424860324362022-04-15T17:30:00.006-07:002022-04-15T18:11:42.175-07:00Visualizing the Scene<p>I am still slogging through my first draft of <i>Agent Regalia</i>, so I made something fun with ACNH to inspire me . . . </p><p>The scariest scene from chapter three! What do you think is happening?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpbidiiDX3LO6tonIvTzwBL2RiH28ZKHu-dSddETIC76GNtxyn8Pewq5mwi4sG19_q3uPAOsz9E_kHWLlEe3h4boUv_kqIy-g18pWHXRaJ70uoh8AaV6r32p95DOsSZLYe8mmuJYCap_tzvdZEyDiDEEJZmNCGoSo1wqpQIY2JhWGiU1ZlbRacfgQSg/s1080/FB_IMG_1649813742397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpbidiiDX3LO6tonIvTzwBL2RiH28ZKHu-dSddETIC76GNtxyn8Pewq5mwi4sG19_q3uPAOsz9E_kHWLlEe3h4boUv_kqIy-g18pWHXRaJ70uoh8AaV6r32p95DOsSZLYe8mmuJYCap_tzvdZEyDiDEEJZmNCGoSo1wqpQIY2JhWGiU1ZlbRacfgQSg/s320/FB_IMG_1649813742397.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>S. E. Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07350627387905360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-68100516582993301062022-03-13T16:35:00.008-07:002022-03-13T21:03:30.406-07:00Starbeam<p>I read a poem recently about starlight, and how much we admire its twinkle and shine, but sometimes we forget just how long and far it took that little slant of brightness to reach us. A journey not unlike the process of creativity and revisions and storytelling. A single little spark flares in the dark, and casts its beams across the void!</p><p>But sometimes, that void seems . . . endless. I doubt my ink. Even so, I try to spark a scintilla. And I must thank the random reader who bought a paperback copy of <i>A Fair Account of the Traitors Snow White and Rose Red</i> this month. I sincerely hope you enjoy the read! May it bring you a tiny ember of enjoyment in a world that has always spun in the dark. <br /></p><p>I shall finish with a simple poem I wrote probably 20 years ago . . . it held such joy, and I feel that echo still. </p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Star Pins</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">When the colors</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Fluid, flowing</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Cross the heavens</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Spilling, going</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">When the mountains</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Stain the sun, and</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The daylight comes undone</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Then my heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Is free in delight</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Glad for sapphires</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Pinned up at</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Night.</p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296117603928380344.post-15034868150374432702022-02-22T11:17:00.006-08:002022-02-22T11:27:19.645-08:00Gearing up for SFFpit!<p>On Thursday, the #SFFpit Twitter pitching <a href="http://dankoboldt.com/sffpit/">contest</a> begins! I've decided to participate this year and will be sharing ten pitches for my MG SF verse novel, <i>Bad Species</i>.</p><p>I will parcel out one tweetable story bite per hour from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. I would love any suggestions for improvement before then: <br /></p><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1.
Pearl can’t escape the bygone bluster of blue sky humans who want her to care
about their lost world. But born under Azuride’s green skies, she dares to
dream of a future free of the ghost stories of a planet utterly alien to her: Earth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2. Forget Earth. I don’t need some imaginary
homeland, I’m here already I’m not wrong-born!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> But I wish those who sprang from this planet first
didn’t reject all I am for the tell-tale traces</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> of a different star I can’t hide inside my red,
iron-rich blood. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3.
Descended from the shipwrecked survivors of the <i>Marie Antoinette</i>, Pearl’s
always taken pride in her heritage as the captain’s granddaughter. But faded
grandeur won't change her future when humans have lost the stars and can only
muck in blue mines. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">4.
<i>Bad Species</i> pursues a friendship never meant to exist between a human girl born
millions of light years from the stolen world of her ancestors, and a boy from
another planet who finds their chance alien encounter worth every danger.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5.
<i>Bad Species</i> captures the end of human heart and mind with the loss of our
mother body, Earth, through a 13 year old girl’s struggle to find her place on
a hostile world where she can never be anything but alien trash. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">6. <i>Bad Species</i> explores a girl’s journey to heal her family’s wounds and escape
the gravity of planetary loss: “Sometimes, I pick a tiny blue star in the night
sky and pretend it is Earth, praying for her mutilated ghost to find peace in
the black.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">7.
On her 13th birthday, Pearl discovers a forbidden heritage when she sneaks into
the HIE Dome: the Human Immersive Exhibit, a museum filled with the last
artifacts of her species. After she dares to steal a scrap back, she sparks a
tiny rebellion. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">8.
Are we still human if we take all our human things away? Pearl’s name holds a
tiny grit of dirt to remind her of Earth, but sometimes not even that is enough
to salvage her worth when she can only be an “offborn” trespasser on her birth
world, Azuride. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">9.
Inspired by the doomed voyage of Harry Martinson’s <i>Aniara</i>, <i>Bad Species</i> follows
passengers who survive the void only for their children to risk losing
everything. When each generation has less hope for survival, what kind of
person do you become?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">10.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><i>Bad Species</i> chases a girl’s lethal
wish for freedom on her 13th birthday: “My blood churns wild and raw inside me
as I make it to the captain’s chair first—what is this energy, vast as
starlight? I almost feel like a blue sky human: Invincible.”</span></p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>AnotherSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914711574319504976noreply@blogger.com1