  Here in New England, Winter takes center stage in a simple, revealing gown. In spite of her bare appearance, she dominates our lives. One unusually warm day we’re scouting golf courses, itching to play, and the next, we’re watching for snow accumulation. We follow Winter rules: keep an ice scraper, a jump-starter, and blanket in the car. After the brilliant flamboyance of Autumn stomping across the stage like a flamenco dancer, Winter is a ballerina swaying in the wind to Swan Lake. For me, coming from the desert’s transparent landscape where everything is revealed, I like the openness of leafless trees. There is a sad beauty to the bare limbs, but I can see what the leaves hide. Then comes first snow and the world becomes a snowy egret of pure, untouched beauty. Winter emerges to waltz across the land in her new white gown. Everything is quiet, glistening, waiting. Hibernating. Movement is halted, slowed, as if Nature is meditating, hands in prayerful pose. Time to slow down, take deep breaths, read that stack of books beside your bed, go inside yourself, reassess your intentions. Listen to your inner voice, your internal longing, your sadness, your joys. Breathe in the cold, clean air with a sense of gratefulness. Bask in the tranquility and imagine … peace, joy, and love. What is my heart telling me? What makes me happy? How can I spread the joy? Create a winter journal and write about these feelings and more. Yes, I realize it’s different when snow means shoveling to get to work or school, risky road conditions, extra burdens for the poor, homeless or those at war. My heart is open and I am aware. But for me, snow is Winter’s meditation. Nature telling us to slow down and wait for the roses. Namasté. 🙏 On Sale now for only 99 cents each. Just click on the cover and please leave a review.
 Ode to Autumn Time for warm bowls of chili or stew, Tight jeans and bold jackets, Big, snuggly sweaters, Pumpkin spices, Scented candles, books & journals, Reading and writing, Apple & pumpkin pies Cool evenings, Cozy fires, And a grateful spirit . Namasté This is a good time to curl up and read my Christmas story, OUR TIME TO LOVE. And you might want to grab TEXAS SIZZLE, a fun love story set in Texas. Both are on sale for $0.99. Just click on the cover for your new book and please leave a review. Enjoy your wintering. Have a wonderful, peaceful holiday season and into the new year. with love, Mary Tate
 The mid-summer heat is upon us, bringing unusually high humidity, rainy days, 90+ temperatures, fog, and… beautiful flowers! These magical, colorful creatures usher us through the long, hot summer! But I’m already dreaming of cooler weather. Last summer, we invested in Iris. They bloomed purple and white and even a bronze one. We loved them! This year, they barely bloomed. “Lack of sunshine,” some said. “Too much rain,” said others. “And they need to be thinned out.” Ok, more work.  This year, we went for Dalias. They are in pots on our porch in various stages from full flowers to buds to bushy, leafy plants with no signs of flowering. We have loved them but are learning they require lots of care. Our greatest flowering successes have been the Mandevilla hanging pots. They haven’t stopped blooming and are climbing and reaching out in all directions. All with little effort on our part except for watering. It’s all been an experience in living and growing. I’m learning to live and grow in my new habitat in New England. Although I miss the west, I’m learning to like it here, embracing the seasons and dealing with the rest. Isn’t that what life is about? I hope you enjoy my books set in the West with Native American heroes, on sale now. SPEAK TO THE WIND deals with a devastating event all too common in the west — wildfire! RARE BREED is set in one of my favorite places on Earth, the Grand Canyon. Let your imagination go Westward! Just click on the cover and enjoy a great read.
|
