BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED! By Nancy Gideon

I love pressing young seedlings into the earth and sitting back to watch things grow. Amazing since I loathe getting my hands dirty, kneeling on the ground to sweat over a patch of rocky soil. Until I found my perfect Zen with container patio gardening. No more aching back. My OCD fanaticism is fed and watered matching starts by color and texture at the greenhouse then assembling them with the appropriate pot and accent greenery. Gloves on, soil in, plants arranged, decorative doo-dad added . . . voila! Eden! Then, after two days tops, all I need is a cup of coffee, my glider, a sunrise, and a cat! I even grow my own herbs and lettuces!

 What does this have to do with writing, you ask? Everything. It’s creation from basic parts: The beautiful, the hardy, the grounded, the dramatic, all combined to a pleasing conclusion. We pick our characters: The bright, lacy heroine; the strong, hardy hero; the vining intrigues, and surprising pops of unexpected plot lines. And then come a villainous harsh wind, a cold snap or icy rain to challenge the promising start of their relationship. And it’s all at your fingertips, in your control. If one doesn’t satisfy or end the way you’d expected, you don’t stop. You experiment, learn from experts, and begin again. You do the work to your satisfaction then sit back and enjoy the fruit your labor, right? Not quite. There’s constant watering, finding the right spot to place each pot, plucking off the parts that don’t enhance the whole (even when it’s painful!), worrying through that fierce downpour or extended heat wave. If you plant the tender seedlings too shallow OR too deep, they fail to thrive. But setbacks don’t make you quit. You learn from them and try again. Finding the right mix of soil, the right amount to water, what prospers and what, sadly, no matter how beautiful, doesn’t. And you love each different effort with the same pride and pleasure?

 How is your garden growing? Are there weeds to pull? Offshoots to prune and plant so they can take root and grow stronger on their own? Colors and textures you can integrate to achieve eye pleasing surprises and combinations? Some varieties that just don’t flourish, where others run wild as your imagination, increasing over and over?

I was a new seedling over six and a half decades ago (tomorrow!) and through all those various seasons of growth, I never stopped looking for ways to root deeper, to flourish brighter, and to bring enjoyment to those around me, while weeding out those things that got in the way. My advice: Sink those roots deep and make the most of what your garden provides. And don’t forget to take time to enjoy what blooms!

Since this is a paranormal group, who else is excited to howl under that Super Blood Moon tonight?? Hard to miss since last night’s precursor shone through the windows and lit up my entire bedroom like a spotlight from ten p.m. to early a.m.. Do I hear John Fogerty singing, “Don’t go out tonight . . .”


Have a fun and safe upcoming Memorial Day as we carefully come together as family and friends and ease into June! Happy Writing!

♚♚♚♚♚

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April Showers Bring Stories With Flowers

Not the flowers I saw today-
My sister is a great gardener
and takes great photos

I don't mind the winter like I used to. 

I've found some benefits to hibernating. Although I do often miss the sunshine and getting outside to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature. I suppose I'm especially impressed since I can't keep most plants alive.

If you've read any of my stories, you know many are set in the beautiful woods that surround where I live. Walking and bicycling through the areas crafted by nature helps to inspire my stories. 

Spring keeps trying to rear its head here in Pennsylvania, while Mother Nature teases us with a nice day, then another allowing the snow to return. 

Although I brag about my 'black thumb' that doesn't do well with any flowers, I really love to see them starting to push through the frozen earth with such determination to crane toward the sun. (unfortunately many will be disappointed if they arrive early, since the sun may be nowhere to be found.)

I usually don't know what their names are (I have to ask my Mom that), but I love to look at them. There's just something about that splash of color. 

Another one of my sister's pictures

As I walked today and saw more buds straining toward the sun, I was reminded of a flash fiction story I wrote years ago that I thought I'd share today.

The Sun's Kiss

Tanner wobbled forward. The prize lay ahead, swaying in the breeze, leafy arms reaching skyward. Bowls of color dancing like balloons tethered to green strings. Red as a juicy apple. Yellow as a ripe banana.

Plopping unceremoniously into the sea of color, Tanner caused multiple winged yellow and black diners to flee.  

Reaching out, Tanner stroked a soft shell. Pulling one off, he shoved the petal into his mouth.

“Tanner!” His mama squatted down.  Do you like my tulips?” 

Tanner frowned; his tongue already pushing the offender out. It didn’t taste as good as it looked.

His mama laughed. “Not for eating,” she inhaled deeply, “for smelling.” She offered the flower.

He recoiled until he detected the sweet scent, like his mama’s perfume.  

He sniffed, tickling his nose with the center, where he’d seen the bees eating.

Tanner tilted his face up and smiled, accepting the sun’s kiss.   

Do you Have a Favorite Flower? 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

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The Beginnings of a Poisonous Garden by C.J. Burright

Over the last decade or so, spring has brought with it an unfortunate tradition into my life. I go outside, inspired to garden with all the lovely flowers and innocent woodland creatures, and upon my return to the great indoors, it is inevitable. It has an appropriate name: poison oak, and the things it does to me are not in any way enjoyable. Puffy face. Horrible rash. Blisters. The itching is the stuff torture chambers in horror movies are made of. And I’ll be the first to admit that me + poison oak = dark things.

And while I was in that bleak place where I cursed the outdoors, plants, cats that wander into poison oak and bring it back to me, and even well-meaning husbands, the dark side of me (oh, yes. She most definitely exists) was inspired to write this post. What if, instead of beautiful flowers and edible vegetables, I planted a poisonous garden? *Rubs hands together and cackles* You never know when you might need to pass on a little poison, and here are a few plants that might be helpful. You know, so others might share in the misery.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Narcissus. Grinding up its bulb and sprinkling it in…oh, I don’t know, chocolate chip cookies that your innocent victims won’t suspect…will cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Too much can be fatal, so use accordingly. Did you know that this flower was named after the Greek legend Narcissus, who saw his reflection in water, became obsessed, and fell in? He drowned and made a comeback as the flower. Also, in ancient times, the flower’s perfume had a bad rep of causing headaches, madness and death. Definitely a good fit for a poison plant garden, eh? On the positive side, the bulbs may also be used as an antiseptic dressing for wounds, and mixing it (not too much!) with honey serves as a painkiller. I suppose it’s another case of user intent.

Lily of the Valley. Consuming its leaves and flowers will instigate irregular heart rate, digestive upset and mental confusion. Serving it to an unlucky, unsuspecting guest might make for good party entertainment, at least the mental confusion part. Once upon a time, Lily of the Valley was considered unlucky, said to have sprouted from St. Leonard’s wounds after he vanquished a dragon. That sounds like good luck to me, but whatever. And the Irish believe these flowers are used as fairy ladders…with a warning. The gardener who plants a bed of them will be struck dead in a year. So maybe keep only one plant in your poison garden. The ying to the poison yang: Lily of the Valley may alleviate the pain of gout, ease eye pain, restore speech, and help treat heart disease and memory. So once your victim is poisoned and undergoing mental confusion, if you’re feeling benevolent (or guilty) maybe you can use the same plant to restore their memory.  

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Nightshade. If you’re going to have a poisonous plant garden, Nightshade is a must. All parts of it are fatal, especially the unripened berries. Ingesting it causes intensive digestive issues, but more than that, Nightshade is alleged to be a favorite for witch’s spells. In centuries past, it was rumored that consuming small quantities would allow visions into the future. Take too much, though, and it’s madness instead. Also cool, Nightshade is an important ingredient for the flying ointment witches smeared over themselves to ride the skies. And keeping Nightshade close will keep evil spirits away. If only it worked on that demon poison oak…

via GIPHY
There are, of course, many other plants you could include in your poison garden, but I believe I’ve given you enough nefarious ideas for one day. Use your powers for good, people. 😊 Do you have any innocent-looking poisonous plants in your backyard? Are you vulnerable to the evils of poison oak like I am? 

My Other Passion

I went shopping at Tractor Supply yesterday. Yep, just the name of the store gives you an idea of what kind of area I live in. LOL  We always have fun there. They have all kinds of things from vaccines for your pets that you can self administer to clothes to candy. The general store of all general stores.

Anyways, they had baby chicks and rabbits for sale. My boys spent their time fawning over them and I managed to escape the store without purchasing one, which in itself was a miracle.

I spent my time getting giddy over my first passion. Plants. The spring root bulbs were out for sale and going like hot cakes. I managed to get a yellow raspberry plant, ecchinacea flowers, and calladium bulbs (I think, that's how its spelled.) I redid my front yard garden last fall and can't wait to see what survived. *jumps up and down* If I could make a decent living gardening that would be the job for me. I could spend the whole day in the dirt.

I don't have much yard but I make every square foot count.

Annie Nicholas