Fifteen First Times – by D.G. Kaye

It’s easy to read these memoirs, and think of your own first times. I kept thinking of my first times.

Nonetheless, these are D.G.’s first times gleaned from the garden of her life.

Whether it’s a commonality, such as diets, shoes or learning to drive, I see we are each alone, unique in our experiences.

First boyfriend or first kiss  are times when we are not alone during the experience. Yet, are we not experiencing the same things, each in our own way and own world?

I was struck with all the humour in these memoirs.
I thought…”Does D.G. know how funny she is? Even when in reality sometimes things aren’t so funny”?
Then at the end of the book re: “First and Last Love”,  she says “Humor. It’s the one thing that always got me through some of the darker moments in life.”

Resa – D.G., My question was before I read that, and still is – Did you know you were being funny when you wrote this? I mean did you have to think about adding the humour after it was written, or were you consciously being aware that you should write humor as you wrote?
OR –  Did you just write, and the humor presented itself naturally?

D.G. – My motto as a writer is – eclectic conversationalist. I write like I speak (of course with edits). I’m afraid my personality is always present in all my books – despite the content. I’m a storyteller, and this my friend, is my voice. Thank you for noticing and picking that out.

Resa – Well, D.G. don’t be afraid! (I’m being funny there!) Your personality’s voice is a queen. (not being funny here)

Now, one might ask, “What’s with all the butterflies?”

Well, I wanted some images to help express my thoughts and feelings. As I perused my photo files I kept picking out butterflies. I figured it was because a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, and is a new changed life. That seemed akin to having a first experience, and adding to one’s life.
Still, I felt there was more to it. Why? Then I saw it, on the cover of D.G.’s book, a Monarch butterfly.

Resa- I wasn’t going to ask, but now I have to. You will see why when you read the post. There is a Monarch Butterfly on your book cover. Why? Tell me about it!

D.G. – Lol, you have that observant eye my artistic friend. When the cover designer made the mock up, she placed it there by my name. I never thought anything but to keep it there, as butterflies bring messages from our lost loved ones. I love butterflies and felt it was an approval from my beloved husband, so it stayed.

“First and Last Love” is not one of the “Fifteen First Times”. Rather it is an addendum after the firsts.

D.G., a bright and shiny person, was cast into shadow after the death of her cherished husband.

As time passes, I see she has emerged into a light. Perhaps she is not as shiny yet, but she is as bright as ever!

Pics taken by Resa – 2018 – 2023 – Toronto, Canada

Artists include: Nick Sweetman, Christine Mazulla, Leyland Adams,

About the Author

D.G. Kaye is a Canadian author living in Toronto. She is a nonfiction writer of memoirs about her life experiences, matters of the heart, and women’s issues. Her positive outlook keeps her on track, allowing her to take on life’s challenges with a dose of humor and a mission to overcome adversity.

D.G. began writing when pen and paper became the tools to express her pent-up emotions during her turbulent childhood. She began journaling about her life at a young age and continued writing about the people and events that left imprints and lessons. She writes books to share her stories and inspiration.

D.G. is a big advocate for kindness and for empowering women. Her favorite saying is “For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”

When she’s not writing, D.G. loves to read (self-help books and stories of triumph), cook (concocting new recipes, never to come out the same way twice), shop (only if it’s a great sale), play poker (when she gets the chance), and, most of all, travel.

Visit her website at www.dgkayewriter.com and join her mailing list to keep up with her latest blogs and news about her books and events.

Follow D.G. on her social sites:

http://www.dgkayewriter.com

www.twitter.com/@pokercubster

www.facebook.com/dgkaye

www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7

Visit D.G.’s author page and books: www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7.

Podcast links: Grief the Real Talk

https://www.youtube.com/DebbyDGKayeGies

https://soundcloud.com/dgkaye

https://open.spotify.com/episode/38OoQQysdvNYjXL3pfCMMq?si=wg-DQ8_PSs-hthRtIzvpFQ

A slight glimmer…

Lauren, Spillwords “Author of the Month” for May 2023 has a new book on the horizon. Her last book, “More than Coffee”, a collection of poetry and prose, is a gem.
I’m thrilled to share this glimmer with you!

Lauren Scott, Author's avatarBaydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author

Remember, the breeze carries
burdens down rivers
and across oceans,
majestic trees sway with joy,
sheltering from shadows,
and the light shines even if only
a slight glimmer slips through.
..

Keep hope in your heart and enjoy your weekend! ❤️

This verse is from a poem in my upcoming book.
Photo: Samuel P. Taylor Park – magical moments with Redwoods.

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.

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Gemini the hyperactive thinker

From Marina Kanavaki at Art Towards a Happy day, here is the third sign of the Zodiac as imagined by Anakreon Kanavakis, Marina’s father. Seeing each astrological sign go by, in a drawing by him, is adding another joy to my life.

marina kanavaki's avatarMarina Kanavaki

[21 May – 20 June]

Today is the first day of Gemini, the third sign of the Zodiac.

Gemini is amutable air sign, ruled by Mercury.

Quick-witted and sociable they are always ready for fun [or not!] with a curiosity about the world that knows no bounds …but is there enough time?!

Starting from the last [12th] sign, I’ll be posting these original illustrations, Anakreon Kanavakis created for a calendar. [check it out here]

I love these so much, I designed a whole set of products with them at my art shop.

Here are a few.

Happy Sunday!

and… Happy birthdays to all Geminis out there!

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Daydreaming – Friday Fictioneers

A fab mural and a good luck splat. Thanks Thunder!

Dale's avatarA Dalectable Life

Very sneaky, Rochelle!  You go to great lengths to get me to play Friday Fictioneers!  And it worked, too!  If you’re inspired to write a 100-word story based on my photo (thanks for choosing it, my friend), please do so by clicking on the frog below and adding your link.  G’head, it’s loads of fun!

"Frog flying in the sky with clouds " Stock image and royalty-free ... Click to play

Daydreaming

She stepped away from her cottage onto the grass, cool and springy beneath her feet. She lay on a small hill, crossed her feet and interlaced her fingers to cradle her head.  Gazing up at the blue sky, her thoughts drifted with the clouds, dreamily.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to ride one of those clouds or up and fly to diverse destinations with the birds.  To experience new cultures, go on adventures, to see—

SPLAT!

Right on her forehead.

“Thanks a lot!” she shouted to the now empty…

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Journey

Take a little trip on Holly’s Sunbird’s song!

House of Heart's avatarHouse of Heart

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore” – Andre Gide

We are winged and freedom is etched on the soles of our feet. Our voyage is uncharted, roaming deep blue ocean fed skies, the stars our only guide, intruders mesmerized by lush river banks of spicy cypress where Sunbirds have sung for a million years. We speak in tongues of the travelers before us , nomadic wanderers of the familiar and the unknown. Our nights are spent in shadows, waking to the sweet perfume of rain.

River Delta Sun Bird

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