A BIG THANK YOU to Dan at No Facilities for hosting his annual Doors Challenge!
Above is my response to the challenge.
Above are the 3 doors I submitted. Following are all the creators that responded to my doors.
It’s lots of fun to read the creative results. Most are stand alone posts, some include other topics.
THANK YOU DAN!
Comments are closed. Please comment directly on Dan’s blog, or on the blogs of the talented contributors.
How does one review a heart, soul and mind book like this? Does one say it’s well written? It answers very human questions in an ordinary way that all can understand? Many of us will go through this, so it’s a helpful read?
A Journey Through Loss
Written by D.G.Kaye, after the death of her husband, the love of her life; this helpful book speaks from the pain of experience. She is not a therapist, nor a psychiatrist, nor a professional healer of any sort. And she is right up front about that fact.
In her own words “I devoured books on everything from grief to the afterlife, always striving to make sense of the roller coaster ride I was on,”
I think the best way to impart something more of this book is to speak directly to D. G.
Resa – The cover of your book has the words: Shock, Fog, Anger, Triggers, Guilt, Anxiety and Denial swirling in a circle. At first I thought the words were repeating in order, but upon a closer look, I realize that they are not in any order, but do repeat. How did you come up with it? Why the words are not in any order?
D.G. – For this cover, the concept came to me immediately.
Grief is like an ongoing spiral with ups and downs. The words inside are just some of the phases grievers experience. The fact that the words are in no particular order and some not repeated is precisely how grief works.
We may visit phases over and over again through time, and some may dissipate with time. Thus, the grief spiral is far from linear but, more chaotic.
It was above 0c and cloudy out, not a peep of sun in the sky. A perfect day to shoot a shadow free piece of wall art, that seemed perfect for this post. It was only a 20 minute walk to get there.
Suddenly, as I arrived, it became a sunny day with nary a cloud in the sky. There was a barren tree’s shadow over the painting. I shot it anyway. To me, there is something poetic in this image, that relates to grief – something about the shadow.
Resa – Debby, can you see why I think that? Can you put it into words?
D.G. – Oh wow Resa. I love the shot with the tree’s shadow. If I were to relate it to grief I would say that when you love deep, it’s like carrying sunshine in your heart. And when you lose that love of your life, despite all the horribleness, there will be days when the obstinate clouds clear and the sun shines through, although the shadow of grief is never too far away.
Resa – Perfectly, poetically and profound said.
After the pics were taken, there was still not a cloud in the sky. So, I hopped on a streetcar, heading home. About 3 stops later, Suddenly, it clouded over. There was nary a crack of sun to find.
Resa – This seemed mystical to me, Debby. Does this touch you, or am I just a sentimental fool?
D.G. – Oh no Resa, you may be sentimental – like me, but no fool. I love that you were working on this post and came across these poignant images in your travels.
Remembering that grief is love with nowhere to go, the image reminds that even without sunshine, the shadow of love always sticks with us. Not to mention, it reminds me of the Tree of Life – rain or shine, we are branches off the Tree of Life where memories live deep within, sometimes shadowed, but always there.
In the book D.G. writes:
“In the aftermath comes the loss of us. Our grief replaces replaces the lives we once knew.”
Resa – Has writing this book been cathartic? Has it helped you to replace that life lost, with a new life?
D.G. – In some ways this book was cathartic to write, but in many other ways, it was difficult to write; because to write, dredging the info up meant remembering moments that could take my breath away and have me leaving the computer for an emotional break.
In no way did writing this book help to replace that ‘life lost’, as nothing ever could. That life is no longer tangible, but seared in my heart.
But, the book offers a lot of understanding of the trials and tribulations of the process of grieving through time, understanding that it’s difficult to let go of a life you’re familiar with when it’s snatched from you, with the importance of eventually finding our way back into a new way of living.
Thank you to D.G. Kaye (Debby to her pals) for her time answering my questions! Debby, I appreciate this more than I can say!
Congratulations to Debby for being officially in the top 5% of Goodreads Reviewers!
About the Real Stages of Grief is available world wide at Amazon.
“Personally, I don’t believe there is any cure for grief. It’s not a disease that we will get over and feel better about tomorrow. Rather, it’s a new addition to our lives, one we must become acquainted with.” – D. G. Kaye
Pics taken by Resa – 2023 – 2025
Toronto, Canada
The artists in vertical order:
The Dreamers, Julia Praza, One Day Creates, Unknown, Blackburn, Unknown, Chris Perez, Vizla Bacon, Blazeworks, Adrain Corne
Liz– Thank you for hosting me on my blog tour for The Weight of Snow and Regret, Resa!
Resa – My pleasure, Liz!
Liz – Today I am very excited to shine the spotlight on one of the minor characters in the book, bandleader Sterling D. Weed. But first, here is what The Weight of Snow and Regret is all about.
By 1968, no one wanted to leave.
Amid the social turmoil of 1968, the last poor farm in Vermont is slated for closure. By the end of the year, the twelve destitute residents remaining will be dispatched to whatever institutions will take them, their personal stories lost forever.
Hazel Morgan and her husband Paul have been matron and manager at the Sheldon Poor Farm for the past 20 years. Unlike her husband, Hazel refuses to believe the impending closure will happen. She believes that if she just cares deeply enough and works hard enough, the Sheldon Poor Farm will continue to be a safe haven for those in need, herself and Paul included.
On a frigid January afternoon, the overseer of the poor and the town constable from a nearby town deliver a stranger to the poor farm for an emergency stay. She refuses to tell them her name, where she came from, or what her story is. It soon becomes apparent to Hazel that whatever the woman’s story is, she is deeply ashamed of it.
Hazel fights to keep the stranger with them until she is strong enough to face, then resume, her life—while Hazel must face the tragedies of her own past that still haunt her.
Told with compassion and humor, The Weight of Snow & Regret tells the poignant story of what it means to care for others in a rapidly changing world.
For today’s tour stop, I will introduce you to a character who makes a cameo appearance in the novel, Sterling D. Weed, a historical figure known for being the oldest working bandleader in the state of Vermont. He worked as bandleader until his death in 2005 at age 104. He was also known for having the first integrated swing band in New England.
Truth be told, I couldn’t resist putting him in the novel. When my late brother George was in high school, he played saxophone in the Enosburg Falls Town Band with Sterling D. Weed as bandleader. In college, George played gigs with Weed’s Imperial Orchestra to earn money to live off-campus. How he loved to tell his Sterlin’ D. Weed stories!
Weed’s Imperial Orchestra appears in the novel in a brief scene when Hazel and Paul celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The first song they hear is the Weed’s Imperial Orchestra’s theme song, “The Wang Wang Blues.”
Hazel turned her attention to the raised stage. Seated behind their music stands, the members of Weed’s Imperial Orchestra wore fancy black suits and bow ties. She’d never seen anyone wear such a fancy suit before, much less a bow tie. Their shoes would be polished to a high shine, even though no one could see them. The man standing on the stage with his back to the dance floor must be Sterling D. Weed himself. When he turned to face the crowded dance floor, Hazel was surprised to see a man of about Paul’s age, smooth-faced, bespectacled, and balding. Except for the fancy suit and the saxophone on a strap around his neck, he looked like her high school algebra teacher.
“Welcome, one and all! The boys and I will start you off this evening with our theme song, a little foxtrot called ‘The Wang Wang Blues.’ If you don’t know the foxtrot, don’t worry. Come out on the dance floor anyway; you’ll pick it up soon enough. And if you don’t, there’s always next week.” He bent over and picked up a clarinet. “Ready, boys? A-one, a-two, a-three.”
The tempo was lively, the notes tumbling from the clarinet sparkling. The melody would not be denied, despite repeated kicks from the bass drum to keep it in check—nor could it keep the crowd in check, as they stepped and glided and twirled.
Sterling D. Weed announced the next song as “Sing, Sing, Sing,” but instead of a sing-along, the drums pounded out a primitive beat, seemingly of their own volition. The crowd cheered, and an explosion of brass blasted from the stage as the dancers flung themselves about the floor.
Paul’s eyes widened. He mouthed something, grabbed Hazel’s hand, and pointed behind him.
Outside, he kept hold of her hand and led her to the edge of the lake. “Jeezum. We coulda got killed in there.” He pointed to a large rock. “How about we listen from here?”
Now that she was no longer in danger of being kicked in the head or trampled to death, Hazel was perfectly content to listen to the rest of the song that seemed hell-bent on driving itself off a cliff.
“I am drawn to the inner lives of other people–what they care about, what they most desire, what causes them pain, what brings them joy.”
Click on the photo list below. It will take you to a page where all the links are live. I bought mine on Kobo.
Some have said the first Lightnin’ Hopkins video wasn’t available to them. In case it didn’t work for you, here’s another try!
…. did a review for “nine black lives”, a book I wrote years ago, and anyone can read for free.
It is an honour to be reviewed by Debby, an excellent Memoir Writer. I was thrilled to pieces when I found out she was reading my book.
I have read Have Bags Will Travel & Fifteen First Times. Both are excellent reads. Just click on the titles to read my creative reviews. If you haven’t been to Debby’s blog, you are missing out!
You can buy Debby’s – D. G. Kaye’s books on Amazon!
Also wrote a wonderful review. Ada is a professional book reviewer, so I am way more than a bit appreciative. Ada and I got to know each other when she became a fan of my street art blog.
Ada recently went to Belgium and took some street art pics. Here are 3 below, and you can see more on her review of “nine black lives”
Ada has written 2 books. I have not read either, as I don’t have a kindle. They both look intriguing.
I know she’ll be uber busy in the upcoming future, as she is starting a new position in the world of writing book reviews.
Still, she has promised to hang out from time to time with us here on WP. I think she likes us.
Ada’s books in e format are available for free on Amazon. Check out her My Books page on her blog for more info.
Dan Antion has a weekly Doors Challenge that is very popular. However, as a busy person I’m thrilled he has an Annual Doors Challenge. This was my second year participating, and it was more fun that the first year.
Teagan R. Geneviene
Suzette B.
Robbie Cheadle
Frank Hubeny
Willow Willers
Kerfe – Method Two Madness
Dan Anton
Here’s the one I did!
Years ago I wrote a book. That was fun. Promoting and selling it; a big scary, hairy monster with horns. Eventually, it wound up in the menu on my blog, for free download. Robbie found it, read it and has now reviewed it!
Robbie also found it on amazon. I did tweak the ending after that, which is in the download. Is one version better? I don’t know. Anyway, if you click on the book cover, it will take you to the free download page.
She also said lovely things about my other creative endeavours – Art Gowns drawing & collecting Street Art.
My new blog pal, Ruth Maramis, wrote and executive produced “HEARTS WANT”. As I watch it for an enjoyable third time, I have some questions for her.
Resa – The location is fabulous. Tell me about it!
Ruth – It was in a historic, 100+ year-old theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA., that looks like it’s in Europe. It’s perfect as my story is supposed to take place in England. I set the story in a real place in the UK., a small cathedral city called Chichester in West Sussex, England (about a 1.5-hour drive south of London).
The following clip is 31 seconds long. Not necessary to watch it, but will add context to the conversation.
Logline: Two former lovers who reunite for a play by their terminally ill mentor face the consequences of a secret that could change their lives forever.
Resa – This would make a fab feature. Have you scripted it out as a feature?
Ruth – Yes I have written the full script, as the short was actually born out of a feature-length live script reading with actors.
Resa – As a feature does it have a happier (not necessarily happy) ending?
Ruth – The feature-length script has a hopeful ending, not a perfect ending tied with a big red bow, but it hints that Jacques and Lily are back together. Without giving too much away, it’s book-ended with a stage performance that makes the story come full circle. I envision the story as more than just a romantic drama but also a redemption story for Martin, the playwright whose voiceover is heard at the beginning of the short. He has a much more prominent role in the full story, and it’s he who brought Lily & Jacques together for his play, which is somehow connected to his past.
I love stories of second chances, as we all sometimes need a do-over and a chance to make amends. As a fan of stage performances, there’s something so intriguing about the world of theatre to set a story in.
Resa – The actors playing the two former lovers Lily (Sam Simmons) and Jacques (Peter Christian Hansen), are fabulous. Tell me a bit about them. I see Peter got a Best Actor Nominee at the YES! Let’s Make a Movie Film Festival in Montreal.
Ruth – Oh, believe it or not, Sam is from a nearby town in Sussex, though I had met her here in Minneapolis at a film festival and she had just moved from England a year prior!! Talk about serendipity, there are actually a lot of crazy serendipitous things about my film project!
I met Peter for the first time at the full script reading back in January 2017, four months before we shot the short film! My friend Kirsten suggested him to me for Jacques, as they had worked together in a film before. Both of the leads were playing Jacques and Lily at the reading, and had such great chemistry. Everything happened so fast after the reading at my friend JoJo’s home. (She ended up becoming one of the film’s producers).
Peter is quite a prominent theatre actor here in the Twin Cities, though I didn’t know that until I met him. He’s been in so many local plays; he’s also the artistic director of his own theatre company, Gremlin Theatre, in St. Paul, MN. I’m grateful to have found such terrific actors for the short film. They truly brought my characters to life beautifully!
Resa – As a Costume Designer I must ask, why is Jacques wearing a 1940s pilot bomber jacket and Lily a headscarf?
Ruth – Ok so in my original script, the play that the two main characters reunite in is a 1940s WWII romance drama where he’s a British Royal Air Force pilot, so the costume designer found this RAF sheepskin bomber jacket we could rent from Guthrie Theatre (the largest regional playhouse in the country).
I wanted to give a subtle nod to Gregory Peck in Twelve O’Clock High (I had the biggest crush on him since Spellbound), even though Peck’s character in the WWII movie is American. If you notice that it looks a bit big on Peter Hansen (the lead actor) is because I had to find a jacket that would fit both him and the other actor who plays his character’s understudy, and that guy (Noah Gillet) has a slightly larger frame than Peter’s. Same with his pants, as I had to save cost by renting just one set of costumes instead of two, ha..ha!
As for Lily’s headscarf, because she’s a biracial woman with a large ‘fro. She often had to hide her black identity in the 1940s.
Resa – The neck piece Lily wears at the beginning is too, stunning. It is so fabulous, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
Ruth – It’s actually Sam Simmons’ own necklace that she let us borrow for the film. My costume designer Caroline loved it and it paired well with the maroon jumpsuit she had on during that scene.
Due to budget constraints, I asked the actors to provide their own wardrobe for the contemporary scenes.
Resa – Tell me, why is Lily holding a suitcase in the “play”, within the short?
Ruth – The scene that appears in the short film is written as a farewell scene where the two lovers have to go separate ways, hence she was holding a suitcase. We decided not to include any dialog so it would not distract from the story of the film, if that makes sense.
Resa – Total sense!
With a 15 minute running time, it is well worth the watch!
Resa – So, What’s next on the agenda for Ruth Maramis?
Ruth – I really enjoyed making short films, but at this point, I really want to focus more on getting HEARTS WANT feature film off the ground, as that is truly my passion project. I’ve done pretty much everything I could to get it developed, I went to AFM (American Film Market) in 2019 to try to pitch it to executives/financiers, did fundraising events, etc. but so far it’s kind of stalled. I know it’ll get made eventually, and I realize this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Click on the above banner and check out the HEARTS WANT website, where you can read more about it!
Ruth was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, but has been residing in Twin Cities, Minnesota for the past 30+ years along with her husband Ivan who’s also from Jakarta. She’s been a lover of movies since she was a little girl, and her dad was actually a filmmaker in Indonesia around the time she was born in the 1970s.
Her blog FLIX CHATTER has become my go to for new film reviews. Once in awhile she reviews a vintage movie.
She also participates in the 52 Films By Women challenge as per Women In Film organization. The basic rules are simple: watch 52 films directed by women within the course of one year. Share about the films you’re watching on social media, using the hashtag #52FilmsByWomen to spread the word.
Recently Ruth attended the Twin Cities Film Festival. Along with her many reviews of the films thereof, she had the opportunity to interview Daisy Ridley and Tom Bateman on their psychological thriller MAGPIE.
P.S. Tom Bateman is one of the actors on Ruth’s dream list to play the lead male character in “Hearts Want” feature. As the story is set in the UK, she’d love to get British actors for the lead roles.
Ruth is a member of the Online Association of Female Critics , the Minnesota Film Critics Association and Indie Film Critics Association USA
She is a RottenTomatoes-approved critic, which means her reviews count toward the critics’ Tomatometer. The full review appears on her website, but an excerpt of it appears on the individual Rotten Tomatoes review page, i.e., this one for La Cocina.
Same thing with Cherry Picks, which is a collective of movie and TV recommendations + reviews exclusively from female and non-binary critics.
Big Thank you to Ruth for joining me today, and to all who have taken the time to read!
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