Fifteen First Times – by D.G. Kaye

On June 19, 2023June 18, 2023 By ResaIn Book Reviews, Street Art140 Comments

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

Back in the Alleys

On May 30, 2020 By ResaIn Alley Gallery41 Comments

All the BGF’s & dog have been cooped up.

We stayed home.

Some restrictions have been lifted, under certain conditions.

Happy to say, I am back in action in my beloved alleys, and observing conditions.

Pics taken by Resa, May 19 – 2020

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

Blue Tit & Arnie in Blue

On July 28, 2019 By ResaIn Guests, Murals80 Comments

Direct from Manchester, UK; courtesy of Alex Morris via Professional Moron is this fabulous wall art of a Blue Tit, by Sarah Yates.

“This piece was commissioned in 2011 by Converse as part of the Wall to Wall project. Sarah Yates is an illustrator focusing on topics of environmental awareness. She is well known for mixing graffiti with graphic design and taking inspiration from nature, especially from birds, which are her favourite subjects, as we can see in this large-scale mural depicting a large blue tit.”

As a thank you to Alex, I present this garage door art of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I find the piece quite humorous, indeed.

If you have ever been to the Professional Moron blog, you will see that humour reigns supreme, which makes this the most apt thank you.

Of course it’s not all fun, much of which can involve Arnie & other famous personalities. Alex does fab book reviews, movie reviews and game reviews.

🌼Humungous thank you’s to Alex for the Blue Tit!🌼

Photos of the Blue Tit © Alex Morris

Arnie pics taken by Resa – July 24, 2019

Toronto, Canada

Arnie Artist:

Toronto/Winnipeg

On October 27, 2014 By ResaIn Alley Gallery, Garage Doors, Street Art2 Comments

It’s a very tasteful tag on a garage door in Toronto.

It makes me think of Winnipeg.

..which is where I am now.

Pics taken by Resa, on September 30, 2014

Toronto, Canada

Kwest Reflect

On October 20, 2014 By ResaIn Alley Gallery, Graffiti Art, Graffiti Mural, Slideshow, Street Art8 Comments

I met Kwest while he was painting this. Nice guy!

I was sad because he was painting over the Metallica(ts) Mural

He said the wall was crumbling, and the old mural with it.

Kwest told me he only signs a mural when it is finished. There is no signature as of now.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I’ll post an update when and if!

Pics taken by Resa – October 13, 2014

Toronto, Canada

Lovebot Invasion

On October 17, 2014 By ResaIn Alley Gallery, Graffiti Art, Street Art21 Comments

They’re Lovebots, they’re “paste ups”, and they are all over Toronto.

Here’s a 7′ (2.13 m) Lovebot with his 2′ (.61 m) mini-mebot.

Mini-mebot hangs with the bike.

This 7′ (2.13 m) Lovebot is cool….

…. hanging out on the parking lot wall of Stones Rhino.

Lovebots can be quite sneaky….

… hanging out lower down with greenery….

… or running away below the brick.

Yeah, there’s bad-boy Lovebots. Their insistence on being pasted-up in the ally can lead to urban scars.

This Lovebot covers the black that covers Phoenix Queen I believe it was painted by Shellac Attack. I met the artist during the painting of Phoenix Queen .