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 Deere Deer

OR a Deere Dear. Turns out deere is not just a tractor brand, but an archaic spelling of both; deer and dear.

I can’t help but think of Timothy  & Dale, as I write this. Tim because we were gagging around in comments with the word “deer/dear/deere”. Dale because she posted some pics of deer in her Wordless Wednesday spot on Marc’s blog.

Anyway, this is one of those high up murals that I had to try hard to capture.

It is a unique dear deer deere!

Pics taken by Resa – February 20, 2023

Toronto, Canada

TheArtist:

Hand detail

Cat on a Book

I saw this from across the street. I shouted, “it’s a cat! People stared.

I dedicate this post to some of the many cats  I’ve met on WordPress. If you click on their name, you will go to their mom or dad’s blog.

Emily & Bagheera

Spunkie Poo 💋, Sasha, Silver, Marble, Loki, Glenda & Gwendolyn

Ricky & Misty

Ava & Chloe (my niece Sherrie’s cats – no link)

Pretty Kitty & Nigel

Thought I’d show the part around the small corner.

Pics taken by Resa – November 7, 2022

Toronto, Canada

The artists:

Dudeman does the skulls. If these aren’t his skulls, he is being plagiarized.

The cat could be Bacon. He’ does beautiful cats, and he and Dudeman had a mural on this same fence. I think they painted over it.

OMG! There’s a spirit coming out of the mural!

Stone Roses

I found stone roses. I thought of  Holly – House of Heart

They are on the same wall where I found “A Long Stemmed Rose for Holly.

Click on me to see the post

The rose must have spilled seeds.

The seeds of love scattered,

and have grown on,

into a Stone Rose garden.

Like Holly’s poems, it’s lush and inviting.

It’s a beautiful happening!

The roses grow right out of the cement curb.

I wonder what will be here next time I pass by?

Pics taken by Resa – June 20, 2022

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

The Half Decent

 

Mermaid Corner

Traffic heavy corner, and the best spot was in the middle of the street.

 Middle of the street was a no go, so, I took the first 2 shots & the 6th shot from across the street.

I took these next 3 from the same side of the street.

I thought, it’s black and white, so I put it through a black and white filter for the next pic.

Pics taken by Resa – January 3, 2020

Toronto, Canada

The Artist: Ness Lee

Hallowe’en – 18

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART: This post is filled with ghouls, gators, gorillas, giant insects & garbage.

Yes, yum, devour humans!

You guys are lightweights! I eat garbage.

Not as much as we do!

Allow me to chop all that garbage up for you!

Did someone mention garbage?

Don’t look at me! I’m full. I just finished mating, and well, he was a tasty fellow!

I’ll burn your garbage, you stupid alley dregs.

I vote we kick Flame Head out of the alley! He burnt my eye last year, and now I have to wear an air conditioner for an eye patch.

What a bunch of idiots. I need to find a new alley!

Pics taken by Resa – 2016, 2017, 2018

Toronto, Canada

Dedicated to my dear niece Sherrie. As before and always, she’s the Hallowe’en Queen.

Artists include: Bruno Smoky, Nick Sweetman, Wales, Birdo and 2 unknown

That was horrific. I need a smoke!

Hallowe’en, phooey! I will take you all on! This alley needs straightening out!