Sparks

My Secret Cottage

Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. My Secret Cottage By Kathy Guthormsen I open the back door to dew sparkling in the morning sun and hints of rainbows shimmering in the lingering mist. They let me catch a fleeting glimpse before their magic fades. Goosebumps raise along my bare arms as I race through the grass and turn to look at my wet footprints. The sun will soon erase this evidence of my footsteps. I won’t be followed as I skip through an imaginary forest to my secret cottage at the far end of an enchanted glade. Rabbit hops along next to me hoping for the reward of a carrot. Cat slinks across the trail, hunting. She’d like to catch Rabbit, but he’s bigger than she is. And wilier. I raise my hand to shade my eyes and turn in a circle….

Book Reviews

The Story of Jazz and Vihar

“The Story of Jazz and Vihar” by Kathy Guthormsen is a sweet story and the author’s love of these three birds comes through on every page. I look forward to sharing this book with my grandchildren and taking them to see birds like this at a bird rescue center near them. —B, retired teacher and team manager, and grandmother of 3 The richly textured, vibrant artwork accompanying each page portrays Poe, Jazz and Vihar—their appearance, plumage, talons, even expressions —in realistic detail. Explanatory sidebars, also in color, flesh out the story with facts about great horned owls and ravens.—G, retired librarian and Bird Rescue Center volunteer  I like it because it because it feels like the story is set by Poe and it’s just like you can see the point of view from the owls and what they go through. I also like the pictures a lot and honestly give this book a…

Sparks

Vigil

By Kathy Guthormsen Vigil I hold vigil by the campfire Watching dry logs send sparks dancing into the twilight, the west coast version of fireflies My prayers winging their way to you No more hot tubs under palm trees No more drinks with paper umbrellas These are distant memories wrapped in protective quilts I ask the fire to transform me into smoke that drifts upward Tendrils reaching, searching for you Forever just out of reach I had to let your body go But I hold your essence in my still beating heart where I will keep you safe and warm As long as I am here “Vigil” was created using Prompt #580 on The Write Spot Blog. Kathy Guthormsen Growing up in Skagit Valley, Washington with its verdant farmland gave Kathy an appreciation for the promise and beauty of nature’s bounty. The Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and old growth…

Guest Bloggers

Writer’s Block While Sheltering in Place

Guest Blogger Kathy Guthormsen shares her writer’s block woes while sheltering in place. Perhaps you can relate. Shelter in Place Writer’s Block Sheltering in place has taken all the words from my brain Inspiration has disappeared My muses are sheltering elsewhere I am numb I sit at my desk I start my computer and open three works-in-process I drink my coffee I eat my breakfast I read the paper I work the sudoku puzzle I stare at the word jumble trying to make sense of the randomly arranged letters I read my works-in-process and make some edits I write a few sentences on a new document I work an online sudoku puzzle I check email I check Facebook I write items on my to-do list I delete the sentences I wrote earlier and beg my muses to speak to me I look at writing prompts I make more edits to…