PRESERVING AND TAKING INSPIRATION FROM OUR NATURAL WORLD
Earth needs us. Gaia needs us. It is critical that we all work together to preserve our planet and our natural world.
Politics and political rhetoric come and go—fostering discussions, arguments, unity or breaks in families, changing alliances, wars, and ultimately—when all is said and done—rebuilding.
Our planet, however, will be a one and done if we are not the caretakers that our Mother Nature needs us to be. There will be nothing left to rebuild.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a negative attitude. Quite the contrary, in fact. I am positive, hopeful, appreciative, and I always try to do my part to preserve the beauty of nature and our natural world. We are all conscious of donating to causes, large and small, whether with our money, our time, or both. So many need our help, in whatever way we can assist.
My choices include a couple of favorite organizations that foster the growth of writers in their craft (Wordcrafters, https://wordcrafters.org/ in Eugene, OR and Willamette Writers https://willamettewriters.org/ in Portland, OR). For aiding the environment, I favor the Nature Conservancy in Washington State at https://www.washingtonnature.org/ , the National Parks Conservation Association at https://www.npca.org/ , and the Washington Trails Association at https://www.wta.org/ . Yours may be these or something else. But they all need us. And we need them, the work they do, and the critical services they provide. Consider volunteering if you can.
Spring Brings Renewal
Spring is edging out winter here in the Pacific Northwest where it is possible to see and appreciate the outdoors every day. I can’t drive anywhere without seeing rivers, mountains, greenery, blooming cherry and apple trees, birds, deer—even in my own back yard. Spring is rejuvenating, bringing renewed growth and life. If one is still and watches, our sensory awareness expands to such a point that we can feel as one with the budding life around us.
My Current Writing Project
At present, I am editing my second book in my Rescue Series. Spring’s rebirth is similar to a writer picking up a manuscript that has been resting for a while. This one rested while I finished and published my first book, A Sailor’s Perfect Christmas https://books2read.com/u/4DxvoO. As I pass through my words, checking all the many things a writer checks in the editing process, I occasionally come across nuggets I have written that I forgot about. For the most part, they have been phrases that bring about emotions and visuals related to nature that stop me for a moment. I roll them around in my mind and enjoy the feelings and beauty the mental slideshow creates in my heart.
Each day and each hour spent editing brings about new thoughts and increases my awareness and joy in the writing process. Some writer friends have said they much prefer the first draft discovery time and that their least favorite part of writing is editing. For me, it’s all good and stimulates my creative brain. I look forward to that continuing well into the future.
Nature threads through my stories and the conservation of our planet is one of my passions. From the simple beauty of raindrops on leaves to the sea turtles on the sandy beaches in Hawaii, it all brings me a joy that I am eager to share with my readers.
What brings you joy these days?
My Writing and Contacts
I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense. My Rescue Series launched last November with A Sailor’s Perfect Christmas, and I plan to finish the second book, When the Night Comes, which takes place on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, in the next couple months or so. A broken right hand has slowed me down and I am halfway through the healing and strengthening process now. I feel like I am in sloth-mode these days.
I would love to hear from you, either below in the comments, or on my website. https://darilaroche.com
5 comments:
Dari,
I loved your post!
Saving the planet is up to all of us for sure.
What brings me joy is my seeing my family and my yard. We have so many different bushes and trees and a sweet pond that is being refurbished.
When the pond is up and running the animals come for drinks, and the birds take their evening baths. Its a joy to sit and watch nature.
Hope you heal up and are good as new soon!
Thank you for guesting at Romancing The Genre's, Dari. Your lifestyle, values and books are a perfect fit with us this month. I've never seen a turtle hatch but I was mesmerized by them at the Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman. I must have taken 100 pictures of them. My friend just shook her head as I snapped picture after picture. However, when we were in Ireland, she was out talking to the sheep. We were a pair!
Thank you, Diana and Judith, for your comments.
Diana, I saw your beautiful trees and plants in your yard in your last Romancing the Genres post. I love the birds and deer as well. It is so rewarding.
Judith, I could probably match you on turtle pics. Love them. I saw them in Grand Cayman too. I greatly envy your trip to Ireland. That one is on my bucket list to be sure.
My right hand is on the mend, so I am thankful. Thanks again for stopping by.
Well said, Dari - we ALL have a lot of work to do to make up for the neglect and intentional destruction. It breaks my heart. But spring is for renewal and with that comes hope that we can all work together to save our planet.
I agree, Deb. I think we all could do with assessing the habits we have made part of our normal lives and try to add at least one or two more every so often. I am optimistic that with education and awareness, we can turn it around. We have to.
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