It’s May ... a Season I Love, but Also a Sad Season of Saying Goodbye ………. Delsora Lowe

It’s the middle of May, and the neighborhood has turned from dreary brown and muted green, as the grass moves from its lackluster winter color to bright green. Trees sprout new leaves, buried bulbs of perennials sprout green shoots, that will show floral colors in a few weeks. And as I write, my cardinals have been active in the area. I caught the female sitting on my deck railing.

Yes, spring comes late in Maine, compared to our southern neighbors. But spring also brings rain. We’ve had plenty in the month of May, including a few thunderstorms—not as usual at this time of year. But the climate has changed over the years, and more and more humidity moves into the northeast.

Remember the old adage…April showers bring May flowers? Well, here in the north it is now more like May showers bring June flowers. Yes, the lawn is littered with wild violets and the yellow of dandelions. Weeds? No! To me, as my grandmother taught me as a child, both “wild flowers” can be eaten and used in other ways. Dandelion wine from the petals, dandelion greens in place of sauteed spinach or arugula, violets sprinkled atop a salad or a special dessert, or as garnish on a nice meal out.

And a slew of acorns…and no, I don’t eat acorns. The squirrels in the fall certainly recognize a good feast when they see one. They fatten up in the fall, then they bury many acorns and pack away the rest in their own hiding places, as they slow down for the winter. Spring in my yard sees the squirrels gain back energy, as they run up and down the huge oak trunk, sprucing up their nests, and yes, digging up buried acorns. This always amazes me that they know right where they buried them the prior fall. Chipmunks also join the race for food in the spring.

But, alas, as I sit here writing about the new beginnings that the spring season seems to bestow on us, I also bring news about our Romancing the Genres blogposts. Sadly, the month of May marks the end of the RTG blog, and therefore the end of my blogs for RTG. I have been here every month for over six and a half years. I will miss this - writing about my world around me, and making new friends, plus greeting old friends who stopped by to visit.

😔😔😔

On a positive note, it frees up more time to work on my books. But on the sad side of that coin, I will miss the challenge of trying to think of “brilliant” commentary, from my point of view, to match the monthly themes. To me, writing about real life seems to use a slightly different part of my writer brain.

And, most of all, I’ll miss the interaction with all of you as I read and answered your comments. But I won’t be far away, as I will have at least one more book slated for publication this fall, and one most likely coming out later in 2025 or early in 2026—both in the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series. And I have other books in the works.

👋

So here is to a fond farewell, as I wave goodbye from RTG. But I’ll see you soon somewhere down the road.

Amazon: (also in print)

Books2Read        

 

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition and a Thanksgiving story in the December 2 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 4 of the cowboy’s series, the Sheriff’s story, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, to be released in 2025-2026.

The Weird Things That Make Us Laugh ..... ..... by Delsora Lowe

Commercials— There are some that attract our attention, others that speak to us, and still others that just mystify us.

One that always makes me laugh AND mystifies me, is the Kayak commercial – with a woman farmer who says if you need something done, you have to do it yourself. It’s funny and unexpected. I love her feistiness as she stuffs her clothes with straw, marches out to the wheat field, stands up and put her arms out over the wooden stake that usually would have a hanging scarecrow, and hollers. All the blackbirds rise and leave her crop alone. 

As an author, I would love to create such a visual that would spark my reader's imagination.

I wasn't sure what the company who sponsored the ad does, but… I do laugh every time.

Of course, I immediately conducted a search on what Kayak is. It is a search engine for travel. Now I get the gist of the commercial. You don’t have to do everything yourself. We’re here to help you plan your trip. Unlike the woman who insists on doing, by herself, the shooing off of unwanted birds who feed on her crop, Kayak will save you from having to search every area in the country, every transportation and lodging source, etc. *

Want a laugh? KAYAK: Don’t do it yourself (Scarecrow) - YouTube

·        Disclaimer: this is not an endorsement, since I have never used Kayak and only figured out what they do as a company when I researched them for this piece.

Those commercials that call to you, might be because they remind you of times when you were young. Or remind you of the products you used as a kid and are no longer the “in” thing that this next new and shiny product could be used to replace the older version.

Then there are commercials that, for me, defy explanation. It most likely is that I am in the older generation that grew up in the sixties. And products that might be used by younger generations baffle me. Or, in the case of the above, I don’t know what they do. Or, I don’t see the need for them, when I already have an older product that is useful in the same way as the newer, more sparkly version.

Of course, learning about and eventually embracing new “things” can be a good thing. A time saver or a product that does what you never knew you needed. Such as speaking to someone without a telephone wire attached. Full disclosure: I haven’t had a land-line in years.

Remember those days—before cell phones? 

I do. Driving round and round on one-way streets that went the opposite direction I needed to go, when I was on a work trip to Boston. My goal? Looking for a pay phone that actually had a parking spot nearby, to call a friend and get the right directions, since the policeman directing traffic didn’t have time to help a stranger to the city. His only goal—keep traffic moving—as he waved me along. I ended up in tears. I was confused and needed one kind word or the point of the finger to direct me in the right direction. I soon had no recourse to turn around, as I was now on the on-ramp headed toward 95 through the city and over a bridge headed north…in rush hour.

But I digress.

These days, we need the newer and shinier version of products. If we don’t adapt and upgrade, we are left in the dust. Especially when it comes to machines that use technology. If we don’t keep up, we may find ourselves in a void where we, and our machines, can no longer communicate with others.

In this world where more and more folks are working from home, or need to use the latest versions to keep up in an on-site workplace, we can be shoved out of jobs.

And for those of us who work independently and from home, keeping apprised of the newest technologies that can make our jobs easier, and help us produce work faster and with more efficiency, it is important to keep up.

So, whether you see advertisements on your computers or on the TV, or hear about them on the radio, or word of mouth from those who share the same profession, it is imperative to be aware of what’s new out there. If only to stay competitive.

So, peruse those ads. Find the humor or joy in them. And ignore (as in the prolific use of the mute OR delete buttons,) those commercials that don’t call to you.

 

Do you have a favorite commercial? And what is it
that draws you to that particular ad?

Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine, a small coastal town where the Starlight Grille is a favorite meeting place. A three novella and bonus short story, sweet with a bit of heat, collection. 

Amazon

e-book and print

&

Books2Read

e-book 

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, to be released in late 2024 or early 2025.

 

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo and Clip Art Credits:
Typewriter: typewriter-vector-5.jpg (650×650) (getdrawings.com)
Phone: free clip art images of rotary telephone - Search Images (bing.com)
Smile: Smile Clipart Images | Free Download | PNG Transparent Background - Pngtree

Bragging: Or At Least Talking Myself Up...A Bit - - - - by Delsora Lowe

This month’s theme is bragging, ah, er, I mean, telling all of you the three things that I think are my strengths or things I do well.

That’s a hard one. Because, even though there are certain things I love to do, I never feel as though I am great at any of them. But I have to admit, maybe I am good at some of them. And at the same time, always trying to improve.

The obvious is I am good, getting better, but not a star, at writing. I have practiced a lot since I was a kid. My freshman year at a new high school, my teacher submitted a story I had written from a child’s point-of-view, about his little red wagon. It ended up in the school’s quarterly literary magazine. I wanted to run and hide, because I thought people would think I had a childish mind. I survived the ordeal—which wasn’t the ordeal my imagination thought it would be.

My three grandsons, who are all in high school now!

My first-year college English professor “kicked me out” of the required grammar class, because I already knew “that stuff.” As an aside, for the few weeks I was in his class, he also drilled in the use of the Oxford comma. When I went back to finish my degree fifteen years later after marriage and kids, my professors in various disciplines, asked me where I learned to write. So, I offer many thanks to my high school English classes, that at the time were pure torture. However, I did learn to write.

Here are two other areas that I think I am able to achieve in.

First: Cooking—and by that, I mean, I am able to make anything out of nothing. To me food is not only nourishment, but inspiration. I love recipes, but I never follow them. Oh, I try. But then I say to myself…hmmm, I bet if I add this or that, this recipe will be better. Or I look in the fridge and groan, because I haven’t been to the grocery store lately, and I make up a recipe out of anything that is still useable in the fridge. Or I scan the cupboards. I mix and match and add a tidbit of this and a spoonful of that, and a shake of something else.

I have my maternal grandmother and both my parents to thank for showing me how it's done in the kitchen. Use up leftovers in inventive ways. Never let anything go to waste. And always have enough wine - whoops - channeling my dad. Here's to you, Dad, as I hold up my stemmed glass toward the heavens.

I do the same thing in the grocery store since my list says bread, meat, fish, veggies, salad stuff, soup, etc. I have to feel “in the mood.” Today the butternut squash calls to me. Next time it might be broccoli or turnip or beets or avocado. And then as I wander the isles, or survey the meat and fish displays, or check out cheeses I have never tried, I devise my menus for the next few days. Okay, so I may be one of the few who love to grocery shop, and I especially love to wander the farmers market, where each week the offerings are different, depending on harvest times. My brain snaps into creative cooking mode.

Living in Maine – lobster, a favorite ingredient in a meal

The second other thing I am good at is TALKING. I can hear the groan from the peanut gallery of those who know me well. Yup—she talks ALL THE TIME. I love to talk with friends. But I also chat up the store clerk or cashier, anyone in line with me, or anyone searching for the same item in a store. But that love of chat came in handy in my chosen, and not-so-chosen, careers and jobs in hospitality, retail, event planning, government, non-profits, etc. In those jobs it’s a requirement to speak to strangers.

And out of that type of work, I also became good at being a connector of people.

            One example is that during 9/11, I worked in a school in Washington, D.C. It was also my alma mater. We had alumni all over the country, as well as living overseas. I received many calls from people worried about their former classmates in D.C. and N.Y.C. I also heard from many in those affected areas reporting in. I became a conduit between friends.

Part of my job was organizing gatherings for alumni all over the country. That included finding venues and caterers, plus programming for each event. That might include bringing along a beloved professor, or finding an alum in the area who had an interesting career they could speak about, or who had authored a book. I also used to connect alumni from different generations who had things in common—like similar jobs, lived in the same area, or had the same interests. Or those alumni who were looking for jobs and those who might be mentors in that search.

Working in non-profits and alumni relations, connecting like-minded people to resources, job opportunities, or other people who like the same things or are in similar careers, becomes a given. And now, with a network of writers all over the country, it is fun to connect other writers to resources, or authors who write in similar genres, or have areas of expertise needed by that author. And…luckily, they do the same for me. Writing romance is one of my joys in life. And with that goes staying in touch with my good friends, and connecting with authors who may have advice to help me on my journey.

It’s all about the networking, no matter whether it is a job search, connecting with people who have similar interests, jobs, or hobbies, or a simple helpful gesture guiding a lost shopper in the direction of the aisle filled with ice cream. So put on that bright smile and connect. You might be surprised at how much fun it is, even when you know you may never cross paths with that person again.

What is something you think you do well? 

And why do you believe you do this item well?

 

Check out Starlight Grille

Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine, a small coastal town where the Starlight Grille is a favorite meeting place. This sweet, with a touch of heat, 3-book collection includes a new bonus short story and a Starlight Grille recipe.

 Amazon(also in print)

Booksto Read

 

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town and contemporary western sweet and spicy romances, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of New England.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, coming soon.

 Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Smile: Smile Clipart Images | Free Download | PNG Transparent Background - Pngtree

Much ado about November 1

Today is the day when ...

The Celtic winter goddess Cailleach (kal-yach, koll-yak) (hag, witch, wise crone), arrives at Samhain, from the evening of October 31 thru the evening of November 1, and reigns over winter until spring arrives at Imbolc.

The start of National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, or more simply NaNo. The entire month is devoted to writing the first draft of a novel, or at least 50,000 words. 

All Saints' Day in the Christian calendar on which all saints are celebrated, particularly those without their own special feast day. 

In Mexico, today is The Day of the Dead (Dio De Los Muertos), celebrated over two days. On November 1, the spirits of deceased children come down from heaven to reunite with their families for one day, and November 2 is reserved for honouring deceased adults.

Today is National Author’s Day, first celebrated in 1928. The best way to celebrate, in my opinion, is to buy a book!

On this day in 1896, the first bare-breasted females (Zulu tribe) appeared in the National Geographic magazine. Coincidentally, on another November 1, this time in 1914, The Bra was patented.

the Globe Theatre

The first performance of William Shakespeare’s Othello was at Whitehall Palace in London in 1604.

Now excuse me while I eat leftover Hallowe’en candy.

P.S. While researching the remarkable highlights and lowlights about this day, I discovered that apples float because over 25% of their volume is air. And now that we’re talking about apples, and because apples are in abundance this time of year (in my neck of the woods), here’s the link to the most delicious apple cake EVER.

Apple cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen

P.P.S. I used two 9x5 loaf pans – worked great.

P.P.P.S.  My holiday novella is available for pre-order! Only $1.99 for a limited time. Launch day is November 8.

A blizzard … Krista Rhodes has seen a few in her lifetime. 

Snowed in for days … once, when she was a kid. 

Trapped in a house with Dr. Dreamboat … never saw that one coming. Not only cute, he’s also funny and kind and strong and how can she resist? 

Eric Monroe has it all mapped out – drive cross-country to a new job with a brief stop to celebrate a buddy’s engagement. A giant detour with a beautiful, witty, no-nonsense woman makes the journey more fun than he ever thought possible. And bonus – he’s moving to her town.

Except she’s got something she has to do. Maybe. And he can’t ask her to change her plans. Can he?  

Pre-order now!

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her characters, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and five hens. 

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~Amazon Author Page

Freedom and Independence to Follow My Dreams

by Diana McCollum

(This first appeared as a blog on Windtree Press)

I live in a country the, USA, where I can enjoy the freedom and independence to follow my dreams.

My dream is to write and publish stories that I love for others to enjoy.

The job of writing is an independent job. I don’t have a ‘boss’ or a time clock or a paycheck! Once I sell a book to a publisher, I will have a boss, a deadline for revisions and a paycheck!

For now I am my own boss, which is fine with me. Except for the fact my boss is sometimes lax in cracking the whip and getting my butt in the chair and fingers on the keyboard.

My beginning art class

As an independent writer I can pursue writing courses, business courses and learning as much as I can about publicity from sites such as Canva. I can enjoy my other artistic pursuits which includes, but is not limited to, acrylic painting on canvas.

I am immensely thankful that I worked for a company who took care of their employees. Not only in the present day, but thinking ahead to the employee’s retirement. Because of the retirement investments of 22 years being employed by the same company, I am in a comfortable spot in life. Not wealthy, but not worried about finances. Comfortable.

When I retired from MCM Construction my husband and I were able to move to OR and take care of my mom. I started following  my dream of publishing books. I took classes. POV Author Services offers beginning and advanced writing classes, also classes on the business side of writing. I met with writer friends and went to conferences.

Then the pandemic hit and everything moved to online, Zoom ,or Facetime. I learned a whole other way of learning and visiting. Of course, no more meeting at the tea or coffee house with friends. Instead, once in a while we met in smaller groups on front porches or backyards.

Along the way I’ve found out a lot about myself. Writing does that for you. I encourage one and all to write in a journal. Every day, once a week, you choose. Believe me you will find out things about yourself you never knew.

Maybe you will find you have a story in you that is waiting to be put to paper, or typed into the computer. Ideas for stories can come from anywhere. Newspaper and magazine articles are a good source for ideas. Special events which happened in your own life or the life of someone you know. Or an interest in a certain subject. Or a picture of my old chair could surely stimulate the imagination.

With me it was paranormal, witches and magic.  My Pennsylvania grandmothers both had superstitions they lived by. Having lived their whole lives in PA, sometimes in PA Dutch country, and the superstitions abound in Dutch country.

One grandma believed to cure warts you only had to find a tree stump with rain water in it. On a full moon collect some of the stump water to douse your wart and it would kill it.

Both grandmothers and my mom believed things came in threes: death, accidents, good fortune, found money, etc.

There were lots of sayings about brooms. Jumping over a broom stick with your intended seals the marriage, a broom stick across the doorway keeps evil and bad luck out, a broom in the corner is for sweeping away bad juju. And on and on it goes.

My mother’s grandfather and her uncles made brooms. My mom and her sister had to take the straw to the creek and tie it in bundles and walk on it in the water to soften it for processing.

Listening to my mom and aunt talk about broom making got me thinking. Where do witches get their brooms? And so my first idea for a story was born. That specific story is yet to be written, although it is outlined. H-m-m? Maybe I’ll start that one next!

In the meantime, I do have a few books and short stories for you to enjoy.  For more information check out my website.

Peace and Love Out of Conflict – the Heart of a Romance Novel ...... by Delsora Lowe

In the United States, July is a symbol of freedom and peace, as it is when we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. But that freedom came at a cost, as does most everything we do in life. 

Life isn’t filled with parades and marching bands and fireworks and speeches / proclamations about peace and freedom. It is filled with toil and dedication to a cause and brokering consensus and treating all fairly / equally…and conflict. It is all those things mentioned above that make this country stronger, and each individual in this country stronger.

Peace after conflict is vital. As is partnering or negotiating with those who might not agree with you, or be in the same space as you, an important step toward unity and peace.

As in our own lives, and in our hopes and dreams for a peaceful and functioning nation, as romance writers we also want our characters to find peace and joy and that all important and sometimes elusive happily-ever-after or happily-for-now.

But no person or character can find a satisfying end without some heavy-duty work toward achieving happiness along with the angst that is a natural part of any journey.

For me personally, the months of May and June have been filled with work and angst and conflict.

No, it’s not what you think 😊

In the last 6 weeks, I have taken three writing workshops on Conflict, each with a different approach. And each giving me more writer tools to effectively “torture” my characters before they finally conclude they cannot do without the partner I have aligned them with in my story. I put torture in parentheses because I write mainstream contemporary sweet and saucy romance. So, my torture of characters is only enough to make them work for the reward of finding that special person meant just for them.

How do we build enough conflict for our characters to learn, grow, and fall in love? In each workshop I learned many ways of making my stories more exciting for a reader.

In a month-long workshop, where the presenter “tortured” the writers with tons of wonderful information and assignments, I had many AHA moments on things I already knew I must do - things I had been doing - but with a makes-sense, step-by-step way of rooting out the core emotional wounds that make our characters who they are. Whether that internal wound comes from something that happened as a child or as an adult, it guides our character’s way of thinking and therefore reacting. They are the issues that both cause conflict for our characters and force them to overcome deep-seated stressors to find happiness. And in a good romance, the hero or heroine are our primary characters who will be paired up with the ones who will help the other overcome those burdens and move forward to embrace that happily-ever-after.

Internal wounds of a character fighting to resolve themselves and move on.

In another workshop, the presenter talks about the outside forces and / or the internal wounds each character brings to the story. Those are the pieces that generate conflict between the characters, as each individual may react differently to the same root cause. Facing and resolving those triggers individually and then together as the characters grow in the story, helps the characters overcome and open themselves to the happily-ever-after that is a prerequisite for the romance genre. Resolving the genesis of that internal conflict leads to peace and joy for the characters.

In the third workshop, we learned how to make peace with ourselves as a romance writer, while we “torture” our characters by throwing conflict in their paths, when all we really want to do is get to that wonderful, happy ending. The more conflict we throw at our characters, the more chances they have to work hard to overcome challenges. And having to struggle and fight all odds to find love makes it all the sweeter when our characters find love and peace in their lives.

So, celebrate peace while knowing that finding peace may, at times, include a lot of conflict and take a ton of work to overcome struggles. 

Happy July and Peace and Love Be With You!

Book Two of The Cowboys of Mineral Springs

Amazon 
Books2Read   

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her new novella, The Love Left Behind, released in October, 2020. 

Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe 
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

CLIP ART: 
Free Peace Dove, Download Free Peace Dove png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)  
Free Peace Cliparts, Download Free Peace Cliparts png images,  
Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com) 
Fireworks clip art stars free clipart images - WikiClipArt  
free clip art love hearts - Google Search  
free clip art conflict - Google Search
free clip art conflict - Google Search