What is Love?

 Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights and choose love and light.

As a writer of romantic women’s fiction and contemporary romance this month’s prompt Love might have been an easy post to write. That would have been nice but that’s not what happened. However, since I’m also leading the Blog-Versation the weekend of February 13^th, I now have 5 questions aimed at creating conversation.

Today I’m off in a different direction…a spin-off on the question “What Is Love?” There are many different loves. The love of a parent for a child and a child’s for a parent is one example. In romance novels, there is the romance between the main characters.

In my books, while each has that love story between the main characters, there is an underlying love story. That love story is not sexual or romantic. It is however about demonstrating unconditional acceptance of each other thus being able to “show up” however it is needed.

My own life includes being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother along with being a niece, an aunt and cousin (first and on down the line). Showing up is something I have done personally and professionally. Asking someone to show up for me is an aspect of life I’m working on.

There is a gift we give someone when we ask for assistance. It can strengthen our connection to others by inviting them to be an important part of our lives.

Because we celebrate love and relationships on Valentine’s Day, it’s important to not lose sight on February 15^th, that this month as in every month we improve the quality of our own lives when we look for ways to enhance our connections to others.

A first step is to look at what we are doing and saying that creates distance and disconnection. Listen to your tone of voice, your word choice and preferably stop or at least limit criticizing yourself and others. Taking responsibility for how we feel and what we do instead of blaming others isn’t always easy but it can be done.

My books illustrate how you can create those unconditionally supportive relationships. I also share tips in my monthly newsletter. You can sign up for Choices here.

Look for my next non-fiction Yes, You Can Create The Life You Love by late spring aka early summer. And if you need guidance on handling stress, Staying Sane in A Crazy World is available as are all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2021 Judith Ashley

Tis The Season!

 Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction that honors pagan spiritual practices. My stories show you what life could be like if, in the darkest nights, you choose love and light.

Tis The Season! starts by the middle of October and runs through all of November and December and into January. October 2020 started and ended with Full Moons! And the last one in 2020 is 12/30/2020. I love standing out on my back decks under a Full Moon, drinking in the glory of night and the quiet light of the Moon.

All Hallows Eve, Halloween are the first “official” holidays of my tis the season.

Then comes November, my birth month. I choose something special as a gift to myself over a period of time that equals one day for each year of my life. I started this tradition when I celebrated my 50^th and have never looked back. This year my birthday season goes into January!

Also, since I love Winter – the darker and drearier days – I’m in my element much of the time. Even though I have a fireplace, I do not spend my days curled up in front of it with a hot cup of tea and good book. Usually you’ll find me in the next room, my office, at the computer.

Of all the December tis the season spiritual holidays, I celebrate Winter Solstice and Christmas. The latter because I have great grands and grands and that is the spiritual holiday they celebrate.

There are about sixty-two days from Hallow’s Eve or Halloween to Thanksgiving (USA) and through the December spiritual holidays.

And then comes The New Year!!!

I’ve never been one who goes forth and parties although I did spend one memorable New Year’s Eve and Day at the Oregon Coast watching waves dash upon the rocks!!!

For this New Year’s Eve I’m already planning. Fire in fireplace, bottle of something sparkly (not sure what yet), paper and multiple pens in different colors. Once the fire is blazing, I will curl on the couch and consider the year past jotting down thoughts and feelings about what did and didn’t happen.

Lt. Col. Boyd C. Yaden with fans

What didn't?
I lost a longtime friend in June to CoVid-19, I didn’t get that week visiting my great grands, months went by and no hugs and without Zoom, those months would not have included seeing friendly faces. I’m a writer, a published author and my plans for 2020 in that department did not materialize at all.

What did?

I became somewhat proficient with Zoom, figured out how to use Insta-Cart, relied upon a neighbor to do some fresh produce shopping for me when she went to the store (yes, we independent types see that as a huge deal). I’ve a friend with dementia and I figured out a schedule for myself so I keep in touch with her.

I’ve also bitten one of my proverbial bullets and have taken two on-line classes with Maggie Lynch to learn Search Engine Optimization and how to reinvigorate my mailing list. I’ve started by giving my newsletter a name: Choices. My plan is to write about once a month. And I highly recommend you check out Maggie’s website. She is an excellent on-line (and in person) instructor!

I swept leaves off my front decks which has been beyond my physical strength for some time. I did pay a price with a sore shoulder for a few days but looking back I see it as a milestone regarding the regaining of strength and stamina.

I was pro-active and asked for a new doctor (of my choosing) when I learned my current PCP was leaving the group practice. And I chose Well! I battled and won the war against a mild Shingles outbreak (do get the immunization done).

Last but not least during my tis the season time frame, I signed up for two online courses in Divination Card Reading. I’m now a Certified Angel Tarot Card Reader and will have my general Divination Card Reader Certification by the end of December. There is magic in the cards or as I’ve learned within me.

As you can see, in many ways 2020 was a very good year!

What about 2021?

I’ve already started planning!!! By this time next year I will have spent a week at the beach, a week with my great grands. I’ll have Yes, You Can Create A Life You Love published.

I will have all the metadata up-to-date for my books and uploaded to all the vendors who sell my books.

I will have at least one in person author event.

Choices will be going out to my mailing list in about a month with tips on how to make choices that create the tomorrow we want to live in as well as news about authors and books I enjoy reading. Contests, updates on my writing, new releases and information I hope will entertain as well as inform.

You can sign up for my mailing list here. 

You can find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2020 Judith Ashley