Happy Tuesday, everyone.

 

It’s two weeks past the election, and if you’re reading this, you have survived.

 

I do not say that lightly. For some, this election felt like a life-or-death event.

 

And whether you are elated about the outcome or devastated by it, or somewhere in between, you are here. We are here together, and I am grateful for that.

 

I’m not usually an escapist, but I was out of town—and away from the madness, thankfully—during the election. It wasn’t “a plan.” We booked the trip without putting two and two together. But I must say, I am grateful that we voted early, packed our bags, and headed out for a cruise.

Instead of doom scrolling, I was singing along with a fabulous band, dancing to the DJ jams, and swimming with pigs!! (I highly recommend it!)

 

These next weeks, I am choosing to turn my mind and heart to family, friends, the holidays. To writing poems! To reading and sharing!

 

I’m also, as per usual this time of year, spending time trying to find meaningful holiday gifts. Of course, there’s a huge place for the fabulously fun—I will always cherish my rooster apron (thank you Gail!)–but somehow, these times also call for gifts that make us think, feel, connect to others, to our (sometimes hard to find) common ground, to our humanity. So in today’s post, I am going to offer some of my faves, share links and books and people I value who have much of value to offer us all.

 

1. Here’s a free, pre-holiday gift for yourself! I’ve mentioned the amazing Jeanne M. Stafford on these blog pages many times in the past. Here’s our interview from 2020.  She has since founded of The Devotion Factor, which supports people in “… living FOR something. It’s being in the world in the name of a principle, an idea, or a person. It’s using what you’re FOR as a driving force for your existence.” And to tap into our own unique “devotions,” we must minimize the distraction we allow into our lives. Jeanne offers monthly Zoom forums, where she leads an inspiring interactive hour. The last one of 2024 will be held on Dec 4 at 12:00 pm EST. All registrants will receive a recording of the event, so if you can’t make it in person, don’t let that stop you from signing up!

 

I’ve always come away from either the in-person or recorded hours with extremely useful and actionable strategies to keep me on my devotional track!

 

2. If you have not yet ordered a copy of Awakenings: Stories of Body & Consciousness, please do! Yes, I edited the anthology! Yes, I am biased! And, yes, this truly is a moving collection of essays, featuring 49 beautiful authors—some seasoned essayists, some brand new— sharing their body stories. Don’t take my word for it! The collection won IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Anthology of 2024 and was named the finalist in the nonfiction anthology category by the International Book Awards. Just saying …

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Now to the wonderful author and my dear friend Alison McGhee! Alison’s Telephone of the Tree is an Amazon Editor’s Pick, and while it is suggested for readers 8-12, DO NOT let that stop you from picking up a copy for yourself! The story was inspired by the Wind Phone of Japan, and the magic Alison spins from there is stunning and deeply moving. Make sure to have tissues handy while reading–and probably best not to read on a plane! (I read the book on a three-hour flight. Thank goodness the guy sitting next to me was asleep because I was bawling—out loud—for much of the time!)

 

Also, for anyone looking to jump start their writing or just have a few days of scheduled writing time with a lovely group—and most lovely teacher, join Alison for her Write Together: “Each hour includes a brief reading and continues with a 30- to 45-minute guided prompt related to the theme of the day.” Alison’s next Write Together  will take place the week of Jan 6-11 at 11:00-12:00 EST!  I’ve participated in Alison’s Write Togethers in the past and LOVED them! I’ve already signed up for this round!  Hope to see you there this January! (Would make a great gift, too!)

 

 

4. Who doesn’t want to be seen—truly seen? And who doesn’t want deeper connections with others? I believe we hunger for both—and that the world would be a much more peaceful place if more people were seen and saw others. But how to get there? Look no further than David Brooks’ latest How to Know a Person: the art of seeing Others ddeply and being deeply seen. Even the title is dreamy! I love this book! The questions he asks, the way he calls himself out and always strives to do better. This is a primer on how to ask questions to get beyond surface talk. It is rich, and beautiful, and I think it belongs on everybody’s shelf.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m now going to recommend several books and direct you to either reviews I’ve written about them or interviews I’ve done with the authors. I would love for you to take the time to read one, several, or all of the reviews and/or interviews and then pick up the books and read them for yourselves. Each has opened my heart and my mind. I imagine they will do the same for you!

 

5. Here’s my review in Hippocampus Magazine of The Trauma Mantras: A Memoir in Prose Poems by Adrie Kusserow, an indespensible guide to understanding how our society’s elevation of trauma as a badge of honor to wear and display proudly is not helping anyone. Kusserow, an anthropolist who’s seen and studied trauma around the world offers deep insight and wisdom. She is also an extremely gifted poet. WHAT A BOOK!

 

 

 

 

 

6. Here’s my interview in The Rumpus with Jessica Jacobs about her amazing poetry collection unalone: Poems in conversation with The Book of Genesis.

I have recently connected more deeply to my spiritual roots—beginning at the beginning, at Genesis. What a stunning collection of poems by a stunning poet and most generous and beautiful person. In unalone, Jacobs asks such profound questions of the Book of Genesis, of God—and of herself and each of us. I am grateful to her and keep this collection close.

 

 

 

 

 

Loss.  If we live at any length on this glorious planet, we will experience loss. No escaping it. Some feel their losses most deeply around this time of year. These next three recommendations hold a broken heart with great care.

 

 

 

7. Susan L. Leary’s Dressing the Bear, winner of the Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence, is her powerful poetry collection about the death of her brother. Here’s the interview I did with Susan for The Rumpus. “Chasing the Afterlife” is one of my favorite conversations, and I really think it will move you, too.  You will come away with new wisdom after reading Leary’s words.

 

 

 

 

8. Just celebrating its one-year anniversary is Eileen Vorbach Collins’ Love in the Archives: a patchwork of true stories about suicide loss, a truly brave and beautiful memoir in shorts about Collins’ daughter Lydia, who died by suicide at age 15, and Collins’ journey with grief. Here’s my review of this very difficult and equally gorgeous “patchwork” published in The Colorado Review. Here’s an interview I did with Collins published in Mom Egg Review. And here’s a more in-depth conversation I had with Collins for our very own WomanPause!

 

 

 

 

9. Not yet published, but available for pre-order is The Full Catastrophe: All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared by Casey Mulligan Walsh. This will not get to you (or your gift recipient) until February, but I have read an advanced copy–am working on a review as we speak–and the memoir is worth waiting for! Walsh’s strength in the face of “The Full Catastrophe” is truly inspiring. I am IN AWE of this woman—and you will be too! Here’s the interview I did with Walsh for our very own WomanPause. And here’s her tiny gut-wrenching piece “Still”—that I will NEVER forget—in Split Lip Magazine.

 

 

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention 2 on-going Zoom opportunities that I totally adore, led by two women who are incredible sources of light in this world.

 

 

10.  Sherry Danner. Sherry has a wonderful memoir/self-help book Nurturing the Light Inside: Overcoming Addiction and Codependency on the Path to Self-Love that came out in 2020. Here’s our WomanPause interview, where we talk about the book and so much else!

But today, I want to plug her offering called Joy Journaling. I’ve been a member for quite some time now and can’t rave about it more!  Here’s what Sherry has to say about it on her website:

Joy Journaling is a monthly membership designed for YOU as a woman over 50 to…

• tap into your inner wisdom
• clarify your deepest desires
• challenge old stories and practice new chosen beliefs
• make decisions from your highest values
• remember what you have already overcome
• access your limitless capacities
• deepen the connection with yourself and your Creator
• develop true self-compassion
• integrate your past, celebrate your present, open to your future
• know, love, and trust yourself more

 

Sherry and I met at Antioch. I became one of her clients when she had a practice as a boundaries coach. She helped me more than I can ever express. Now, I learn and grow from each of her Joy Journaling sessions. What a gift to give yourself or another woman you love over 50!

 

11. Next recommendation: Do ANYTHING that Heather Mackay Young offers!

I’ve done distance healing and oracle readings with her. She is an incredibly beautiful and gifted healer, who lives in the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.

Listen to her glorious voice and enjoy this short meditation.

I first came to know Heather as a poet. She has since been an amazing guide for me and my poems.

Heather has a substack—which offers poetry readings. Yes! Even more opportunities to hear Heather’s voice! It also offers lovely, inspiring prompts, and monthly poetry parties, where a group of poets—at all stages—meet on Zoom to write together under Heather’s magical guidance. And believe me, magic happens there! If you are at all considering dipping your toes into the sea of poetry, if you used to write poems and want to get back to doing so again, or if you are a seasoned poet, I cannot recommend Heather’s offerings more highly!

 

So, what started out as an intention to write out a list of gift recommendations for others, ended up being more of a list of gift recommendations to give to yourself!  I LOVE THAT!!!

Please gift yourself several (or all) of my 11 recommendations

 

WAIT!!! ONE MORE!!!!

I could not end this post without a thanks and a shout out to Jena Schwartz for her 11’s writing prompts! Jena’s Zoom and Facebook writing groups have been a lifeline for me in this difficult year. A terrific gift to gift yourself or someone you love is one of Jena’s group offerings! She also does one-on-one coaching and she has a most wonderful and inspiring substack too! (And keep checking Jena’s website, her book Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times is coming in time for the holidays!

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving All–I hope you make some peaceful, quiet time for yourself as we all start this season of holiday hustle and bustle.

Any questions about my recommendations? Ask!

And … I’d LOVE to hear your recommendtions, so leave a comment and share!

 

Sending so much love to you all!

XOXOXO

Diane