Tag: Self-Care

Poetry with a Positive Perspective #FantasticFridayReads #Reblogs #Poetry

Today, I’m sharing an oldie but goodie from July of last year. What I said about this book then still stands today. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll check it out and find positivity among negativity. Happy reading!

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With bad news happening in the world, we could all use some hope and positivity. Thus, I was drawn to this book when I read a review.

Donna Ashworth does an excellent job narrating this beautiful collection. Her soothing voice is uplifting, as she dispenses such advice as to help someone else when you’re feeling down or put hope next to your car keys or in some other safe place.

 

Poetry with a Positive Perspective: My Review of Wild Hope by Donna Ashworth #FantasticFridayReads #Poetry #Inspiration – My Corner

 

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

 

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!

Poetry with a Positive Perspective: My Review of Wild Hope by Donna Ashworth #FantasticFridayReads #Poetry #Inspiration

What Audible Says

 

This powerful new collection of wisdom will help us find hope, peace, self-acceptance, and inspiration on the days we feel worn down, helpless, or sad. Written with love and understanding, it reminds us that, amidst our daily struggles and constant outpourings of bad news, we have so much to hope for and that every one of us can play a part, big or small, in making the world a better place.

With poems such as Surrounded by Treasure, That Thing You Do, Through the Wringer, and Rope Ladder, Donna Ashworth helps us remember that most people in this world are good and that acts of kindness and love within our individual spheres of influence, however small, all contribute to a better future. She also gently guides us, no matter how busy or overburdened we may be, to practice better self-care and self-acceptance.

 

Buy from Audible.

 

My 5-Star Review

 

With bad news happening in the world, we could all use some hope and positivity. Thus, I was drawn to this book when I read a review.

Donna Ashworth does an excellent job narrating this beautiful collection. Her soothing voice is uplifting, as she dispenses such advice as to help someone else when you’re feeling down or put hope next to your car keys or in some other safe place.

“Listen for Me” reminded me of my late husband Bill, who loved music as much as I do. “You Don’t Meet Anyone by Accident” confirmed my belief that Bill was sent to help me achieve my dream of being a writer. My favorite is “Without You,” a poem I’d love to read to Bill. Music and sound effects add a nice touch to this Audible recording.

If you’re not into poetry, I still encourage you to check out Wild Hope. When you hear the author’s words, you may forget you’re listening to poetry. You’ll definitely be uplifted. You may want to return to this collection from time to time, especially when you’re feeling down and need positive affirmation.

 

Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

I’m pleased to announce that this month, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me, The Red Dress, and My Ideal Partner are available ABSOLUTELY FREE as part of the Smashwords 16th annual summer/winter sale. You can click here to visit my Smashwords author page and download my books.

I have more great news! For those who use the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled in the United States, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me is now available in an audio format from their site. To download this book click here.

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.

New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.

Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

The cover of the book features an older woman sitting in a wicker chair facing a window. The world beyond the window is bright, and several plants are visible on the terrace. Behind the woman’s chair is another plant, with a tall stalk and wide rounded leaves. The woman has short, white hair, glasses, a red sweater, and tan pants. The border of the picture is a taupe color and reads "Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me" above the photo and "Abbie Johnson Taylor" below it.

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.

After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.

Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.

Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?