I was in high school when earth Day became a thing. A long long time ago in a gymnasium far far away, I recall watching a student play about the last flower on earth.
Growing up rurally the love of nature was established early. Ten acres of idle apple trees, a large garden yielding platters of corn on the cob, tomatoes, and green beans, and a walk to the river with my dad are iconic childhood memories. A high school favorite Throw Away Society foretold the level of consumerism to which our society would rise.
When you write a book, you dream of where your journey might lead. Will it be to author notoriety, the New York Times best seller list? One envisions busy book signings and large commission checks. Sometimes that is exactly what happens. Sometimes it is the segue to an unanticipated path.
My debut magical realism novel, Whispers for Terra celebrated its one-year birthday on Earth Day. It’s strongest theme is the forest, and the thriving soil beneath our feet which has the capacity to sequester carbon, helping climate issues.
When writing WfT, I anticipated speech pathologists loving it, and regenerative farmers embracing it. I did not anticipate reigniting awareness of life in the forests in so many. I did not anticipate connecting with people around the world that share the same love of nature.
I had always kept my seeing faces in trees somewhat on the lowdown. I did not anticipate discovering thousands of posts by others who believe in the living forests. Weekly I receive photos of old majestic trees. I am tagged in posts depicting wise tree faces or illustrating the life teeming beneath the soil.
I did not anticipate my own broadening and deepening of the the reference for the forests. Although, I naturally remain open to large commission checks and the NYT best seller list, a writing mentor once said, “Let go of what you think it should look like.” Any new adventure, new journey often leads to branches and roots sprouting, causing a change of trajectory, placing you in the purpose that was intended all along.
Order below….
Minderings, a place for the wanderings of your mind. 