Literary

Fiction Nook
Reported by Delana

The Fiction Theme for May was open, so the members could write about anything they chose to write about. A special thank you to everyone who took the time to read the stories and send in your votes.

Congratulations to our winners!!

FIRST PLACE
Last Gift From Gramma by Hoshino Ai

SECOND PLACE
Change by Silver Essence

THIRD PLACE
Tick Tock by Christina

Whimsical Nook
Reported by Christina

Come and see what lighthearted tales and poems we have for you this month! But a warning....it's only for the young at heart! *g*

Nonfiction Nook
Reported by Christina

This month members reflected on the memories of their wedding day, both in poem and tale form. As it was my own wedding anniversary this month it was something of a romantic nature to write about that happiest moment in our lives during the month of May. So we invite you to stop by the Non Fiction Nook and relive the romantic memories of your own wedding day with those who shared theirs with us this month.


Poetry Nook
Reported by FoxY

During May, the poetry theme was open, so the members could write about anything they chose. A special thank you to everyone who took the time to read all the poems and to cast your votes.

Congratulations to our winners!
First Place -Through the Eyes of a Child by KayDee Ward aka Maiden Fair

Second Place - Mover of Mountains by Julie A Strickland aka FoxY

Third Place - Cherry Blossom Dreams by Brenda Barnhart aka Brennie

Third Place - To A Dear and Special Friend by Christina Smith aka Stina

Honorable Mention - Dream With Me by Loretta Jacobs aka SilverEssence

Honorable Mention - A Tarnished Picture Frame by Rachelle

Honorable Mention - Recently I dreamed I talked to you by Sarah aka Orca

Honorable Mention - The Angels Sang For You by Cynthia E Jones




Challenge Nook
Reported by Carol

May's Challenge was to write a diamante poem. These are seven line poems with a definite pattern that forms a diamond. The first and last lines are "opposite" words and the lines between bring them together. What great fun this was! All the submissions were truly works of art.


Continuing Story Nook
Reported by Carol

May's continuing story was a lot of fun. Once again the baton was passed from person to person creating a detective story that will leave you guessing "who did it" until the last minute. Be sure to stop by and read May's story, "Duplicity."


Reviews & Expressions Nook
Reported by Orca
For the month of May, we have several different kinds of expressions. Stop by and take time to read them! We also have a book review, a movie review and a web site review.


Celebrations & Comfort Nook
Reported by Broken Angel
I would like to thank everyone who submitted this month.
I know all of our Sisters here appreciate your thoughts and sentiments on their pages.
Please keep on submitting ladies!

Have a wonderful June.
See ya all next month!

From Carol:
It is with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to the Literary Garden. Everyone here has been such a big part of my life for so long that it is like moving far far away from family. I can honestly say that being a part of this garden has encouraged me to pursue my writing career, the reason I'm saying so long for now. May God bless you all and keep you in his loving care.

I am very pleased to turn over my nooks to Christina, the new Assistant Head to the Literary Garden. I'm sure she'll bring some fresh ideas to both the Challenge and Continuing Story.

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

Please join me in congratulating SEEDED SPIRIT ~SARAH~ for being selected as the Literary Garden's Spotlight Author of the Month. Her loyalty to sending in her required submissions, and her warm heart in supporting and encouraging other garden members are all part of why she has been selected this month. Please take a few moments to read her 'interview' below, and get to know this talented writer a little better. You can also visit her website at http://www.SeededVisions.com

What is your favorite Literary Garden Nook and why? The Poetry Nook is my favorite because I love poetry. I love writing and reading poetry. Poetry, whether it comes from someone else or from my own muse, never ceases to a amaze me. With a few select words I can laugh from the depths of my soul; weep from the heart or be sent into deep thought that transforms my world.

What do you like best about being a member of the Garden? I am amongst others who are drawn to the art of words. I feel a deep connection with the women in this garden. I not only love to read what they have written but I love the different forms in which I can express myself and am challenged to do so. This is an outlet that I will have for as long as I can.

Do you believe "the pen is mightier than the sword?" Why? Not in a dark alley. I do believe that words shouldn't be used lightly. I know from experience that wounds from words go deeper and hurt much longer. The choice to use one word over another can change the dynamics of everything. Words are a very powerful tool and I believe is the most important thing our children should learn to use properly.

If you had the chance to speak on international television and your speech had to be about you, what would you tell the world? I am and have been a very spiritual person for as long as I can remember. I have lived and experienced life. I've known the truest form of love, the love for and of my children. I've had more pets than I can count and had a handful of the very best friends I could ever imagine. I grew up at the foot of Pikes Peak, traveled the Country and climbed the pyramids in Mexico. I have learned to appreciate the little things in life and let go of the frustrations that used to cloud my view.

Throughout my life I have made mistakes and hurt those I love. I hope I have and will continue to make it up to them. I believe I have learned from my mistakes and continue to grow more compassionate; understanding; empathetic and giving to others. I have also done some very good and life changing things for others. If I witness criticism I become more understanding. If I criticize I realize I am still ignorant to many things. Before I leave this beautiful place I will do what I can for the good of others. I will do what I can to live the vision of a world that works for everyone. I will do what I can to help those in my community, my country and then others throughout the world. I will do what I can to make it easier for disabled Americans (under the age of 65) to get the assistance they need.

Do you have any pets? I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn't have pets. I adore animals though I've always been a dog person. A little over three years ago I had to put one of my two 14 year old dogs down. I decided to get my remaining dog a kitty to play with. I found that a stray cat had kittens under our shed and chose one to adopt. The stray mother convinced me (on more than one occasion) that she was bigger than me. I did find two stray 6 week old kittens that had been abandoned by their mother and adopted them. Six months later, one of the little strays that lived under our shed got caught under our house during some sewer repairs. When we got him out, I adopted him. I now have three wonderful 3 year old cats that have transformed me into a 'cat person'.

When life gets you down, who can make you laugh? I make me laugh. Over the last couple of years I have found that I entertain myself more than anything else. I am grateful that I can (and do) laugh at myself.

Do you collect anything? If so, care to share? I used to collect M&Ms and Teapots. Over the last couple of years I've had to drastically reduce the number of and amount of 'things' I have. I believe this is another reason my writing and drawing is so very important to me.

Can you tell us one thing about yourself that we might find surprising? I published a book and had a column in a magazine and a quarterly newspaper around 1989. About 2 1/2 years ago I was an Office Manager and Full Charge Bookkeeper and I had what seemed to be a stroke. I have not been able to work since. We now believe it was vascular headaches which has caused me to have dementia. I have difficulty reading anything more than a couple paragraphs long yet I can read poems fine. I can no longer proof read what I write; use the stove; drive much and I can no longer add or count very well. I have more and more difficulty expressing myself. I can however, close my eyes and my muse guides my visions so my fingers can type what I'm visualizing.

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? 1. Drawing. 2. Writing to a dear friend who is in Fiji (Peace Corp).

Who or what inspires you to write? Life! Whatever my thoughts are at the moment. I close my eyes and whatever I visualize is what I write about.

Until next month, Happy Reading,
FoxY, Delana, Carol, Christina, Orca, and Broken Angel