Sometimes a door opens to a new adventure we never saw coming. And sometimes, if you let yourself walk through that door, really good things can happen.
But this story is only partially about me. The focus now shifts to the work and soul of my dear friend, Jill Freeman.
Jill Freeman, Artist
Jill is one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever had the good fortune to meet. She and I were college roommates, fellow dancers and theater partners.
Over the years she has shared her many talents with me and with the world in numerous ways: singer, songwriter, librettist, lyricist, musician, band member, writer, artist, illustrator. And, lucky for those around her, supportive friend.
Last year I became aware of a shift in Jill’s creations into the world of Abstract Art. Her work hangs in galleries, wins awards, and sells!
A while back Jill invited me to a gallery exhibit opening where her artwork was being shown. I was delighted to attend. The very first moment that I laid eyes on the first painting in her exhibit I knew instantly what world was living inside that painting. And I knew that I needed to write that story.
With Jill’s permission, I have chosen 24 of her paintings and, inspired by the titles she has chosen, the colors, the shapes, the dimensionality and the living movement she builds into her artwork, I have written 24 short stories to partner with these paintings.
My stories fall under the category known as Flash or Micro Fiction. The shortest of my stories comes in at 27 words. The longest, 896.
Coming To Light – Page Preview: 27 word Flash fiction
I wrote this book as a Thank You to Jill Freeman for all she has given me and for all the ways she has made the world a better place. It is my hope that those who flip through my book will see the life and vibrancy in her work and want to see more.
Please visit my Author’s Page on Books.By and, if you choose to spend time with the paintings in this book, you are invited to step into your own interpretations of what you see. If you are moved to share what speaks to you in Jill’s artwork, I will welcome your vision of what these paintings offer to you.
Tara’s Author Page can be found at Books.by/Buttons-Whimsy
To the remarkable human being who is Shai Beaulet: I wish you a thousand soft landings and many revealed moments of joy and comfort on your Birthday and Always.
There is, in WordPress Land, a marvelous source of inspiration for writers, authors and poets. Her name is D. Wallace Peach. I offer this entry into her fantastically wonderful stories and to the opportunities she creates for the community of writers who connect with her through her blog called Myths of the Mirror.
To move us forward into the New Year she presents this challenge:
Write a story or poem about your TBR pile.
This is familiar territory for book lovers: TBR = “To Be Read”. The books that sit on your shelf waiting for you to get around to reading them. I have many such stacks and collections. So, even though I have never attempted a writing challenge, I felt compelled to jump in and add my voice. Thank you, Ms. Peach for providing the diving board!
A Reader’s Dilemma (with apologies to Dr. Seuss)
Books in baskets, Books on shelves, Books in stacks of tens and twelves
Books piled high in every room. Books that shimmer in the gloom
Enticing me with cover art just begging me to make a start
Books around me everywhere! Books are waiting here and there
Books of interest, Books of stories, Books of many categories
Offering a chance to learn. A chance, I fear, I’ll have to spurn
Books recalling ancient times. Books of prose and books of rhymes
Books I’ve owned for many years, highly touted by my peers
Alas, I cannot find the time to launch this effort’s mountainous climb
As I lay me down to sleep this couplet in my brain does creep:
Books behind me, Books ahead. Books are calling To Be Read
Ms Vila has written an eloquent book of poems for friends and loved ones suffering loss, a circumstance too many of us have had to live through recently. In place of sympathy cards or flowers, this book is a gift to anyone you know who is experiencing loss. Ms. Vila’s poetry offers the comfort and companionship of knowing you are not alone in your experience of loss or grief. Once read, these poems can be revisited again and again as your journey through grief takes the all-too-common unexpected detours to acceptance.
Available in paperback and Kindle editions, this collection of heartfelt thoughts for “the darker moments” solves the question of what to give to someone you care about that will acknowledge their suffering and offer support when you can’t be there to hold them close.
From the Author:
“It is a book for those suffering around us when we are left speechless and can find no words from our hearts to soothe those grieving souls. An array of work that speaks to the darker moments of life when despair arrives in the wake of loss leading from the darkness of grieving to the healing light of acceptance.”
Tara's Thoughts 