Friday, March 1, 2024

“One Life – Unlived”

 

March  2024 Blog


Stagnation: A Haiku

The months fly by and

Soon a year has nearly passed

And it is not done.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(3/1/24)

 

March 26th will be a year since my son died. The poetry chapbook I need to write in memory of him lies heavy on my mind and a long way from completion. I could say I have procrastinated, but the truth is – I have stagnated. I am yet bereft and finding it difficult to put my thought and feelings to print.

I believe I’m ready to get started on it now. The feelings are still fresh, but I can now be reasonably objective enough to do it justice, I believe.

Also, it’s a year later and a year less that I have left to get it all done.

Just what is “All”? You may ask. “All” is the other half of my own life that I have never lived. All the novels I have not written. All the poetry I have yet to compose. All the joy I was promised in my senior years by those who had no idea what life would be like now.

I hope I have time for one more restart, one more chance to “get ‘er done”.

I saw Carl Reiner on a 1981 Johnny Carson rerun the other night talking about getting old. He quoted Samuel Beckett: “We are born astride the grave”.

That stuck with me. It reminds me of the idea that we start to die the moment we are born. Morbid maybe, definitely heavy thoughts and undeniably true. But before I slip into that grave I was born astride, I have many things yet to do. It’s long past time I got started – or restarted as the case may be. It is fortunate that I am in reasonably good health, of reasonably sound mind and able to meet my obligations. Thus, I can concentrate on writing if I can just shake the sadness off. I really need to smile more. It’s going to be difficult writing what’s in my heart and finding odd moments to smile. But that is what we do – we laugh and we cry our whole lives through. Those of us who write are sometimes lucky enough to share those laughs and those tears with our readers. I definitely have more to share.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      


https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now March and we are already starting to warm up. Not looking forward to the blistering hot summer I fear is coming.

Beware the Ides of March!

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, February 10, 2024

“Happy Lunar New Year 2024”

 

February  2024 Blog


Dragon Breath A Haiku

The Dragon wakes and

Breathes his fire to celebrate

The dawn of his year.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(2/10/23)

 

...and I celebrate with him – breathing fire and all.

I’m late! I’m late for a very important date. About ten days late, but I am in posting my monthly blog. Sorry about that. I was under the weather for the first few days, and then overwhelmed with catching up on life and everything.

Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year, so I decided to start my year over and celebrate The Year of the Dragon as a new beginning. “Happy Lunar New Year 2024”



This year is going to be different (barring any more unforeseen illnesses or emergencies). I’m breathing fire along with the dragon (or at least I’m trying to).

Maybe I better settle for working up a storm. Maybe not. I understand there’s one headed this way (wind, rain, and snow). Guess I better cut this real short and post it before the power goes out.

I need to double down on my efforts to publish more this year. Too bad I can’t spend as much time writing, editing, and publishing as I do trying to catch up on other things I haven’t done.

I guess I can blame most of my problems on age.

Eighty is no spring chicken, and I’m guessing it’s the main reason I feel the need to take a nap during the day. But I will soldier on, and Sam Rock will be the better for it. I’m feeling it in my blood now. There will be blood (and gore)!

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      


https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now February and the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, and I’m claiming a do-over and another new beginning.


Happy, Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Monday, January 1, 2024

“Happy New Year 2024”

 

January  2024 Blog


2024: A Haiku

Bring on the Year of

The Dragon; I will rejoice,

And I will be one!

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(12/28/23)

 

Breathing fire even! I am absolutely looking for a better new year starting right now, although the Chinese Year of the Dragon 2024 won’t start until early February. This is the year I resolve to resolve my resolutions. I’m declaring it a Resolution Revolution:

Resolution Revolution: A Haiku

I highly resolve

I will actually resolve

My resolutions!

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(1/1/24)

This year for sure! Every spare moment will be spent writing, editing, and publishing along with promoting, of course. There will be sequels, prequels, poetry chapbooks, Haiku, blogs and short stories even. I’m also taking the January NaJoWriMo journaling challenge, since I missed NaNoWriMo last November for the first time in over 10 years.

I’m going to make this a really short blog post this month, but I promise more fulfilling and revealing blogs in the future.

Right now, I need to get this typed and posted to finish ringing in the new year properly.

Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and productive New Year!

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      


https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now January and the new year has literally just started. I am so ready for it. I need a new beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, December 1, 2023

“The Big 80”

 

December  2023 Blog


Fight or Fold: A Haiku

Age notwithstanding,

I would fight to the end and

Not crumble and fold.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(11/30/23)

 

As tempting as it may be, folding is not an option I would consider. Even at my age (I just hit the Big 80), I choose to fight the good fight.

Although I’ve said this all before, I aim to win this battle with myself before the final round. But I do have my reservations. I am tired in mind and spirit. I have a great deal to do and a great deal to catch up on that is yet undone. But first, I think I need some time to reflect, especially after the months that have passed so far this year – with my son cutting his life short and hy husband suffering from some as yet undiagnosed malady that has kept us both from enjoying our leisure time.

So for this last month of the year, I am going to slow down and think about what I still might accomplish, but now in the coming year.

I need to find my joy and my passion again. I cannot continue to avoid and procrastinate, but I’m not feeling up to the challenge to dive right in and swim the English Channel at the moment.

So I’m going to take some time this month and pace myself, do what I can and appreciate more what I’ve already done.

Hopefully, I’ll be ready and rarin’ to go come the new year. In the meantime, my already published authorings will still be available, and I am still working on sequels and prequels and more poetry and Haiku.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      


https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now December and the year is mostly over. I am so ready for it to end. I need a new beginning.

 


 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

"But First..."

 November  2023 Blog


But First... A Haiku

I would do what I

Need do, but first must do what

I needed done first.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(11/1/23)

 

So much confusion this last month, and once again the world is at war. Seems like the conflicts will never end.

That includes the conflicts within myself. My mind is reeling with all the things I need to do and all the things I want to do. And figuring out which to do first.

But first, I made a list of both sets of things. Then I found an old list from a couple of years ago. Guess what I found – yep! There’s still some of the same stuff on the new list. Shame on me. On second thought – no, I’m doing the best I can, or so I tell myself. And I’m the author of it all. Confused yet? I am.

Of course, I should be the author of a lot more. And I will be as soon as I finish getting my act together. Which is no small task for a woman turning the big 8 – 0 this month.

But I will persist. I know we only have the right to the pursuit of happiness, but a little attainment once in a while would be appreciated.

Okay, that’s what I’ll shoot for  -  attainment! I will attain my goals while maintaining my sanity. Again no small task. But the thought is putting a smile on my face.

But first I need to do the things that need to be done before I I can do the things I want to do.

Life seems to keep intruding on my writing time.Gotta figure out how to come to terms with life and writing. Gotta find time for both.

Until I figure it out, I can make no promises except that I will keep working on both as best I can.

Now I’m more confused than when I started this. But I’m still smiling, and that makes all the difference in the world. There is energy in a smile.

So, I will pray for peace in the world and take care of what needs taking care of. And I will make certain that includes my writing.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      



(insert collage)

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now November and the year is coming to an end. I would have some attainment before it ends. Wish me luck!

 


 

Sunday, October 1, 2023

In Search of Satisfaction!


October  2023 Blog


In Search Of: A Haiku

That “I Don’t Get No

Satisfaction” must end with

Much satisfaction!

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(9/30/23)

 

I may never know happiness or peace again, but I will know satisfaction. I will pursue it with dogged determination.

It seems I have been chasing rainbows and unicorns, looking for that pot of gold in vain for all these years. What I really needed was to feel safisfied with my accomplishments. Which was all well and good until I stopped accomplishing anything.

I guess it started with the pandemic, when everyone and everything seemed to stop in its tracks. I forgot to get back on the path when it subsided. My son’s unfortunate ending of his life just seemed to culminate everything. I stopped (I guess you could say, “dead  stopped”) accomplishing anything. I guess I thought without peace or happiness I could not enjoy life. Now I have realized that these are not esstial to existence, but “satisfaction” is.

Without being satisfied with something, there is no reason to do anything. As this realization came to me, I started to look around me and at my life as it stands. I walked around each room and rested my eyes on an object or an area, and I asked myself if I was satisfied with it. More often that not, the answer was “no”.

I thought about my writing career and what I’ve accomplished so far. I am not satisfied with that either. I want to start a new project and have so much left undone, I would be hard pressed to fit it in and finsh the others to any good standard.

But that is what I must do. It is too important a project to leave undone. This particular urge to write must be “satisfied”.

I intend a book of poetry and prose as a tribute to my son and the dystopian views we both seemed to share without me realizing it.

Upon completion and publication, I will be donating a portion of the proceeds to a suicide prevention organization in tribute to my son’s memory. The book will be titled, “One Life: Unlived” and I’ve already found an entry in a long-forgotten folder of writings to include. I wrote it about 20 years ago. It is in the form of a sonnet. I believe it is the only sonnet I have ever written and it was done as an exercise in a critique group to prove I could write one. That it is about writing and death is astounding to me at this point.

Now with my new-found pursuit of satisfaction, I feel my coffin (when I occupy it) will be a quiet one. I will be able to look at my surroundings and my accomplishments and say to myself, “I am satisfied!”

I owe that to my son’s memory and to myself.

The original sonnet, titled “Unquiet Coffin” is included here. More will follow.I would complete this new book by the 1st anniversary of his death (March 26, 2023).

Unquiet Coffin

A Sonnet

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

Uneasy would I lie, were I to die,

My song unsung, my stories all untold.

Among my woeful mourners, would I cry,

My soul awash in tears, my spirit cold.

Nor could I rest, were I to fall to sleep

To never wake again, my soul suppressed.

Within my heart, my characters would weep,

Their lives cut short, their mythos unexpressed.

To never rise again would come too soon,

If all my words lie stifled in the grave,

That hearts would never know their balm or boon,

And I would never know what joy they gave.

I owe my soul a coffin lain in peace;

I owe my words their birth, their sweet release.

 

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      

(insert collage)

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now October and the year is winding down. I would have some satisfaction before I wind down with it.

 


 

 


 

 

Friday, September 1, 2023

I Must! I Must!

 

September  2023 Blog


Three-Ring: A Haiku

Life is a circus,

And I am its saddest clown,

Alone in a crowd.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(9/1/23)

 

My friend, Laura, told me so! “You must keep writing”, she said. And she’s right. Truer words were never spoken – or typed.

I am a writer, and that’s what writers do – they keep writing – whenever the muse strikes, with whatever the muse has in mind – like the above Haiku.

I’m not really in a sad mood. I could be, I suppose, but the morning was beautiful. The words just came to me almost verbatim. I simply had to write them down.

I have truly been neglecting my muse and my craft lately. Okay, I have plenty of excuses: I’m not getting any younger; my husband has been ill; my son decided, “Life is shitty”; the world is burning up, drying up and on fire. All of that would make the happiest clown sad.

But I think what makes me the saddest, is that I am not wiritng. And I find my joy and release in writing. So – I must! I must! – saqtart writing again, pay attention to my craft, and resume publishing and promoting my novels, my ebooks and my audio books.

I have no reason not to. I have only excuses and they no longer serve my purpose.

And so this sad clown will put on a happy face, take a deep breath and slip into tbe magical cannon and see if I can reach the stars – or at least the top of the “BigTop”.

Absolutely going to keep track of my progress this month and maybe post it on my FB author page.

https://www.facebook.com/AnnWilmerLaskyAuthorlink

Feeling better about this than I have in a long time. And it’s long past due. Time to catch up and forge ahead.

So we will see. As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky      




https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, Eldreth, the Castleweaver, asked me again to post the links to his books. He claims no one understands him. I claim I do. He just rolls his eyes and keeps weaving his tragedies. By the way, my son, Vernon Ray Wilmer, Jr. did all the artwork in both Castleweaver Chapbooks. I will be donating a dollar for each of these books sold from now on to a suicide prevention program.

Amazon https://tinyurl.com/y9d8czj4



https://tinyurl.com/y6x9pqno



It’s now September and the year is two-thirds over. My sunflowers never got big enough to bloom.