The Patsy, Paperback Edition

 My book, The Patsy is now available in Amazon Bookstores. It's also available in an ebook on Amazon Kindle.

 A great mystery\suspense story with twists and turns. Just in time for your summer reading. Enjoy the read.

Blessed Litha 2020

 The sun has reached its zenith, creating the longest day, the Summer Solstice,

also known as Litha or Alban Hefin. A worshiping of the sun and all of its glory before the days become shorter on their journey toward the Winter solstice.

Litha is a day of sun worship and the Sun God Lugh. Its element is Fire and all of its radiant colors of red, yellow, orange, and gold. A time of celebrating the power of the sun and riches of the earth. Thusly,  it is associated with the male energies and solar influences. Litha is ruled by the Holly King who re-battles and slays his twin, the Oak King.

This day is a festival of the sun which represents light, sight, aspiration, enthusiasm, transformation, and regeneration. A day of homage to nature and life itself. Fire rituals are the order of the day, bonfires, candles, lanterns, and incense.  Go and celebrate the sun and nature. Bask in the light of energy, meditate in the golden glow of its fiery orb.

The fiery orb rises and the Earth bows,

Its radiant light is met with the songs of nature.

Meditate, feel its energy surge through your body and transcend your mind.

The longest day of light, blessed be--Litha!

Earth Day 2020

Behold the sky

The sea and oceans

The trees and fields

The mountains and hills

Feel their power,

Their beauty

Their sorrow

Their joy

This is Mother Earth

And we are her children,

Like the animals who roam

Praise this day 

Sing of her glory

Tell of her greatness

Blessed be,

Behold the wonders

Of Mother Earth

National Poetry Month 2020

2020 is the year of the Coronavirus, but the disease can not control your strength, passion, creativity, faith or other aspects of individualism. There is no better way to express one’s emotions, no matter what they are than through poetry. 

April 2020 will mark the 24^th anniversary of National Poetry Month established and organized by the  (February) and Women’s History Month (March), they created National Poetry Month with a launch date of April 1996 with their focus on support of poetry and poets through the increased reading of poetry, increased publication and distribution of poetry books, enhance poetry awareness through national and social media, entice teachers to bring poetry into their classrooms, and highlight the legendary and ongoing works of American Poets.

In 1998, the Academy of American Poets partnered with the American Poet & Literary Project and distributed 100,000 free poetry books across the United States during National Poetry Month. In April of this year, President Bill Clinton and the First Lady hosted the first Poetry& the Creative Mind gala featuring Poets Laureates Robert Pinsky, Rita Dove, and Robert Hass. This is now an annual event.

In 2002, the Academy of American Poets invited people to vote for the poet best suited for a commemorative postage stamp. Over 10,000 ballots were cast with the winner being Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902-May 22, 1967). The stamp was issued in 2002.

In 2006, the Academy of American Poets launched Poem-a-Day, publishing one new poem on its website, Poets.org each day during the National Poetry Month (NPM). This program is now distributed via the web, social media and email 350,000+ readers for free and syndicated by King Features.

In 2012, the Academy of American Poets launched Dear Poet, inviting students to read and write poems during NPM, of which, some are published on Poets.org. This project also assists teachers with a curriculum for using Dear Poet in their classrooms.

In addition, each year the Academy of American Poets partners with award winner designers and commission a poster for National Poetry Month. They distribute over 120,000 posters to schools, libraries, and bookstores from coast-to-coast. Individuals can also download an 8x12 copy of the poster from their PC, https://poets.org/national-poetry-month

National Poetry Month focuses on awareness and the introduction of great poems and poets. There are over 30 ways to celebrate this event. Here are my top five ways to celebrate:

Read Poetry. The best way to appreciate poetry is to read it. Great poems and poets are easy to find. Visit the poetry section of your local library. Subscribe to a literary journal, or buy a poetry collection. Browse poetry websites, and if you find a work you admire, leave a comment on your opinion. Or you can sign up for Poem-a-Day.

Write Poetry. Everyone has a little bit of a poet within him/her. It’s cathartic, it’s fun, and if you need prompts you can find one every day in April on the Poetic Asides blog. Write a poem about your favorite friend, animal or lover. Poetry has many forms Rhyming, Free verse, Ode, Haiku, and so forth, try writing a poem in different forms, or if you feel the need for free expression— chalk a poem on a sidewalk.

Experience Poetry. Poetry can be found on YouTube. Search for “poetry reading” or “poetry slam,” there you’ll find hours of performances for you viewing pleasure.

Share Poetry. To love poetry is to share it. April 30th  is Poem in Your Pocket Day, a day where you carry a favorite poem and share it throughout the day. Or, take your favorite collection and lend it to a friend. You may even want to give a book of poetry as a gift or write a collaborative poem with someone.

Publish Poetry. If you already doing the above for mentioned year-round, it may be time to take your poetry passion to the next level by getting your work published. Send your poems to a publication you love or post them online via a blog or forum (like YouTube). If you like the self-publication route, contact printers about creating a high-quality, low-cost chapbook you can give to friends and family.

Poetry is a very creative and expressive art forum. It transcends our physical bonds and is the true essence of free expression that everyone should experience. Even if you’re not a poet—celebrating National Poetry Month will be a rewarding and interesting journey.

 2020 is an exceptional year. Use good judgment, be safe and be strong.

Book Review-The Incomplete Dog Book by Dean Scott

There are many Dog Books on the market ranging from dog training to holistic care, but if you want a unique perspective from a veterinarian, with a twist of humor, then pick up a copy of The Incomplete Dog Book by Dean Scott. 

The book takes us on a journey through dog breeding and breeds with true facts and laced with satire, 

"Men don't like to neuter their males because they perceive some imagined damage to their own masculinity or display some weird level of empathy that they express nowhere else in their emotional life. This is stupid. Some people think that their female has to experience being pregnant and having a litter to be complete. This is stupid. Some people don't spay or neuter because they only have one dog and it's not around any others. This, too, is stupid."

In addition, the book is loaded with illustrations and cartoons which were created by the author, Dean Scott, who is a DVM with a practice in Florida.
 This book is an easy read with a lot of useful information for dog owners/ lovers and should not be overlooked. Readers should also explore other books by Dean Scott DVM which can be found on Amazon and in book stores.

Blessed Winter Solstice

Today we cross into the darkness and the days light is short and night prolongs its shadow marks the start of winter. On this day of the Winter Solstice(Alban Arthan), the sun's light impregnates the earth. The Sun God Mates with the Goddess of the Land conceiving new light and Mother Earth sleeps until the rebirth of light at Litha.

So as we sit under the Rowan, we mourn and let go of that which is finishing or dying, reflecting within our inner darkness and seeking the reality of rebirth of the soul, opening ourselves to a new dawn.                          
We step into the darkness under the Oak Moon. Celebration, reflection, dying and rebirth is our journey's path through the dark half of the year. It is the looking back on the year's events, triumphs and failures, letting go of things physical and spiritual that are no longer needed or wanted and the beginning of forming new ideas and desires for the coming new year.

May your journey fulfills your dreams.

Blessed Winter Solstice to all!

Happy Samhain 2019

Samhain is a druid holiday respecting the dead. It is when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest and the dead and fairies roam our world. The ancient ritual for Samhain was to light bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off the ghosts.

In today's world, Holloween was created based on this druid holiday. But for those who are still practicing druids, witches, and pagans it is time to lit your bonfires and candles, to leave and extra plate at the dinner table or food and water on your altar for the dead.

In closing, I wish you a joyous Samhain and leave you with a poem I wrote for this night.

Samhain

Light your bonfires

Strike your candles
                                  Place your water and food                                 

Pictures of the deceased,

In the light of the full moon,

In the blackness of night

As the waters still

And the trees bow

A murder swarms the skies

landing on rooftops,

The veil between worlds thin--

They await the dead,

In the moonlight
In shadows of trees
Under the wing and eyes
Of the Crow and Owl,
They come to your call
Upon this Hallow night.

@Wayne Adam

May your bonfires glow and your candles burn bright on this scared night.

Litha 2019

We've come to the gateway of Litha or Alban Hefin (Sumner Solstice) where the Holly King begins
his waxing reign into the dark of winter after defeating the Oak King who retreats into exile till the Winter Solstice.  Hence, on this celebration of "The Light of Summer," we engage in the ancient rituals of colorful and joyous festivals, women wearing wreaths of flowers and men oak leaves.

Collecting magical herbs of fern, rue, rosemary, St.Johns Wort, Mallows, foxglove, elderflowers, vervain, and yarrow are used for amulets to ward off evil and are hung in doorways for protection. Bonfires light the night sky, people dance and sing or jump through flames for good fortune, and animals are paraded around the fires to ask for protection and a good harvest.

The Solstice is associated with  Fire which symbolizes, light, transformation, and energy. Fire is the element of strength and
 protection, it leads us to the purification of  Nature and our Self.

Litha is also one of the Three Spirit Nights of the year upon which the  veil between wolds appears
thin allowing ghosts and faeries to roam among us.

This day honors the sun in all its glory, bask in its warm light and enjoy the beauty of nature on this longest day. Celebrate with song and dance, lite bonfires for good fortune and protection.

May your Litha be bright and blessed,

Wayne the Bard

Welcome the Winter Solstice 2018

The Winter Solstice comes upon us and we gather in celebrations, Alban Arthan (Celtic), Juul (Norse), Koliada (Slavic), and Yule (Germanic). Each in their own way reaching out to nature to turn the darkness to light, as we hail the return of the sun. We also share and reflect on the stories and myths of Yule, such as Nickolas, Yule goat, and the Yule log.
In Druid tradition, the Alban Arthan represents  the battle between the Oak King, or Divine Child (God of waxing Light) and the Holly King, or Dark Lord(God of waning Light), in which the Oak King wins and rules until he is defeated by the Holly King at the time of the summer solstice.

Furthermore, the cauldron of Dagda, symbolizing the promise that nature will bear fruit and care for all living beings on Earth, and Brighid, the bearer of the flame of inspiration, that penetrates the mind and soul, like the Sun that gives rebirth to the light and penetrates the darkest time of the year, reign upon the winter solstice.

Yule decorations are that of mistletoe, holly and evergreens which are displayed upon houses symbolizing that new life will return in the spring. Rituals are performed with candles to symbolize the birth of the new Sun. This is also a time of celebration, feasting, and rejoicing in the promise of a new Sun and the coming of Summer.


May the Solstice bring light to your path and your Yule be merry,

Wayne the Bard

The Patsy

Winter is upon us and there is nothing like settling down with a good book with a cup of coffee, tea, a drink and perhaps, a snack. May I suggest checking out my mystery/suspense novella--The Patsy. Available on Amazon/Kindle.