Find new places for your writing — Finding places to submit your writing can be challenging! It is not that find to find writing markets, but finding ones that pay well and are opportunities you would actually consider, is quite another thing. In this article, you will find 3 markets — 2 nonfiction and 1 poetry, for…

Confessions of an indoor gardener — My late Choctaw friend had such a gift for growing things that once a year she gave away dozens of plants. She offered me my pick and I selected the most beautiful flower I had ever seen growing indoors. To my amazement, she gave it to me! It is a…

What will the passage of comet NEOWISE do? — In the night sky now we can see the passage of a comet named NEOWISE. It is an acronym for Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer. Over centuries the passage of a comet meant terrible things could be expected. Woody Sullivan, professor of astronomy says, Comets have a long history…

Work on one, impact all! — There are three environmental issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They are air quality, protection of wild animals, and preservation of the wild areas and ecosystems that sustain them. The pandemic shows how important it is to world health to value and protect all of them. This link says that…

Better than lightfast — So radiant the blue of sky and sea Edging and arching over Powell Street The air washed clear by March’s rain And California grass once gold in summer Is green and bright as the blue of the sky. People with their baby carriages With curious toddlers, playful dogs, And old folks like me with my cane Made joyful…

Thanks to Wallace Stevens and Emmanuel Williams —

Climate change effect and what we can do — On May 11, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom extended the California drought emergency to 39 additional counties. He visited Merced County and spoke at the San Luis Reservoir which was at half of capacity. It is now at 39%. …

Breeding feathers once valued more than gold — Down the hill and around the corner And down to the lake near me, A man-made lake, but loved the same As a natural one would be. At different times of year Different birds visit the lake. …

Spring delight wherever home is — When I was two to eight years old, We lived in Weehawken, New Jersey. The city atop the Palisades had only Dandelions down where I was. I could interact with them And blow their seeds into the wind From eight to eighteen in Westchester County, Flowers were planted. On Sagamore Road, Crocus…

Identifying birds and trees — Almost always I’ve lived in a city, in a manmade environment. Immersed in concrete, surrounded by towers of offices and homes, I am always attracted to nature pushing through cracks or flourishing in parks. …

Standing multifaceted resource — What is it about sunflowers? One at a time, they’re triumphant. A field of them, an exclamation of glory. And the petals make colorful dyes. Besides showy flowers, the seeds give oil So good for cooking and seeds for eating. Native Americans made gluten-free flour For bread and cakes from sunflower seeds. Animals can graze in sunflower fields Eating…

Redwood Park, Oakland, California, beloved place near me

Written in a workshop by Emmanuel Williams, riddle writer and poet — Redwood, teach me to stand straight. Teach me to grow another To support me when I lean And envision, from root and cones A community, a grove, of several more. I don’t remember my first fascination, Lover of beautiful wood that I am: Columns establishing foggy majesty, Above a red brown needle floor, Reaching…