Monday Musings: AZ Sunset pics #4

I like the color differences in this sunset—light blue, white clouds, black clouds and orange.

A fire ball emerges from the cloud bank.

Looking through my Arizona desert plant.

The soft edges of the cloud layer resembles fire.

Another sunset viewed through my Arizona desert plant.

This striking sunset painted the sky deep, dazzling  shades of red.

One layer of white cloud hangs above the orange-red sunset.

The sky looks like it’s on fire.

This is the same sunset as above with intensifying rays of sunlight shooting up toward the heavens.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

My favorite quotes about Halloween from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, episode titled “Halloween.”

Buffy: “It’s come as you aren’t night. The perfect chance for a girl to get sexy and wild with no repercussions.”

Buffy: “Look, Halloween is the night that not you ‘is’ you, but not ‘you.’ Y’know?”

I couldn’t have said it better. Halloween is the best night of the year for something magical to happen.

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

AORIST

ao·rist

noun \ˈā-ə-rəst\

Definition of AORIST

:  an inflectional form of a verb typically denoting simple occurrence of an action without reference to its completeness, duration, or repetition

— aorist or ao·ris·tic adjective

— ao·ris·ti·cal·ly adverb

Origin of AORIST

Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin aoristos, from Greek, fromaoristos undefined, from a + horistos definable, from horizeinto define — more at horizon

First Known Use: 1581

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Jack-o’-Lantern lore

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Jack-o’-Lantern lore: Halloween is coming and most people will be carving their pumpkins, putting candles inside and setting them outside on their porches. Did yo...

Monday Musings: AZ Cloud Formations #4

The clouds look like fish scales painted in the sky.

 

This is my favorite one. The setting sun has turned these clouds into a striking vision.

 

I like the way the white cloud juts upward like the prow of a Viking ship or a long-necked beast.

 

The dark feathery clouds remind me of the wings of a powerful being.

 

These pink-tinged clouds were the only clouds in the sky that day, hovering above the mountains as if lost.

 

At sunrise, these thin pink-tinged clouds match the light shining on the mountains.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite Halloween TV Episode

Halloween from Buffy the Vampire

I watch this episode every Halloween. A new Halloween costume shop comes to Sunnydale and people are turned into their costume characters, causing chaos on the streets. Unfortunately, Buffy decides she wants to impress Angel by choosing a noblewoman costume that renders her powerless. “She couldn’t have dressed up like Xena?” Quote from Willow. This is an awesome Halloween-themed episode.

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

AJUGA

aju·ga

noun \ˈa-jə-gə\

plural aju·ga or aju·gas

Definition of AJUGA

: ¹bugle

Origin of AJUGA

New Latin, from ²a- + Latin jugum yoke — more at yoke

First Known Use: 1806

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: AZ Monsoon pics #2

The sunset has turned these threatening storm clouds pink.

 

I like the dramatic contrast between these storm clouds.

 

More dramatic storm clouds.

 

I love the way the middle dark gray cloud spears across the sky, leaving a bright patch of blue.

 

The sun sets as monsoon storms move in. A striking blend of ominous clouds and the fiery sun.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite eerie Halloween song

The lullaby in Hocus Pocus—Come Little Children

This is the song that the youngest witch, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, sings to lure the children to the witches so they can suck the life out of them. The melody is haunting and when I hear it, it reminds me of Halloween and spell casting.

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

AÎNÉE

aî·née

foreign term \e-nā\

Definition of AÎNÉE

:  elder :  senior (feminine)

Origin of AÎNÉE

French

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: More Godzilla news and backyard beauty

The lizard I named Godzilla used to visit my yard and I recently discovered he has moved into my yard. Yeah, he moved in along with some baby lizards, which I assume belong to him and Mrs. Godzilla. I think there are two of the huge lizards and the babies would indicate that is true. We no longer have a bunch of bugs in our yard and house thanks to the lizard community. Godzilla doesn’t appear to feel threatened by me or by my Chihuahua (my Chihuahua isn’t much bigger than him). In fact, as the pictures indicate, he allows me to get really close to him.

The lizards seem to be enjoying the beautiful weather we are having. This is the time of year when cactus blooms. You wouldn’t think a plant with dangerous, prickly thorns could look beautiful, but I’ve never seen such gorgeous blooms.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Since this is October, Halloween month, I am sharing some Halloween favorites.

Favorite Halloween movie

Hocus Pocus

This is my favorite Halloween movie because it mixes drama, comedy and a little bit of scary that is Halloween. I’m not too keen on all witches being portrayed as evil and punished just because of what they are, but the Sanderson sisters did deserve the punishment they received for luring and taking the life out of children.

On Halloween, the three witches return from 17th century Salem after being conjured by innocent pranksters and seek revenge on the people that hanged them. Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimi, is an entertaining Halloween movie for all ages.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

AÎNÉ

aî·né

foreign term \e-nā\

Definition of AÎNÉ

:  elder :  senior (masculine)

Origin of AÎNÉ

French

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: AZ Sunset pics #3

Beautiful colors and layers paint the sky.

 

Sunset viewed through my Arizona desert plant.

 

I like the dark clouds surrounding the orange-pink cloud.

 

Soft orange-tinged clouds adorn this sunset.

 

I like the contrasting dark red clouds that look threatening with the soft orange-tinged ones that look tranquil.

 

 

Ethereal.

 

The dark clouds remind me of large wings.

 

Very peaceful.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Exquisite Quills!: Photo Interview: Kelley Heckart

Exquisite Quills!: Photo Interview: Kelley Heckart: EQ: Welcome to EQ! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Kelley: Thank you for having me at EQ. I am a multi-published author living...



Click on the link above to see the photos I shared with EQ.

Favorite Friday

Favorite song—Wheel in the Sky by Journey

This is one of my favorite songs because of the message in the lyrics. Time keeps turning and life goes on.

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

Ailurophile

ai·lu·ro·phile

noun \ī-ˈlu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)l, ā-\

Definition of AILUROPHILE

:  a cat fancier :  a lover of cats

Origin of AILUROPHILE

Greek ailouros cat

First Known Use: 1914

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Welcome JoAnne Meyers to my blog, a gifted author, poet, and artist.

JoAnne will be giving away 2 print copies of one of her books to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment.

“Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between” is a poetry collection that provides a glimpse into the heart, mind and soul, of its author JoAnne Myers. It is a heartwarming read, written with love and respect for others. Some poems were written in times of sorrow, other poems were written in times of joyous celebration. Life if like that.

Painting by JoAnne, Cliffside View

SOULFUL THOUGHTS

My sun dried hands clutch my heart of dreams.

I look beyond my longing,

forsaking lustful means.

Consumed by sins of desires,

I escape insanity by releasing unblemished charms.

Soothing my sweet youthful soul,

I reject the lust, but still hold on.

Without dwelling on material things,

I release soulful thoughts within.

* * * *

Painting by JoAnne, Path to Heaven

LIFE’S PRECIOUS THINGS

Tears of a child, is a knife through the heart.

They try so hard, with all their might.

With tender minds and a soft touch,

their innocent love is never enough.

Through the years, and past the pain,

pride and hope is their greatest gain.

The smile of a child and the joy they bring,

is one of life’s most precious things.

* * * *

This collection of personal poems is available at http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore/1478734760.html.

These poems were inspired by JoAnne’s love for nature, God, veterans, family and friendships, it is a heartwarming read written with love and respect for others.

JoAnne will be awarding two winners a print copy of one of her unique and page turning books for commenting. The choices are: Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between, Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery, Wicked Intentions-a paranormal anthology, or Loves, Myths, and Monsters-a fantasy anthology.

Soon available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other book distributors.

Painting by JoAnne, Up a Tree

Author Bio:

I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.

When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dog Jasmine, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com

Other books by Jo Anne:

"TWISTED LOVE," a true-crime anthology

"MURDER MOST FOUL" a detective/mystery anthology

"LOVES', MYTHS' AND MONSTERS'," a fantasy anthology

"THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY," a biography true-crime

“WICKED INTENTIONS” a paranormal anthology

“FLAGITIOUS,” a detective/mystery anthology available in September

Email: joannemyers@frontier.com

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/joannemyers

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorpage.joannemyers

Website: Books and Paintings by JoAnne

Monday Musings: AZ Cloud pics #3

The clouds look painted across the sky.

 

I like the different layers and colors.

 

Floating above the palm tree.

 

A distant thunderstorm and the sunset caused these brilliant, eerie red clouds.

 

 

This was caused by that same thunderstorm.

 

I like the deep pinks and the darker blue sky in this shot.

 

I like the different layers and the space with a jet stream cutting across the sky.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...: When I think of vampires and other supernatural creatures, I picture them in time periods without electricity and other modern technology. I...

Favorite Friday

Favorite TV show—Hell on Wheels

One word to describe the AMC western Hell on Wheels is gritty. Based on the building of the railroad (right after the Civil War) across the Wild West, this western is not for the faint hearted. Someone dies on a regular basis and everyone is in need of a bath. Anson Mount who plays Cullen Bohannon, the lead character, is as bad as the real bad guys. I don’t think any character on this show is truly good, not even the female preacher. She has her own dark secret desires. If you want to watch a true-to-life western, then this is for you.

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

Aileron

ai·le·ron

noun \ˈā-lə-ˌrän\

: a part of an airplane wing that can be moved up or down to cause the airplane to turn

Full Definition of AILERON

:  a movable airfoil at the trailing edge of an airplane wing that is used for imparting a rolling motion especially in banking for turns — see airplane illustration

See aileron defined for English-language learners »

See aileron defined for kids »

Origin of AILERON

French, from diminutive of aile wing — more at aisle

First Known Use: 1909

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: Moon pics #3

White luminescent glow against a stygian-black sky.

Full moon peeking out from sun-painted clouds.

 

This angle reveals more of the different cloud layers.

 

The full moon looks huge hanging over this house.

 

I like the detail I was able to capture in this full moon.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: Confessions of a Pagan Nun

This is a beautifully written, stunning, heartbreaking story of a former pagan who becomes a nun in order to survive. The story takes place in Ireland around 500 AD when Ireland was on the cusp of Christianity. All alone in a hostile world, Gwynneve, a druid, has no choice but to keep her pagan beliefs to herself and become a nun where she copies the manuscripts of the church fathers and also records her own life story and the melodramatic events at the convent. This is the compelling story of a strong woman’s fight for survival and also a lesson in what happens when a new religion takes over. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

Ailanthus

ai·lan·thus

noun \ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs\

Definition of AILANTHUS

:  any of a small Asian genus (Ailanthus of the family Simaroubaceae, the ailanthus family) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with bitter bark, pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish flowers; especially : tree of heaven

See ailanthus defined for kids »

Origin of AILANTHUS

New Latin, from Kamarian (Austronesian language of the Piru Bay region, Seram) ai lanito, literally, the sky tree, or from a cognate phrase in a related central Moluccan language

First Known Use: 1789

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: You are only as young as you feel

This month I turn 50. Yeah, I’ve been alive for 50 years. It feels much longer. I have mixed feelings about my birthday this year. Part of me is happy to have made it this far in life without too many mental or physical scars, and I’ve accomplished more than most people, but part of me is depressed that soon I will be entering the Crone phase of a woman’s life. There isn’t another phase after Crone. So, I was thinking about the positive things about turning 50.

I will become popular with AARP and will soon be receiving membership offers from them on a regular basis. I won’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy soon or the monthly inconvenience we females have to suffer. I have the senior discount to look forward to.

I do feel pretty good about myself these days. My health is okay, and I am able to manage my chronic medical condition. I think I may be in better shape than I was when I was much younger because I take care of myself now and don’t drink alcohol and party like I used to do. Maybe turning 50 won’t be so bad after all. I don’t focus much on my age anyway. If I don’t think about it, I won’t feel old. You are only as old as you feel and if you feel young, you are young.

 

Then: Me (on the right) with my best friend Julia in the ‘90s.

 

Now: Book signing event at Book Exchange in Lake Havasu.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: The Mabinogion by Evangeline Walton

This is a reinvention of the Welsh myths and not to be confused with an actual translation of the myths. What I really like about this version is Ms. Walton manages to bring the people and stories alive in a way not possible in a translation. She has turned The Mabinogion into a masterful work of fantasy fiction comparable to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Her poetic writing style resonated with me, her descriptions of ancient settings and rites made me feel as if I stepped into the pages. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiguillette

ai·guil·lette

noun \ˌā-gwi-ˈlet\

Definition of AIGUILLETTE

: aglet; specifically :  a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides — compare fourragère

Origin of AIGUILLETTE

French — more at aglet

First Known Use: 1812

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: After the Monsoon

We have some pretty nasty, terrifying monsoon storms here in the Arizona desert each summer. We get a whole year’s worth of rain in a half hour, which makes driving dangerous. I am terrified to drive during a monsoon storm. I got lucky so far this year and only found myself out on the road once the storm had passed and dealt with a small amount of rain. But what happened was I forgot that because of the hot, dry weather, windshield wipers don’t last and need to be checked before the summer. Well, while out on the highway, I turned on my wipers only to have them get stuck in the middle of my windshield. Yikes. Anyway, despite the downside to summer storms, after these rainstorms pass, the air smells so clean and everything that was dry blooms.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cactus bloom.

 

A bee finds this bloom enticing.

 

This plant was dry and looking dead before the rainstorm.

 

In the wake of the storm: beautiful sun-painted clouds.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite stone: Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum sulfate found in every color of blue, greenish blue or deep green. It has been prized by every culture, including Egypt, Persia, Tibet, and the Aztecs and Incas of South America. In the East and Far East, it was honored as a lucky stone and was given the nickname, ‘Turks’ stone. For the Indians of Mexico and Southwestern U.S., it was used to guard burial sites. Indian priests wore Turquoise in ceremonies when calling upon the great spirit of the sky. Turquoise manifests spiritual qualities, healing, friendship and love. It helps with communication and the 5th chakra, grounding.

 

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604