Author Barbara Meyers

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Yet Another Miracle

Yet Another Miracle Last summer hubs got mystifyingly ill. Although we suspected some strain of Covid, he was never tested and the doctors he saw were unwilling to make that diagnosis. Basically, he lost his appetite and generally felt awful with bouts of nausea and dizziness. He lost about thirty pounds in just a few weeks. He’s about 6’ tall and at his lowest weighed 145. Panicked, I got all…

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Yellow Butterfly

Yellow Butterfly From the third-floor French doors I watch a pair of yellow butterflies chase each other around a summer breeze and think to myself, one of them could be my father. Returning as a butterfly to show me he’s free, finally, from the encumbrances of life. And look, he’s found a companion much more suited to him than my mother ever was. They dodge and weave in the sunlight. I think…

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Perfect Day at the Lake

Perfect Day at the Lake Walk Run Bicycle Roller Blade Skateboard   Three Miles Smooth Path Never smile Can’t hear: birdsong breeze against leaves passing “hello” Warning! Strangers! Eyes only on your phone Locked in Ignoring nature Grass-tree-sky-water-flower-human-dog-duck blind       “You’re missing the beauty,” I almost shout. And wonder why you came out. Copyright 2024 Barbara Meyers

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The Newsletter Not Sent

Below is the January 2024 newsletter never sent to my newsletter subscribers. Apparently, I have what has been diagnosed as “burnout” when it comes to writing. Paralysis sets in when I think about looking at my writing on my laptop or publishing the projects I have ready to go. I’m waiting it out. I may never write or publish another piece of fiction or again. Or I might start up with it…

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The Right to Write - Place

Inspired by The Right to Write by Julia Cameron. Write down every place you’ve lived and then pick one of those places to write about a vivid memory. (Written 3/13/24)   I am six years old and we just moved to Ottawa, Illinois, from Fresno California, which is where I attended kindergarten. I start first grade two weeks late at St. Columba elementary school. I have to wear a navy blue pleated…

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Contemplating Widowhood

Contemplating Widowhood A few months ago, my husband got sick. We don’t know with what, and although he was never tested, we suspect it was some strain of Covid. Three years ago, he got sick and tested negative for Covid, but something the doctors could only surmise was a virus affected his previously healthy heart. This more recent bout of illness affected him differently. He lost his sense of…

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The Light

I was raised by frugal parents who were always concerned about the bills. How much water we used, i.e., you’re taking too long in the shower. We had to clean our plates lest we commit the serious sin of wasting food. If you weren’t using a light, it better be turned off. Of course, that frugality followed me into adulthood in many ways. I usually clean my plate because I hate to waste food…

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Sunday Morning Musings: But For The Grace of God

Sunday Morning Musings: But For The Grace of God It’s a mix of anticipation and dread I experience as I plan to visit my friend Katie* for the second time this week. I love Katie, and for years have looked forward to our weekly visits where we chat and pray, share, learn from, and encourage each other. But Katie’s current condition is grim. She is mostly bed-ridden and on hospice care. If you can…

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I-don’t-care-itis: Death of a small town

I-don’t-care-itis: Death of a small town. As part owner of an aging home in a small town, I’m interested in its upkeep as well as the surrounding neighborhood. On a recent visit I found the house in a rather sad state. Dead leaves and mown grass littered the driveway. Weeds flourished in the cracked cement. An invasive vine had once again begun to creep across the porch. More dead leaves combined…

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I did the best I could.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 I dread looking at my email in case the review sites I requested reviews from for Animal have posted reviews. Although my two beta readers loved the book, the ones from a reader review site were less than enthusiastic, often pointing out that Animal does not follow the accepted “rules” for the paranormal romance trope. I don’t know what those rules are because I don’t read…

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Flowers for her Granddaughter

Flowers for her Granddaughter For her birthday, my friend Katie* wanted to send her granddaughter flowers and asked for my help, which I’m happy to give because Katie is somewhat disabled. I knew the relationship between Katie and her granddaughter had been strained and I knew why. If it had been MY granddaughter, I’m not sure I’d have done anything to acknowledge her 18th birthday and I told…

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Two White Dogs

Two White Dogs Two white dogs appeared running loose in our retirement neighborhood a few days ago. According to our Facebook group, everyone was discussing them, but no one had approached them. The consensus was, they had most likely been dumped and found their way here. When I took my dog out Saturday morning, my neighbor, Hope, warned me about them. Later I saw them wandering along the golf…

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Acceptance and Rejection

A few days ago, I did a happy dance after being notified that my story, American in Paris, had been accepted into Florida Writers Association’s 2023 Collection. Every year FWA publishes a Collection filled with poems, essays, short stories, etc., all centered around a specific theme. The Collections are available in eBook and print. Only FWA members may submit. This is a non-paying market. I’m…

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You Lost me at Flashback   

You Lost me at Flashback I’ve noticed a trend lately in the books I’ve read or attempted to read. In fact, I’ve picked up two of them back-to-back. One was Apples Never Fall (Book One) by Liane Moriarty. The other was Everything We Didn’t Say (Book Two) by Nicole Baart. I’m 27% of the way into Baart’s book and I’m about ready to give up. Both novels employ regularly occurring flashbacks to jump…

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Lessons in Overthinking, Undermining and Second-Guessing

Lessons in Overthinking, Undermining and Second-Guessing It’s how many books later? Twenty? And as I review the formatted eBook version I ask myself, Is this just stupid? Will readers think it’s ridiculous? What if it gets terrible reviews? My baby. A book that began in 2015 that wouldn’t leave me alone. A book I invested in a paid beta read by my editor because I simply couldn’t jumpstart the…

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Motivation vs. Enthusiasm

Motivation vs. Enthusiasm Do you know the difference between motivation and enthusiasm? From my thesaurus: motivation: (n) ambition, inspiration enthusiasm: (n) keen interest, excitement From my dictionary: Motive: some inner drive, impulse, intention, etc., that causes a person to do something…; incentive; goal. Enthusiasm: 1. orig. supernatural inspiration or possession; inspired prophetic or…

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My Favorite Things - The Vase

My Favorite Things – The Vase   A few weeks before Christmas my husband broke a piece of glassware that came to me after my favorite aunt Maxine passed. She had many pretty things she’d acquired over her 90+ years, some of which I chose to keep or pass on to my daughter. One of my favorite things One in particular was a delicately made blue pitcher which could have been used for a vase. I loved…

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