Forest Secrets: An Homage to Trees

About 20 years ago I was on a family trip in Alaska gazing out at the varied spruce, aspen, willow, and pines thinking how each was so unique. One might remind me of a bent old sheepherder, while another was a pixie about to toss dust over the wildflowers. Some seemed noble but there were several that were melancholy as they lost their home to logging.

And an idea formed in my mind.

What if trees could morph from human to plant and back again? Would that make an interesting story?

Thinking it might, I began to write. And research. And outline. And write some more.

In the end my first novel, Forest Secrets, was born.

When a tree creature is lost with her forest on the verge of destruction, 11-year-old Daisy Castillo sets off on a quest to save her. But time is running out and if she doesn’t act soon, a race of mythical beings will lose their only home.

About Laurie: The author of Forests Secrets and Finding Joy as well as The Pharaoh’s Cry, Portal Rift, Persistence of Memory, Kidnapped Smile, and Dragon Sky of the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles, Laurie Woodward is also a screenwriter who co-authored Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy. Her poetry has been published in multiple journals and anthologies and she was a collaborator on the popular anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. Bullied as a child, Laurie is now an award-winning peace consultant, poet, and blogger who helps teach children how to avoid arguments, stop bullying, and maintain healthy friendships. She writes on the Central Coast of California. More about her work can be found at Author Laurie Woodward — Next Chapter ia.net

H2O

H2O: The one molecule that is common to all life here on Earth. Water. We drink it. We exhale it. Our very blood is made of it. When it is near we are calmed. The sight of river, pool, sea, or rivulet turns furrowed brows into softened gazes. The sound of liquid water quiets the chatter of worried voices, soothing din strained ears. The taste of the cool liquid on tongues renews one’s strength. Its touch cleanses, exhilarates, and revives.

If I were a single molecule of this amazing compound where might I journey? What wonders might I behold? Who might I become a part of? What life might I sustain? Or inspire?

As I follow this path

from cloud

To droplet

To rivulet

To pool

From rivers large and small. Frozen in ice and snow. Traveling from sky to mountain to valley. And finally colliding with oceans and seas in an endless cycle of constant change.

Become the nomad. Drift over the Rocky Mountains. Roam the falls of Yosemite. Trek across the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. Feel the sulfuric mist of lava meeting salty sea. Or join in the warm humid breeze of a tropical night.

Then turn back. A hitchhiker on a trade wind. Blow north. Rest in the frozen tundra of Alaska. Or bob on a glacial ice floe. Bring life to the forest there. Smile at the good works you have done.

Sail across the world. Find another continent. Join in the changes of the centuries. From rings of stone to castles to the modern. River Thames, Arno, and Tiber fueling the growth of European industry. Stretch out your arms and touch the past.

Return home. See the small pools and fountains minds have designed. To bring peace to a park or a field. Or a home. Dip your hands in. Let the water fall between your fingers. Cleansing you. Renewing your spirit. Making you ever thankful for this wonder, this life-giving compound. H2O.

About Laurie: The author of the recently released Finding Joy as well as The Pharaoh’s Cry, Portal Shift, Kidnapped Smile, and Dragon Sky of the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles, and Forests Secrets. Laurie Woodward is also a screenwriter who co-authored Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy. Her poetry has been published in multiple journals and anthologies and she was a collaborator on the popular anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. Bullied as a child, Laurie is now an award-winning peace consultant, poet, and blogger who helps teach children how to avoid arguments, stop bullying, and maintain healthy friendships. She writes on the Central Coast of California. More about her work can be found at Author Laurie Woodward — Next Chapteria.net

Turquoise Lungs: A Poem

Susurration of waves

Lapping against shore

Turquoise lungs

Breathing

While a reverent hush

Blows in.

(Photo by David Stroup)

Laurie Woodward is the author of The Pharaoh’s Cry, Kidnapped Smile, and Dragon Sky from the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles, as well as the middle-grade Forest Secrets. She co-wrote Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy and was a collaborator on the popular anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. Bullied as a child, Laurie is now an award-winning peace consultant, poet, and blogger who helps teach children how to avoid arguments, stop bullying, and maintain healthy friendships. She writes on the Central Coast of California. More about her work can be found at artania.net

Pale Mounds: A Poem

These warm pale mounds

Welcome the nativity of

Fledgling souls

Those seeking succor

From a tundra of

Frozen milk which is

Neither foisted nor ingested.

From this land of continual

Hunger they flee

Heavy milk laden

Breasts dripping yet

Quenching no thirst

Aching abdomens press them

Ever forward

Out of breath

They pause

Just long enough

And the dunes

Open before them

White liquid rains

in all directions

Mouths open,

latch on,

and suckle

Bodies expand

Diminutive becomes the land

Until the succor

And the suckling

Are indistinguishable

(Photo by David Stroup)

Dean and JoJo: A One of a Kind Friendship

A man, a dolphin, and a friendship that spans decades. This heart-warming story has inspired millions and Kaitlin Andrews recently discovered why. Here is her article celebrating their bond.

Click here to read article.

Out of the Earth: A Poem

Out of the Earth

We arise

Part air

Part water

Part dust

Part fire

Of the Earth

We absorb

Moving air currents through our lungs

Watching rivers flow through our veins

Tasting iron on our tongues

And feeling our blood burn at 98.6

To the Earth

We return

To air

To water

To dust

To fire

To arise once again

Out of the Earth

(Photograph, From a Single Grain by David Stroup)

A teacher, Laurie Woodward is the author of several novels including Forest Secrets, and the fantasy series The Artania Chronicles. She also cowrote Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy and was a collaborator on the popular anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. Bullied as a child, Laurie is now an award-winning peace consultant and blogger who helps teach children how to avoid arguments, stop bullying, and maintain healthy friendships. She writes her novels on the Central Coast of California.

Liquid Brine: A Poem

We begin

In liquid brine

Floating

We live

A seawater composite

Of skin and flesh

We rest

Where land and sea meet

And celebrate

This salty gift

(Photo by David Stroup)

H20

H2O: The one molecule that is common to all life here on Earth. Water. We drink it. We exhale it. Our very blood is made of it. When it is near we are calmed. The sight of river, pool, sea, or rivulet turns furrowed brows into softened gazes. The sound of liquid water quiets the chatter of worried voices, soothing din strained ears. The taste of the cool liquid on tongues renews ones strength. Its touch cleanses, exhilarates, and revives.

If I were a single molecule of this amazing compound where might I journey? What wonders might I behold? Who might I become a part of? What life might I sustain? Or inspire?

As I follow this path

from cloud

To droplet

To rivulet

To pool

From rivers large and small. Frozen in ice and snow. Traveling from sky to mountain to valley. And finally colliding with oceans and seas in an endless cycle of constantly change.

Wander along with me in these pages. Become the nomad. Drift over the Rocky Mountains. Roam the falls of Yosemite. Trek across the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. Feel the sulfuric mist of lava meeting salty sea. Or join in the warm humid breeze of a tropical night.

Then turn back. A hitchhiker on a trade wind. Blow north. Rest in the frozen tundra of Alaska. Or bob on a glacial ice floe. Bring life to the forest there. Smile at the good works you have done.

They Will Save the Planet

Young filmmaker Dylan D’Haeze has produced a series of documentaries, Kids Can Save the Planet, which explores plastic pollution, climate change, zero waste and sustainability. At the age of 13, Dylan D’Haeze had a simple question: “What happens when we throw plastic away?” The more he learned about the issues, the more he realised how big […]

via Kids Can Save the Planet: Teen filmmaker examines the issues from a kids perspective — Life & Soul Magazine

A Mentor’s Message

On November 26, 2017 Gary and Becky Kennedy hosted a living memorial/celebration of all things David Burnight/Tuesday night dinner reunion/open circle/party/or anything else you would like to call it gathering for this man. Although very ill with cancer, he spoke about his legacy: Intersection House.

Intersection House was a communal home on San Diego State’s campus for people, like me, who believe in a better world. For dreamers and activists. For searchers and spiritualists. For Christians and Buddhists and Jews; and others just trying to figure it all out. It was my home during my senior year. And continues to be my home.

Because of this amazing man.