Tell me a story?

March 11, 2025 — A memory my Mom loved to recount from when I was a little girl: one day she told me she had an “enjoyable story” to share with me. After at least several days had passed (and, apparently, no story), I asked “when are you going to tell me the enjoyable story?” And then, she’d laugh. I guess I was very young, and because I’d remembered and used the same words she did, she was impressed and amused. 

I think it’s in our nature to love stories: to listen to, to tell, to read, to write stories down, to watch them on television and at the movies, to hear stories on the radio … in just about any way, shape or form. I was reminded of this while on vacation with friends (five other couples) recently in Sarasota, Fla. We decided we’re not too old for spring break! Out of the blue, one of the guys, Tom, imitated a little kid’s voice and said something or other, I can’t remember now what it was, but it was cute and funny, and I think he said that was his story. It reminded me of the comedian Howie Mandel (remember his act that would begin, “My name is Bobby …” in a child’s voice. I loved those! A couple times throughout the week, I told Tom/Tommy that I’d like to hear another story. Some things never change. Sometimes, he needed to think about it, but I did get a couple more tiny stories out of him! At the Ringling Museum, it involved Heffalumps and Woozles. 

My husband and I love to attend plays. Last Friday, we went to see Fourteen Funerals at the Purple Rose Theater, Chelsea, Mich. In case you don’t know, it’s owned by the actor Jeff Daniels, who lives in Chelsea with his family. We’re fortunate to live nearby. A play, of course, is another form of story. 

Songs reveal stories. Books hold stories. Grandparents share stories. Stories unfold in nature. The night sky contains infinite stories. The list is endless. Especially if we are curious and observant. What are some of your favorite ways to engage with stories? Share them with me via my contact page for another blog post. I love to hear from readers (but, actually, I rarely do).

Coma dreams and nightmares

Dreams are stories — as are nightmares. Ever since childhood, my dreams are often vivid. Lately, they’ve been epic. End of the world scenarios. One dream elicited sheer terror (I was screaming in my sleep about a month ago). My husband woke me up, thankfully.

When I was in a medically induced coma in May 2022 (nearly three years ago), I had an endless loop of bad dreams. They wouldn’t all sound so bad if I described them to someone, but in my mind, I think they all got associated with the difficult time I was going through, fighting for my life. I still remember many of those dreams vividly, although some of the details are beginning to fade. For the first year and a half or so, the memories of the dreams (in my waking hours) elicited a really bad, but hard to describe, feeling: empty, lonely, sad — these words are as close as I can find. There were certain triggers for the dream memories, mostly sensory. Surprisingly, but happily, a reiki session got rid of the bad feelings, (she said she’d “close that channel”) although I still recall pieces of the dreams often. I’ve been in therapy for PTSD as a result of that time and it’s been helpful and healing. Each life is a story, with many chapters. Or maybe, our lives are a series of stories, in different genres. 

Phoenix feathers

Most likely, I’m going to get my first (and probably only) tattoo soon. It’s a phoenix feather and it will be on the outside of my lower leg above my ankle. I’m hoping that my neuropathy dulls the sensation of pain. As we know from Greek mythology, the centuries-old phoenix bursts into flames and a new bird rises from the ashes. It’s a symbol of hope, renewal and resurrection. For me, it also represents strength and resilience. Over the past two days, two different people told me that the phoenix represents the heart (and fire), making it an even more fitting choice. A phoenix was depicted in the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, a book by C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew, and in a play by William Shakespeare, The Phoenix and the Turtle. And, interestingly, the book I’m currently reading and have nearly finished, Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune. It’s the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I adored. A cousin of mine, who has been going through a rough time, got the same tattoo recently. Hers was my inspiration.

Something cool and special I just remembered is that today (as of this writing), looking out the palladian window in our bedroom, I saw a large, mostly white feather wafting down from the sky. Certainly an unusual sight. I opened the shutters to see it land, but I couldn’t spot it. Can you name the movie that started (and ended) with a feather floating down? 

Into the Thicket update

As the date draws ever nearer, illustrations for our next picture book will likely be completed by the end of March. John Megahan has been extremely busy with life and work at the University of Michigan, delaying our project somewhat. Presales of Into the Thicket will still be announced in April, I expect! Spring will be a fitting time to release our new book about the adventures of young Patrick and the injured rabbit he found. Please stay tuned and I will announce presales as soon as they are available.

And now, will someone please tell me a story?