June 2020 – Page 3 – Sonja Danielson

Don’t Judge…

One of my favorite philosophies is: You never know what someone is going through, so be nice.

I also like the idea that “unless you walk in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand what they’re going through.”

I try to keep those in mind whenever I run across someone. If they’re happy, sad, angry, despondent, etc. it’s important to approach with love.

I can remember how it felt to be judged without that person knowing what was going on in my life, and inside my head.

I remember being the one judging. It makes me cringe and I want to find those people to apologize to them.

I think I’m this retrospective because I’m writing Lady Zepherine’s story. She’s going through a lot that I went through and it can be difficult to open those doors. I’ve been very successful in locking up those memories, especially from high school, and now I am taking a key to those rusty locks.

It’s not as traumatic as other people’s experiences, but it was a lot to handle when I was a young teenager. Wait, aren’t all teenagers the same age? Chronologically, yes. But I was young, emotionally and physically. Which can be difficult when you’re in middle and high school.

I can’t wait for you to read Lady Zepherine’s story! Sonja

Happy Birthday, EII

Okay, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was born on April 12, 1924. Why is her birthday being celebrated today?

Two reasons: King George II and the fickle British weather.

In 1748, King George II decided to move the traditional military parade, called Trooping of the Colours, away from his November birthday because it was too cold. He combined his birthday celebration and the parade at a time of more temperate weather.

Since that time, all British sovereigns are able to choose the date of their ‘official’ birthday, as well as having a more private celebration on the day they were actually born.

Queen Elizabeth II chose June, which is normally a beautiful month weather-wise in England. Originally, she proclaimed that the Trooping of the Colours would be held on the second Thursday of June, but in 1959 decided Saturday would be a better day for the celebration.

Why am I so interested? Because the Kingdom of Carlow from the Fairies of Carlow series is very Irish and is headed by a monarchy. A lot of their rituals and celebrations are based upon those of the British Royal Family.

But, in the Fairies of Carlow, the royal princesses are named after roses and their gowns (Victorian-ish) are the color of their namesake rose. The boys wear morning coats, trousers, and cravats. They are able to fly, but the higher the rank, the less likely they do. It’s a status thing.

The weird thing is that The Gilded Fairies are the highest fairies in the land. Their presentations are always anticipated and feature highly-coordinated and complex flying skills. So, the royals and nobility ride in carriages–and The Gildeds fly. Nothing is perfect, even in the fairy kingdom.

OH! I have to ask: Do you have a place in your garden where the fairies are able to gather? Chairs and tables are best so they have a place to have their tea, which they conjured. It’s a complex process to gain permission to cross into the human world. It’s also very tiring to cross that border. Princess Zepherine may do both in my new book based on her life.

Make way for the fairies! Sonja

#cancersurvivorsday

Today is the day to celebrate anyone in your family who has survived cancer. According to the NCSD website, this applies to any living person who has overcome cancer-from diagnosis to today. NCSD is observed on the first Sunday of June worldwide.

It’s a day to celebrate life, in a month set aside to recognize these survivors. The website highlights words such as celebration, inspiration, support, and outreach.

There are events in many locations around the world to recognize those who have beaten the ‘Big C.’

These days, since we shouldn’t gather in large groups, you can connect online. I recommend doing an Internet search for an event that works for you.

Today, there are more than 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States (according to the NCSD.org website). They are supported by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, which is a nonprofit that collects information for cancer survivors. The Foundation “works to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors by raising awareness of the ongoing challenges of cancer survivorship.”

So, if you have someone in your life who has survived cancer (I have many!), today is the day to recognize their amazing battle and recovery!

Take care of yourself and others, Sonja

Today’s a Big Day…Historically…Plus a Little Something Fun!

A lot happened on June 6 through the years.

First, today is the day that Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in a presidential election. She was in New York (Rochester), and wanted voting rights to be extended to women. Leading a group of women to the polls, she was promptly arrested after casting her vote. It took five decades for women to achieve the vote and in August 1920, the U.S. Constitution ratified the 19th Amendment that allows women to vote.

Today also marks the largest amphibious landing in history. On what is now known as D-Day, Allied forces landed on several beaches along the northern coast of France, in Normandy. More than 1.5 million soldiers took part, with 4,400 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft. Operation Overlord provided a turning point in World War II. Of the approximately 150,000 Allied men who landed on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, more than 15,000 were killed or wounded.

Third, today marks the birthday of American patriot Nathan Hale. Born in 1755 in Connecticut, he was a skilled debater and was in favor of women’s rights. During the Revolutionary War he volunteered as a spy. During a mission to Long Island, New York, he was captured by the British forces and hanged in 1776. Hale stated, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” as he mounted the gallows.

It’s a pretty heavy day, but, just to keep things fun, I want to mention that it’s also NATIONAL YOYO DAY!

There are several Internet sites dedicated to teaching yoyo tricks (You can spell it yo-yo or yoyo). So pull out your Shutter Yoyo, Replay Yoyo, or the yoyo of your choice and get ready to Split the Atom or do the Kwyjibo Yoyo Trick. I remember being fascinated by Walk the Dog.

Enjoy your day! Sonja

Something Fun!

It’s Nice To Be Noticed!

Sunflowers are not wallflowers. I mean, look at her! She faces you and demands attention.

As a writer, it’s difficult to do that. We are, by nature, solitary beings but it’s important to seek recognition. Especially when you’re not on the New York Times Best Sellers list…yet.

The hard part is exposing your work. That can be difficult. Good writing shows a soft, mushy part of your psyche, something you may not want to revisit or have anyone else see.

Writing the Fairies of Carlow series is cathartic for me. I can take all those angsty moments of growing up and put them into the story. Then I get to say what I should have said back then, or done what would have made things better. (Such as, standing up to those bullies, or not taking myself too seriously.)

Sometimes, as I’m writing a scene based on something that really happened to me, I cringe at the memories. Once the story’s finished, I feel better about it, but getting there is a slog through the emotional swamp.

In my new Fairies of Carlow book, based upon Lady Zepherine, I’m taking a look at the bullies who made me miserable during middle school and high school. Oh, it’s hard to look back on those people (both male and female) and remember what I had to endure! But there’s plenty of material! Silver lining? Hopefully!

Pressing on that sensitive nerve ending, Sonja

June Bucket List

Photo by Gérôme Bruneau on Unsplash