Category: Friendship

I like both London and Paris. The history and the architecture really win me over.

  • Photo by Eva Dang on Unsplash
  • Photo by Léonard Cotte on Unsplash

If we’re talking about non-city places, I love the mountains. It’s where I grew up and where I’m the happiest. My favorite scent is pine sap and my favorite sound is the wind blowing through evergreen branches.

My neighbors have a big pine tree in their front yard. When the wind blows I go outside to hear the wind going through the branches. That hiss is amazing. Plus, owls live there and at night I can hear them hoot.

Love that! Sonja

Thank You!!!

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I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has read my books. You have no idea how much it means when a reader enjoys something that I have created!

A book takes months to write and edit, and, for me, involves a lot of personal angst from resurrecting memories. To have that work enjoyed makes it all worth it.

Please accept my thanks for taking a chance on my books. I hope you enjoy them. Sonja

Don’t Judge…

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

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

#cancersurvivorsday

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

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