Author: jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Bell Peppers and Road Construction

With the price of food in the grocery store I decided to be proactive and plant my own vegetable garden. I just wanted to share with you my bounty. Perfect peppers. I can’t wait to put them in my salad.

It’s simply amazing how God has created this earth, how this earth provides us with exactly what we need to feed ourselves-rich soil, cool rain, and the sun’s warmth.

These past few months I have had to travel a lot and I have noticed the continuous construction of highways that have managed to cover the rich, life-sustaining soil with asphalt. I can’t help but think the covering up of so much potential farm land is counterproductive.

Don’t we have enough highways and freeways?

I have started my own garden. The vegetables taste fresher than those shipped hundreds if not thousands of miles to a warehouse and doused with chemicals before being waxed and placed in a grocery store.

Have you ever wondered why after you take home your vegetables and fruit they rot after a few days?

I suspect chemicals are doused on these just to keep them from spoiling until we buy them and take them home. By that time, it’s too late to complain.

Maybe I am wrong. . . .I’ve been wrong before. But, I suspect I am right. . .

Anyways, my vegetables taste crisp, sweet, and delicious and spoil in a reasonable timeframe because I don’t douse them with chemicals. In fact, I eat them before they can really spoil.

I know exactly what has been on them and I know exactly where they came from. . .

My little vegetable garden at the edge of my patio.

From my garden to my table.

I feel thankful to God for this bounty.

I feel thankful for the earth, the sun, the rain, the sky. . .

The rich, life-sustaining earth that should not be covered by asphalt is a concern of mine.

What will happen one day when we run out of farm land?

Some might think that is not possible. . .

But, if we turn a blind eye to all the unnecessary construction of roadways how can we truly know what the consequences will be in the long run?

In my little world I choose to plant a vegetable garden and enjoy the freshness of the vegetables that I have grown.

Consider planting a vegetable garden.

Consider educating yourself on the harm too much construction does to our natural resources.

Just a few thoughts I wanted to share on this Monday evening. . .

Butterflies and a Sweltering Hot Day. . .

As temperatures soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit I got bored of being home under the air conditioner, so against my common sense I ventured out. Naturally I chose to walk around an outdoor garden center (this fact is in line with going against my common sense).

As I sweated and adjusted my sunglasses, I slowly walked along the aisles and admired the petunias, daisies, ventas, hydrangeas, and roses in various states of decay due to the excessive heat.

I paused at the row of beautiful deep purple butterfly bushes and lo and behold I witnessed several butterflies and mason bees darting in and out of the lush flowers. Well, I love photography, flowers and nature so I snapped this absolutely amazing photo.

I wanted to share it with you all because it is important to remind ourselves that there is beauty and there is joy in this world. . .despite the ugliness, hatred, and horror that rears itself far too often.

So, I hope you enjoy just admiring this beautiful butterfly alighting atop the deep purple butterfly bush’s flowers.

My advice is for you all to take a few minutes everyday to seek out joy and calm among nature.

Turn off social media and the news. . .

And pretend just for a little while (or longer) that the world is simply filled with butterflies, sunshine and flowers.

Remember that kindness is free.

So, this week be mindful of kindness; be mindful of the beauty around you.

Enjoy your week.

Sunday Morning Drive

“The Earth Laughs in Flowers-” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Okay.

There are days that have burdened me with unbearable sadness.

Days in recent months that convinced me that I could never possibly find joy again.

Joy can come in unexpected moments.

This morning rather than sitting in a brick and mortar church I went for a Sunday drive and headed out of the city down a secondary backroad that ran parallel to an old railroad track. Old farmhouses and an industrial park and untended farm fields lined either side of the road as I drove along in the early morning hours.

Ah! In the distance, to my right I saw a field glistening with lemony yellow sunflowers lifting their deep green stalks towards the turquoise summer sky.

In stunned silence, I thought it was an illusion.

But, alas, God has crowned his earth with beauty so perfect and so complete that it leaves us speechless.

So, I walked among the lemony yellow sunflowers and the fields of pink zinnias, yellow and orange marigolds, and white and pink snapdragons.

Standing among the glorious flowers I envisioned that heaven must look exactly like this glorious garden. I found out that a family of farmers cultivate the flowers along with watermelons, cantaloupes and a variety of vegetables.

They allow visitors to cut a bouquet of flowers (for a minimum price, of course).

I collected a variety of flowers and now that bouquet is beautifully adorning my dining room table. Every time I look at it I will be reminded of just how beautiful this world is; I will be reminded that joy can come in unexpected moments.

I will be reminded of how my heart healed and laughed at that tiny joyous sparkle of roadside beauty.

Indeed Emerson was correct when he noted that the earth laughs in flowers.

The earth in its beauty brings laughter to our hearts and heals our suffering souls.

So, go for a drive and seek out the little roadside surprises that await.

Be watchful of unexpected blessings.

I feel blessed by this day. I feel blessed by this day that God has made.

I feel joy in my heart and I can face whatever is coming in my life because I know there will always be flowers blooming in the rich dark soil.

And I can always take a Sunday drive.

Happy Fourth of July, 2024

So, here we are another Fourth of July.

To some people this day means going to the beach and drinking beer and watching fireworks.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

After all, we are Americans and we have the right to choose what we want to do.

We have the right to be who we want to be.

We have the right to speak our minds and to protect ourselves and those whom we love.

Over the course of a few years some factions of society have criticized the American way of life.

But, this being the United States, they have the right to voice their opinions.

As I have the right as an American to voice my opinion.

I love this land called the United States. It is my home. I have no other country in this world I can go back to. There is nowhere for me to return to. This is it. In researching my family history I traced my first English ancestor having arrived from Yorkshire, England in around 1630. Others arrived at varying years in the early 1700s from Austria, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

So, I guess Europe is my ancestral home. I have visited the Republic of Ireland and I found it a most beautiful land.

But, it is not my home.

I am not European.

I am an American.

So, I celebrate the Fourth of July as a time of reflecting on what it means to live in a free land guaranteed by our United States Constitution and our Declaration of Independence.

I am an American.

I love this land that is my home.

Happy Fourth of July, 2024!

Simply a Pink Rose

In my garden the flowers are being scorched by the late June sun. We are in a drought season meteorologists are saying. That is no lie. With the exception of some tropical flowers, the rest of my garden is wilting under the weight of the sun’s heat.

But. . .

There is always that flower that survives the scorching heat. It rallies despite the stress of the sun.

My roses are rallying although some of them quickly lose their petals.

Then there are my zinnias who bend, but, alas never truly break. They just keep adding stems and buds.

My sunflower has bent toward the sandy soil and has lost its lemony petals.

But. . .

Each flower is managing to fight to survive despite the challenges each faces.

My deep ruby-red calla lilies are staying strong with their beautiful curvy emerald green petals.

What’s amazing about these roses, calla lilies and zinnias is that each had faded last fall,

Now they are making a comeback.

So, beneath the cold earth of winter and the scorching sun of summer they have rallied.

They have rallied because that is what nature does.

God has set his own clock for the rhythm of this life.

I choose to be like a flower.

I choose to be resilient and to rally in spite of the elements that threaten to destroy me.

There will always be a hot sun bearing down on me (on all of us).

There will always be the cold grip of sadness and despair that will chill us to the bone.

But, like the rose and like all of nature, we can all rally and survive and make a come back despite the setbacks.

God is in control. He reminds us in scripture how he cares for us. He is the Creator and everything in this life has its own rhythm.

There will be sunny days; they will be stormy days.

There will be weeds in my garden; then they will be an abundance of pink roses, ruby-red calla lilies, and pink zinnias.

There is always hope.

Despite the weeds.

Photography original work of the author.

What Happened to my Word press?

I have evidently pressed the wrong button to the right of my screen a few days ago. And now I cannot upload any photos.

What did I do?

The whole block of options to right of my screen disappeared as hasn’t come back. I cannot even recall the reason I even pressed whatever button I accidently pressed.

Perhaps I was just curious about which button did what.

All I know now is that I cannot upload any photos.

Please advise me, y’all.

Thank you.

Jenny

To the Dogs. . .

Ok, the world has gone to the dogs.

And that is a good thing.

Dogs are incapable of lying to you.

Dogs love you no matter what.

Dogs curl up next to you and lick your tears away with sloppy kisses.

Dogs cuddle up next to you and keep you warm.

Dogs keep vigil over you when you are sad.

Dogs never use cruel criticisms to crush your soul.

Dogs never abandon you.

It is a good thing when the world goes to the dogs!

Photograph is original property of Jenny W. Andrews

What it is. . .

It is a beautiful sunny day in late June and I have spent the afternoon walking along the riverfront.

I have reminded myself that there are things that are out of my control.

It is a wonderful nutritious meal of salmon and apples and blueberries and strawberries and fresh cold water.

I have reminded myself to nourish myself because if I lose my health I lose everything.

It is realizing that I am only powerful enough to control my own life and that I am not responsible for the decisions of others.

I have reminded myself to care for me because if I don’t no one else will.

It is learning to continue to pursue my goals in spite of setbacks.

I have reminded myself that my goals matter and that I am important.

It is accepting myself as I am.

I have reminded myself that I am capable and that I am strong and that I will survive whatever I have to face because God is with me because I am his child.

It is about finding my self-worth.

It is about letting go of sadness.

It is about looking to the future with my heart turned towards happiness and hope.

Photo original property of Jenny W. Andrews

Taking a Break

The ocean is calming. It reminds me of the immensity of the earth. Tides roll in and roll out no matter what is happening in this life. Like the sun and the moon, the ocean cannot be stopped. It is an unstoppable force. When I stand on the shore, I consider my powerlessness to control the constant rhythm of what God has ordained: the unchanging nature of this earth. Forever, the tides will roll in and roll out. Forever, the moon will rise and the sun will set. And, the cycle will repeat itself into eternity. We mortals cannot change the inevitable fact that we cannot control what God has ordained.

Death is one of those facts that we cannot control. We can delay it, but truth is it is a fact. It will come for us all one day. Just like the ocean tides rolling in and rolling out, and the sun rises and the moon setting, death is an endless cycle that we can not control.

Grief at the nearing death of my husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer, has made me step back and consider just how little we can control in this life. It has made me more aware of the brevity of this life. One moment the world is our oyster and we have the bright shining future ahead of us; the next moment pain grips us and we are in the throes of illness in which our strength drains away from us.

In the past several weeks, I have struggled to make sense of all of my emotions. I have searched my heart and I have called out to God in Heaven for answers as to why this has happened to him.

Why?

I don’t know if there is any acceptable reasons that would take away the pain of impending loss.

So, I have stepped back from all my questions. I have laid my burdens at the cross and asked Jesus to carry me through the darkness, through the pain, through the future that looms lonely and unknown.

The other day I went to the waterway and walked on the shore; I thanked God for the sunshine, for the cool ocean lapping against the fallen oak trees that had been uprooted in the last hurricane in 2018.I sat on a log and studied the little sand crabs scurrying into the sand. Seagulls glided across the vibrant blue sky. A hawk alighted on the branch of a cedar tree behind me in the maritime forest.

Life will surely go on after we all have left this earth.

So, I have learned that from these past few months.

And I have learned to take a break and to enjoy the beauty of the day and the night that God has blessed us with.

Christ instructed us in Matthew 11:28-29: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Rest unto your souls.

That’s what I have needed in the past few days: rest unto my soul.

So, I have taken a break.

A break. And, I have turned my attention towards Our Lord and I have found rest.

Say Uncle

Time takes it toll.

Large families eventually downsize and not because they intend to.

Life takes its toll.

This is an old photo of my daddy’s oldest brother Willie Edward. My grandparents, Oscar and Effie, had seven sons and three daughters who had equally large families. I remember Sunday afternoons in Georgia with all my cousins. We ran down the red clay road and skipped across the railroad track in front of my parent’s small white clapboard house. Deep blue hydrangeas perfumed the sweltering Southern air. An ancient cedar of Lebanon stood sentinel at the edge of our yard. Fried chicken wafted through the open kitchen window. Voices of my favorite aunts, Myrtle and Elytrum, held a higher pitch than any of the others. My uncles gathered on the front porch and recalled the days of their youth. I would sit down on the bottom step and soak in the details of their lives. Uncle Carlton had served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and I believe the phrase “cuss like a sailor” may have been created just because of him. I loved him dearly. He passed away at the age of forty-four from a heart condition. My heart still breaks when I recall him coming in the house on Christmas mornings so long ago with a toy bubble gum machine for me. Each year it was a toy bubble game machine that was actually a piggy bank in disguise. Maybe he was trying to hint to me to save money.

Time takes it toll.

All my uncles and aunts have passed into the arms of Jesus. Their days of laughter and all their days of struggle have long since left this earthly realm.

It is often said that we live on in memory.

Yeah. My memories make me laugh, then make me cry. My heart aches to just hear Aunt Elytrum and Aunt Myrtle’s voices through the kitchen window as they drown out the voices of my other aunts. My aunt Mary lingers in my memory with her sweet raisin and cinnamon cookies.

Daddy wearing his brown fedora with the little purple feather in the hatband is a bittersweet memory. As you can see, Uncle Willie Edward is wearing a fedora. None of my uncles would have been seen without a fedora. Equally, my aunts would never have been seen without heels, gloves, and a matching handbag paired with a beautiful dress. I guess that’s where I got my fashion sense.

Oh, those delicate, precious memories they left me with.

Aunt Elytrum preaching about Jesus and his enduring love.

Daddy and Mama with their silences, their grievances, their losses, and their small victories.

Time swept them away from me with its cruel hand.

Now, I need all of them: my uncles, my aunts, my cousins, my mama and my daddy.

My sister Sara Jo died of cancer at only 49 years old. Her with those impossibly beautiful dark eyes that were as close to ebony as any shade could get. Her rich dark hair that cascaded down her shoulders and curled just a little around her high cheekbones. Painful to remember her. Oh, what I would give to just hug her again. She always smelled of warm coffee and Chanel number 5. The loss of her is unbearable, even thirty-three years later.

Time.

I need my big sister Sara Jo to go shopping with me. I need a hug from my big sister.

But, she is in the arms of Jesus now.

And I am here in this world at nearly sixty-three years old tallying up my losses.

My brother George drowned at fifteen years old the summer before I was born. I have a photo of him: a tall young man with thick curly dark hair and a hauntingly sad glimmer in his large dark eyes. Perhaps his soul knew he would not be long on this earth.

His spirit left this earth and went home to Jesus before Mama and Daddy were ready to let him go. Perhaps that explained the sadness that lingered in their eyes.

Time marches on.

Now, my husband of twenty-seven years is dying of cancer.

And, I don’t know what to do with this fact.

I comfort myself, though, by looking at family photos of the uncles and aunts whom I loved. I comfort myself by remembering Mama and Daddy. I comfort myself by remembering that Jesus stands at the end of all this with his arms wide open to receive me and to wipe away all my tears.

Once upon a time, I was a little girl with several uncles who loved me dearly and several aunts who loved me, too. I never forget that love they gave. They called me Mockingbird because I was always speaking.

I draw my strength and my faith from them.

They taught me to be strong and to be relentless in pursuit of the right things: love, honor, and faith.

Love, honor, and faith are enduring qualities that even time can never erase.

When I say “uncle,” I remember love, laughter, and joy.

When I say “aunt,” I remember happiness, fried chicken and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Funny how memories are.

We live on in memories.

I know that one day when my struggles on this earth are finished I will see them all once again.

I will have joy for all eternity.

Because Jesus is on the other side of all of this.

Family photo is property of Jenny W. Andrews