Where I Am From

This was published at Glasswing Ezine some time ago, but I was feeling this weekend like I wanted to be reminded of Where I Am From and Whose I Am.

Where I Am From

I am from newspaper women
and farmer's wives
spines of steel;
wisdom beyond imagining
no dreams of fame and fortune.
Just ordinary lives.


I am from hard work and ancient wounds
never forgotten nor spoken of
nor exposed to light of day;
survival of the fittest;
overcoming struggle.
Manifesting deep love.


I am from the ocean and the sand;
eternal horizon expanding;
waves crash and roar;
undertow pulls and releases shells and
skeletons from the deep.
A million grains of understanding.


I am from ancient earth mothers;
sisters of magic and mystery
creators of hope and beauty,
vessels of future dreams
dutifully bearing children.
Changing the course of history.


I am from spirit and flesh and bone;
made to wonder "why?"
seeking ever after truth,
needing only the next question
asking always for the answer.
Looking ever to God in the sky.


I am from the earth and sky;
thriving where nothing should grow
dirt and clouds, sun and rain;
blooming where I'm planted
desiring only air and water.
Sometimes reaping more than I sow.


I am from woman and man;
destiny, desire and chance
created in an image and likeness;
struggling to be different
resigned to be who I am.
Rising above my circumstance.


I am from saints and angels,
wings of gossamer and gold
seen from the corner of my eye,
whispers and quiet breezes
in my head and on my skin.
Heavenly secrets in dreams unfold.


I am from the eternal source of life;
created for a purpose and a reason
perfectly and divinely designed;
journeying toward heaven
offering up my future and my past.
Each twist and turn in time and season.

© Mary Moss – April 5, 2008


Where are you from?

Blessings on your journey

What's a Richmond Writer To Do?

In my surfing the net and following several links at some friendly blogs, I found the following upcoming events that may be of interest to writers in the Greater Richmond Area. If you go, let me know by leaving a comment! Writers need to network and take every opportunity to learn the art AND business of writing!

11/9/2009 7 – 9 PM: The Richmond Playwright's Forum meets monthly at the Barksdale Theatre Willow Lawn conference room. Members share works in progress and discuss the play writing process. RPF is open to all interested persons, and welcomes your participation as voice actors or active listeners. For more information, contact Margie Langston at margie.langston@yahoo.com.

11/10/2009 12 – 1 PM: Eugene Trani discusses and signs his collaborative work with Donald E. Davis, Distorted Mirrors: Americans and Their Relations with Russia and China in the Twentieth Century. Free and open to the public. Limited free parking under the library. At The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 804-692-3500, http://www.lva.lib.va.us/.

11/11/2009 5:30 – 7:30 PM: “Writers Wednesday.” JRW hosts a casual meet and greet for writers of all genres every second Wednesday. At Richbrau Brewing Company’s TapHouse Grill, 1212 E Cary St. Access parking in the decks on 12th St or Virginia St (between Cary and Canal Streets).

11/13/2009 4 PM: “VCU Visiting Writers Series” continues with a reading by acclaimed poet Lucia Perillo (Luck is Luck). Free and open to the public. At Barnes & Noble, VCU, 111 W Broad St, 804-828-1678. For further details call Thom Didato at 804-828-1329.

11/13/2009 6 – 9 PM: Grand opening of Books On Wheels Thrift Store: Books, Bikes, and Beyond. Catered by Joe’s Inn. At 302 Brookland Park Ave. For more details visit Chop Suey Books or call Ward at 804-422-8066.

11/14/2009 11 AM – 3 PM: “1st Annual Authors Literary Festival.” Free and open to the public. At Precious Memories Book Store, 3229 Idlewood Ave, 804-726-8501, http://www.blackauthlitfestival.webs.com/.

11/14/2009 5 PM & 8 PM: SlamRichmond’s Poetry Slam Workshop and Open Mike. Cost $5. At Artspace Gallery, 31 E 3rd St, 804-232-6464. For more details visit http://www.myspace.com/slamrichmond

If you go, let me know how it was!

Blessings on your journey

CHRISTIAN WRITERS RETREAT

OFFERED BY PUBLISHED AUTHOR LINK &
WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTIAN RETREAT CENTER
JOANNE LIGGAN, EVENT COORDINATOR

An event for Christians who write, not necessarily writers who write

Christian material. Non-Christians are welcome with the understanding

there will be prayer and discussion in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

and no offensive material will be tolerated. If you have questions concerning

the definition of offensive material, please contact Joanne Liggan by e-mail at jliggan@verizon.net.

DATE: February 19 - 21 (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)
LOCATION: Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center; 9275 Barnes Road; Toano, VA 23168

COST: $175/person
Includes:
Lodging for 2 nights
Meals from Friday evening through Sunday morning
Workshops/Discussions/Devotions to encourage and stimulate writers
Fellowship with other writers and Christians

(Anyone living in Williamsburg, and therefore not requiring lodging,

the cost is $95 for meals and attending daily events.)

EMAIL jliggan@verizon.net for a registration form!

Blessings on your journey

Win a $25 Gift Card to Celebrate My Interview about Woman At The Well!

My interview with Katrina Robinson, Richmond Books Examiner has been published! She's interviewing me about Woman At The Well on her column as part of her Reading Religiously series.

Win a free $25 Barnes & Noble gift card by leaving a comment here. Win an additional chance by also leaving a comment in the comments section of the interview post: Reading Religiously: Woman At The Well by Mary Moss.

Blessings on your journey

I just sold an article at Helium.com!

Woo Hoo! I just received an e-mail from Helium.com that one of my articles has been sold to a publisher looking for articles about "parenting in the new millennium!" It's not a huge amount of cash, but completely unexpected!

Here's the link to read the article: Parenting Pitfalls: 10 Mistakes Even Good Parents Make.

I'm going to check out other publishing opportunities to see if I can score another paycheck:-)I haven't visited the site for a while and it appears they have really enhanced the site and increased opportunities for writers to earn money. If you're interested in writing for Helium.com, send me your email: divinelydesigned@hotmail.com and I'll send you an invitation.

I've been doing quite well at Examiner.com as well! My page views have been consistently exceeding the average number in the category of Family and Parenting both in Richmond and at the national level on many days. Here's my link: Richmond Frugal Family. If you'd like to have your own column on examiner.com, click HERE and tell them Mary Moss referred you (examiner ID #20427)

I'm counting down to my interview with Katrina Robinson, Richmond Books Examiner. She's interviewing me about Woman At The Well on her column as part of her Reading Religiously series.

When my interview runs, I'll be offering an opportunity to win a free $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. So check back soon to find out how to qualify for the gift card!



Blessings on your journey

October Writing Wrap Up

It's been a busy month, and it's not over yet! Here's what going on in my little part of the writing world:

Upcoming interviews and book signing/sales:

Interview: Wednesday, October 21 an interview about Woman at the Well and my women's ministry will be published at Katrina Robinson's Reading Religiously series on Examiner.com

Book signing/sales: Sunday, October 25 at Good Shepherd UMC Pumpkin Palooza

Book signing/sales: Saturday, December 5 at the Craft Fair at Emeritus @ Deep Run (Morningside) on Gaskins Road

Adventures in frugality - some recent posts from my Examiner.com column, Richmond Frugal Family:
Target announces biggest sale of the season
More October Deals & Steals (including 12 oz beverage at 7-Eleven)
Fun, frugal Halloween costumes
My "What's Frugal or Free in Richmond" weekend series has been very well received and I work all week to find activities for Richmond families that won't break the bank!

God's Wonder Woman at Take Root and Write wraps up my series on The Seven Deadly Sins.


I'll be interviewing Frank Robinson, author of Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story here at Godly Graffiti on December 5 as part of the Christian Speaker's Service blog tour. Watch for details coming soon.

I hope to enter two contests before the month is over as well. I figured out if I give up sleeping I'll have time to fit everything in a 24-hour period that I want to get done!

What about you? Leave a comment and share your writing activities this month!

Blessings on your journey