I am a writer, poet, community volunteer, pupil of psychology, writing instructor, guest speaker, artist, lover of nature, curious traveler and author of Life Is Full of Sweet Spots, An Exploration of Joy, as well as Dreams of a Wingless Child, a book of award-winning poetry. An advocate of the power of writing as an agent of change, I enjoy speaking to community groups about the joy of making words sing and conduct creative poetry writing workshops for inmates at the State of Connecticut’s York Correctional Institution. As a writer and a painter, I enjoy living along the Connecticut shore, where I infuse everyday observations of the natural world with the sensitivity and insightfulness that tend to define my experience of life. It is these reflections that have helped me realize that one need not look far to find an element of peace, of celebration, of joy, in this inordinate world of which we are all a part.
“Grief, a type of sadness that most often occurs when you have lost someone you love, is a sneaky thing, because it can disappear for a long time, and then pop up when you least expect it.” — Daniel Handler slowly quietly unannounced surprise entry sneaky behavior * * * Ever So Quietly ~ Alligator … More Sneaky
“Find the light. Reach for it. Live for it. Pull yourself up by it.” — Al R. Young stretching toward the glow growth with infusion of sun soul renewed in light * * * Renewal ~ Existence gravitates towards light • Reaching for Light photo by Andrew Finn • “Stretching” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor … More Stretching
“Spending some time getting quiet can really be the best remedy for tangled situations.” — Lysa TerKeurst hopelessly tangled threads of life tied up in knots woven with falsehoods * * * Battle of the Strongest ~ Great Blue Heron catches snake. Snake wraps tail around Heron’s beak, keeping beak closed. Who will win? • … More All Tangled Up
“Elegance is good taste, plus a dash of daring.” — Carmel Snow all dressed up decked out high fashion with touch of bling hoping for romance * * * Backside Viewpoint ~ Peacock display of pure elegance • Photo at Flamingo Gardens, Davie, Florida by Jan Logozzo • “High Fashion” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Body language is more fascinating to me than actual language.” — Michelle Yeoh shape and inflections body contortions suggest eye contact reveals * * * Telling Posture ~ Fluid lines of flamingos say more than vocal words • Photos at Flamingo Gardens, Davie, Florida and “Body Language” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.” —EO Wilson pick low hanging fruit much is near just look around bountiful nature * * * Choice Meal ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler enjoys low-hanging fruit • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Refreshment” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“I’m happy to just sit in a cafe and watch people. It’s my favorite thing to do, for sure.” — Zoe Kravitz just sitting, waiting opportunities pass by best to do something * * * Just Sitting ~ Pelican sits on fishing pier and waits • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Contemplation” haiku poem by … More Contemplation
“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson in cold of winter sunstruck sand bank of beach grass preferred to snow bank * * * Bank Deposit ~ Summer sun deposits gold on sand bank • Acrylics painting and “Sunstruck” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Wisdom is knowing when to have rest, when to have activity, and how much of each to have.” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar after long day’s work time to breathe, to rest, recoup resume just being * * * Earned Time ~ After full day at sea, night time breather • Photo by Andrew Finn … More At Rest
“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.” — Barbara Jordan some say powernap for others it’s wasting time just resting one’s eyes * * * Snoozing ~ Alligator rests … More Catnap
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 