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.
“There are moments when everything shifts, when the world becomes eerily like the kaleidoscope toy given to children, where with the turn of a cheap plastic knob everything changes, becomes different.” — Simone St. James forever in flux life’s ever-changing patterns converting old ways * * * Shifting movements of egrets create a kaleidoscope of … More Kaleidoscope
“Raphael probably would have painted out the freckles, and that would have been a mistake. Like brushing cinnamon off cinnamon toast.” — E. L. Konigsburg smatterings of sun whimsical dustings of charm kisses of beauty * * * Poets call out freckles for their whimsy, innocence and youth, as nature’s tiny specks of creativity. Irish … More Freckles
“Beauty is a radiance that originates from within and comes from inner security and strong character.” — Jane Seymour strength and character symbolized thru finery power of beauty * * * With their tall, sword-like stalks and trumpet-shaped blossoms, gladioli take their name from the Latin word, gladius, meaning sword. Their role as the birth … More Lasting Love
“My soul is in the sky.” — William Shakespeare spores of brilliant light dreams scrawled on blackboard of sky fleeting elation * * * July fireworks bring Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to mind • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Midsummer Celebration” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“In the spider-web of facts, many a truth is strangled.” — Paul Eldridge shining silken web tempting promise of softness traps with strands of truth * * * Shining in the light, spider’s web promises only woven beauty • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Deceiving” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.” — David Attenborough portal of calm unadulterated reserve inner peace haven * * * Unspoiled tangle of natural beauty provides sanctuary of peace and quiet • Photo and “Sanctuary” haiku by Mary O’Connor © … More Sanctuary
“A symbol is indeed the only possible expression of some invisible essence, a transparent lamp about a spiritual flame…” — William Butler Yeats threads of silky fluff ornamental expression unexpected might * * * Lighting the world with its delicate clusters of silky pink threads, the Mimosa, or Persian Silk Tree, symbolizes sensitivity, gentleness, compassion … More Sensitivity
“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” — Deepak Chopra all nature stands still wind, water. beautiful bird time of reflection * * * Nature, with all its stillness, well of quiet for the mind and soul • “Stillness” watercolor painting and haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“There are connoisseurs of blue just as there are connoisseurs of wine.” — Sidonie Gabrielle Colette every shade likely sky, ocean deep, precious gems dimensions of soul * * * Hydrangea, with their showy ornamental blossoms, are loved for their kaleidoscope of changing colors, ranging from shades of pink to violet to purple to deep … More Shades of Blue
“Sometimes we all want to be like a statue: Always calm; always observer; always listening; always fearless and always inspiring!” — Mehmet Murat ildan still as life statues standing firm on principle spirited sculptures * * * Cormorants pose as living statues in nature’s version of street theater art • Photo by Jan Logozzo • … More Living Sculpture
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 