Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
Very Slowly, and then All At Once
I now have an empty nest. Plus, news about my upcoming book launch for Every Bell that Rings and how to get your hands on a review copy.
Through the Fire
We’re in the worst wildfire season in Alberta’s history, but there’s a lot of other life stuff happening too. Thankfully, most of it’s good.
This Train Track Goes Both Ways
Taking a moment to look back at how far I’ve come before looking to the immediate future again.
A Matter of Perspective
Quick update on The Sphinx’s Heart revisions and some family stuff.
A Season of Transitions
Between my son leaving for college, buying a new house, shifts in careers, and some difficult health-related news, it’s been a challenging few months. But I’m holding on to gratitude. Here’s what’s been going on.
Hair, shoulder pads, and nukes.
Another personal update written to the company of Doctor Who. In general this new is becoming normal. Plus a strange thing to be thankful for right now.
Random Wordings
Updates on my brain state, what I’ve been up to with writing, knitting, and more, Patreon, author life, and a giveaway for my readers.
Work Afraid
Here’s a secret: We’re all afraid. Every person who succeeds at something has had to confront fear at some point to get to where they are. The trick is to start anyway.
A Winter’s Day In “Through the Lens”
Today, I had a break from writing. So it was kind of a look-at-life-through-the-lens sort of day. Here are a few things my camera and I saw. Also, I was so honoured to be featured on Mary DeMuth's podcast the Restory Show.
Endings and Beginnings
As a reader, I always thought that the ending was the goal. And it is. But it never occurred to me that it was the well-written middle that actually got me there as inevitably as a cart on a roller coaster track.
If only life had someone writing me out of my "swampy middles."
Grieving Creatively
I already recorded too few memories of our short time with Levi on film. Now, while those memories are still as fresh as possible, I intend to scrapbook them all, and some that don't have pictures, too.
Inconveniences I Would Rather Have
On Wednesday, I found I was grieving all the things that Levi will not get to do that I wanted him to be able to do. I find that writing songs helps me deal with very stressful and emotional topics, so I wrote "Things I'll Never Do". Here is a quick scratch recording on a video for this song.
In Memory of Levi
Levi's eulogy was the most difficult thing I have ever had to write. Not because I didn't know what I wanted to say, because I did.
Sharing Levi's eulogy was the most difficult thing that Jason has ever had to do. But he did.
God gave us both the strength to share the story of this precious little man with those at his funeral yesterday. For those that were unable to attend, I am posting it here.
Hold On, Pain Ends
Grief is a funny thing.
One day, you can be perfectly fine, feel like you have accepted your loss, and that life will once again be wonderful to live.
The next day, you can be on the verge (or beyond it) of tears at every waking moment.
December Downs and Ups
What’s filling my month: a stomach bug, pageant costume sewing, revising my first novel, and a new knitting pattern design.