Review ~ Wild Woman Waking: Finding the Path to Who You Are

Wild Woman Waking by Morgan Dragonwillow with photography by Tui Snider

Morgan is a dear friend of mine. One of those found in the madness known as Facebook. This is her second visit to my little alcove. You may remember her previous offering, Dancing within Shadow. Her poetry touched me then, and it continues to do so. Through her poetry she finds a way to paint a story of the pain, discovery and joy of her life. She openly shares her journey so that others may find the strength necessary to seek their own path, their own journey to healing.

Morgan’s work is beautifully illustrated by photos from another friend of mine, Tue Snider. This lady has an incredible eye for detail and can turn the mundane into an amazing inner journey. Who would think that a photo of a drain in a boat house would have artist interest? Somehow, this photographer can and does.

Here are just a few bits of how these artists have managed to create together. I chose this first piece because it speaks to me. I know something of the journey from insecurity and fear to strength and peace.

Fall

When you are hiding
within yourself
afraid to be who
you really are
it is hard to speak
your inner truth
fear is a constant
companion
daring you to trip
daring you to fall
but falling is
the only option
because standing
hurts
too
much

Another one that resonated with me so deeply was “Fire.”  I don’t recall have a circle of friends I could feel this free with; but I do know a few people who can make my heart dance and sing.

Fire
Born in the dark of night
slow
moist
and sacred
embrace your brilliant self
wake to your desires
to the blazing morning fire
velvet
soft
wild
open
where the soul remembers
bringing women to the circle
to dance laugh and celebrate.
in the dazzling joy of life

And just one more teaser of Tui’s work, finding extraordinary in the ordinary:

Check out Morgan’s musings, and Tui’s impressions of the world around us. I’m pretty sure you’ll find something just for you.

Morgan Dragonwillow is a shadow poet and recovering perfectionist that strives to inspire other poets and writers. She especially enjoys helping those that have had trouble letting go of the fear holding back their words from landing on the page. It thrills her to her marrow when her words inspire someone to write; it is one of her greatest joys. Morgan released her first poetry book, Dancing within Shadow, in March 2013. She is intimate with shadow and dances into the heart of it. She believes that diving into what most people try to avoid makes great fertilizer for all types of creativity, especially writing and poetry. She writes poetry to be able to say things, feel things that she can’t seem to express or feel anywhere else. Morgan lives in Marietta Ga. with her partner, their Pekinese, and their long haired Tabby. She loves creating of all kinds but words are her passion. You can connect with Morgan from the links below.
Morgan Dragonwillow’s Amazon author page
Morgan Dragonwillow’s Shadow Poet & Author Page: Dancing where others fear to tread.
Facebook Author Page
Pinterest
Twitter

Tui Snider is a freelance writer and travel blogger specializing in offbeat sites, overlooked history, cultural traditions, and quirky travel destinations. She is also a photographer. Her articles and photos have appeared in BMIbaby, easyJet, Wizzit, Click, Ling, PlanetEye Traveler, iStopover, SkyEurope, and North Texas Farm and Ranch magazines, among others. She also wrote the shopping chapter for the “Time Out Naples: Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast 2010” travel guidebook. Unexpected Texas is her first book. For Tui, travel is a mindset. Her motto is “Even home is a travel destination,” and she believes that “The world is only boring if you take everyone else’s word for it.” She has worn a lot of hats in her life – literally – and is especially fond of berets. Her first book, “Unexpected Texas” is a guide to offbeat and overlooked places within easy reach of the Dallas – Fort Worth region of North Texas. You can find Tui all around the web.  Tui has been a guest here as well, check out her book Unexpected Texas.

Feel free to say hi:

Tui Snider’s Amazon author page
Tui Snider’s Offbeat & Overlooked Travel blog
Facebook author page
Instagram
Pinterest

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Book Reviews ~ and a trip down memory lane.

A friend of mine contacted me and asked if I would mind taking a look at a little book she has come out with entitled, Unexpected Texas.  Admittedly, my time in Texas was not something I would care to repeat.  Yet I found myself remembering some of the things I did enjoy. Browsing through Tui’s delightful little book some of the special little treasurers that are so exquisitely “Texas” popped into my mind.

Tui begins with just a hint of the lesser known aspects of Texas history.  It did not all start and end at the Alamo!  There is a deep and rich history that includes a sizable German immigrant community throughout the state (primarily from pre-World War I Germany), a strong Spanish and Mexican influence (it was part of Spain at one point), a bit of French influence (likewise), a fierce independence (it was a separate nation for awhile), and its own celebration of Emancipation.

Tui’s book focuses on places and events in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.  I lived in the area for several years and I sincerely feel she has picked some of the best examples of Texan quirkiness and general cultural interest. And, she’s right.  There is a bank and a church in every town of any size.  She doesn’t mention it but you need a road map to know if you are in a dry county or not and at least one town is split down main street.  Texan’s can be the friendliest, or the most aloof (I never figured out the code on that one).  Here are a few quick notes on some of her discoveries.

Tui’s description of Antique Alley took me back to a number of pleasant bits and pieces.  It sounded very much like First Mondays in Canton (east of Dallas and a bit north of Athens).  Yep, people with everything from card tables to the latest in motor homes.  Crafts, imports, garage sales, and some of the most fascinating antiques you’ll find anywhere.  Whole “towns” that spring up overnight for a few days or a week, trade like any carnival or traveling show, and then off they all go – somewhere over the horizon.

Courtesy Rodalena
Photograph, Blogger, Author

Speaking of Antiques, the “German town” area in hill country is a great place to visit for a number of reasons. First, Texas hill country is beautiful.  New Braunfels, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and Boerne are all German heritage communities with wonderful October fests and antique shops that market pieces that go as far back as immigration.  Tui explains that the Texas-German dialect has developed rather differently than the mother tongue and in as many different ways as there were immigrants.  The speaking of German became a misdemeanor in some places in Texas during WWII.  Many Germans were sent to internment camps.  This derailed the preservation of a unique dialect and many of those who still speak it are in their 60s.  Hans Boas has created the Texas German Dialect Archive in an effort to preserve this piece of history.

Another stop on Tui’s tour is Archer City.  Tiny little Texas county seat (Pop. Less than 1,800) with a lovely courthouse and one of the most famous bookstores in the country; Larry McMurtry’s Booked Up.  Should you be among the uninitiated, Mr. McMurtry is the author of many books including Lonesome Dove.  This is a huge book store with a stock of some 200,000 books shelved in 4 buildings which take up a full city block.  Homey, well decorated, and with a stock ranging from collectors’ editions to used book treasures with budget prices, it is a fascinating place to explore the written word.

Little cubby holes, interesting activities, and even a buried space alien.  Tui leads you through a number of day trips and describes the world in gentle humor.  Who knows, her narrative may inspire you to look at your own home town in a different way and discover unexpected treasures right under your nose!

Tui Snider is a freelance writer and travel blogger specializing in offbeat sites, overlooked history, cultural traditions, and quirky travel destinations. Her articles and photos have appeared in BMIbaby, easyJet, Wizzit, Click, Ling, PlanetEye Traveler, iStopover, SkyEurope, and North Texas Farm and Ranch magazines, among others. She also wrote the shopping chapter for the “Time Out Naples: Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast 2010” travel guidebook. Unexpected Texas is her first book.

For Tui, travel is a mindset. Her motto is “Even home is a travel destination,” and she believes that “The world is only boring if you take everyone else’s word for it.” She has worn a lot of hats in her life – literally – and is especially fond of berets. Her first book, Unexpected Texas is a guide to offbeat and overlooked places within easy reach of the Dallas – Fort Worth region of North Texas.

You can find Tui all around the web. Feel free to say hi:

Amazon author page
Offbeat & Overlook Travel Blog
Facebook author page
Instagram
Pinterest

For visitors to my site, Tui has selected the following prizes:A paperback of the book, an Unexpected Texas notebook,and a bag of sea salt dark chocolate caramel candy. The latter is a nod to the ancient sea that created the salt mines for Grand Saline! She wanted a tie-in with something historical for this stop on the tour.

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