Written by Poppy - MARGARET

COMING SOON:

MARGARET

Written by Poppy Dodson

Book details:

The story "Margaret" by Poppy Dodson is a poignant tale of resilience, friendship, and the quiet strength that can be found in shared human connection. The story centers around a farm and is character-driven. Margaret and Thomas are married, and Thomas falls ill. Margaret is caring for the farm and her husband's needs and encounters Eleanor. This is a turning point in Margaret's life. Eleanor's intuitive understanding and steady support help Margaret rediscover her own strength and resilience.

People who will resonate with my story include caregivers, those living in rural areas, those who value friendship and support, individuals who have faced personal challenges, and, last but not least, those who enjoy positive and uplifting endings.

Artist - Book Cover by Poppy

The Radiating Vibe

Thank you for coming to visit Poppy's Blog.

Last year, I decided to participate in the NYC Midnight 250-word Microfiction challenge. 5,439 writers participated, and there were 125 groups, with approximately 44 writers per group.

The challenge is where you are assigned a genre and what needs to be in your story. Well, if you know me, I am a hopeless romantic, but I have never written a romance short story or story, so this was a challenge for me.

"The Radiating Vibe"     Written by Poppy

Coralee had a bad day at work because she was written up, so she decided to stop at her favorite watering hole. She walks into the bar and hears Todd Rundgren playing, hello, it's me. Coralee finds an empty bar stool and plops down. She continues to sing; I've thought about us for a long time. As she looks to her left, a big athletic guy is smiling at her with piercing blue eyes like hers. Coralee smiles. The bartender comes over, and Coralee orders a drink. The athletic man introduces himself as Louie and says, may I buy your drink? Coralee says yes. When the drink appears, she takes a sip. Louie then says bad day. Coralee says working in an office with all ladies can drive you crazy. Louie says I work with grown men who whine all day. Coralee says, touche!   

As they continue chatting, mostly small talk, Coralee notices she is finishing his sentences, and he is finishing hers. They order more drinks, and they are laughing. Coralee likes his laugh; it's contagious, just like hers. But his vibe was something else. It was radiating around her body. Coralee adjusts her skirt, smiles, slowly crosses her legs and swings them towards Louie. You could see Louie looking at her legs. Louie then smiles as he puts his hand on Coralees thigh nonchalantly. Coralee does not flinch and allows Louie to touch her thigh. Louie then reaches over and whispers in Coralee's ear. "I want you." 

Below is my feedback. This was definitely a challenge for me.

Dear Poppy,

The feedback from the judges on your 1st Round submission from the 250-word Microfiction Challenge 2022 is below. We hope you find the feedback helpful and are proud of the story you created for the challenge. Thank you for participating.  The numbers are judges.

"The Radiating Vibe" by Poppy 

WHAT THE JUDGES LIKED ABOUT YOUR STORY

{2256} I thought Louie working with whiny men was really funny. 

{2253} This story does a great job of adding mystery and a build up of sexual tension. I particularly like the ending when the scene seems to slow down a bit as the narrator is describing Coralee as she adjusts her skirt and Louie looking at her thighs—slowing this scene down shows how much the characters themselves are focused on these movements, thus building the tension and heat of the moment. 

{2281} Coralee and Louie meeting feels natural and at the whim of chance. There's something inherently romantic about just that kind of meeting. The idea that Coralee randomly deciding to stop for a drink could alter the course of her love life is a timeless concept. 

"In the end we all become stories."  - Margaret Atwood

Self-Love

Welcome to Poppy’s Blog.

I have not written in a while and felt the need to write today. 

I feel blessed to share my life journey. I hope my story resonates with some of you, gives you hope, and inspires you to be the best version of yourself.

Poppy has come full circle. She made a comeback by healing herself from the inside and out. It’s been four years since my husband’s death, and I miss him dearly. I made a mistake. I went into a relationship while I was grieving. I don’t know how I managed to be in a relationship. But one day, I had an epiphany, packed my bags, and left. Now, this is when the real healing started.

Taking care of myself was my number one priority. I was depressed, lost, and lonely. So, I went into hermit mode, which is solitude. I cried, worked in my garden, started swimming at the gym, and wrote short stories. I meditated and listened to Sarah Blondin- accepting change. I learned to give back all the love I gave out, so I started filling every hole in my body with self-love.  

I have been reborn and given a new life experience. I am “the phoenix rising from her ashes.” I have become resilient and allow life to spill into me, not on me. I have become more of an observer. I started a new job and returned to my original profession as an Accountant. I landed a stellar job, and I love what I do. I have the best co-workers and clients.

I am blessed to have a daughter and granddaughter who helped me through this difficult time. I am enjoying each step of my life journey, and I still wear my heart on my sleeve.

Let me end with this quote.

           “A life without cause is a life without effect.”

Poppy sends love and light.

A New Year means new Beginnings

Welcome to Poppy's Blog.

A New Year means new beginnings. I hope you wake up and find the place where everything feels right, your heart is calm, thoughts are positive, vision is clear, and beauty fills your soul with mystery.

This year I figured I would try my hand at pitching a Comedy. I wrote my pitch thinking about my life. As I look back on my life, I’ve had many feelings like sadness, anger, joy, stress, and excitement. I have learned a lot about myself and realized I am a strong-willed person beautiful inside and out. I don't know where I am going, but I promise it won't be boring. 

The quote that comes to mind is:

I am strong because I was WEAK, fearless because I've been AFRAID, and wise because I've been FOOLISH.

"REALLY" is my first Comedy Pitch.

I entered it into the ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch (Spring 2022)

Logline: A woman enters the dating scene via a dating app after the death of her husband. She finds most of her dates are in need of a sympathetic ear, so she sets up a chatline. She meets the most boring, broken, selfish, and inconsiderate people looking for love and somehow heals herself from the chaos and drama that unfolds in front of her eyes.

Happy New Year's - Poppy

Just remember to make happiness a priority.

The White Feather

After my husband's death, the physical and emotional pain I suffered opened a hole in my heart to see and feel things on a deeper level. I found myself noticing strange and subtle occurrences. 

While I sat at a stoplight, a white feather descended from nowhere and landed on my windshield. I jumped out of my car and was determined to grab the white feather and hold it in my hand. Another day, while walking in the park, I sat on the bench I shared with my husband, birdwatching. A little bird came and perched next to me and stared at me. I carefully examined the bird as it moved its head back and forth. It was as if the bird was talking to me. I believed it was my husband sending me a sign from heaven. Though I thought I was going crazy, I was not. Then again, maybe I was. Another time I felt blue and decided I would use what energy I had to dress and go to my favorite restaurant to have lunch. I drove to the restaurant sat in the parking lot, afraid to go in and sit alone. But, somehow, I summoned the courage to walk through the doors alone. I sat near a window, and the table had a beautiful floral centerpiece. As the waiter took my order, I felt something hit my ankle. When the waiter left, I slowly bent over, and there was a nickel near my ankle. I picked it up and smiled. I knew then it was my husband telling me I would be OK.

There are signs everywhere. We need to learn to stop our busy brains and acknowledge the signs our loved ones are sending us. I have become a witness to seeing and acknowledging these signs on my life journey. It has made my faith stronger and resilient. I remember my mother saying, "seek adventure everywhere you go, but remember, you must see and feel with your heart to experience it." Most of us just exist daily. Some of us have not learned to leave our baggage behind, and it has become a security blanket that holds us down. Some are blind and unable to visualize the world differently because they were trained only to see in front of them. I will never allow myself to root in one place, the world is so big, and there are so many adventures waiting for me.

It's been three years since my husband's death, and I have learned to love every part of myself, the quirky side, birdwatcher, wildflower pod picker, nature lover, and writer. I also have learned to be patient with myself, go to a restaurant, movie, and park alone. Take my country drives and picnics every Sunday as I did with my husband. Though he is gone, he will always have a special place in my heart. Whenever I think of my husband, I know he will send me a sign from above to guide and protect me because he is my angel in heaven.

To read more of Poppy's short stories, click on the link below. 

https://www.amazon.com/Poppy-Dodson/e/B09NJGV325?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5&qid=1639416095&sr=1-5

Friday’s Quote – a Gift

Welcome to Poppy's Blog!

Deep down inside, we know that the best gifts don't come from a catalog or shopping mall. They don't come in brightly colored packages or fancy envelopes, and they're not hiding in a closet for you to open on Christmas morning. They come when we look at each other, REALLY look at each other, and say:

"You mean a lot to me, or I'm glad you are part of my life." It is a gift that will never go out of style or be forgotten or returned for a different size.

A gift like that can make someone's day or change someone's life.

        -    Ron Atchison

Merry Christmas

Come follow poppytheauthor a Country Girl at 💛, on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and now TikTok.

THE STORY OF RUDOLPH

 Welcome to Poppy's Blog!

Today I will be reading a story published January 11, 2011, Reader's Digest - CANADA.

THE STORY OF RUDOLPH

Once Upon a time, there lived at the North Pole, a young reindeer named Rudolph. He was a lively, happy reindeer and loved playing in the snow. But one day, the other reindeer noticed that he had a large, bright red nose, and they teased him about it without mercy.

Rudolph was sad because it was Christmas Eve, and he was afraid that he would never be chosen to pull Santa's sleigh because of his shiny nose. He visited Santa and the elf, who were getting all the presents ready. Santa and the Elf were always kind to Rudolph and never mentioned his funny nose.

At last, Santa boomed, elf, I must go. Let's load up the presents.

When all was ready, Santa asked, where are my 8 reindeer? I need Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen's strength to pull my sleigh. Then Santa looked around and noticed how foggy the night had become. He worried that he would not be able to see his way. Suddenly, he noticed Rudolph with his bright red nose, and then he had a very bright idea! "Rudolph," he cried, I want YOU with your shiny nose to light the way from my sleigh tonight!"

All the reindeer made way for Rudolph. Everybody loved him and said what a
special reindeer he was from then on.  They never teased Rudolph.  Rudolph would always be Santa's first choice every Christmas Eve.

Let me end with this quote – The magic of Christmas never ends, and the best gifts are Family and Friends.

Come follow Poppytheauthor on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and now TikTok

.