IWSG February 2022 Heartlights and Sunrays

Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

We’re glad you’re here! It's the First Wednesday of the month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to share the fabulous views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating writing journeys. Check out the February newsletter here.  Perusing the many tips and resources offered here is definitely worthwhile and highly rewarding, so pull up a comfy chair, or better yet -  join us!

Our awesome co-hosts for this month's posting of the IWSG are: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!

This month’s optional question is:

Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn’t around anymore? Anyone you miss?

Yes. My dad readily comes to mind today because he would have had a birthday yesterday. Facebook is good at reminding us when friends have special days, even long after they’ve passed away. So in honor of his life and his effect on mine (never mind the fact that his account remains open), I went ahead and posted a favorite music video to his page. Never one to shower another with praise, he instead said things like “I felt I was in that room,” or “I don’t know which was more pervasive; the tension, or the earthy scent of desert rain and sandalwood,” I enjoyed writing beneath the glow of his quiet Heartlight. Now, as I write, I find I still do.

For Library Lover’s Month, I decided to check out some of the secrets librarians know that we might not. For example, you don’t have to be 100% silent, but phone etiquette is necessary. While they’re aware of their status as “refuge” for homeless folks, sleeping is prohibited. Libraries across America have installed “makerspaces” offering 3-D machines, sewing machines, video-editing stations, and social workers for anyone with nowhere else to go yet who are too tired to read.  Librarians can, and often do waive the late fee – if you have a convincing reason for being late. They never know what they’re going to find in a book drop. In addition to books, they’ve discovered sweaters, letters, keys – and a dozen donuts! Overall, any librarian will say the best part of the job is being able to help, whether suggesting an octogenarian’s next read or figuring out what bird may have lost the feather a five-year-old child found in the parking lot.

When I learned today is designated as “The Record of a Sneeze” Day (according to brownielocks.com), I had to know more. Aside from the record number of sneezes in a row, placed at an unbelievable 976 days, held by a woman from the UK, the story is commonly known as Fred Ott’s Sneeze. It’s actually the oldest surviving motion picture with a copyright and was produced by Edison Manufacturing Company in 1894. The 5-second silent black and white film was shot by William K.L. Dickson and featured Fred Ott (Thomas Edison’s assistant) sneezing after sniffing a pinch of snuff.

Wishing everyone a month of gorgeous sunrays – Happy writing!