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Going To Jim and Elsie's House

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When I was a little girl, the place where I most wanted to be was with Jim and Elsie, our next door neighbors. They lived on the farm next to ours.  Whenever Jim and Elsie would come by to visit, they would always say that I could stay with them whenever I wanted. Yet, my mother would refuse to take me, so I had to figure out how to get to Jim and Elsie's house on my own. One day when my mother wasn't paying attention, I sneaked out of the house, crawled under the barbed wire fence and ran through Jim and Elsie's pasture. I had almost made it to their house, but, then, the cows started chasing me. Believe me, it's always scary to get chased by cows, but especially when you're a little four-year old girl. Luckily, Jim heard me hollering. He jumped down from his tractor and scooped me up in his safe arms and carried me to his house. Elsie ran out and hugged me, and, then, she brought me in for some ice cream. I did get a lecture from Jim saying to not try that again.
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There are Glimpses

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Whenever I need solace and comfort, I turn to Taoism. There are many reasons why I am drawn to it. For instance, I like how The Tao Te Ching tells us that we all have our own journey to follow. It also describes the world of today, just as it describes the world thousands of years ago. For seven years, I studied Taoism with my dear teachers, Dr. Joseph Thomas and Crystal Leaman. My poem "There Are Glimpses," is dedicated to them. How do we know Tao? There are glimpses of it In the dappled light of the woods, In the way that sunflowers follow the sun. There are glimpses of it When a hummingbird dances in an old man's beard, When a little girl kicks off her shoes and splashes in the mud, When a little boy tastes sweet honey on his lips for the very first time, It's when two children lean in for their very first kiss. There are glimpses of Tao  when a woman sings, "Amazing Tao, how sweet the sound that holds a soul like me," To calm the voices inside her head.
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It's Good To Be Back

 Hello everyone, I've been away from this blog for a long time, and I'm glad to be back. I've been out of the world for awhile now because of Covid and life in general.  I think I've had this tendency since childhood to hide from the world when life  gets tough, and, at this time, I worry a lot about what is happening now in the world and in this country.  However, I have come to the realization that I need to actively reach out and connect with others and express who I truly am. I think that being in a community helps us get through hard times because we know that we're not alone.  So returning to my blog is a way for me to return to the world, and I'm looking forward to sharing my reflections, dreams and savored moments. (c) Lorraine Darnell
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My Blog Debut and KC Fringe Festival, 2021

I'm so excited about this year's KC Virtual Fringe Festival and my new blog. It has been such a difficult time for so many. I am so grateful to be here and to have the love and support of so many who have encouraged me to be my truest self in the world. In my upcoming fringe show, "Dreams and Memories," I share stories from my life and original fairy tales for grown-ups. My show begins with a story about how books and libraries have guided the course of my life and helped me survive a difficult childhood. My second story is about recovering memories and healing from trauma. My show also includes two fairy tales. One of them is my own original version of a story that is thought to be hundreds and thousands of years old. My final story is my own original fairy tale about a woman named Rose and a fox. My show celebrates the love and power within each of us to create our own destiny. The KC Virtual Fringe Festival runs July 18 through August 1. Tickets are on sale now.  I
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