Tag: summer

Snapshot 8/31/21 // “Centuries”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 7 Comments

Currently listening: “Centuries” – Fall Out Boy
Currently watching: Sailor Moon R
Currently playing: Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories
Currently reading: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

August. I let August slip away like a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Turns out I needed another mental health month and some time away, at least from blogging. In the middle of the month, I picked up writing again. Well, revising. I finished rereading my first draft of The Lowell Saga and now I have stepped onto the revising plane for the second draft. It’s taking a painstaking amount of time to go through it chapter by chapter but I’m doing it. I want to make sure that all my foreshadowing adds up and all my characters stay true to who they are at this point. I say at the point because this is only the first book of four. I didn’t do my writing update this month but it will be back in September!

In other news, I did take a trip in August! I went to visit my brother out in the country and it was awesome. I had a great time and ate a lot of ice cream. I do love ice cream. (August is also when I was born so I ate a lot of cake too to celebrate!) Then got right back into the swing of eating health after both of those fun times. I’m really proud of myself.

Me, on my birthday #noregrets

August Goals:

  1. Continue to watch my sugar intake. Checkmate.
  2. Jog. Um. I did do this but then I got really bad knee pain lol. I’m not jogging but I’m exercising so I think I will let myself have this one.
  3. Work on The Lowell Saga. Checkmate.

September (the month where Dark Academia is my vibe) Goals:

  1. Work on The Lowell Saga. Until it’s done.
  2. Maintain my healthy habits. I’ve been eating better and exercising. So I want to carry on this goal into the next month so it becomes a habit.
  3. Be more open to possibilities. I think COVID got me stuck in bit of an anxiety loop. I want to get out of that so this September I want to try some different things. Exciting things. As for what yet, I’m not sure as of writing this. But something. Something more.

What I Read:

  • Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch. This was the perfect summer read. Just the right amount of angsty family situations, mythological lore and summer romance. Not to mention in all takes place in Santorini, Greece. Just like every other book Jenna Evans Welch has written I adored it. If you need a lighter read please take a gander.
  • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I read this for the first time in high school and I really liked it then. Rereading it now years later, I still like this book. There are two types of people in the world. Those who like The Catcher in the Rye and those who don’t. I totally get why someone would not like this book. Honestly, nothing really happens. It’s just Holden stream of conciousnessing his way through every page, but despite that and his own biases and way of seeing the world he does lay down some fundamental human truths. Usually at the most unexpected of times. Holden is one of a kind and far from perfect, but reading his story always amuses me.
  • Kagerou Daze v.1 by Jin and art by Mahiro Satou.
  • Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynn Jackson. True, awe inspiring and eye opening. I loved this book. I can honestly say I think it changed me. I will never look at life the same.
  • On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. Vivid, real, and a book that I knew I needed to read. I am a very learn by doing kind of person when it comes to writing but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend it for anyone and everyone out there, not just writers.

What I’ll Be Writing:

  • Poetry- posted every Wednesday
  • Writing Is Hard | WIP Writing Update- posted in the middle of the month
  • Snapshot! Monthly Recap- posted the last day of every month
  • Announcements- posted as needed

If you want more information about any of the above, you can check out the About page on my site or just click here.

Amazing Posts I Read in August:

My Round Up of July Posts:

I wonder what September is going to bring….

Till next time,

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Snapshot 7/31/21 // “The Widow in Black”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 9 Comments

Currently listening: “Aerith’s Theme” – Nobuo Uematsu
Currently watching: Pokemon S1 // every Marvel movie in chronological order
Currently playing: Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Currently reading: Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

I took a much needed break in July. Some of you might have noticed that I didn’t post my writing update this month. That was intentional since I didn’t write anything. Lol. After finishing the first draft of book 1 of The Lowell Saga in June I needed a mental break before I head back in to revising it. August is going to be interesting. A lot of work I know but something I am welcoming and looking forward to!

I also saw Black Widow this month and can I just say I love, love, loved it. Especially Yelena and her vest, omg. Black Widow is my favorite avenger and I am glad she finally got her own standalone movie. I loved it so much it put me in the mood to watch every Marvel movie every made again in chronological order. Yes, ambitious I know but I’m enjoying it so far. I just finished Iron Man and am going to start Iron Man 2 soon. In other news I was feeling nostalgic and a bit down as well so I started rewatching the original Pokemon anime from the 90’s. It’s doing wonders for relaxing me since it was practically all I watched as a kid.

July was a break I needed. I slept a lot, read a bit, and hung outside just taking in the sun. I might even need to do more of that in August since I have a vitamin D deficiency lol. It’s fiiiiiine. I’ll figure it out, like I always do. I also have a B-12 deficiency which could explain why I’ve been feeling so tired these past few months. But I’m taking vitamins now so all and all I should be on an upswing!

July Goals:

  1. Watch my sugar intake. Check. I gained some weight in July so that push finally got me back to making healthier choices so my sugar intake is definitely less.
  2. Work on The Lowell Saga. In a round about way by resting this month I did complete this goal because now I can head into August with fresh eyes for my manuscript and do an even better revising job because I stepped away from it. It can be like reading a new story now!

August (the month where I might have been born) Goals:

  1. Continue to watch my sugar intake. I did great in July and I am hoping to carry it through to August so it becomes a habit.
  2. Jog. I started jogging in July and want to carry this goal over into the next month while the weather is still so perfectly summer.
  3. Work on The Lowell Saga. This has been here every month and will be continue to be here until this is a published book, lol. My determination is strong.

What I Read:

  • The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. I read this book all through June and ended up finishing it on July 1st. Right before the 4th. This book is probably one of, if not the top, book in all of the Raven Cycle to me. I love the whole series though as a whole of course, but there is just something about this one. The concept, the stealing, Ronan, Kavinsky, Gansey and Blue on the phone like…. (*INSERT MAJOR ROMANTIC SIGH HERE*). I’ve been rereading the Raven Cycle impulsively and it’s what prompted me to get my ley line tattoo back in May. I grew up with this series and because of that it made me who I am today as a person and as a writer. Maggie’s prose is beautiful and gives you just enough to surprise you and not spoil anything. I hope to be near her level someday with my own writing.
  • Between You, Me, and the Honeybees by Amelia Diane Coombs. This was such a sweet, cute read and exactly the contemporary summer romance vibe I needed for my month of rest. Not to mention the main character suffers from anxiety so that was extra relatable to read about and the main love interest was a soft artist boy so that was also very enjoyable to read about. If you need something light with a happy ending I highly recommend.

What I’ll Be Writing:

  • Poetry- posted every Wednesday
  • Writing Is Hard | WIP Writing Update- posted in the middle of the month
  • Snapshot! Monthly Recap- posted the last day of every month
  • Announcements- posted as needed

If you want more information about any of the above, you can check out the About page on my site or just click here.

Marvelous Posts I Read in July:

My Round Up of July Posts:

August is my favorite month. For obvious reasons. It’s my birthday month! And it’s summer! And I just love everything about that. How are you guys spending your summers? Got any interesting plans? I’m laying low but still enjoying listening to those cicadas sing outside my window and watching the ocean waves roll in.

Till next time,

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Snapshot 6/30/21 // “(insert big smile here)”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 5 Comments

Currently listening: “Driver’s License” – Olivia Rodrigo
Currently watching: Gravity Falls
Currently playing: The World Ends With You: Final Remix
Currently reading: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

June went by really fast. Really fast. But I think that’s because I actually had a lot of fun this month. I saw my friends A LOT, I hung out with my family A LOT, and I ate A LOT of good food. Not to mention, like, it’s SUMMER. The greatest thing to ever exist.

June Goals:

  1. Focus on the present. CHECK.
  2. Watch my sugar intake. FAILURE. Turns out I like sugar, and s’mores, and donuts and blueberry muffins. Like damn.
  3. Work on The Lowell Saga. CHECK, CHECK, CHECK.

July (the month where I just exist in bliss) Goals:

  1. Watch my sugar intake. Take 4?
  2. Work on The Lowell Saga. I FINISHED MY FIRST DRAFT OF BOOK 1. Now, to edit!

What I Read:

  • Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley. This book helped me immensely this month. I read it in one gulp. Faster probably than I’ve read any other book this year. I bought it awhile ago and had always been meaning to read it. The timing just never seemed right. After I lost my dog on June 1st, I knew now was the time. This book hit every beat. Every. Beat. It was the perfect remedy to how I had been feeling. The way grief was handled throughout the book, the subtle love story, the books, the ocean… it was what I needed. Five stars. Shout out to Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books for sharing her love of Words in Deep Blue on her blog. I wouldn’t have found it without you!
  • This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura. I enjoyed reading this one! Anything involving a flower shop immediately calls to me. At times I did find CJ the main character a bit difficult to like but she grows throughout and the book, and comes into herself in the end. The lessons learned, and the histories explored through the text also gave me great perspective. The story focuses on moving forward from the past and previous mistakes of our ancestors to building a better and more equal future and taking accountability. We all have the power to do that, inside of us, and that inspires a lot of hope.

What I’ll Be Writing:

  • Poetry- posted every Wednesday
  • Writing Is Hard | WIP Writing Update- posted in the middle of the month
  • Snapshot! Monthly Recap- posted the last day of every month
  • Announcements- posted as needed

If you want more information about any of the above, you can check out the About page on my site or just click here.

Marvelous Posts I Read in May:

My Round Up of May Posts:

It’s been a slow reading month but it’s all good. I FINISHED MY FIRST DRAFT, AND IT’S SUMMER, AND LIFE IS FUN AGAIN!!!

Till next time,

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Snapshot 5/31/21 // “Me in May”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 4 Comments

Currently listening: “Soul Mate” – flora cash
Currently watching: Steven Universe
Currently playing: The World Ends With You: Final Remix
Currently reading: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

May was an interesting month. It was the best of months, it was the worst of months. It was the month where I made a lot of stark changes. For one thing I got my yearly haircut, yes you read that right yearly. So the length is now at my shoulders and ready for the heat. BRING IT ON SUMMER. I also got a blond streak in my hair which I love and is something totally new. Yes, yes, yes, yes and oh one other thing. Did I mention I got a tattoo?

I wanted a tattoo since forever and was supposed to get one last year. So this month I decided to just DO IT. So I did. I know some of you know what this is haha, and all I can say is I’m in love!

May Goals:

  1. Focus on me. Yes, I think I did this.
  2. Watch my sugar intake. No, I think I did not do this.
  3. Watch my caloric intake. 😦
  4. Get at least 10,000 steps everyday. 🙂
  5. Do yoga every damn day. 🙂
  6. Work on The Lowell Saga. 🙂
  7. Watch your spending. :/ I may have indulged a little, but not a lot. It was on books, okay?
  8. GET THAT TATTOO. DONE!!!!
I did half so…

June (the month where summer is here and I am ALIVE) Goals:

  1. Focus on the present. It’s summer and I want to have fun. Enough said.
  2. Watch my sugar intake. Take 3.
  3. Work on The Lowell Saga. Keeping the dream ALIVE.

What I Read:

  • The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill. This book went above and beyond my expectations. I knew it would be good, I knew it would be adorable but then I read it and it was just SO good and SO adorable that I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series. The graphics are wonderful and warm and just give you this good feeling inside as you read. I felt calm every time I picked it up and can’t say how much if you need a book to get you relaxed JUST READ THIS. Diversity, wholesomeness, dragons, and tea honestly what more do I need to say?
  • The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. This book. This book. This book. I’ve read it over and over and no matter how many times it always feels like the first time. I fall in love over and over and over again. This book is complex, simple, reality, dreams, and magic all tied into one. And it all feels so real. I love it so much. I read this book years ago at the right time in my life and it has stayed with me since and will stay with me forever more. The Raven Cycle will always be in the top of the top of my favorite books and it is a series I believe that played a hand in who I am today and who I will probably become tomorrow. And I know a lot of you feel the same way if you’ve read it.
  • Fruits Basket v.11 by Natsuki Takaya
  • Kuroko’s Basketball Omnibus #3 (v.5+6) by Tadatoshi Fujimaki
  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Five stars all across. A beautiful perspective on living, dying and all the paths we don’t take. Definitely deserves a read, and that’s all I can say.

What I’ll Be Writing:

  • Poetry- posted every Wednesday
  • Writing Is Hard | WIP Writing Update- posted in the middle of the month
  • Snapshot! Monthly Recap- posted the last day of every month
  • Announcements- posted as needed

If you want more information about any of the above, you can check out the About page on my site or just click here.

Marvelous Posts I Read in May:

My Round Up of May Posts:

Summer. Summer! SUMMER!!! It is my favorite season and I can’t wait to go back to the ocean and eat ice cream and since we are all vaccinated now visit my family and hang with my friends and THRIVE ❤

Finally.

What are your plans for summer?

Till next time,

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“Day Dreaming”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 1 Comment

Golden light
on bare skin.

Mint chocolate chip
painted across nails.

Laughter and yells
in the bright sea salt air.

The ocean
awaiting the incumbent return.

How can I
put it to words
when it means
so much more?

Every other season
is a dream.
For it is
only
in the summer
I am awake.

And the irony is…
summer
is the only season
where life actually
is
a beautiful dream.

Photo by Scott Trento on Unsplash

©2021 Jai Lynn

This post “Day Dreaming” appeared first on Jai Lynn.

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Flash Fiction- “Another Few Seconds”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 3 Comments

When this all first started, they said there would be no waiting.

Cracking my knuckles only kills a few seconds so it’s not long before my mind is back on the never ending line in front of me. At least we are all spread far enough apart that I could stretch my arms so far in front of me and still not touch the man with his bowler hat, or kick out my leg enough to never reach the woman and her daughter arguing at my back.

They said it wouldn’t be as bad as this.

Someone coughs and I can’t help it… but I flinch. I’m not the only one either. Between my rumbling stomach, scrunched shoulders, and painful headache I feel like I made a mistake coming. Maybe I could have gone another night without dinner.

They said that by now this would all be over.

In better times, I would have been knee deep in tips from slinging hot burgers and greasy fries. I would have been spending my mornings running on the beach and my nights banging shoulders with my friends. My anxiety wouldn’t be strung as tight as bow, my bills wouldn’t be weighing down my shoulders, and the news wouldn’t be hammering me hour by hour with the bleakness of it all. (Why didn’t we listen? Why didn’t we realize sooner? Are we all that selfish? Throwing a party at what cost? A few thousand lives…) I shift my weight to my other leg, not because I needed to but just because I needed something, anything, to distract me. If only for another few seconds.

This summer was supposed to be the best one yet. Who would have thought it would have been the saddest? The one to ruin every other summer… in our new reality.

Everything happens for a reason. I’ll tell it to myself over and over. Until I believe it. Another distraction to make the time seem less still. Another few seconds to pass by.

Photo by Edwin Hooper on Unsplash

©2021 Jai Lynn

This post Flash Fiction- “Another Few Seconds” appeared first on Jai Lynn.

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“The Sun”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 8 Comments

Made of fire
and of light
the sun is always
eliminating night.

When I’m outside,
and there’s no rain,
heat on my skin
gives no pain.

I feel more alive
than I’ve ever known
like a bright star
who’ll never turn to stone.

So why is it
when the light
gradually leaves
from my sight

that my energy,
once high and strong,
fumbles and dies
as the shadows turn long.

A child of the sun,
a warrior of the light,
without that warmth
I lose all my fight.

I’ve become the sun
thriving with the day
and then bowing to the dark
with nothing left to say.

Photo by Daoudi Aissa on Unsplash

©2021 Jai Lynn

This post “The Sun” appeared first on Jai Lynn.

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Snapshot 8/31/19 // Praying For Summer to Never End

~ Jai Lynn ~ 6 Comments

Currently listening: “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince“- Taylor Swift
Currently reading: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Currently watching: The Office S2
Currently playing: Pokemon Masters

If I could live in perpetual summer, I would. Don’t get me wrong fall is wonderful because everything is pumpkin, winter is nice because of cozy fires and hot chocolate, and spring brings with it all. the. flowers. but it also brings the impending arrival of summer once again. Some people can’t stand the heat but as someone who is endlessly cold I live for it. Not to mention the long hours of daylight, the trips to the beach, and the sweet thirst quenching lick of mint chocolate chip ice cream as it runs down a waffle cone…. dang now I need some ice cream.

My goals for this summer were to go swimming whenever the opportunity arose, get to the beach, finish the first draft of my WIP, and get out of my comfort zone and have some fun. So let’s recap:

  • Unfortunately I only got to go swimming twice this summer. Omg that is so pathetic. The weather wasn’t always on my side though when the opportunity arose so I’m not going to beat myself up too much on this one. And honestly, September is still warm so…. all hope is not lost for one more swim.
  • I DID GET TO THE BEACH, YES, THANK YOU, CHECK.
  • My first draft is coming along. It is nowhere near finished but it is moving in the right direction. The world and the characters are becoming clearer whereas before they were just quietly humming in the background and now they are starTING TO YELL. That’s when I start to get excited and when I get excited that means the story is getting ready to spill out *crossing my fingers*
  • August was fun, a lot of fun. I met a lot of new people and actually held a lot of nice conversations with said new people. That is way out of my comfort zone since I’m usually shy and quiet. So this last goal is a major check.

Going into September these are my new goals:

  • Keep working on my WIP, however long it takes, I’m just going to keep swimming. Hopefully, but no promises, I’ll have some snippets or info to share by the end of September.
  • Focus back on my Living Life vignettes. I got very distracted in August, and not going to lie, I might have been a little lazy. In my defense though it was my birthday month so I’m going to cut myself a break. Heading into September, I’m going to try to get at least two out. They are certainly not going to be weekly anymore though because I’m trying to aim for quality over quantity.

I’m keeping it nice and simple this month. That way I don’t overwork or stress myself out. And I still have some time left to lament over my precious summer…

Because before too long, I’ll be all…

And I’m not ready for that yet, lol.

What I Read:

Steadily, just like in July, I finished three books in August. Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman was the first. I loved this book. Tragic and beautiful and real and raw and so many feelings all in one. A beautiful book with the beautiful setting of Hawaii and Mr. Watanabe and Kai and a beautiful sister relationship woven throughout in flashbacks and mother daughter struggles and asexuality and learning its okay if you don’t know. ITS OKAY NOT TO KNOW. It’s okay if you don’t know where you’re headed in life. IT IS ALL OKAY. Some relationships are forever till the end of time and sometimes people come into your life to teach you something or help you work through something and you know you might not ever see them again but you will always remember them. All of that… in one beautiful book. How many times did I say beautiful?

Then it was To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo. I adored this book too. Omg I love Elian and his piracy and his connection to the ocean and his goodness and his loyalty to his crew with Madrid and Kye and Torik. And Lira and her strength and confidence and her sense of duty and then when everything comes together at the end and the whole little mermaid retelling!!! It was great. I loved it and I loved it and I loved it. Descriptions are fantastic but I would love to see more of the world there seems like so much more to explore here with these 101 kingdoms.

My last was The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and omg this book was too real. It was fantastically written and very understandably a classic. The depiction of mental illness that Esther, the main character experiences, is eye opening and the story really gets you inside her head. You really understand why she makes the choices she does and even though it is a bit slow at times as a whole the pacing works for the novel.

I just picked up Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson to reread for the second time. It’s been a few years since the first read and since I’m a mood reader I’m gonna read it again because I feel like it, ya know?

What I’ll Be Writing:

Be on the lookout for at least two Living Life vignettes this month, any poetry that hits me like a bolt of lightning randomly, any book tags that I’m tagged to do or that strike my fancy and of course my ever steady monthly Snapshot post.

Here are some (like two) links to my (minimal) posts from this month (because I was lazy and having fun with my friends omg lol, focus Jai):

Then here are some fantastic reads from other bloggers (who have their life together, unlike me) I enjoyed this month:

How were all of your summers? Did you meet your goals? I’d love to talk in the comments!

Till next time,

Snapshot 7/31/19 // The Dog Days Are Here

~ Jai Lynn ~ 5 Comments

Currently listening: “Back to December” – Taylor Swift
Currently reading: Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman, To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Currently watching: Supernatural S2
Currently playing: Rune Factory 4

Great news guys…. it’s still summer! This is my favorite season and August is a whole another beautiful month to enjoy, and it also happens to be my birthday month! I’m loving every second of this season, but I might be biased. 🙂

So last Snapshot update my goals for the summer were going swimming as much as possible, getting to the beach, finishing the first draft of my WIP, and going out of my comfort zone and having some fun. So let’s get these bullet points hashed out.

  • Honestly I have not gone swimming once this summer yet BUT tonight I am actually going to hang out with some friends and go night swimming! So better late than never lol
  • I HAVE gotten to the beach a lot which is a win! I even have a tan, sort of. I’m less pale than usual, let’s just say
  • My WIP is coming along, slowly. Very slowly, but it’s coming. This story has been plaguing my mind for years and it loves to tease me very slowly. There is no doubt I’m finishing this draft this year, because I’m determined no matter how long it takes for this story to reveal itself to me. Which I get, you can’t rush something that’s shy and is taking it’s time to get to know and trust you. I just wish it would move a little faster, but at least its moving
  • This last one is the real barn burner. Yes, I have definitely had a lot of fun in July. My new job has been great so far, and I’m making a lot of friends which of course leads to me being awkward but luckily it’s an endearing awkward and not uncomfortable awkward. Ya know? And I’m going pretty much out of my comfort zone which before I had rarely done. It’s exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. So highly recommended.

Heading into August I’m going to keep up the momentum with these goals!

In other news, this month I finished three books, which is great for me. Descendant of the Crane, Summer of Salt and Little Women. Descendant of the Crane was very well written with all the political intrigue. The twists and turns were a little fast paced for me at times but kept me entertained till the end . Summer of Salt was a nice, mellow summer read that still handled some really tough topics. The book sucks you in to the little island of By-The-Sea where it takes place and you get attached to the characters and setting that you feel like you’re actually there. In the book there is a graveyard where it is perpetually autumn. That is such a MOOD. Little Women was the one I most recently finished and now I get why it’s a classic. Honestly. If you haven’t read it yet, you should. For having being written in the 1800’s it is surprisingly relatable. That is probably why it is a classic lol.

Right now I’m very much enjoying Summer Bird Blue, it’s the type of book you want to savor slowly and it is the perfect book to read in the summer. To Kill a Kingdom I legit just started yesterday and so far the writing is very lyrical. I know this one had some mixed reviews, and I’m only four chapters in, but honestly the phrasing and words the author uses to describe everything so far really is beautiful. The Bell Jar kind of snuck up on me. I wasn’t planning on reading it yet but… I don’t really know. It just sort of called to me, and I answered it. Now I’m hooked. I’m about a third of the way through and I’m really curious to see how the story goes.

As for the writing schedule I am making a change to how often I post the Living Life vignettes. Right now I’m in a bit of a writer’s block slump with them so they are going to be coming out less regularly now and more so when inspiration strikes. That way I can give the best I got. I’ll still be posting poems and tags in the in between though so no worries! And of course my monthly Snapshot!

Here are some links to my posts from the last month:

Then if you are still hungry for more here are some of my favorite posts from some fantastic bloggers out there:

How are your summer goals going? Has anyone been reading any great summer reads? I’d love to talk in the comments below!

Till next time,

Living Life #12 “Can You Hear It?”

~ Jai Lynn ~ 3 Comments

( a collection of independent vignettes)

Can you hear it?

At first, it sounds like the release of a long held breath. The kind where there are no bills in the mail, all of the work is done for the day, and everyone is home where they belong. Relief. The feeling floods you and makes the world safe. Then, when it breathes in, you turn your attention to it. Though not always because you wanted to. Sometimes it pulls at your mind so much it gives you no choice. Don’t be alarmed… all within a certain radius sense its pull. The air it carries is infused with its own special magic.

And the sight itself is beautiful.

The water has a pattern that plays over and over. It’s hypnotizing… and endless. Breathing out and coming forward, and breathing in and pulling back. It will play this game forever… and after it captures your eyes for longer than a glance you will want to play too.

It helps if it’s hot outside but that isn’t always necessary for some. On occasion even when the wind blows frost, I’ve witnessed the most steadfast soul become drowned in just the allure of the waves.

With each step closer the sand molds to your feet and again that safe feeling returns. Each grain wants you there, and each step sinks your heels deeper and deeper into the warmth of the ground.

It doesn’t matter that by the time you reach the end of the path your arches are burning because the water is right there kissing the fire away. A reward for making the long trek across the desert to say hello.

Back and forth, teasing you and bringing that relief again and again. Why bother with the game, when the ocean whispers to you just come a little closer and we never have to part.

Can you hear it?

Just a few more steps and now the water has a hold on your ankles. It feels like ice cream on a parched throat, a shower after playing in the mud, a fan blowing in your face. Safe. Oh so safe.

It isn’t until it’s caressing your waist that you hesitate. Some don’t even realize that they have gone that far out. It’s from feeling the pulse of the wind across the water, it’s from the crushing blue color of the sky and the sea meeting, it’s from dodging the waves that never stop coming.

Maybe this is too far.

The ocean is at its strongest by the time you reach this point. Everywhere you turn there’s water and the last time you checked there was no oxygen down there. Something rough scrapes against your heel and you jump moving a little bit deeper to get away. It was probably a sea shell.

I’m sure it was.

But the last part to this play is when the ocean’s breath no longer sounds like a sigh. Listen.

Now, it’s screaming. The realization hits you fast. The water moves by itself. It has no alligience to me. Or you. It does what it wants, and right now it is holding you in its hand. The feeling of safety drains from your body like sand down a hourglass as the next wave smashes into your mouth. A bitter taste of salt and seaweed. It’s this moment that you realize you could die.

Just come a little closer and we never have to part…

The tune never changes. Even though your feelings have. So you stand stuck trapped in what was once such a beautiful thing and, though your pounding heart will now say otherwise, it still is…

Can you hear the breath of the ocean? And if you do…

Are you strong enough to beat its game?