I just did a fun little exercise. I often check my blog stats on here, and I decided to put it to use. Well, I glanced at the hits on my blog from the past 24 hours, and I wrote down all of the titles that people hit. And I made a poem out of it. A little challenge. I never run out of ideas or things to write about. So, this is what came out of that. I thought I'd share it. I'll probably turn it into a short story. Just sharing some secrets to things that spark me. <3 C.A.
Christina the Cheerleader
In the middle
of group dessert,
Christina,
the cheerleader,
the special kind,
glances out
the window
and says, Good
morning, sky.
Slow reaction
begs for repetition.
Louder,
she announces,
Good morning, sky,
I believe you
are telling me
the time is eleven.
Even on holidays,
she is in the game,
noting her audience,
the score,
and the room,
watching the spread
of smiles.
And near her right
leg, two, anxious dogs
wait for a scrap
of pumpkin pie
from her, the chosen
carver, the guest
who dines with strange
neighbors, the festive,
welcoming folks
on the other end
of the cul-de-sac.
The mom responds,
Tell the truth.
Be the truth.
The dad says,
I’m just saying hello
and happy holidays.
Still in love
at 70 and 71,
both complain
of lost gloves.
Christina nods,
and the house
is quiet. Outside
of school,
back home,
most days are.
Quiet.
But just in case,
even in the shower,
she wears a whistle.
C.A. MacConnell
12/26/2025
Christina the Cheerleader
12/21/2025
Good Morning. Proof of Life and Happy Holidays.
Good morning. Here is a rather serious, recent pic of me, wishing you a happy holiday. I suppose I prefer serious photos even though most want "smilers." Ha. This is me, no AI, none of that shit. Although, the lighting is helpful for sure! Ha. The worst lighting, I've found, exists in retail bathrooms. Also, in doctor's offices and hospitals. Hello, circus clown. Just wanted to bring a personal touch to my holiday message. Maybe I'll make it my profile photo, red eye and all. Ha. Selfies are overrated in my opinion. I mean, people can post on social media all day long, and we may have no idea about what's really going on in their lives. I try to be real, but the struggles and truths we face are often hidden to the world when it comes to the net. Myself included. I share about some of it. Sometimes, it scares folks. Aye.
We're in this together. We all have our triumphs and setbacks and pains and gains, eh? No matter how it may look on a "pretty" post. "Pretty" is overrated as well. I can get caught up in the exterior gaga as much as the next person but then, I am usually heavily reminded by life that the heart is more important.
<3
I can be intense, like this photo, but I can also be hilarious and ridiculous. This morning, I feel kinda naughty. Sorry, Santa.
Thank you to all those supporting Recover Wildly: Daily Spiritual Essays for Survivors. And thank you to all those checking out my novels as well.
I hope to keep the momentum going in the new year. We've been so close to number one! Help me get there.
I am going to be doing some speaking soon! I've worked hard to get this engagement and so, I'm excited. I'll tell my journey and talk about the books. I'll let you know when I get a firm date. January or February. Soon. And hopefully, there will be many more to come. That's the plan.
I enjoy speaking, and I hope to help some folks!
Hope that this day fills your heart. Today is everything. This moment is everything. <3 I didn't get a chance to play music yesterday, but I will today. :) I've got a whole album of songs now. Rad. I've also got about thirty pages started on a new novel. It's fresh, but I already have an idea of the complex web it'll turn into. My brain is churning, ha.
Hope you have an amazing day. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
We're in this together. We all have our triumphs and setbacks and pains and gains, eh? No matter how it may look on a "pretty" post. "Pretty" is overrated as well. I can get caught up in the exterior gaga as much as the next person but then, I am usually heavily reminded by life that the heart is more important.
<3
I can be intense, like this photo, but I can also be hilarious and ridiculous. This morning, I feel kinda naughty. Sorry, Santa.
Thank you to all those supporting Recover Wildly: Daily Spiritual Essays for Survivors. And thank you to all those checking out my novels as well.
I hope to keep the momentum going in the new year. We've been so close to number one! Help me get there.
I am going to be doing some speaking soon! I've worked hard to get this engagement and so, I'm excited. I'll tell my journey and talk about the books. I'll let you know when I get a firm date. January or February. Soon. And hopefully, there will be many more to come. That's the plan.
I enjoy speaking, and I hope to help some folks!
Hope that this day fills your heart. Today is everything. This moment is everything. <3 I didn't get a chance to play music yesterday, but I will today. :) I've got a whole album of songs now. Rad. I've also got about thirty pages started on a new novel. It's fresh, but I already have an idea of the complex web it'll turn into. My brain is churning, ha.
Hope you have an amazing day. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW!
P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email: right here.
12/15/2025
Pinwheel Love
Hi. I am working on an essay for you. I stretched out to take a nap and then, I got up and started writing, which happens more often than not. Ha. It's not quite ready yet. Until then, here's a photo. Hope you have a great evening. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW!
P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email: right here.
12/09/2025
Lost Glove 73
Ha, just for fun. Fitting! I now have 73 pictures of lost gloves. And one lost sock. Happy holidays to you and your family and friends. Time to write. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW!
P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email: right here.
12/08/2025
All Wrong, All Right.
I woke up from a nap freaking out. I need a new job. I'm so alone. That girl hates me. So does he. I need to change everything. I'm pissed at three people. I need to write about it. I wrote about it, and I shared it, and I don't feel better really. I need to do more. Do, do, do.
I suppose there's always something to work on. A new job. A new place to live. Personal growth. Feeling better. Any number of things. I tend to be one who seeks forward movement and change on the inside. But strangely, that can get me into trouble, because I'm extremely hard on myself, and I become rather obsessive and forget who I am. And who am I? Well, I guess I'm a creative warrior who still believes in true love, even at 51 years old. But there's a lurking notion of "I'm not good enough" that I can't seem to shake. But the essence of who I am is important and unique. And perhaps, what I need to focus on more is that which is good and true to my childlike heart. Perhaps, I need to see that I'm OK right here, right now, as I'm writing to you.
See, I can get trapped in the idea that I always need to be better, look better, and on and on. And that kind of thinking spirals downward quite quickly.
I've had a tough couple of weeks and maybe, it's time to just be gentle, relax, and let God take care of me. I spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not I can take care of myself. Well, maybe God can do that job just fine. What does that mean? I'm not saying that as a human I should sit around and do nothing, ha, no. But it's definitely not in my nature to be lazy. Actually, I'm an overachiever in every way...and one of those areas where I obsess too much? Personal growth.
I forget to have fun.
I forget to enjoy the child within.
I forget to be in the moment.
I forget to be and feel free.
I forget to be spontaneous.
I forget to listen to the sounds of the creatures of the day.
I forget how to show love to others.
I forget how to allow myself to be loved.
I forget how to be compassionate and gentle.
I forget to be wild.
I forget what makes me feel wild.
One thing is good about all of this. It drove me to write to you today, to share what's lurking inside. And that's something that is a gift, I believe. My little gift. The solo writer. Yes, it's a huge part of who I am. It is easy for me to express my thoughts on the page. It's in my blood.
And so, there's a balance here. Personal growth vs. accepting who I am in this moment right now, celebrating my hard work and triumphs. Allowing myself to be human. Being gentle. Loving that creative warrior, that lone writer, that wild woman, that courageous child who lives inside of me.
Aye, I'm not a master at the balance. Because oftentimes, when I have down time, I find myself thinking about certain aspects of my character that I need to change, or I worry about negatives, things I need to "fix."
But what if, instead, I celebrate my talents. What if I celebrate these very words, my fingers, my mind, my desire to connect with you.
And so, I'm writing to you, celebrating the gift of word and reaching out in a way that's so familiar to me that it might as well be an extra toe or whatnot, ha. I wouldn't mind having an extra toe. Or a cape.
Perhaps my words will help you, too. I am the hero in this story. You are the hero in this story. And maybe, we've both got it all wrong. And maybe, we've both got it all right. I suppose it's a little of both. <3
Have a great evening. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW!
I suppose there's always something to work on. A new job. A new place to live. Personal growth. Feeling better. Any number of things. I tend to be one who seeks forward movement and change on the inside. But strangely, that can get me into trouble, because I'm extremely hard on myself, and I become rather obsessive and forget who I am. And who am I? Well, I guess I'm a creative warrior who still believes in true love, even at 51 years old. But there's a lurking notion of "I'm not good enough" that I can't seem to shake. But the essence of who I am is important and unique. And perhaps, what I need to focus on more is that which is good and true to my childlike heart. Perhaps, I need to see that I'm OK right here, right now, as I'm writing to you.
See, I can get trapped in the idea that I always need to be better, look better, and on and on. And that kind of thinking spirals downward quite quickly.
I've had a tough couple of weeks and maybe, it's time to just be gentle, relax, and let God take care of me. I spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not I can take care of myself. Well, maybe God can do that job just fine. What does that mean? I'm not saying that as a human I should sit around and do nothing, ha, no. But it's definitely not in my nature to be lazy. Actually, I'm an overachiever in every way...and one of those areas where I obsess too much? Personal growth.
I forget to have fun.
I forget to enjoy the child within.
I forget to be in the moment.
I forget to be and feel free.
I forget to be spontaneous.
I forget to listen to the sounds of the creatures of the day.
I forget how to show love to others.
I forget how to allow myself to be loved.
I forget how to be compassionate and gentle.
I forget to be wild.
I forget what makes me feel wild.
One thing is good about all of this. It drove me to write to you today, to share what's lurking inside. And that's something that is a gift, I believe. My little gift. The solo writer. Yes, it's a huge part of who I am. It is easy for me to express my thoughts on the page. It's in my blood.
And so, there's a balance here. Personal growth vs. accepting who I am in this moment right now, celebrating my hard work and triumphs. Allowing myself to be human. Being gentle. Loving that creative warrior, that lone writer, that wild woman, that courageous child who lives inside of me.
Aye, I'm not a master at the balance. Because oftentimes, when I have down time, I find myself thinking about certain aspects of my character that I need to change, or I worry about negatives, things I need to "fix."
But what if, instead, I celebrate my talents. What if I celebrate these very words, my fingers, my mind, my desire to connect with you.
And so, I'm writing to you, celebrating the gift of word and reaching out in a way that's so familiar to me that it might as well be an extra toe or whatnot, ha. I wouldn't mind having an extra toe. Or a cape.
Perhaps my words will help you, too. I am the hero in this story. You are the hero in this story. And maybe, we've both got it all wrong. And maybe, we've both got it all right. I suppose it's a little of both. <3
Have a great evening. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW!
P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email: right here.