Meg Smith, Writer

 Summer is moving swiftly, as it always does in the northeast U.S.  Uncertainty abounds as the COVID pandemic -- which, for a time, we seemed to be mastering -- appears to be rebounding.  This time of year, sunflowers are beginning to show themselves. Here in Lowell, Mass., where I live, many homes have them in their front gardens -- golden beacons offering cheer when it is surely needed.  Sunflowers are recurring visitors in my life, and every season of sunflowers brings its own memories and associations.  The sunflower season of 2013 found me driving about, snapping photos of them.  I found in them a sanctuary I needed as my husband, Lawrence Carradini, struggled in the final months of his life.  The other night, at a poetry reading, before reading one of my many poems about sunflowers, I said a flower, or of a garden, is not something I take for granted, ever.  There are places in the world that humanity inhabits where flowers do not grow,...

  I've been working on updating my author page on Amazon. And, here it is! Updating a website or author page is one of the many administrative tasks a writer faces nowadays. Like a lot of similar tasks, it can be just that -- something that has to get done, or an opportunity to look at a familiar thing with new eyes.  In doing these updates, I had a great feeling of empowerment, and gratitude.  Writing is my dream, and book of my own are part of that dream.  Even in the mundanities of Amazon, an author can take a step back and say, "This is my dream, and I am truly living it. It is real." I'll be adding more features to this author's page, but please have a look. Speaking of gratitude, it's always a good time for me to express my gratitude to my husband, Derek Savoia.  He takes my author photos, including this one, and supports my dreams in countless and immeasurable ways.  For those ways in their multitudes, I am truly and heartfully grateful.