Sharing The Spotlight

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to part three of my series, "Sharing the Spotlight"!

I started this series as a way of giving other stories another shot at being seen. I do not have a huge platform by any means, but I enjoy sharing what I've enjoyed reading. This is my way of giving back to the community that means so much to me.

If you would like to read the first part, here it is:

and here is the second one:

Now, let's dive into part 3! If you don't know the drill, it's twelve categories, twelve stories! Here we go!

Interview

1.) Ted Ryan- "The Housemaid" Interview with Author Sarah A. Denzil

This one immediately stuck out to me from the picture. I thought it was a different cover for the Frieda McFadden novel with the same title. I was really confused. Anyways, I opened and read the article and immediately added this book to my TBR list!

Journal

2.) Barbara Kimmel- Ten Life Lessons For Millennials

Ok, I understand it specifies 'millennials', but these are solid rules for literally everyone and definitely worth a read.

Lifehack

3.) Nangyal Khan- The Morning Ritual That Changed My Diet: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This article gave me a craving not only for comfort food, but peace. I felt so motivated reading this and was going to find a recipe for apple cinnamon oatmeal when I finished reading. The author delivered her own recipe, deeming my follow up unnecessary! I will be trying this method out for sure.

Longevity

4.) Bubble Chill Media- 10 Tips to Keep Reading and Enjoying Books as You Get Older

A genuinely beautiful article targeted at older folks but relative to everyone. I see so many people rushing to finish reading challenges etc (I myself have participated in these)... but sometimes it is nice to just slow down and enjoy the book for the trip, not the trophy.

Marriage

5.) Samantha Reid- Diamonds Are So Last Year

I myself DO have a diamond wedding ring, but I loved this article. I knew the history behind the diamond and why it is so popular as well. The reason I enjoyed this article is NOT because it points both of those things out, but because it talks about other options in a flattering way. Whether or not if its because of affordability, there's no doubt in my mind that gem stones are just as beautiful as diamonds, some even more so. I don't understand the hype between having an expensive rock on your hand to prove how much you love someone. I like my diamond, because I am a bit OCD in matching things. I love rubies and sapphires more than diamonds to be quite honest... but the way I would feel obligated to only wear colors that compliment red if I had a ruby on my finger. My husband kept it simple with a diamond because he knows I'm a weirdo and I appreciate him for that.

Men

6.) Cierra Harkness- My Father

I opened this hoping to find a beautiful story of the authors father and unfortunately, that was not the case. I almost didn't share it because it hit home so much. But ultimately, that's why I AM choosing to share it. So many of us didn't get a family that treated us with kindness. So many of us were robbed. The author says her father was there, but she wishes he wasn't. Up until this year, I always said the opposite. My father was gone but I wish he wasn't. In my head, my dad (who left when I was 2) was Danny Tanner from Full House. If you read my poem, "You're Not Very Nice", you know he definitely is not. Family dynamics are hard, especially when you have a parent who hates you.

Motivation

7.) Ghezel Amiri- 'We're Not in This Life for Peace': How an Episode of 'the Golden Girls' Encouraged Me to Hold on When I Needed It Most

A simply beautiful piece inspired by one of my own personal fav tv shows. The Golden Girls is older than I am, but I still watch it every single day. I'd like to let this piece speak for itself, so I don't want to reflect so much here in my own commentary. But it's worth a read.

Petlife-

8.) Mike Singleton- Spidurbia

As an avid spider lover, I just had to share this. Mikey showed the benefits of spiders and how to respect them, even though a lot of humans are afraid of them, they serve a purpose!

Photography

9.) Shelly Bartley- The Mystery in a Photo

A beautiful look at how photos can be interpreted differently. Loved this.

Poets

10.) Paris Rosemont- Lovesick Lament

This was such a beautifully written villanelle. I immediately subscribed after reading it.

Potent

11.) Mary Jean Dunsdon- Marijuana Bacon Recipe

We have all heard of pot brownies... but marijuana bacon? This was a new one for me. Figured if it was new to me, surely, it's new for everyone else! Fun and interesting read!

Pride

12.) Jillian Spiridon- Being Asexual in a Hypersexual World

I feel like asexuality is one of the most overlooked things. I lived life a long time thinking I was asexual. the questions and the way people think you're weird... they're annoying.. to say the least. I was not asexual, for me, I just never had the right person until I had my husband. I didn't want sex because I was not attracted to people in that way. Finding the right person changed that for me, but I'm still not a very touchy feely person. I like hand holding.. but hugs and make out sessions make me feel weird. It was refreshing to see someone write about this. Well worth sharing.

Welp, that sums up part three! I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did! Happy reading! I'll see you in part four!

-Sara