Posts by Cheryl Batavia

A retired teacher and mother of three adult children, I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida with my soulmate, Robert. Leisure activities include discussing current events with Robert, watching movies, and playing Scrbble. Robert usually wins! I also enjoy going to the beach and taking road trips with my daughters. One of our favorite pastimes is observing the wonderful wildlife that surrounds us. I keep busy writing poetry, and I would be delighted if you visited my website!

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

We Celebrate Life, Reblog

Winter Wonderland, Christmas Market in Old Toronto, Canada. Photo by Manpreet Singh from Unsplash.

We Celebrate Life

We celebrate life

in the sad, dark days of wars…

an act of courage!

Believing in a future

of brighter, happier days.

Living in chaos…

We envision harmony!

Living in wartime…

We seek negotiation,

cooperation, and peace!

Whether Diwali,

Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas,

Kwanzaa, or Solstice,

we celebrate brotherhood

and one human family!

We celebrate life,

cherishing nature’s wonders ,

and our hopes and dreams.

Mindful of the light that shines

in the darkest hour of night.

We celebrate life

in the sad, dark days of war…

an act of courage!

Hope, like a glowing candle,

illuminates the new year.

Diwali lamp. Photo by Janardan Mahto from Unsplash.

Ramadan Lanterns. Photo by Rawan Yasser from Unsplash.

Hanukkah Menorah. Photo by Robert Thiemann from Unsplash

Advent Wreath, Christmas. Photo by KaLisa Veer from Unsplash.

Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels

Bonfire, Winter Solstice. Photo by permission of the photographer.

PEACE

“Let There Be Peace on Earth…”

Happy Holidays!

Wishing You a Joyous and Peaceful Holiday Season!

Robert & Cheryl

November 25, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Turkeys’ Thanksgiving

Turkeys’ Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day we gather,

turkeys of many feathers.

Together we celebrate

not being on someone’s plate.

Whatever our race or creed,

Thankful hearts are all we need.

Photo by Joanna Koskinska from Unsplash

Happy Holidays from Robert and Cheryl!

I am going to be off the blog celebrating the holidays. The holiday gift I want most is a world at peace. Let’s hope 2026 will be peaceful. See you in the New Year!

November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Life on the Blue Planet

Book Review by Ingrid Wilson

Photo of Osprey by Richard Lee from Unsplash

Photo of Cicada by Stephen Walker from Unsplash

Thank you, Ingrid, for this Lovely Review!

Ingrid Wilson, who taught me how to write a sonnet, has been one of my favorite poets for quite a long time. She is also a great photographer. Visit her blog at

https://experimentsinfiction.com.

Ingrid is Editor-in-Chief of her own publishing company, EIF, Experiments in Fiction.

November 22, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Wonders: Poems about Love and Relationships by Cheryl Batavia

Book Review by Yolanda Nicholson

Cheryl and Robert at Mary Margaret’s Tea Room, Arcadia, Florida

Wonders

Wonders: Poems about Love and Relationships was my first book. It is a tribute to the wonderful, though very different, men I have known and loved. There is a chapter of poems written for each individual man.

If I were to rate Wonders, I would probably give it a G, or maybe PG13.

It is a book without photos. One day, I would like to see it become an audiobook.

November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Earthly Days Review

By Robert Snyder

Thank You for the Reviews!

Before I published Earthly Days, several of my fellow bloggers agreed to do advance reviews. Excerpts from those reviews appear on the back cover of Earthly Days.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reviewed any of my books. I appreciate you! Every WordPress interview and review, and every Amazon review I received have been sent to the people who are preparing promotional materials for the Taipei Book Expo. My books will be displayed there in February. Then, I was asked for “representative reviews” from family and personal friends.

This is the third of these “representative reviews” generously provided by my family that I have posted on WordPress. I will post more of these over time.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

November 21, 2025December 1, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Hanging Out With Wild Animals II Review

By Katey Batavia as told to Cheryl Batavia

Katey Gets a Kiss from Skipper, the Dolphin, at Theater of the Sea, Islamorada, Florida.

Cheryl, Katey, (about Age 5), and a Baby Alligator. Florida Everglades

Hanging Out with Wild Animals

II & III,

Two Books to be Republished

These two books are no longer available except for the ebooks. They will be republished under my copyright as soon as possible. Unfortunately, dishonest publishers have kept most royalties from my books for the last five years.

You can check out self-publishers on the “Writer Beware” website to rule out many of the dishonest ones.

I am working on eventually getting every book under my name and copyright so that publishers can never keep my royalties again. This has happened to many self-published authors. Don’t let it happen to you!

I hope you will be hearing good things about my books in the coming year or two. Cross your fingers for me; I will cross mine for you. As my late husband’s grandma used to say, “May all your dreams and wishes come true.” ❤️

November 20, 2025 by Cheryl Batavia

Life on the Blue Planet, Review

by Joe Batavia as told to Cheryl Batavia

Life on the Blue Planet is Coming Soon!

Serious issues with the ebook, which was unfortunately published without my approval and at the wrong price, are delaying the release of the book. I have tried to get this unauthorized ebook removed, but it is taking a long time. Please do not purchase this unreadable ebook .

I will announce the official release of the book when it is ready. For a limited time, the ebook will be available at a low promotional price. I hope this will make it easy for anyone who would like to purchase the ebook and perhaps post a verified review of Life on the Blue Planet.

Thank you for your understanding. ❤️