A Trilogy about Life on Earth:
Life in Inspiring Places,
Earthly Days, &
Life on the Blue Planet
Mountain Morning
Fog obscures mountains.
Burning sun will soon reveal
lofty horizons.
Inspiration surrounds us…
Your mountain is calling you!
__Life on the Blue Planet
Thank you, Michele Lee, for your Amazon Review of Earthly Days.
Coming December 5, 2025
The title caught my attention immediately. It brought back memories of swaths of vivid green and the sweet, pungent smell of bracken ferns. Ingrid Wilson is nature’s child, and her love of nature is evident in her poetry.
I’m thinking about painting
the ocean with its fervor
and its froth.
But for an artist’s eye and hand
I’d render both the sky and land:
The glory and the splendor of the earth.
A Bracken Fern evokes the rugged landscapes of Ingrid’s beloved Lake country in Northern England. It is a place of history: impressive ruins from Roman times and, going even further back in time, mystical stone henges and sacred circles. Ingrid has an intimate connection to this land and its storied past that is reflected in her beautiful poetry.
…Child of the changing seasons
collecting poetry and rhyming reasons
just to be still a while,
only to smile.
Accompanied by her two young sons, Ingrid recently walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall. What a history lesson…not only for her sons, but also for her fellow bloggers with whom she shared fascinating narration and gorgeous photos of the journey!
https://experimentsinfiction.com
A Bracken Fern’s exquisite poems share intensely personal observations and emotions. In poignant poems, Ingrid candidly describes her difficult childhood, her grief over the loss of her mother at an early age, struggles with addiction, a troubled marriage, and her longing to return home to the English countryside she loved.
…Praying we can find
a homelike place
we build our houses
…but we can never build without
the homelike place
which we must seek, and find and build
within ourselves, which nowhere else endures.
…And at sundown
out came all the thousand stars,
And I can name the constellations
in this hemisphere
at any time of year:
There is always The Plough above, or “The Big Dipper”
and at its tip, Polaris
The Pole Star points North.
Ingrid found her way to health, found her voice in writing poetry, and found her way back to England. There she fell in love with a talented, creative soulmate. Together, they established a new life for themselves and their blended family. Ingrid founded her own publishing house, EIF, Experiments in Fiction.
Poems written about this period of Ingrid’s life are filled with joy. The pages of A Bracken Fern overflow with love poems and vivid descriptions of the family’s adventures. Ingrid has found her well-deserved happiness and has generously chosen to share it with her readers.
…Our hopes, though fragile, rising high
as dandelion-seeds dance the sky.
…And if the post can’t make it through
then I will drive to you
and if I can’t get petrol
I will ride my bike.
…all the way to midnight, I
watch full moons rise if only in your eyes
It’s more than moonlight, babe, it’s starlight too
and earth expands
in your cupped hands
Our wedding bands
in secret pledge
I do.
If I could paint the colours of your eyes
I fantasise, I’d swim that depth of blue
and what I wouldn’t do
to bring the sparkle back when it has fled
to lift your heart when it’s dispirited.
Ingrid’s poetry is technically perfect, as well as beautifully expressed. A person who spoke no English, hearing Ingrid’s poems read aloud, would surmise that they were listening to music. Ingrid’s background in English literature and her knowledge of history and mythology provide polish and an added dimension to her work. In this book, you will find well-chosen quotes from William Blake, William Wordsworth, Robert Burns, Lao Tse, and Bob Dylan.
…You’re just an empty cage girl
void of poetry, unheard.
You’re just an empty cage girl
if you kill
you kill the bird.
…In a graveyard graced with bluebells whose heads bowed
drop pollen tears upon the fertile ground
as bracken ferns unfurl their bannered green
to clothe the hillside and these bones of mine.
Spend a pleasant hour or two reading the beautiful poems of Ingrid Wilson’s magnificent new poetry collection, A Bracken Fern. Pick it up again from time to time, and find your spirits lifted by Ingrid’s inspiring words.
Review by Cheryl Batavia
Your face is pale…
I’m so afraid!
Did a black cat cross your path?
No, I’m not afraid of black cats.
Your hands are shaking…
I’m terrified!
What is it, a big, hairy spider?
No, I’m not afraid of spiders.
You are breathing hard…
I’m scared to death!
Did you see a spooky bat?
No, I’m sot scared of bats.
Your teeth are chattering…
I’m living in fear!
Why are you so afraid?
I am afraid to say!!!
“Don’t Let the Bastards Grind you Down!“
Don’t Be Afraid!
Don’t be afraid to speak out
in defense of what is right!
Don’t be afraid to speak out
against what is wrong!
Don’t be afraid to stand up
for the innocent!
Don’t be afraid to stand up
against the guilty!
Don’t be afraid!
Don’t Let the Hobgoblins
Steal Your Joy!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia
“One Earth”
The poem,”One Earth” perfectly expresses my perspective on Planet Earth. It will appear in the “Mother Nature” Chapter of Life on the Blue Planet.
Book Fairs & Trade Shows
For the last few weeks, I have been working hard preparing materials for the Children’s Book Expo in Shanghai in November, and the Frankfurt Book Fair, in October. I am also working to prepare for the Taipei Trade Show in February. My books will be exhibited and represented at these events, but I will not be present. If you go, please send me a photo or two! 😊
Dr. Jane Goodall
The world lost a groundbreaking researcher this week. Dr. Jane Goodall, who lived for many years among chimpanzees, died this week at the age of 91. Her reasearch revealed new information about the habits and social life of chimpanzees that revolutionized the way we think about animal behavior. 😄
There are many well-researched tributes to Jane Goodall online. Two that I enjoyed are:
“Instagram: Jane Goodall UK” by Selma Martin, 10/5/25 Selma
“Honoring the Life of Jane Goodall” by Michele Lee, 10/1/25 myinspiredlife.com
Personal Note
Lately, I have to enlarge small print in order to read it. After I have clicked “Reply,” I sometimes discover typos in my comments that I couldn’t see before. I think it may soon be time to schedule my cataract surgery. Please don’t judge me too harshly for the typos.😂
Have a great week!💕
Photo by Jason Buckeye from Unsplash.
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
It’s been a long road for this book. It languished in a notebook during more than a year of illness for both Robert and me. Today, I signed the galley approval document! Within a week or so, I expect to announce that Life on the Blue Planet is live.
I would like to thank my fellow bloggers for all of their support and encouragement over the last few years. It means a lot to me!
❤️
Photo by stephan-gogov-TcAigacJxHA from Unsplash
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
To my Fellow Bloggers,
Robert will be 77 on September 20, 2025. I wanted to share Robert’s homemade birthday card with you. Though we are going through some challenges, health-wise and otherwise, we are OK and expect to come out alright. I am working on a lot of projects.
When life slows down again, I hope to be more active on the blog. I am looking forward to that day! 💕🌈 💕 I miss you!
Warm Regards,
Cheryl
Wild things face deportation from woodlands.
‘Dozers fell trees animals call home.
Animals, seeking asylum,
head for the next wooded lot.
Finding sanctuary,
displaced refugees…
squirrels and birds
crowd feeders…
Oh, how
sad!
On
morning
excursions,
I see “progress”…
human immigrants
expertly constructing
beautiful new human homes.
Fascinated from early childhood
with watching men and women at work…
noise, dust, wildlife displacement…still I watch!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
For the last couple of months, I have been experiencing heart symptoms again. Last week, I ended up in the hospital for an emergency angioplasty for a blocked stent in my heart. I was in the hospital for a couple of days and am recovering at home. After all of our recent surgeries, both Robert and I are OK, but quite tired.
by Cheryl Batavia
A Window on a Fascinating Time & Place/
Timeless Insights into Human Nature & Relationships
Author, Rosaliene Bacchus was a young, idealistic Guyanese nun for seven years during the tumultuous 1970s and early 1980s in Guyana. Her novel, The Twisted Circle, provides vivid insights into the politics and corruption of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Guyanese government of that period. Nuns and priests are portrayed as human beings with human desires, ambitions, and flaws.
The protagonist, Barbara, a young Black Guyanese nun, suffers sexual harassment from both priests and political figures. Her antagonist, Francis, a racist White American nun who is in love with a priest, considers herself superior to Barbara. She jealously attacks Barbara, publicly accusing her of flirting with men. Francis also feels that she deserves a promotion received by Barbara and tries to sabotage Barbara by any devious means possible. The inclusion of numerous excerpts from Francis’s diary enhances the story of the conflict between these two characters.
Several students in the school, where Barbara and Francis are teachers, suffer sexual assaults from priests. One young boy becomes an angry troublemaker. A promising young girl, attacked by a priest, is forced to quit school because of her pregnancy. A talented and charismatic gay student is found dead shortly before his high school graduation.
Rosaliene Bacchus also provides background about Guyana’s colonial past and how it continues to create problems for the newly independent nation. Conflicts exist among the Black citizens who came as slaves, Indians who came as indentured servants, three native American tribes, and assorted Europeans. There are also numerous people of mixed races.
At the time when the story takes place, many families in rural areas live in squalid housing, without enough to eat, without adequate medical care, and with limited educational opportunities. The Church steps in to help. Teachers, despite limited resources, do their best to help their students. Many nuns and priests, though probably initially well-intentioned, are at the mercy of their human desires and ambitions.
The Twisted Circle is a window on a fascinating time and place. It provides timeless insights into human nature and relationships.
*I read The Twisted Circle yesterday, all in one day. It would have been hard to put down!
Rosaliene Bacchus blogs at <rosalienebacchus@yahoo.com>
A. American Dream, Accountability
B. Brotherhood, Bill of Rights, Balance of Powers, Birthright Citizenship
C. Constitution, Cooperation, Compassion, Co-Equal Branches of Government
D. Democracy, Diplomacy, Due Process of Law
E. Environment, Equality, Education, Enlightenment, Empathy, Emoluments Clause
F. Freedom, Fair Tax Laws, Fiscal Responsibility, FEMA, Future
G. Goodwill, Goals, Growth, Government of, by, and for the People
H. Honesty, Harmony, Honor, Healthcare, Hope
I. International Relations, Integrity, Innovation, Independent Media
J. Justice, Jobs
K. Kindness, Knowledge
L. Liberty, Leadership, Learning
M. Manners, Moderation, Medicare, Medicaid, Minimum Wage
N. Negotiation, National Security, National Parks, Nation of Laws
O. Opportunity, Objectivity, Obligations, Optimism
P. Peace, Progress, Prosperity, Pursuit of Happiness
Q. Quality of Life, Qualifications for Office
R. Respect, Responsibility, Reason, Reproductive Rights
S. Social Security, Schools, Safety, School Meals
T. Truth, Trust, Tolerance
U. Unity, Understanding, USAID
V. Voting Rights, Veracity, Values
W. Wisdom, Work, World View
X. eXcellence
Y. Yesterday’s Lessons
Z. Zenith–Aim High!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
*I wrote this during the first Trump administration and revised it for 2025.
All photos were taken by Ellen Maher and Katey Batavia at Robert is Here: farmer’s market, antique farm equipment, animals to feed, and so much more!
Ellen and Katey brought me a delicious papaya and a perfect avocado from Robert is Here.
Cute springtime babies
exploring Robert is Here,
staying close to Mom.
Babies, winsome and sweet,
captivating visitors.
The baby goat hanging out in the background doesn’t seem interested in lettuce yet.
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
Happy Memorial Day!
Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend.
Take a moment to appreciate those who died in defense of your country. Think about the values they were defending. Support democracy, and fight to preserve the rights and freedoms promised to you in the Constitution.
Gulf Coast Poet 