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EC: Giovanni's Angel Tea & Conversation

Tea and Conversation 09: Nook

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Today I’m sharing a picture of a “keep calm” print.

Please do not copy this image. Click image to share on Pinterest.

Today in my meditation on the Eternal Curse, I’m writing about: Why a nook?

First I must make it clear that I am not speaking of the e-reader associated with .epub files and Barnes and Noble. When I speak of nook I’m speaking of a small room or corner of a room usually set aside for more familiar and intimate gatherings. In Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, the nook in the kitchen is the place where family and friend time occurs.

I moved around a lot as a kid, but I didn’t exactly have the nomadic lifestyle of many military families. My parents were simply always engaged in finding better opportunities for them and their children. In the places we lived in for more than two or three years, the places that really felt like home, there was always a little nook and round table to gather around.

To me the nook is the place where the ones you care about the most get to spend the precious moments of their lives with you. When strangers or less intimate acquaintances come around for a visit or meal, you would entertain them in your formal dining area or your living room.

There are so many aspects of me and my life sprinkled throughout this work of fantasy that anyone who knows me would be able to figure out that I wrote this book, even if my name wasn’t on the cover.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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EC: Giovanni's Angel Tea & Conversation

Tea and Conversation 08: Eagles

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Today I’m sharing a picture of a teapot by Yoko Sekino-Bove.

Please do not copy this image. Click image to share on Pinterest.

Today in my meditation on the Eternal Curse, I’m writing about: Why eagles?

So here’s a little something most people don’t know about me; I don’t like birds. I had a few bad experiences with geese and seagulls and just don’t care much for them. Sure they are tasty to eat and some are pretty to look at, but I prefer to see them in controlled environments. Wild birds annoy me, but large birds of prey have my deepest respect.

I don’t believe every folk tale, tall take, and urban legend I hear, but you gotta wonder why so many people spread the same stories over and over. I understand that a condor is not going to swoop down out of the sky and take away any children, but the idea of such a thing is astounding. Those large majestic birds sitting on high looking down on the ground dwellers scraping their claws and talons against stones and rocks make me think of magical, powerful, and impossible things.

While it’s not a major theme of my Eternal Curse Series, the might, majesty, and myth of eagles does play an important part in the development of a few major characters.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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EC: Giovanni's Angel Tea & Conversation

Tea and Conversation 07: Isolation

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Today I’m sharing a picture of two lonely lost pieces I put together from my personal collecting.

Please do not copy this image. Click image to share on Pinterest.

Today in my meditation on the Eternal Curse, I’m writing about: Why isolation?

With so many topics to write about, I often wonder to myself why I’ve chosen to focus so much on isolation. I think deep down I know what it feels like to be isolated both figuratively and literally. I can clearly state that I’ve never been a “victim” of bullying, but that’s only because I’ve always been strong enough and angry enough to fight bullies, but that never seems to stop them from trying. I guess the point that I’m trying to make, is that even though I never physically suffered at the hand of a bully, just knowing that people are out there making an effort to victimize me, or anyone else, can make you feel lonely and isolated.

Because isolation is very much a part of my everyday life, I write about it in ways that make is seem relative. Isolation can be a good or bad thing depending on how one goes into it. I find that I feel more myself sometimes when I’m alone and I know for sure that I get more writing done in solitude than when others are around. Isolation can be self-imposed in both positive and negative ways. If someone choices isolation as a means of escape for safety, there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, however, seeking solitude for a moment of peace and self-reflection is actually quite healthy.

I can’t think of any reason why forced isolation would be a good thing, but that isn’t to say that someone couldn’t gain some sort of knowledge or perspective that may help them down the road after such an experience.

Sometimes when I think about isolation and its role in my life, I begin to think about the many labels others have pressed upon me to make me feel isolated socially. If I’m not shy or soft-spoken, how then can I be: an introvert or social mute? If you’re not the life of the party does that automatically demote you to wallflower or weirdo?- I don’t think so. So I write about isolation in all its good and bad forms hoping one day it will all make sense to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords