Jill Sheet's Blog

Small Details to Make the Past Feel Real When’s the last time you thought about what people ate in the distant past? Or how long it took to travel from one’s home to the nearest market to buy the necessities of life? Or, for that matter, what was a bed like? Getting all those things right in the Second Son Chronicles for the world of my protagonist, Alfred, was always top of mind in writing his story. But it was also great fun.   As you might imagine, many details are dependent on the character’s place in society. Take something as ordinary as bread. The lower classes in Alfred’s day might eat something called “horsebread,” in which ground beans or lentils would be used as filler to stretch the precious flour for as many loaves as possible. The nobility, on the other hand, would no doubt have eaten paindemaine, the very finest white bread for which the flour had been sifted three or more times to remove any husks or chips of stone left over from the grindi...

Some Things That Are Beautiful Written by:   Jill Sheets Picture source:  https://www.peakpx.com/212609/waterfalls-and-two-rainbows One day I was told to look for beautiful things in nature. So I carried around my small pink notebook, which was hidden in my purse, so each time I saw or thought of something that I would considered beautiful I would write it in my notebook. Spring showers, with no bad weather. Rainbows after the rain, God’s promise never to flood the whole earth again. Water Falls that I would love to visit someday, but for now, I only see in pictures. My favorite flower, white roses. . Looking out the living room window and watching the sunset. Pink skies at night sailors delight. Beaches where the ocean looks blue. Looking at the stars. Clouds floating in the blue sky. Snow when you do not have to go out into it. Butterflies. Red birds, Bluebirds, and Hummingbirds. Autumn leaves. These...

Oldies Written by: Jill Sheets   Picture source:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Kids_On_The_Block_%E2%80%93_Vienna_2014_01.JPG  A lot of topics I come up with to talk about I have no idea where it came from or even why it crossed my mind. Right now I am listening to what most of you would call “oldies.”  Boy…. That is hard to admit.  So now I would like to talk about songs that I listened to when growing up. But first, I was a major fan of these people.  So, I do not need to put down any songs by them. There is no way I could just pick one song. New Kids on the block LA Guns Tiffany Debbie Gibson Tommy Page  Menudo with Rubén Gómez Any Musicals Aerosmith Here are some bands and singers that I would listen growing up, listed with one of my favorite songs by them. I will not be able to add every singer or band because that would take forever. Also, another song will go through my head as soon as I post this...

Masked Face Written By: Jill Sheets Picture source:  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/theatermasken-masks-theater-happy-2091135/ I wear this mask on my face -- Since I was a kid. A mask that is smiling Forcing a smile. I am not always sad or upset. But my face is always In a resting state. Not sure if you would call it a frown. Not always. Just my resting face— Until I put that mask Back on my face. The mask does get heavy. People who know me Don’t even notice. Because they love me anyway. Sad- - Upset - - Scared  - - Happy - - No matter what. I love you And Thank you.

It Will Get Better Written by:   Jill Picture source:  https://yajoop.com/2020/04/20/experiment-looks-successful-work-from-home-may-be-permanent-soon-in-indian-it-sector-companies/ Guilt- - As I see people Go back to work. Guilt - - From people that should support me. When it is time to go to bed Tears brim up Wanting to flow out onto my cheeks. My thoughts overwhelming my tired brain. Fear…. Father show me the way. Knowing the best thing for me is to work From home. Working on my writing and other projects. I am sorry For the people who do not understand. I know it is the right thing.  I can feel it. My stress is lower. I do not have to worry about calling in sick, Having doctor appointments. No worrying about upsetting my boss Because… God and I are my bosses.

Praying Out loud Written by: Jill Sheets   picture source: : https://pixabay.com/images/search/prayer/ There are many things that I do not feel comfortable doing. It is not something new, but I am still drugging it along with me as I grew up. It is getting too hard to carry. Most of you know that I did not grow up going to church. When I did go, I was not expected to pray out loud or even do anything. So when I started to go to my husband’s church I noticed people asking others to pray out loud. I was confused because most of the churches I had been to the pastor was the only one that prayed, so I thought there is no way anyone would ask me to pray out loud. That is until………..Choir. I honestly did not even think of people asking me to pray. I know I would be the last person to chose, and I would just have to say, “Thank you, Father Amen.” short and sweet. Surely I could not mess that up. But when asked all I could say was, “no thank you.” “No Thank You”, who c...

Written By: Alexandra Franzen The smallest thing. For the last several years, my morning routine has rolled the same way. Bleep bleep bleep.  The alarm clock on my phone goes off. I reach groggily towards the little table where my phone is resting. I flip off the alarm. And then — because I’m already holding my phone in my hand — I start scrolling absentmindedly through emails, the latest news stories (usually horrible and devastating), and whatnot. After ten minutes, I feel…completely stressed out. Not exactly an ideal way to begin the day. Awhile ago, I found myself wondering,  “What is my ‘fantasy’ morning routine?” My fantasy went like this: – I wake up to a pleasant sound — a zen alarm clock that creates the sounds of ocean waves, birds singing, something like that — instead of aggressive robotic beeping. – My coffee maker is located on the little table right next to my bed. It’s been pre-loaded the night before with ground coffee ...