Excavation My heart is a burial site, covered in hardened lava, results of a fiery meltdown of the soul. Dare I hope, dare I unearth myself, less I am fully exposed, dare I exist? How… More
Are you Waiting for the Rest of Your Life? Photo and poem from Joan Ellen Gage
Waiting for the Rest of Your Life
Are you content in your comfort zone,
keeping within familiar parameters?
Do you wear blinders to keep your
focus fixed in front of you?
Intent on trudging the well-worn path,
are you afraid of taking that first step
toward the rest of your life?
People have a choice these days.
We don’t have to continue in the
career rut that we created, or
the temporary situation that
became our existence. Our other life, a
parallel universe, if you will, where we
wait, and deny ourselves our lives.
Have you considered a change?
Will you continue to struggle
against the potential current of your own will?
Have you encased your true self in a
web of denial so tight, that your
soul has given up hope of escape
into the realm of life’s possibilities?
How long have you pondered
doing something radical, or
potentially magical, empowering?
Are you afraid of the consequences of your
action, or inaction?
How long will it take? How long will you
wait for the rest of your life?
How long? How long? . . .
by Joan Ellen Gage
from the book,
Embracing Your Inner Cheerleader
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://twitter.com/gage_joanellen
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Learning to Say No, Digital Art and Poetry, by joans-zone
On Deaf Ears
I am responsible for my life,
ultimately, I made the
decisions, or didn’t make
them. I did
not find the words to say,
no, or I let them fall from
deaf ears without
pushing them home. I
have a real chance this
time, in spite of 2020’s
obstacles, I am still
freer. I can
pick and choose what I
want to do, or who I want to
be for the remainder of my
life. And to
not live in fear of
anger, criticism,
gas-lighting, controlling,
behavior. I
have this chance, I’m
taking it. I have
learned to say, no.
By,
Joan Ellen Gage
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Saga of the Fat Sweater, by joans-zone
Rocking the Fat Sweater!
Saga of the Fat Sweater
I met a man last week, a
potential amour, we had
talked, shared our love of
music, discussed our nations
political divide–so simpatico, I
thought, but what
possessed me to wear that
bulky green sweater? I wanted my
eyes to pop, and it was
bitterly cold, I had expected to
remove it, showing off a more
form-fitting top, but that didn’t
happen. Yesterday morning, I am
pleased to see a message from
simpatico, I find instead, an
accusation, a statement that I
have deceived him, and he is
blowing me off. In wearing my
cuddly emerald sweater, I had
apparently attempted to
conceal my bulk, which
seemed to him to be
substantial, so, that’s
correct, my wardrobe
choice had outed me. I was
upset, floored, made some
defensive moves, too little, too
late. I admit I am not
svelte, but I do work on
being fit. It has
taken a day, I feel better,
thinking the fat sweater may
have saved me,
rescued me from going
down that path to a relationship
doomed to fail. Next time,
with a potential mate, I will make
certain to take the sweater
off.
by,
Joan Ellen Gage
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Breathe, Digital Art and Poetry by joans-zone
Breathe
As I breath sweet freedom’s air, I am
reminded to never surrender it
again.
Didn’t I try to keep an
open airway, attempt to protect my
precious identity from being
eroded away by another’s sheer
will?
My will nearly as strong, but
requiring withdrawal into safer spaces,
showing little of my true face to
survive until I could walk or
run to a new life. One I chose for
myself, not one forced upon me
until I acquiesced.
I can breathe, this is my life, my
breath, my freedom, my future. I
inhale my truth, I exhale the
past.
by,
joans-zone
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Cold Feet, Digital Art and Poetry, by joans-zone
Cold Feet
I have feet that can turn cold in an
instant; icy feet sending me
skating on my way at the
hint of control, manipulation,
gas lighting, or angry accusations
delivered by a closed mind
refusing to believe my truth.
My feet and I are done with that; we
know how far we’ve come, and we’re
not going back, never going back
to that. I promise that we will
dance, me and my
popsicle toes. Even when
everyone is watching.
by, Joan Ellen Gage
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
A True Patriot, Quote by joans-zone
What Would JC Do? He Would Wear A Mask, Quote by joans-zone
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Turning to Stone, poetry and digital art by joans-zone
Turning to Stone
by Joan Ellen Gage
Who am
I
the woman who
finally ran away, who
plotted and skulked and
finally did the
deed, feet
flying, not
looking back, for
fear of turning to
stone.
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Pandemic Ponderings, Poetry by joans-zone
Fingers fly over faces, some smiling, others
stoic, then the occasional blurry one, or
the pic that’s 20 years old.
Profiles abound, shuffled through like a deck of
cards—which one is a winner—place
your bets.
Although slightly ashamed of it, my image is
paraded for all to see, fortunately, the name has
been changed to protect the guilty.
Online, members are searching, hoping to find the
diamond in the rough, the Trophy Wife, or
runner-up girlfriend.
Although anthropologically fascinating, the viewing
feels artificial. Still, it’s the safest way to proceed,
or is it?
by,
Joan Ellen Gage
(Note, image above is from online dating photos).
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://twitter.com/gage_joanellen
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
A Gift of Kindness, poetry and digital art by joans-zone
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://twitter.com/gage_joanellen
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
Delight in the Silence of Winter; digital art by joans-zone
May your days be merry and bright–but don’t forget to take time for quiet!
OTHER WEBSITE: https://joanellengage.com/
JOAN’S LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/yourpersonalcheerleaderJoanEllenGage/
https://twitter.com/gage_joanellen
https://www.instagram.com/JoanEllenGage609/
BOOKS:
EMBRACING YOUR INNER CHEERLEADER: http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Inner-Cheerleader-ebook/dp/B0086WW7AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&
qid=1340641839&sr=8-1&keywords=Embracing+Your+Inner+Cheerleader
STRANGER IN A STRANGE SKIN: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95140
WATER RUNNING DOWNHILL, ROSE EDITION: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Running-Downhill-Words-Empowerment/dp/0692571965/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447021563&sr=1-1&keywords=water+running+downhill%2C+words+of+empowerment%2C+rose+edition
A Redhead Looks at 60: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7867874-1973650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+redhead+looks+at+60
©All creative works by Joan Ellen Gage are her exclusive property, and Joan maintains the legal rights to them.
