Michele Lee Sefton's Blog

“A wind carrying traces of ancient Viking strength and dragon fire whipped through the vehicle’s open windows, lifting her long locks, and scattering loose papers that had been neatly stacked in the backseat. There was a time when such an occurrence of disorder would have sent Mackenzie into a cursing frenzy. She had discarded those quick-tempered reactions along with the clothes and a life that no longer suited her. She closed her eyes and let the Atlantic’s gust penetrate her hidden fortress, guarded by flesh, muscles, bones, and rivers of blood.” —excerpt from my novella, Her Coastal Cottage (chapter 2)

The song, “Sunshine in My Soul” by Rosewood, found me a few days ago. I’m definitely taking this one to the dance floor. A soothing and sultry vibe that starts with this… “Wake up slowwww, the sunlight on my face, no hurry, no worry, I’m in my happy place…” Instant appeal.

About dancing… this part of my life keeps expanding, leaving me glowing. For a few months now I’ve been jazzing it up on Sunday nights with Jessica and her dancing darlings at Desert Siren Dance*. My pole dancing journey continues—at a new studio, with a few from my fearless tribe. We’re taking it to new heights.

For those in the Valley of the Sun, I’d love to see you tomorrow. I’ll be at the ‘Tales & Tumbleweed’ Book Festival with a stack of Jade’s Broken Bridge and a few of my novellas. Too far for my long-distance friends, I know, though your support is held close. In gratitude and best to you, Michele Lee

*Dancing highlights and other life moments shared on my Instagram feed @mlsefton (Sunday night steps add smiles to the weekdays that follow.)

featured photo of woman with “wings” by Zolotarevs / my nature shots and post-dance selfie (yes, my photo is enhanced w/a phone filter-the glow is real)

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Yes, I’m a windblown hot oven mess, not a domestic goddess, but my spirit is grounded and my heart, flowing with a grateful tenderness. Thank you to my precious friends in this space, who share kindness, warmth, and individual talent and creativity, born from experience and your own brush, lens, or pen. With love, Michele Lee

“You don’t have to say a word
You don’t have to prove your worth
You don’t have to try
You just need to be
yourself”

excerpt from a poem I wrote a few Thanksgivings ago: “You have arrived”

“It’s not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What’s hard, she said, is figuring out what you’re willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.”
― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way

I’ve lost my taste for turkeys… leaves more room for sweet desserts, and for a delicious outcome, I’ll refer to the experts. Trying to decide what to bake to take to family tomorrow. I’ve narrowed it down to something chocolately and something fruity. My two favorite baking books will help me accomplish the task with a splash of jazz! Books that need a bit of dusting after a year of intense writing and editing. Delighted to put on my apron and get to it. I’ll be choosing one from Nigella Lawson’s 2001 edition and one from my aunt Lee’s cookbook collection, published before she passed over twenty years ago, just after turning 50. I sure miss her, especially during the holidays, though following her recipes brings me closer to her memory.

Thank you for reading and a wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours, if that’s your cup of tea. Sweet regards. Michele

dessert photo by TastefulLens / woman holding cake by Krakenimages / my street sign photo

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Traveling light
in luggage and spirit
I’ve got a tank full of petrol
a belly full of butterflies
and the wide open
fully in sight

Tumbleweed Spirit Press happenings and gratitude gratefully given:

Thank you to fellow writers and bloggers, Stephanie and Nigel Byng, for featuring my book in their recent blog posts. I’m humbled by the acknowledgement and thoroughly enjoy seeing my story through the lens of others. Expanding this writer’s heart, personal purpose, and writing journey.    That thank you and feeling extends to those who’ve taken the time to read and write reviews on Amazon and beyond. Thank you so very much! I’m not listing individual reviewer names, not because I don’t appreciate these generous writers—I do wholeheartedly. I have or will thank each personally. Please visit my book page, for full reviews. To Ken Sain, Managing Editor with the Times Media Group, for interviewing me in a special location (my hometown park where my cousins and I played as children) and for publishing an article about my book and writing journey (which began in elementary school) in the Santan Sun News—thanks to him for the experience and opportunity. Changing Hands, an independent bookstore, in Tempe, has agreed to shelf Jade’s Broken Bridge (to arrive in twelve days). Yay! I’ve been enjoying the personal touch of signing books, writing personal notes, adding a gift, and mailing to those who have ordered directly from my author website. Thank you! In preparation for some upcoming book events in the Valley of the Sun and Tucson down south, I recently applied for an Arizona Dept. of Revenue TPT (Transaction Privilege Tax). I now have the privilege of selling directly to in-person customers (and paying taxes of course). I stumbled across another local media outlet, The Daily Independent, that ran an article about my book release in October. That was a fun find! It is encouraging to discover that local media supports and values local authors. Wonderful!I’ve had some meaningful conversations about the subject matter and substantive themes found in my story, including a meeting with a former English Department Chair who is organizing a book club reading and discussion with fellow teachers.

I just set my TumbleweedSpirit playlists to “public” (in my YouTube Music account). They can be found at: TumbleweedSpirit, TumbleweedSpirit 2.0, TumbleweedSpirit 3.0, and TumbleweedSpirit 4.0 Thank you for visiting and reading! Kind regards and best to you! Michele

featured photo of woman driving by Boris Medvedev / my sunrise photo and traveling road photo (taken in Oregon)

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Crisp and refreshing
Floating between dark and light
Amber dreams ignite

All of This and Nothing by Dave Gahan & Soulsavers found me this morning.

Thanks for stopping by. Just had to share this divine sunrise. A beautiful weekend to you. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Three sisters walk the ancient earth—
Corn rising tall, Bean climbing toward the sun, Squash spreading her wide green skirts across the soil. They learn to lean into one another’s strengths: a spine to climb, a shelter to grow, and a soft shadow to hold moisture and hope. Entwined they remind us abundance is shared, resilience is woven, and that we flourish when we root ourselves in unity and lift each other toward the light.

My contribution to Fake Flamenco’s November Poetry Challenge: “Thankful for the Harvest,” is inspired by a farming tradition that is sustainable, self-supportive, and embodies the values of reciprocity and respect for the land, practiced by various Indigenous nations (Haudenosaunee/Cherokee/Mandan and Hidatsa/Hopi and Zuni) long before European contact.

The practice “continues and has been revived as part of Indigenous food sovereignty movements” and is supported by a belief that the ‘Three Sisters’ are spirit-beings who live harmoniously. If you’re interested in learning more, visit the article, “What Are the ‘Three Sisters’ of Native American Agriculture?” (history.com)

“This November, let’s write a free verse poem of up to 75 words about the harvest. The harvest can be a metaphor, or it can be the foods we eat to celebrate plenty.” Thank you for visiting and thanks to Rebecca for hosting this poetry challenge. Kind regards. Michele

Song Of The Harvest by Earthsong [image error]

featured photo of organic produce by Thomas Holt / my Sonoran Desert images

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Arriving briefly
Wings glide, their honking echoes
Quietly leaving

It is a special treat when the Canadian Geese arrive. Briefly they rest their wings, nourish their bodies and find a few friends, before traveling further south. Last year, it was the arrival of dozens of white egrets that left me in awe, especially when they kept showing up, filling the park trees with their presence. A sight I may never see again, but one that I’ll never forget.

Earlier this week, I joined a night of creative sharing at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Singers, musicians, a few other poets, and I filled the beautiful space with our expressive voices. I read the first few pages of Chapter 5, titled, “read the fine print.” At one point, I stepped out and began capturing the gorgeous evening with my cell phone. What happened while recording quickly became a wow moment (an unexpected procession flooded the sidewalk). How delightful and energetic was the scene!

More wonderful surprises… I’d like to thank fellow bloggers, talented writers, and generous givers, Edward Ortiz and Mary K. Doyle for reading and reviewing my debut novel, Jade’s Broken Bridge. They’ve both been incredibly encouraging of my writing, giving me inspiration to keep moving forward which is now rippling out to others. I am humbled and forever grateful for the support I’ve received with this challenging personal project through motivating messages, insightful reviews, and kind gestures, which of course includes individual book purchases. It is no small thing to support independent artists, whatever their medium. I’ve linked directly to Mary and Edward’s posts featuring my novel. If you’re not familiar with their blogs, I highly encourage you to visit their sites and subscribe. They both offer abundant information and inspiration, in their own ways.

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Finding Me Again
Mary of Gold

“I walk through shadows, lost my way, yeah
Chasing voices that weren’t mine
Every mirror showed a stranger
Every heartbeat out of time
mmmmmmmmm
I let the world decide my name
Forget the rhythm in my chest
my chest
Now, I’m learning, I’m not broken
I just needed to rest
Step by step, I’m coming home
Piece by piece, I’m not alone
The light I buried starts to show
I’m ready now, I’m ready to grow
I’m finding me again
The me I thought I lost
Through all the nights of doubt
I’m rising from the frost
I’m finding me again
Strong, unafraid, and free
Every scar’s a story
Every breath belongs to me”
…………………

The song, Finding Me Again by Mary of Gold* found me this morning at the end of a most serene sunrise ride. With the voice of an angel and lyrics that make me happy to be alive, I’m compelled to share this artist and song for others who might benefit from this soulful tune. This song, now filling my space and floating through my window was just released (October 29, 2025) by ℗ Golden Soul Records. The lyrics are not available online and although there is more to appreciate and enjoy, I did my best to accurately type the first few lines to share with Deaf readers. Thank you to the artist for sharing her incredible gifts!

*I’ve removed the link for this song, as it is no longer viable.

My plans to publish a Grandpa WWII tribute post on Veteran’s Day has taken a different direction this morning. I’m certain that my humble war hero grandpa Charles, avid reader and lover of western novelist Louis L’Amour, would understand. If you’re new to my site, here’s a brief backstory about my posts titled, “His Letters are Treasures”: for several years now, I’ve been sharing inherited photos, artifacts, and letters from my grandfather’s heroic service during WWII. I’ve chosen to read his letters aloud—an emotional venture and an unexpected outcome from the experience has been getting to know the man through his letters. Dozens of letters, in my secure possession, sent home to his family in Iowa while he was serving in the American Army. Thank you to him and the countless other brave and selfless men and women who have served. Happy Veterans Day and thank you for visiting. Michele Lee

featured photo by Darren Baker / my sunrise photos

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Complimentary Jar

Never comfortable with compliments,
dismissed, ignored, or brushed aside,
until she realized
there may come a day
when all forms of admiration
might whisper, then fade away.

From that moment on, her reply
was, Thank you, and How kind.
Treasuring every complimentary word
like a personalized holiday card,
she began receiving and remembering,
then scribbling and placing them in a jar.

What began as a game, a lark,
capturing words, filled up dozens of glass jars.
Receiving words, fortified her fragile heart.
A grateful hand tucking tiny notes inside,
her eyes did light and her soul did smile
whenever, those shelved jars, she brushed by.

thanking, writing, folding, and smiling
complimentary words now sealed inside

Over time adding small cards
became less, then few,
until empty jars, she no longer needed to pursue.
Dust collecting on jars, once see-through,
echoing decades of gracious thank yous,
written with a hand that once held
the gentleness of children, the passion of her darling,
homemade from the oven, a flowing pen –
the World.

thanking, writing, folding, and smiling
forgotten words now sealed inside

Until that day when her grandson came by
carrying packing tape, flat boxes, and papers to sign.
Before stepping in, he released a heavy sigh.
His second home, where he found colorful Easter eggs,
where he unwrapped shiny gifts and learned to ride.
Soon, he would be the stranger standing outside.

What are these jars, with tiny folded cards?
the first grandchild, now a grown man,
said to the resting woman.
Waiting … no response forthcoming.
Holding one close to her visage, patient and loving,
a jar, lifted her sleepy eyes, now glowing.
That is a complimentary jar, she said,
Gather the rest, then help me out of this chair.

The notes, he helped her pour and scatter
across the surface where flowing laughter
and meals had been lovingly served.
A family table about to be protected
by bubble wrap and blankets,
now showered with compliments –
tiny cards, in all shapes and sizes,
some tattered, some faded, some blurred.

She grabbed her reading glasses
and a seat and began to read
the kindness, that at one time
she was unable to receive.

Watching her unfold, read, and weep,
her grandson repeated, What are these?
Holding a note and with glistening eyes, she replied,
Oh, dear grandson, it is just a game I have played,
capturing and scribbling words through the years.
Since life now requires that I downsize,
the time has arrived for me to release
my complimentary collection, long sealed.
I will fill up my heart with one final read,
before setting these kind words free.

*Post first published November 7, 2020

A week into November and I remembered that it is National Gratitude Month. Maybe an entire month devoted to gratitude has been canceled, like so many other happenings this year, or likely, its appearance was buried under election and COVID updates. Maybe we are all feeling pandemic fatigue, leaving us little energy to feel or express gratitude. I know there is some truth to that, especially for those who have been most impacted by the invisible virus that has made our lives visibly challenging. I also know feeling and expressing gratitude can encourage us. My poetic prose, that I wrote before remembering November’s gratitude label, is a story about a woman who learns to not only accept compliments but cherish them. If you have a difficult time accepting compliments, I hope my story motivates you to embrace each compliment that comes your way. Thank you for visiting my blog and reading my story. I appreciate you! Have a wonderful week. Michele

Being a Woman poetry book update: I am working on the poems for our third and final collection, titled, Being a Woman – Forthcoming. A few more poems to go, then my illustrator daughter will bring the poems to life with her creative drawings. Links to our first two Being a Woman Books are on my “About” page.

jar photos taken in 2020 / man on bike photo taken last month in Oregon

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Maybe grownups can’t be children again. We can, however, nurture our child within, keep the path for our youth safe and secure, and do our best to protect what is aligned, luminous, and pure. [image error]

Sharing my segment from last week’s interview with Melissa Farley and Marshall Shore, hosts of The Morning Show – an Arizona based show that highlights local happenings. From Darkness to Purpose | Author Michele Lee Sefton on Healing, Writing & Resilience

Thanks for stopping by and watching! The hosts’ gracious and accepting personalities made for a welcoming experience and don’t you love their Halloween costumes! Much gratitude and best to you! Michele Lee

P.S. Jade’s Broken Bridge is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your favorite bookseller, or direct through me at msefton.com (signed w/an added gift). Thank you to those who’ve ordered through my website. The links and things work! Thanks, too, for the reviews. I’ve returned to reading, so that I can do the same.

featured photo of girl during sunrise by Valentin Valkov / my morning sunrise bursting through a Palo Verde tree / Camellia sasanqua flowers from Oregon

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife