Tag: Community

Collaborating with David at The Skeptic’s Kaddish Again

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Rengaying through this tumultuous life

David, at The Skeptic’s Kaddish, and I have collaborated once more using the Rengay form of poetry. It is always a pleasure working with a talented writer such as him, and I was happy to take part in this ongoing series once again. A snippet of the poem is below.

db-razor at my neck
each scrape both threat and comfort—
smooth with tiny bumps
tll-      risky weather won’t stop me
      money doesn’t grow on trees
db-bank notification—
I pretend not to see it
until tomorrow
tll-worry doesn’t rest
I’m in a headlock
adulting is trash

You can read the poem in its entirety by clicking on the link below. Thank you again, David! It’s always a blast!

Rollercoaster ride; Adulting, or: A rengay

Scattered Words: Hardcover $26.00 USD|Scattered Words: eBook $11.00 USD|Scattered Words: Amazon

Life In Photos #10

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Daily photographic musings

Snow day dinner #1. Monday, January 26, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow day dinner #2. Monday, January 26, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
View from the 5th floor on a snow day. Sunday, February 01, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow and Solo. Monday, February 02, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow Mound#1. Tuesday, February 03, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow Mound #2. Wednesday, February 04, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A late-night, early morning dusting #1. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A late-night, early morning dusting #2. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #1. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #2. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have new co-workers #3. Thursday, February 05, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

Motivation You Can See

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A Book Review

Girl & Dog Alone Together by Gail Boenning. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I am an avid reader of Gail Boenning’s work. I miss her daily missives on Medium (I am no longer active there, and I believe she stopped posting there shortly before I did), but I can keep up with her through her books. And I appreciate this more than I thought I would.

With everything taking place in our world, a bit of light-hearted reading was what I needed.

What Gail has given the reader in Girl & Dog Alone Together is a work of original paintings and motivational tidbits that will settle in your mind gently and peacefully, too.

Here is my review on Amazon and Goodreads:

Bite-sized Motivational Tidbits That Make You Smile

Gail Boenning has a knack for churning out work that encourages various age groups. Girl & Dog Alone Together is another example of her versatility.

I thoroughly enjoyed every motivational tidbit shared between the girl and her dog, and how they seemed to face all odds in adult-like ways.

Girl’s approach to life was to lean on Dog. Dog’s approach to life was to take care of Girl. They make the perfect team.

From playing in the park to taking piano lessons, sinking the perfect basketball shot, and learning in school, the advice given is notably intelligent while being rhythmic as well. These life lessons will be easier to remember and digest for a younger audience.

The paintings bring a full view into play for the reader also. I found myself smiling from ear to ear as I read each page, knowing that much of the advice given, I’ve shared with my siblings, nieces, and nephews, and with myself whenever necessary, too.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted reminder about life’s small obstacles or you need a book that’s age appropriate for a few children in your life, I recommend Girl & Dog Alone Together.

I enjoyed this book a lot more when I read it because I actually needed a pick-me-up, and this was it.

Maybe you’re in search of one, too?

*Previous book reviews for Gail Boenning: Flit Flutter Float, and POISE.

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

How Do You Talk To God?

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A Book Review

When We Talk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women by Sharifa Stevens. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

You know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? So, I’m judging, but positively, though. When We Walk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women by Sharifa Stevens is the book I didn’t know I needed. The cover is a perfect gateway to phenomenal content.

This is a necessary book for Women of Color. How we talk to God is, as I’ve witnessed and experienced, extremely different from how other women talk to God. I connected with this book in a way that has brought me unmitigated peace and comfort, and I’m happy to express that.

Here’s the review I shared on Amazon and Goodreads:

Talking To God Is a Form of Art

At least, this is what I gleaned from the prayers, poems, and notes shared by the indomitable Sharifa Stevens.

There are books that sneak in when you weren’t expecting to be fulfilled or touched by spirits and there are books that pull you from dark places and remind you of your worth… “When We Talk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women” encompasses both of those descriptions.

There are pieces within this offering that read like sermons. Some feel like testimonies. And others swim across the page, reaching out at just the right moment to grab ahold of the reader and remind them that they are and will forever be God’s child.

I am a sinner, yet I love. I am a sinner, yet I feel. I am a sinner, yet I have solid friendships. I am a sinner… I am a sinner… I am a sinner… Yet, God will never stop loving me.

In the midst of the turmoil and chaos of this wretched world, I cracked open the spine of this gift and found solace.

“When We Talk To God…” offers hope, reflection, strength, encouragement, and the reality that I am not alone on this tedious journey of life, and I am blessed to be able to say that I read it.

And I will, without a doubt, read it again and again, and maybe a few more times for sustainability.

There’s a prayer in this book for you, Black woman. There’s a prayer in this book for you.

When I find a book that makes me feel good about myself and less alone, as well as hone in on biblical scriptures that can motivate, encourage, strengthen, and engage my mind, I am completely satisfied.

And, I am.

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

Please Be Safe Out There, Everyone.

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Winter Storm Fern did not come to play.

Winter Storm Fern, Angle 1. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Winter Storm Fern, Angle 2. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Winter Storm Fern, Angle 3. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

There is something about the weather that’ll make you cower under confidence in less than a minute flat.

There’s snow, and then, there’s black ice. One can cripple a pathway before you, but you may be able to maneuver your way through it. The other can paralyze you; change you from your able-bodied self to someone you have to learn to know all over again.

When officials say, “Stay off the roads unless you absolutely have to be on them”, many of us should heed that plea.

It’s too cold here for DOT to begin treating the roads again. So, I’m seated under a heated blanket, sipping my coffee, and staring out the balcony door of my fourth (technically fifth) floor apartment.

I’d rather be on a plage in a tropical setting, rubbing my feet together under a beach-themed towel.

It is not lost on me how many people are without power, are currently on the street struggling to stay warm, or do not have employers who care about their well-being.

I am grateful that I can say this. I thank God that these words can leave my lips. Luxuries can be both big and small at the same time. I acknowledge that.

Stay safe and warm, yet thankful if you’re able to do these things.

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

Life in Photos #9

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Daily photographic musings

Canada Geese enjoying a sunny day before a M A J O R cold snap! Thursday, January 15, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A fake orchid. Taken in the hallway of my apartment building. Sunday, January 18, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A hearty meal for an empty belly. Seasoned pork steak, sweet corn, and roasted Rustic potatoes w/ Roma tomatoes. Sunday, January 18, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Sunday: a day to wash the locs, and then towel-dry them. Sunday, January 18, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt, enhanced with Google Gemini
Chunky chocolate chip cookies, because YES!!! I shared them with my two neighbors, Nikayla & Herbbie. Thursday, January 22, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
My tortoise is cuter than yours. Zumi Tye loves to eat, as I am sure you all know by now. LOL! Saturday, January 24, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Winston (AKA Winnie) is Jernee Timid’s friend. I speak about him in “smelling death,” which is a poem I have included in Scattered Words. He is such a sweet boy, and he loves to give me full-body hugs. I know he misses Jernee; he looks around me as if he’s searching for her tiny body to greet him. It warms my heart and breaks it at the same time. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I’m a little bit Coraline. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow, Snow, and Ice, Ice Baby #1. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow, Snow, and Ice, Ice Baby #2. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow, Snow, and Ice, Ice Baby #3. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Snow, Snow, and Ice, Ice Baby #4. Sunday, January 25, 2026. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook