Brenda Mahler
Bio
Travel
Writing Lessons
Memoirs
Poetry
Books AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
* Lockers Speak: Voices from America's Youth
* Understanding the Power Not Yet shares Kari’s story following a stroke at 33.
* Live a Satisfying Life By Doing it Doggy Style explains how humans can life to the fullest.
Stories (462/0)
It's Time to Kill Weak Words
Words have the power to transport us to new worlds, paint pictures and invoke emotions. They can also put us to sleep. When writing it is easy to fall in the trap of overusing weak words, however, there is an escape route. I love words which makes a thesaurus one of my favorite resources and writing tools. It provides strong, unique words to add power to a narrative.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Writers
Writers are Fish Gasping for Oxygen; Reflecting on My Writing Helped Me Breathe
I read an article that explained why fish are often seen with their mouths open; they are gasping for air. You probably thought like I did that they breathe through their gills. Yes, they do. However, sometimes they take air in through their mouths, and this also helps cleanse the gills. The article explained that if a tank is crowded or dirty there might be a shortage of oxygen causing fish to gasp.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Writers
Gather Feedback on Your Writing
Great writers understand the value of practicing just as basketball players understand the necessity to train. Repetition of skills and experimenting with new techniques improves all elements of the writing: tone, style, voice and mood. A coach does not watch silently as teams practice and then critique every aspect of the game. They stand on the sidelines and provide suggestions for improvement. They interrupt the process with constructive critiques. They share experience and knowledge knowing their expertise can help the players in the game.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Writers
There is a Thin Line Between Tears of Sorrow and Tears of Joy. Top Story - May 2024.
I remember when my mother passed away. After the tears from the initial shock, our family sat in the living room and shared memories. We talked about her love and compassion toward others, the lessons she taught us about honesty, and how she taught us the importance of respecting ourselves and others. Then we started sharing memories that made us smile and eventually, each of us began to relax and tell stories that made us laugh.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Humor
Dwindling Lust vs. Forever Love
As a teenager, I was infatuated with the idea of being in love. My heartbeat faster if a boy looked at me, a shared smile prompted hot flashes, and a conversation sent me to my journal to record the event. I still remember the day of my first kiss. John Smith walked me home from school and at the corner of my neighborhood, his 6-foot body bent down and kissed me. The purple lilacs were blooming, and the aroma overwhelmed my senses.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Confessions
A Mother’s Love Warms Hearts
I remember, as many of you may, watching the first snowfall each year. As a child, it was a miracle to see the pure, white delicate flakes floating from the sky. Remember catching the flakes on your tongue or watching them stick to the window? Each flake created a pattern — uniquely beautiful and simple.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Families
Costco Hearing Aids Saved Our Marriage
He sat in the living room recliner watching TV with the volume turned up loud enough that I could hear it from the bedroom. When he watched golf, it didn’t bother me, but those blood-and-gore mystery movies drove me crazy. I would intentionally go to the bedroom to read so I wouldn’t have to witness child abductions, decapitations, and walls turned into abstract art with splatters of blood and other bodily fluids.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Longevity
Explore Maui Without Depleting Your Savings
My husband and I sat in the timeshare, wondering where to begin. The days laid before us as opportunities, but where to start befuddled our minds. Randy and I had traveled extensively but never to Hawaii. We knew we wanted to explore the island but were at a loss how to begin.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Wander
Seniors Enjoy Sex after Sixty
Sex has always been good, but as seniors, we have it perfected. Or should I admit that retirement has given us a new lease on life — that after 43 years, no expectations hinder our passion, no time limits constrain our activities, no interruptions temper our enthusiasm, and no regrets plague our past or influence our future.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Longevity
Looking Into the Eyes of Age and Laughing
A 77-degree heat wave visited us yesterday. The birds provided music as I sat on the porch and watched our dog chase a chipmunk up a tree. She then sat at the bottom of the tree, warning her prey not to venture onto her turf or something would happen. The patches of snow melted visibly under the sun’s rays, announcing the change of seasons.
By Brenda Mahler2 months ago in Longevity
Traveling in the Present and Learning About the Past: Iowa, Amana Colonies:
Our visit to The Amana Colonies prompted us to investigate the historical and cultural background of its settlers to appreciate their culture. Until we gathered knowledge, we possessed a naïve comprehension of the dedication of the early residents, but once we understood, our visit gained significance.
By Brenda Mahler3 months ago in History
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