| Filed under blindness Guide dogs Poem
| Filed under blindness Guide dogs Poem
Double Dreams of My dog
Ann Chiappetta
I
Dreamt of
My dog’s escape
The door was open
Heartsick I panicked
Searched, begged
fruitlessly
for his
return. I watched
all those I lost
drive off with Mom
Bailey Bailey Bailey
I called
Silence
But then
Someone called, urgently
I have
him
My hand
Touches the leather
this collar familiar but
Not my dog
Could this
Dream
Dog Be
my future partner
or is it merely
a wishful
thought?
| Filed under blindness blogging nonfiction
| Filed under blindness blogging Writing Life
Annie Shares News Volume 3 Issue 1 January-February 2024
Subscribe: Anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io
Blog: www.thought-wheel.com
🥳 🌚 💝
I am behind on this newsletter and should have sent it out sooner. The last month was full of obligations and family activities. We rang in the new year together from the comfort of the new sleep number bed in our house. We are settling in well, the animals love the space and quiet positive energy.
Jerry and I registered to vote, got new State identification, met with our respective medical care providers, and checked off many of the post-move tasks each day. Trips to the home store and hardware store depleted our finances a bit but it needed to be done. Apartment living doesn’t require a leaf blower, ice melt, garbage pails for weekly pickups, outdoor lighting, video door bell and back door camera, updated alarm system, a ladder, rake, shovel, HVAC filters, five rooms of furniture and so much more.
Our daughter visited with her fiancé and her cat at the end of January. It was rewarding for us to offer a guest room. We appreciated the open and welcoming living space this home offers. We all got along wonderfully.
📚
Get ready for my next contemporary fiction novel, Imperfections, scheduled for a March 2024 release.
Listen to an interview with DJs Sam Jasmine, Charlene Dahl and me on KFAI radio’s Disability and Progress: https://kfai.org/player/?episode_id=52048
More about the book:
For Lainie and Efren affirming their love for one another comes with consequences and his name is Shane. Will his stalker mentality erode their love or will Lainie and Effren be strong enough together and be free of Shane’s cruelty for good?
My poem “What the Heart Lives” placed third place in the Oprelle spring 2024 anthology. I am hoping to take part in readings and book fairs in 2024 and I am hoping to complete a nonfiction book about the human and service animal bond by next year.
Visit this bonus link to read my newest blog article for the American Printing House and Career Connect series:
Until next month,
Peace
🐲 🌚
| Filed under assistive technology blindness writing
Being an author, I am often asked about the writing process. Where do I write? What is the time of day I am the most creative? What equipment or software do I use? How do I get my ideas? The answers are straightforward. I write in my office and prefer the daytime from mid-morning to early evening. I type all my work on a pc with Windows and assistive technology software for the blind. I edit my work with this technology, listening to documents with text-to-speech access. Ideas come to me via observation, examination and experience. They form through dreams, news, conversations I hear, observing the sensory information and what surrounds me. Curiosity leads me through it all.
Once an idea reveals itself, I make a mental note to track it. . If it persists, if I fall asleep mulling it over and it is there the next morning, I know it is a subject or idea I must relax into for it to develop. When I say develop I mean a piece of something destined for words taking hold and growing. Setting an idea free means being conscious of it while it travels through my gray matter, collecting relevance and resonance until we meet again.
The most difficult question regarding the writing life is describing the creativity involved in the writing process. There isn’t a short answer, it’s more like paddling a canoe along the sluggish tidal pools and terrifying rapids of a miles-long river . An idea is the starting point. What if the dream I woke up remembering could be written into a short story? What if the influx and pattern of birds and their hierarchy at the feeders could be described in a poem? What if the blog articles I’ve already written on a particular topic could be organized into a handbook of some kind?
Once I know the idea is forming, I write a brief note to myself and step back, absorb my effort into another writing project. This is essential for the idea to continue developing.
For example, I got an idea for an urban fantasy short story about garden gnomes playing a major role in helping rescue prisoners of human trafficking in China with dimensional magic. I sketched out the timeline, location, characters, and other details. I researched elements in the story following a rough outline. I am a hybrid of a planner and a Pantzer, creating enough of a timeline of scenes and the story arc to follow but loose enough for it to flex as the story expands.
Next is the typing, word play, placement of scenes, theme of the story, plot, and deleting, replacing and revising.
When the story stalls, because inevitably it will stall as part of the evolution of the story, I go onto another project. I do not believe in writer’s block. I believe the story will write itself as long as I have faith it will do so. If the story is meant to be written and I am purposeful about writing it, it will get done.
Sometimes the ideas lay dormant for years, others seem to call to me in a more creative urgency. Some stories , after a few hundred pages sit in my manuscript folder on Drop Box because I wrote myself into a corner. I think about them all the time, consider pulling one up and begin the revision process. I am not the only author to lament unfinished work laying in the manuscript closet. Maybe a few will eventually be revived and become something for the masses, but I do not question. This is how my first two novels were completed. When the piece beckons, I’ll take up my creative paddles, push off into the word river and ride the current, trusting the words will come.
Annie Shares News Volume 2 Issue 12 December 2023
Subscribe: anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io
Blog: www.thought-wheel.com
🎅 🤶 🌲 💖
Christmas and holiday greetings, readers. In these trying times of war and strife, peace and joy are elusive and sometimes difficult to express. It is for these reasons I am writing this newsletter. My purpose, as insignificant as it may be, keeps me grounded and it is my hope it helps someone else to keep the hope going.
I am pleased to report my second novel, Imperfections, is being sent to the independent book publishing company, DLD Books for formatting. The release is planned for spring 2024. It’s been a long and rewarding path for the writing of this story. It is less biographical and I hope different enough for readers to rave about. I’ll be telling you all more about it in the January 2024 newsletter.
Also in my Sharingdom, Smashwords/D2D is launching an End-of-year eBook sale from December 15 to January 1, 2024. The sale will include genres from children’s books to horror titles. Upwelling: Poems, my first poetry collection is free and my other titles are discounted. eBooks make great gifts! 🎁🧧
Save this promo link so you can shop as soon as December 15 rolls up:
https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos
Of course, by now, being a subscriber to this newsletter, you are aware I am a person with a disability. I support other writers with disabilities as well as promoting my own writing and books. One such writer, Patty L. Fletcher, is the person who had a role in assisting me to find my own path to independent publishing. I am excited to include the information for readers to check out her new book.
The Blended Lives Chronicles: Sides of the Order.
If you prefer an anthology, check out this one, hot off the indie press, Behind Our Eyes 3 A literary Sunburst. It is written and edited by writers with disabilities and the proceeds from the sale of the book go directly to funding the Behind Our Eyes organizational literary programs , most offered free-of-charge. Sales will also assist in the costs of publishing their biannual literary magazine, Magnets and Ladders.
My gift to you is a recording of the poem, Little Tree by e.e. Cummings. Below is the text.
[little tree]
“little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold.
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”
| Filed under blindness Poem Relationships
Annie Shares News Volume 2 Issue 10 October 2023
anniesharesnews@groups.io Subscribe anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io
www.annchiappetta.com Blog: www.thought-wheel.com
🎃 🍂 🍃
Autumnal greetings!
The most important announcement is we are now living in Pennsylvania. Western PA cozied up beside Pittsburgh. We found a lovely one level house. It came equipped with solar panels, three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, laundry, den, picture windows, garage and a beautiful, fenced yard. Not too much to maintain and plenty of living space.
I can’t wait to celebrate the holidays here and welcome visitors who will be able to stay in the guest room.
In writing news, Hope For the Tarnished is being narrated and it is halfway done. My second novel, Imperfections, is scheduled for a spring 2024 release.
I am looking forward to winter routines like drinking hot tea, slurping soup and cooking stew in our crock pot. And now I am also a Steelers fan. 😉
Here’s to a blessed month. Until next time.
The move has inspired me to write a few poems. Here’s one I wrote the day we moved from the apartment in New York.
Moving Day
By Ann Chiappetta
An empty room
Where once life’s evidence —
the energy and the sound Saturated
Now Sparseness joins
echoes. Memory echoes
touch echoes visual echoes
Present yet empty.
| Filed under blindness Guide dogs writing
Greetings from the Guide Dog Book Club Team,
We hope your fall is off to a great start and full of plans for fun times with your dogs, family, and friends. A big woof and wag to the cooler temperatures!
Jumping off from the awesome discussion with Sharon Peters on “Trusting Calvin,” we are gearing up for another book club read and discussion. The next meeting of the club is scheduled for November. As always, all are welcome to join. More details to follow on exact date and time.
Our next book selection is…(drum roll, please, and hold the appaws):
“Forward Together: An Inside Look at Guide Dog Training” by Christie Bane
The book is available on BARD and other electronic book services. Get a copy today and start reading for another informative guide dog book club discussion.
Here’s a recent amazon review:
“This was such an amazing book. The explanations were well thought out, but not overly descriptive. The author was honest and realistic. The writing was down to earth and a pleasure to read. I would seriously urge anyone who has anything to do with the guide dog community to read this. It will increase knowledge and understanding for puppy raisers, handlers, GDMI applicants, other staff, and even the general public. I really really enjoyed this read!”
You can also review a synopsis here: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53548729
To help keep us in touch and encourage conversations in the virtual world, we’ve created a new email list serve just for the Guide Dog Book Club community. That’s right, we have a list serve dedicated to our book discussions. Please check it out.
To subscribe to the list, send a blank email to guidedogbookclub+subscribe@groups.io. Or request an invitation to be sent to your inbox by emailing guidedogbookclub@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to share more information with you, so get those people-paws tapping on your computer or smart phone and sign up! We would also appreciate it if you could share this announcement with other guide dog handlers, puppy raisers, GDMIs, guide dog program staff and family and friends who support the partnership between human and guide dog.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Until we chat again, happy reading and wagging,
Guiding Eyes Graduate Council
| Filed under blindness Guide dogs pets and people writing
Bailey, my second Guiding Eyes dog guide, has hung up the harness. He is now the senior adopted dog of house Chiappetta and for him, at least the change is good. It’s a push and pull of relief and regret for the humans, though. But hey, he’s almost eleven, has bounced back from lung cancer and enjoys napping in the sun in his new back yard.
Yellow lab bailey posed with blue skies and clouds in the background.
We met in 2015 and during the second week of class I returned home with a serious case of RSV. A month later, when we reunited, he flew into my lap and nibbled my cheek as if to say, “Finally, we’re together again!”
Our first year was exciting and focused. His energy and love of working became infectious. He approached it all with curiosity and confidence. This is his best trait. The most difficult one to control is his scavenging and I hope his successor is not as intense in this category.
He is a great swimmer, doesn’t play fetch, drools profusely waiting for his meals and tolerates our cats with quiet dignity. He loves learning new tricks and learned to roll over, spin and balance a treat on his nose.
Amusing quirks:
The most significant saves while working were clearing us from a dangling wire hanging from the ceiling in an office building and a utility wire laying on a sidewalk. Avoiding e-scooters more than once while crossing a street. Plus numerous traffic checks on the block leading to my former office building .
Ann and Bailey on bench: Both looking straight on
Doggone Good
By Ann Chiappetta
Good dog
Guide dog
Love what you do
Cool dog
Goofy boy
So much respect for you
Yellow dog
Poochie-poo
with a big brown nose
Steps out,
Nostrils flared
Catching
Air-scented code.
Guide dog
Good dog
There’s so much we do
In you
There is acceptance
loyalty
My moods don’t have you fooled
Big dog
Bigger heart
Grateful to be a pair
Stepping out
I want to shout
I trust in your care.
Good Dog
Guide dog
My heart is full
Love you
To the moon and back.
Glad to be matched with you.
As with the retirement of my first dog, Verona, I am posting my call for a new canine partner. My needs have changed over the past ten years yet the drive to be independent has become stronger as I age. I am cognizant the next dog will most likely be the last guide dog for me. Here’s to the next potential partnership and adventure.
Situation Wanted
A sixty-something white female who just happens to be blind is seeking a highly motivated working dog. If you are a Labrador retriever and are willing to work with me, please read the job requirements. Only serious applicants need apply.
Males preferred but will consider a female if all other character and personality traits are met.
If you have read these requirements and feel that you have the right combination of breed, personality, manners, strength, adaptability, affection, drive, and possess intelligent disobedience skills, and wish to work with a human who will trust and love you the best she can, please send your contact information to Ann Chiappetta, Care of: Guiding Eyes for the Blind 611 Granite springs Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
| Filed under blindness blogging Guide dogs pets and people
For National Dog Day 2023
Dog Two
By Ann Chiappetta
He is a sweet yellow fellow
Toasted darker
On ears and tail tip
Gives a nibble and a lick
Golden eyes Better than cash
He comes with a snow nose And personality to match
He’s tall and silly
Works, wags, and licks
So far no one’s gotten ticked
When he sneaks a kiss.
Guiding me around
Alert and looking for sights and scents
On the bus and on the street
Freedom with four feet.
Dedicated to Guiding Eyes Bailey
