I make lists on my phone – Notes from Brené Brown’s books, My personal shame inventory, Favourite TV shows, Who I consider myself to be, My top 50 books, What I want for my life, Ideas for poems about COVID-19, Affirmations, Qualities had by the guy of my dreams, Men I can remember sleeping with, What’s important to me, Recipes, quotes, Psychic medium readings, Parks to visit for nature walks, Friends who awoke, Christmas card recipients, How to control emotions before a full moon, People in my life I value and miss, Ideas for courses, Films by Jim Jarmusch, and My bucket list. I make lists on my phone— That’s all you need to know.
Learn more about my first book of poetry, Eden Refugee, here. If you know anyone who would enjoy it, please share.
This seeker is an empath; a truth seeker, always striving for more knowledge and understanding of a world she’s been at war with— in her mind—more lately than ever before; searching for something that will give her faith in God, hope for the future, relief from grief. At 57 years of age, she finally realizes that the truth has always been within. All she needed to do was listen closely and start over again. Become the observer, step outside of external dramas, go inside her heart, become neutral and let her higher self show her the right moment to stop fighting, and to help others. The secret is there is no absolute truth; everything in the universe is permitted as part of its evolution. When we become the observer, we enter the eye of the storm, connect with our hearts, and therein we find love and harmony. There is well-being in our shadow selves, so no need to ignore as the body operates in tandem with the subconscious mind. There is peace in silence, and when the noise of humanity invades the quiet, nature and sound healing help seal the cracks. Don’t take life too seriously; enjoy the journey, dream big, love yourself, follow your interests, and LET GO of anything else that doesn’t resonate. You are all that and a bag of chips— you are the observer, the great I AM.
Circle of Angels in Dante’s Paradise by Gustave Dore
Do you or someone you know feel as if you’re getting too close to heaven? Do you feel that life is unbearable on this crazy blue planet and that you don’t know how much longer you can live here? I have felt that way too, I assure you.
Acutely aware that an innumerable amount of people has lost someone they love during this pandemic, from either the virus, because they couldn’t get the medical care they needed, or because they took their own life, I am thinking of you today and wanted to share a poem that I wrote years ago for a friend of mine who took his life. The poem was inspired by the song “Too Close to Heaven” by The Waterboys which you can hear in the stunningly beautiful and powerful video below, posted by deep46blue on YouTube.
If you know of someone who is struggling with their mental health right now, please reach out to The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for advice on how you can help them. Their toll-free number is 1-800-463-2338.
TOO CLOSE TO HEAVEN
by Christine Bode
You are the brother I never had Seeing your pain made me so sad Grateful for every moment we spent Knowing everything that I said I meant
All the love All the laughter Every joy Every game
You’re too close to heaven to worry about shame
I miss you more than you’ll ever know Every road travelled has led us here If I had my way I would go before I’ll try my best not to need you near
All the raging All the mud Every river Every flood
You’re too close to heaven to worry about blood
Will you ask God when you see him If he will help me bear your loss Tell him I am pissed off that he didn’t pick some other sod
All the stress All the fright Every vow Every tear
You’re too close to heaven to worry about fear
I’ll ask God when he’s listening to take care of your soul I’ll ask him for understanding in this forbidding vicious world
All the past All the future Every hope Every strife
Book Review Title: Flirting with FiftyAuthor: Jane PorterPublisher: BerkleyReleased: May 24, 2022Pages: 336ISBN: 978-0593438381Stars: 4.5 It has been a while since I have read a Berkeley title by New York Times Bestselling Author Jane Porter, and I am thrilled that she has this new book, Flirting with Fifty, out now, with a follow-up called FlirtingContinue reading “BOOK REVIEW: Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter”
Book Review Title: Go Tell the Bees That I Am GoneAuthor: Diana GabaldonImprint: Doubleday CanadaReleased: November 23, 2021Pages: 928ISBN-13: 978-0385685542Stars: 3.5 Like every other die-hard fan of the Outlander series and Diana Gabaldon’s writing, I anxiously anticipated this ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, and man, we waited a long time for it. In theContinue reading “BOOK REVIEW: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon”
Book Review Title: The Last of the Atalanteans (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 2)Author: P.L. StuartPublisher: FriesenPressReleased: March 31, 2022Pages: 534ASIN: B08VS15WTRBook Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4.0 Book Two in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, The Last of the Atalanteans by fantasy fiction master, P.L. Stuart, opens with Othrun, Thurol, and Glathan: three Atalanteans in disguise as Lynchun soldiersContinue reading “BOOK REVIEW: The Last of the Atalanteans (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 2) by P. L. Stuart”
Book Review Title: Conquering the Divide: The Legend of BarsiconAuthor: Angela SteverImprint: Tellwell TalentReleased: October 30, 2021Pages: 284ISBN-13: 978-0228863120Stars: 4.0 Conquering the Divide: The Legend of Barsicon is new, young adult, LGBTQ-friendly fantasy/dystopian science-fiction for the 21st century by well-known Kingston, Ontario radio host Angela Stever. The book’s hero, Seneca Ellis-Brant, is a girl just turning 16 years old,Continue reading “BOOK REVIEW: Conquering the Divide: The Legend of Barsicon by Angela Stever”
Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-pandemic Gig Economy Offers a First-Rate Fail-Proof Career Strategy Book Review Title: Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-Pandemic Gig EconomyAuthor: M. Michelle NadonImprint: FriesenPressReleased: July 6, 2021Pages: 252ISBN-13: 978-1039126480Stars: 5.00 Recently, a dear friend and colleague, public and media relations specialist Irene Carroll, invitedContinue reading “Careers AF! (2nd Edition): New Rules, New Tools for the Post-pandemic Gig Economy Offers a First-Rate Fail-Proof Career Strategy”
ALBUM REVIEW Title: Chocolate CakeArtist: ZOOM with Shawn KellermanLabel: Mouhaha MusicReleased: 2021Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4.5 In 2019, when the world was a different place, I attended a Kingston Blues Society show at the RCHA Club in which Shawn Kellerman played with Jerome Godboo and his band. I had seen Godboo a few times and had heard of Kellerman butContinue reading “Chocolate Cake by ZOOM with Shawn Kellerman Is Life-Affirming Party Blues”
“Voyageur In Song is something truly special…the album is a unique and uplifting, almost spiritual listening experience…that rare thing, a genuinely inspiring album.” ~ R’N R Magazine “Possibly the most Canadian album on Canada’s most historic instrument.” ~ Toronto Star “FIRE & ICE” Video AVAILABLE NOW at Youtube.com/DavidLeaskMusic Toronto, ON – Dec. 2, 2021 –Continue reading “David Leask Announces “FIRE & ICE” Video Release from CFMA-Nominated album, Voyageur in Song”
First-Year Success of Bodacious Copy Happy December! Who is ready for a fresh perspective and positive game plan for 2022? I am. First, join me in celebrating the first-year success of Bodacious Copy! Gratitude to my clients, colleagues, and friends for their continuing trust and support. You helped me stay afloat and inspired me duringContinue reading “First-Year Success of Bodacious Copy”
Book Review Title: God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALLAuthor: Shane ScottImprint: Self-publishedReleased: February 6, 2021Pages: 499ISBN-13: 978-1735518213Stars: 3.5 Gods, Devils, Titans, Dragons, Angels, Demons, Bool (a.k.a. Werewolves), Vampires, and Mortals all inhabit the fantastical worlds created by gifted author Shane Scott in his debut novel, God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALL. At the beginning of each chapter,Continue reading “Book Review: God of Nothing: Book #1 The ALL by Shane Scott, a Writer to be Reckoned With”
New weekly livestream kicks off Friday with new video/single! Sultans of String are excited to announce… BACKSTAGE! Their new online Interview & Music series features guests from their Refuge and Sanctuary albums. Join Sultans of String each Friday at Noon EST on Facebook as they dive into the lives and the music of these fascinating artists,Continue reading “Sultans of String Launch New Weekly Online Interview & Music Series: BACKSTAGE”
There is a saying that sometimes you need to get your feet wet before you jump in the water. Many writers who want to publish a book, take their first step by writing one chapter in a compilation of stories called an anthology. What is an Anthology?An anthology book is a collection of short fiction, poetryContinue reading “4 Benefits of Being Part of an Anthology”
I’m honoured to be the first person to review Finny McConnell’s (The Mahones) debut solo album, The Dark Streets of Love!
After 30 glorious years of leading worldwide, renowned Celtic punk rockers, The Mahones—who have shared stages and toured with the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Shane MacGowan (The Pogues), Stiff Little Fingers, Billy Bragg, The Buzzcocks, Sinead O’Connor, and The Damned to name a few—Finny McConnell decided that it was time to make an album for himself as he winds down and adjusts to his “Van Morrison years”, although I’m sure he has enough piss and vinegar left in him that he will not go quietly or gently into the night.
Fantasy Book Review Title: A Drowned Kingdom (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 1)Author: P.L. StuartPublisher: FriesenPressReleased: February 2, 2021Pages: 404ASIN: B08VS15WTRBook Reviewer: Christine BodeStars: 4 Othrun, son of King Atalan the Falcon, the Second Prince, and estranged half-brother to Erthal, the First Prince (sons of the pear-shaped island kingdom of Atalantyx), narrates this epic taleContinue reading “Fantasy Book Review and Author Interview: A Drowned Kingdom (The Drowned Kingdom Saga Book 1) by P.L. Stuart”
“PREDATOR” by Chris Sunfield OUT NOW! 12 February 2020 (TORONTO) – Chris Sunfield’s second single “Predator” is an abrupt about-face following his sunshine pop debut “The Little Things”. Predator is a provocative poison pen letter to romantic predators, exposing their psychopathic and Machiavellian ways. The lyrics, with their reptilian metaphors, serve to validate anyone who’sContinue reading “Chris Sunfield’s Second Single “Predator” is an Abrupt About-Face Following His Sunshine Pop Debut!”
The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One The synopsis for The Name of the Wind on Amazon reads: “The riveting first-person narrative of a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in aContinue reading “The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss”
The Matrix by Christine Bode Everett,in the movie Paterson says, after pulling a fake gun on everyone in the bar, “Without love, what reason is there for anything?”I don’t know, Everett… nothing, not a fucking thing that matters anyway.Without love, every day is the same damn pandemic day.Wake up, walk the dog, make coffee, drink coffee, read a book,do housework, workContinue reading ““The Matrix” a Poem by Christine Bode”
Bold Men Who Have Found Victory in Telling Their Most Personal Stories Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. ~ Muhammad Ali Atlanta, Ga. – Dec. 30, 2020 — New anthology And Still Champion: The Reality of What 7 Men Endured features the most revealing, provocative and personal stories of seven Black menContinue reading “New Book, And Still Champion, Introduces the World to a Group of Undisputed Champions”
Atlanta, Ga. – Dec. 18, 2020 — Thirteen women reveal the hidden stories behind their smiles in a new anthology called, Beyond the Smile, released on Thanksgiving Day 2020 with a virtual launch event that took place on Cyber Monday, November 30th. Beyond the Smile contains 13 powerful stories of African American women who have beaten the odds and haveContinue reading “New Book Captures the Courageous Untold Stories of 13 Women Who Have Triumphed Over Adversity”
Discover the Philosophical, Fantastical Fiction of Australian Writer Boris Glikman, and a Sneak Peek of His Upcoming Coffee Table Book, Anti-Labyrinths, with Art by Michael Cheval Over the years, I have published many of Australian author, Boris Glikman‘s short stories on my blog, because I’m a fan of his work. He is currently working onContinue reading “Anti-Labyrinths by Boris Glikman and Michael Cheval”
Bodacious Copy 