Tag: love

My Journey: From Writing to Poetry

What are you good at?

This is how it all started ..

Writing

When I was in elementary school, there was a contest in the class for our grade to write a short story and make it into a book. I think I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I can’t exactly remember but I do remember that I didn’t not win anything. The teacher told us to go to the library and to find a book to base our story on and to make our own story. I don’t know what book I chose but it must not have been a very good book. The story I wrote was about a boy who didn’t have any friends and couldn’t find anyone to play with him. I wish I had that book I wrote now. I can remember one of the drawing and all it was – was a stick figure and a hill of dirt. I didn’t have much of an imagination back then. And I don’t know why I would chose a male over a female. I can’t remember the whole story but it was just basically about a boy who had no friends. Now the girl who did win in our class and in our grade had a story about a dragon. A fantasy story about a dragon is all I can remember. I felt so bad about not making a better story. Back then, I didn’t know that I could write.

Reading

Through out middle school I would read the books by Francine Pascal called Sweet Valley Twins or Sweet Valley High. The main characters were Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. There were some other ones geared for pre-teen girls but it was mostly those type of books. It wasn’t until around my 8th grade year I got into Stephen King. I had to have all the books. Looking back – I wish I hadn’t. Those ghost stories did a lot of damage to not only my soul but my real life. Those books can put things into your imagination that shouldn’t be there. And since I believe in Karma, I think those spooky stories can bring things into your life that you don’t need. You have to know that I didn’t grow up in a religious household. We didn’t go to church every Sunday. We didn’t do a lot of things and now that I am older, I am wishing I had.

Poetry

So how does all my life experience lead to poetry? Well, I’m not really sure. I have so much to share, so much to tell, and I really think it started last year – before Suno. When we would lay down to go to bed, I would hear music. I would ask my husband if he heard music and he always said no. It was practically every night. I didn’t hear voices singing, at least not loud but when I discovered Suno, the music stopped and I started hearing verses. I would wake up in the middle of the night and ask my husband if he said something and the answer was always a resounding no. So now I will pick up my phone and put it into the notes app on my phone or into ChatGPT to remember for me. Those lyrics would be different every night. I will sometimes hear a song on the radio and think I can hear a different song with that same style of music. I found I could do parody’s as as long as I mention that in the description, it is legal. I still have some verses or just one line sentences that need songs to go with them but nothing has hit me yet on what to do with them. Well, thanks for reading and I hope that if there is anyone else out there who can relate, you would let me know. Surely to goodness I can’t be the only one. Or am I?

A Tribute to My Mother’s Song: Darlin’, Come to Me Tonight

This song is based on a song my mother wrote a long time ago. I modified the lyrics and I have the voice of Mr. Crazy Rummagesale Man singing the song. I hope you like it. The original lyrics are below.

Darlin’, Come to me Tonight

~ written by Dorothy Johnson
Darlin' come to me tonight, it'll be alright. 
I want you and love you so much, 
Come here and I'll teach you the facts of life, 
And I want you to hold me this way.
  
Darlin, when I kiss you, it feels so right. 
Your embrace is all that i Need 
And when you surrender your love to me 
All i want is your truth and honesty.
 
Darlin' come to me tonight, it'll be alright, 
I want you and love you so much. 
Come here and I'll teach you the facts of life, 
And I want you to hold me this way. 

Darlin, when we go out, on the town, 
Everyone knows you are with me. 
Because when you hold on, 
to my arm, you look at me lovingly.
 
Darlin come to me tonight, it'll be alright. 
I want you and love you so much. 
Come here and I'll teach you the facts of life, 
And I want you to hold me this way.

Stories Worth the Dust: Embracing Life’s Hidden Gems

These are stories from the back roads—dusted with time, packed with truth. I write songs, poems, and pieces of life that might’ve been tossed aside, but never forgotten. I’m the Yard Sale Queen, and every word I share is something I found worth saving.

My husband and I have adopted colorful persona’s: Yard Sale Queen and Mr. Crazy Rummage Sale Man. I see the beauty in things that others miss. I find meaning in the ordinary, joy in the trash, and worth in the forgotten. That similar spirit is reflected in “Stories Worth the Dust.”

Dust is time, not just dirt. It’s memories. It’s what decides on something timeless but treasured. My poetry, songs, and stories are all based on real life—the kind that doesn’t always sparkle but is always significant. “Even the dusty things deserve to be heard.” That has a lot of power.

It combines playfulness and seriousness.

Without coming across as a gimmick, this tagline pays homage to my rustic style. It has a great deal of heart and a hint of mystery (“what does that mean?“). In addition to being emotional, a little scrappy, and honoring my Southern heritage, it also sounds intelligent and purposeful. I take my stories seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously. It balances whimsy with weight in a delicate way. That’s precisely the tone I want to achieve.

It Honors Everyday Life

Everyday things like yard sales, family stories, highway encounters, and music that sounds like my hometown can all be poetic. “Stories Worth the Dust” suggests that I’ve seen, heard, and lived, and now I’m sharing the truth. Big-city polish is not what I’m after. I’m not attempting to be pretentious. I’m attempting to be honest. Stories that grab the reader’s attention are what I write. That originates from actual people, genuine porches, and real kitchens. There is dust in that world. And those old stories have fresh life because I’ve decided to bring them to the public’s attention.

It Builds a Brand That’s Cohesive

Mr. Crazy Rummagesale Man, my husband’s name, conjures up images of laughter, vigor, and possibly even mayhem. My Yard Sale Queen gives the rust a touch of majesty. I’ve already created a universe centered on storytelling, charm, and thrift. That’s the world that this tagline belongs in. It gives the impression that my writing is a gem hidden in the bins, just waiting to be discovered, much like the rummaging. It establishes an identity if I use this slogan on my website, book cover, blog header, and social media biographies. One that is kind, sage, humorous, and proud of its origins.

My Final Thought

I don’t need a big city or a big platform to write meaningful stories. To express what needs to be spoken, I need a heart, a voice, and the courage. I possess all three. I can fly the flag “Stories Worth the Dust,” which states that These words may be from the back roads, but they’re worth reading.

I believe this song symbolizes my life.

Facing My Fears: Insights from Nightmares

Daily writing prompt
What fears have you overcome and how?
View all responses

Who’s Driving My Life? A Dream of Loss, Love, and Learning to Let Go

My fears come from my dreams. My dreams show me my fears. I have often had reoccurring nightmares. It may seem ridiculous but I really have to let these dreams get out of my subconscious in order to move on in life. I hope you will watch this first video to hear the whole dream and watch the second video to hear Chat GPT’s complete interpretation. The song is totally based on this dream. My mother sitting besides me in the car is something we used to do together. She passed away in 2014 but I will never forget her.

If you like this type of content, wouldn’t you please give me a comment below or a comment on my YouTube channel? Like and subscribe for more. Thanks.

Chase the Dream ~ Lyrics by Lisa Sanders

In the early morning light, I chase the dawn...
Time slips through my hands - it's already gone.

I thought I had peace, everything in its place,
But trouble walks in with a stranger’s face.
My head said no, but I let her inside,
Some things you don’t plan, they just arrive.

In the early morning light, I chase the dawn,
Time slips through my hands – it’s already gone.
It feels like someone else has been steering my life,
Spirit in the seat, no map in sight.

I pushed back hard, didn’t want what she left,
Like a child kicking fate, feeling half-bereft.
I asked her name, but she vanished like smoke,
Left me with questions and no words she spoke

But, of course, I should have known —
This hand-me-down life, not fully my own.
You don’t get to choose what fate drops at your door,
You just hold it close or let it fall to the floor.

Now the floorboards hum with memories deep,
Crumbs of the past, I can't help but keep.
Ready to start, but silence replies —
Still haunted by roads I never did drive.

In the early morning light, I chase the dawn,
Time slips through my hands – it’s already gone.
It feels like someone else has been steering my life,
Spirit in the seat, no map in sight.

In the early morning light, I chase the dawn,
Time slips through my hands — it's already gone.
Feels like someone else, steering my way, 
A spirit guide beside me, still shaping my life.

From Auctions to Love: The Magic of My Song ‘Mesmerized’

How a Furby and a Lava Lamp Got Me Mesmerized and Hypnotized: The Story Behind My Song. Watch and listen to the video below.

Listen to this blog here.

When I entered that auction house, my only goal was to find a butter dish. But love? It was destined to hit me harder than a yard sale clearance bin, honey.

With a generous helping of snark, this song, “Mesmerized,” is a little slice of my life. It revolves around the instant I laid eyes on the Ringman. A neon lava lamp in one hand, an irresistible smile, a farmer’s hat, and an eerie Furby in the other. And then, suddenly, my heart was beating 90 miles a minute.

Verse 1: That Furby, the one who “wakes up cussin’ at half past three,” it’s true. That toy is still in a package that says, “DO NOT OPEN AFTER DARK.” And for that handsome cowboy, he was charismatic. He had swagger. It’s that wink-and-grin chemistry that makes your knees go mushy.

Verse 2: I swear that lava lamp had a magic to it. My heart was racing at a million miles a minute, and I could have fallen apart at any minute. I was mesmerized by the sight of the handsome cowboy. When he said the lava lamp was “guaranteed to light up your life,” I realized it would be more than my heart that got ignited. Baby, sparks flew everywhere!

And the chorus? This is where the Crazy Ringman Dance comes in. He had motions that had me “mes-mer-ized,” and grooves that left me “hip-no-tized” (yes, that spelling is intentional because AI cannot pronounce “hypnotized” to save its digital life).

This song is funky, confident, and full of country-fair flirtation. It’s for every woman who’s ever gone out looking for something ordinary and stumbled into something unforgettable.

Whether you’ve met your match at an auction, a yard sale, or a Walmart parking lot—this one’s for you. 💕

Stay sassy,
– The Yard Sale Queen

Breaking Free from Judgment: A Heartfelt Perspective

Daily writing prompt
What does freedom mean to you?
View all responses

I don’t think anyone likes to be judged, especially by someone who doesn’t know you. Everybody is different. Even twins are different. Everyone is special, and I don’t believe we should judge another person based on anything.

I find that I have to catch myself being judgmental of others, and I put myself in place. The good LORD up above didn’t put us on Earth to judge each other. Only HE can judge us and I feel with all my heart that – that is what HE will do. It will be fair and personal for each person.

I love to share my songs on this platform and one song I wrote that most resonates with me is a song called “Fear In Me”. I hope you will listen to the lyrics and tell me if you can relate. It now has 104 views on my YouTube channel, so it must resonate with people. Won’t you please listen? I will put the lyrics below if you would rather read it.

I build dreams from paper and ink
Then tear them down before I blink
Set my heart on something new
But second-guess what I should do

I chase stars just to lose my way
Speak my truth, then hide away
Climb the hills, then doubt the view
Lock the door and lose the key too

Clip my wings before I soar
Knock on hope, then close the door
Chase a dream, then pull away
Fighting battles I create

I'm the thief who hides my light
Hold myself back from taking flight
I'm the ghost of what could be
Caught inside the fear in me

I turn silver into dust
Question those I want to trust
Paint my world in shades of gray
Then wonder why the colors fade

I'm the thief who hides my light
Hold myself back from taking flight
I'm the ghost of what could be
Caught inside the fear in me

I stand at the edge, but don’t take the leap
Sing myself to sleep in secrets I keep
But maybe one day, I’ll break the chain
And step outside into the rain

I stand at the edge, but don’t take the leap
Sing myself to sleep in secrets I keep
But maybe one day, I’ll break the chain
And step outside into the rain

What I’ll Do When I Retire: A Personal Journey

Well, I am not retired YET, but in 3 years I can retire from my 9 to 5. So I wanted to share how I plan on spending my days when I don’t have that daily grind.

For 25 years now I have been working, planning, and dreaming of retirement. And when it finally begins—and I’m determined to enjoy every minute of it. No more early meetings, no more rushed lunches, no more weekends lost to work stress. Every day will be mine to shape, and I carved out a routine that will balance movement, creativity, and a little hustle. Here’s how I plan on spending that new chapter of life.

Mornings on the Southwest Trail

Each day will start with something that clears my head and gets my body moving: a ride down the Southwest Trail. If you haven’t seen my review videos of it and what the trail is all about then see the video below. It will the perfect way to begin—quiet, scenic, and just challenging enough to remind me I’m alive and still kicking. The fresh air, the rhythm of the wheels on the pavement, and the peace of an early morning ride will be my favorite kind of meditation. It will set the tone for the rest of the day: focused, steady, and open to whatever comes. As time allows, I will make more videos where I show you the trail.

Writing My Novel

After my ride, it’ll be time to chase a different kind of dream. I will finally have time to write the novel that’s been living in my head for years. No more saying “someday.” I will brew some coffee, sit down at my desk, and dive into the world I’m creating. Some days I know the words will flow easily; other days they won’t. But I’m going to show up anyway. There’s something deeply satisfying about building a story one page at a time. It’s work—but it’ll be the kind I love. Here is a video I did in April 2024 that has only gotten 18 views on Youtube.

A Quick Scroll Through Social Media and playing Catch-Up

Mid-morning, I’ll take a break and catch up on the world. I check my social media—not obsessively, but just enough to stay connected. It’ll fun to see what friends are up to, write a blogpost her on my wordpress site for a quick update, and maybe post a photo from the trail or a snapshot of my writing nook. I’ll try not to let it take over my day, but it’ll be a nice way to stay plugged in.

Treasure Hunting for My Flea Market Booth

One of my more expected retirement joys will be hunting for things to resell at a flea market booth. I don’t know where that will be yet, whether it will be an actual location or online, but I will hit thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales with a sharp eye and a bit of intuition. It’s part scavenger hunt, part business. I love the thrill of finding something unique and giving it new life. Plus, it keeps a little money flowing—and gives me a reason to dig through old boxes and bargain with strangers or make new friends.

Cooking, Cleaning, and Enjoying the Simple Stuff

The evenings will be more relaxed. I plan on spending time in the kitchen, trying out recipes I never had time for before. Some days it might just be a sandwich and soup; other days, I go all out. I will also make time to clean up, keep the house in shape, and appreciate the slower pace. It will feel good to take care of my space and myself without rushing.

Retirement doesn’t mean doing nothing. For me, it will mean doing more of what I love—on my own terms (without a boss).

If you heard this song, would you want to read the story and to hear the rest of it?

Daily writing prompt
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.
View all responses
LAVA BENEATH OUR BONES

I saw him ride through whispering trees,
A ghost in velvet, a prince in dreams.
The wind held still, the forest sighed,
And something deep in me came alive.
He didn't speak, he looked, then rode—
But left my soul with fire untold.

When he rode away, I felt the lava stir insi

The ball was bathed in candlelight,
I danced in mask, lost in the night.
His hand found mine, our rhythm slow,
He saw my mask, not what I know.
He whispered dreams with every spin,
Unknowing who danced close to him.

But in his arms, my fire grew - he felt it too, he never knew.

But oh, we had to fight the flame,
Bound by bloodlines, not by name.
He, a prince of ancient stone,
I, a girl the world disowned.
We burned beneath forbidden skies,
But love won’t bow to royal ties.