Author: Dawn Renee Miller

Lifelong writer of boring things like specs and reqs ready to spread her wings with some creativity.
writing

Finding Dawn – Part 1

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Bulging red eyes stare at her. Voices continue shouting from beyond the pane, hurling insults meant to damage. She pulls at her skin, hugging her legs to her, sitting on the cold tile floor. She closes her eyes, tired from the endless noise, but it doesn’t stop.

An arm reaches through the pane and pulls her through. She’s surrounded by the horrid faces and the angry voices. They tear away at her as she fights through them. The fight is arduous. Each voice screams louder. Their arms pull at her and push her. One trips her and starts to drag her through mud. She pulls out her sword, her only means of protection. She never learned how to use it, but it is as sharp as any fine instrument should be.

She starts hacking away at the grabbing hands of these beings, finds her footing, and runs through the fog ahead of her. She knows she’s being chased, so she keeps moving. She finds herself running along a wooded path, deep inside a forest. She trips over a vine and begins to fall down a ravine, losing consciousness.

When she regains her senses, she realizes she’s not home anymore, nor in the forest. She’s in a small cabin in the woods. She’s covered with a handmade quilt and her head is resting on a soft down pillow on a sofa in front of a fireplace with a crackling fire. She breathes in the calm for a moment; this feels like a good dream. Then she hears a creak from the pine floor.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just checking on you,” the voice behind her greets her. An older man, probably in his late 80s, steps into the light enough for her to see. His kind smile and dark eyes warm up the room. His salt and peppered hair is short. “You like hot tea now, right?” He hands her a tea as she sits up and then he pulls over a rocking chair to take a seat by the fire.

She looks at him puzzled.

“You used to like diet Coke, then Sprite, and iced tea pretty much anytime. I should know, you also used to drink water directly from the bottle we kept in the fridge like me. Man, your mom really didn’t like that!”

She smiles. Although his face looks different, she recognizes him. It was comforting. She sips her tea and looks around. She sees familiar items around the room, the quilt on her was sewn by her grandmother, a picture of her hangs on the wall from high school graduation. The pillow was even her down pillow from her childhood bedroom.

She looks at him questioningly and asks, “Is this a dream?”

He rubs his hands on his legs then folds his hands together. “No, not exactly. You hide here when things get to you too much. It looks different at different times. We’ve been at the beach most of the time. Once, it was so dark though, we couldn’t even see where we were. Oh, that was a hard one.” He looked around. “I like being here, however. But honestly, you shouldn’t stay here too long.”

She looked down into her cup of tea. “I know. I just don’t know what to do. They’re back.” A tear welled up in her eye and rolled down her cheek.

He reached over and patted her leg. “I know. I found you as they were coming and brought you here. Rest up, you will need your strength to get through this, but you don’t need to leave right away.” With that, he stood up. “I’ll make you something to eat. Hamburgers?”

She smiled and nodded yes.

0
writing

There’s Just Something about Classic Movies

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

This afternoon, we sat down to enjoy tea and scones and watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I enjoy watching Audrey Hepburn’s movies. A few weeks ago we watched My Fair Lady. I’ve seen both of these a few times throughout my life. Even though the story lines may not fully hold up in the modern world, they are still entertaining.

Tiffany’s also stars George Peppard, which I had forgotten he was the main actor was over the years. My memories flash back to being a teen watching him on A-Team in the 80s when he was older and grey – “I love it when a plan comes together.” Can’t help but quote that line!

I love the underlying story in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I appreciate the aspect of growth that Paul goes through, as well as Holly’s eye opening at the end. I suspect parts of the story were a little eyebrow raising back in 1961 when it first came out, but that actually makes it feel more current than it is.

It is interesting how you pick up new details when you see a movie for the first time after several years.

Any recommendations of other classic movies?

0
writing

Sweet as Maple

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

A sturdy maple stood tall in an open field. The leaves of the tree turned in the fall, leaving a cornucopia of color under its mighty branches, while in the spring, the leaves would come back bright green and build back in the shade for the summer months.

Picnickers and hikers often would lay out their blankets and pause for a break under this beautiful tree, hoping for relief from the sun. The maple would shade its visitors happily. The hikers claim renewed strength for their journey after a short respite.

Couples swore their love to each other under this tree. If the tree sensed their union, it would drop a leaf on the happy couple, so the folklore goes. This was a sign of the sweet maple feeling their love.

Young girls would visit this tree in the fall, sitting against its trunk, wishing for a glimpse of their future. It was another tale of the maple tree’s mysterious powers. Girls would take a leaf they saw fall and visit the pond which stood nearby. They’d drop that leaf into the pond and the face of their true love would be reflected to them. Many a girl would only see themselves, but occasionally, one lucky one would see someone else’s face staring back.

One night, someone tapped the tree and placed a bucket below to capture the sweet maple sap. No one knew who tapped it, but within a year thereafter, many newborns were delivered to couples in the nearby town. It was rumored a local doctor mixed a fertility concoction for these couples which the men drank; many grew to believe it was maple syrup from this very tree.

The tree stood tall for over a hundred years. However, over the years, the great maple started to age. When it finally fell, the community mourned over the loss of its special tree. Small trinkets were carved from the wood and passed down to future generations.

Recently a new sapling emerged in its original place. Perhaps sweet magic will soon return.

0
writing

Coastal Calamity – Part Eight

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Riku and Morgen discussed their strategy for addressing the pollution issues impacting the oceans. “Morgen, the Terran’s are causing this. We didn’t have this issue before they settled on our world.”

Morgen pondered the issue in her mind and looked around, “Riku, let’s go for a walk. Let’s have Diana and Jon join us, but have them keep their distance. I need to understand Terrans better.” Morgen needed to observe how they live, she was an analytical creature.

Soon, she and the rest of the group found themselves on the walking path outside the central building. Aurora was bustling with activity. Terrans walked back and forth briskly, some pausing to look into windows, others sitting at outside cafes with others.

As they walked, children holding hands danced and skipped behind their parents. The terrans showed no fear in the city as they moved about. Others carried packages and bags, filled with wares, clothes, and goods.

Morgen leaned over to Riku. “Why do they need all this stuff? And, it seems they don’t actually grow or fish for their own food. They buy it from someone else.”

Riku shook his head. “I’m not sure, but is this what is causing our problems back home?”

Morgen pondered a moment. “Not sure. Let’s keep walking.”

A pungent smell filled the air. Morgen and Riku looked at each other with revolted faces. What is that? They turned down a small pathway behind the nearest cafe. A bin overflowed with spoiled foods and other waste. Morgen looked over the bin, saddened. She’d never seen quite a mess before.

Together they turned around and walked out of the area. They came to a wider path, filled with a variety of vehicles, able to move many terrans at the same time. Smoke billows out of one of them, but the others run clean. Morgen makes a mental note. “Riku, do you think they may already know they have a problem?”

He looked over the vehicles. “Maybe we can sit down with Lynnia and talk to her alone, go over what we see before we approach Edward with our concerns.”

Morgen wasn’t thrilled about getting with Lynnia alone, but Riku had a point. She nodded in the affirmative. “I think we may need to show Lynnia the problem as well. Do we have any ideas how the pollution is moving from here to our home?

Riku shook his head no. “Another mystery to work out. I doubt just Aurora is the source of the problem. There has to be something more than what we see here.”

The team headed back. Jon and Diana caught up to Riku and Lynnia.

Riku looked at them. “Did you all see anything from your perspectives?”

Diana let out a huff. “I just don’t understand terrans at all. They don’t really work to gather their own food, they just buy everything and what they buy is wrapped up and packaged. There is just so much waste. Even their foods are wrapped up. It’s just so, well, odd.”

The team exchanged knowing glances. “Very well. Let’s put our heads together back in our suite. I don’t want to draw too much attention to ourselves.” Riku led the team back to the city center with plans to work up their strategy.

0
poetry, writing

The Old Man in the Tree

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

He slumbers all day, deep inside his tree.

As the sun sets, he opens his eyes to watch as people stroll by.

Most do not see him, and this makes him sad.

How can you just walk by without saying “Hi!” he wonders to himself.

But innocent children and creative minds will stop and smile.

When they do, he reveals himself in a most beautiful way.

A shudder of leaves and a joyful smile grows across his face, for he knows he is appreciated.

0
writing

Take a Hike – Part Three

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Saturday had a chilly start. Bundled in a fleece jacket and warm lycra pants, she hunted down her camera in the predawn light. Slowly, the dark skies gave way to the distant glow of the sun.

She donned her sandals and stepped out of the tent. The field behind her was filled with white blossoms which had bloomed overnight. Hundreds upon hundreds of these flowers showed off their beauty in the early morning hours.

She wandered aside the field then over to the water for some sunrise photos over Florida Bay. The sun slowly peaked out through distance clouds as it rose above the keys out towards the east.

She headed back to the tent and was greeted with a hot tea, freshly brewed. Her partner had his coffee in hand. They took a seat on their tent’s porch and enjoyed the view of the water.

The temperature remained in the mid 70s during the day, perfect for a hike on the Snake Bight Trail. The trail was straight and long. It went from heavy shade to shady, to almost no shade in the final third of the trail.

Birds chirped, but stayed well hidden in the trees. No other wildlife was seen during their hike. Bromeliads and orchids dotted the tree limbs. Some had spiked flowers of oranges and reds, some even were purple.

As the trail approached its end, the trees turned grey and no leaves were to be found. They found themselves in a driftwood forest, barren except for the occasional ibis hiding in the tree. A small boardwalk led them over the stream which the trail had followed, allowing them to see out over Snake Bight. A bight is a small inward curve of the coastline.

Herons, egrets, and ibis made their rounds in the distance, fishing for their food. They stopped for a few minutes to get some snacks and water, then enjoyed the scenery before making the trek back inland.

The sun and exercise had zapped most of her energy. When they arrived back to the tent, she found her way to the bed, enjoying the cool breeze rushing through the tent. Quickly, she drifted off to a well-earned nap.

0
writing

Take a Hike – Part Two

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

The drive to the Everglades seemed to be never ending. The spine of Florida is long and covered with citrus groves, ranches, and small to medium sized towns filled with the standard fast food joints.

Finally, the road led her and her travel mate to the entrance of the Everglades National Park. The air seemed to change the moment she passed through the gates. Trees, open spaces, grass covered lands surrounded her. A wave of calm settled in.

The eco-tents at Flamingo Campgrounds are 34 miles from the gate. After a leisurely drive, they checked in and were assigned Tent 14. She made her way down the raised boardwalk with her traveling partner. The tent faced directly south overlooking Florida Bay. A field of grasses and other low growth bordered the little tent city.

To the east and the west, campers and backpackers were also set up. It wasn’t overly crowded even though it was prime spring break season.

They settled into the tent for the evening. As night fell, the temperature dropped to a mere 58 degrees, cold to a Florida girl. She found her fleece jacket and bundled up, adding a blanket to the bed as they headed to bed.

The winds picked up and the tent’s rain fly shuddered and slapped against the metal structure. Certainly, there were clouds in the sky and a storm on the way. Lightning flashed through the open screens facing the water.

At four in the morning, she awoke, startled. Mother Nature was calling, but she contemplated holding off. It was no use. She found her sandals and slipped out into the night.

She looked around as she stepped out of the tent to discover not a cloud in the sky. Surprisingly, the moon had set and thousands of stars shown overhead. She looked up in awe as she walked the winding boardwalk to the restroom.

On her way back, the cold air still struck her, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the sky. She hadn’t seen the stars like this in ages. She let out a gentle sigh, grateful for this chance to get away, then made her way back to bed, serene and peaceful.

0
travel, writing

Take a Hike! – Part One

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

“Why don’t you just go take a hike?!” He shouted at her.

He didn’t know her. Not at all. These words are usually meant to get rid of people. Not inspire them.

Her pursed lips softened and formed into a smile. She didn’t want to work here any more anyway. “Okay, I will!”

She walked back to her desk, shouldered her bag, grabbed her keys and glasses. “I’m outta here!” she proclaimed to her fellow cube mates with no intention of ever returning.

When she arrived home, she pulled out her pack and prepared for a few days with nature. That would revive her tired, overworked soul.

She pulled out some oats and other mix-ins to make some trail mix. She liked hers over the store bought brands. She also found joy in making it herself.

While the granola baked, she pulled up the weather and AllTrails apps to figure out where to go. The mountains were ultimately calling, but she opted to head south, closer to home, to the Everglades, for the weekend. They had an eco-tent available for a few days, so she could forego the tent and sleeping mat. A lighter pack, yay!

She put together her gear and her pack, charged up her camera and phone, and pulled together some portable meals and water for the trip.

Tomorrow will be the start of a new adventure.

0
poetry, writing

Cotton Candy Wings

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

Dancing. Hopping. Posing on one leg. Her bill swishes through the water. Cotton Candy wings flip up in the air. The light shimmers through her feathers. She takes flight, a short little flutter across the marsh grasses followed by a graceful landing in a shallow. She poses a moment, looking around, making momentary eye contact with me. Back to swishing through the water, then a quick preening of her wings. Peace befalls us all.

0
writing

Chaos in the Quiet

Posted on by Dawn Renee Miller

My mind spins at high speed, almost incessantly. There is nothing to distract me in the quiet moments. I have endless conversations with myself, with my dad, with you, and others in my brain.

I hope to find peace in these times, but it is so well hidden. I am changing, and I am unsettled. However, I finally feel I am moving towards something, instead of burying myself with more.

I need to remember to keep some things close, protected, quiet; although I wish to shout out to the world. The world, it does not care. The world will tear it away. I’ve had enough of that.

This time, I do it for me, not for others, not even for just you. I’m thankful to the mirrors other have shown me in these past six months. Some I could clearly see and am respectfully and diligently working on.

This latest one though, it still is covered in a haze. It is the hardest one for me to work through. When this started I thought you might need me. Maybe, then, I thought, I need you.

Have patience with me while I find me and figure this all out. Please, don’t give up on me.

0