Family

My Early Education

Creative, Culture, Family, Fiction, Life Reflections, Metaphysical Girl, Stress, transformation

“Pay attention, boy! Look at me when I’m talkin’ to you,” Daddy said as he slapped the chair arm with the belt from his pants. “I don’t wanna hear no more talk about going to school. You eat and sleep here so’s now it’s time you pull your weight.”

I stood right there in front of him as daddy raged and ranted with that worn-out belt in his hand. I tried not to jump with each slap of the leather as it hit my back and legs. Cryin’ did no good so I didn’t even bother with that wasted activity. After several lashes, Daddy dropped the belt he\’d used on us all at one time or another. He headed into the kitchen, hollerin’ for his supper as I pulled myself together and went to the washroom where my sister had brought in some warm water and a rag to wash the blood from my legs.

Yesterday, Daddy came to the school and walked right into my class. The teacher, Miss Wilkins, asked him what he needed. Daddy paid her no mind and walked over to me, grabbing me up from my desk. Miss Wilkins tried to stop him but one look, like those he used on his kids, was enough to have her back off. I seen her go to the office but I knew it would do no good. Daddy dragged me out of the building and that was the last I saw of a regular schoolroom. He may have taken me from my third-grade class but I wasn’t through learnin’ yet.

Next mornin’ I got up at five like I did every day and brought the water in from the well so Mommy could cook breakfast. My two brothers and three sisters had their chores to do as well. Daddy didn’t tolerate “nere-do-wells” as he called ’em. Daddy came into the kitchen and sat at the table. He demanded coffee and to “make it quick” from his eldest girl. She knew to do as he said or there would be hell to pay.

“Charlie!” Daddy yelled, “You gonna get a job today at Mason\’s. “Bout time you paid for your keep.” I kept my head down and sat as still as I could while Daddy ate his breakfast. He got up to get ready for his job at the sugar mill. The rest of us ate the food Mommy cooked. Mommy made the best biscuits and gravy, hot buttery grits, and sliced tomatoes ”to give us energy” she said. My oldest brother and sister went off to school while I went out to meet Daddy in the car.

“Get in and don\’t fuss. Guy Phillips owes me a favor so he said he\’d hire you to sweep the floor. Don\’t you go making \’em mad or I\’ll beat you till you can\’t sit down,” Daddy threatened, “If I hear of you causing trouble, you know what\’ll be waiting\’ on you.”

“Yes, Daddy, I know,” I replied in a quiet voice. I looked out the window of the old 1933 Chevy Standard that had seen better days. My teacher said we were at war and we all had to do our part. Me and some other boys had got some old copper to take to the scrap pile that the neighborhood started. Daddy had a fit and whooped me good for givin\’ it away and not getting\’ money for it.

Daddy turned the car into the gravel lot in front of Mason\’s Meat Packing Company. I got out of the car and he pulled me by the arm into the building. Mr. Phillips met us as we got to the office. He was a big man but had a kindly face. Maybe this won\’t be too bad.

“This your boy, Carl? He looks mighty puny to work here. I guess he\’ll wield a broom alright though. I\’ll get ol\’ Tucker to show you what to do,” Mr. Phillips turned to call an old man walking down the hall. “Tucker! Get this boy a broom and show him how it\’s done.” Mr. Tucker led me away to the packing floor. It was awful cold in there but I figured I\’d warm up if I kept busy.

“Charlie, this is your area. You keep it nice and clean and stay out of the way when they bring the meat bins through.” Mr. Tucker explained as he showed me where I was to work. “You do what we say and you\’ll do fine.” He walked back to his station and left me to it.

I\’d been working there a week when there was a commotion among the workers. Seems a government inspector was coming to check things out. I didn\’t have no quarrel with the government so I just went to work like usual. Mr. Tucker came up to me right fast like and pulled me by the sleeve toward the back of the room.

“Charlie, you get in the vat and stay quiet. I\’m gonna put this here lid on top so nobody can see you,” he explained as he helped me into the large ceramic jar. It was empty but smelled like rotten meat.

“Why do I have to be in here, Mr. Tucker? Was I doin\’ a bad job? Are you gonna tell my daddy? I asked worriedly.

“No, son. You\’re doin\’ a good job but you\’re only 9 years old! We ain\’t supposed to have kids younger than 13 in here. If them inspectors find you, they could shut us down. You don\’t want that to happen do ya?” Mr. Tucker pushed me down inside the vat and put the lid on top shuttin\’ out all the light and most of the good air.

I stayed there all mornin\’ til them government men left. I felt dizzy-headed and stiff from the cramped space. A couple of the workers got me out and found my broom so I set to work until the end of my shift. I worked every day but Sunday for three months pushin\’ my broom. Daddy came every Friday to collect my check. One day after I got home, Daddy told me I wouldn\’t be workin\’ there no more. We were movin\’ to another town closer to the sugar mill.

Daddy found me another job with a man that fixed TV\’s. I swept up the floor and wiped off the workbenches when he or one of the other two men finished a job. They had all these machines that had wavy lines on \’em and some that made noises if you turned a dial. They had tubes and knobs and all kinds of hand tools to fix the TV\’s that people brought in.

As the men worked I watched when I could to see what they were doin\’. I listened to them a talkin\’ and trying to figure out the problem with each TV that came in. Mr. Parker, my boss saw me one day watchin\’ the oscilloscope. “Do you know what this machine does, Charlie?” asked Mr. Parker.

“Well, sir. It seems to show what kind of power the sick TV puts out. You watch the wavy line when you touch different parts of the inside of these here TVs. Then you know what part to fix.” I answered and looked up at him.

“That\’s pretty good, Charlie. It\’s not quite what it does but close enough. Why don’t you help me with this TV and I\’ll show you how to fix it” offered Mr. Parker.

Mr. Parker let me help him once in a while to fix a TV then he had Dave, his helper let me work with him. I still swept the floor and wiped the benches but now I was learnin’ somethin’. I had been there a couple of years when things changed for me.

Daddy didn’t take me to work anymore. Mr. Parker had been slippin’ me some of my pay before Daddy could come pick it up. I kept it in a box under one of the workbenches so nobody could find it. I counted it up one day and I had enough to move into a little trailer that was out back of the shop. I found a three-legged chair and a broken table on the side of the road and fixed it up. I made a pallet out of old movin\’ blankets and found a pot to cook in at the city dump. I had my own home.

Daddy told me to get back to his house but I stayed right where I was. Mr. Parker told my Daddy something that I didn’t hear. After that, he didn’t come round no more and that was fine by me. I got me an old guitar and listened to a man play on the Grand Ol’ Opry on the shop radio. After a while, I could pick out a tune. Daddy wasn’t gonna beat me no more. I was learnin\’ how to fix TVs and play the guitar. Life had taught me some hard lessons but I learned ’em good. Miss Wilkins would be right proud if she saw me now.

* I wrote this story loosely about my uncle, my dad\’s oldest brother. I gathered stories of his life from various family members and imagined how his early life might have been. I don’t swear that any of this is true, but I understand that he did leave school in the 3rd grade, his dad sent him to work at a meat-packing plant and he did learn TV repair from a couple of men. He also lived on his own in his early teens, away from his family. He taught himself how to play guitar, banjo, mandolin, and the piano- all by ear.

To learn more bout my family, check out Metaphysical Girl, now available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

My Early Education Read More »

Metaphysical Girl

Culture, Family, Life Reflections, Metaphysical Girl, quotes

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.

Metaphysical Girl is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.

Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Metaphysical Girl Read More »

Choices and Limitations

Creative, Family, Life Reflections, Metaphysical Girl, Musings on Change

I look at my life now and see twists and turns my journey has taken due to the choices I made along the way. There were times that I thought just to stop and not go further for the present was too painful. Then the road would open, and I could see a better tomorrow a little further up the path. There were many worlds I lived in at one time or another. Each was having a different impact on my life and the life of those around me. All of them had a role in making me the person I am now.

By the time I was seven, my world had consisted of five people, my parents, a sister, brother, along with myself. It was a cozy world of playing and laughing, eating evening meals together, sharing a room with my sister. I watched my small brother learn all the things a baby must learn. I took the lead in entertaining myself and my siblings. We made many of the things we played with. With my direction, we played the games that came so readily to my mind. My brother and sister took this as a matter of course, for their lives. I encouraged their input in what we did for fun. My parents, I think, were grateful that we played well together for the most part. All things were possible in this place. I knew of no other world, but this.

My school world was cramped in comparison to home. I had to walk a tight rope of unfamiliar rules and the social structure of my peers that vied for supremacy over all others. At home, I felt more valued. At school, it was rule or be ruled. Although I loved learning, I did not like the way things were around me. When I began reading, I could see a glimmer of other places that would help my melancholy. School was not a forgiving place. Everything was remembered and marked down. The possibilities were few, and the choices were limited.

I thrived in both worlds for a time, each with its set of expectations. I chaffed at the strictures, finally adapting to its limits in spite of longing for the freedom of younger days. Daydreams took the place of reality. I was careful to hide my intense yearnings and only indulge at home in the safety of my room. I played records of dreamy music singing along with the voices I heard, pretending to be a singer with a lovely voice that others listened to with rapt attention. Humbly taking a bow in front of my virtual audience, I vowed to be on a stage where I could be loved for what I really felt was me.

In high school, I did take the stage. I felt a wonderful sense of power in seeing the audience cry in sympathy or giggle at the charm of the character I portrayed. On the stage, there were possibilities again.

My world increased to include a church when I was seventeen. The church was even more limiting and structured than school. Now there was a book with all the rules that I was to learn and obey. There were expectations of my present behavior and activities, along with my future ones as well. Plans were made without my consent or even any input at all. My future was laid out with a husband and church role that included endless obedience and a closed mouth. Others assumed I would follow their dictates. Imagine their surprise when I didn’t meekly acquiesce. In this world, there were two choices. I saw even fewer possibilities. I was choking and did not see the noose.

A marriage at twenty-two opened my world to another side of life I only read about in books even then with much vagueness. Physical love was more than I dreamed it could be. I had not thought to be involved with someone so intimately, for my opinion of myself had fallen from those first heady days of youth. I soon learned that even with my world expanded to include a man to share my life with, it, too, could be limiting. I had been brainwashed enough to adapt to others’ whims and needs while suppressing my own. The noose was tightening, and the chair was in place.

In spite of all my attempts at being a “good wife,” the man I married found another more appealing. The church abandoned me with his resounding footsteps still ringing in my ears. The family I embraced for his sake turned and shunned me as if I was the reason for their crumbling world. I held on to the noose with all I had, but he was taking it with him.

I was in shock and overwhelmed. I missed the warmth of the noose for a while then decided it was more like a burn needing to be treated and healed. Suddenly there were choices galore and endless possibilities to dream about. Then my tentative steps led me from one moment to the next, each anticipating a further decision, a choice, then finally adventure.

My world expanded to include a career in nursing. I worked for a podiatrist in his office, and the universe came to me. The patients we saw brought with them their own small worlds. I entered their space, vicariously each day. I drank in all they had to teach. I was a sponge expanding and growing. I took care of them during examinations and surgeries, comforting my charges, and explaining their treatment. My advice was heeded. I mingled with co-workers and was a friend to my boss. My thoughts on subjects were sought. I had others in my life that valued me again. Choices became a daily occurrence, while possibilities presented themselves with the rising sun.

At twenty-seven, I became a bride to a man and mother to a seven-year-old boy. By living with two other people, my choices became limited. I chose this limitation this time around, it was not forced upon me. All other times in my life, to this point, other people or circumstances made my decisions. I felt a victim. Now it was different. I had the family atmosphere I had been seeking. My world increased to include people I loved and who loved me in return.

As the days sped by, a baby girl was born. I began to see that what I saw as limits were really only this human journey that began before I was birthed into this world. This small child lived in my heart for many years before she made her appearance in our home. She was just as real to me when I first dreamed of having her as my adopted son was standing in front of me. I had always believed that I lived before I was born to my parents, and I will live after I ceased to breathe this earthly air in legacy and spirit. I had choices and possibilities but chose the limits of this human suit for a time. Now my understanding is coming together.

I had read on a blog somewhere-

“True positive thinking is not expecting the best…True positive thinking is accepting that what is happening 
IS the best for your future development, advancement, and growth.”

So the limits I perceived that I felt held me back were the best for me at that time and helped me to obtain the expansion that I desired. As a child grows physically, there is, at best, an uncomfortable feeling and, at worst extreme pain. The limbs lengthen, and the torso adjusts. The body appears gangly and then suddenly lithe. The mind may still dwell on childish things, but then there is acute insight brought forth that belies the years of the body.

After being in this present life for over fifty years, I have now arrived where choices are many, and possibilities exist as far as the eye can see. My world has expanded then contracted to go on to develop even more. I am aware now that I have always had these things, but my focus was on the lack of them. I looked at the space between where the print was small, and my eyes could not detect the truth. I now look at those spaces not as a “stop,” but more like a “rest.” This was only an intake of breath for the next item on the agenda of this life.

I look forward to another fifty years of expanding choices and endless possibilities.

To hear more of my story check out Metaphysical Girl available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Choices and Limitations Read More »

Thiel #10

channeling, Culture, death, Family, Life Questions, Musings on Change, Spirituality, Thiel

Voice– Katana

Me– Yes

Voice- I am Thiel.

Me– What message do you have for me?

Thiel– You are loved. Indeed you are love. There is a fabric that lays flat when smoothed out and life is that fabric. There is texture and pattern and grain- all there for those to live and feel and love in. Occasionally there is a thread that is not even, not woven with the greatest of care, not in harmony with the other threads. This thread is pulled and tugged to accomplish the work it is meant to do but it doesn\’t always agree to do it. When this happens the thread is tugged, pulled and sometimes jerked out of the fabric. This disturbs the other threads and causes them to shift and turn and move in ways they are not used to doing. The pulled thread leaves a space. And the fabric is different for a time until the other threads realize there is room . Room for love and room for change and room for other actions that were not possible before. There is no void for something is always there. Love sometimes pulls and tugs at us. It helps us to grow and change and see other possibilities. We are not stagnate or done with our journey just because we were pulled from the fabric.

Me– What of the others left behind? Do they care about the pulled thread?

Thiel– Yes, there is care but the relief is great even if they do not acknowledge it. We are never “used up” we are merely placed in a different spot, a different service position.
Me– Are there pulled threads happening in my life, my family?

Thiel- There are always pulled threads everywhere. To be one is an honor. The threads left to move and change have the potential to change the “fabric” of life and the picture that comes into focus for all who are looking. Imagine the cornfield where there is the maze cut in and you must traverse the maze from only ground level. Is is difficult and tedious but the corn that was removed forms a pattern that can be see from a higher perspective, can it not? This is much like the fabric and the \’culled” threads that form the pattern of the cloth. All are loved for their contribution and all are important in the overall design.

Me– How do we see the overall design and gain perspective for our journey here and not become discouraged?

Thiel– Be still and fly. Fly in your heart. Fly in your mind. Fly to your outer most being and then see from within. Do not become disheartened if the journey becomes rough. Threads are being pulled and tugged to adjust the overall picture and you will change positions and textures and purpose for the moment of time it all happens. Your overall purpose is the same but your momentary purpose is adjusted for the circumstance. It is enough….

…We are of service to you and to the broader perspective of things. Manipulating matter is of no consequence to us and will be soon to you. You already do some things quite well and without thought. See what you already do and apply it to other things as well. You are more capable than you realize and more loving than you know. It will come though when you are ready to use it and play with it. Yes, we said play for that is what is necessary for all of life to exist. Play is the life force of all things for with it there is joy and there is love for it does not feel like work or drudgery. Love and Joy are fundamental for all things to thrive. We have given you much today. Be at peace with it all and know that it will do as it will for you and those you share this with.

Me- Thank you, Thiel. I will begin now to implement these things you have said.

Image by MBatty from Pixabay

~I met Thiel in my meditations in June of 2015 during a Gemini Full Moon while Mercury was retrograde. They indicated that they were from the 6th & 7th plane. We had 29 conversations over 3 1/2 years. Interestingly, in astrology, the 29º in any sign is considered a critical degree. One of its connotations indicates a sense of urgency. Gemini is ruled by Mercury and both are concerned with communication. It is with urgency I share these messages with you.

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Thiel #10 Read More »

Pre-Order Now!

Culture, Family, Metaphysical Girl, quotes

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.

Metaphysical Girl is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.

Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Pre-Order Now! Read More »

Available Now!

Culture, Family, Metaphysical Girl

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.

Metaphysical Girl is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.

Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Available Now! Read More »

Pre-Order Metaphysical Girl

Culture, Family, Metaphysical Girl

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.

Metaphysical Girl is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card will be charged at publication.

Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online bookstores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Pre-Order Metaphysical Girl Read More »

Storytelling

Creative, Culture, Family, Life Reflections, Stress

The tradition of storytelling has a long and illustrious history dating back from cavemen drawing on rocks and stone walls to portray news, warnings, or victories over obstacles all the way forward to video blogs and chat rooms on the internet. Everyone has a story. Most people enjoy telling and hearing them. Witness the number of times specific videos are accessed or articles are read to see the power of a story told well.

Storytelling also has a therapeutic effect when a person relates an incident that happened to them or witnessed. It gives the storyteller a chance to really look at the event and feel the emotions they were going through during the episode. The listeners can then interact with the storyteller by asking questions or making observations that perhaps the storyteller had not considered. This is especially helpful if the listener(s) is a trusted person who has no relation to the story\’s events, so they may be objective in their questions and comments.

Warriors of ancient times were encouraged to share their view of the battle to analyze a more comprehensive account of the situation for future skirmishes. It also served as a way to decompress from the rage of war. It allowed the warrior to integrate back into the daily activities of the clan or tribe. Acknowledging what they had gone through helped build trust. By recognizing difficulties or trials, we can acquire the appropriate means to get through them and become better in the process.

One way in using storytelling as therapy is the client can relate the incident that seems to be blocking their progress, telling it in a manner of their choosing. The practitioner or therapist can then question the story to understand the who, what, where, when, and why of the remembered details. Together they can explore the broader picture of the whole event, which may sometimes delve into historical events or people to gain a broader scope of all the implications for the recent happening. Putting this all together can give the client a clearer picture of why the event happened and how they can learn from it.

Another way of using storytelling in therapy is for the practitioner to relate a story from a different tradition with a similar circumstance to the client or use another client\’s account (while protecting privacy) that has similar elements to your present client. Then allow the client to observe the same features for themselves and see their own outcome to their current circumstance differently. The practitioner can use well-placed questions and gentle guidance to help the client see possibilities instead of obstacles.

Telling a story, whether for entertainment, giving a report to supervisors or authorities, or perhaps relating an emotional incident can help the speaker gain insights and connect with others. We are social creatures and therefore use stories for a variety of reasons. Reading a story to children before bed helps them connect with their parents or caregivers. Allowing veterans of war tell their experiences gives them validation. Encouraging your loved ones to express their feelings about their day build trust. Stories are how we live our lives.

~ Detail of Great-Grand-Father\’s Tale of the Revolution—A Portrait of Reverend Zachariah Greene- 1852 Metropolitan Museum Open Access Collection

~ Read the story of Catherine Denton in Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered My Mental Health
Pre-Order Now! Available at Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Storytelling Read More »

Book Launch!

Awakening, Family, Metaphysical Girl, Spirituality, suicide, transformation

Dr. Catherine Denton is proud to present:

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, 2nd Edition in E-Book format on Smashwords! The day has finally arrived to unveil my memoir detailing family history and my journey out of despair, confusion, and a mental illness diagnosis.

Metaphysical Girl is available for Pre-Order for $7.99 until the publication date of December 26th, 2021. After that date, the price goes to full retail at $9.99, so order your copy soon! Your card won\’t be charged until publication.

The 2nd Edition has been re-edited for clarity, grammatical changes, better sentence structure, and additional details to stories told. The original was written in 2016. Since that time, I have endeavored to improve my craft. For more book information and reviews, see my Book Page on this blog.

Smashwords is the largest distributor of E-Books on the internet and has been an invaluable partner in making this project happen. You will be able to find this book at your favorite online book stores and mobile apps where e-books are sold, such as Smashwords, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

More stores are being added to the Smashwords distribution list, so stay in touch!

Check out my Author Profile page on Smashwords! My latest interview is now available along with my FREE e-book- Beginners Guide to Simple Rituals.

Follow Squash Blossom Press on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube

If you have a book inside you wanting to get out, consider using the Smashwords platform. There are lots of free resources to make the process as easy as it can be. They give you instructions on formatting your book, marketing ideas, best practice secrets of best-selling authors, and much more. They even have a list of folks willing to work with you for a fee on formatting, book covers, and marketing.

Metaphysical Girl: How I Recovered my Mental Health, is just the beginning of my life chronicled in this book. I have projects in the pipeline aimed at helping other folks realize how powerful they are. I am working on my next book detailing how those of us that have been “mental health consumers” can move beyond the current psychiatric paradigm and into a better, more healthy life. I look forward to presenting it in the coming months.

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

Book Launch! Read More »

Awakening: Your Family

Awakening, Culture, Family, Life Questions, Life Reflections

When we are children, we frequently accept our family at face value. We don’t question why things are done the way they are until we have another household to compare it to. This revelation begins our awakening journey in regards to our clan. Why do the people in our home do holidays this way and my friend’s folks do it another? Let’s look at how we react to the unfolding of our home tribe.

Most children go through a “Why” stage in their development. They question everything. It can seem like they aren’t looking for real answers with their incessant queries. It feels like they just want your attention. My dad was in the Army until I was seventeen yrs old. Dad occasionally worked at a 2nd job, like delivering papers or mowing someone’s grass for pay. Before I started school, I thought everybody\’s dad was in the Army. We went to stores and other businesses where I saw adults out of uniform. My child-mind deduced that this was a side-job if I saw a man working out of uniform, but it might be the regular job if it was a woman working behind a counter. When I saw a woman in uniform, then I had to adjust my thinking again. When I began school, I had an awakening where I found out not everyone\’s dad was in the military. They didn’t move every 18 months either. I also discovered that some mothers worked outside the home while my mother did not.

A story is told about a young girl asking her mother why she cut off a small portion of a large ham and threw it away before cooking the remaining amount in the oven for Christmas dinner. The mom replied it was what her mother always did because that was the way it was supposed to be cooked. The girl asked the grandmother the same question, and she replied that her mother, the child\’s great-grandmother, showed her how to cook a ham. This was just how it was done in their family. The great-grandmother was questioned. She thinks back on her days of cooking ham. She tells her great-granddaughter that she had to cut off the small portion of ham because she did not have a pan big enough to cook the entire thing. She never threw the small piece away. She merely put it in the freezer for later. Asking why can lead to thought-provoking revelations.

After I became an adult and had children of my own, I discovered more about my family. There was much that was never discussed when my siblings and I were living at home. Some of it was pretty shocking, while other information was mild in comparison. After these family disclosures, I saw my parents in a new light. They were human beings doing the best they knew how given the circumstances they encountered. In my early adulthood, I swore I would be different than my parents and rebelled against their advice on some things. When I found out why they behaved the way they did when we were children, I was humbled and proud that they found a way to get things done to take care of us all. Let me share some examples.

Military pay in the 1960s did not go far. My mom sold her diamond wedding rings for $25 to make a down payment on a mobile home for us to live in. My dad worked extra jobs so we could have food, clothing, and pay utilities, but it often left him out of our lives when we were growing up. My siblings and I rarely spent the night with relatives because our parents were sexually abused by members of their extended family. They were protecting us, but we saw it as isolation.

Do you know the history of your family- however that family was made up for you? Have you wondered why your home-life was different from other people you knew? Awakening regarding the true nature of your own clan and dealing with those findings is a good start in learning hard truths about the world around us. We need to clean up our own family skeletons and dust under the bed to clear the cobwebs. It will help us cope with more profound revelations that may be more difficult to digest.

Our Awakening Journey will become progressively deeper as we go. Some items I will be giving you information about may seem too fantastic to be accurate. There will be some things you may already be aware of. To the best of my ability, I will provide sources and examples as we go along. This series will start with simpler subjects to comprehend, but there will be meatier topics as well. Buckle your seat-belts, folks. We are entering wonderland.

*Photo is my family circa 1969

~ Stay-Tuned! Wednesday is a Big Announcement! I am bursting to tell you now…somehow I will hold it in.

Cathy Denton

Catherine Denton is a Metaphysician living in the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Check out her musing on family, life, health, and various metaphysical topics.

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