The Long Dark Winter Is Finished!

The colorless, soul-destroying days of winter are behind us at last! No more bone-chilling temperatures that bring aching joints, colds, and foul dispositions. The sun climbs into his domain, bringing warmth and encouraging the trees, flowers, and weeds to clothe themselves in their most glorious and vivid habiliments. I find myself humming that old Beatles tune, Here Comes the Sun as I greet the sunrise with my broadest grin and highest hopes. Give it a listen as you enjoy the pictures and see if it brings a smile to your face!

The green hills of Umm Qais

The green hills of Umm Qais

Last weekend we ventured up north, past the rich, blood-red fields of wheat and onions surrounding Irbid and paid another visit to Umm Qais. The greenery was spine-tingling! Poppies with their brilliant red hats rivaled any bonnet you might see at Ascot. Others too, whose names escape me (if I ever knew them at all), competed for attention as they spread throughout the ruined city and spilled over the ancient streets. Sure, it was a wonderful day to be outside and I’m counting the hours to another adventure at the upcoming weekend.

 

 

As long as you’re here, why not pay a visit to some of my favorite blogging friends?

Jay Squires’ Septuagenarian Journey

Seumas Gallacher

Middle East Moments

Quite Alone

And, don’t forget; if you haven’t added New Yesterdays to your bookshelf, that means your bookshelf isn’t complete!

NY-eBook

Get your e-book here or your paperback here . Order it today. It makes a great gift for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, too!

 

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About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
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8 Responses to The Long Dark Winter Is Finished!

  1. You live in a magnificent part of the world. So much history is almost frightening.

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    • Ol' Big Jim's avatar Ol' Big Jim says:

      It’s the most stimulating place I’ve ever lived and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything on earth. Thanks a hundred thousand times for stopping by and commenting!

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  2. Thanks for the shout out Jim! Good to hear that you are enjoying the best of Spring. Any trip down South on the cards?

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    • Ol' Big Jim's avatar Ol' Big Jim says:

      As always, it’s good to have you visiting! I hope to make it down that way very soon. I’d like to spend an evening watching the meteor showers. As soon as I firm up my plans, I’ll be in contact.

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  3. Thanks Jim, I needed this message of hope. Here in Ocean Grove, NJ, the sun is a luxury, “here today, gone tomorrow.” Today started off sunny, hopefully that keeps up. Yesterday as most of our days lately, was deep grey and raining. Thanks for this optimism. Kharis Macey

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  4. …ah, that man… to be back in the Beatles era … *sigh*…

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What did you think of this tall tale? Let me know in the comments section; I'd love to hear from you!