Volume I – Chapter One: The Matchmaker and the Parrot T.L. Johnson Jul 01, 2025 “The disguises we wear are not always born of deception. Sometimes they’re stitched from the threads of longing.” 🪶 The Chapter Has Landed It’s time.Chapter One of The Matchmaker and the Parrot is here in full. This first installment introduces us to Maurice Heartman … Continue reading ✨ The Alchemy of Ink and Words
The Alchemy of Ink and Words, Vol. I
Maurice: The Matchmaker Every finished story begins as a mess. A line in a notebook. A passing daydream. A scribble that doesn’t quite make sense until it won’t stop whispering to you. This series—The Alchemy of Ink and Words—follows the journey from raw idea to finished tale. Along the way, you’ll meet characters who changed … Continue reading The Alchemy of Ink and Words, Vol. I
Welcome to the Realm Beyond
Hello, and welcome. My name is Terry Johnson, and this is the beginning of a long and winding journey—one that stretches from the rolling hills of Wisconsin to the edge of the multiverse and back again. I’m a novelist, world-builder, and storyteller who has spent a lifetime exploring the space where imagination meets meaning. I’ve … Continue reading Welcome to the Realm Beyond
Hope, Dreams and A Change of Plans.
The transition from teaching to writing was supposed to be smooth. I had imagined that I would continue teaching until retirement and then transition into a full-time writing career. I hoped to get an agent, but as my wife says, “Hope is not a strategy.” So, I put together a business plan, intending to launch … Continue reading Hope, Dreams and A Change of Plans.
All That Is – Reverberates Within Me
A Poem of Sorts - written long ago, if I could remember when, I'd say. When I read it, I think of my wife, who resonates in your remembrance. All That Is – Reverberates Within Me All That Is – Reverberates Within Me It is sound, yet music to my ears.My breathing is a resonant … Continue reading All That Is – Reverberates Within Me
If You’re Reading This, You’re Already a Friend
A short note for fellow travelers. There are places you go to be seen. And there are places you go to simply be. This is the second kind. I’m not here to sell you anything or flood your inbox. I’m here because I have stories to tell—some already written, some whispering still. And because, for … Continue reading If You’re Reading This, You’re Already a Friend
Keeping It Together While Falling Apart
Dispatch #1 Writing can be a difficult task. Ask anyone who’s ever sat down in front of a blank page or that yawning white Word doc. Sometimes it prompts a blank mind. Great for Zen—not so great for novel-writing. For some, writing a thousand words is a herculean challenge. For me, it used to be … Continue reading Keeping It Together While Falling Apart
The Plight of the Bumble Bee
I am reposting a article from last year to celebrate the Buzz I heard today. That's right the first Bumble Bee Buzz of the year happened on April 15th 2024 in Hartland Wisconsin. Which is pretty good timing as I have a few dozen dandelions sprouting ready to help the bees make it until other … Continue reading The Plight of the Bumble Bee
Surviving False Spring!
And the Early Spring Cleaning. Most insects are ectotherms. You may have learned this term as cold-blooded. The insects gain their warmth from the environment. Ecto-meaning outer, Thermal-heat. Therefore, they are more active when it is warmer and less so when it cools down. In Wisconsin, where I live, the temperature outside drops below freezing … Continue reading Surviving False Spring!
Nuptial Flights and Feeding Frenzies.
Last week, with the sun shining bright, the flying ants emerged, and hundreds of thousands of insects erupted from the lawn and filled the air. These flying insects were a smorgasbord for the birds that frequent my yard, often producing a feeding frenzy of avian activity. Photo by FRANCESCO TOMMASINI on Unsplash This year, I … Continue reading Nuptial Flights and Feeding Frenzies.
The Plight of the Bumble Bee
You have all heard about the plight of the bumble bee. Not to be confused with the Flight of the Bumblebee. An Orchestral interlude written by Rimsky- Korsakav I might suggest you listen to the music while watching the video below which I captured a few weeks ago in my backyard garden. https://videopress.com/v/tLFeMwS8?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Video by … Continue reading The Plight of the Bumble Bee
Why we should plant Native Plants!
Native Plants - are the indigenous terrestrial and aquatic species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat. Our goal is to increase biodiversity on our properties. To do that, it makes sense to plant species that provide the most food and habitat for the greatest number of organisms. Beware of plants … Continue reading Why we should plant Native Plants!
A Peek at the Weeds!
Those of you who have been following along or are reading this in the book version will know that I made some mistakes when I first began converting my suburban lawn into a biodiverse habitat. Hopefully, you have learned from my mistakes and even found entertainment from my documenting them and relating them to you. … Continue reading A Peek at the Weeds!
July 22, 2023
I have finished my thematic rewrite of Dream Pirates. It goes out to my Beta readers today. I am so excited. Below you will find an excerpt. For the last two weeks, I have posted 2 articles per week for my blog/book, Listening for the Sounds of Summer. Each week I included a Peek at … Continue reading July 22, 2023
Midweek Peek into my Yard!
Hi Folks, If you are new to the blog, Welcome. If you have been here a while you probably won't be surprised that we have some visitors to our little piece of paradise. Join me while we are converting a suburban lawn into a biodiverse habitat, all the while Listening for the Sounds of Summer. … Continue reading Midweek Peek into my Yard!
The Nature of Nature
When I was a high school science teacher, and my students asked me a question that was not directly related to our learning target but still within the realm of science, I sometimes had the knowledge to answer it. I would often start with the phrase. Well, the science says – blah blah blah. Or … Continue reading The Nature of Nature
A Peek at the Pollinator Garden.
My Pollinator garden started as an area next to my driveway. I chose to let it go, back when I was quiet quitting my lawn. I had decided to stop applying chemicals to my lawn but had not yet developed a plan to improve it. The grass grew long. To tell the truth, I liked … Continue reading A Peek at the Pollinator Garden.
Lawns and Dead Zones!
Lawns are dead zones! And worse yet, Lawns produce much larger dead zones downriver. Those of you who have read my From Start to Finish blog which can be found on my Author Website are familiar with environmental concepts of - That there is no away. And that we all live downstream. In the past, … Continue reading Lawns and Dead Zones!
July
Why we love lawns was posted Tuesday, July 4th. This is appropriate, seeing how lawns are truly an American love story. Like a marriage of a homeowner to the land on which they live, For better, for worse, has definitely become the latter. Check it out. I continue to work on Dream Pirates. Yes, there … Continue reading July
Why We Love Our Lawns
Photo by Bryce Carithers on Pexels.com As I have said before, Guy Next door loves his lawn. He is fully vested and invested in making it lush and green. He will spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours each year in maintaining his crisp, freshly mowed, and immaculate creation. Happy Birth Day American! We … Continue reading Why We Love Our Lawns
Mosquitoes, yep, it is that time of year.
Continuing to work on the thematic rewrite of Dream Pirates. My Editor, Jenna, had some excellent advice, and I am working to make the necessary changes. It is hard work, but so exciting to see this story grow! The following is my weekly article found in Listening for the Sounds of Summer! Enjoy. Thanks for … Continue reading Mosquitoes, yep, it is that time of year.
Mosquitoes, yep, it is that time of year.
You have been sitting out on your back porch all spring with nearly a fly or a buzzing insect to bug you. But summer is here, and it can become hot, muggy, and buggy. Like millions of American homeowners, you might be tempted to hire a company that advertises its ability to eliminate mosquitoes from … Continue reading Mosquitoes, yep, it is that time of year.
T.L. Johnson 