Good afternoon everyone. I hope this post finds you doing super on this sensational Saturday.

Speaking of sensational, this afternoon, I’ve got a surprise for you. As many of you who have followed me for some time know, I used to do a Saturday Surprise column. This column was reserved for something which was just too good to keep until #WordPressWednesday, something which just had to be shared. Well, this afternoon, I’ve just such a thing.

Not long ago, I reached out to authors, Tasha and Stephen Halpert and invited them over to Patty’s World for a chat. The following interview is the result of that invitation. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

First, in your own words tell us a little about you.

Stephen: I have always been fascinated by the unknown, be it mystical or antiquarian. I love creating collages as well as writing. My idea of fun is rummaging thrift stores and yard sales in search of interesting items to give friends or to keep.

Tasha: I’m a poet and have written poetry for most of my life. I have a vast sense of curiosity about everything, an abiding faith in the goodness of All That Is, and a firm sense of optimism, which includes the belief that everything happens for the Highest Good.

Where do you live?

Stephen: Tasha and I live in North Grafton, MA.

Who are the special people in your life?

Stephen: My extended family and close personal friends.

Tasha: My family, those I love and pray for, and my wonderful teachers in life, some of whom are in all three categories.

Do you have any pets?

One day we hope to have a cat.

What keeps you going? I mean, like what inspires you and keeps you moving forward in your work?

Stephen: The pure pleasure of writing and creating art.

Tasha: The desire to express my truth, to help people be happier, and to teach what I have learned.

What is your favorite song?

Stephen: As a boy, “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Lonesome Traveler.” As an adult, John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Tasha: Over the Rainbow.

What is your favorite movie? Feel free to list multiple titles.

Stephen:  Foreign films and existential escapes.

Tasha: The Court Jester with Danny Kaye, Noises Off, with Carol Burnet, The Pirate or any movie with Gene Kelly.

What is your favorite book? Feel free to list multiple titles.

Stephen: American Gods by Neil Gaiman. As a teen, Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis, mysteries by Robert B. Parker and Raymond Chandler.

Tasha: Jim Bucher’s Harry Dresden series, Mercedes Lackey’s Elementals and Valdemar series.

What is your favorite food?

Stephen: Lobster, Sushi, and Pizza.

Tasha: Honey, chocolate, mayonnaise, avocado, and all kinds of fruit.

What is your favorite quote?

Stephen: “Philosophy will clip an angel’s wing.” -Keats 

Tasha: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”

What is your favorite affirmation? Does it in some way relate to your work?

S[TH1] tephen: “Beloved Lord I do greatly thank Thee for the abundance that is mine.” 

Tasha: That is mine also.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Stephen: Racists and lying politicians.

Tasha:  Having to hurry when I need to take my time.

What do you think your best strengths are, and how do they help you in your work as a writer?

Stephen: An appreciation of humor, an ear for dialogue, and my imagination.

Tasha: My ability to focus and concentrate, my powers of observation, and my ability to make connections in my mind. 

What are your weaknesses, do they hinder your work, and how are you making them stronger?

Stephen: Laziness, eating cheese and a tolerance for mess.

Tasha: Trying to do too much for the available time and being too picky over details.

What is your dream for the future, and how does it relate to your work as a writer?

Stephen: My dream for the future is to always continue writing and to see my work published and sold internationally.

Tasha: To see my Old Codger stories published, illustrated, and distributed internationally.

What is your preferred way of communicating and how can someone best reach you if they should wish to buy from or work with you in some way?

Stephen: Telephone or email: 508-839-0111, sthalpert@aol.com

Tasha: Phone or Email: 508-839-0111, Tashahal@mail.com

Before you go, is there anything you’d like to add about yourself, or your work that I’ve not asked?

Stephen: To better answer you I invite you to read Reading on the Cheap, which says more about me than I can say right now.

Tasha: I’m enclosing a few words about me I’ve written for others. 

Short Bio for Tasha Halpert

Practical mystic and poet Tasha Halpert writes a column called Heartwings Love Notes for a Joyous Life. She writes a weekly perspective column for the Grafton News called Good Earthkeeping.  Her poems and essays have appeared in Quest Magazine, For the Love of Life, Heart and Wings, The Unicorn and Lantern, and other publications. She is poet laureate and storyteller for the Unicorn and Lantern, and a regular part of Granny Moon’s Morning Feast. She has published two books, Heartwings: Love Notes for a joyous Life and Up to my Neck in Lemons. With her writings, she hopes to be of help and comfort and at times to be entertaining.  With her husband Stephen, she lives in Grafton and is the mother of five, grandmother of seven, and great grandmother of three. 

MORE ABOUT TASHA AND STEPHEN’S WORK…

ABRACADABRA MOONSHINE & OTHER STORIES by Stephen Halpert

This collection of original, unusually intriguing short stories is an exuberant tour de force of wit, humor, and insight into the human condition. The collection of magical tales will entrance, entertain, and prompt readers to ponder the true nature of reality. They will definitely entertain you and make you wonder a bit about the twists and turns that life can take. You may even fall in love with some of his characters and wish they were real and present in your life.

Heartwings: Love Notes for a Joyous Life by Tasha Halpert

This heartwarming book brings a breath of sunshine against the cold of any day and kindly and gently reveals a deeper level of understanding for all. It provides a helpful path for anyone concerned with personal self-development to follow. Sharing a lifetime of comforting knowledge gleaned from living and loving life, the emotionally intelligent author leads readers on an introspective journey to a greater sense of realization, joy, and inner peace. Her poetry is moving, and a poem follows each thought-provoking essay.

Up to My Neck in Lemons by Tasha Halpert is a collection of practical as well as metaphorical uses for life’s lemons. This collection of essays and poems provides insights gained from daily life experiences, both happy and sad. The stories illustrate how to appreciate what might at first have seemed unfortunate.

The recipes are author favorites, and are both sweet and sour, cleansing and therapeutic. This book will bring comfort and insight on turning life’s lemons into lemonade. The poems that follow each essay form an enjoyable adjunct to the wisdom and insight this book brings the reader.

Each book is $15.00 postpaid autographed by the author. Write to Tasha Halpert at P.O. Box 171, North Grafton, MA, 01536 and include a check to receive a copy of any of these entertaining and even perhaps helpful books.

Visit Stephen and Tasha’s website here.

Shop for Stephen and Tasha’s books online here. 

 [TH1]