New Gift Book, PASSING SHADOWS, Benefits Warrior Expeditions

Passing Shadows, a collection of poignant three-line haiku
poems illustrated with surprising photos and watercolor paintings, is
the third of a series of joy-centered books by Old Saybrook author and
artist Mary O’Connor. Reflective and at times amusing, this latest book
illustrates how to uncover unexpected moments of calmness through
musings on ordinary, everyday objects. All proceeds from the sale of
Passing Shadows will be donated to the nonprofit Warrior Expeditions,
a nonprofit organization that sends returning servicemen and women on
extended outdoor forays as a way of decompressing and reintegrating into
society.

Decompressing, or finding a measure of quietude, is what this book is
all about. A total of 72 full-color photographic as well as painted
images, including four pet portraits, are offered as meditative stopping
points, reasons to pause and to think of the subject’s lure.
Accompanying each visual image is a verbal reflection expressed in the
ancient Japanese poetic haiku format.

Haikus use the barest minimum of words, structured in three lines of
five-seven-five syllables, to depict a single moment in time through
colorful mental imagery and natural world reference. Hallmark of a haiku
is its delivery in just one breath of an unexpected sense of
illumination. It is this ability to inspire fresh thought — to provide
moments of ahhh! — that the author seeks to deliver in Passing Shadows.

O’Connor enjoys living along the Connecticut shoreline, source of
inspiration for much of her creative work, and typically turns to nature
for vision. As seen throughout the book, she has a way of finding
sunlight in the ordinary and drawing it out in surprising,
thought-provoking observations.

Take for example, the 15-word haiku “Birth.” Illustrated with the
warm pink petal of a tulip lit by a shaft of sunlight, she simply writes
“life gives birth to spring/little trace of winter stress/just stretch
marks of light.”

Or, with a wry sense of humor, she shows a seagull pecking at a
broken clam shell and comments, “the half-eaten dish/to be served
tomorrow/blessed leftovers.” Or, when she catches the stare of a
bad-humored grackle, she chides, “blinded by temper/ability to laugh
gone/better to calm down.”

It is this focus on finding the lessons of the commonplace and
expressing them in words that deliver insight, amusement, peace and calm
that defines this book.

A popular public speaker, Mary offers Haiku writing workshops, serves
as a docent at the Florence Griswold Museum, has taught poetry writing
to inmates at the Connecticut state prison for women, and held numerous
nonprofit Board and volunteer positions in the community arena. Her
watercolor and acrylics paintings have been exhibited by the Lyme Art
Association, Clinton Art Society and Essex Art Association, and her
animal portraits are treasured by numerous individual pet owners.

All proceeds from the sale of Passing Shadows will be donated to the nonprofit Warrior Expeditions (www.warriorexpeditions.org)
in support of its therapeutic programs that help veterans transition
from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor
expeditions. Founded in 2013 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization,
Warrior Expeditions sends returning servicemen and women on extended
forays into the wild as a way of decompressing and reintegrating into
society.

Outings take anywhere from three to six months and include eight
trails, plus a Mississippi River kayak voyage, and a cross-country
bicycle trek. Warrior Expeditions provides the gear, clothing, supplies,
a small monthly stipend, and skills training needed to complete
expeditions and for readjustment to civilian life after a combat zone.
The camaraderie experienced with other veterans helps restore faith in
humanity and build an important network of life-long friendships and
relationships.

Other books by O’Connor are Life Is Full of Sweet Spots – An Exploration of Joy, (©2013 Abbott Press, Bloomington, IN) as well as Dreams of a Wingless Child
(©2007, Wheatmark, Tucson, AZ), a collection of award-winning nature
and inspirational verses. Published by Station Square Media, New York,
NY, Passing Shadows is available from online retailers, as well as in
selected community retail outlets including the Florence Griswold Museum
Gift Shop, Old Lyme, The Bowerbird, Old Lyme, Pieces Home Decor, Old
Saybrook, Azelea, Niantic and Bayberries, Niantic.

To find out more or to schedule a workshop with Passing Shadows
author Mary O’Connor on writing haikus, please refer to her website, www.mary-oconnor.com.