I had previously mentioned that the title of The Long, Slow Summer Sun was almost Fur and Phoenix, and in a previous blog post I talked about the reasons behind some of that title.

Now for the rest of the story.


Alongside the wolf, I’ve always been a fan of the story of the phoenix (though I honestly don’t know the whole story!). Be it that I’m a tad dramatic, or have that overactive imagination, what have you- I love the idea of the phoenix’s rebirth through the flames and pain of its own death. Like most people, I have been through my share of pain and suffering, and I feel that I can identify with the phoenix. I have had some pretty amazing revelations in the past (if you remember the sock or the field from the book...though the sock story is just a little corny, I freely admit), and have been reborn within the past decade, though not in the religious sense, which took place decades ago. Life had changed dramatically for me, and I am forever grateful that I have been given the chance to truly live. I think that this rebirth is far from over, but I know I am on this path, and hope that I can finish the journey complete and whole.


Strangely enough, the phoenix has relevance if the title is interpreted as referring to different people, and eerily-prophetic significance now in light of my fiery-haired mate (the word "shieldmaiden" also comes to mind) . I naturally had no way of knowing or predicting this angle when I named the book originally, but it is absolutely apropos today, and given that you’ll also find such references in the book- Fur and Phoenix is even more fitting than before.


Maybe in time there will be a sequel, or new edition of that title.

Food for thought.

  I have previously mentioned that, in the introduction to The Long, Slow, Summer Sun, the title of the book was almost Fur and Phoenix, and for a number of reasons. I think that “Fur and Phoenix” could almost be a chapter in its own right, the more that I think about it, but I’ll try to keep this brief (as if that could happen).


I’ve always fancied that, if I had to choose an animal to represent me- it would be a wolf. There are many character traits of the wolf that I appreciate, and there’s no need to elaborate on them; that animal “just fits.” Ironically, the “lone wolf” that is popular is somewhat of a misnomer or misunderstood. The wolf is technically a pack animal, and I learned that usually when one breaks away from the pack, it is to establish a new family and territory, NOT to go off alone forever. That’s one part of the wolf image that I have always misinterpreted, but no matter. In a sense it is still doing its own thing, with which I can identify.


Something that appeals to me on a much deeper level than the “normal” attributes, however, is a parable that I read once. It’s a common story:

 Now THAT, I can sink my teeth into!

I try to get people to think and feel through many of my stories and poems, to break out of what is a normal set of “canned life responses” and really just sit and reflect on things (whether I am successful yet remains to be seen). This story always elicits that response from me- especially the last line; I get goosebumps almost every time I read it.

So, there you have it- a partially-misunderstood and romanticized image, and a parable.

To be continued....