Category: Photo-Video

Bucket List!

(c) 2020

About a year-and-a-half ago, I was able to mark a big item off my bucket list. I was able to hike the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu!

I have wanted to see this spectacular area since I learned about it in elementary school. My sister took me there as a gift (great sister, huh?)! The Inka Trail (yes, that’s the correct spelling) was an arduous hike on uneven and slippery rocks. See the photo. That’s what we hiked on for three of the four days. We slept in tents and our porters (best ever!) cooked for us and carried a large percentage of our load.

I couldn’t have made it all the way to Machu Picchu without their help!

When I look through my (thousands) of photos from the trail, I can remember how amazing and how difficult it was to hike on those rocks, with my loaded pack, at that altitude.

It was one of the most difficult, and rewarding, things I have ever done.

I hope you have a chance to challenge yourself and cross something off your bucket list! Sonja

Don’t Forget to Take a Voyage

(c) 2019

This easy-to-read illustrated book was recently released and is a wonderful story of one of America’s founding families.

This story tells of the early days of John Wing as he goes to Oxford University in England to study theology.

As a non-conformist minister, John Wing traveled through Europe as he escaped religious prosecution in England under the courts of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. He intended to travel to the American colonies but died before he could achieve that trip.

His wife and sons made the trip several years later and arrived in Boston, an event that was notable enough to be entered into the diary of John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Widow Wing and her sons first settled in Plymouth Colony and then moved and helped found Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.

You can find a direct link to the ebook or the softcover in the left margin of this website, or you can search for my name, Sonja Danielson, on Amazon.com to see my complete catalog of available titles.

Happy Reading! Sonja

The Voyage

(c) 2019

Have you had a chance to check out my new book, ‘The Voyage’? It’s an illustrated east-to-read book about the beginnings of one of America’s founding families.

If you’ve been to Cape Cod, Massachusetts you’ve likely driven or ridden through Sandwich. That’s where the Wing Fort House is located. You should take a tour. The house is chock-full of furniture and other belongings owned by the Wing Family.

The kitchen is something special and when you walk in you can imagine the family gathered around the gigantic fireplace. The smell of bread baking or a stew bubbling in a cast iron pot hanging off a hook over the flames fills your imagination. And that’s just the first room!

My ancestor, Stephen Wing, was the man who built the house. History relates this story: He was fearful of an Indian uprising and built a very solid fort home. The Indians in the area turned out to be very nice and helpful, making the home overbuilt. But I bet those 12-inch thick walls helped keep those frigid winter temperatures out of the home!

Time to take a trip! Sonja

Guinness the Therapy Dog

(c) 2019

This tag represents a lot of work by Guinness the Therapy Dog. It shows that he can be a good boy when meeting people. After a month of visits, Guinness told me he would prefer to visit the hospital less.

That was difficult for me since I love bringing him to the hospital to visit with the nurses, doctors, and patients. The sessions weren’t as much fun for him–and he’s the one who needs to enjoy himself the most. He is the therapy dog after all. My job is to make sure he is happy and treated well.

We have been taking a break from the hospital as he continues to visit with the kids at the library and the domestic violence shelter–which he loves and looks forward to.

It’s all about Guinness. Sonja

Only a Few More Days Until the Weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? It’s time to start planning! It is outdoors or indoors? Close to home or far away? Alone or with family and friends?

The weekend is a time to recharge from the busy work/school week so you can tackle the upcoming days with energy and optimism. Those are the best ways to move through a day. Approach it with energy and it will give it back to you in fun and excitement. Approach it with optimism and you will find good opportunities and people everywhere.

Are you in a bad mood and can’t get away from it? Smile. That’s all. Just force yourself to smile. The very act of engaging the smile muscles lifts your spirits and your mood will elevate.

It’s medically proven!

Try it the next time you’re in a bad mood–or feel a little blue. I think you’ll be amazed.

Smile! Sonja

The Wing Family: From England to the American Colonies

I wanted to premier the artwork for my upcoming picture book about one of the first families in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the early years of the patriarch, John Wing!

(c) 2019 Emma Crick
This drawing is copyrighted and you must request permission
to copy, share, print, or use in print or digital form.

This is a sample of the artwork that is being produced for my new picture book: The Wing Family: From England to the American Colonies.

Isn’t it beautiful? The remaining artwork is just as special.

The artist, Emma Crick, lives in England and is so talented. To see this and more artwork, my book will be available before Christmas. Check back on this site for the announcement that it is available for purchase!

Looking forward to this new adventure! Sonja

It’s World Smile Day!

Photo by Hybrid on Unsplash

Today is the day to smile at everyone you meet. I love this photo because most of the balloons are smiling (there are one or two that aren’t).

Smiling has the benefit of not only making the person on the receiving end happier, but smiling can uplift your mood– you, the smilee. In fact, research shows that smiling can boost your immune system!

Every time you smile you fight off virus’ or bacteria that are trying to take you down. Smiling can relax you and release certain chemicals in your brain that help you feel better. It’s a wonderful way to reduce stress, sadness, and ennui.

What does all this mean? It means smile for better health and a better day.

Have a smiley Friday! Sonja