Rita Mock-Pike, Author at The MockingOwl Roost

December 1, 2023

Sip and Be Merry tea on a background with cardinal

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at December 1, 2023

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Christmas with Rita: Sip and Be Merry Tea Review

The instant the tea arrived, I headed to the kitchen, turned on the kettle, and waited for the bubbles. Lifting the lid of the tea tin, I knew instantly that delicate Christmas-y delight lay in store for my soul. Sip and Be Merry from the Republic of Tea could only offer all I had hoped for…

November 20, 2023

Image from TV Show "Vicar of Dibley" with two women, one in labor, and a man dressed as Elvis in background - How an Irreverent Comedy, a Stack of Books, and One Woman Helped Save My Christian Sanity

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at November 20, 2023

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How an Irreverent Comedy, a Stack of Books, and One Woman Helped Save My Christian Sanity

Scroll through the Britbox streaming service. I dare you. For therein you may come across one of the most ridiculous, offensive, delightful, uplifting, confusing religious comedies ever made. To call Dawn French, et. al, genius is an understatement I won’t be guilty of. Rather, I like to refer to the show as what helped save my Christian sanity.

November 1, 2023

Apothecary Tea review, loose leaf tea on cranberry background with flowers on sides

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at November 1, 2023

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Cherry Lovers Rejoice! – “Cherry Blossom” Tea from Apothecary Teas is Here

I had never had the tea before, but I’ve been looking for a good cherry black tea for years. I pulled the cork from the scent jar on the table and knew I’d found what I’ve been looking for all this time. And now you can find it, too, my fellow cherry lovers!

October 20, 2023

Whispers from the Valley of the Yak book review cover with mountains and trees

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at October 20, 2023

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Book Reviews - Nonfiction

Whispers from the Valley of the Yak, a Review

Some moments, Whispers from the Valley of the Yak is hard reading. The emotions that hit at certain times challenge you. You want to change things and make things better or stop others from happening. I found myself emotionally confused at times, because, well, humans are strange beings that don’t always behave in their own self-interest, let alone in the best interests of others.

October 14, 2023

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at October 14, 2023

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Montego Tea, A Sensual Journey for the Soul – a Tea Review

While I sat sipping this gorgeous cuppa, I felt myself drift all over the world in ecstasy. Memories of South Africa drifted in, sunflower fields of Georgia spilled over, daydreams in Australian gardens flooded my nose, my heart, my mind. The word that came was “sensual.” Not in the romantic sense, but in the spiritual sense. Every one of my senses was engaged.

September 22, 2023

Mrs. Morris and the Vampire, a book review - cover of book with text

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at September 22, 2023

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Book Reviews - Fiction

Mrs. Morris and the Vampire, a Halloween Fiction Review

Enter Salem, the site of those famous witch trials. Enter witch-y characters and their friends, Charlene, Celeste, Serenity, Lucas – even the guests at the B&B. Within mere pages, you’ll fall in love with (or hate!) every character who dances across the page. And with good reason.

August 21, 2023

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at August 21, 2023

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Book Reviews - Nonfiction

Book Review: My Grandmother’s Hands

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for my class about leadership in ministry settings. However, I quickly fell into the intense depths of the first book assigned, My Grandmother’s Hands. It’s all about healing from racialized trauma and not just for folks with skin darker than my pale European descent.

August 16, 2023

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at August 16, 2023

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Book Reviews - Fiction

Her Dangerous Journey Home, a Sapphic Novel Review

As a history fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the honest, in-depth historical setting, details, and experiential ways of life depicted in the book. Other history fans, particularly of the medieval period, will enjoy these elements as well. These historical pieces come into vivid clarity through Swanson’s writing in ways that non-historians could never offer.

August 7, 2023

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at August 7, 2023

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Book Reviews - Nonfiction

This Here Flesh: a MockingOwl Review

Some books on these topics are dry, others difficult to read because of the intense content. However, Arthur Riley helps the reader welcome the discussion on these challenging topics through the beautiful wording and deeply personal, but somehow not overwhelming, insights of her own.

July 23, 2023

Murder With Earl Grey Tea book review cover

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at July 23, 2023

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Book Reviews - Fiction

Cozy Mystery Book Review: Murder With Earl Grey Tea

I’m usually someone who sees the perpetrator within the first chapter but it took me much longer (almost to the end!) in Murder With Earl Grey Tea, which took me by surprise. Cozy mysteries rarely keep me wondering, which I found truly delightful.

July 11, 2023

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at July 11, 2023

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Encouraging Pushback from Writers: An Industry Standard Break

One of the standards I have run across many times myself as a writer and journalist has been that of punishing writers for speaking their minds and expressing their voices. I can think of many times a professor, a fellow journalist, or writer’s club member has mentioned being suppressed at the hands of their editor(s). The editor holds all the power.

July 2, 2023

My symbol of rest - the black-faced sheep

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at July 2, 2023

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Self-Care & Wellness for Creatives

My Symbol of Rest: the Black-Faced Sheep

Most often, we think of a sabbath as a day off of work. This is the reason the most dedicated followers of sabbath practices don’t even allow themselves to cook or clean on their days off, and, instead, must do the work ahead of time.