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…
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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.
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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!
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October 14, 2023
The Irie Cup Montego - Tea Review
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.
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July 23, 2023
Murder With Earl Grey Tea book review cover
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at July 23, 2023
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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.
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July 11, 2023
writing page with flowers
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.
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November 30, 2022
MockingOwls Publishing House announcement
Published by The MockingOwls at November 30, 2022
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MockingOwl Creatives Announcement: We’re Opening a Publishing House!

And we love small presses! But we want to expand our understanding of what they can look like and be a super personal, super effective small press that doesn’t just sell books but builds community for writers, editors, and readers as we do it.
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October 25, 2021
NaNoWriMo - woman at laptop
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at October 25, 2021
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NaNo Prep Post 4: NaNoWriMo is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

It’s almost here! NaNoWriMo 2021 is just 6 days away. Oh, that glorious, wondrous time when we put aside all reason and write an entire novel draft in 30 days or less. Here are a few things I do each year to get myself ready, to keep myself motivated, and to get that winner’s badge.
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September 11, 2021
two young women hugging each other tiightly and smiling - when schizophrenia came
Published by Rita Mock-Pike at September 11, 2021
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When Schizophrenia Came: A Remembrance

Schizophrenia was not your end, though the incidents leading to your diagnosis did feel like it. Schizophrenia did not remove you from existence, though you were never recognizable as the sunny, bubbly, quirky girl we used to know after that diagnosis...
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