In Episode 11 of Sleeping with Heather, drift into a dreamy fireside reverie filled with folklore, fireflies, forgotten sandwiches, and the mystical art of assembling an IKEA coffee table. Heather guides you through Appalachian broom lore, soft musings on memory and magic, and the poetry hidden in ordinary things. Perfect for anxious minds, bedtime routines, and insomniacs seeking comfort, laughter, and a little cosmic connection.

Welcome to "Sleeping with Heather," the podcast that whispers you to sleep with intriguing stories, calming conversations, and soothing sounds. Tonight, we're getting cozy with some fascinating squirrel facts that are sure to intrigue and relax you. After that, we'll dial up my good friend Derek for a laid-back chat about squirrels and a myriad of other delightful topics.

Poetry featured in tonights episode: "The Partial Explanation" by Charles Simic A poignant piece that delves into the mysteries of life, inviting listeners to ponder the unexplained and the partially understood aspects of our existence. "Rural Delivery" by Charles Simic Simic's evocative imagery captures the essence of rural life, bringing forth a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. "But I, Too, Want to Be a Poet" by Fanny Howe This poem is a reflective exploration of the desire to create and express through the medium of poetry. "First Formal" by Sharon Olds Olds's narrative poem weaves a tale of youthful experiences and the poignant moments that mark our coming of age. "I Was Reading a Scientific Article" by Margaret Atwood Atwood's signature style shines in this piece, blending the scientific with the poetic to create a unique commentary on life. "Audience" by Connie Wanek A contemplative poem that invites listeners to consider the relationship between the poet and their audience. "A Pink Hotel in California" by Margaret Atwood Atwood transports us to a vividly painted scene, filled with color and emotion, reflecting on the nature of memories and places.

"Bell Bottoms and Platform Shoes" by Maria Mazziotti Gillan Gillan's work is a nostalgic journey back in time, evoking the fashions and sentiments of a bygone era.

Before Dark" by Wendell Berry Berry's poem is a serene meditation on nature and the passage of time, encouraging mindfulness and appreciation of the world around us.

Good evening, Sleepyheads! So glad you could join me for another episode of Sleeping with Heather :). 00:00:45 - Yoga Nidra 00:08:33 - poetry begins 00:09:00 - The Wind by Jayden 00:15:41 - Fireflies by Dani Elle - Dani Elle recently published a book of poetry. You can find it on Amazon via this link: https://tinyurl.com/4enu44t9 You can also follow her on IG @prose_elle 00:17:56 - Instructions On Not Giving Up by Ada Limon 00:21:29 - We Stopped at Perfect Days by Richard Brautigan 00:23:48 - All in Green Went My Love Riding by E. E. Cummings 00:28:48 - The Kitten by Ogden Nash 00:30:21 - Poetry by former poet laureate, Derek Walcott 00:30:30 - Love after Love by Derek Walcott 00:31:51 - The Harvest by Derek Walcott 00:34:01 - Midsummer Tobago by Derek Walcott 00:35:29 - Shopping for ingredients to make potato Salad If you like what you hear and would like to support my show, I'd be so very grateful. Thanks for supporting my lil' side gig: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ZzzwithH... patreon.com/user?u=12068455 To have your work read and shared with my audience, drop me a line at slowdownchillout@gmail.com and be sure to put "Podcast Submission" in the subject line. Thanks for listening.

Thank you for tuning in! You're in for a night of restful sleep.

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Sweet dreams!

Join me for a bedtime story about a guy and his dog, and a world where the mundane is anything but.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cGwKFa_oiAg

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Good evening sleepyheads and welcome to episode 5 of the Sleeping with Heather podcast! I freestyled most of tonight's show and hope it finds you fast asleep very soon. Sweet dreams!

The most beautiful starfish in the sea dreams of stardom but finds herself in the belly of a Mako shark who is swallowed by a whale. Her valiant effort to escape lands her in the net of a marine biologist. Will Joanna find herself in the Museum of Nature Science or under the bright lights of Tinsel Town? Hear how this harrowing adventure ends on tonight’s episode of Sleeping with Heather.

Follow Sleeping with Heather on Twitter @ZzzWithHeather

Bens Branches: https://bensbranches.org/

I want to thank the following people, without whom this story would not have been possible:

Joanna LaForgia

Javier Leiva, host of the Pretend and Criminal Conduct podcasts

Dating and relating coach, Debra Besinger

Sharon Eisner

John Baxter

Bobby Parker

Jay Jay

Kevin Watkins

Ian Riutta

Derek Kauffman

Derek Woudstra

Jenna Kogut

And Julie Serra

Special thanks to

Stef Mates of HappiMess Media for lending her art and inspiring tonight’s story,

Stephen Roessner for audio engineering guidance,

Tim Mollen for his feedback and kindly testing out each episode before publication,

and to The Poetry Fox, Chris Vitello, for kindly allowing me to share his poetry in this episode.

You're all stars in my book!