I’m a passionate gardener and writer, and am happiest digging around in the dirt. I’ve also written several bestselling books, including A Good Home, An Honest House, and the richly illustrated Twigs in My Hair, A Gardening Memoir
My children’s illustrated Myrtle the Purple Turtle books have also been successes and have received excellent reviews.
I’m a former journalist, producer-director, trainer and executive producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. More than a hundred episodes of my programs appeared on network television. Along the way, I won national and international awards, including The Children’s Broadcast Institute Award , The Trailblazer Award and The Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and Television.
In October 2016, the country of my birth, Jamaica, inducted me into the Order of Distinction, Commander Rank, in recognition of my work in international journalism. That honour brought me to tears.
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Today, years after a life-changing event, I write.
I write about home. In the bricks-and-mortar sense, yes. But I also write about the villages, towns, cities and homelands we call “home” and our relationships with and in them. I’ve been writing ‘on the side’ for decades, no matter what job I had.
My books for children were first inspired when I realized that my young daughter was distressed by something that happened to her at school.
Years after I first wrote this bedtime story to comfort my daughter, Myrtle the Purple Turtle was published to great acclaim from reviewers and readers alike and recognized with an award. My daughter Lauren Reyes- Grange, a gifted storyteller, became co-author of the series.
A Good Home, a bestseller for months, was written over many years. The story begins in a tiny, magical, pink farmhouse in the Jamaican countryside and ends in another farmhouse — this one, a sprawling, historic place near Toronto, Canada with many stories of its own.
An Honest House won the 2016 Diamond Award for Book of the Year. It’s an intimate portrayal of a family dealing with hard truths after a life-changing event. Despite those realities — and setbacks — this family is determined to express love, find courage and celebrate their blessings.
Twigs in My Hair is a stroll through the gardens and gardeners I have loved. Gardening was an instrument of grace during my toughest years. It also taught me to laugh again, because gardening can be a crazy hobby!
I’m thankful to the many readers who write to me – marvelous, moving letters about my books’ or blog’s impact on their lives.
On this blog, you’ll find posts that vary from the serious to the ridiculous. (Ridiculous, because life gets so challenging at times, a person has to find the humour in it.) This blog, and my blogging community, have been a cherished part of my life in recent years. You’re welcome to join us.
THANK YOU for visiting.
Cynthia.
Cynthia Reyes 
So where are the stories?
Hi Tim:
Please check the upper right side of page, under Recent Posts. You’ll see the title of each post.
Hope you like!
Thanks,
Cynthia.
I wanted to stop by and thank you for visiting my blog. I happened upon a post of yours where you go to lunch with friends who all share chronic pain in common. This is a subject that I know next to nothing about, although my boyfriend (who I live with) has the problem. I’m going to keep hanging around and see if I can gain some insights. Anything to help relieve the stress of it at this point. My best, Rose
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I appreciate it very much. 🙂
You’re welcome!
Hi Cynthia…glad you stopped by my blog. Your home here has a nice feel. Congrats on your book! Blessitude 🙂
Thanks, Lorrie.
Grace and peace.
Thanks for the visit!
You’re most welcome. And thanks to you, too.
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post!! 🙂
You’re welcome and thank you for the same.
Hi Cynthia, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. More info here:
http://sweetbabyveg.com/2015/01/31/be-inspired-be-creative-make-a-mess/
Please, if you are too busy, do not feel you have to commit to this award straight away, or at all.
Kindest Regards,
Karen x.
Hi, Thank you for liking a post I made about Austin Macauley publisher looking for new submissions. I’m glad that anybody found the information useful, I wasn’t sure anyone would when I posted it on my blog. 🙂
You are most welcome. I appreciate finding useful articles from bloggers.
Pleased to meet you.
Thank you. Wishing you a good day.
I’m glad I found your blog. You should put a link to it on your Gravatar so that more people can find it! 🙂
I’m so glad you found it too! The URL was there, but not the icon, so I’ve just added it, thanks to your mention!
The URL was my only link to you – glad to help! 🙂
Thank you for the invitation, Cynthia. I enjoy memoirs and can’t wait to start reading your books.
Thanks so very much! I’m honoured.
So glad to have ‘met’ you, Cynthia. I’m going to enjoy following you and greatly look forward to reading your memoirs. I have loved my own house renovating projects, and sense several strands of shared interests just in my initial glance through your site. See you around!!
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate that.
Thank you for sharing your experience with others!
And thank you for visiting.
You’re welcome!
Hi Cynthia, very much like the look of your blog and will follow.
My very best from North Wales,
Paul
Thanks very much, Paul. Will visit soon.
Hi
Thank you so much for finding my blog and liking a post. Hope you come back again soon
Trina