A Bump in the Road

There have been many bumps in the road as I journey, but I always try to move forward. After twisting my ankle In October, I tried the usual remedies, ice packs, and elevation but they did not work. A few days later, an xray showed a fractured ankle. While this  bump in the road made me antsy for days, I decided that I needed to bring nature inside. 

The healing time may have been and still is a bump in the road but with friends and family it became a time to move forward. Nature nurtures my soul during it's annual autumn fashion show. 

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bumpy rides are annoying

and at times soul destroying

 so to the countryside we go

spotting trees with color flow

nature eases antsy stresses

that life sometimes addresses

listen to fall's quiet voice

strike the cord and rejoice

Being in the moment is the positive choice!

©CVarsalona, 2025 

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A month later, I visited my foot specialist doctor once again. I waited with bated breath. Would she approve my travel to Denver for the NCTE Convention? After spending Zoom time preparing a presentation on free verse with my talented poet/authors, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Georgia Heard, and Allan Wolf, I was eager to take the trip. After all, the last time I saw my writer, poetry, and and literary friends was at the 2019 NCTE Convention in Baltimore. 

With an ankle that was still in the early healing stage, I was more than happy to wear the stabilizing boot, walking with a walker, and using a wheelchair in the airport. So off I went to Denver hoping  for four days of learning and enjoyment.  Both were found but that's another Slice of Life.

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A poem from the past that brings peace to me:

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Thank You To:

• Melanie Meehan for organizing a breakfast get-together for Two Writing Teachers' friends at  the NCTE Convention. 
• Matt Forrest Esenwine  and Irene Latham for their open invitation to the  Poetry Peeps evening event at  the NCTE Convention.

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I now join Two Writing Teachers on their special day, Giving Tuesday. "Every year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this organization leads a movement encouraging others to give. This could be giving your time, creativity, care, or any act of generosity you can share with others."

I give you my Slice of Life with inspiration from the season of autumn in Virginia, and nature photography turned into digital art image poems. 

Why Write About Navigating Reality?

The amazing poet, professor Kaveh Akbar stated: "Writing is how I make sense of the world". There is so much to be concered about these days. Politics, environment, illness, and loss are daily concerns on the news. Beyond those heavy topics, I ponder navigating my reality. 

Some days the rain takes me to a place of sorrow and loss so I wait for  glorious streams of sunshine to flood the sky. The sun is my benefactor. It starts my day with summer beauty and streams peaceful vibes. But I am not the only one that feels this way. See the short video, "Good Question: Why does the sun make us happy?" 

Today, I shall open my eyes to the beauty of the sky and let positive thoughts filter through (even though thunderous rainstorms came through all day). I send out my letter to heaven above with continued hope that the summer season renews my spirit.

draft of an envelope poem

Writing helps me make sense of the world and my reality.I am submitting this blog post to Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life. Thank You Two Writing Teachers for offering space for reflective writers ro communicate with each other.

Blossoming on the Spiritual Journey

Welcome to May's Spiritual Journey Thursday!

I enter the lovely month of May with hope, although my heart is filled with grief.

I dedicate today's blog and poems to my husband, Richard, who loved trees blooming with various shades of color, especially our magnolia specimens and the dwarf cherry tree. I patiently watch for more blooming during this month. 

This year, my spiritual journey has felt like a rough road with lots of gravel to step over. Yet, a well-known quote by the Japanese poet Kohayashi Issa gives me hope as I traverse the roads ahead.

A world of grief and pain. Flowers bloom, even then.

Issa's words center on the themes of resilience and hope. Springtime opens the world to beauty despite suffering, sorrow, and world chaos. It is up to me to believe in the nurturing of nature and the power of faith during this time of bereavement. What once was surreal has now become a reality. I know I need to lean on my family and present and past communities of friends for support. Marcel Proust stated that we should "be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 

Psalm 37:3-5 Tells me to trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  

My heart desires to be calm and be of good faith. When I signed up to host the Spiritual Journey, I felt blossoming would be an appropriate theme for May since it connotes a renewal, a new beginning, and personal growth. I did not think that I would face the sudden death of my husband and go through a period of grief. I understand the future will be difficult without my partner, but I know I must move forward with hope. 

I often write about the beauty of life. For this poem, I decided to find a format that I have not tried. I chose the Japanese kouta poem. According to AI, this poem is "about ordinary life focusing on the beauty and significance of everyday moments and experiences". It contains a quatrain with the syllable count of 7, 7, 7, 5 or 7, 5, 7, 5. 

Somewhere in heaven, you sit

with the blossoming flowers

Please pick a bouquet for me

like you did on earth.

©CVarsalona, 2025, kouta poem

Ramona Behnke, a Spiritual Journey writer, reminded me of a quote I wrote.

"Writing is the opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul."

The above statement is what I feel tonight.

Calmness surrounds me.

I know Richard's suffering is over.

I sit alone, grateful for the gift of writing

Sam Cooke's song, That's Heaven To Me, plays in the background.

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."

-Henry Ward Beecher

I send bouquets of gratitude to all of the Spiritual Journey Thursday writers.

You are a truly supportive, faith-filled group.

May we all benefit from the blossoming of nature and

our own personal growth during the merry month of May.

I look forward to reading each person's Spiritual Journey blog post.

Please add your blog below whenever it is ready.

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Nature at Peace

In the silence of evening, stillness evokes peace. Nature floats in the quietude until the morning breaks. At that time, the world stretches its arms, unfolds its layers, and renews another day. 

This morning I pause with prayer waiting for a sliver of light to break through the darkness. "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. -  Psalm 90:14

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morning breaks

slivers of light unfold darkness

earth sings its praises

gentle winds bring renewed thoughts

nature spreads its seeds of joy

©cvarsalona, 2025 draft tanka

If you have not heard Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, it is one of my favorite songs. (Beautiful song sung at my wedding) 

Today is Poetry Friday and I am delighted that I woke early to write my post.

Janice Scully is our host today. She honors Women's History Month with pride.

Logo created by Margaret Simon

Today is also Day 14 of the March SOLSC #SOL25

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the space to write 

with a reflective, worldwide group of educators.

Winter's Brushstrokes

AI states that ethereal strokes on canvas create a sense of tranquility. These brushstrokes can be used to depict landscapes. Since college, I have enjoyed photography, especially capturing the beauty of winter. Playing with different digital apps, like Graphite and Fotojet, is a current passion. I start by taking photos of a winter day. Then, I  use digital tools to create scenes that evoke different sensations. 

In a world of hectic movement and chaos, peace is a necessity. Today, I offer a slice of winter's naturework in different poetic formats.

daylight transforms

into darkened sunset shades

inked sky rests

©CVarsalona, 2025

After creating my digital artwork, I used it as a prompt for writing. I tried a variety of formats and finally settled on the cherita, a poem that conveys a story. I used a poem by Alan Wright, Australian poet, as a mentor text to weave my poem.  

in the silence of a chilled night

animals hibernate in winter's bliss

humans dream upon stars

winter transforms earth's landscape

into frozen etchings against the sky

sharing its stilled tranquility

©CVarsalona, 2025

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for providing a writing space for reflective writers from around the globe.

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Special Invitation to Slicers: 

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination. -Voltaire

I am hosting Poetry Friday on February 7th at my Beyond LiteracyLink blog.  I will create a heartnote, valentine, poem, digital artwork, etc. and a padlet, titled Heartnotes for all interested writers to add their work. Join me on February 7th as I honor Valentine's Day, a love-note to the rest of the year. (Jo Lightfoot)  I look forward to seeing the variety of imaginative thoughts and artwork.

My 2025 One Little Word

A new pathway opens for my 2025 Spiritual Journey. It is guided by a new one little word. My former collection of OLWs will not be forgotten or discarded. They are the foundation that I have walked on since 2014. While reflecting on my stepping stones below, I open my heart to the possibilities for 20225 with a new guiding word.

My collection of one words strengthens my spiritual journey each year. In December, I eagerly awaited a new word, a connector that creates newness. Little did I know that my word had been waiting for me since 2014. In that blog post, I wrote the following about my one word openness. "A connector on my journey, the enticer to find possibilities in life by shifting, reflecting, redirecting, redesigning, and renewing my course of action."

I intentionally paused life since May 2024 due to a medical issue. I am ready for RENEW to restore what has faded and create newness in my life. I hope 2025 will provide a fresh start and a positive change to restore, revitalize, and make life feel fresh again. Psalm 51:10 holds the essence of my one word. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit  within me."  After last year's interruption, I confidently return to my spiritual path.

Logo created by Margaret Simon

Please join me at Margaret Simon's Spiritual Journey 2025 post to read what others in the community have chosen for their new word.

I am celebrating the start of Poetry Friday 2025 with our host and keeper-of-the- calendar, Mary Lee Hahn. She is full of wisdom today, a positive way to start poetic writing in 2025. Happy New Year to all! 

Pause To Reflect (on the Spiritual Journey)

This year, I chose the word pause to guide my spiritual journey. I had high expectations but little did I know that a couple of months later, I would experience unexpected pauses that started from a simple surgery. During the initial recuperation period, I grieved the loss of my strength. This led to mounting stress. Now,  as I begin physical therapy, I pause to rethink the road ahead. My hope is to have a refreshed attitude and time to enjoy the simple moments of life.

The digital graphic I created shows sunset before the 4th of July fireworks burst into the air. Sky colors are beautiful in Northern Virginia. This particular night was filled with excitement. I wanted to capture the sun's beauty and its awesomeness. I found serenity during the night. After pondering the effect of beauty in the natural world, I created the image poem below. It captured the feeling I had at the fireworks display and gave me hope for a positive spiritual journey.                    

My short poem impacted my thinking? Upon reading quotes, Bible entries, and blogs, on positivity, I found that a positive attitude activates "pause-itivity: the power of the pause". The inspirational writer, Eleanor Brown, also reminds me that self-care is important. If Earth at the end of the day finds rest, I can too. I plan on stepping back to "take time to replenish my spirit and serve others from the overflow-not from an empty vessel." BUT, I cannot do so without the help of the Divine Creator who is present even in troubled times of uncertainty. 

NOT busyness but a slowdown spirit is needed because Life itself is fragile and uncertain (CV). I shall take time to rest in the Spirit, find my way through uncertainty, and with hope, continue the spiritual journey with "pause-itivity". Below is a quick skinny poem with recent photos that made me ponder more.

pause-itivity moments

seeking

peace

quietude

wonder

seeking

hope

inside

rainbows

seeking

pause-itivity moments

©CVarsalona, 2024

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As the host of August's Spiritual Journey, I offer the prompt Pause to Reflect. Perhaps, this prompt will stir thoughts on your own one word or other sacred pauses in your life.     - Please log in with Mr. Linky below.

Game On!

When growing up board games were a favorite pastime, a "conduit" bonding families and friends together. Children learned the etiquette of fair play while playing board games. Many memories were made in the good old days.

When we moved from Long Island to Virginia a couple of years ago, our “forever” board games, chess, monopoly, scrabble, and checkers, moved with us. Now, they sit on a table in the loft waiting for my little grandgirls to visit. While this generation is absorbed in video games, board games are still appealing as a leisurely family and friends activity.

What new games are in my house and enjoyed by my grandgirls and me? Tic Tac Toe, WordScapes, and Wordle are all online. My iPhone and my son's iPad await their turns with the little champs. For a solo game, I enjoy the New York Times Wordle. I found tips that are quite useful but in the end, it is all about strategy, vocabulary know-how, and persistence.

Wordle

social phenomenon

novel literary fun

with can do spirit

wordplay

@CVarsalona, 2024

Elfchen poem designed with WordArt & Fotojet

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My Winning Games

that beat the computer

                                         

Heartnote to my almost 7-year-old grandgirl:

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“There are thousands of five-letter words in the English dictionary,

but it only takes one to win Wordle."

― Alexis Benveniste and Jackie Frere

 

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Spring starts prepping for her entrance as the left-over winter leaves toss around the yards. I'm joining the Poetry Party as author, poet, and host, Tanita S. Davis, opens her blog for Poetry Friday. Click here to read Tanita's pre-roundup welcome and visit other poets' blog sites.

Logo created by Tanita S. Davis

I am also offering my Game On! blog post to the 2024 Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge. Click here.

Day 15

Being in the Moment

Have you ever wanted to drift away on a pool float or an inflatable device during the summer? I often think of the times I laid on a lounge chair listening to the ripple of my turquoise vase cascading waterfall instead of rushing around trying to catch up. To just be in the moment without disturbances is a calming experience.  

I quietly reflect bringing me back to memories of several delightful family vacations in Cape May. While on the beach a few weeks ago, I watched three dolphins splashing in the Atlantic Ocean. Although they did not jump up out of the water, their splashing caused many beach lovers to stare into the waves and marvel at nature. More memories float in of many by-the-sea days digging my toes in the sand while reading novels. There is so much relaxation and renewal while enjoying beach time.

 Mind Emptying to Feel Calm

Tomorrow I shall listen

to nature's whisperings

undaunted by unfinished tasks.

Sleep, please help me remember

the promises I made to myself.

©CVarsalona, 2023

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Another way to empty my mind is to write poetry. The Summer Poem Swap under the event creator, Tabatha Yeatts, has been a creative venture into "being". I enjoy the time alone designing and writing for partners. The third swap was delightful since my partner, Rose Cappelli, and I share similar interests, traveling to Cape May, NJ, gardening, and nature. Below is the creative and bountiful gift Rose sent to me.

 Paper Flowers to adorn my buffet, seeds for my garden, and an Edna St. Vincent Millay Postcard for inspiration (read the poem below)

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my

friends-it gives a lovely light!

The floral card Rose sent has a lovely note and a Mary Oliver poem.

See an Original Poem by Rose below. It is full of visuals and inspiration

The stain happened while I was enjoying both Rose's poem and a cup of tea.

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My last Summer Poem Swap was sent out today to Carol Labuzetta today.

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The photo above is from our host of Poetry Friday this week, Linda Baie.

The temperature in Denver is 100 degrees but this does not stop Linda from celebrating her grandson's movement to the adult world of work and her granddaughters' transitions to upper grades. Linda shares thoughts from her heart in an original poem titled Resistance. Please saunter over to Linda's blog post, TeacherDance, where you find her poetic goodness and hospitality plus poetic posts from other writers.

Unlocking the Monster

Stories are small vignettes that start in the spaces of my mind and are brought to life with evocative words and images. Stories become my key to unlocking the soul and inner ideas, releasing words into the universe of thought. Writing journals (digital or non-digital) are sacred spaces where fears let go and thoughts rise. Laura Shovan's 11th Annual February Poetry Project has been an outlet for me to address storytelling in poetic ways. 

Day 27 of the challenge presented a unique way to introduce the monsters within that plague the soul. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Monster was the subject raised by Tabatha Yeatts. As a child, I was fearful of monsters but Shelley's creature seemed misunderstood and alone. Many times, humans feel the same. Chaos existing in the world estranges people. Kindness and empathy are lost in the mix. Loneliness leads to increased horror. The monster within finds shape. These thoughts sparked an idea to review the fictional Frankenstein monster in a different way. I first digitized a picture of an outstretched monster found on the Internet. He seemed bound by a world of chaos and internal strife. What I created is a brief glimpse into an unfinished tale.

Have you ever felt bottled up?

Perhaps, the answer is 

to seek peace in life's moments.

Make the ordinary extraordinary.

Just Be.

Settle in.

Search the soul.

Open your heart to gladness.

©CVarsalona, 2023, quick write

Today is the last day of Laura's project and tomorrow starts the first day of Two Writing Teachers' 16th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge of writing daily during the month. I am ready to search my soul and expand the stories within. Join me.