January Delights

This week the predicted winter storm came in horizontally and continued until snow covered the earth.  I was surprised that Fairfax County in Virginia closed schools for four days so far. The scenery looked like a winter wonderland similar to my winter days in Long Island, NY. By the end of the winter storm, the  landscape was beautifully arrayed with blanketed snow, which offers slow-down time to reminisce and write poetry.

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January

showcases winter

with marshmallow-embarkments

time for hot chocolate

bliss

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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January

filters light

as snow dances

in streams that glisten

serenity

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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quietude settles as snowscapes sparkle

stillness

flows

perfecting

evening's

stillness

earth

tip-toes

in

stillness

snowscapes glisten as quietude settles

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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Inspiration to Live By

Move slowly on winter's frosty path.

Pause intentionally.

Witness small moments.

Be in the moment.

Reflect quietly.

Breathe in stillness to

Renew my heart's spirit.

©CVarsalona, 2025

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I am excited to unveil the Holiday Poem Swap, recently sent to me by author/poet Patricia Franz.  I am grateful for the package that arrived. Patricia sent a miniature Metaphor Dice Starter Set to create small poems with my little grandgirls, an artistic card of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve two thousand years ago, a small notebook, and a found poem based on my words in my monthly blog post. 

I was touched by the gift of poetic goodness.

With gratitude, I share a bundle of joy created just for me.

Patricia wandered through my 2024 monthly blog posts for words that called out to her. She gathered the words together to create a summation of 2024. Once I read the poem, I paused at the last line and knew that I uncovered my one little word renew. How fortunate for me! Thank you, Patricia, for the Holiday Swap that I shall cherish.

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I am also grateful to the lovely Australian author, poet, and presenter Kathryn Apel for hosting Poetry Friday. Kat shares pictures and a humorous, fun poem about cats and dogs (furry friends).

Celebrating Poetic Writing

How often do poets and writers praise the writing of the masters and strive to use their voice and the magic of word play to bring verve to their own work? I am excited to share information about two poet friends who have exciting news.

Buffy Silverman's poetic book On a Gold-Blooming Day Finding Fall Treasures, made it's debut on September 6, 2020, National Read a Book Day. I recently found a special mailing from Lerner Publishing Group, a copy of Buffy's poetic book to publicize.

The hardbound book that will delight both children and adults is

a stunning one to display on a coffee table.

When reviewing Buffy's book, I fell in love with both the gorgeous nature photographs and the accompanying descriptive words, like a sun-dazzling day. Since I started decorating for the autumn season, I plan on leaving Buffy's book on display as a welcome-to-my-house treasure. When my little grandgirls come to visit, they will spot the book, take it in their hands, and be mesmerized by the beauty within each photographic page amidst a flow of poetic thought.

Hopefully, my grandgirls will lift their voices in celebration of Buffy's

pre-school to grade 3 book.

Another poet-teacher-publisher friend living in Switzerland, Bridget Magee is celebrating her one-year book anniversary of The 10*10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways this October. Bridget single-handedly edited and compiled her first anthology of 87 poems. I am happy to say that I am one of the 10*10 writers celebrating alongside Bridget. 

Bridget writes that in the past year, her "humble wee words inaugural poetry anthology earned Five 5-star Amazon reviews and multiple bloggers have sung collective praises". I was particularly impressed by a wonderful review by Karla Wendlin of Poetry Studio.

Bridget Magee focuses on the number 10 through clever use of language, humor, and heartfelt sentiment. The 87 poems are dived into 10 sections, each with an introductory quote that sets up intention (nod to Bridget!) of the poems that follow (e.g., "The qualing of strength lined with tenderness is anunbeatable combination..." Maya Angelou).The 10 topics address vocabulary (tentative, tenacity, tension), common phrases (take ten, I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole), and more. The poems, written by established as well as debut poets, reflect a wide variety of poetic styles. Brief biographical sketches of the poets are appended. Keep a copy of this book handy, as students will want to reread selections and read aloud their favorites, and possibly use poems as models for their own writing. The entire book might be an inspiration for a class writing project, celebrating a different number, such as "one" (e.g., one-sided, one-up, one of a kind, we're number one, one-hit wonder, etc.

Stay tuned to the month of October when Briget will put the spotlight on the 10*10 writers. Don't miss Bridget's wee words for wee words blog and business Facebook page. 

Below you find my poem that was written with my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter Aurora in mind. I like to sing the poem to her instead of just reading it out loud. We laugh when I sing because I use gestures and movements to make Aurora giggle. Thank you, Bridget, for all the work you put into this wonderful poetry anthology. 

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Join me for the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by my Australian poet friend/kidlit author, Kat Apel. Before reading the array of poetic goodness linked to Kat's blog, pause to read her post. She is sharing her successes and summer poem swaps (with beautiful haikus and nature poetry), along with her new books and presentations .

March Musings: Dazzling Winter Greetings, Day 4

Did you know that I am a delitologist?  I collect postcards from the turn of the 20th Century  when "postcard collecting caught the national eye." I enjoy the feel and look of postcards from the past. Some of mine are ornate and embossed without the year that the postcard was sent. Many have inspirational thoughts and lovely illustrations. All of my postcards are sent by women to their families in different towns. The wording is short and usually, a greeting or a short note.  All allow me to reflect on the lifestyle of the early 20th century. 

Recently, I added current poetry postcards sent by poet friends to my collection of paper ephemera. Please see below my new poetry postcards that will decorate my house during future winter seasons. Thank you, Gail Aldous. Linda Baie, Robyn Hood Black, Carol Labuzzetta, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Linda Mitchell, Sarah Grace Tuttle, and Tabatha Yeatts for your inspirational postcards for 2022, the Year of the Tyger. Thanks also go out to Jone Rush MacCulloch for continuing the Victorian practice of exchanging postcards.  

Within the postcards sent to me, I found poetic lines that spoke to me. I delicately lifted lines and combined them with a few additions to create a new poem.

(Found lines from poetry friends are underlined below.)

Here's To Poetry Running Wild (Robyn) in 2022!

 Alive with wonder, (Jone)

Keenly see the future. (Carol L)

Blue skies smile at you. (Linda B)

Stillness deepens (Linda M),

indulging life layers. (Tabatha & Gail)

Arise, heart! (Tabatha)

Threads of moonlight glitter (Gail)

Soothe the frantic world. (Sarah)

Open wide. (Tabatha)

Aim for the sky.(Linda Bfrom Chandra Kochbar)

Summon your songs.(Tabatha)

Then, rest in the (Sarah)

purple shadows of night. (Sarah)

©CV, 2022, found poem

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I join two writing communities today:

Poetry Friday hosted by Australian poet/author, Kat Apel.

Two Writing Teachers 

A  Meeting Place for A World of Reflective Writers

Sweet Beach Memories

Sweet beach memories float on by. It has been months since I walked across a beach feeling the sand massaging my toes.  I pause to recall the morning sun offering warmth, gulls swooping across the ocean, and frolicking sounds of children swooshing in ebullient waves. Summer brings its own magic to the shore-nature's handpainted seascape. Mother Nature blends muted shades rising above a cream sand layer. To replicate the look, artists reach into their palettes mixing jetty gray with blue sky. Blending my love of photography with digital art, I create memories of my seaside times of gratitude.  

sunkissed shoreline

the sweetness of goodness found

golden moments

©cv, 2021

great expanse of sea

serenity floats in surf

gather nature's gifts

©cv, 2021

art of summering

listening to ocean's roar

tranquil calmness

©cv, 2021

Finding life's balance is easier at water's edge so next week

I am off to Cape May, NJ for a mini-vacation where I plan to create new memories.

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For now, I travel to the blog of Poetry Friday's host Aussie poet/Kidlit author, Kathryn Apel. Join me to read through her #petpicpoem at the Poetry Friday Roundup. You will find many other poets who provide their own poetic goodness there. Thanks for sharing some beachside memories with me. 

Moving Day Clutter

Whew! What a few days this has been. The team of movers pulled up to my new house in Virginia with an 18 wheeler truck yesterday on a day filled with sunshine and 76-degree weather. I feel exhausted and excited at the same time. The house is stuffed to the gills with boxes. Even though I did a good job of labeling each box with the appropriate room designated, the house is cluttered.  I have lost my phone many times and cannot find simple items. Everywhere I go there is clutter. I clean one area only to have another pile of items that would make Marie Kondo cringe. 

It is late in the day and I am sliding into Poetry Friday and today's Slice of Life for Two Writing Teachers. I decided to use a new poetry form, the lamipofri created by Kathryn Apel,Australian children's book author and poet. What is it you ask? Kat states that "It's a poetry snapshot that's quickly scribe to give people an inisht into the world around you at a given point in time-that point being the last minute as you're scrabling for a Poetry Friday poem to post. Hence the name LAst MInuite of a POetry FRIday. The trick with the .amipofri is to pause, take a moment to look around and share that moment with others."

Moving Day Clutter

Eighteen wheeler

pulled in.

Team of five

piled out.

Walkthrough began.

Parade of furniture and boxes

found their way

to designated spots.

I watched in awe.

Changed my mind

too many times.

Contemplated

how to declutter.

Too exhausted!

Marie Kondo

where are you?

I'm in need of advice.

©CV, 2021

This is a neat version after many boxes were unpacked.

This lamipofri is offered to both the Poetry Friday community hosted by the birthday gal, Heidi Mordhorst, and Two Writing Teachers March SOLSCI! #SOL21.

Day 12 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

De-Stressing Is a Must

Will I meet my deadline? Last night was a night to fret over last minute details. There are many tasks still left on my to do list before Tuesday when the movers come to empty the house. Thirty-eight years of memories, furniture, and "stuff" are still here. Slowly, I pack up the belongings spending some moments reminiscing. More questions pop into my head. Will tonight's estate sale be successful? Will all the buyers pick up their goods tomorrow as scheduled?  Will the clean-out go smoothly? 

Did I mention that I am not finished packing up the house yet? Yikes!

Panic set in last night when I realized that the garage still needed to be organized and packed away! Oh my, moving is not easy and I just found out it is #3 on the list of the top five most stressful life events. 

An internet article I read noted that moving is a stressor. That is certainly right! The last time I moved was thirty-eight years ago and it was from a one bedroom apartment but now there is a whole house of furniture and memorabilia accumulated. The article mentions three tips to manage the most stressful life events.

Managing stress takes time and intentionality.

What if I created a personal plan to de-stress?

Good thinking!

ACTION PLAN TO:

DE-STRESS

Exercise

Stop fretting.

Take slow breaths in and out

Relax

Engage in feel good activities

Smile often

Stay in the grateful zone 

©CV, 2021 

With faith, I will earnestly try to de-stress as I move onward to my new life destination.

Today is a combination blog post.

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Australian author and poet, Kat Apel.

Today she has a wonderful surprise. She is featuring her new children's book, the Bird in the Herd that is filled with delightful illustrations and a story line children will love to read.

Day 5 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Honoring Nikki Grimes, Poet

You can see the animated version of the card above at Buncee.

I recall one NCTE a few years ago when Poetry Friday friends were seated around a table enjoying the camaraderie of friends. Nikki Grimes was part of that group. We chatted about poetry and life. I was one of Nikki's fans so I listened carefully. Following this evening event, I was lucky to spot her at an author's signing for her new novel in verse, Garvey's Choice that won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. 

To prepare for Day 3 of my graduate school summer institute for teachers, I reread Garvey's Choice. I knew that it would be an appropriate book to be included in a text-set for a mini-unit on adolescent bullying, self-identity, and/or family and friend relationships. As I read through the book, I grew to care about Garvey as a person and student. He, like many middle year and early high school teens, is perplexed by internal conflict emanating from his relationships with his family and lack of friends.  This book is beautifully-crafted and seamlessly written in the tanka form of poetry. Nikki Grimes shares sensitivity toward her main character and visibly illustrates the growth of Garvey's identity from a boy taunted for years about his weight to one who takes pride in whom he is. You can see the Garvey's growth of self-confidence in the found poem I created with selected lines from Nikki's book.

Fill in the puzzle of me.

Fear is the flip-flop in my belly.

I take a breath. 

I'm suddenly feeling brave.

Now "fat boy" insults glide

right off like raindrops.

I'm a balloon of song,

reaching the edges of space.

Somehow, music makes me full.

Listen to my dreams.

I choose what words to let in.

Set to face a new morning,

I stand Taller.

The perfect size is happy.

Designed by ©CVarsalona, 2020

with lines from Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes

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I listened to Nikki read "Jabari Unmasked" from One Last Word, which she says is one of her favorite books. You can listen to her video here.  I look to Nikki's work as a model for my own Golden Shovel poem writing. Below is my poem using Nikki's line, ."..still, the world needs the dreams we offer," as both the title and strike line for my poem.

Thank you Irene Latham for suggesting that we honor Nikki Grimes and her work this week at the Poetry Friday Roundup. I am heading over to the celebration at Irene's blog, Live Your Poem, where she is hosting today. I am bringing my Buncee card, this post, and grilled peaches cake because it is a Poetry Friday party for Nikki Grimes.

Poetry Friday Roundup Celebration

Note: I still have a draft of a Golden Shovel poem for Day 5 of Kat Apel's #PoetryPepUp challenge but it is still not ready for sharing. I will post the Golden Shovel poem/image poem I created above on social media noting Kat's engaging challenge last week. 

#PoetryPepUp Fun

When the stress mounts, it's time to relax with my digital notebook and create. So that is what I did this week and joined Kathryn Apel, Aussie children's book author and poet at her poetry challenge, Poetry Pep Up. Because I mixed up the times for the first Zoom meeting, I missed that live event. Unfortunately, I will miss the second one because of the time difference but there is always the archived video of the Zoom meet that Trudie Leigo sends from Australia.

So now here is my mini-gallery of this week's attempts to build my writing muscle and spark creativity. It was pure fun as Kat hoped it would be. 

Day 1 Challenge Blog post  - Zentangle Poem Directions from Kat Apel

fragrant messages bloom

in the midst of grass.

Sunbeams filter through foliage,

mellow and golden-

rare dignity,

proudly

set.

©CVarsalona, 2020

Day 3 Challenge Blog post - Tetractys Poem Directions from Kat Apel

   In This Moment

rest

wanders,

finds no place

as upsets mount,

protests, unrest but life moves on with hope

©CV, 2020

Day 4 Challenge Blog post - Write a Poem Inspired by a Photo Directions from Kat Apel

Just for fun, I moved out of my comfort zone and created a Quarantine Life video while outside in my garden. You can see that here.

Thanks, Kat for the enjoyable week writing alongside you. I did miss challenge 2 but plan to pen a poem for Day 5. For now, I am off to sleep but first I need to travel to the Poetry Friday Roundup at Margaret Simon's blog. Here you will find a touching letter poem Margaret penned to her students. 

Quick Note: If you offered a digital inspiration for my #NatureNurtures2020 Gallery collection please place it in the padlet that I created that you can find here.