Allured by Nature

As a former Wonderopolis Ambassador, I am awed by the wonder in nature each season. A few weeks ago, my youngest grandgirl was enjoying a sleepover at Grandma's house. We decided to stroll outside for a short nature walk. The air was chilly, and the sky was a grayish color, but that didn't matter. We were wonder buddies "on the lookout for the presence of wonder" (E. B. White). We headed for the pond, hoping to see the ducks waddling in the water or the baby turtles slowly moving. 

Lila, let's find something that makes us smile.

Sure, Grandma!

Off we went to the bench to sit and quietly watch waterlife. All of a sudden, we spotted a huge turtle lodged by the bench.  Lila wanted to approach the massive turtle. Usually, when she sees an animal, she steps back and hangs on to an adult. This time she smiled. She was interested in the green beads around the turtle's neck. 

I wonder where the turtle came from? I never noticed it before?

As soon as I said that,  Lila was ready to climb on the turtle. 

Are you surprised by the size of the turtle? Did you think a child would want to ride an animal like this? Would you expect a Grandma to place her little one on a turtle? 

Perhaps, only if the turtle were a statue and perfectly safe, like this one. Needless to say, the HOA Committee placed this turtle next to two benches near the pond for a wonder-filled experience.

Day 29 for #SOLSC26 Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for reflective writers

around the world

 

Winter Always Turns to Spring

As winter turns to spring, I feel time fleeting by. I remember persevering during the winter months, as difficult as that was. Each day, I found one small way to unwrap twisted yarns. With bereavement counseling and support from my therapist, I walked away from each session with a spirit of hope. 

Time is fleeting. It floats through peaks and valleys. Nature moves backwards, then forwards. The sunshine of spring turns to pounding rain today. Somehow, it is therapeutic as it roars and then subsides into the darkness of morning. Nature nurtures my soul. Winter turns to spring. In its magical space of sunshine covered over by the grey of rain, I find hope floating in the air. Grief comes and goes like fleeting time. 

I ponder how I can poetically explain grief as it pours itself over me on dark days that transform into spring's warmth. I lean on spiritual faith and the power of nature to nurture and restore my grieving soul.

This month's Poetry Sisters challenge seems to be an overwhelming project for me. As I write, feelings flash in my heart. Yet, I try to make sense of my ravelled thoughts to create an Ovillejos poem that asks us to write tight little bundles of poetry. Tanita S. Davis explains the format. I thank her for the #PoetryPals invitation and the lovely graphic she added above.

"This Spanish poem bundles ten lines, made up of 3 rhyming couplets interspersed with three verrry short lines, and a quatrain. The last line is a redondilla, a little round that collects all three short lines and casts off the poem, as it were."

FLEETING TIME (Format List)

1. How does time slip away each day? (8syllables)  

2..It finds a way. (short answer)

3. Does time have power over me? (8 syllables)
4. Love lasts. (short answer)
5. Is there a balm for every soul? (8 syllables)
6. To make us whole. (short answer)

7. hough grieving moments spike, fade, roll, (summaring quatrain starts. 

8. Fleeting hours drift, I don't stray. 

9. My heart endures with hope I pray. 

10. Find a way. Love lasts. Make me whole.

 

So "winter always turns to spring" is a phrase I shall remember. The words of Nichiren Daishonin remind me that difficult times, such as this winter, reminds me to persevere because there will always be days that lead to better, brighter moments. On the positive side of time, I add this quote by Sophia Dembling from Psychology Today's Personal Perspective, "Grief and the Passage of Time". 

"Time is our friend in that it is the only thing that can dull the sharp edge of grief, although it can't end our grief, which is forever."

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The Poetry Friday Roundup is a wonder of challenges today. Besides it being the end of the month Poetry Sisters' Challenge, our Poetry Friday host, Marcie Flinchum Atkins is celebrating twilight. Her newest book, When Twilight Comes, is coming out on March 31st. Teachers and librarians can find activity copies for the book at her blog site. 

Marcie also invited readers to send a favorite photo of twilight and/or write a poem to celebrate twilight with her. 

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I am also celebrating the opening of springtime with the Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflective teachers. 

Day 27 for #SOLSC26 Challenge

A Different Type of Birthday

Death is not extinguishing the light.

It is only putting out the light because the dawn has come.

Rabindranath Tagore

For Richard

Time passes quietly. 

Silence fills the room.

This is your day of days.

I pause in the stillness of

Your heavenly presence

Warming morning's chill.

A slice of cake awaits.

This is your day of days.

You may not be here, but 

Your heart is leaning in.

❤

© CVarsalona, March 25, 2026

• Note: Today is a solemn day, a different type of birthday. You are here in spirit. We honored your heavenly birthday on Sunday at the little grandgirls' house. All three children placed the candles on the cake, and Sierra decorated the label with your name, Grandpa. Then, the family sang the birthday song and I took photos. My heart is my gift to you...
• 
  
• 
  
  

My

for March 25, 2026

The Doorway Effect

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you walked into it?  I am one person who does this many times a day. My Poetry Friday friend, Donna Smith, sent a Facebook message and a reel that explored the topic of forgetting, and the importance of spoken words. Click the Facebook message above and listen to Kyle Cox's quick reel. Thank you, Donna, for sharing the Doorway Effect. 

What's the fix for walking into a room and forgetting what you are looking for? According to Kyle Cox verbal tagging is key. Here is another reel by Kyle with an additional fix.  Click here. 

I'm ready. Before walking into a room, I will say out loud why I am entering. For instance, I left my room with several piles of paper. The electric heater was on. When I came back to continue working, I found the heater on because I forgot. At least I remembered that I had paperwork to do. 

Since I read Donna's Facebook message, I have been reading as much as I can about the doorway effect. I am going to try the tips. Hopefully, I will remember why I enter a room, rather than just staring dumbfounded.

Laugh for the Day

PINTEREST MEME

What do you think about the doorway effect?

Is it a reality for you?

Day 24, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Love Is Never Lost

 With St. Patrick's Day still on my mind and only a few days to my husband's birthday, I dream of laughter, nighttime, and meeting my love in my "deep heart's core". While there was both joy and sadness this week, the family celebrated with a St. Patrick's Day dinner. We thought about Grandpa, who would have enjoyed watching the grandgirls scurry about during the scavenger hunt. Two previous blogs, Happy St. Patrick's Day and Dressed In Green. 

Love Is Never Lost

Over the laughing land   

Andwhere the sky’s a pale blue cup,

at night, on the edge of sleep,

shadows fall;ing

everythingwa's simmering.  

My love and I did meet;

bid me take life easy.

As the leaves grow on the tree,

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore.

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Searching for the last sight of a hand,

I imagine

silently climbing a cloud-lit sky.

 The Words will flow to St. Patrick's Day,

this emerald gem.

Sweet, there is nothing left to say

But this, that love is never lost.

cento poem created by CVarsalona, 2026

The lines in the poem come from the Poetry Foundation's

St. Patrick's Poetry Collection.

 Lines 1-2       Song by James Joyce 

      Lines 3-4       The Lost Land by Evan Boland

Lines 5-6       Corned Beef and Cabbage by George Bilgere

Lines 7-8       Down By the Salley Gardens by William Butler Yeats

      Lines 9-10      The Lake of Innisfree by William Butler Yeasts

Line 11-12      The Lost Land by Evan Boland

Line 13         Dawn at St. Patrick's Day by Derek Mahon

      Line 14         St. Patrick's Day by Eliza Cook

Line 15         St. Patrick's Day: With a Shamrock 

                by Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna 

     Line 16-17      Her Voice by Oscar Wilde

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I am sharing my thoughts with two writing communities I am associated with. 

Poetry Friday

Tanita S. Davis is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today at her blog site here. She offers powerful thoughts on songs of protest with the theme, Comfort in Community. Tanita asks us to "Hold on to who you are, what you know to be right, and how you live - with open hands, helping your neighbor and community, and uplifting sanity and kindness."

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Day 20, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Dressed in Green

St. Patrick's Day is an event that my family has enjoyed as long as I can remember. Even though we are not Irish, we appreciate St. Patrick's Day each year. I remember the parades, wonderful food, and the enjoyment of being with family and friends. This year, my sister and I hosted a special dinner and game time to make a special night for my little grandgirls. Hopefully, they will remember this time we spent together on St. Paddy's Day.

Below are two quotes in my baking area. They remind me that blessings come even when a day starts out gray.

"May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door."

"Blessed beyond measure!"

I baked Irish Soda Bread for the first time

I added a touch of color.

to make the bread more festive.

☘

Three little Grandgirls are dressed for St. Patrick's Day.

Each child presented me with three different thoughts.

6-year-old: "Grandma, I made a Leprechaun trap with my 5th Grade Buddy at school today. It's in the car." Off she went to get her trap. It was an interesting device with a quick drop. I was impressed.   

2-year-old (almost 3): "My dress fell in the toilet when I went to the potty today at pre-school."  I wasn't expecting that comment but we all had a good laugh.

8-year-old: "I'm ready to begin the scavenger hunt. Do I have to find real shamrocks?" After finishing her scavenger hunt paper, she said.↴

"Grandma, I wrote a poem about Four Leaf Clovers:

Clovers are good luck

but they are not much.

4-leaf clovers are hard to find.

Maybe you can find them in a mine.

☘ by Sierra, age 8 ☘ 

The poem was a surprise, even though I had asked Sierra to add one to end her scavenger hunt. Sierra was pleased with her poem, and I was happy that each child had a good time. Of course, there were small treats and candy for each little girl who finished her scavenger hunt.

blessings bring joy

like snowflakes fluttering down

circulating peace

©CVarsalona, 2026

Day 19 March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Happy St. Patrick's Day: Then and Now

Memories of many St. Patrick's Days float through my mind. I put aside the to-do list and concentrate on tonight's dinner party with the family. I wonder if my little grandgirls will be excited? Will the leprauchan tales be told in school? I look forward to hear about their day at school just like my mother would listen to my St. Patrick's Day stories. I want to tell my grandgirls about my childhood days. The nuns would bring us into the cafeteria to learn the Irish songs and dance the Irish jig. This day reminds me that children enjoy laughter, fun, and treats. It's time to wear the green, decorate the house, and enjoy the sunshine.

 

What makes me feel the wonder of this day? The undeniable taste of corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and Irish soda bread with yummy sweets. Today was the first time I made Irish soda bread. It was delicious, and the Irish butter on top made it more so. But beyond the food, decorations, and treats, I am eager to enjoy the closeness of family gathered together tonight.  In the image poem to the right, you will see only two little grands. Their sister was not yet born but the outfit shown is now fitting granddaughter #3. Let's hope she wears it tonight.

The doorbell rings and here they come, all dressed in green. Let the dinner party begin!

Day 17, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Reflaction on Life

When I spend time reflecting on life, I get to know myself better.  I slipped out of this habit during the initial phase of grief, but I am trying to make a comeback each morning.  A reflaction is a reflection with action. It was coined by two colleagues in New Jersey. The action part of my reflaction is in the last two lines of the poem.  Father Mike on YouTube centered his Sunday sermon on this mantra. 

Before dawn has broken

I lay in quiet stillness

Waiting for flickers of light.

Outside 

            Lies an imperfect world

            In disrepair from continual

            Disharmony and egregious behavior.

Call the seamstress!

Restitch the torn, the worn.

Restore hearts broken from turmoil.

             Renew our precious land.

             Relight the darkness found.

             Revisit possible solutions.

Before the close of the day

Find rest in nature's offering.

Seek comfort in others' hands.

            Hold high the light of hope.

            Look for joy and steal it

            Every time we find it.

                                                  (c) CVarsalona, 2025

                                                 

Day 16, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers