Friday, July 26, 2019

Summer Swap Surprise



As an aficionado of antiquing and turn-of-the-20th-century traditions, I enjoy corresponding with friends from far away as people often did in the early 1900s.  While I do not engage in this ritual as often in the past because of the digital age, I find it to be an important one.  

When Tabatha Yeatts started the Summer Poetry Swap, I became a fan.  Swapping poetry with faraway friends deepens my relationships and brings joy.  I was delighted with the news of my swapees when Tabatha notified me.  My first poetry swap was for Donna Smith, my bold, Maine to Pennsylvania motorcyclist friend.  One piece of the visual journal that I created for her is below.



Next, I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of the Summer Poetry Swap. I was  surprised when Ruth Herseya friend residing in Haiti, notified me to be on the lookout for something in the mail. I shared Ruth's bountiful garden of blossoms and poem at last week's Poetry Friday post.

At the end of last week, I was surprised again.  I not only created a swap for Linda Baie in Denver, but I received a package from her.  Linda called us swapees and that term has stuck with me.  Below is the collection of poetic offerings that LInda gathered together for a remarkable swap. 



I am sure that you will agree that this is a beautiful collection of keepsakes!  Upon opening the package, I found a gorgeously-designed photo haiku card from Robyn Hood Black's Etsy collection with a personal note that made me smile.  There was an adorable pocket for the handcrafted card and the original poem Linda created.  This pocket will be my traveling companion during professional development workshops when I share the power of poetry with teachers. 



Linda's Opposing View poem that she wrote is one to ponder. Just the other night, while at an oudoor concert, I was wishing that summer nights would continue to linger longer.  Do you see the little umbrella that accompanied the card?  It is a reminder of the bright, scattered umbrellas that line the shores of Long Island beaches each summer. 


The journal Linda sent has delicate faded flowered pages to write upon. I am not sure that she knew I always have loved pressed flowers.  When I first looked at the beautiful journal, I thought that since I am such a messy writer with scraps and snippets of thoughts and crossed-out words all over I would not want to destroy the treasured gift.  Then, I thought I could make the journal my special Sierra notebook for all the poems I write for my granddaughter.  "In every moment there clings the sweetness of a faded flower."  What an endearing thought to remind me of nature in all its stages of seasonal delight. 


Also included in the package was a poetry book, When We Were Very, Very Young by A.A. Milne, that will become my Grandma read aloud.  As I browsed through the pages, I found a poem, "Sand-Between-the-Toes,"  that reminds me of summers on Long Island.  Tonight, as we traveled to a new beach on the north shore of Long Island before the theater, my family and I found a coarser type of sand that filled my sandals with a gritty mix. I laughed as I tried to discard the sand that lodged between my toes.  


What Linda Baie offered in her swap will entertain me throughout the summer and into the year.  Summer has a special spot in my heart as Linda knows.  Her swap was handpicked and handcrafted to make my summer days brighter.  

Linda plans on sharing what I sent her in a future Poetry Friday post. 

I have one more swap to engage in and I have been already been collecting ideas.  Stay tuned for that reveal.  In the meantime, if you have poetic offerings for my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery collection, please send them my way to share all the ways to embrace the summer season. 

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The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted this week by my friend Margaret Simon at her blogsite, Reflections on the Teche.   While cleaning out her parents' home and helping them transition to a retirement home, she found some items that sparked the creation of a poem that has depth, meaning, and a beautiful image in its closing line. 

23 comments:

  1. What treasures! I love each and every one starting with the poetic capture of Donna and the beautiful hand-written card and the pocket and, Opposing View and the journal. What a lovely connection to poetry friends. Summer brings sweetness to swapees!

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    1. Thank you for commenting on the summer swap treasures, Linda. It is an amazing experience to be blessed with poetic goodness when you least expect it. Poetry is a nugget of pure joy! Have a great day.

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  2. Linda sends the most thoughtful gifts. I would love to find an old A.A.Milne book for my grandson. Classic. And her beautiful triolet sings a summer song. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I agree and I am going to cherish the A.A. Milne book. I want Sierra to hear the beauty of language and be swept away by the poem I adore from Milne's book that Linda sent. Yes, Linda is a thoughtful friend who brought the wonder of a triolet to my eyes. I have been trying to think how to attempt that format so hers and others from Poetry Friday friends will be a guide. Thank you again for hosting, Margaret.

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    2. Margaret, I'll look for a Milne book for you at the bookstore. We do get them in once in a while!

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  3. What a bounty of gifts given and received! One of these summers I will have to participate. I'm sure it must be such a thrill to be a child again, checking the mailbox with hopes that there will be something special just for me.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Michelle. I have now gone through several articles to create a found haiku but none of them had the right feel. I think I may have one that will work for me. Stay tuned!

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  4. Thanks for the sharing, Carol. It was a delight sending you surprises & writing for you! Now, Happy August. Oh my, summer's fleeing!

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    1. Thank you, my friend, for sending me your beautiful thoughts, wishes, and gifts, Linda. Summer is flying by but there is still time to dream and write.

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  5. As I read about all these swaps, I find myself both both envious and intimidated. I tell myself, at least I am figuring out what it is all about should I find the courage to participate next year!

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    1. Cheriee, just jump right in next summer. It is so much fun being creative to prepare a swap for someone else.

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  6. Lovely! The summer swap is filled with treasures. I not only love the package I received (also from Linda) but I enjoy seeing everyone's poetic treasures, too.

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    1. Kay, summer swaps are such great tokens of friendship. Poetic treasures is a good term for our summer swaps.

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  7. These poem swaps are as much fun from the outside as they are from the inside!

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    1. A big YES to your thoughts on the Summer Poetry Swap, Mary Lee. Have a great day.

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  8. What treasures washed up on your shore from Linda–love the poem and everything else here, especially the pocket for a poem, and "Sand-Between-The-Toes," thanks for sharing them all Carol!

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    1. Linda's treasures will remain in my heart as I read the Milne book to find the right poems to read to my granddaughter. The pocket for poems is a great touch as are all of the parts of this swap. Thanks for stopping by to share my joyful gifts.

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    1. Absolutely, Ruth. I am designing my Spring Splendor Gallery and so excited to share your garden blooms and poetry.

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  10. What lovely poetry treasures you've shared and received, Carol. I think I may have to sign up next year. Who knew getting the mail could be so much fun?!

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    1. The poetry swap is a venture that you will have so much with, Kimberly so join in the fun next year.

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  11. What wonderful gifts you have given and received! Thanks for sharing them. I still have my set of 4 AA Milne books (including When we were very young) from my childhood. And I still love them!

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    1. Susan, thank you for stopping by. Good to hear that you have saved and still love your Milne books.

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