tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post3470636889756578450..comments2024-03-28T10:32:30.002-04:00Comments on Beyond LiteracyLink: A Case of the Pandemic BluesCarol Varsalonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-8884355310969399572022-08-03T22:17:18.900-04:002022-08-03T22:17:18.900-04:00Elisabeth, I just read this comment and am so sorr...Elisabeth, I just read this comment and am so sorry that it took me 7 months to see it. Thanks for stopping by. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-90428729615189119892022-01-08T03:27:44.677-05:002022-01-08T03:27:44.677-05:00I decided, as part of 2022 to try and write poetry...I decided, as part of 2022 to try and write poetry. I wrote my first poem about my daffodil Lilly who bloomed in 40 degree weather in mid-December instead of February. Even the worst of humans has caused beauty to bloom and is worth writing about. Thanks for your inspiration. ElisabethElisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407652981144382263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-6352619220934237372021-02-10T09:28:32.143-05:002021-02-10T09:28:32.143-05:00Joanne, I just noticed your reply and am thankful ...Joanne, I just noticed your reply and am thankful for our continued conversation. I hope you are doing well during these trying pandemic times. Stay well. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-88824915908749787862020-12-03T08:35:43.011-05:002020-12-03T08:35:43.011-05:00Thought-provoking post chock full of comfort and e...Thought-provoking post chock full of comfort and encouragement! Thanks for sharing, Carol. Joanne Guidocciohttps://joanneguidoccio.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-65195807267859829352020-12-02T18:55:56.613-05:002020-12-02T18:55:56.613-05:00Terje, thanks for stopping by to comment with posi...Terje, thanks for stopping by to comment with positivity. The weather is getting colder now and my sweet poinsettias had to be brought inside to warm themselves, just like humans. While a nature walk was in order today there was no time so writing is the next best solution to stay in the zone.Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-78107564479336411312020-12-02T14:03:14.203-05:002020-12-02T14:03:14.203-05:00I like how you think/talk yourself out from a gloo...I like how you think/talk yourself out from a gloomy place to calm. Like you, I often find light, color and joy in nature and when the weather turns dark, cold and rainy it becomes harder to achieve this. It take some inner resources to create the light and color in the mind and heart. You always have your art to support you. Terjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15343845162490388219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-60306489797073544872020-12-02T08:39:25.495-05:002020-12-02T08:39:25.495-05:00Thanks for reading my post today, Denise. It is go...Thanks for reading my post today, Denise. It is good to hear from you. We do need to think seriously about self-care during these trying times. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-53112254433394312112020-12-02T08:30:01.786-05:002020-12-02T08:30:01.786-05:00Interesting point, Chris. The words, "I got t...Interesting point, Chris. The words, "I got this," was going to appear in my slice. It seems we are on the same wavelength. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-86150750570373050542020-12-02T08:28:28.666-05:002020-12-02T08:28:28.666-05:00Bob, it is always amazing to me how resilient the ...Bob, it is always amazing to me how resilient the human heart is. It may take months to get to the other side but when we land there, the joy of the miracle is so heart-filling. Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-73578859620727270852020-12-02T08:26:46.537-05:002020-12-02T08:26:46.537-05:00Thank you for stopping by to comment. Now with the...Thank you for stopping by to comment. Now with the announcement of a new vaccine coming out I am hopeful that the pandemic blues will be behind us.Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-16492789498581616572020-12-02T08:18:48.985-05:002020-12-02T08:18:48.985-05:00I am so thankful, Fran, for your beautiful words o...I am so thankful, Fran, for your beautiful words of comfort as I start a new day. I like thinking that my poinsettia plants are beacons of determination. I need to remember that when there are more windshifts. Many thanks to you for always being a breath of freshness during trying times.Carol Varsalonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589714711155938528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-75536297102707429672020-12-02T05:49:18.375-05:002020-12-02T05:49:18.375-05:00There's something so poignant about those poin...There's something so poignant about those poinsettias in the stormy weather. In my mind, I see their red against the swirling grayness, almost like a beacon of determination. There are simply times when the burdens are heavy, when our courage wanes, when despair gusts, relentlessly, and would tear us down ... yet here you are, Carol, capturing the beauty even in the "windshift" (I love that word). You impart strength, resiliency, and perseverance even in the darker, trying moments when awe walks are not possible. It's almost like the awe came seeking you when you could not go to it. I also think of the "still small voice" after the whirlwind when Elijah was hiding in a cave. But you stand facing the wind - facing the swirling urgency with that magnificent word, "withstand." And you shall! You and the sale remain in my thoughts and prayers each day, Carol - and I stand in awe of your strength, soaking up your words. Fran Haleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05295033583781089018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-2485321163898650872020-12-02T01:15:21.769-05:002020-12-02T01:15:21.769-05:00Carol, what a sweet encouragement about taking car...Carol, what a sweet encouragement about taking care of your mental health and positivity. You learned from the rain and poinsettias today. I love the line in your poem about the branches swaying and swirling in urgent display. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this quote by Vivian Greene, too: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." I want to learn to do this more! <br /><br />I saw you have already seen Kevin's post about his sixth graders dancing and leaping in the same rain! Delightful to read both of your posts today.Denise Krebshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00583406241247334445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-12004175966359881722020-12-01T11:33:24.449-05:002020-12-01T11:33:24.449-05:00I loved your reframing of this experience. I too, ...I loved your reframing of this experience. I too, can connect to your feelings and thoughts about how this COVID experience has challenged my mental health. Thanks for sharing! Much gratitude and hugs for a good outcome!Chipped Teapothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13233609705395293114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-366306993956856022020-12-01T10:53:52.690-05:002020-12-01T10:53:52.690-05:00Carol, I like your message here. We cannot wait f...Carol, I like your message here. We cannot wait for joy to find us, we must seek it out. It is there. We are resilient and we will get through this. Thanks for the positive thoughts. arjehahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17793113101077660894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587706174618725555.post-45246593262446282822020-12-01T06:30:20.973-05:002020-12-01T06:30:20.973-05:00We survive tough times by stating our resolve alou...We survive tough times by stating our resolve aloud, over and over again if necessary, don't we? Your art and words can serve as a beautiful reminder of "you've got this". I needed this Slice as much as you did, I think! Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.com