Stroll Through Spring Seeds Grace April Padlet Gallery

 "Where flowers bloom so does hope" 

- Lady Bird Johnson

 Take a peek into my garden of peace that explodes with joy in June.

Please open the link to Spring Seeds Grace April Padlet Gallery to view the collaborative effort of poets, photographers, and artists who joined me to create a tribute to Springtime. As you enter the gallery of artistic of artistic expressions, click on the slideshow. Then, turn on Vivaldi Four Seasons: Spring La Primavera to stroll through the gallery of artistic expressions. There you will discover some slicers who contributed to my National Poetry Month project. 

I thank those who offered their talents to create a new gallery among the many galleries I have created and shared on my blog since 2014. I also thank my readers for their comments. 

"Spring dances with joy in every flower and in every bud letting us know that changes are beautiful and an inevitable law of life."  - Debasish Mridha

A meeting place for a world of reflective writers. Click here.

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

GrandGirls Bring Sunshine

Regardless of gray skies, my little grandgirls bring sunshine and good cheer every time they come to visit.  Last weekend was grandma-sitting time. What a surprise to be greeted not only by two of the three little grands but also by the sun itself, with its warming touch. 

Inside the home, is a gift of love for the grandgirls and a fashion show from them to me.

Gift of Love

spring arrives

colors pop

flowers bloom

fashion trend

brings love and 

flowered joy

(c) CVarsalona@gmail.com

I found a quote by an anonymous donor that made me smile.

"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting."

In return, the little grandgirls (8, 6, and 2 1/2), bring sunshine every day, even when the sky is gray.

Day2, March 4, 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

This slice was meant for Day 3 but I fell asleep with my laptop on my "lap".