With Gratitude

The week before Thanksgiving is a time of merriment, remembrance, and special thanks for what we have. There is always a busy hum throughout the house during this time period. Pans clank, cabinets displaying fine china and linens open and close, and groceries are transported from the car to the kitchen. Decorations are set in place. China turkeys filled with artificial flowers adorn the front foyer and buffet and LED candles provide low light. There are no more traces of Halloween and some small fall decorations are stored away. Herbs from the garden have been brought inside and dried for the stuffing. The kitchen becomes a mini-version of Grand Central Station with people coming and going as preparations begin for the upcoming feast. 

As I look around, I see items from my childhood displayed linking the past with the present. The kitchen looks a bit topsy-turvy because three sets of hands are active. The aroma of sweet baked items is present.  A distinctive atmosphere of gratitude flows throughout the house. 

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The busyness of the day before Thanksgiving does not distract me from pensive thinking. I pause to remember those who came before and prepared a feast of enticing and delicious selections. I am grateful for those in the family who continue the traditions. Thanksgiving is a day of thanks that provides time to appreciate one another and the gifts bestowed on our family and friends. 

🍁🍃🍂

WHAT'S LEFT TO DO?

Prepare the stuffing.

Bake another pie. This one will be a new one, chocolate pecan pie with bourbon.

Pack all my offerings for Thanksgiving at my daughter and son-in-law's house.

homemade harvest treat

fresh pumpkin and chocolate

grateful thanksgiving

©CV, 2022

🍁🍃🍂

What's left for you to do before the feast begins?

Since I fell asleep before finishing my Slice of Life for Two Writing Teachers, I send it out now to thank my slicer friends for their weekly writing.

Bringing Back Memories Through Songs

As we drove down the highway on a very warm August evening, I flipped radio channels to listen to a variety of songs from different decades. 

I paused to reflect on summer days:

⤵

These Are Special Times.

August days slip away

Sealed with a Kiss.

Summertime

Dances with the Wind

on the roaring ocean.

A Summer Breeze

floats on by. 

I'm At One with You

In My Summer Place

Singing A Summer Song.

Memories

Chase the Sun!

It's Funny How Life Slips Away.

©CVarsalona, 2022

Later in the evening, after errands were finished, I pieced together song titles we listened to for a quick write on summer. Memories of past summers floated like waves across the sea

as I penned this poem.

Slice of Life Tuesday is celebrated at Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for a world of reflective writers 

Reflect-Recharge-Rise (#PoetryPals Challenge)

At the end of July, the Poetry Sisters, Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Sara, Liz, Andi, and Tricia, challenged writers to create an acrostic poem taken from Maya Angelou’s poem Still I Rise. As I pondered this exercise, I went down a rabbit hole searching for the right words and format. Perhaps, after a few days, I am ready to toss out into the universe my thoughts on rising amidst a discontent world full of challenges. 

"But still, like dust, I'll rise" is the strike line I use in my offering.

Be aware of discontent.

Uttered on a restless night-

Tempting hearsay, chains of talk,

Such disruption isn't right. 

There're too many waging tongues

Inclined to talk out-of-turn,

Likely not being kind with

Little need for deep concern.

Listen to earth's stilled silence

Instead of the malcontent.

Know that each life is precious.

Each day should be well-spent.

Discover new approaches to

Undertake with gratitude.

Slow down. Be in the present.

Try out a new attitude.

Imagine all the people

Living together in peace,

Looking into a future 

Rising with hopeful belief.

Inspired by hands united

Stretching across the globe

Elevate voices ignited.

REFLECT - RECHARGE - RISE

                                            ©CVarsalona, 2022

Written with gratitude to Maya Angelou and John Lennon.

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As the night grows still and a hush surrounds the house, I find satisfaction that I completed another writing challenge. Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for bringing together a united group of dedicated eduwriters who meet each Tuesday to share their slices of life. 

Appreciating the Grandgirls

It is a joy to have little granddaughters. Their smiles pop up on my computer daily and in their online Google Photo albums but the best is when the little girls stay for a weekend. Oh, the fun we have is incomparable. During this year of gratitude, my one word appreciate fills my heart. People often ask why I moved to Virginia. My first response is always, "To be near our granddaughters". It is the same response I hear from many people in our community. 

“A granddaughter is a treasure whose worth you cannot measure except by the love in your heart.” -unknown author

Our weekend was filled with firsts, golden memories, and fun.

adventures

special times

together

such a treat

to watch them

enjoy life

radiant

smiles, giggles-

sweet childhood

©CVarsalona, 2022

🍦

outdoor fun

movie, treats,

stargazing

indoor fun

at the pool

splash, kick, swim

extra treat

breakfast and

watching goats

©CVarsalona, 2022

(The above poems use the tricube poetic form.)

Then, off they go with their parents and what do the grandparents do after that hearty breakfast?  We take a long nap because it is non-stop movement when the little girls visit.  But it is so much fun to be around our granddaughters. 

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Oh, I did not mention the ice cream treats, not only for the little girls but for the adults. We all enjoy ice cream in the summer, even if it melts more quickly.

🍦

It's time for Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflective writers. I appreciate this community of eduwriters.

during the March writing challenge

Firework Magic

There is a magical effect to fireworks shooting into an indigo sky on a warm summer night. I imagine most people have witnessed this on the Fourth of July but let me relive my experience. A soft glow settles over the lake as it prepares for the festivities of an exploding night show. 

Pontoon boats and kayaks circle the lake as the night sky surrounds. With a gentle tug, party lanterns float into the air skyward prior to fireworks exploding with multicolored sensations.  

Excited hoots and applause from viewers follow with each burst of shooting light as a crescent moon nods with delight. Sparkling patterns burst into the darkness from one end of the lake to the other. The brilliance of multicolored patterns emerges.

As darkness covers the sky, sparkly lights go off with a boom, creating a dramatic contrast.

The star of the nighttime show debuts with a puff cloud of brilliant circles of billowy sparkles.

dazzling fireworks

dart into evening sky

pop, whizz, sizzle

like popcorn kernels bursting

showstopper entertainment

©CV, 2022

I hope everyone spent a relaxing day with family and friends on the Fourth of July as I did.

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers and I am grateful for this international meeting of writing friends.

Remembering the Celebration

Oh, to be five again. I tried to remember far back to my fifth birthday. Nothing came to mind so let me savor a fond memory of Sierra's family birthday party that marked the ending of a magical birthday week. 

The celebration was deemed a Queen for a Day event. Presents, cakes, cookies, and lots of love filled the backyard with its fairy garden scenery. The weather was delightful. Sweeping winds powered a flower windmill that spun with delight. Multiple cascading waterfall fountains adorned the pathway leading up to a children's house with Adirondack chairs and a tree-stump area with a miniature table and chairs. What could be more delightful than this nature-inspired, magical wonderland?   

Come fairies, take me out of this dull world. 

For I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame. 

-W.B. Yeats (The Land of Heart's Desire)

Nature creates a magical place

Of delightful, shaded open space.

Children play upon the ground

Where faires step and gnomes abound.

Throw a stone; make a wish.

Dream of the prince's magical kiss.

Spin a windmill in the breeze and

Listen to chimes sing under trees.

Then, say goodnight to the swooning moon

Who finds its rest one night in June.

©CVarsalona, 2022

According to Lewis Carroll, the best gift we can give is a lifetime of adventures. The 5th birthday party was only the beginning of adventures for my grandgirls. Their magic forest will be the setting for many remembrances.

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the magical space it has provided for writers.

Just Tired

Have you ever been so exhausted that you nod off with your computer in your lap? This has happened to me too many times. I think back to my last cataract surgery. A bit too much anesthesia was the culprit. I continue to wonder what causes my exhaustion and all of a sudden I nod off. About thirty minutes later, I woke up too late to meet the deadline for submission to the Tuesday Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers but I decided to write anyways since my mind was racing and it is Cataract Awareness Month.

TIRED EYES

There is never enough time to savor the fullness of life.

It (time) slips away from me as I write,

Retreating into the netherworld.

Energy-sapping motion

Depletes my tank-

Edging me closer to 

Yet another night of

Edgy

Sleep.

Now, I need to reprogram my thoughts so I can go back to sleeping and hopefully not wake up until the morning. Good night!

Thank you Two Writing Teachers and Amy Ellerman for adding the above quote tonight.

Covid's Everywhere!

COVID is on the upsurge.

Like a silent snake, it comes

slithering into human spaces.

Circling and coiling,

it spreads its venom,

infecting all in its vicinity.

©CVarsalona,2022

While I do not have COVID at this time, I have recently experienced unexpected stress related to it. My thoughts go back to the first breaking news of COVID. It has been a very long two years and two months that the pandemic has raged. Research has helped medicine advance. Vaccines, boosters, and anti-viral medicine are available but the sting of COVID's slitering pathway is still felt . "Globally, as of 6:43pm CEST, 24 May 2022, there have been 523,786,368 confirmed cases  of COVID-19, including 6,279,667, deaths reported to WHO." -World Health Organization

My thoughts are with all who have experienced the stress, discomfort, and negativity of COVID-19, and the health caregivers who have worked endless hours to minimize the effect of this pandemic. We have listened and learned these past two years. "Ultimately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together." -Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw 

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Last week I missed slicing because I had cataract surgery of my left eye. I am still healing but am happy to be able to introduce the Poetryliscious Gallery Padlet with several slicers' artistic expressions. 

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It's Slice of Life Tuesday and I end my day with the Two Writing Teachers and their reflective community of writers.

Mother's Day Joy

What joy Mother's Day brought this year! My family of eight enjoyed our moments together. Two generations of mothers graced our table laden with a delicious brunch featuring signature cocktails. Shirley Temple were prepared by my sister for the little grandgirls who were adorably dressed in matching outfits. We ate, played with the beautiful balloons. Grandpa bought, smelled the rose, and spring bouquets, We ate, played with the beautiful balloons Grandpa bought, smelled the roses and spring bouquets for the table, and enjoyed everyone's company. 

It was the first time I baked a lemon risotto. It reminded me of my Italian heritage and a long line of female bakers.

It was a sweet day of happiness, a Mother's Day I will never forget.

unforgettable 

family day wrapped in love

smiles tell a sweet tale

©CV, 2022

It's Slice of Life Tuesday and I end my day with the Two Writing Teachers and their reflective community of writers.

Weathered Conversations

Are there some topics that are not for family discussions? Perhaps, they belong in a debate forum or are kept for like-minded individuals. In my house, there is one topic that becomes a heated conversation every time the news or a political event is viewed. It rises like storms. Needless to say, as far as I am concerned, some conversations are part of a great divide.

While planning to join Taylor Mali's Golden Die Contest + Anthology challenge, I searched all over my house for my Metaphor Dice kit that I purchased from Taylor Mali at an NCTE Convention several years ago. It was hard to believe that I have been in the new build for a year and I still cannot find some items. (Cluttered boxes are still scattered around.) In order to play along with Taylor Mali and my poetry friends, I needed to find a substitute for my dice. I uploaded the app and then found the official list of words for the contest. In case you are not familiar with Taylor's writing tool, he states that his metaphor dice "randomly group CONCEPTS, ADJECTIVES, and OBJECTS together to form metaphors and similies worthy of consideration and exploration." My choices for a metaphor poem were politics (concept), looming (adjective), and tsunami (object). I stretched my thoughts about politics within my house to deal with the world. 

Each month, I follow and join the Poetry Sisters' challenge under the hashtag, #PoetryPals. This month's challenge was to write poems in imitation of Taylor Mali. Since my mind was thinking in terms of shorter poems, not longer ones like Taylor writes, I created an image poem. The skinny poem was not one that I submitted to the contest. 

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Thank you to Janet Fagal, for chairing a Zoom workshop with Taylor Mali and emailing me about the Metaphor Dice poetry contest. 

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It's Slice of Life Tuesday so I am heading over to Two Writing Teachers to celebrate writing with a reflective community of writers.

Slicers, there is still time to add your image poem to my Poetryliscious Gallery here.