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 

**********

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. 

**********

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

One Shot COVID

It was a gray sky day with rain soon to follow as we piled into the car to travel to the other side of the county. Rain started as soon as we entered the vehicle. It was one of those stay-in-the-house cozy days with the rain falling as soon as we entered the car. Today marked the end of a long wait for a COVID vaccination for my son. He was the last one in our household to be vaccinated but the journey to get a vaccine has been a long wait. 

We basically gave up on idea that my my son would receive the shot/s on Long Island when we knew the closing date on our Long Island home. On January 16th, I registered Derek for COVID vaccination in Prince William County, Virginia and today he finally received the vaccination. Here is a peek into Virginia's mass vaccination site's procedures. Derek lined up outside in the rain for a 12:30 PM shot. He first had to fill our paperwork. When admitted into the building, He had to show his proof of residency in Virginia which was scanty because of his disability status. He showed his Virginia disabled parking placard, his NYS non-driver enhanced ID card, and a piece of mail sent to the new address. After that, he waited, and was finally ushered into a large hall (basketball court). There were approximately 25 people waiting for the J&J shot. 3 lines were formed, data taken, and then another wait. The head nurse spoke to the group with a mic and then, 3 pharmacists started the vaccination procedure. Derek sat for the required 15 minute time frame and then we traveled back to our new home in the rain.  Next in line on April 1st my daughter and son-in-law will receive their first dose of the Pfizer shot. 

chilled rain falls

winter blues dampen earth-

 daffodils bring hope

©CV, 2021

☔ 

This is a combined  slice of life post for both Poetry Friday Roundup and March SOLSC! #SOL21.

Poetry Friday hosted by a wonderful poet friend, Linda Baie. This week she offers a Spring Dress Rehearsal. Check it out at TeacherDance.

Day 18 of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Closing Day on the Ides of March

The Ides of March are upon us. I recall many a time that I have heard the word "Beware" used when speaking about Mar h 15th. I start the day off excited, not anticipating any negativity. Perhaps closing on this date is fitting. After all, we spent a long year of delays on both my homes. 

The rise of COVID-19 did its best to add stress into the mix of buying a new home and selling one. We faced many waiting periods. At first, we waited for travel bans to be lifted so we could travel to our new construction. We waited for construction materials, furniture, and appliances to arrive. We waited for buyers to decide if our Long Island house would be their final choice. Waiting is difficult when you wish your dream to materialize immediately.

Today, our closing finally occurred and in a small conference room, we eagerly signed all papers officially closing on our Long Island house. After some congratulations, visits to two different banks, we said our goodbys to our neighborhood and town. I ref;ected on our Long Island life filled with joys and sorrows. I felt the excitement of a new adventure but a bit of sadness for leaving  longtime friends but Long Island is a doable ride.

closing a door

one step forward

anticipation

©CV, 2021

Just when we started to feel the relaxation of moving past another hurdle, a phone call comes in. My 14-month-old granddaughter was sent home from her day care school due to a high fever. "Could you please take care of Aurora  at our house the next couple of days?" The adventure begins before we even reach Virginia!

Day 15 March SOLSC! #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

In Virginia

Yesterday was another long day of journeying onward to settle in our new home in Virginia. My daughter and son both said their goodbyes to their childhood home and felt the pangs of sadness. After all, this house was their family home. Memories were made there, tears shed, and joys celebrated. Because of COVID, there was no fanfare before stepping into the car - just a rush to clean up the house so we would not have so much to do when we return for the walkthrough and closing on Saturday. BUT there was extreme exhaustion and burning feet.

Tonight, I sit quietly in my new great room. It is open, spacious and my new sectional is so comfortable. I just turned off my fireplace as I intermittently nod off. Thanks for spending a few quiet moments with me. I needed time alone to write because the stress level is not lessening. Tomorrow the movers deliver the furniture at 7:30 AM. There's no rest for the weary this week but expectations of future joy!

Day 10of Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Extending my thanks to all the slicers who have corresponded with me.

Good Night

Off to Sleep

II will catch up with reading slices

A Case of the Pandemic Blues

Enough is enough!  I have noticed a dip in my positivity level each time life stressors interfere (way too many times to count). Can I categorize this new felt loss as the pandemic blues? 

"A mid-summer poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation reported over half of US adults indicated the pandemic has affected their mental health." (Article, Beating the Pandemic Blues)

I count myself as one of those affected by the stresses of pandemic life. Back at the end of February, my husband and I signed a contract to build a new home in Virginia near my little granddaughters. Who knew that COVID-19 would rear its ugly head a few weeks later changing my perspective in so many ways. Yesterday morning I paused to reflect on the happenings of the past nine months, building a home virtually and almost selling my Long Island home five times if you count interested prospective buyers. All of this has left me with weakened resolve but yesterday I found a bit of clarity. 

An incessant all day downpour turned the sky dark while drenching my newly-decorated porch. Fresh poinsettias sat beautifully in pots standing like poised guards waiting for yet another prospective buyer. The rainstorm negated that visit and caused my new plants to become rainsoaked. I ran outside to rescue them. Poor me, I thought. There would be no walks today, no finding small details in nature to bring peace. But then, I decided this outlook would only cause more distress so when I caught an interesting sight from my bedroom window I took a closer look. Nature was sounding off with gusts of wind and a downpour unlike those seen in many weeks. There was a strong windshift and pendulating swings of tree branches. I decided to pause and indulge in a few moments of relaxed self-care, just taking time to watch nature at work. Later, the following digital poem evolved.

I decided that If my poinsettias and decorations could withstand the relentless outbursts of nature during trying times, then I could, too. While my future path many not be a smooth one, I am ready to start thinking about the urgency of self-care: getting hold of my emotions and not letting the howl of pandemic blues deprive me of joy. It is with resolve to move forward that I will keep the following quote front and center.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." 

-Author Vivian Greene

☔

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers so I am moving over to join the writing community because writing is one of my happy places.  

 

Teachers as Essential Workers

It is the end of the school year and I think everyone will agree that this year has been a tumultuous one for schools around the globe. Because of the due diligence educators have given to instruction and student learning, they should be honored as the essential workers of the education field. Back in March, they came together to enter a new age of remote learning as teacher-learners. Knowing that this type of teaching was the only way children could safely continue their education during the COVID-19 quarantine, teachers embraced the call of action. 

Thousands of teachers dedicated their quarantine life teaching days to bring a sense of calm to students in need of guidance and instruction. This week, committed Long Island educators will sadly end their virtual teaching time for the 2019-20 school year. To honor their diligence to educating the whole child, we should honk horns and shout out to these passionate educators who spent time reinventing their classroom rituals and routines. Their steadfastness toward their goal of educating the whole child, allowed them to mastermind a plan from their homes.  It was not an easy path of learning but they persisted in hopes of guiding  their learners on their own journeys.  

Our

community

needs to rally 'round school,

shout praise for concerned educators,

inspired to reimagine their teaching practices

during the trying times of Covid-19.

With passion in their hearts,

they came together as

teacher-learners

armed to

teach

with

💗

For a touch of humor, Listen to teacher Michael Bruening singing ,

Will Survive, Coronavirus version fro teachers going online.

I appreciate Michael's song so I'll play it as I continue to navigate the world of online teaching via the Canvas platform. Wish me luck! My 4-day ELA Summer Graduate School Institute at the local college is soon to begin. 

In the meantime, it's Slice of Life Tuesday so I'm heading over to Two Writing Teachers to join the community of writers. 

Nature Nurtures Neighborhoods

As COVID-19 continues to rage here on Long Island, nature shares its beauty. With a heart full of gratitude, I step outside my home to notice my surroundings and let nature nurture my soul. Tiny buds open with the colors of spring and skies flood earth with glorious rays. Sunrises and sunsets spread their hues of rose tint and sunset orange. 

Step outside.

Neighborhoods come alive

with the scent of springtime.

Please join me at NYEDChat's Annual Poetry Twitter Chat

Monday, April 20, 2020, 8:00-8:30 pm EST

to discuss

"Poetry Soothes Souls During Troubled Times"

Georgia Heard
and
Rebecca Kai Dotlich 
will guest moderate.

Raise your voices with our poetry community to give
the gift of hope through poetic thoughts.

Today, I join the talented photographer poet Molly Hogan at her blog site where she shares the sensory experience of creating bread and then mixing it with poetry. Her poem is sure to bring comfort to readers. As an aside, Molly allowed me to use one of her lovely bird photographs to pair with one of my quarantine life poems. It can be seen here. 

#NatureNurtures2020: I Wish

#NaturesNurtures is the mantra I am holding in my heart this month when I #ShelterInPlace. As the news continues to inform us of the apex of COVID-19 and the heroes/sheroes who give selflessly, I am reminded of the words of a Passionist priest, Fr. Cedric Pisenga, who presented his Good Friday television message speaking of selflessness. Then, I read Laura Shovan's #WaterPoemProject Day 19 challenge created by children's book author, Rachel Toalson. Rachel created a water poem prompt: Wishing Well-write a list poem about all the wishes you would toss into a wishing well or pool. It just so happened that simultaneously a Twitter acquaintance crossed my path. As I strolled over to his account, I found a stunning photo that led me to ponder. 

I thought about the I wish poem prompt at Laura's Water Poem Project and made a connection. There are so many ways to bring wishes of peace to others.

I Wish:
I wish I could wish upon a star but none are near.
I wish others could cuddle in darkness without fear.
I wish we could find peace among the headlines.
I wish we could stop what if incessant whines.
I wish I could throw my penny in a dark pond.
I wish I could listen to that penny respond.
I wish my wish for peace to fill the earth.
I wish for lasting Easter joy and mirth.
©CV, 2020

With the last line in place, I traveled back to the black lily pond photo imagining it set against a dark velvet sky waiting for the moon to send light. An image poem evolved.

THIS MORNING:

Reawakening to an amazing sight, I felt my wish growing within morning light and a cloudless, robin-blue sky. May serenity bless your heart and home today as we continue to shelter-in-place, practice social distancing, and wash our hands.

Do you have a digital inspiration (poem, artwork, musical composition, inspirational quote, image poem, or any other artistic expression) to add to my Nature Nurtures Gallery? See the invitation here, a mini-gallery, and the growing padlet of inspiration.

Define Your Why Crowdsourced Poem_SOLSC 24

Surrender to the now.

Everyone is facing uncertainty.

When you know your why

you know your way. 

Our experiences inform

how we contribute.

We need each other.

The "we" supersedes the "me".

Understand the need

to move forward.

Daily reflection is important

for cleansing and growth.

Define your why.

Stay positive.

Share hope-

The only way out is through.

Call to action.

Take a deep breath.

Stop; find gratitude.

Every day is a winding road.

Be relentless.

Teach from the heart.

Designed by ©CVarsalona, 2020

☵

After pouring over 300 tweets from the 3/23/20 #NYEDChat that I moderated with Barbara Bray, I creatively designed a crowdsourced poem-a poem created entirely from words submitted by the public on a particular topic or theme. This is done through social networks like Twitter and Facebook, and by email according to Dan Simpson. While this was a new endeavor for me, I enjoyed the challenge of linking lines together to make meaning. I thank the following tweeters for their thoughts: @RealSeanatello, Barbara Bray, Darren Ellwein, Robert Frost via Rita Wirtz, Don Gately, Michael Hyatt, Nicolette James, Shilpi Mahajan, Faige Meller, Roman Nowak, Karl O'Leary, Craig Shapiro, and yes, I added a line, too.  

☵

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 24 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

Spring Fling Virtual Party_SOLSC 21

Life continues to amaze me these days during the quarantine. I think many people are feeling "cooped up" and restless and it has only been one long week since COVID-19 has really shaken the world. When Leigh Anne Eck wrote, "Since our lives have been turned upside-down, I thought a self-care party was something we could all use right now," I quickly accepted her invitation.

Invitation from the Hostess with the Mostess

RSVP to Leigh Anne

Created with Buncee

Three self-care ideas/items that I will bring to the party for #quarentainment fun:

1. A necessity during the days of COVID-19: a roll of toilet paper since it is so difficult to find
2. A treat for all: a festive array of homemade cookies with baking tips
3. A dollop of creativity to engage everyone in an artsy endeavor: creating Buncee poems, inspirational posters, or fun photos for a scrapbooking page

Are you interested in being my guest at the party? It's time to start preparing! This will be a wonderful distraction while we New Yorkers are guided by Governor Cuomo's mantra, Shelter and Place.

☵

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 21 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

A New Normal_SOLSC 18

There comes a time in life, when "We sense that normal (as we knew it) isn't coming back, that we are being born into a new normal: a new kind of society, a new relationship to the earth, a new experience of being human." While this quote by Charles Epstein was stated in 2018, I feel it has meaning for the here and now.

What we knew has changed.

Life has slowed down.

Families are alone, isolated from each other.

Streets are quiet as people try to find a new way to live.

The recognition that life has changed comes at a time when we least expected it. The new normal takes us in a direction to strengthen the WE of this nation but the pathway is not an easy one to maneuver. We need resilience, fortitude, and a relentless spirit of positivity. The stresses resulting from the pandemic are spreading like wildfire across the globe. I pause to set my day. 

MORNING THOUGHT

The sun is shining today

alleviating the somber gray tone I've seen.

It's time to find strength and search for ways to surrender the ME

as we collectively strengthen the WE.

Today, I'm off to find peace within a new normal world.

☵

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 18 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers.