A Rainy Easter Finds Joy

Winter fades, and springtime weather spouts like seeds on the ground. Easter glory is anticipated. Surprisingly, rain pours down on Easter Sunday. We drive to my little grandgirls, who wait with Easter glee for morning rain to turn to sunshine. In the meantime, the six-year-old starts a conversation about Grandpa in heaven. Will he come back to see us? She wants to know. "You might see him in your dreams like I do." Then, my almost three-year-old asks, "Is Grandpa above? She points to the ceiling, and I smile while the conversation continues during these moments of love and kindness. 

It's time for Easter Sunday Mass. The three little girls are ready to share their fashion show of matching sweater outfits, hairstyles with bows, and small purses. Spring rains start shouting with loud roars. People, like me, dash into the church. The falling rain does not quit; its roar pounds on the roof during Mass. After the beautiful ceremony, people stand in line to have photos taken at Christ has Risen photo op. Then, everyone dashes through the rain to their cars. With family and friends, we drive to our favorite, nearby Italian restaurant for Sunday dinner. "Dad would love this day," my son says as we exit.     

easter love

spreads above

behind clouds

rain drops splash

pour and roar

a surprise

spring dances

advances

small seeds sprout 

©CVarsalona, Easter 2026, tricube poem 

 

Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflected writers.

National Poetry Month-Day 7/30

Pick a Peck of Apples

Picking apples at the Stribling Orchard in Northern Virginia is an Autumn tradition even when the sky is overcast and the rain drizzles down. As my son and I pulled up to the orchard's entrance, we saw my daughter, son-in-law, and three little grandgirls waiting patiently. 

Every one was eager to start apple picking. With map in hand, my daughter plotted a plan to visit various parts of the orchards. I paused to think of the history of this family-run orchard that began in 1819. For the first time I realized what a distinctive blend of history and fertile farm land had been cultivated to create an ideal apple orchard and grazing fields for raising cattle.

We began the apple picking event with the family. I watched Sierra and Aurora who are now tall enough to get a picking pole pulling down the best apples in each orchard. This year the different varieties of apples were beautiful in appearance. I was happy to join my grandgirls pick the fruit that will turn into apples pies and cookies. Perhaps, I might even have some little helpers bake with me.

I think the delight of the day was watching Little Lila enjoying running through the orchards with tiny apples in her hands. Toward the end of the adventure, we needed to taste some of our treasures and eat a delicious lunch despite the rain that started to dribble from the sky. When the rain started to fall harder, we left with bags of Kettle Corn and smiles. 

Our apple picking adventure brought back wonderful memories of past trips with Grandpa. 

we pick a peck of apples

in a picturesque part

of the Virginia countryside

picking sticks help the girls stretch

to pick the finest apples in the orchard

we cherish our pre-fall family time

©CVarsalona, 2025, cherita poem

This is my slice of life for this week's Two Writing Teachers.

Grandpa's Birthday

"Birthdays are special events in my family." 

The birthday person has the privilege of choosing the food and cake of the day. It is up to the family to organize the day with favorites and have a cake ready, whether it is homemade or bakery-bought. Homemade cakes were delicious specialty items for the birthday person. That tradition has lasted throughout the years as did the signing of Happy Birthday. My mother baked and designed a cake around a theme chosen by the birthday person. An at-home party with friends was also a favorite. Presents followed. I will never forget my father-in-law's tale of his childhood birthdays. "When I was a little boy, my birthday meant I could have an extra meatball for dinner." That story has been told many times to my children and now to the grandgirls. Each person has their own recollection of a childhood birthday with the family. I remember standing on a chair so I could blow out all of my candles while everyone sang Happy Birthday.

Today was my husband's birthday. He has been talking about a prime rib dinner for the last two weeks but last night, all of us decided to try an Italian restaurant, The Esposito's Fairfax, with authentic Italian recipes. Of course, this reminded me of my Nonnie's fabulous homemade pasta, huge pots of pasta sauce, and fried meatballs. 

Each person has their own recollection of a childhood birthday with the family. I remember standing on a chair so I could blow out all of my candles while everyone sang Happy Birthday. 

Birthdays are special!

As the king or queen of the day,

You choose the storyline.

As the years pass on,

Recollections of cakes, candles, and song

Build a bridge of happy memories.

©CVarsalona, 2023

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

 

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Best Presents from Sierra and Aurora

Happy Birthday signs, a handmade crown, and a delicious cake

On each birthday, let's remember this inspirational quote from Emily Dickinson,

"We turn older with years but newer every day."

🎂

My Slice of Life

Day 25 of Two Writing Teachers

16th Annual March SOLSC! #SOL23

#SOL22 March Musings Day 28: Family Pictures

Are you the family photographer? I am always with my camera documenting family events with photos. It is one of my passions ever since I took a photography class in college. Capturing the essence of a moment is something I delight in so yesterday at my husband's "big birthday party, I I took multiple photos to find the right one that shared the joy of the event. This morning, I found a quote that will guide me as I continue to take photos.

"There is one thing that the photography must contain - the humanity of the moment." -Robert Frank

I would like to dig deeper into the photographic element of connecting with people in the moment as Robert Frank did in his photo taken in 1949. 

Capturing the Sensitivity of the Moment

sensitivity touches the soul

moments

connect

to

photographic

moments

life

evolves

around

each

moment

sensitivity touches the soul

©CV, 2022

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NOTE:

I had difficulty synching up my two computers between Day 27 and 28. There were glitches that I just found. The links are correct now.

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Thank you Two Writing Teachers for this daily meeting place to connect with a community of reflective writers.

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