January Delights

This week the predicted winter storm came in horizontally and continued until snow covered the earth.  I was surprised that Fairfax County in Virginia closed schools for four days so far. The scenery looked like a winter wonderland similar to my winter days in Long Island, NY. By the end of the winter storm, the  landscape was beautifully arrayed with blanketed snow, which offers slow-down time to reminisce and write poetry.

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January

showcases winter

with marshmallow-embarkments

time for hot chocolate

bliss

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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January

filters light

as snow dances

in streams that glisten

serenity

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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quietude settles as snowscapes sparkle

stillness

flows

perfecting

evening's

stillness

earth

tip-toes

in

stillness

snowscapes glisten as quietude settles

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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Inspiration to Live By

Move slowly on winter's frosty path.

Pause intentionally.

Witness small moments.

Be in the moment.

Reflect quietly.

Breathe in stillness to

Renew my heart's spirit.

©CVarsalona, 2025

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I am excited to unveil the Holiday Poem Swap, recently sent to me by author/poet Patricia Franz.  I am grateful for the package that arrived. Patricia sent a miniature Metaphor Dice Starter Set to create small poems with my little grandgirls, an artistic card of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve two thousand years ago, a small notebook, and a found poem based on my words in my monthly blog post. 

I was touched by the gift of poetic goodness.

With gratitude, I share a bundle of joy created just for me.

Patricia wandered through my 2024 monthly blog posts for words that called out to her. She gathered the words together to create a summation of 2024. Once I read the poem, I paused at the last line and knew that I uncovered my one little word renew. How fortunate for me! Thank you, Patricia, for the Holiday Swap that I shall cherish.

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I am also grateful to the lovely Australian author, poet, and presenter Kathryn Apel for hosting Poetry Friday. Kat shares pictures and a humorous, fun poem about cats and dogs (furry friends).

2025's First Snow Days

Wake Up Early!

Welcome to January's 1st Snow Days!

Peek into a series of different formatted poems

that showcase the two-day winter storm event in Northern Virginia. 

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snowplowers

bundled up

crunch snow layers

homeowners watch in stillness

gratitude

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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pause  in winter silence

 tranquility

soothes

stirring

winds

tranquility

paints

snow

scenes

tranquility

in winter silence pauses

@CVarsalona, January 2025

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As the sun arrives so does peace.

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It is the 2nd day of the winter storm in Northern Virginia. Under the blankets of snow there is ice. We all hear the announcements to be careful. I switch my attention to the beauty of a snowy landscape and send my wishes and blog post to Two Writing Teachers, a place for reflective educators and writers around the globe.

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January Poetic Journal Entries

Winter winds flutter side to side with quick, light movements. They slip through the night, bringing chilling weather. Even the inside of the house feels cool. Morning wakeups are challenging. I grab layers of workout clothes and rush to various exercise programs. Just like me, January has its own routines.

Below is the continuation of a series of Elfchen poems for this year's poetic journal. You can read the initial poems that show the transition from the end of December 2023 to the beginning of January 2024 by clicking here.

brisk

winter wind

awakens the earth

January's chilled breath whispers 

Brrr!

©CVarsalona, January 2024

fog

sweeps in

like a cloud

mystifying my quiet neighborhood

otherworldly

©CVarsalona, January 2024

Photo by Derek Varsalona, January 2024

This month, two snowstorms arrived, followed by heavy rain, fog, brisk winds, and a few magical spring-like days. During these blasts of weather changes, I enjoy watching the landscape change.

Today, there is a gray sky looming above. Something is brewing. The temperature is lowering. It is time to listen to the weather report.  

Soon, the Ground Hog will make his weather prediction. Check on February 2nd if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow.

I am eager to visit the Two Writing Teachers community  tonight because before today I have not been able to find time to write a Slice of Life. For those educators who live in snowy areas, stay warm by the fireplace (like I am tonight).

Gray-Day Pondering

#InstaPoetry #MoPoetry2019

While friends and family indulge in cotton-ball countrysides filled with billowy snow, Long Island is wrapped in gray days ranging from frigid to not-so-cold temperatures. Nonetheless, there is a hushed, quiet beauty settling in.

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Incessant. swishing noises tap against window panes as morning tries to wake a sleepy neighborhood.  Flecks of rain bubble up in blotchy patterns and one bird calls out. Another gray-day appears with resounding noise announcing the continuance of stormy weather. 

Rainuary
pitter-pattering,

slick splattering

gutters filling
weather chilling

gray-day pondering
weathermen floundering-
morning mist
winter-kissed-
January
commentary
©CVarsalona, 2019
#InstaPoetry #MoPoetry2019

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While the weather may be unusual for January, my New Year has been brightened with an incoming shower of good wishes from fellow poetry friends, Michelle Kogan and Diane Mayr who sent me poetry postcards. It is always nice to receive mail from the mailman and these treats were special deliveries of poetic goodness.

Michelle posted the following image poem for MLK Day. I decided to showcase it at Monday night's #NYEDChat. The discussion centered on "Service Projects for Students and Teachers", a fitting title to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

I also extend my thanks to other Poetry Friday friends for their incoming contributions to my winter gallery, Winter's Embrace.

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The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by a favorite education friend of mine, Tara Smith, who recently retired and moved to live in upstate New York on a beautiful farm. 

A Manhattan Winter Day

Lady Winter, fashionista that she is, shed her layered white coat and added sunglasses to her attire this past weekend. After all, temperatures were in the 40's, making Manhattan feel more like springtime than winter. 

When weather shifts in New York City, people take to the streets for Sunday strolls. Because of this, my family and I spontaneously shed our heavy coats and happily jumped in the car for a trip to Manhattan. The drive in from Long Island was an easy trip, no congestion on the road and traffic moving. As we neared "the city", the skyline was as clear as can be, making the sight a joyous one for me. 

When crossing into Manhattan, there was a vibrancy that sharpened my senses. Parking is usually not an easy task but luck was on our side. A spot opened up on the corner of 5th Avenue and 39th Street, across the street from one of my favorite stores. My first treat of the day was to stop to shop. Our little grandbaby reaped the results of that enjoyable venture. 

Next, we headed over to the public library with its magnificent Library Lions' sculpture greeting us. A huge banner for the new exhibit, Remembering the 60s, hung in front. As we approached ,another couple told us that the library was closed but not to worry, we stopped at one of the local street vendor carts that was selling hats. I just couldn't resist adding another white hat to my collection. 

Then, off we went to Bryant Park. The weather was as calm as a spring day heated by the sun. People milled around the carousel. Others walked at a leisurely pace. There was the usual hum of city life but in a more relaxed fashion. Since beeping is not allowed anymore, city noise was full of excited conversations not blaring  car horn noise.

Bryant Square was lively. Giddy, gleeful sounds emanated from children on the carousel. A huge water fountain in the middle of the square flowed with water. Skaters pranced around the ice in a circular fashion. Music added liveliness to the scene where little ones with miniscule skates were gingerly led across the ice by parents. Smiles were on many faces, marking the day as a celebration of life and respite from the cold temperatures of early January. 

We rounded off our tour to Manhattan with a visit to Chinatown. There was much energy in the streets. Vendors displayed their goods and the smell of fish perfumed the air but the real action was in the congested park. Men and women congregated at separate tables, conversing and playing cards. I was fascinated by the gregarious nature of the players and the intense looks on some faces. In sharp contrast, the other end of the park was devoid of chatter.  Benches invited all to sit and reflect upon city life in winter. After a delicious meal in Chinatown, the day drew to a close. Memories were made once again. 

midday respite

city buzz minimal-

stilled quiet
©CVarsalona, 2018, NYC

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It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers. Join me as I head over to read others' thoughts. In the meantime, enjoy my winter postcard from Manhattan. 

quietness

winter sun stands still

shades of grey 
©CVarsalona, 2018, NYC