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.
It's the end of the day after cataract surgery in the right eye and all is well. I wasn't even nervous about this surgery and don't remember much about it except for one dream or maybe it was reality. I saw several bright colorful lights and heard the eye specialist tell me to hold my chin up.
a patch, a bottle
of eye drops, and me smiling
the unveiling is tomorrow
ready for a new view on life
Thank you Two Writing Teachersfor this daily meeting place to connect with a community of reflective writers. It is difficult to type and see small print while the patch is on.
When my writing colleague, Ramona Behnke, quoted the above in a recent blog, I knew that it would inspire me to write a reflection for the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. While the journey was long and some days not conducive to writing, I continued with diligence, networking with others and growing as a writer. There were thirty-one days of penning my thoughts under the title series, March Musings, and then, the aha moment - a release of joy, like a soft rain gently falling to earth.
I bundled my thoughts.
Tied them with a ribbon
And tucked them under a
Soft mattress of recollection
Waiting for springtime rain
To wash over me with warmth.
April awakened the writer inside!
NOTE: The series of digital compositions were artistically created using a photo taken with my iPhone and then, digitized with the PicMonkey app.
I once again would like to thank the TWT Writing Team, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Lisa, and Melanie, led by Stacey Shubitz for honoring writing at Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life each Tuesday.
I also thank Laura Robb for her sound advice when I decided to rekindle my love for creative writing: Write Every Day!
The digitals and poems in this slice are part of my #poetrylisciouspoetry collection for National Poetry Month.
From gray, silent skies to blustery frozen blizzards
and back to muted, pastel sunsets,
Lady Winter dressed the earth in a range of colors to suit her different moods.
Two photos by Devin Hartnett of Virginia & West Virginia
Some days, Lady Winter quietly unfurled lacy flakes to dance across the skies leaving only a dusting on the land and then, tiptoed out.
Devin Hartnett, West Virginia
At other times, she boldly charged in bringing freezing temperatures and raging storms, causing interesting weather changes across the world.
Cherry blossoms popped only to be frozen the next day.
Crocuses sprouted weeks ahead of time and florals blossomed in southern locales
Amaryllis from Margaret Simon, Louisiana
while the northeast was left at a standstill during bleak, blizzardy days.
During all of these changes, creative individuals
enjoyed the opportunity of capturing winter
in digital and nondigital formats.
Photographers photographed the beauty of winter's stilled wonders on days that moved from cool to balmy.
Spiri Howard, Pennsylvania
Carol Swayzie, Winnepeg, Canada
Mireille Taub, Palm Springs, California
Dr. Mary Howard, Hawaii
Artists chose different mediums to illustrate vivid winter scenes.
Poets quietly wove words to compliment
what was seen through their eyes.
From around the Northern Hemisphere, winter brought varying degrees of joy to those who appreciate winter wonder.
I invite you to continue your gallery walk after a brief musical interlude by Phillip Stephen Allen. Click here.
This gallery unveils the winter season
from the perspective of artists, poets, photographers, students, writers, and a composer, and writers around the globe.
Artistry in white has been christened
and moments in time frozen for all to witness the creative hand of Mother Nature.
Alaska
Estonia
New York State
Pennsylvania
As winter progressed, frozen, lacy patterns started to fill my photo library and Twitter feed, #WinterWonder17, contrasted by sparkling gems that danced on water.
Connecticut
Long Island, NY
wintery gray sky
delivers on its promise:
fat flakes start to fall
Catherine Flynn, Connecticut
Estonia
Long Island, NY
Adults and children discovered interesting winter wonders in their respective locales. Hawaii Long Island, NY Violet Nesdoly, Mt. Baker, Canada A variety of writers created inspirational quote images to bring a new perspective to winter life. Pause again to listen to another instrumental,Wednesday's Child, from Phillip Stephen Allen.
In the quiet of winter, reflective thinkers found tranquility to soothe their souls. Quote by AKR (in above image) submitted by Barbara Keene
"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." - Robert Frost ----------
Writers, inspired by the muse of the winter season, brought a chorus of poetic voices to grace the gallery walls.
Student Voice filled with poetic thought is powerful.
Teacher modeling is essential.
Kindergarten students from Christie Wyman's class in Massachusetts and those from Lindsey Bragg's class at Normandy Elementary in Ohio, under the leadership of Char Shryock moved from nondigital to digital platforms to create original snow poetry.
Hailey, one of the Wyman's Wonders
Please access the snow poetry presentation by Wyman's Wonders here.
Ohio Kinder Poets in Lindsey Bragg's class under the leadership of Char Shryock
Moving on to image poems from two fourth grade students I had the pleasure of meeting and co-moderating with on #NYEDChat.
"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, If there were no winter in our year!"
-Thomas Wentworth Higginson
During the 2017 winter season, Mother Nature, brought attention to her drifting snows, dancing snowflakes, and powerful storms. Meteorologists were reporting weather reports constantly to keep everyone abreast of the paths of storms or unseasonable temperatures.
As March is soon to close, it is still swinging between winter and spring. Please peruse the final section of the gallery that provides a look forward.
"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
-Percy Byron Shelley
Reminder:
Be encouraged to look closely at each new day to find the beauty and the wonder of nature.
I extend my thanks to all of the contributorsto the Winter Wonder Gallery for their perspectiveon the wonders of the 2017 winter season.
You can visit the following galleries that integrate the arts, technology, and poetry by clicking on the individual titles.
"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give its sweetness."
-John Steinbeck
Gallery visitors, thank you for sharing reflective time with the Winter Wonder's community of writers. It has been a pleasure to present the beauty of the winter season through an artistic lens. Please leave a comment in the section below, at my Facebook link,or tweet a response using the hashtags, #WinterWonder17& @cvarsalona,to recognize the efforts of the gallery contributors. This gesture of community spirit is appreciated.
On the eve of National Poetry Month, I am debuting this gallery to spread the joy of poetry love throughout the world. Thank you to Amy Ludwig VanderDerwater for hosting Poetry Friday and providing inspiration for another month of creating poetry.
Until we meet again at my to-be-announced springtime gallery, I send joyful thoughts your way. -Carol
