4th of July 2026 Semiquincentennial

While the photo below dates back to the 4th of July 2024, it is a symbol  of my family's tradition. Each year, we watched the firework celebrations live with family and friends or on television. One year, when my children were young, we traveled to New York City for the firework display by Macy's. The area for spectators was filled with many families who all had just enough space for four people. While the firework display was magnificent, we felt cramped. 

Years that followed were enjoyed in our hometown where we felt more comfortable. The famous Grucci Firework Company on Long Island, always displayed a magnificent show. The symphony orchestra always played on the bandstand, and families gathered in picnic style. Each celebration was held on  a separate day than the 4th of July. This allowed our family and others to watch the Macy's celebration on Independence Day. 

family gathers

America celebrates

freedom sparkles rise

©CVarsalona, 2026, photo from 2024

dazzling fireworks

dart into evening sky

pop, whizz, sizzle

like popcorn kernels bursting

showstopper entertainment

©CVarsalona, 2022

We always celebrate in style with homemade cookies!

This year the chocolate chip cookies are colored blue with chocolate frosting and the house is decorated inside and outside.

My little grandgirls are tucked away in their lovely room in my house waiting to enjoy a pre-4th of July celebration. Tomorrow, their parents will come over for a pool day, dinner, and ice cream. The youngest two understand that the USA will have a birthday so they already started singing Happy Birthday America. My oldest grandgirl (9) informed me that she learned about the Revolutionary War that led to the birth of American independence. 

"Miss Liberty, at Dawn's First Peep, Awakes the Echoes from Their Sleep"
(Original Postcard from early 1900)


Flag of the United States Semiquincentennial celebration

Ignite the American Spirit  (for our students)
      Authentic voices 
      Make noise as they
      Embark on 
      Roads ahead  
      If freedom devotees
     Commit they will rise
     As responsive Americans ready for
     Next steps:
     Shape outcomes with
     Positive approaches
     Inspire students to
     Reach out with concerns
     Ignite the flame
    To make more noise
     draft CVarsalona, July 4th, 2025

It is Poetry Friday and our host, Michelle Kogan, invites us to the Roundup. Her blog post 4th of July Justice, shares her artwork, poetry, and songs. Please click here to read Michelle's blog and other poets' blogs.

Energetic Enthusiasm

It was a get-up-and-go trip, full of energy and enthusiasm despite the addition of a stabilizing boot and a walker. My destination was the 2025 NCTE Convention in Denver, and I was ready to learn, listen, meet up with literary friends, and make new friends.

I was fortunate to have a helpful poet friend, Heidi Mordhorst, who flew with me after our delicious breakfast at the Capital One Lounge at Dulles Airport.  As we entered the hotel area, we saw a 40-foot-tall sculpture of a blue bear looking into the Denver Convention Center. The creator, Lawrence Argent, designed this iconic treasure to "inject a welcome sense of fun and playfulness into the convention center experience." 

After settling in at the hotel, I carefully walked across the street to register for the convention. While resting and reading about the many fascinating presentations, another poetry friend, Margaret Simon, walked by. The last time I saw her was at the 2019 Conference, so there was much happiness shared. Off we went to the Elementary Session, where Mary Lee Hahn, third poet friend, was waiting with Heidi. There were so many more literacy friends that I was happy to see. 

Day two started with a morning breakfast with Two Writing Teachers' friends that I have also not see since the 2019 convention. Melanie Meehan, co-author of Two Writing Teachers organized the event that had us all chatting with one another before the General Assembly. 

After a long day of listening and learning, Irene Latham and Matt  Forrest Esenwine invited friends to the Poetry Peeps gathering that was a wonderful way to end a long day filled with energy and enthusiasm.

Saturday was the day for my team's presentation. I was honored to present with my distinguished colleagues, Matt Forrest Essenwine, Georgia Heard, and Allan Wolf on the topic, Free Your Students (And Yourself) With Free Verse. 

The last day of the convention, I packed my bag with wonderful, new children books for my little grandgirls, listened to more presentations, and flew home. I was tired but happy that I was able to navigate the convention center with my stabilizing boot and my walker. 

It is always a great experience to attend a NCTE Conference where I listen to engaging presentations, learn new ideas and techniques, meet up with literary friends, and make new ones. 

INVITATION

Would You Like to Play with Free Verse

Using a Well-known Poem, Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening?

Matt Forrest Esenwine originated the idea of taking Frost's poem and writing our own poem in free verse. You can read Matt's, Georgia's, and Allan's well-written poems at here at Matt's blog.. My poem below is in draft form because I wanted to show how ideas flow when in the writing zone. I mentioned in my part of the presentation that I would like to revise and refine my poem but that will be for another blog. If you are interested in playing along with us, send me your poem and I will showcase it in a future blog post.  

  

Hosted by the artistic Michelle Kogan

who sends us a calming, peaceful blog post

after more horrible news has been reported this week.

Peace to All during the Holiday Season!

Look Around-What Do You See?

Do you pause and look around when outside? I marvel at nature often even now when I am immobolized by the twist of my ankle. cracks of nature opening its sky every morning when I automatically lift pleated shades to invite the garden to connect with the inside. Some leaves are brown crackling with crunch, but Mother Nature is not yet ready to have this "season change with the scenery". 

If you could, how would you describe earth's landscape at this moment? Would it be the sunshiny essence of summer with waves swiiftly moving in foaming waters?  

Or perhaps you would prefer the crispy sound of brittle leaves as we stroll through the trail on a hazy day.

Some people sit and watch the boats spreading their sails on a windy day in springtime.

 Winter captures the beauty of snowfall and a blazing fireplace.

Mother Nature whimsically changes her scenery with flash surprises of different weather patterns. I am in awe of each season that brings more delight and hope for the future.

Have you noticed that I have used lines from Paul Simon's song, A Hazy Shade of Winter in 1966. The Bangles made the song popular in 1987 for a movie, Less Than Zero. Their lines below concentrate on hope. Many people see hope passing away but we need to believe and rebuild hope to find possibilities for the future.

Hang on to your hopes, my friend

That's an easy thing to say

But if your hopes should pass away

Simply pretend that you can build them again

Look around

Thank you, Michelle Kogan, for giving me the inspiration and artwork to write about time and pausing,

IN AUTUMN

Mother Nature nurtures earth.

Kaleidoscoptic coloring dresses

Landscapes in crimson and gold glory. 

Not to be thwarted by grief,

Autumn shares her brilliance.

Leaning on hope's possibilities

Daylight saving time passes by.

Draft, CVarsalona, 2025, Northern Virginia

🍁🍃🍂
Join me at the Poetry Friday Roundup where Carol Labuzzetta is the host. She is chilling out spending time painting, reading, and crocheting. Today, she shares her Northern Lights poem and a gorgeous, serene photo. You can find her here.

The World Whispers in Wonder

December marks the end of this year. Winter arrives quietly, and the Poetry Sisters (Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, Tricia, and Kelly) encourage #PoetryPals to join their December challenge. They are composing haibuns, beautifully brief melanges of a prose poem and haiku, as created by Matsuo Bashō.

I reflect on the winter scene photographed by my daughter in 2015 and the quote by the marvelous poet, Lee Bennett Hopkins to write my haibun.

The world whispers in wonder as winter's serene beauty glistens across the snow. Trees at ski resorts tipped in white frosting create a snowdrop wonderland. Areas without sparkling snow find beauty among leafless trees and seasonal greenery. Some days reflecting on nature's serene beauty is a common practice. Other days are pampered by the sun in the south or drizzling rain in drought-ridden areas. Whether you find winter etched in a canopy of frosted elegance or enveloped in a golden sunrise, know that winter blankets Earth in various styles. Time for a quiet self-care pause.

early december stillness
embraces fall's fading breath
winter arrives

CVarsalona, 2024 haibun

🎄

Is hosted by Artist/Poet Michelle Kogan

who is also participating in the Poetry Sisters December Challenge.

🎄

Note: My book review of Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz created by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong can be found here. I am honored that my poem, Would You Like To Bake?, is published in the new book.

Magnolia Surprise

Now that I'm home from an extended stay at the hospital, I continue with my morning rituals along with new ones from the doctors. First, I flick the remote to release the shades. I see a gorgeous blue sky with billowy clouds greeting me. While I cannot feel the warmth of the sun shining, I appreciate nature's gift. Later in the day, I will slowly walk around the patio to admire my flowers and magnolia trees. Until then, I shall stare at the photo of the first magnolia bud my husband sent me while in the hospital.

one single bud

sends vibrations of joy

spring's corsage

©CVarsalona, 2024

Photo by RVarsalona, 2024

The opening of Joy Harjo's poem, Eagle Poem, is a tribute to nature offering me much-needed quiet reflection before bed.

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

READ the rest of the poem HERE.

May is nature's breath of freshness.

Breathe in the essence of spring.

Like me, build yourself self-care rituals and routines.

 

Michelle Kogan, the poet-artist is hosting with garden delights and a birthday bash. Several poet friends are celebrating their birthdays, including Michelle, so I wish them wonderful birthday greetings. Please read the various posts gathered for the Poetry Friday Roundup besides Michelle.

By the way, my youngest granddaughter was one this week. I did get to spend time watching her eat her birthday breakfast. Attached below is the digital card I made for her.

It's a Snow Day

Snow fell silently in the night becoming the first snowfall this year. I was surprised when I woke to a beautiful scenario. Fresh white snow blanketed Earth reminding me of New York winters.

First Snowfall

-surprise-

winter storm

breaks the record

newborn snow cradles earth

nostalgia

©CVarsalona, January 2024

snow

brings smiles

to grandgirls' faces

even in the cold

temperature

©CVarsalona, January 2024

Winter's Second Shift

winter

watercolor scene

evokes fond memories

of pristine virgin snow 

uninterrupted

©CVarsalona, January 2024

Snow still falls late on this winter afternoon. There has been a steady stream of downward movement. Only the plowed streets show the wear of trodden movements. It's quiet and serene. No sounds break the silence that nature provides. Peace on Earth is gratefully accepted, as is another artistically rendered peaceful scene sent to me from artist/poet, Michelle Kogan.

old growth forests...

let's flourish them through many

generations!

©Michelle Kogan

❆❅❄❆❅

After a long week of snow cancellations, doctor visits, and family paperwork, I am pleased to enjoy a few moments of nature's peaceful snowstorm (#2) with Poetry Friday's host Robyn Hood Black. As I and two neighbors prepare to host our community's Winter Wonderland Tea Party, I am also pleased to read through Robyn's Tea Time blog. What a serendipitous happening!

Thank you Robyn for this beautiful translated haiku by Issa.

rising into

the year's first sky...

tea smoke

There's more poetic goodness at Robyn's blog, Life at the Deckle Edge. Enjoy the weekend. Snow seems to be the major headline in many parts of the USA.

Holiday Elfchens to Play With

It's post-Christmas time. The quiet in the house adds an extra layer of peace to the holiday spirit, so I find a spot that allows me to just "be" while preparing for a new year.

I wish the little elves (on the shelf) would lend a hand but they only seem to be happy as ornamental fixtures after finishing their job of being keepers of Santa's huge naughty or nice list. 

When I was sent an invitation by the Poetry Sisters,  Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz. Sara, Tricia, and Kelly,  to join their December Challenge I wondered what an elfchen is.  Little did I know that it is a German cinquain. I learned about the Elfchen poem at German With Nicole. An "Elfchen" is a set form, similar to a haiku but it has 11 words, the lines having 1-2-3-4-1 words, respectively.

After writing a few, I found a table on Wikipedia that explains the lines further:

I decided to play with the form earlier this month and these are the ones that I shared on my blog as one of the #PoetryPals.

🌲Holiday Time🌲 

darkness

shortens day

earth waits patiently

for a Silent Lght's

arrival

©CVarsalona, December 8, 2023

Santa

offers wisdom

to all children.

Be nice, not naughty.

Listen!

©CVarsalona, December 15, 2023

lights

glitter against

December's cold darkness

bringing brightness and hope

luminescence

©CVarsalona, December 22, 2023

season

of preparations

and annual rituals

flow quickly throughout December

joyful

©CVarsalona, December 28, 2023

After trimming our new tree, I wrote the following Elfchens.

star

of wonder

leads me onward:

 my  "just be", peaceful

guide 

©CVarsalona, December 28, 2023

elf

vintage childpleaser

quick and sly

moving everywhere each day

dimunitive

©CVarsalona, December 28, 2023

candle

sparkles for

New Year celebrations

a blessed stress reducer

taper

©CVarsalona, December 28, 2023

****************************

Logo created by Michelle Kogan

Thank you to our Poetry Friday host, Michelle Kogan, who has amazing artistic talents, poetic flair and creativity, and joie de viver. Her post is filled with a beautiful cover illustration, Tufted Coquette and Elfchen Work in Progress, and a variety of Elfchens featuring her family.

Next Week, I shall share a fabulous Holiday Poem Swap 2023 from Janice Scully.

Thank you Tabatha Yeatts for bringing holiday poem gift-swapping to the Poetry Friday community each year.