Turning 40

While I like to think that I can turn back the clock to 40, I have to leave that thought for another day.  Today, I am celebrating my son's very happy birthday.  

It was 40 years ago when our first child unexpectedly slipped into the world with an immense challenge. My husband and I named him Derek, the people's ruler.  As an affable striver, my son overcame many odds thrown his way.  Holding tightly to his dreams, he sought to find his place in society but life is not an easy road to walk when you are disabled.  Because of his fortitude, Derek always used his talents to make his mark.  Yearly gold medals in swimming at the Games for the Physically Challenged led him to donate his time and strength to raising funds for special education while dreaming of a college degree. Despite the odds, Derek graduated from community college and continued onward to become a proud Hofstra University graduate.  Advocating for himself, Derek sought every option to succeed in learning with the constant support from family,  counselors, and teachers.  

While his road of life has been strewn with rocky patches, Derek, as the champion, continues to strive to move forward on his journey.  Today, as a disabled young man, he finds solace in writing.  Feeling the pangs of isolation during Quarantine Life, Derek decided to try his hand at podcasting.   Below is his introductory video that we created.  With the heart of an advocate for disability rights and a voice to soar into the world, Derek is an example of what can be accomplished.  May doors be opened for him and all those striving to BECOME. 

I celebrate Derek's forty years of life today with a cherita poem, a linked poetry form of one-, two-, and three-line stanzas that tells a story.  So with hopes that today is one of those days in which a new corner is turned on the road to life, I wish Derek a very happy birthday and

a life of reaching for the stars.

☪

Sending my slice of life into the universe of writing at Two Writing Teachers...

Honoring Nikki Grimes, Poet

You can see the animated version of the card above at Buncee.

I recall one NCTE a few years ago when Poetry Friday friends were seated around a table enjoying the camaraderie of friends. Nikki Grimes was part of that group. We chatted about poetry and life. I was one of Nikki's fans so I listened carefully. Following this evening event, I was lucky to spot her at an author's signing for her new novel in verse, Garvey's Choice that won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. 

To prepare for Day 3 of my graduate school summer institute for teachers, I reread Garvey's Choice. I knew that it would be an appropriate book to be included in a text-set for a mini-unit on adolescent bullying, self-identity, and/or family and friend relationships. As I read through the book, I grew to care about Garvey as a person and student. He, like many middle year and early high school teens, is perplexed by internal conflict emanating from his relationships with his family and lack of friends.  This book is beautifully-crafted and seamlessly written in the tanka form of poetry. Nikki Grimes shares sensitivity toward her main character and visibly illustrates the growth of Garvey's identity from a boy taunted for years about his weight to one who takes pride in whom he is. You can see the Garvey's growth of self-confidence in the found poem I created with selected lines from Nikki's book.

Fill in the puzzle of me.

Fear is the flip-flop in my belly.

I take a breath. 

I'm suddenly feeling brave.

Now "fat boy" insults glide

right off like raindrops.

I'm a balloon of song,

reaching the edges of space.

Somehow, music makes me full.

Listen to my dreams.

I choose what words to let in.

Set to face a new morning,

I stand Taller.

The perfect size is happy.

Designed by ©CVarsalona, 2020

with lines from Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes

💖

I listened to Nikki read "Jabari Unmasked" from One Last Word, which she says is one of her favorite books. You can listen to her video here.  I look to Nikki's work as a model for my own Golden Shovel poem writing. Below is my poem using Nikki's line, ."..still, the world needs the dreams we offer," as both the title and strike line for my poem.

Thank you Irene Latham for suggesting that we honor Nikki Grimes and her work this week at the Poetry Friday Roundup. I am heading over to the celebration at Irene's blog, Live Your Poem, where she is hosting today. I am bringing my Buncee card, this post, and grilled peaches cake because it is a Poetry Friday party for Nikki Grimes.

Poetry Friday Roundup Celebration

Note: I still have a draft of a Golden Shovel poem for Day 5 of Kat Apel's #PoetryPepUp challenge but it is still not ready for sharing. I will post the Golden Shovel poem/image poem I created above on social media noting Kat's engaging challenge last week. 

March Musings #4: Oscar Gold

What fun! An Oscar party with close friends. Dessert tasting plates all set with various Oscar worthy treats. Gold  sparkles, gold plates, gold candle holders all ready to be transported to my friends' home in time for the red carpet opening of the first neighborhood Oscar party. Yes, this year, we decided to celebrate Hollywood style.

Leading up to this event, I watched several shows on creating the glam look for an Oscar party. I even replicated a recipe of Daphne Oz that she shared on Rachel Ray's show. Her chocolate walnut drops recipe was extremely easy to make and delicious. "A winner!" in the words of my husband.

Did I mention that I am in charge of desserts? Since I was a little girl watching my grandmother bake, desserts have been my favorite item to make! Baking is an art but my husband also says I am the messiest baker he ever saw. My mother used to bake at night when everyone was asleep so by morning time, the kitchen had no traces of her baking except for the fragrance of whatever was in the oven. Maybe I should try that but by the time I finish baking, I don't want to be involved in the clean-up. I wonder if I have any helpers.

Day 4

 

This slice was completed in the afternoon but I forgot to send it off to Two Writing Teachers before the clock struck 12:00 AM. Guess I have to check out the scheduler button again.

March Musings 25: Celebration Countdown

Weekends are meant for celebrating.

Since my husband's background is mathematical (finance and accounting)and it's his milestone birthday, I created an algebraic formula to celebrate the good life.

x + y= z 
family + grandchild on the way = happiness for years to come

Happy Moment Countdown

1st Night
Traveling to Reston, Virginia

2nd Day  Afternoon
Shopping (thinking pink) and having lunch at Mexican Restaurant 
(Tysons Corner Center Mall)
2nd Day Evening
Relaxing at my daughter and son-in-law's new house over salmon dinner
 
3rd Day Morning
Best Breakfast Around

3rd Day Afternoon
Cherry Blossom Sightings

Choosing the Right Cake
 for 3rd Celebration

Listening to the Woodpecker, watching the chipmunk, and enjoying nature
(all sights not seen on Long Island)

3rd Day Evening

Birthday Dinner at Dante's Italian Restaurant in Great Falls, Virginia

Cake Reveal

4th Day and 5th Day

More to Come...

Here's to a full weekend of Celebrations!

Today I am celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Celebrate This Week and the March Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers. This is my twenty-fifth posting in a series titled March Musings .

News: My Winter Wonder Gallery is still under construction.

       

Winter - A Celebration

Photo via flickr.com under the Creative Commons license. 

"Winter is not a season, it's a celebration."
--Anamika Mishra

Wintertime brings to mind iconic images such as, colds, chicken soup, flannels, and snuggly quilts. While nursing an acute sinus infection these past two weeks, life slowed down. At first, I found it difficult to remain inside drinking soup, switching flannels, and trying out different spots to cuddle up in, but, in retrospect, it was precious time. I was able to recuperate while slowly tucking away Christmas decorations, reorganizing closets and drawers, and celebrating an unusual January winter with fluctuating temperatures, dustings of snow, gray skies, and intermittent rain.

So what does one do when not able to venture outside? I mustered enough energy to bring winter joy inside. With sparkling lights, winter greenery, and flickering candles I created an ambiance to nurture my spirits in what seemed to be endless, boring hours.

Now with one day left on antibiotics, I am starting to feel perkier so, I will continue my pursuit of finding joy in the commonplace marvels of life (hopefully not those that have to do with winter colds).

I am sure that you have experienced the doldrums of winter colds but have you switched the perspective to spend time celebrating?

Each weekend I reflect and celebrate life with Ruth Ayres who creates space for writers to Celebrate This Week with her. This weekend, Ruth posted a unique look at love. Perhaps, you would like to read Ruth's Love is an Apple Core by clicking here.

SPECIAL NOTE:

I invite everyone to look closely at each winter day to find wonder and beauty in nature. If interested, consider creating a digital composition for my latest global gallery of artistic expressions, Winter Wonder 17. You can access the official invitation here.

One Word to Guide Our 2017 Journey

Each year instead of creating resolutions, millions choose one word to guide their journey. Why? One, meaningful word becomes a focal point, a reminder, and a guide throughout the year. It makes its way into your life, tugs at your heart, snuggles into your being, connects with your lifestyle, and accompanies you on your journey. It can be your mantra, your go to word, your star to follow. 

This year, my word poured into my life space like a flowing rain, dropping sparkling particles all around. I felt the word surround me and connect to my 2016 word, believe, that I have held close to my heart. 

Reflecting on my one word has led me through a progression of thoughts based on my previous one words:

This year,

I will continue

to stay in the moment,

to ponder the

infinite possibilities of life

with an open mind and spirit,

a listening ear to hear messages sent, 

and a believing heart to lead me forward in faith.

This year, 

I choose

JOY 
as my one word

to accompany me

as I journey through life

savoring the ordinary as opportunities

while yearning for an enriched, positive outlook.

My 2017 Creed: 

With a genuine spirit of wonderlust, I shall notice and wonder more about the ordinary, the commonplace, and the small things in life, seek joy daily, and share thoughts and feelings on positivity. By searching for joy, I hope to send it out into the world as a reminder that a "joyful heart is good medicine..." (Proverbs 17:22)

I choose joy and this vocal by Sir Harry Secombe to celebrate my one word and this joyful celebration of others' words to guide all 2017 journeys.

Join in the celebration of joy by linking your one little word post for the start-up of the 2017 Spiritual Journey first Thursday designed by Irene Latham (originally created by Holly Mueller). All are welcomed to participate. 

The monthly calendar for Spiritual Journey first Thursday is:

Closing  wishes: 

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing... -Romans 15:13 
• May all your 2017 words carry you along a pathway filled with promise and peace.

Celebrate Life Each Week

Recounting a week of yoga, introspection, digital play, and remembrance through images:

It's the end of a week when I share positive celebrations with Ruth Ayres and the blogging community at Celebrate This Week.

A Fun Celebration

Have you ever decided to do something fun on the spur of the moment? Since today was National Donut Day, early this morning I made a last minute decision to take my family to Dunkin' Donut to celebrate life. Today was our treat day because we have been diligently watching what we eat since my husband had lap band surgery last April. 

Just for fun, I created this light-hearted poem prior to leaving for our breakfast run with our friend.

Dunk my donut!

It’s got to be

The best day ever-

My donut’s free!

Oozing full,

delicious treat,

I crave the sugar

my lips will greet.

CVarsalona 2015

  Created with Waterlogue

When we arrived at Dunkin' Donut there was a long line of happy people and cases full of delicious looking donuts. We were ready to celebrate National Donut Day with coffee and a yummy treat. The freshly-baked, delectable donut immediately brought me back to a childhood memory of our local bakery with its rich chocolate frosted treats. Chit-chatting with some customers, family, and my friend also reminded me of other small-town fun memories. What could be better than a slow-paced morning celebrating life? 

One of the customers we were conversing with asked about the origin of Dunkin' Donut. I responded with this information that I found on the Dunkin' Donut site. 

Tonight, I look back on a morning of honoring the American tradition of donut eating and what it means to bring people together to celebrate life's small moments. 

My son, Derek, enjoyed his treat.

Enjoy life! Celebrate with family and friends!

Now take a stroll over Ruth Ayres' Celebrate This Week site to discover how other bloggers enjoyed their week.