Friendship Is a Garden

Friendship is like a lasting garden through the years of life. It requires care, patience and time to blossom. Nature nurtures the garden each season so it flourishes. 

This month, friendships blossomed from one slice to the next. Some were new flowers springing forth, and others were deep-seated perennials. My garden was filled with peace and calming thoughts. The sun and earth supported my beds even though there were difficult climate changes. Yet, my garden of friendship weathered each moment as a lasting garden of strength. 

Gardens need care as spring sprouts. They need watering and weeding. Friendships need nourishment also. Both gardens and friendships grow over time. Trees become rooted and blossoms appear in different seasons, making for a diverse group of beauty. The Slice of Life community is a wonder-filled garden of friendship. Each slice appears as a flower of growing beauty. 

While my garden took time to battle through weather changes this year, it remains. I ask each flowering plant to honor the season of spring and blossom when possible at Two Writing Teachers' community. Imagine what beauty will appear in a garden of words. 

Dear Friends, each day of March you honor my garden with your strength and perseverance. May your new slices become seeds of growth in the garden of life. 

Drawf Cherry Tree 2026

stalwart you stand

testament to life

nature's bounty

©CVarsalona, Virginia, 2026

🌸

It is cherry blossom season in Virginia. I was pleasantly surprised when my dward tree opened its blossoms this past weekend. I am equally pleased that Two Writing Teachers' gardens overflowed with beautiful blossoms this month. While I was unable to write each day, reading your blossoming slices brought the gift of friendship into my garden. Thank you, slicers, for making this challenge a lovely garden of resilience and beauty. 

🌸

My

for March 30, 2026

Allured by Nature

As a former Wonderopolis Ambassador, I am awed by the wonder in nature each season. A few weeks ago, my youngest grandgirl was enjoying a sleepover at Grandma's house. We decided to stroll outside for a short nature walk. The air was chilly, and the sky was a grayish color, but that didn't matter. We were wonder buddies "on the lookout for the presence of wonder" (E. B. White). We headed for the pond, hoping to see the ducks waddling in the water or the baby turtles slowly moving. 

Lila, let's find something that makes us smile.

Sure, Grandma!

Off we went to the bench to sit and quietly watch waterlife. All of a sudden, we spotted a huge turtle lodged by the bench.  Lila wanted to approach the massive turtle. Usually, when she sees an animal, she steps back and hangs on to an adult. This time she smiled. She was interested in the green beads around the turtle's neck. 

I wonder where the turtle came from? I never noticed it before?

As soon as I said that,  Lila was ready to climb on the turtle. 

Are you surprised by the size of the turtle? Did you think a child would want to ride an animal like this? Would you expect a Grandma to place her little one on a turtle? 

Perhaps, only if the turtle were a statue and perfectly safe, like this one. Needless to say, the HOA Committee placed this turtle next to two benches near the pond for a wonder-filled experience.

Day 29 for #SOLSC26 Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for reflective writers

around the world

 

Reflaction on Life

When I spend time reflecting on life, I get to know myself better.  I slipped out of this habit during the initial phase of grief, but I am trying to make a comeback each morning.  A reflaction is a reflection with action. It was coined by two colleagues in New Jersey. The action part of my reflaction is in the last two lines of the poem.  Father Mike on YouTube centered his Sunday sermon on this mantra. 

Before dawn has broken

I lay in quiet stillness

Waiting for flickers of light.

Outside 

            Lies an imperfect world

            In disrepair from continual

            Disharmony and egregious behavior.

Call the seamstress!

Restitch the torn, the worn.

Restore hearts broken from turmoil.

             Renew our precious land.

             Relight the darkness found.

             Revisit possible solutions.

Before the close of the day

Find rest in nature's offering.

Seek comfort in others' hands.

            Hold high the light of hope.

            Look for joy and steal it

            Every time we find it.

                                                  (c) CVarsalona, 2025

                                                 

Day 16, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Connections

The sky opened in a shade of gray yesterday morning. Sunlight was not evident, so I spent time meditating and hoping for peace. As I reached for my laptop, Margaret Simon's Wednesday blog, "Photo Wants to be a Poem," popped up on my screen. 

Margaret's photo from Louisiana showed a cardinal posing in a garden of silent stillness. In addition, Margaret shared her beautiful draft poem titled "Besotted". She also added a piece of Southern lore: cardinals visit humans who have lost a loved one. Other tales say that the cardinals carry messages from a heavenly place to earth, as a spiritual sign of connection with the deceased. Lore or not, I was touched that the red cardinal, a carrier of love, offered comfort, especially during this grieving time of life. --- This was Connection #1.  

cardinal's connection

you pose in stillness

waiting to connect

offering solace, comfort-

in nature's garden

love perfumes the air

draft CVarsalona, 2026, cherita poem

Photo by Margaret Simon 

Connection #2: I am sending my poem with a link to Margaret for "This Photo Wants to be a Poem".  

Nature nurtured me yesterday morning and

continues to do so today in the darkened rain.

Day 12, March 12, 2026

12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for offering reflective writers a meeting place.

Under Construction

Dear Mind and Body,

I decided that this month, you will be part of an under-construction plan of action. That may seem strange, but I will explain why the logo above is my opening thought. After several weeks of deliberating on my one word for 2026, I chose restore. Of course, I need you, Mind and Body, to challenge myself. I would like to see life differently than just gray skies and feeling forlorn. Did you know that an Arctic Blast has spread across the USA? Today, temperatures are dipping lower than before. Layers of clothing and acceptance are needed. 

I am not ready to shoo away the gray sky of winter, but I am willing to stop feeling like the morning routine is regimented and boring. I need to take a fresh approach to start each day. Last night, I ended the evening by reviewing one of the mounds of paperwork that sits on my desk, table, and bed. All of this is a start to a new year that is not about renewing life but restoring it. I invite you both, Mind and Body, to help me restore my heart and soul with positive intentions, stillness, and less anxiety.

💝It is time now for me to settle in

and be comforted by words that flow.💝

"Heart's Reset"

at day's end,

I sit in silence

surrounded by darkness

my one word, restore,

will guide me to

re-store

my broken heart 💔

to a growing heart 💗

draft  ©CVarsalona, 2026  

💝After a stressful week, I sit here at my computer listening to the music video, Restore My Soul.

The lyrics bring comfort,

especially these words: 

Restore my soul, revive my heart.

Renew my life in every part.💝

A Golden Shovel poem evolved from listening to the song many times. The strike lines for my poem are above.

Time to Restore

2026 is time to restore

what is in my

grieving soul

and kindly revive

what makes me strong - my

mind will open my heart

my faith will renew

me and my 

family's life

there is love within

nature's every

beating part

Amen! 

 draft  ©CVarsalona, 2026 

Thank you for listening.

 Carol

💝

Even though it is late, I am offering my blog post, Under Construction, for the Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted by a dear friend, Jan Annino at Bookseed Studio. Jan is sharing her thoughts on one of the honored leaders of the 20th century, Martin Luther King. Jan's statement on MLK is strong. "This weekend, especially, I wonder where a leader is, who can remind us and begin to renew us, with the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Let's band together to lift up prayers as Martin would for peace and justice. 

The Art of Summering 2025 Sneak Peak

Welcome  to  the  Art of Summering 2025  

Mini-Gallery of Artistic Expressions

Summer passes and one remembers its exuberance.-Yoko Ono 

Summer dazzles in different ways:

captures the wonders of nature

soothes our senses and our souls

offers starlite moments

understands the art

of summering:

enjoy life

relax

"be"

©CVarsalona, 2025, nonet

🌞

In my invitation to write alongside me, I explained what the Art of Summering  means. Summering is a state of mind that brings feelings of joy and relaxation. It revolves around the best of summertime and the ability to savor those feelings year-round (adapted from AI thoughts).

🌞

Mary Lee Hahn offers the sweltering edition of the

Art of Summering 2025 Mini-Gallery of Artistic Expressions.

🌞

Janet Claire Fagal shares the beauty of Maine in summertime.

*Excuse the typos," They will be fixed.

Thank you to Linda Mitchell for her offering also. I am not ready to share her work just yet but stay tuned.

🌞

As one enjoys the art of summering, reflect on how you spent your summer days. I would love to share your work in my mini-gallery. Thank you to all the poets, artists, photographers, and teachers who enjoy the arts.

🌞

Below is my digital artwork created after enjoying a beautiful summer day relaxing in my chaise lounge. I was stunned and amazed when I looked up at the sun and saw a cloud that appeared as a heart. For me this was a sign that my loved one was sending me a heartnote from heaven.

🌞

Thank you to Linda Baie for hosting Poetry Friday today. Please read her illuminating blog post that offers connects Charles Dickens with these hard times we are in. Also, you will find other poetic goodness from the Poetry Friday writers.

#PoetryPals September Challenge

Autumn Delicacy

the day before fall arrived

my family drove to the apple orchard that showcased its bounty

despite the ominous darkening of clouds

nature hovered over the farm land and winced at the clouds

ripe and almost ripe apples announced their arrival

my family and I applauded nature and its bounty

as the sky darkened we found a part of the orchard that was bountiful

new apples with juicy sweetness hung below the clouds

my little grandgirls were mesmerized and will never forget arriving

especially since rain arrived with dark bountiful clouds 

draft ©CVarsalona, 2025, tritina

I thank the Poetry Sisters (Tanita Davis, Tricia Stohr Hunt, Mary Lee Hahn, Sara Lee Holmes, Laura Purdie Salas, Liz Garton Scanlon) for their enjoyable September Challenge. This was the first time I tried to write a tritina that was invented by poet Marie Ponsot. The tritina is not an easy poetic format for me but as one of the Poetry Sisters' #PoetryPals I enjoy engaging in their challenges.

Note: By the way, this was the first apple picking event that the sky opened up and provided a few drizzles in the orchard followed by a rainstorm during our outdoor lunch. Now, that is a memory we shall not forget.

It's Friday and time for the Poetry Friday Roundup with our host Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. She encourages us this week to try something new. Join me as I add my blog post to Amy's Roundup. Please read Amy's poem, You Choose You, that you will find here at The Poem Farm. Students will enjoy this poem. 

Celebrating Life With Family

What is life without a loving family? 

Ever since I was a child, I felt the closeness of family even during challenging times. This year, during springtime, sorrow and loss unexpectedly interrupted our family life when my husband Richard fell prey to an incurable, silent disease. Cancer swept across his body as quickly as mighty waves moving across the ocean. My family withstood the rush of anguish and a heart-rending situation, yet we prepared for a family trip to the Atlantic Ocean in Cape May, New Jersey, and the south shore of Long Island, NY, to honor my husband's life. 

As we drove to the ocean sites, I followed the inspiration of Albert Einstein. "Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life". We felt the glow of sunshine streaming down on us as wind-driven waves rushed in with diamond-sparkling effects and quickly returned seaward. The first seaside landing in Cape Map allowed our extended family to enjoy the children frolicking in the water, the delicious seafood, and creamery ice cream delights. We lived life as a summer vacation should be, and yet we remembered that one member of the group was missing. 

As our immediate family traveled north to Long Island, we eagerly prepared for the Celebration of Life ceremony at Jones Beach's Field 6. The beach was quiet. As we moved closer to the ocean, we watched the constant flow and backrush of ocean waves. The ebb and flow of the tides brought peace to the ceremony. Readers' words flowed across the sea. My mind floated like the waves, not about sorrowful days but to present moments. The seagulls flew across the South Shore beach, squawking in tune with the crash of the waves. The magnificent ocean at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY, offered a private place to honor a man with whom I spent close to 49 years of marriage. I was present, my mind was cleared of daily busyness, and I seemed to float with the rhythm of the tides as I looked across the horizon.

not a day to mourn

but one to celebrate life

peaceful souls connect

©CV, July 31, 2025 

I now think of that day at the majestic ocean. We brought the immediate family together and linked our souls with Richard's. There was a powerful release of tension, loneliness, and grief. "Ocean separates lands, not souls".  (Munia Khan) 

" Say not in grief ' he is no more' but in thanfulness that he was."

Hebrew Proverb 

For me, without family, life spins in an unsettled world.

I am thankful for my family, their love, and support,

and the tiny heart shell that was my heaven-sent sign at the shore.

Today is Spiritual Journey Thursday (SJT). Leigh Anne Eck is our host today. She chose the prompt, family, for each writer to ponder. This is a powerful prompt for me. Please visit her blog post here to enjoy the blog posts on "family". Leigh Anne is sharing about her Mother, who recently passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family.

I am also sending this blog post to Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone. I have missed the last two Poetry Friday Roundups because we were enjoying 9 days of celebrating my husband's life. Now, I am ready to settle down and find a respite through reading both SJT and Poetry Friday blog posts from two different writing communities. I already read Holly's post that provided a look into nature and the word pause.

Nature as a Healer

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." -John Muir

When I read this quote in one of Carol Labuzzetta's blogs, I quicky recorded it in my digital journal. I knew that the family would feel the restorative power of nature in another week. We will travel to Cape May and the South Shore of Long Island, NY to celebrate the life of my husband, as per his request. Click here to read my recent Slice of Life. 

Being in nature for nine days brings a smile. There will be time to pause and relax, remembering the summers of our lives basking in sunkissed sands and my husband's stories of his early life when he romped in the surf with his friends. I also remember our summer days when our children were young. We enjoyed the warming sun's rays, the coolness of the ocean's waters spraying our bodies, and the many walks on the boardwalk. Little did we know back then that our family's life would change radically as my husband's days on earth quickly faded.

I think back on John Muir's quote, knowing that soon nature will provide peace to my soul and healing to my emotions and body. The warmth of the sand, the beauty of the sea, and the calling of the gulls will bring me home to Richard's sacred place. 

He provided an intinerary for our celebration of life so we will honor his wishes. While he did not include Cape May in his plan, we will travel there first and remember our time together. Then, we will drive to Long Beach, Long Island to return to Jones Beach, Field 6. There we will send our fondest memories from the ocean waves to Richard's new home above. 

Join me as I let nature bring its restorative powers of healing to each member of my family. 

during summer days

nature nurtures bodies and souls

finds pathways to peace

on quiet walks warmed by sands

gifts of solace comfort life

you look downward

from heaven's golden seat

wishes of love float

 ©CVarsalona, summer of 2025, draft

digital art of a Long Island Beach

🌞

It's time to offer my thoughts about my husband's Celebration of Life at the shores of Cape May, NJ and Long Island, NY. My Floridian poet friend and book lover, Jan Annino, is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. Her blog post, Resilience, is interesting and starts off with a photo of a manatee enjoying his time floating followed by questions for readers. "Do you need a pause? Do you yearn to just drift? Besides Jan's post, she introduces each poet/writer and the poetic goodness that they are sharing.