Flurry, Float, and Fly!

The first falling of gentle snow is magical and so is Laura Purdie Salas' new book, "Flurry, Float, and Fly - The Story of a Snowstorm". 

Growing up in Central New York, reminds me of the beautiful illustration on the cover of Laura's book. Lovely white snowflakes descending into billowy snow piles is an annual weather scene in Syracuse, NY that occurrs from November to Easter. As you can see from the scene to the left, Illustrator, Chiara Fedele, captures the joy of children frolicking in piles of snowy wonder, taking me back to my own early snow days. 

Author and poet Laura Purdie Salas did not live in a wintery, snowy climate when she was a child and wished for snow. Perhaps this is why she fell in love with winters in Minnesota and shares her joy in this book that opens with color changes in clouds and the wish for snow.

As you read on, the lyrical rhyming and the gorgeous winter scenes mix with meteorological wording give a magical tone to the storyline. "From the north, a polar freeze... from the south, a humid breeze. All winds advance. They mix and dance."  Can you feel the cold and imagine the winds dancing in the sky? This amazing children's book moves on to a beautiful two-page display of a variety of snowflakes with rhyme and the repetition of the title: "Stars and columns fill the sky with dreams to flurry, float, and fly."

It is no wonder that the Kirkus Reviews writes that "deft wordplay and lovely art blend for a tale of a most magical snowy day".

Mid-book a gorgeous scene and lyrical verse not only introduces words that share the serenity of snowflakes drifting downward but a sky of layered colors.

I found many tranquil scenes in the book. One in particular showcases a country house covered by fleeting snow at evening time. Ahh, how lovely!

The ending takes the reader back to the excitement of children enjoying  winter fun outdoors. Laura Purdie Salas offers much more beyond the story. On her website's book page, she shares many resources including, 4 short videos (from the publisher, 2 short writings about her process, 1 silly one to introduce a science weather concept), several downloadable activity sheets, photos of one history of snow, winter poems, and links for educators. Laura also offers a Giveaway to teachers that add student's snowflakes to her Snowflakes Padlet. You can find that here and so many more classroom activities, such us back matter on the science of snow. 

Add this book to your classroom and school library so children can engage in the magic of a snowstorm. A read aloud of the book in the reading corner following with a discussion on how the science of snow blends with poetry is an excellent starter. Be creative with the multiple activities that Laura Purdie Salas offers so they can reflect on nature and the season of winter. Create a Flurry, Float, and Fly! bulletin board to bring winter inside, although the season is not officially here. Meteorologists are already sharing news as the first snowfall moves across the states. So teachers, enjoy the first snowfall virtually or in real time with your students. Create a Flurry, Float, and Fly! bulletin board to bring winter inside, although the season is not officially here. Add in this lovely quote by Lewis Carroll. 

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields that It kisses then so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, 'Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.' " 

I am adding an equation poem, the format comes from Laura Purdie Salas' Classroom Connections posts. This poem, Flurry, Float, and Fly! connects me with her book and follow-up classroom topic.

snow + imagination + creativity = classroom fun

Today is Flurry, Float, and Fly!'s Book Birthday - 

🎂 the Official Publication Date! 🎂

Thank you, Laura and  Ciara for creating this wonder-filled book. 

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This Slice of Life is dedicated to the educators who provide noteworthy books to their students and family members who continue the art of reading in their homes.

at Two Writing Teachers

Two Sides of Winter

While winter white snow leaves a feeling of tranquility on a day filled with sunshine, it also has another side after the pristine snow settles and lasts for days. That snow is frozen and silent until vehicles traveling on town roads and highways push their snow bundles around causing "dirty snow". 

I have experienced snowfalls up to 6 feet growing up in Syracuse, the central part of New York State. My sister and neighborhood children enjoyed the pristine snow scenes but adults mostly complained about the very tedious shoveling. Growing up, I watched winter bring all different types of snow, white dancing fairy snow, frozen cold snow that you could feel through your mittens, and melting snow from rain just when you wanted to build a snowman. 

Two Sides of Winter

SPECIAL INVITATION TO SLICERS

I am hosting Poetry Friday on February 7th at my Beyond LiteracyLink blog. Create a love note, valentine, poem, digital artwork, etc. I created a padlet, titled Heartnotes for interested writers. Join me as I honor Valentine's Day, a love-note to the rest of the year. (Jo Lightfoot)

You can find my padlet here.

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Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the space to write with colleagues from across the globe. You can read other Slices of Life here.

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).

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

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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.

#SOL22 March Musings Day 12: Snowflakes Dance

Nature is full of genius, full of divinity;  so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand. Henry David Thoreau 

Wrapped in falling snow, delicate snowflakes

Cascade with wind behind their wings.

In morning's grayish wake,

No winter bird sings.

Cascade with wind behind their wings,

Snowflakes dance in zigzag pleasure.

No winter bird sings.

Winter shares its crispcool treasure.

Snowflakes dance in zigzag pleasure.

Window panes paint frozen views.

Winter shares its crispcool treasure.

Green tones turn to whitened hues.

Window panes paint frozen views

In morning's grayish wake.

Green tones turn to whitened hues

Wrapped in falling snow-delicate snowflakes.

©CV, 2022

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Thank you Two Writing Teachers for this daily meeting place to connect with a community of reflective writers.

The Creative Mind is Restless

With my upcoming move, there is so much to do that my mind keeps racing. Sleep is interrupted and the to-do list keeps popping up at all hours. After reading Rebecca Brock, Day 17 prompt at Laura Shovan's 9th Annual February Poem Project, my brain kept churning. The floodgates of creativity opened and from beyond my comfort zone evolved the following poem. 

EARLY MORNING CREATIVITY PROCESS

early morning

brain churns-

waking from slumber

thoughts interrupted-

brain freeze

creative impulses

 searching for words-

no constraints

open the curious mind

to a new day

of imaginative thought.

©CV, 2021

The creative mind is restless. - Rishi Kapoor

The video I created with Lumen 5 is published on YouTube at https://youtu.be/UdF7zzCcARo.

Please visit to see the poem through a different lens.

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Tonight, troubled by Winter Blast #3 and continued COVID broadcasts, I created an image poem for Day 18 of the 9th Annual February Poem Project. Stacey JoyEleven Johnson offered an interesting prompt with a couple of shadow photos and a skinny poem. the poem below  uses the Shadorma format and was created with the FotoJet platform. It was prompted by the third winter blast, COVID-19 broadcasts, and my final dose of the COVID vaccine, all amidst endless packing for my house move to Virginia. 

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With an ample amount of snow covering our neighborhood once again, I toss my anxieties up in the air to enjoy some poetic goodness at Poetry Friday. This week, Ruth Hersey from Haiti, is our host. She is enjoying Carnival Week and creating a Facts of the World poem with facts offered from every Poetry Friday writer. Mine is about a surprising snowflake fact. 

I continue to collect winter photos with poems from across the world. Interested?

Send your offering to my hashtag , @cvarsalona, and #WintersEmbrace2021 Gallery on Twitter, Facebook, or my gmail.

Winter Blast #2

Imagine waking to a quiet, cold morning of drifting snowdrops pirouetting in a bright sky. Nature's artistry in motion is visible. Intrigued by the sight, I watch the shifting winds, listen to the whooshing, guzzling noise, and then, see snowflakes, flitting through the air in a haphazard motion.

Winter Embraces Its Second Blast

in the calm quiet

after the first snowdropping

blankets welcomed

©CV, 2021, haiku 

cars crusted in snow wait for the unknown

pristine blankets camouflage

a shoveling nightmare 

©CV, 2021, Kimo 

winter art lines

neighborhood streets-

2021's living gallery

©CV, 2021, micropoem

-Judi Drucker, 2021, Long Island

those indoors watch

the incessant snow dance and plop

on a frozen throne

©CV, 202, haiku

more layers to come

so the meteorologists forecast...

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Laura Shovan's 9th Annual February Poetry Project Continues with amazing writing prompts. Buffy Silverman offered this #naturephoto for participants to ponder.

-Buffy Silverman, 2021, Michigan

Winter Tree

Skin so rugged,

Aged with grace

Mapped with lines

Of winter's face.

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Aging is nature

maturing.

Faced with dignity

Life enduring.

©CV, 2021

Before leaving, I would like to share the Poetry Postcard I received from my poet-artist friend, Michelle Kogan.

Thank you Molly Hogan from Maine for hosting Poetry Friday this week. I'm waiting to see if the Northeast is receives a weekend blast as is predicted. Molly with her key eye for photography will be on the lookout for an interesting winter theme to photograph. In the meantime she offers, some early morning scenes at the beach and the draft of her artist's prayer.

Quiet Morning

In the stillness of the night, snow quietly entered to cradle a sleepy neighborhood in a blanket of warmth. Not until early morning did I realize the gift of late autumn snow nature presented. My leaf-strewn neighborhood was transformed into a wonder-filled, peaceful scene. I captured that tranquil image, digitized it with the app, MobileMonet, and created a #haikuforhealing/#haikuforhope.

From this image poem, I designed a music collage with the app, PicPlayPost. The music complemented the scene and let the day start with a sense of contentment to embrace the day giving a nod to my one little word for 2019. You can see the music collage on YouTube or below.

Switching my thoughts back to an amazing Thanksgiving/birthday holiday at Hotel Hershey, I started the holiday season with autumn's glow and good cheer. The experience brought out the child in all of us as we celebrated the beginning of the holiday season with my granddaughter.

May the spirit of the holidays bring hope to all!

Now, I am traveling over to Elizabeth Steinglass' site, the host of Poetry Friday, to enjoy some poetry magic. Liz has an original poem about a short word that is so important. 

March Musings '19: Snow Baby on Skis

Off they went to a winter wonderland vacation. Beautiful, sun-kissed Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was waiting for them. Skis were packed-even the tiniest skis only meant for a twenty-one-year-old toddler. 

I fell in love with the original photo of this winter scene so I digitized it and added a title.

I marvelled at the wonder of nature, the pristine beauty of fresh snow, a sharp contrast to dirty snow or rain-washed snow slush. Even if you are not a fan of winter, you might be inclined to change your mind when viewing these vacation photos. 

The spectacular mountain views were welcoming

in each scene.

It was as if Mother Nature painted a landscape in brilliant white with a blue backdrop. 

Each photo made winter so inviting.

Thinking about my grandbaby in Jackson Hole led me to explore snow-themed poetry for writing models. When I found the following poem, A Child's Guide to Etiquette, by Chris Forhan (from No. 177, Summer 2006), I knew it was a just right one. You may agree.

Detail of Works Progress Administration's: "January: A Year of Good Reading" Poster

Snow is a hat worn by mountains, the tallest of which do not remove the hat in summer.

Sunlight settles like a shawl upon the hills and dewy berry fields.

The sun is not a wag or hail-fellow-well-met. It does not loaf or shirk.

It keeps it's face funeral-ready, as you should.

Away you go in the car. Father and Mother. Puff and Baby Sally.

Away you go into the Country. Spot and Jane.

Will I use this poem as a mentor poem? Perhaps, I will write a poem for my grandbaby, but for now I think I will just keep looking at the beauty of the western mountains set in winter sunshine and dream.

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Day 18 of 31 days of writing

March Slice of Life Story Challenge

Two Writing Teachers