Unveiling of The Art of Summering Gallery

It's a smile; it's a kiss; it's a sip of wine...
it's summertime!
- Kenny Chesney


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Summer is a state of mind that adds positivity to our days. 
Recall your life living summer moments and pause to:

There is an art to summering:
Sun simmering,
Heat chasing,
Waves churning-
Iced tea sipping,
Porch sitting,
Fan swaying-
Sparkler swooning,
People  celebrating,
Sunsets blazing-
Friends visiting,
Quiet chatting,
Babies playing-
Family planning,
Trip taking,
Cameras shooting-
Endless choosing,
Daily relaxing,
Summer happening!
©CVarsalona, 2018

There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away." - Sarah Kay


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While the official end of the summer season drew to a close, my mind still drifts back to the pristine beach where a gentle breeze brings relief from the persistent heat. I hear the roar of the foaming waves singing their summer song, and savor those cherished memories. 

To preserve the memories of summer and allow voice to rise, I created this global gallery of artistic expressions,The Art of Summering, with its brilliant array of art, poetry, nature/travel photography, digital art, and music. Take a gallery walk with me to see the many shades of summer across the world. There are 10 stops on the global tour so let's get started.

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First Stop - A Virtual Journey 

Travel Photos

"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." - Ibn Battuta

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Second Stop - Sunrises and Sunsets Around the Globe
"There are sunrises and sunsets every single day, and they're absolutely free. 
Don't miss so many of them." 
-Jo Walton Winter

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Third Stop - Animals of Summer

"Again and again, the cicada's untiring cry pierced the sultry summer air like a needle at work on thick cotton cloth." - Yukio Mishmima, Runaway Horses: The Sea of Fertility, 2

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Fourth Stop - Summer Art

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

-Thomas Merton

Laura Hill Timpanaro

The Sand Bar by Thomas Cooper Gotch submitted by Tabatha Yeatts

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Fifth Stop - Children's Corner

Click HERE to see the BUNCEE Slide Share

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Sixth Stop - Digital Art

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Seventh Stop - Summer Florals

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature." - Gerard De Nerval

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Eighth Stop - Music

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. 
You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body."

The above quote by Oliver Wendall Holmes was offered by Tabatha Yeatts along with the following song from the Queen of Soul.

Click HERE to enjoy the "The Art of Summering" playlist of 29 songs that I gathered on YouTube.

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Ninth Stop - Summer's Alluring Call

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If you travel far enough, you can find snow-tipped mountains and inspiration in summer.

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Tenth Stop - Time to Say Goodbye to Summer BUT... 

STILL Lingering in the Memories

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Thank you for joining me on The Art of Summering Gallery Walk. 

 Carol

Each season, the gallery concept that I began in 2014 grows in volume. May it continue to lift artistic voice across the globe, provide a joyful reading experience and encourage creativity, as it fills social media with beautifully-crafted digitals inspirations. Please leave comments on this blog, Twitter, or Facebook so that we can all grow as writers.

      

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"Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance." - Yoko Ono

Let the sunshine of summertime, fill your soul, and increase your vitality to find the abundance of autumn! May you continue to notice, observe the living world around you, wonder, and savor each life living moment.

I've traveled different paths each season, 

held onto treasured moments, lingering

in their memories, for they have been

nourishment for my soul. 

©CV, 2017 

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Many thanks are extended to all the poets, photographers, artists, bloggers, writers, teachers, and students who offered digital inspirations for The Art of Summering Global Gallery. The responses to the concept of "summering" were varied and unique.

Contributors to The Art of Summering Gallery
@HolisticSailor	Cuffe, Laurence	Howard, Spiri	Nesdoly, Violet	Wong, Janet
@Teach4spclneeds	Day, Suzi	Hughes, Justine	Nestor, Janet	Wyman, Christie
Alba, Cheryl	Di Stefano, Carl	Hughes, Stephan	Norden, Sharon	Yeatts, Tabatha
Alaska Tracy	Finley, Todd	Hutmacher, Kimberly	Pollard, David	Yun, Jackie
Ajmani, Kumud	Flowers, Lisa L.	Jago, Carol	Quinn, Chris	Zabala, Maria
Akke, Terje	Flynn, Catherine	Kelley, Steve	Salas, Laura Purdie
Alyssa H.	Foley, Kevin	Kogan, Michelle	Shepard, Kiesha
Atkins, Jeannine	Forrest Esenwine, Matt	Kristensen, Kent	Silverman, Buffy
Apel, Kat	Gross, Teresa	Lake, Lillian	Simon, Margaret
Baie, Linda	Guidoccio, Joanne	Latham, Irene	Smith, Donna
Barnes, Michelle H.	Hancock, Patty	MacCulloch, Jone	Steinglass, Elizabeth
Behnke, Ramona	Harsham, Brenda	Macken, JoAnn Early	Tamez, Eugenia
Bigi, Jessica	Hartnett, Devin	Mayr, Diane	Thomas, Kathleen
Boynton, Sandra	Hersey, Ruth	McGriff, Kay	Tilton, Valerie
Bradbury, Shawn	Herzog, John & Rebecca	Meller, Faige	Timparano, Laura Hill
Burtsfield, Dani	Hodgson, Kevin	Mitchell, Linda	Vardell, Sylvia
Cator, Leia	Hogan, Jennifer	Moran, Pam	Varsalona, Carol
Chow, Janet	Hogan, Molly	Mr. Terborg	Weston, Mark E. Ph.D
Coombs, Katie	Howard, Mary, Dr.	Murphy, Sally	Wirtz, Rita

YOUNG POETS (#StuVoice)

Leonie Bennett's Students

Brannon

Callie E.

Camila

Leticia Citizen's Students

Karter

Morgan

Neeve-#WymansWonders' Kinder

Olivia Van Ledtje (@thelivbits)

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Archived Galleries

If you click on a specific title you will be directed to that gallery.

2014

Reflect with Me: Bring a Community of Writers Together to Celebrate Life & Teaching 

April Awakenings

Summer Serenity

Finding Fall

2015

Winter Whisperings

Spring's Symphony

Summer Splashings

Autumn's Palette

2016

Winter Wanderings

Spring's Seeds

Summerscapes

Autumnventure

2017

Winter Wonder

Springsations

Sunkissed Summer

Autumn Ablaze

2018

Winter Wonderland

Sense-sational Spring

The Art of Summering Video

You can access it here.

UPCOMING GALLERIES

Abundant Autumn

Wintering Fun

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"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."

- Oscar Wilde

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Join me for my #AbundantAutumn journey around the globe.

National Poetry Day Trending

Yesterday was National Poetry  Day in the United Kingdom and trending on Twitter.

I sent out this tweet to recognize the efforts of Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong to spread the power of poetry.

Today, I would like to thank the following Poetry Friday poets who offered their beautiful photographs, artwork, inspiration, and poetry for The Art of Summering Gallery.

I created a short video as an advertisement for #TheArtofSumering Galery.
You can access it here.

In the meantime, I will join Tabatha Yeatts who is the Poetry Friday host.

Morning Message

Last week when I was in Fort Lauderdale to present, "Get Your Wonder On," at the National Center for Families Learning Conference, I experienced a natural wonder, a gorgeous morning surnrise. 

When I woke for beach yoga, there was a pitch-black darkness settling over the ocean. I chuckled, "How will I ever see make my way to the shoreline for beach yoga?" Upon entering an empty lobby, I approached the front desk attendant who replied to my line of questioning. 

"Follow the group to the beach." 

"But how will I see in the dark?"

Surprising enough, others felt the same way. I was not alone. The greeter at the top of the beach stairway understood our dilemma and provided us with glow bracelets to light the way. "We want to be able to see each one of you in the dark." As we descended the stairway to reach the beach, our glow bracelets glistened as we made our way to the yoga teacher, Lisa Pumper, who greeted us with a positive, calm spirit and grace. 

We began the class facing the moon and then, midstream the sun started to rise. At the end of class, Lyn DuBois, a conference attendee whom I met previously, and I engaged in a series of partner poses guided by Lisa. In the midst of the poses, I fell backward and laughed. Determined to keep my balance in the sinking sand, I popped back up. Lyn graciously supported me in a "beyond my comfort zone" pose. This reminded me that we need each other to support us through life.

I recall the sunrise that took my breathe away, a practice that was full of inspiration, and a morning message to carry serenity off the mat into my day.

We all know that life has twists and turns that can be challenging but starting your morning with a chuckle or engaging others in laughter is one way to positively greet each day. At each day of beach yoga, I positively filled my morning with inspiring messages and now wish to send additional ones your way.

May you start each day with a smile, a sense of humor, and a glorious sunrise.

We all need to let some sunshine into our daily lives.

"A good laugh is a mighty good thing, a rather too scarce a good thing."

Herman Melville

Enjoy this compilation of comedy sketches from the Lucille Ball Show and start your day off positively.

Today is Spiritual Journey First Thursday and our amazing host, Jan Godown Annino, is ready with her Gandalf-type walking stick to spark some magic on her topic, "Humor". Jan, I hope Lucille Ball, warms your senses up for a good laugh. 

  

Nighttime Magic

There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away." - Sarah Kay

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Mesmerized by the sight and sound of the ocean inching its way to shore, I stood on my hotel balcony in awe. The ocean danced and momentarily kissed the sand only to retreat into its vast waters. How many times have I seen the Atlantic Ocean at the Long Island shore engage in the same movement? How many times have I reflected on the ocean's journey or wondered about its vastness? 

Now, I was 1,289.5 miles away listening to the Atlantic Ocean on the Florida shore sing its soulful, nighttime tune as it journeyed onward. All was peaceful and quiet except for the sounds that lulled me into a sense of dreamy wonder and calm. It was a fitting end to an exciting day at the National Center for Families Learning 2018 Conference. The Wonderopolis Wonder Team of which I am a member had delivered a presentation, "Get Your Wonder On" and here I was wondering about the ocean as it stretched under a black sky while the full moon above shot its rays into the darkness. The ocean glistened like diamonds and the moon's rays added a spotlight effect to the scene. Tiny stars poked out from a dark sky to nod good-night to the moon. It was a just-right moment to capture a photo but I wondered if I could do justice to this scene. 

I recalled the many times that I have said I would live in the moment but on that night last week that I did. As I reviewed the photos I took, I knew that this moon was a special one, shining brightly as a beacon of goodwill and peace for all mankind. 

There was a magical quality about this night that my iPhone captured. I shall not forget the feeling and so I wrote a tribute to the moon and the ocean as they joined hands on this one special night. 

While preparing the last pieces of "The Art of Summering Global Gallery of Artistic Expressions", I decided to add this haiku before the night ends. May this Slice of Life be my reminder that inspiration is all around us if we just stop momentarily to look and listen. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the gallery where you will find inspiring photos, artwork, image poems, digital art, and a special playlist of songs. 

Now, I am off to join the Two Writing Teachers weekly Slice of Life writing.

Carol Varsalona: Summer Wonder Poetry | Wonder Ground

Carol Varsalona: Summer Wonder Poetry | Wonder Ground



While knowing that I am moderating #NYEDChat tonight, I was faced with a dilemma. #WonderChat is also at the same time and while I cannot be in the moment with both chats, I still wanted to review and answer the questions. Find out what I did to make this a reality.

Listening to the Roaring Waves

While preparing for the unveiling of “The Art of Summering Gallery of Artistic Expressions, I  took a week-long detour to present at the National Center for Families Learning Conference in Fort Lauderdale and visit friends and family in both Bonita Springs and Palm Beach Gardens. With a "summer frame of mind", I experienced nature’s touch from cloudy skies that broke into thunderous roars of intense rainfall to exquisitely-hued sunrises and sunsets. Each day, the moon and the stars dressed in sparkling shades and the ocean roars lulled me to sleep. From one coast of southern Florida to the other, my husband and I enjoyed the Floridian sights, the presence of a still visibly strong summer season and the opportunity to continue the "art of summering" after its designated end. Needless to say, I immersed myself in the experience, collecting magical memories to reflect upon during the cold winter months.

In my post, Anticipation, I stated that the art of summering is listening to the ocean waves and wondering, such a simple act that I engaged in while in Fort Lauderdale.  Each morning and night, I heard the ocean call. On two mornings, I engaged in beach yoga before sunrise and deeply reflected on the presence of the moon, its descent, and the rising of the sun. From these experiences, I wrote a questioning poem.

Questioning Life, the Mystical Mover

How would my life have been different

if I only knew

to pause and savor quiet moments more often?

How would my life have been different

if I only knew

to view silver raindrops as day brighteners, not negatives?

How would my life have been different

if only I acted with patience

as nature slowly paraded in front of me?

How would my life have been different

if "what if" reflections

marked the beginning of the journey?

...and so now, I listen intently to the roaring waves

throwing out one question,

"How can I find balance in life to make a difference?"

©"CVarsalona, 2018

The above poem and digital inspirations are being offered to Michelle H. Barnes for her September Ditty Challenge from the inspirational poet, Naomi Shihab. We were asked to write a letter to ourself in which we asked some questions that we didn't have to answer. You can access all of the responses to the challenge at Michelle's Ditty of the Month Club September Padlet. 

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Before I post my poem on the padlet, I will stop at Jone Rush MacCulloch's blog site, Deo Writer: Musings to Spark the Spirit, for the Poetry Friday Roundup. 

Photograph/Logo created by Jone MacCulloch

I am dedicating this weekend to put the finishing touches on The Art of Summering Global Gallery of Artistic Expressions. Stay tuned for the unveiling announcement. 

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Making Your Mark

Part of the art of summering is listening to the ocean waves and wondering.

Why is it important to allow voice to rise?

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How can we engage students each day so that they can make their mark?

Dot Day, based on Peter H. Reynolds' book, The Dot, celebrates creativity 

around the globe.

Help each child reach his/her potential to 

create with a brave spirit

and joyful heart.

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers.

On December 17, 2018 Peter H. Reynolds, the author of The Dot, will guest moderate #NYEDChatwith Susan Verde. The special holiday Twitter chat, The Gift of Reading, will inspire educators, parents, families, and children to share the pleasures of reading. 

Celebrating Communication with a Global Friend

I like to connect via Twitter with my global friends about teaching and learning either through chats or blogging. It is amazing to be virtual friends with so many like-minded people who are student-centered and creative. This weekend, Terje Akke, one of my educator friends from Estonia, created her celebration post about an idea that has been marinating for years. Excitedly, I read her post to see what photos Terje would include. She is a wonderful photographer and writer who has been giving her students the gift of writing in the great outdoors but her real desire for years has been to have her students experience how writers go to unexpected places for ideas. Recently, her dream was realized.

In Terje's blog, she described the unusual place she took the children to write. It was the Estonian Art Doll House.  I found Terje's photos of the doll museum to be quite engaging. I could picture the young writers milling about the house being greeted by an assortment of dolls. I especially liked the photo Terje included of a Victorian Queen of Hearts type doll. I started playing around with rhyme and decided to draft a short poem for the students to remember their experience. Who knows, maybe they will create their own person poems for each of the dolls they saw.

I am grateful for the connection I have made with Terje. You can see her photographic work in my recent gallery of artistic expressions.  Terje has given me a gift. She hasprovided me with insight into the teaching methods and lifestyle of Estonians and continues communication to share ideas. There are many other photographers and educators from across the world that I have met through Twitter. Being able to connect virtually with others across regions makes the world seem more accessible to me.

I celebrate with Terje this week to continue the commitment to celebrating life that Ruth Ayres started. 

Anticipation

"Poetry reading is up in America while reading books for pleasure is down slightly. So says the National Endowment for the Arts, which has published the result of a study, 'U.S. Trends in Arts Attendance and Literacy Reading: 2002-2017'... Poetry reading surged a remarkable 76 percent, to 28 million in 2017." 

I was excited to read the short article, Making Waves, Readers in America, in USA Today, 9.14.18, before heading out to the state education conference I was attending. After several days of cooler temperature and rain on Long Island, it was a pleasure to be greeted by the sun and warmer weather. I am still in summer mode and am enjoying reading poetry that has been sent to me for The Art of Summering Gallery.  After a short hiatus from   designing my summer gallery of artistic expressions, I am happy to return to the task.

ANTICIPATION

  Awaiting the arrival of the
  Newest addition to my global galleries,
  The Art of Summering. There will be
  Inspirational quotes,
  Photography blended with
  Artwork, and
  Technology. There will be digital art
  Image poems, a children's corner, and music.
  Open invitation to the
uNveiling.

Coming Soon!

For now, I am joining Amy Ludwig Vanderwater at The Poet Farm who is the host of Poetry Friday this week. Amy has a reflective post for students and teachers with a wonderful poem, a quiet boat. Please join me!

Remembering Fallen Heroes

We still remember
as the bell tolls
and names are read.

There's still a sadness in hearts on 9/11.

So Many Stories, So Many Hearts Broken!

Remembering 911's fallen heroes,

numbered in the sky and

honored at the village green.
We still remember.
©CVarsalona, 2018, Rockville Centre, NY

I woke this morning to the broadcasting of the Ground Zero ceremony from New York City. As the ceremonial bell rang, the reading of the fallen heroes' names stopped. A stillness surrounded the structure. Tears were shed. The pause was deafening for so many remembered the day that many lives were lost, fathers, mothers, siblings, relatives, and friends. My NYC suburban village was hit hard. Some who perished on 9/11 worked on Wall Street. Others were fire fighters and police. All become our village's heroes.

The short poem above is a compilation of blog titles I have written over the years. Each one a painful memory. Each one a tribute to those who perished, so I ask, "What is needed in this world?" 

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Sharing Acts of Kindness on September 11th!

All of the words in red are blog posts, either at Beyond LiteracyLink or Wonderopolis' Wonder Ground, that I have written on the topic and gathered here to create a poem.

Besides being Patriot Day, it is the Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers. I offer this solemn tribute to those who are remembering 9/11 and to those who are committed to sharing acts of kindness.