Turn and Reflect In August

The last day of the month of July turned into a forty-seventh-anniversary celebration even after weeks of a lingering cough. While we could not travel to a pre-determined destination site in Virginia, I made the most of the anniversary weekend by turning my attention to family and spiritual thoughts. 

Yesterday, Linda Mitchell, this month's host of Spiritual Journey Thursday, shared her topic for the SJT community. She offered a single word, TURNING, for us to reflect upon this month. 

During COVID I missed attending church in person. While the virtual experience provided an opportunity for my family to bond together, I missed the community mingling, friends gathering, and the spiritual presence of the Lord. Lately, we have attended Mass in several churches. Upon entering the church, I felt once again the power of a spiritual place filled with peace. This past Sunday of our anniversary weekend, we traveled to a beautiful church where my two grandchildren were baptized. Unbeknown to me, my daughter planned on attending with her newborn baby girl. I was so surprised to see them joining us in our pew. With a smile, I held the baby in my arms and prayed with a thankful heart for family and the peace surrounding us. When I turned to all during the sign of peace, I knew that I was in a sacred place.

Upon reminiscing about the baby in church with the family, the Byrds song, Turn! Turn! Turn!, popped into my mind. It is one of my favorite songs with such beautiful lines as an opener.

To everything, turn, turn, turn.

There is a season turn, turn, turn

And a time to every purpose under Heaven. 

It is my turn to pause and reflect. Thoughts become a vivid whirlwind. I feel a calmness. I turn away from circumstances and problems that do not provide solace and peace. I accept the open-door invitation to rest and be. I look forward to the family vacation in Cape May, New Jersey at the shore. I honor the spaces that bring joy and contentment to me. In the silence of the night, I turn to read an article, The Spirit of a Place by Bahram Akradi (ExperienceLife.com). I take a pen in hand and list in order words and phrases from the article that inspires me. From this exercise, a found poem evolves. Its words speak to me; I refine thoughts that will become a turning point this summer, bringing me to peace.  

The spirit of a place

Welcomes a necessary shift in life,

Allows us to reflect on time, and 

Recognize the value of place.

The spirit of a place adds

Meaning and value to 

the process of nurturing our lives.

We can discover who we are

and feel the energy in each space

That has a soul. 

Be still; Identify those places.

Be present in the quietude.

Choose sacred places;

Find possibilities.

Become the best version

of self.

©CVarsalona, 2023 

I sit and ponder a Bible scripture, "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor dressed like one of these." -Luke 12:27  Wildflowers stand tall in nature's meadows and pathways. They bask in the beauty of their sacred place while turning toward the sun, soaking in its brilliance. I find peace in this thought knowing that turning heavenward brings a measure of serenity. The spirit of places like nature's landscapes, insides of homes, and churches connect me to concepts such as warmth, love, and tranquility. These places lift me up and inspire me. I choose to find possibilities in life in the spirit of a place. Join me to find your best version of yourself in a sacred place of joy. If inclined, share a photo or image poem of your favorite summer place that brings you contentment. 

Now I join Linda Mitchel and the Spiritual Journey Thursday Community here.

Spiritual Journey Thursday

Photo by Linda Mitchell

IN ADDITION:

Today is a double dose of inspiration and poetic goodness.

I also join the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by teacher, author, poet, and embroiderer, Mary Lee Hahn. Below is an inspiring sample of her work.

POETRY FRIDAY

******

POETRY POSTCARD

Sent from Marcie Flinchum Atkins

Little does Marcie know that this card cheered me up since I have been under the weather for 2 1/2 weeks now.

Summertime Peace

It's August already. July slipped by under a halo of heat and tissues. I flip-flopped between feeling healthy enough and ready to enjoy summer's charms to wondering if I would ever stop being attacked by allergens in the air. It's been three weeks of allergy meds, inhalers, and not feeling right but Sunday starts a week of breathing in sea air and tossing worries into the Atlantic Ocean. I can imagine the breathing view of Cape May's painted ladies proudly facing the beach. We already missed a well-planned anniversary weekend trip to the Chesapeake shore in Virginia so I am eager to find tranquility at the Jersey Shore next week. 

ocean waves ripples

sunkissed sands meet endless seas

peace floats within

©CVarsalona, 2023 - Photo by Terje Akke

A while ago, my long-distance teacher/writer friend, Terje Akke, shared a photo of Estonia. Her picture provided a few moments of evolving peace. I've kept the photo of the beach scene waiting for the right moment for a small poem to appear. I dedicate this image poem to Terje with the hopes she has found time to just be this summer.

Time to Just Be

a feather light to touch

shares space with summer sand

summer nurtures souls

©CVarsalona, 2023

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

May the month of August bring summertime peace to all!

It's the Tuesday Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers a place to reflect and meet up with educators around the globe.

Hold Summer In Your Hand

As the summer heat continues, air-conditioned living is a must. Yesterday, I entered a large store and was surprised that the air conditioning system was not working properly. It is difficult for staff to work all day in these conditions. Air conditioning is a mood booster that most people are used to but it was not always this way. With a positive look at summer life, I offer a quote shared by Linda Baie. "Hold summer in your hand, pour summer in a glass, a tiny glass of course, the smallest tingling sip for children; change the season in your veins by raising a glass to lip and tilting summer in." -Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury 

I am tilting summer in with The Poetry Sisters whose challenge this month is to write a poem in the form of monotetra and tag it with the label, #PoetryPals. You can learn more about it at Writer's Digest. 

I never tried writing a monotetra before so this challenge has been more challenging than I thought. The heat has been on my mind, the bounty of the flowers, and the urgency of watering. Besides that, I am participating in the summer poem swaps. These ideas found a way into my poem along with some inspiration I need.

hydrangea's summer blush smiles

underneath heated, cloudy piles 

waiting for rainy-day lifestyles

let go of trials, let go of trials

find beauty in the crystal drops

that flip-flop across, settle, and plop

breathe in summer's sweetened swaps

share peaceful ops, share peaceful ops

©CVarsalona, 2023, draft

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

Image Poem

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

Jan Godown Annino is the host of Poetry Friday this week. Click here to find a wonderful assortment of summer information on books, poetry, and poetic goodness. Enjoy all that she offers from Florida. (Stay cool, Jan!)

Savoring Summer

Summer is slipping by but one of the highlights this July was designing and hosting The First Ever Kids Summer Fun Fest in our community's grandchildren. After the event, I wrote a blog titled Summer's Magic Comes Alive! and posted it on our community Facebook page and other social media sites. The Lumen5 team noticed it on their site and created a video with the same title and emailed me. The video intuitively captured parts of my writing but let me choose photos and music to accompany the words. As you might expect, Lumen 5 is an AI-powered tool that creates videos to accompany written content." Below you will find what was sent to me before the video.

Introduction: Experience the joy and excitement of a kids' summer fun fest. Watch as children enjoy hula hoops, face painting, water tattoos, and more. See the smiles and laughter as they splash in the pool and receive prizes.

Conclusion: Let the magic of summer fill your day! 

You can see the final 30-second video by clicking here.

I have used Lumen5 for several years and find the experience interesting. It does not replace the writer's creativity apparent during the writing process but quickly generates photos to accompany the text. What it does is create an initial video from the writer's post, and allow enhancements with free photos for a fun experience with video making. The process reminds me of the swimmers I saw in the pool at the Kids Summer Fun Fest. Some splashed around, others floated in a sea of kids but then there were those determined to master the stroke, dunk the ball, or dive into a clear spot. Below is another digital tech-driven image poem created with Canva using free photos found at the Unsplash and Canva sites.

Taking the advice of William Shakespeare, "Summer's lease hath all too short a date", I plan on savoring summer right up to Labor Day.

The Poetry Friday Roundup is a teacher, author, and poet Margaret Simon's website, Reflections on the Teche. Margaret created a yummy post today about delicious homemade strawberry jam from a fellow teacher writer, Molly Hogan. There are photos and an ode to the jam. Now that is a wonderful way to savor summer.

Summer's Magic Comes Alive!

While thinking about a lead into a short post about a sunkissed-summer event, Sarah Summers' words were timely: 

"In a world of popsicles and flip-flop days, summer's magic never fades."

Last Saturday morning, a dedicated Kids Summer Fun Fest committee worked diligently with my co-chairman and me to transform the Creekside Community patio areas and outdoor pool into a kids' wonderland. It was one of those HOT summer days with blue skies and no dark clouds. As everyone proceeded to their assigned stations, our first 8-year-old guest entered with his grandmother. There were many stations for him to check out, such as the dance party patio with hula hoops, lawn games, crafts table, face painting, and water tattoos area. A few minutes later, more children from toddlers to 12-year-olds entered with their smiling grandparents and parents. Everybody was ready for a day of summer magic. 

Refreshments of water, crunchy goldfish and pretzels, and assorted-flavored popsicles were waiting. Stations started filling with participants. Lively chatter could be heard even with the dance music playing in the background. While waiting for the pool to open, the children mingled with each other and adults chatted with neighbors and family members while helping their little ones navigate the fun fest activities. A hula hoop demonstration was set up by two smiling adults who happened to know how to use the hoops. It was fun watching the older kids join in with their moving moves. A group of tween boys showed their ability to use the hoops as we watched them in awe. They wiggled, threw the hoops in the air, and slid them across the patio. Shouts of joy and clapping added to the festivities. 

Photos were taken before the pool opened. The whistle blew and no more than 38 children and adults were allowed into the pool area at a time Some children stayed in the station areas having fun with the adult monitors. Some ran in an out of the pool area to grab tasty treats, while others swam, played water basketball, and splashed around. Summer magic did not fade during the two-hour block of time. 

When the fun fest was nearing an end, each child stopped at the Treasure Chest Station to choose one of the prizes. Glow stick items were chosen; the headband with the little mouse ears was the most sought-after treasure. As we waved goodbye to our guests, we sighed with relief that no one needed the first aid kit, there was no rain, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The committee chatted about the successful event as they began the clean-up process. I think even the adults and committee enjoyed this summer event which was the first-ever Kids Summer Fun Fest. 

Below you will find a cherita, the Malay word for story or tale. I created a cherita poem comprised of three stanzas with 1 line in the 1st stanza line, 2 lines in the 2nd stanza, and 3 lines in the 3rd stanza. I also designed a digital invitation that provides an introduction to the event and my poem. After the last stanza, you will find a photograph of families and children enjoying the pool. Placed together the cherita poem, with the digital ad and photograph become an image poem.

joyful summertime celebration

kids follow the trail to fun

hula hoops twirl, faces shine with fresh paint, tattoos adorn arms and faces 

kids splash in the pool for a cool-down, fun time

grandparents and parents smile with contentment

kids exit with a prize as thank yous float through the air 

©CVarsalona, 2023

🌞

At the end of the day, my co-chairperson and I knew that the committee provided a world of popsicles and joyful fun activities, letting each child share in summer's magic.

 

I share this Slice of Life with Two Writing Teachers who open their space weekly as a meeting place for reflective writers. 

🌞Happy Summer, everyone. May each day be magical!🌞

Sparking Clunker Words

It's been a heated summer week so it is time to cool off and end the night indulging in poetic goodness. This week the Poetry Friday host is a remarkable librarian poet, Linda Mitchell who loves to play with words and the collage process. She is ready for readers to spark some original poems from her selection of her old clunky words, lines, or stanza. I decided to dabble in her process to create something new from words that may not have seemed right to her at the time. and be creative in the process.

                                                          catch 

                                                                     a

                                                                        falling 

                                                                                    word

hold onto it

tuck it away

in earth's

deep pocket

grow it

from seed

when ready

let it soar into a

universe of thought

on a summer day

©CVarsalona, 2023

🫖

Minute Sips of Time Together

tea time memories flash through my mind

remembering 

sipping

slowly

talking

remembering

breakfast

on

Sundays

remembering

tea time memories flash through my mind

©CVarsalona, 2023

☔

Rain Day's Magic Words 

On this rain day

through teary eyes I see

your soft hands pray

your rocking chair sway

your cup of favorite tea 

On the brink of summer

you passed into the dark night

became heaven's newcomer

full of creative wonder

with certainly no fright

On this day of torrential rain

I remember your swelling feet

I feel your lasting pain

of which you never complained

in heaven you are complete

©CVarsalona, 2023

👏

POETRY NEWS

The amazing children's author and poet, Irene Latham, sent me some small cards and an Apollo XVII badge (above) as a thank-you for being a moon-buddy. I was surprised and touched. As a moon-buddy, I am enjoying reading Irene's soon-to- make its debut on August 8th. I am delighted to offer a book review of her fascinating book, The Museum on the Moon. Stay tuned for the release of my book review on Irene's latest book.

I bid everyone good night as I prepare for bedtime.

Please ready yourself for the poetic goodness of Linda Mitchell

as she hosts Poetry Friday today. Click here.

Slice of Life's Sweet Delights

"Life is like an ice cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time."  -Charles Schulz

Isn't summer a wonderful time of the year? I remember those summer nights when dinner was over and children yearned for ice cream. What are your memories of ice cream treats when you were a child? See if they are similar to mine.

Remember those

humid summer nights

with mosquitoes biting,

no air conditioning,

and moonlight sightings?

Remember the

ice cream man

rolling through our neighborhoods

ringing a bell and stopping?

We kids swarmed around for cool bitings.

Remember our family

jumping in their car?

Roadside stands weren't far?

Oh, I remember how we smiled

when given a treat

after we ate our dinner meat.

Sweet summertime delight,

I remember it well.

This summer we repeat the scene

as grandkids indulge in ice cream.

©CVarsalona, 2023

Digitized photo of my 3-year-old granddaughter holding her blue ice cream.

This weekend, the family tried a new dining place with absolutely delicious seafood. Under the pavilion across the street, delightful music played. The weather was warm, not scorching, but we all longed for cooling ice cream treats. What did we do after dinner? Of course, we drove to an ice cream stand. There was a cow with a hollowed area for children to snuggle in as they waited for their treats. The line was long so they played by the cow until the newest flavor of ice cream, Cookie Monster, was scooped into kiddie cones. We watched the girls enjoy their delicious treats as we did ours. Photos were shot since the little girls' faces looked like they were face painted. Blue Cookie Monster ice cream was all over their lips and chin. What a delightful sight for a summer night!

Good-To-Know Fact: "As the summer heats up, snacking options cool down. Americans report ice cream as their favorite summer treat." Do you know that July is National Ice Cream Month and July 16, 2023 is National Ice Cream Day? Enjoy celebrating with America's favorite summer treat throughout July and into August. 

🍦

This is my Slice of Life Small Moment,

delicious enough to be repeated many times this summer.

Don't forget, "Life is like an ice cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time." During this sunkissed summer season enjoy the luscious taste of ice cream and be grateful for family time and nature's bounty. 

Another ice cream poem is here.

Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the space to write with a community of reflective writers.

Exchange Is Creation

The flowers are in full bloom. Who would have thought that my gorgeous calla lilies would bless my garden with a rich color of magenta! A few years ago, I planted calla lilies; they never bloomed. How wonderful to have them lay dormant until this summer! I am grateful for this gift, as I am thankful for poetry friends who offer gifts of carefully chosen words from the heart. 

Once again, Tabatha Yeatts provides the opportunity to swap a poem with a fellow writer during the Summer 2023 Poem Swap. She also shared a quote by Muriel Rukeyser at the onset of the Summer 2022 Poem Swap. Exchange is creation. There is truth in this simple statement. Each poem swap or poetry blog is an artistic expression created from the heart. You will note this in the exchange with my poem swap partners this summer. 

My first exchange is with the talented Marcie Flinchum Atkins, a school librarian, Kidslit author, photographer, and poet. She is also a lover of nature and host of today's Poetry Friday. Stop by to see her gorgeous image poems and sign up to receive gifts of her Poetry Postcards.

Marcie's swap to me are wonderful additions to my garden.

She added a note: Here's hoping you can have a little poetry in your garden.

Did she know that I adore wildflowers and love to watch them bloom as colorful, delicate bouquets.?

wildflowers spring up

shake their pompoms at the crowds

celebrate the rains

©Marcie Flinchum Atkins 2023

🌞

My Response to Marcie

wildflower seeds 

welcome water, sun, and love

whimsical bouquets

to enjoy during summer months

a grateful heart celebrates

©CVarsalona, 2023

🌞

Each month the Poetry Princesses, Tanita, Kelly, Liz, Sara, Mary Lee, Tricia, Laura, and Andi offer a poetry challenge. Since I did not have my offering last Friday, I am adding it to today's Poetry Friday. I love Celia Thaxter's poems so my response is based on one of her quotes. It is the strike line for my Golden Shovel poem, There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. 

Relax and Renew in Sunkissed Summer

Within deep relaxation, there

should be time for renewal. It shall

awaken your soul to just be

and linger in an eternal,

blissful summer.

Seek peace in

each living moment of the

season. Be thankful for all grateful

happenings that gladden the heart.

©CVarsalona, 2023

As one of the #PoetryPals, I am grateful that the Poetry Princesses include others in their challenge based on their year-long theme of transformation. I wrote the above poem to be aware that summer is the ideal season to find ways to be blissful rather than negative in this confusing world. Transformation of attitude can be a slow process but a rewarding one to look at life with a positive outlook.

🌞

Listen to This Song Will Make You Grateful For Your Life

for a boost of summer joy.

🌞

Join Marcie Flinchum Atkins for today's Poetry Friday, a weekly gift of poetic goodness.

Thank you Linda Baie for this lovely image.

Rejoice in a Sunkissed Summer Season

Welcome to Spiritual Journey Thursday!

I am the host of Spiritual Journey Thursday this month.

The topic I pose deals with rejoicing in the summer season. 

What better time to find joy than on a summer day? The earth is alive even on days when rain splashes across the pavement or sends torrents of raindrops. There is a feeling of positivity and wonder in the summertime. Blooming flowers and herbs offer a beautiful scenario each day. There is more leisure time to enjoy favorite pastimes, such as gardening, crafting, writing, and reading. Pause to think about the beautiful inspirational quote by Eleanor Duse.

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the field has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”

 Rejoice in Mother Earth

Summertime brings joy

when a light breeze floats through

a bright sky like ripples of water

or rain splashes across the pavement.

Lift your eyes to see

the majesty of the earth.

Rejoice!

©CVarsalona, 2023

nature calls

when life floats on by

and you just be

©CVarsalona, 2023

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord. -Psalms 96:11-13

Summertime automatically allows us to rejoice in the beauty of earth.

Pause and praise God for His wondrous gifts! 

What are you rejoicing over this summer?

I look forward to reading the Spiritual Journey community's posts this month. Please add your Spiritual Journey Thursday post below.