Happy Birthday Greetings To My Daughter

There is a special bond between a mother and her daughter that lasts forever despite any interruption. When my daughter's birthday rolled around, I decided to share some old photographs to celebrate the day since we could not be together. The internet interrupted my plans.  For six hours I attempted to rectify the internet-disruption-of-service issue we have been experiencing for a month. As time rolled on, my stress increased until a picture popped up on my screen. It offered a solution. Take the modem's yellow wire and place it in the red connector box and not the yellow one like the service provider said. 

With that issue resolved, I proceeded to beat the clock in time for a happy-birthday-wish-video chat. Old photos were scanned and created into an e-card. A text message was sent out and birthday wishes exchanged. During the video chat, I shared more old photos while my daughter, husband, and daughters were traveling home from an outdoor picnic. Three-year-old Sierra was especially intrigued by the photo of Mommy as a little girl with the American Girl Doll, Samantha, waving at her. 

This morning I decided to add a song, "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Wormack, for the festivities. Its line, "Time is a wheel in constant motion" offered an uplifting message: live a life full of taking chances and not being afraid to move beyond the comfort zone. With this thought, I rest assured that my daughter will pass on her spirit of hope and resiliency to her daughters.

Pause for a moment and listen to "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Wormack.

Tonight a birthday cake will be shared video-style and a pandemic-style birthday

will be remembered forever.

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

Unveiling Embraceable Summer Gallery 2019

 "Nature's beauty is a constant and a reminder that life continues with hope for a better tomorrow." 

Inspired by Long Island's ocean shores, you are cordially invited to

stroll through the second segment of Embraceable Summer Gallery, an unfolding collection of glimmering sights, calming sounds, and wistful moments of summer 2019.  This collection is a seasonal gift showcasing the beauty of nature.  Linger awhile in the above digital inspiration where glistening sand lines a tranquil shoreline of northern Long Island.   Reflect on this past year how your life has been affected by the unforeseen pandemic and find peaceful moments in your end-of-summer days.  Please start your gallery walk with the introductory segment of Embraceable Summer Gallery that was unveiled on September 3, 2020. Click here for a playlist that accompanies the gallery.

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Looking Back to Summer Past

The Embraceable Summer Gallery is created in segments due to the vast array of artistic expressions spanning a two-year journey of summers around the globe. Messages of gratitude go out to a group of patient global contributors who crafted individual stories via digital platforms. I share snapshot moments of quiet inspiration from nature across the globe during Summer 2019.  Enjoy your gallery walk.

Summer of 2019 was

mind-freeing,

energy-lifting,

spiritually renewing,

and wrapped in sunshine

from dawn to sunset.

©CV, 2020

Tara Coulter, Vancouver Island, BC

Amanda Potts, Ottawa, Ontario

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summer freshness

gardens bright, lines of laundry -

daily enchantments

summer's allure

gift of rest, relaxation -

call to slow down

You can hear an audio version of Kiesha Shepard's poem here.

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Summer evenings blanket earth in 

 “bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron.  

It’s the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.” 

- Mia Kirshner

Laura Toledo, Southold, Long Island

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September brings

new routines for summer's end

notice the change

"When summer gathers up her robes of glory, And, like a dream, glides, away." 

-Sarah Helen Whitman

Northport, Long Island at day's end, ©CV, 2020

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When summer of 2019 neared its end, an autumnal equinox approached.

A Harvest Moon amazed earth!

"Harvest moon: around the pond I wander and the night is gone."

-Matsuo Basho

Friday the 13th, September 2019

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Parting Digital Inspirations

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Contributors to the 2nd Segment of #EmbraceableSummer Gallery:

#chazchaz via Al Dhalla

KumudAjmani

Terje Akke

Linda Baie

Lakshmi Bhat

Les Buchanan

Tara Coulter

Al Dhalla

Karen Eastlund

Matt Forrest Esenwine

Fred Harwood

Michelle Kogan

Anne LaBlanc

Rachel Murat

Sharon Norden

Amanda Potts

Joyce Ray

Kiesha Shepard

Donna Smith

Laura Toledo

Carol Varsalona

🌻

I send this gallery across social media to celebrate the beauty of nature as a constant reminder of what we have to be grateful for as opposed to what we are missing. The first stop is Poetry Friday,  hosted by Texan teacher/poet, Kiesha Shepard. You can read Kiesha's poetic offering above.

NOTE: Continue to stop by for more unveilings of the Embraceable Summer Gallery. There are many more offerings from 2019 coming in future installments.

Enjoy your end-of-summer weekends.

Finding Direction

Today the darkness of morning and the incessant flow of pounding rain make me want to curl up in a ball, cocooned inside a blackened space. I quietly mull over today's Spiritual Journey topic, finding direction, posed by Karen Eastlund, our host, as the raindrops beat harder on the ground. 

An image of an agile juggler tossing balls in the air pops into my head. I am drawn to this thought for I  feel like a novice juggler unable YET to find balance and direction. With every beat of the rain, I see another ball dropping into the soggy earth. Kerplunk goes ball # 1, the virtual building of my new Virginia home. Why did I not hear the important conference call? Ball #2 follows. My realtor calls suddenly asking if he can show my home? Like a little witch in one of my picture books, I race around my Long Island house with a broom in hand (but this broom's job is to sweep). Then, there is ball #3, my personal well-being. I am now overwhelmed with my to-do lists and just want to pause and write but I keep getting interrupted. 

It is bedtime and the rain falls in an incessant pattern once again. I want to be surrounded by the stillness of peace and "cast all my anxieties on Him because He cares for me". (1 Peterr 5:7) I turn back to Karen's blog to reread an inspirational quote.

So now, after worrying about the endless to-do, I take these quotes and tuck them under my pillow. Maybe the direction I seek will be present in the tomorrow's morning light. 

Introduction to Embraceable Summer Gallery

Inspired by Long Island's ocean shores, my newest gallery of artistic expressions captures summer across the globe over a two-year period.  Reflecting on the ever-changing patterns of the summer season, lean in to honor the fresh moments of shimmering pearl shores, greenscapes of woodlands, country terrains, mountainsides, and pivotal places renewing life. 

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You Are Cordially Invited To

 stroll through an unfolding mixed collection of

glimmering sights, calming sounds, and wistful moments

showcasing summer from pre-pandemic to present time.  

This collection from creative friends is a gift

to lighten spirits and provide hope 

that life will find its eternal summer light

and brighten our lands.

Linda Mitchell, Summer 2020 paper collage poem

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Ponder These Questions to Engage Your Senses:

Has summer changed its appeal over these years?  

Has the pandemic bruised our natural treasures? 

Have we changed our notion of summer escapes?

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While different perspectives drive our inclinations, I can assure you that once you step into this vast array of summertime looks, you will relax and let nature's hand soothe your soul.  Beyond the image poems, nature photos, and inspiration, let the songs of summer fill your heart. Click here for my Embraceable Summer playlist.

Step Into Pre-Pandemic Summer

2019

seasonal footprints

summer etches script in sand

hearts wash at shore

but in its haste

waves of life come roaring in-
summer sands shift

Photo by Rebecca Herzog, 2019

seasons pass by

a pandemic moves in

light is veiled in black

summer drifts in

soaked in sweltering heat

earth waits for signals

then

September

ripples in 

with softness

whispering across

a voiceless canal,

bidding summer Godspeed

©CV, 2020

This gallery is created in segments due to the vast array of artistic expressions spanning a two-year journey of embraceable summers.  This is the introductory section that charts the story. After looking at many digitals that were sent in, I realized that there is an underlying truth. Nature's beauty is a constant and a reminder that life continues with hope for a better tomorrow. Thanks to the global contributors who crafted individual stories that share quiet moments of inspiration despite the pandemic. This gives credence to the incredible resilience of the human spirit. 

Indulge in the serenity of summer across the globe. I showcase Long Island's beauty but there are many other stops in future segments of the gallery. Stay tuned for more looks of summer from 2019's pre-pandemic time to 2020's quarantine life.

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As host of Poetry Friday this week, I have invited poetry friends to collect their image poems, photographs, and artwork to spread inspiration through the Embraceable Summer Gallery. You can see work that has been collected on Twitter under the hashtag #EmbraceableSummer. Linda Mitchell, Rebecca Herzog, and Laura Purdie Salas are poetry friends who share their work with me today. Thanks to their creativity and the work of many others, I bring you this new gallery with enthusiasm. 

NOTE: For those who have already submitted their work via Mr. Linky, I apologize that unbeknown to me, the first blog I wrote vanished into cyberspace. Please resubmit your work below.)

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...

Summer Evening Recollection

When the Poetry Sisters add a challenge to the Poetry Friday Roundup, it is fun to try out a new move. Today their theme is hindsight and the directions read: "Pick one of your old poems to revise and/or write a new poem in conversation with it...(any form)." 

Thinking of a recent trip to Jones Beach, I reflected on how the darkness of evening could immerse the shoreline in stardust.  Since no one can linger on the boardwalk past 8 pm, I could only imagine the effect. In a serendipitous moment,  I found a scratchings of a could be a poem from 2019:

reflecting on

nature holding court 

in its sanctuary 

of stillness becomes

an early writer's recollection

(I am not sure what I was thinking of by inserting the word early.)

The above thought moved me to write a last line, lit by fireflies, but then, I made another decision.  In my latest blog post, I photographed an empty bench and Rose Cappelli commented. "I especially loved the image of the empty boardwalk bench. I think that could be a photo that needs a poem." With that I decided to transform the poem and photo into an image poem illuminating what a starlit night might look like at the historic Jones Beach on Long Island.  You can see the finished product below.

I chose a poetic form, 15 words or less poem, that Laura Purdie Salas, one of the Poetry Sisters, has used many times to prompt writers to create.  This exercise made me wonder what I had in mind last year when I penned my original thoughts and tucked them in my notebook.  Does nature change our perception of an event after it has happened or make us understand its ever-present magic when reflecting?

Now, I am off to join Heidi Mordhorst, poet, teacher of little ones, and climate activist, who is the Poetry Friday Roundup host for this week.  She is sharing news of a California shoe strike that symbolized a unique protest against climate change and showcases an original poem, Back to School with memories of 2001.  The end of the year is going to be one filled with many different emotions and this is why I need to bring positivity into focus and add poems that bring a sense of tranquility to my busy days.

Note:

With summer around the globe estranged in many ways due to COVID-19, I am gathering a collection of image poems for my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery Collection.  If so inclined, join in the fun of creating image poems on the topic, Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life. I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog on September 4, 2020 where I will share creative work to showcase the beauty of summer even during trying times.  My image poem above is an example of what you might try if you are inclined to use digital art to convey your message.

Summer's End Note

When day ends and hope survives do you long for peace, the quiet of a summer's night, or the fresh breath of sea salt skies?   If so, join me on a virtual evening stroll of a historic Long Island site, Jones Beach. 

 

It was the end of a Long Island, August dog-day when the family decided to take a walk on one of Long Island's beaches.  We were longing for the calm of the night sky along the ocean since we're moving to a beautiful new build in Virginia soon.  Saying goodby to summer is always a bittersweet event but now more so than ever.  Luckily, the weather obliged and a ride to the historic Jones Beach boardwalk afforded us the opportunity to take a peaceful evening stroll.  Upon entering the parking lot, we noted the new normal rules of parking (cones marking spaces one car away from each other) and joined masked beachgoers in an exodus-style line of walkers. As we strolled, the sky opened wide with changing colors from muted, hazy ones to glowing, vibrant sun streaks of reddish-orange.  There was the low hum of beach family conversation and activity from zip liners in the massive new structure facing the beach.  It was a night to remember so a digitally-created memory was a must.

chasing serenity

eventide at the beach

sea, sand, and sky intersect

©CV, 2020

It's Slice of Life Tuesday so I will share my virtual walk

with the Two Writing Teachers community of writers.

Note:

With summer around the globe estranged in many ways due to COVID-19, I am gathering a collection of image poems for my #EmbraceableSummer Gallery Collection.  If so inclined, join in the fun of creating image poems on the topic, Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life. I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog on September 4, 2020 where I will share creative work to showcase the beauty of summer even during trying times.   

Inspiration from Others

Drip drops landed on my family room roof outside my window.  Dark clouds hung low and stillness sat upon morning.  It was dreary but not the type of day that was meant for Hallmark movies and hot chocolate, although I was cold and could have used some quiet cuddle time.  There was work to do.  In between laundry and cleaning-out-a closet duty, I snuck a few minutes to read some Poetry Friday posts from last week that I missed.   As I  read posts, I hunkered down to savor words and being inspired to write. 

Writing I did, after I stopped at adolescent author Tanita S. Davis' blog.  Tanita shared Jane Tyson Clement's poem, Bach's Inventions.  I was impressed by the following line that I chose as my strike line for a golden shovel poem: if I could define my end 

Within the hustle of a day, if
life was simply organized and I 
as well, balance would follow. Could
order bring me to a place where I define
existence in this odd quarantine life and fill my
restless time with fruitful ponderings that never end?
©CV, 2020

Next, I gathered more Inspiration as I watched the last night of the Democratic National Convention tonight.  After accepting the invitation to become the Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biiden delivered an optimistic and memorable speech.  I created a found poem of some of his compelling words.

"I will draw on the best of us, not the worst." -Joe Biden

Hope lives at the convention.

Become a united America,

Put politics aside, and find the light.

Life can be cruel but

Stay strong with purpose.

Let us save our democracy!
©CV, 2020

Joe Biden's called all to "overcome this season of darkness".  With hope and faith, this call to action has lifted my spirits enough to walk into the light and continue writing from the heart.

Tonight I join the Poetry Friday Roundup with my long-distance friend and grandma reading lover, Ramona Behnke.  She discusses her significant week with interesting links. Is your curiosity peaked?   Connect to find more poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday Friends:

With summer on beautiful Long Island estranged in many ways due to COVID-19, I am gathering my collection of image poems sent in for my Embraceable Summer Gallery.  If so inclined, please share a new image poem on the topic, Summer 2020 in the Midst of Quarantine Life,, at your blog for the September 4, 2020 Poetry Friday that I am hosting.  It will be a way to showcase the beauty of nature during trying times.