Some time ago I shared a short sunflower poem written by rupi kaur on the blog. I think of this poem often—whenever I think of my sisters, my friend Julie’s oldest daughter (who was also my student), my pen friend Eileen V’s daughter, and others who passed far too soon. As I was noting the … Continue reading Sunny Blossoms | Sunflowers at Her Grave
I’m sharing a poem today that I’ve loved most of my life. It is one of the first poems I scribbled into my inspiration notebook many moons ago. The poem, “If There Be Sorrow,” was written by Mari Evans (1923-2017), a writer-activist and major figure of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. … Continue reading “If There Be Sorrow…”
I thought about posting a biblical poem today, but once again, I was overwhelmed by my choices, so I decided to share Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “A Psalm of Life.” I happened across the poem this morning as I was reading through Our Daily Bread: Timeless Wisdom to Nourish the Soul, a gorgeous book I … Continue reading “A Psalm of Life: Let Us Be Up and Doing”
Have you ever picked up a book that reeled you in with its first line? Many books fit that description for me, so when Holly (aka hollycm6) hosted a “Brilliant Beginnings” swap for the Cup and Chaucer group on swap-bot I was all in! Swappers were to send a postcard with a favorite first line … Continue reading Brilliant Beginnings!
One of the most gorgeous mail packages I received this year came from my photog friend and art journaler, Diane W, aka midteacher on swap-bot. If you’ve been following along for a while, you might remember that she enjoys working her photographs into mixed media works of art using paint, fabric, paper, washi tape, and … Continue reading A Fortunate Find: A PhotoArt Journal
Isn’t this artwork gorgeous? This is the card Lynda F sent with her response to Love Notes 26, Prompt 2, “Choose…” Lynda wrote: Choose >>> Joy Start with a small step. What little things bring you exquisite joy and happy-ness? Try one. Then another. Then one more. Try to do at least one joyful thing for … Continue reading Choose >>> Joy
My students are tired; my colleagues are tired; and I am certainly tired. I can’t figure out why we’re all so exhausted less than three weeks into spring semester, but we are and we need a little break. After a preview of this week’s weather, my son and I started praying for a snow day … Continue reading Let It Snow!
Winter solitude in a world of one color the sound of wind Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) The “Winter Scene” card above was crafted by my mixed media photography art “inspirer,” Diane W. (midteacher on swap-bot). She sent it to me two years ago, but it has been hiding in a pocket in my Traveler’s Notebook. Now, that … Continue reading Haiku | Bashō | Winter Solitude
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. –Thomas S. Monson I’m back today with another crafted Christmas tree postcard. This one … Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Postcards | Day 5
The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters. Thomas Jefferson My pen friends make such gorgeous holiday postcards that I’ve decided to share one postcard per day for the 12 days of Christmas. From now to January 5, look for a daily … Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Postcards | Day 1
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