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  • MARCH SOL – 2025 – Poems about Nourishment

Category: Play

Much Loved: Stuffed Animals & Their People

March 18, 2022April 19, 2026 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

Mark Nixon's Much Loved is in the inspiration for this post, which features my most treasured stuffed animals.

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Consider the Pomegranate

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

Then my mom introduced me to the pomegranate, which we called a Chinese apple back then.  Pomegranates were actually native to Iran and Northern India.  They were so exotic to me. 

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March Snow

March 13, 2022March 13, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

I was hoping to escape spring snow this year. This year, I desperately need spring to come early.  I am through with gray, cold, and drudge. 

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What Girls are Made of – Part 2

March 12, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 1 Comment

In each poem, I want to create a snapshot of childhood and how girls navigate in the world. I’m going to take time to think back on what was important to me back then.

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What Little Girls are Made of

March 11, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 7 Comments

When I walk down the corridors, I am greeted by a variety of girls, ages three to eleven. They wear colorful leggings, light-up sneakers, unicorn headbands, wild curls and long twisted braids. They come in all shapes, shades, and sizes. And they are the hope we need in this world, especially right now.

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Problem Solver

March 9, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 2 Comments

Problem solver. That is who I am.  That is who I am at the core of my being, of my soul.  I’m not sure if that’s because I faced daunting problems in my childhood that I felt compelled to fix. 

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Sacred Trees

March 7, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 1 Comment

In my search of rest, I often find solace in trees.  I find comfort in their sturdy trunks and the variations of their bark – molted gray-green, bumpy brown, spectacular white.  Their branches reach high to the heaven and bend with the wind. 

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Finding my Way

March 4, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 5 Comments

https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartRanch/

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Writing Craft: Wrist Pillows

March 3, 2022March 3, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 3 Comments

It was a joyous afternoon.  The girls practiced making underhand curves with their new pencils, while small groups came to the crafting table to fill bags with rice, wrap the bags with fabric, and tie the ends with colorful ribbons. 

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Bright Encouragement

February 21, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 9 Comments

Many of her co-workers call her “a ray of sunshine,” and she truly is. Laura always has a smile on her face, sees the positive sides of all situations, and her classroom bustles with excitement. 

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  1. Awakening Wonders's avatar
    Awakening Wonders on Mindful in the MountainsOctober 23, 2026

    Lovely in a million ways - words and images!

  2. Trish's avatar
    Trish on Mindful in the MountainsOctober 22, 2026

    These poems are a revelation, as is the writing. Some phrases I repeat for their rhythm, in itself a meditation:…

  3. Erika's avatar
    Erika on Mindful in the MountainsOctober 21, 2026

    I loved every bit of this slice. I appreciate hearing your backstory for this poetic form, the custom of going…

  4. Sharon Roy's avatar
    Sharon Roy on Mindful in the MountainsOctober 21, 2026

    Word Dancer, Your poems are so good. I love the strong connection to nature. Also, love that you have created…

  5. Awakening Wonders's avatar
    Awakening Wonders on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 17, 2026

    Yes, yes, yes to "polka-dots of joy!

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9 responses to “Bright Encouragement”

  1. Fran McCrackin Avatar
    Fran McCrackin
    February 23, 2022

    Wow, all it takes is a little sticky note! Thanks for sharing this story. And you are not the only one who needs a little ‘bolstering’ of her ‘sunny outlook!’

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  2. onathought Avatar
    onathought
    February 23, 2022

    I love those little notes! What a great way to spread kindness.

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    Reply
  3. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs
    February 23, 2022

    Ah, what a sweet telling of this lovely gift. The photos and messages from the little ones are so great. I love your commitment to putting on your raincoat and boots and enjoying going out in the rain. Have a great joy-filled day, full of kindness.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Stacey Shubitz Avatar
    Stacey Shubitz
    February 23, 2022

    I adore the way those colorful sticky notes brought sunshine into your life. It’s amazing how reading little notes like this can give us a boost when we need it most.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      February 23, 2022

      And the best part was that this morning before the students got to class, I left them each an uplifting sticky note on their desks. I loved watching their smiles. Paying it forward is the best reward!

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      Reply
      1. LA Avatar
        LA
        February 25, 2022

        Your notes put smiles on all of our faces and filled the room with squeals of delight! You definitely radiate joy 🙂

        LikeLiked by 1 person

  5. wordancerblog Avatar
    wordancerblog
    February 25, 2022

    And my friend, isn’t that what teaching is all about – JOY. We need to cultivate more of it – more joy, more kindness, more laughter.

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    Reply
  6. Fran Haley Avatar
    Fran Haley
    February 26, 2022

    I always draw encouragement and abundant positive energy from you, Joanne.This focus on kindness and its effects absolutely helps one to rise above the doom and gloom of winter as it lingers…here’s the thing: kindness is like forgiveness. Giving it away may or may not change others, but it frees us, edifies us, makes us happier and lighter. Internal metamorphosis. It expands us – the more we give away, the more kindness we have to give. I bet the kids could feel it as they wrote those notes. There certainly needs to be much more joy in teaching and learning…there’s far too much despair, which isn’t helping a soul.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. wordancerblog Avatar
      wordancerblog
      February 26, 2022

      Thank you, Fran. I love the idea of internal metamorphosis.

      LikeLiked by 1 person

      Reply
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