Category: Writing

The Poetry of Politics: Writing About Presidential Elections

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To gain a better perspective of political history, I thought I’d write a poem about the election of 1922, the year my dear mother was born.  I did some research on President Harding and his administration. It was quite an interesting time, having some parallels to our present situation. 

That’s Silly! Learning and Laughing

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Last spring, I submitted a poem for possible publication in Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong’s  new anthology, Clara’s Kooky Compendium of Thimble Thoughts and Wonder Fuzz.  Janet and Sylvia have been wonderful supportive of my poetry and my creative process.  I can’t thank them enough for encouraging me to get silly again.

Putting in Pencil Miles

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I know to get good at anything, you must put time into it.  “Practice makes permanent,” as the saying goes. Recently, I read David Sibley refer to his development in drawings birds as "putting in pencil miles.,” which is a term used by nature journalist to describe the practice that goes into honing their craft.

Refill Your Cup: Finding Balance in Teaching

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This week, my joyful moment came in the form of a little second-grade girl named Victoria.  Victoria rarely smiles and usually speaks in a whisper.  Her writing, however, is full of sophisticated humor.  I know that there is a sparkly little girl inside her somewhere. 

Look up! A Supermoon!

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This week the moon is on the rise.  It is a full harvest moon and a lunar eclipse.  It is magical and wonderful to take a moment and gaze up into the night sky as the moon  ascends.  I told a group of kindergarten students to be on the watch for it, and they came back the next day to tell me what they saw.

Earth Gratitude

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I immediately started reading “Returning the Gift” by Robin Wall Kimmerer the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.  She is also a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.  Kimmerer noted that in today’s modern world we often miss Earth’s gifts and need to pay closer attention to truly feel part of her to adequately protect her. 

Journey to the Land of Wild Blueberries

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I know Maine is renowned for its lobster, and I do enjoy that treat dipped in drawn butter.  I confess, I’d like almost anything if it was dipped in melted butter. But on this trip I focused on the blueberries.  Even though in late August the wild blueberries are gone,  I marveled at all the wild blueberries bushes that line the trails.  They seemed to grown everywhere.