Imagine the Possibilities

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I entered the conservatory at Longwood Gardens a little early for my shift. I wanted to see the blue poppies, on display for about two weeks in March. I could tell from the direction most of the visitors were heading that the display this year was along the wall near the outside lily pad ponds.

I picked my way through photographers with elaborate tripod setups, stepped over camera buffs sprawled on the ground, and joined the many other garden enthusiasts who, like me, were snapping photos with our cameras.

Is it the incredible sky blue color that makes these flowers such a draw? Perhaps it is that they are not often seen outside their native habitat in the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains. Or maybe it’s because they were at one time considered a myth. Whatever the reason, people are drawn to their beauty.

My volunteer work at Longwood isn’t always confined to the Children’s Garden. Last year a woman with a small easel and a bag of artist’s supplies approached me. She asked where she could find the blue poppies, but by that time the display was over. She explained that she had been ill and unable to make it out earlier, but that she looked forward to painting the flowers every year. She looked so disappointed. I wasn’t sure what to do until I remembered that I had some photos on my phone. I offered to send them to her, and she was most grateful. Now I make sure to snap a few pictures every year…just in case.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

When I began my term as president of the Keystone State Literacy Association, I received a gift from a friend who also happened to be the outgoing president – an Alex and Ani bracelet with a four leaf clover charm.

“For luck during your presidency,” he said. “Although I doubt you’ll need it.”

I know what he meant. I had spent time preparing for my role, learning all I could about the organization and its history, thinking about the future and the role I would have in leading us down that path. I was confident I could handle it.  Although I believe we can’t just wait for life to happen and need to create our own journey and find our own opportunities, there might also be a little bit of luck involved. We are lucky when we find the right people to surround us in life, the right mentors to show us the way, and the right opportunities that come along at precisely the right time. We just have to have the courage to act.

I wore that bracelet at every board meeting and KSLA function that year…just for luck. And I continue to wear it at every KSLA event I attend. It reminds me of the luck I’ve had in meeting all the special people in my life, including friends and family, and the responsibility I have to them in laying the groundwork for that little bit of Irish luck.

Thanks, Michael!

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

A few days ago fellow slicer, Lynne Dorfman, included a poem about flowers in her post. It spoke to all the things giving them can mean or say. And I remembered this story:

I once had a coworker who was one of the most thoughtful people I have ever known. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries. Even after I moved to another school and she retired to raise her family, I would get a card or an email on my birthday.

I was so happy when, several years later, her children attended the elementary school where I worked. During those years I would find a small bouquet of flowers tucked under the windshield wiper on my birthday. Until one year, when I got an email instead:

Happy Birthday!  I couldn’t find your car so I left your flowers in the office. I hope you’re doing something fun and not sick.

 Turns out I had gotten a new car.

Those flowers always made me smile. To me they said, “I’m thinking of you today.”

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I’m taking an online course on lyrical language. Since it is designed to help writers better understand the sounds and rhythms of words in writing, the first few lessons are specifically about poetry. I’m cheating a little today and sharing a couple of poems that I wrote for one of the assignments.

The last lesson I completed was on the dactyl, a specific poetic rhythm that I’m sure you’ll be able to pick up from my poem.

Spring Flowers

Hyacinths offer a pleasant aroma.

Daffodils glow with a golden delight.

Tulips transform the drab beds with bright color.

Gardens become a spectacular sight.

Then there’s the fun double dactyl. There are very specific rules for this poetic form, including starting with two nonsense words. You can read more about double dactyls from Amy Ludwig VanDerwater here. My attempt was influenced by Pam Munoz Ryan’s picture book Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride.

A Daring Escape

Overfelt Doverfelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

Had a good friend who could

Fly airplanes high.

One evening Eleanor

Unprecedentedly

Flew with Amelia

Into the sky.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

Act One – The Conversation

Thursday is Pi Day. What kind would you like this year? Lemon meringue?

 Hmmmm…how about peach?

 OK. But fresh peaches might be hard to find this time of year. How about blueberry?

 Great!

 Act Two – The Preparation

After a quick stop at the grocery store yesterday, I had what I needed – blueberries, a lemon, and a package of refrigerated pie crusts. I learned a long time ago that while I love making pies, crusts are not my strong suit. Pillsbury’s are the best, in my opinion. Today I carefully washed the blueberries. The recipe I had called for six cups. The blueberries I had were measured in ounces.

“Siri, how many ounces are in six cups?” The answer came quickly. Good, I had plenty.

I measured and mixed, scooped and scraped, laced and latticed.

Almost an hour later…

Act Three – The Finished Product

Still waiting for THE END.