Stephanie Says So

"Playing for Light" ~ innovative and clever

2011-11-05T23:24:00.001-07:00

Innovative: To promote change and/or to alter by introducing something new
Clever: showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious

I LOVE it when someone is innovative and clever. Remarkable things happen. I'm particualry fond of the simplicity of the solution and int ingenuity of those involved that created a solution to the lack of light for students in Africa to do their schoolwork in the evenings. Hope you enjoy this short clip:

Dishwater Redemption

2011-11-04T23:00:00.005-07:00

I'm a little hesitant to share this poem. I happen to really like it and if you don't, I probably don't want you to tell me. :)

I first wrote this many years ago when our children were still young.Then, a few years ago, I worked on is some more and hence, the 2007 copyright date.

It is a true experience and has been a life-long reminder to me, although I have a long ways to go! It's also quite remarkable that it even happened as I married an awesome man who DOES DISHES and he does so much more often than I. However, on this particular night, I was up late doing the dishes.

I do ask that you not copy or use this poem, especially without my express permission. And I hope you like it...

Dishwater Redemption

The house is quiet.
My husband and children are asleep.
The silence of the room is interrupted
Only by the sounds I make while washing the dishes.

As I pick up each dish and rinse away our dinner,
I am reminded of the meal we enjoyed together.
The chatter of the children as they spoke of their day
Lingers in my mind and I feel a sweet contentment.

I’m nearly done when I notice my well-used cookie sheet,
Standing at the back of the dish drainer;
Even though I have washed it thoroughly,
It really doesn’t look very clean.

The evidence of so many batches of cookies baked
Over and over again until it looks tarnished and brown.
When it was new, it sparkled and shined.
Now it is discolored and scratched.

And for some reason, tonight, this bothers me.
I take the cookie sheet from its resting place and
Plunge it back into the warm, soapy water.
But I am unable to rid it of the baked-on grime.

I reach in the cupboard for an S.O.S. scouring pad
And go after the suspect brown specks with renewed vigor.
I pay special attention to the inside corners of the cookie sheet.
This proves to be especially satisfying and I continue until it shines.

It has been reborn and I can see my reflection in it.
And suddenly, I realize… I am like the cookie sheet.
I’m not dirty by any means, but perhaps,
Not quite clean enough either; I have lost some of my sparkle.

Leaning against the sink I know what I must do.
I will take upon me the S.O.S. scouring pad of repentance
And work and pray hard to be shiny and clean,
Until the Savior’s image shows in my countenance.

I plan to keep my cookie sheet as bright as it looks today
And with a few repairs here and there, and a heart full of love,
I can do the same for myself, that I might be more useful
To those I share this earthly space with.

Who knew? Sometimes, there’s not much difference between
A neglected ol’ cookie sheet and a life too busy to notice
Some of the sparkle and shine has faded.
Yes, S.O.S. pads are a beautiful thing.
~ © Stephanie Abney 2007

The Beauty of Friendship

2011-11-03T22:41:00.003-07:00

So, the day is nearly over and I am thinking about friendship for several reasons today; three in particular.

One, we went to the AZ State Fair with our dear friends, Ike & Diane Hathcock. Both of our families have been busy raising kids for many years but tonight we went just by ourselves and we were all able to get in at the SENIOR price (Sorry, Diane!! Ha ha ~ you only have to be 55 to get a discount at the fair). So, for $5 bucks each and the price of some food, etc., we had a great time. We have known the Hathcocks for 27 years (lived across the street from each other all these years - our kids grew up together; well, we had a head start and now their youngest is a senior in High School - ours have been out of the house for awhile). Their friendship is priceless.

Two, while we were at the fair we ran into a sweet friend of mine, MaryEllen Simmons, (amazing mom of a bazillion kids - okay - that number may be too high - but she had a bunch and fostered about 10 times that many over the years). She's a fun lady who can see the humor in the most trying of situations and a talented writer and crafter. She's been a delight to know and now she works at the fair helping young people share their talents in the large exhibit hall under the coliseum that she is in charge of. Just seeing her brought back so many memories and made me smile. I love friends that are always friends even when you don't see them that often (of course, FaceBook has gone a long way in keeping friendships alive when you don't have frequent contact).

Third, when we came home, there was a lovely little bouquet of "BJ's Flowers" waiting at the door, left by my sweet friend, Kathy Thompson. When our youngest son, BJ (Brian James Abney) passed away 11 years ago after a five and a half year battle with leukemia, the Relief Society sisters prepared a luncheon after the funeral for our family and close friends, as is the custom in our church. On the tables were small pots of little yellow flowers (still not SURE what kind they are - Kathy is pretty sure they are mini mums, but they have this BROWN center that makes me wonder - anyway, not's that important - they are darling). When the luncheon was over, Kathy took a couple of pots and planted them in her yard and despite not having the best of luck with most plants - these little guys flourished. The following year, and every year thereafter, on or around Nov. 8th (the day we lost BJ) she has brought me a small vase of "BJ's Flowers." There are a few more interesting details but they aren't needed for this post. My main point is that she could be so thoughtful and caring to do something like this that reminds me each year of my precious son.

The examples of friendship throughout my life and especially during BJ's illness and passing are beyond anything you could imagine. I have been SO BLESSED in this regard. And I'm lucky to have such great friends. I know they care about us and that's why they have been so wonderful but I also know that they care about the Lord and because they love Him, they also love me and mine. It's a beautiful thing and so tonight, as always, I'm grateful to have such remarkable friends. You're probably one of them if you are reading this!!

Think about your friends and a favorite memory. And then, call them up, remind them of it and tell them how happy you are to be friends. You'll both be glad you did!

Live in Daily Thanksgiving

2011-11-02T23:00:00.003-07:00

Thessalonians 5: 18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (Holy Bible, KJV)

Alma 34:38 “… and take upon you the name of Christ; that you humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.” (Book of Mormon)

From two scriptural sources we can read that the Lord is counting on us to give thanks daily, for every single thing, good or bad. Hmmm. How are you doing with that one? Been complaining lately? Life is often hard, there’s no escaping that fact. It’s usually inconvenient; but when all is said and done, it’s still amazingly wonderful.

I’ve lived a long time (and I hope I’ll be of sound mind and health to live a lot longer – I’m pretty fond of waking up every day). Two very important things I have learned along the way is that first, we’re not in charge. And second, we need to GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! The Lord sees things from the beginning to the end. He knows what will bring us growth, joy, benefit … even if we don’t see it at the time. He can do a lot more with our lives than we can if we were left in charge. We just need to be grateful for the lessons that come and the results they bring. If it’s still hard, then He isn’t done yet and we need to be patient and long-suffering.

It’s easy to be grateful for the good things; the beauty of the earth, wonderful people and opportunities in our lives, food on the table, a roof over our heads and gas in the car, just to name a few blessings. But it’s dang hard to be grateful for health challenges, terminal illnesses, difficult people, lack of anything, accidents, lost homes or jobs; in fact, loss of any kind. It’s difficult to be grateful when our feelings have been hurt or worse. In either instance, there are lessons to be learned. We learn from both abundance and lack, from success and failure and learning to take things as they come, with a grateful heart makes the tough stuff a little easier to deal with.

I need to work on this. I suspect most people do. I only bring it up because these are the verses and thoughts that came to my mind when I wondered what I should write about for Day 2 of blogging every day in November. I didn’t choose a “gratitude” blog for the month – although it’s a great idea – I just was hoping to post something of worth (for myself and hopefully for anyone reading this) every day. So, there you have it. A grateful heart … NO matter what. What do you think?

Na Na November!!

2011-11-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

So, November is busy month for writers who want to make themselves a little crazy!!

It's "National Novel Writing Month"~ NaNoWriMo ~ the goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, by the end of November. The RULE here is that you have to be working on a totally NEW novel.

So, for those of you who want the challenge of a monthly goal but want to continue writing your WIP (work-in-progress), you can do so with ANWAWrite. Although it is sponsored by American Night Writers Association (which I have been a member of for 23 years), you do not have to be a member to do ANWAWrite - they have a "BIAM" (Book in a Month) goal each November. The rules are more lax: you can work on something you have already started and set your own word count goal. However, you CANNOT EDIT that work during the month. If this one interests you - it is done by email - anyone can join in - no fees or memberships required. Just sign up at: ANWA Write Yahoo Group ~ Report as often as you can, cheer the others on, and write!

There is also a National YOUNG writers program National Novel Writing Month site: YWP NaNoWriMo ~ complete with prompts and helps

Then, there is "National Blog Posting Month" ~ NaBloPoMo ~ the goal is to post something on your blog every day during November (I'm thinking this might work for me - even though I am writing this on Nov. 2 and PLAN TO POST IT AS NOV 1st - so, not REALLY cheating, just a slow starter... hee hee ~ but the one time I managed to post EVERY day on my blog was in April of this year when I hosted a Poem a Day challenge for "National Poetry Month"). So, we'll see how I do.

"Picture Book Idea Month" ~ PiBoIdMo ~ the challenge here is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days during November.

Not to be outdone, the National Association of Memoir Writers uses the month of November for their "Memoir Writing" month; celebrating "National Life Writing Month" and "Write Nonfiction" to parallel the National Novel Writing Month ~ here is the link to their website: National Association of Memoir Writers

There are plenty of people and groups doing a "Gratitude Month" where you journal about and/or post on your social media site or blog, something that you are grateful for each day in November. This one seems like a no-brainer for the month we celebrate Thanksgiving.

November 1st is always "National Authors' Day" and "National Family Literacy Day" - both worthy days.

So, whether you feature yourself as a writer or not, everyone has a story to tell. Find a way to use this outside motivation and give it a shot!! You might wind up on the best seller list. Who knows?

Enjoy!! And .... WRITE WRITE WRITE!!

2011-10-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings!!! Ah, the best laid plans - foiled again. I always MEAN to get back to the blog, but life has a way of jumping in first! Such a busy life we lead, but I love being busy.

Lots to catch up on, but for now, I'll just share a link with you to an article I wrote about the new PBS FALL FESTIVAL series - 9 events (performances) - 9 cities - 9 weeks. It starts tonight. This article was published in the print edition of The Deseret News: Oct 14th, 2011, Section C, Page 11 ~ it also appears online ~ please check it out: MY article in the Deseret News ~ I think you'll be glad you did because it's a pretty cool series. Have a great weekend and I hope to get back here soon and play "catch-up."

Today we have been married FORTY-ONE years!!!

2011-08-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

41 years ago, Jim and I were sealed in marriage for "Time and All Eternity" in the Los Angeles Temple. We're still kickin' and loving life. It's been good, bad, wonderful, hard, funny, sad ... you name it, but it has all been worth it and that's what matters.

Here is a cinquain poem I wrote years ago - still applies:

Comfort
Feeling secure
Where judgment has no place
Wrapped in the safety of your arms
Husband

Stephanie Abney ~ © 1998

I couldn't hope to "re-cap" 41 years so I posted what has emerged as our "theme song" ~ "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers. Enjoy - I'll be busy ...

A Day in May . . . or 4 or 5 days

2011-07-14T16:25:00.003-07:00

Ah, the best laid plans… I always MEAN to get right back to my blog, but then this thing called LIFE gets in the way. So, a little catching up to follow: for May – one of the biggest events was that I went to LDStorymakers Writers Conference for the first time ever!! (I’ve been going to writers’ workshops and conferences for over 20 years but never to this one before).

It was the first weekend in May and my dear friend, Theresa Sneed, and I drove up together (well, I drove and she rode). We left on Wed afternoon (later than we meant to) and spent the night in Henderson, NV. The next morning we got ready and drove on up to SLC where Theresa was signed up for Writers Boot Camp so I dropped her off and then I had a great lunch with my cousin, Kathy Goold Gunther, whom I haven’t seen in years!

Our hostess for our stay was Kari Pike, a fellow ANWA member who moved from AZ to UT a year or so ago (maybe more – my brain doesn’t keep track of time very well - DUH). We had lots of fun with Kari. Thanks, Kari - you're the BEST!

That night (Thurs) Theresa and I drove up to Ogden, UT so we could watch this precious men’s’ chorus during their rehearsal as I was writing an article on them. The Men of Song (More info at their blog) – AND you can read the article I wrote for Deseret News about them here: Men of Song musical repertoire resonates with audiences ~ these men were so precious with their mellow voices. The group members range in age from 43 to 86 years old. :)

But I digress. It would be impossible at this late date to try to recap the conference – suffice it to say we had the best time, met lots of fellow LDS writers, took great classes, and even topped off the week by attending the Whitney Awards Banquet. Think I better start saving now so I can go again next year, LDStorymakers was AWESOME!

So, on Sunday, Theresa needed to get back home in order to teach school on Monday and she drove home with Betsy Love and her husband. I, on the other hand, took my sweet time; first, attending Sacrament Mtg with Kari and her family – it was Mother’s Day – and then I drove down to my sister’s house in St. George. Camille was so cute – she made us a nice lunch. We had a visit that was much too short and then I was on my way to Mandy and Jason’s house in Henderson, NV. I got there in time for Mother’s Day Dinner and had a wonderful visit with the grandchildren.

My plans were to go home on Monday, but, again, the best laid plans . . . NOT! I must have eaten something over the weekend that didn’t agree with my hypersensitive tummy (which is light years beyond just needing to be gluten-free) and I was in bed, sleeping most of the day. I drove home on Tuesday and pulled in just moments before I had to leave to go tutor in Gilbert.

And so, there you have it, one MARVELOUS extended weekend in May – wish I could have told more but this is LONG enough! Cheers!

Your Pinkie is More Powerful Than Your Thumb

2011-05-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Do you LOVE trivia - then you'll enjoy a new book I recently reviewed at Deseret News:

Check out my book review on a book that dispenses more than 300 facts you never thought to wonder about ~ click here: Book Review on Deseret News - Pinkie Stronger Than Your Thumb

Would LOVE it if you left a comment in the "Comment Section" ~ Thanks!

Day 30 - Final Day of the Poetry Challenge

2011-04-30T05:03:00.002-07:00

Day 30 - Last Day of National Poetry Month

Well, this month has been quite amazing – for one, I actually posted on my blog EVERY day for 30 days in a row. That has GOT to be some kind of a record; especially for the A.D.D. poster queen that I am. I’m pretty pleased about that. However, my greatest satisfaction comes from seeing what these posts prompted others to create. Amazing!!

If you’ve been following on the blog, you have seen the work of only 2 or 3 brave souls who have posted here, but I’ve also made this poetry challenge part of two email groups I belong to and the poems there just kept coming and they have been remarkable! So, for today, the last day of National Poetry Month – I’d like to hear your comments on what this has brought to you. What have you learned? What did you love? What frustrated you (if anything)? Did you discover you were a poet and didn’t even know it?

I hope you have had fun and please post your comments (which I would love to read) here ON MY BLOG ~ even if you never wrote a poem, but enjoyed reading the poems others wrote.

LAST DAY POEM ~ please feel free to create any style poem you have enjoyed. Or you might try summing up your feelings in a poem. Thanks for taking this journey with me. See ya’ next year for Poetry Month. But please stick around as I have other things you might enjoy reading about coming up on my blog.

Today, I’m going to a pancake breakfast this morning (my sweet gluten-free friend, Kathy, is seeing to it that there are pancakes we can eat there) and then I’m off to Day 2 of a really interesting workshop on grieving, but more importantly, awakening. It’s been pretty fascinating so far. Take care!!

Here’s MY poem for the last day of National Poetry Month, a cinquain poem, (pattern 1) – I’ll post the pattern here to remind you:

1^st line ~ two syllables – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ four syllables that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ six syllables that express action

4^th line ~ eight syllables that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ two syllables synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Poems

Feelings expressed

From down deep in my heart

So you know who I am I’ll sing

Word Songs

Enjoy!! YOUR TURN!!

Day 29 – Let's Write a 5 W’s Poem

2011-04-29T04:50:00.002-07:00

Day 29 – 5 W’s Poem

This is an obvious poem, but can be a sweet one, or a silly one, or a serious one, depending on what you fill in. This poem answers the 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, When & Why.

I suggest you go to the Instant Poetry Maker on this one (it will include your punctuation for you when you click on the box “Create My Instant 5W Poem Now!” button.

(Tomorrow is our last day)

Here is the link: Instant 5W poem creator (it also has an example)

Below is the one I wrote inspired by a Christmas I will never forget for so many reasons. Christmas was my mom’s all-time favorite holiday and we lost her to pancreatic cancer exactly one week before Christmas of 1998. I was in California all month with my mom, dad and sister. (The rest of the family joined us for the funeral and we buried mom 2 days before Christmas). Back in Mesa, while I was gone, BJ didn’t have any money but wanted to make me a gift. I collect nativities so he decided to make one, from scratch, without a pattern, except for the vision in his head. He had leukemia and was given a freestanding woodworking workshop with electricity and power tools as his wish from “Make-A-Wish” and so he set out to create the most memorable nativity of my collection of about 50 nativities. It is so precious, as was he. Two years later, BJ lost his battle with cancer too. I cherish every reminder of who he was, what he stood for and how he loved. This one is most precious.

Brian James Abney
Made his mom a wooden nativity,
In his "Make-A-Wish" woodworking workshop,
For Christmas in 1998 when he was 14 years old,
Because he loved his mom and she collects them.

MORE on Day 28 - MY example of a Clerihew Poem

2011-04-28T07:53:00.001-07:00

Day 28 - Clerihew Poem

OK, folks - here's mine

(if you missed the instructions for today, just look at the post below).

They say Jim Abney is one of the good ol’ boys,

To make him happy, just share your toys.

He likes to wrestle, laugh and leap,

But by afternoon, he falls asleep!

Day 28 ~ Let's Write a Clerihew Poem

2011-04-28T07:30:00.001-07:00

Day 28 - How to write a Clerihew Poem

A clerihew is a four line long poem.

1. They are four lines long.

2. The first and second lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

3. The first line names a person, and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person.

4. A clerihew should be funny.

Example:

When Pollyanna came to town

all the people wore a frown.

She spread gladness, hope, and cheer

and kicked their grumpies in the rear.

YOUR TURN!!

Day 27 ~ Let's Write a Lantern Poem

2011-04-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Day 27 ~How to Write a Lantern Poem

OK, We are nearing the end of our challenge. Sorry this got posted later than 5am - life happens. So it's after 9 am AZ time, but we're doing a simple little Japanese poetry form today, a "Lantern Poem."

A lantern is a five line poem in the shape of a Japanese lantern. 

The Pattern is:

Line 1: noun (one syllable)

Line 2: describe the noun (two syllables)

Line 3: describe the noun (three syllables

Line 4: describe the noun (four syllables)

Line 5: synonym for noun in line one (one syllable)

Example: 

Sword

weapon

straight-edged steel

deadly saber

Blade

(Example from “The Highlights of Homeschooling: How to Write 30 Forms of Poetry – The American Revolution” by Teresa Ives Lilly, poetry by Sally Clark)

YOUR TURN!! :)

Day 26 - Let's Write an "If You Were" Poem

2011-04-26T05:04:00.023-07:00

Day 26 - If You Were Poem

On day 17 we did an “If I Were” Poem – today we will do one very similar called “If YOU Were”

This is a fun little poem that is actually a quatrain (4 lines) in which the last sound of lines 2 and 4 rhyme. It also has two metaphors (remember, a “metaphor” is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to draw a comparison). It is not the same as a simile. A simile uses the word like or as in order to make a comparison, whereas metaphors use is or are. So if you say “If I were” or “If you were” and named the thing (noun), it is a metaphor.

A simile: Your hair is like golden flax.

A metaphor: Your hair is golden flax.

So, there’s a little grammar lesson for ya’ – sorry, it’s the teacher in me. OK, back to the instructions: one metaphor is for the “I” part of the poem and the other metaphor is for the “you” part of the poem.

Here are some instructions taken from Charles Ghinga’s site (with his permission – I suggest you GO TO HIS SITE for more details and other fun stuff pertaining to poetry:

Instructions: Think of a person you like. Compare that person to some thing (inanimate object). Now compare yourself to some thing associated with the first object.

Giggle poetry class for kids by Charles Ghinga ~ Great site on fun poetry, for all ages, especially for kids from Charles Ghigna

Example:

If you were a candle

And I was a match,

I’d light your wick brightly

And some shadows we’d catch.

Yeah, not great, but you get the idea.

YOUR TURN!!!

Day 25 ~ Let's Write a Quinzain Poem

2011-04-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

Day 25 - How to write a Quinzain Poem

OK, back to specific poems with patterns. Having to fit your thoughts into patterns is good practice for learning to express yourself. This one is VERY short and VERY specific in the pattern to follow. Try it out:

A quinzain is an unrhymed three line poem that contains 15 syllables.

The pattern is:

The first line has 7 syllables

The second line has 5 syllables

The third line has 3 syllables

The first line makes a statement and the next two lines ask a question about the subject.

Example:

Spunky, brave young heroines.

Why are so many

orphaned girls?

Here's a couple I came up with:

We are on earth to serve others.

Why is finding time

hard to do?

God sees us as we can be.

Why can’t we see others

that way too?

YOUR TURN!!

Day 24 ~ EASTER SUNDAY ~ Free Verse

2011-04-24T05:17:00.004-07:00

OK, this is my last day at our family reunion and it is also Easter Sunday. I've suggested all weekend you write any poem of your choice, any style or no style at all, "free verse." (I just scheduled today and Sunday to post automatically each day).

Just come up with our own theme. It might be nice to focus on Easter, the Resurrection, family, blessings, springtime, renewal, baby animals, whatever comes to mind.

Feel free to post here or if you are participating with me through email, do that.

I'll be back this afternoon. See ya'

Day 23 ~ More Free Verse Poetry

2011-04-23T09:16:00.001-07:00

OK, as I said, I'm at a family reunion right now - so I'm just suggesting all weekend you write any poem of your choice, any style or no style at all, "free verse." (I just scheduled today and Sunday to post automatically each day).

Just come up with our own theme. It might be nice to focus on Easter, the Resurrection, family, blessings, springtime, renewal, baby animals, whatever comes to mind.

Feel free to post here or if you are participating with me through email, do that.

Just so you know, THIS message will repeat on Sunday. I'll be back that afternoon. See ya'

Day 22 ~ Earth Day or Good Friday Poem

2011-04-22T05:01:00.012-07:00

~ FREE VERSE POETRY ~ for the entire weekend (Friday [also Earth Day & Good Friday], Saturday, Easter Sunday)

OK - looks like we'll be having several free-verse poems coming up that only have a prompt to them, due to Easter Weekend.

Well, you can pretty much write it any way you want.

If you are checking here to find poetry, you may not see too many. I continue to get most of my responses (newly created poetry) via email through my ANWA Writers Group and an online friend group called LDS Forever Friends. Only a couple of people seem to be using this blog to respond on. Which is fine. Fewer people see your work, but the whole idea was to celebrate National Poetry Month. Even if all that has happened for you is to have been thinking about it or just enjoying reading what others are writing, that's great. Mission accomplished. If you are writing your own poems, I hope you have created a document file to keep them in. It will mean a lot to you and your family even if you never publish or submit them anywhere.

OK, rules (or NOT) for Free Verse:
A poem that is written without a pattern or rhyme. The possibilities are limitless. Give it a shot.

So, today is "Earth Day" - there are lots of mixed and even strong emotions on this one, but how about writing a poem (any style so far or just use free verse) about what the earth means to you.

Or, since today is also "Good Friday" you could use that for your prompt. Or anything about Easter, particularly of a spiritual nature.

Both topics could easily lend themselves to the idea of renewal, spring, growth, etc. See what you come up with.

Enjoy!!

Day 21 - Let's Write a Rictameter Poem

2011-04-21T04:52:00.020-07:00

Day 21 ~ Let’s Write a Rictameter Poem

OK, another poem that focuses on the number of syllables per line. It doesn't matter if they rhyme of not. The rictameter form of poetry was created in the early 1990s by two cousins, Jason D. Wilkins and Richard W. Lunsford, Jr., both poets who were inspired by the Robin Williams' movie, "Dead Poet's Society."

A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and last lines are the same with the syllable count as follows:

line 1 - 2 syllables - same as line 9
line 2 - 4 syllables
line 3 - 6 syllables
line 4 - 8 syllables
line 5 - 10 syllables
line 6 - 8 syllables
line 7 - 6 syllables
line 8 - 4 syllables
line 9 - 2 syllables - same as line 1

~~~~~~ For a sample I wrote a simple little rictameter poem about my son, BJ, who passed away at the age of 16, after a 5 1/2 year battle with leukemia in 2000 ~~~~~~~

On Missing My Son

Happy

Joy in each day

What great times we all had

Getting through the good and the bad

And then, my happiness was gone, like you

Your body too weak for this world

Until we meet again

Never to part

Happy

Here's a link those of you who are getting serious about writing poetry might enjoy:
Poetry Dances ~ Popular Poetry Styles

OK, YOUR TURN!!!

Day 20 - Rhyming Poetry (a-b-a-b pattern)

2011-04-20T06:01:00.002-07:00

Day 20 - Rhyming Poetry (a-b-a-b pattern)

Here’s a couple of resources you can use to find rhyming words – just type in the word in the box, click and poof ~ a rhyming word appears:

Rhymer - instant rhyme site

Rhyme Zone - instant rhyming site

Rhyming schemes: the use of end rhymes – last sound of the end word in one line of poetry rhyming with the last sound of the end word in another line of poetry.

There are several rhyming schemes in poetry but we are going to start with the most common:

a – b – a – b

This is where the words at the end of the first and third lines rhyme and the words at the end of the second and fourth line rhyme.

You should also try to keep the meters of lines ‘a’ the same as each other and the meters of line ‘b’ the same as each other. This can be done by counting syllables. In the little 4 line example I made up, you can see the end words in the first and third lines rhyme and they both have 5 beats (5 syllables). The end words in the second and fourth lines rhyme and they both have 6 beats (6 syllables).

I went to the store

To buy a loaf of bread.
I found something more
“So typical,” I said.
© Stephanie Abney 2011
(seems silly to copyright such a simple little sample verse but there you have it)

You can just do four lines or you can create a longer poem by making several stanzas of four lines each. Also, note that often times the very last stanza can vary, or not, but all previous stanzas should follow the pattern.

Your turn! Have fun!

Day 19 ~ Let's Write an Alliteration Poem!

2011-04-19T05:02:00.001-07:00

Day 19 ~ Alliteration Poem

This is a fun poem to work on. It can be profound, but most are basically nonsense. Many children’s nursery rhymes and tongue twisters use alliteration.

Alliteration is the recurring repetition of at the same consonant sound presented in a sequence of words that are close to each other. It is typically found at the beginning of a word to give stress to its syllable. It is the sound, not the letter that is important. Candy and cereal do not alliterate but ‘cool’ and ‘kick’ do; also ‘fine’ and ‘phase.’

It helps to brainstorm up a list of words that have the same beginning sound. Choose a letter to practice alliteration. Open a doc, type the letter and then type as many words as you can that start with the letter you chose. This will help you when you start to create your poem.

Example from Mother Goose:

Betty Botter

by Mother Goose

Betty Botter bought some butter,
but, she said, the butter’s bitter;
if I put it in my batter
it will make my batter bitter,
but a bit of better butter
will make my batter better.
So she bought a bit of butter
better than her bitter butter,
and she put it in her batter
and the batter was not bitter.
So ’twas better Betty Botter
bought a bit of better butter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, here’s my ridiculous, nonsensical, pointless alliteration poem. I know you can do better.

Freedom From Big Hips

(No, I’m NOT putting my name to this silliness).

Frank’s friends fried fish and fries for Friday’s fanfare.

First, fair fellows followed Frank forward,

From front and far afield,

Filling frozen fake fairy figures with fizzing frothy fruit.

Footloose and fancy-free,

Forever factual fiction folks forgot their forks.

Fun facts frequented their fast-flapping lips.

“Forget the forks, forget the food,” featherweights forbade.

“Fooling with fried, fancy fare fails to free friends from big hips.”

YOUR TURN!!!

Day 18 ~ A Simple Little Form for a Holiday Poem

2011-04-18T05:06:00.024-07:00

Okay, today let's write a “Holiday Poem” ~ NEXT Sunday is Easter so how about taking time now to come up with a “Holiday Poem” about Easter. This form can be used for ANY holiday.

Here ya’ go:

Line 1: Name of holiday

Line 2: Something you see on this holiday

Line 3: Something you smell on this holiday

Line 4: Something you hear on this holiday

Line 5: Something you taste on this holiday

Line 6: Something you touch on this holiday

Line 7: Name of holiday

You can use this INSTANT site to set up your poem: Instant Holiday Poem Site

Here's what I came up with ~ one kind of a typical Easter poem and the second one is more what Easter is REALLY about. Enjoy:

Easter

Girls in new Easter dresses

Ham and rolls baking in the oven

Easter Sermon

Chocolate bunnies

Baskets full of surprises

Easter

Hope of the Resurrection

Newness of Spring

Heavenly choirs

Joy of renewal

Savior’s love

Easter

Your turn!!

Day 17 – Let’s Write a Nature Personified Poem!

2011-04-17T05:06:00.004-07:00

Nature Personified Poem

This is a fun little 5-line poetry form that will remind you of Carl Sandburg’s poem, “Fog.”

Title: Nature Form (such as wind, rain, heat, snow)

Line 1 Title + (how it arrives or begins)

Line 2 Tell what it does

Line 3 and how it does it

Line 4 and where it is

Line 5 Tell how it leaves

Example:

Wind
The wind dances in on
Trotting horses’ feet
It stops in a golden
Valley looking about through
Fiery eyes, and then rages past
At a mighty gallop.
by J. Kurnath © at the website Instant Nature Personification Poem Site

Here’s “Fog” by Carl Sandburg:

Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

by Carl Sandburg ©

YOUR TURN!! Have fun!

Day 16 ~ Let's Write a Monorhyme Poem

2011-04-16T05:30:00.001-07:00

Today we are going to try our hand at a Monorhyme Poem!

A Monorhyme is a poem in which all the lines have the same end rhyme.

It can be however many lines you want and about any subject as long as the last word of each line rhymes with all the other last words of each line. And you don't skip (space) any lines.

Here's a sample:

Late for Class

I realized it was half past four
When I, quite late, ran out the door.
My history class I so abhor,
But I missed two sessions the week before.
I failed a test on ancient lore
And forgot the date of the Second World War.
(Man, my brain was really sore.)
Up the marble stairs I tore,
And slid across a just-mopped floor:
I banged my knee and loudly swore,
To wake -again- at half past four!
These nightmares I can stand no more...

Copyright © 2001 Dendrobia

Here's mine. It's short and sweet because I'm not at home. I'm at my son's home and trying to do this without my files and my own computer. (His is great, no problem, just used to my own stuff).

I'm away from home, at my son's house in Pine.
Saturday is a writer's conference, so very fine.
I'll learn new things about writing a line,
And how to publish a book, so divine.

Your turn!!

Day 15 ~ “What if . . . I might” Poem

2011-04-15T05:00:00.026-07:00

This is a poem that will get you thinking of many possibilities; some thoughtful, others silly, some adventurous, or even fanciful. Let your imagination go or reach deep into your heart.

Fill in the blanks any way you want – changing the words you can create dozens of poems. (Be sure to see the link to a poem creation site for this style).*

Line #1: What if ____________________________
Line #2: I might ____________________________

(leave a space between lines 2 & 3)

Line #3: What if ____________________________
Line #4: I could _____________________________

(leave a space between lines 4 & 5)

Line #5: What if ____________________________
Line #6: I would_____________________________

(leave a space between lines 6 & 7)

Line #7: Ask a question.

* Here is a terrific ONLINE “What if” poem creator:"What if - - - I might" poem creator site

Go to the link, look at the sample, and then fill in your own words in the blanks. When you have it the way you want, click “Create My What If Poem Now” and your poem will appear on a new screen. You can copy & paste it into a document, (you will have to space it according to the outline above). Then date it and put your name to it and then you can post it for all of us to see.

Have fun!!

HERE ARE MY EXAMPLES - for what they're worth :)

The first one is silly:

What if I danced in the rain?

I might get a little bit wet.

What if I sang at the top of my lungs?

I could land a singing contract, I bet.

What if I went back inside and sat down?

I would never know what I might do.

I wonder, would you be so bold, if it were you?

This one is more serious:

What if I listened very carefully to the spirit?
I might be surprised at what I hear.

What if the Lord has plans I'm not ready for?
I could try to pretend I didn't hear them.

What if I listened and obeyed?
I would be more use to His children.

Do you think I'm that strong?

Day 14 - April 14th is National "Poem in Your Pocket" Day!!

2011-04-13T19:19:00.001-07:00

So I'm posting this early so you will know that Thursday, April 14th, I'm just going to "set you free" (as in FREE verse). Write any kind of poetry you want to.

Inasmuch as April 14th is National "Poem in Your Pocket" Day I'm also going to post the Poem FOR THIS DAY by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and give you a link you can explore!! The main idea is to: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you on "Poem In Your Pocket Day" (April 14th), sharing it with co-workers, family, and friends.

Enjoy!! Feel free to post any poems you want to share in the comment section. I've noticed several readers are taking their creations over to their own blogs to share. Way cool!!!!

Here's the poem:

Keep a Poem In Your Pocket

By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.

The little poem will sing to you
The little picture bring to you
A dozen dreams to dance to you
At night when you’re in bed.

So - -

Keep a picture in your pocket
And a poem in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.
© Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Here's the link - you will find some suggested poems you can print off and "KEEP A POEM IN YOUR POCKET": Poem in Your Pocket Day

Enjoy -
Stephanie

Day 13 ~ Let's Write a Grammar Poem

2011-04-13T04:52:00.001-07:00

Day 13 ~ Grammar Poem

This type of poem reinforces different aspects of grammar and is five lines long.

Directions:

Line 1. Write a noun for the subject

Line 2. Write two adjectives joined by and to describe this noun

Line 3. Write a verb and an adverb to describe this noun in action

Line 4. Start it with like or as followed by a comparison

Line 5. Start it with if only followed by a wish

Remember: Most adverbs tell you how, where, or when something is done. In other words, they describe the manner, place, or time of an action.

Example:

My golden retriever

Loving and loyal

Running to greet me

Like the best friend you could imagine

If only he would live forever.

My Poem:

My Savior, Jesus Christ

Flawless and loving

Atoning selflessly

Like the perfect son of God

If only I can be found worthy

YOUR TURN!!

Day 12 ~ Let's Write a Tanka Poem

2011-04-12T06:37:00.003-07:00

Day 12 – Tanka, “The Grandmother of Haiku”

Soon we’ll do a free verse poem using a prompt and move away from all these “form” poems, but I also think the “form” poems are really good practice because you have to work hard to fit your thoughts into the pattern set forth.

Today is another form of Japanese poetry, “Tanka” which has been called, “The Grandmother of Haiku.” This poem is distinguished by the number of lines and syllables instead of rhyme.

Please take care to COUNT the syllables in the poem you create and only use 5 lines. Tanka poems consist of 31 syllables in the following pattern:

Line 1 = 5 syllables
Line 2 = 7 syllables
Line 3 = 5 syllables
Line 4 = 7 syllables
Line 5 = 7 syllables

EXAMPLE:

Liberty bell rang

in seventeen fifty-three

struck an e-flat note

hairline crack begins to spread

starts split with Mother England.

Here’s another example, a poem written by Gerard John Conforti, in his book, Now That the Night Ends ©1996:

This cold winter night
the snow clings to the tree boughs
in the pale moonlight
the kisses of your soft lips
warm this aching heart of mine
©1996 Gerard John Conforti

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OKAY, so here's my SILLY little offering but sometimes I feel this way - has it ever happened to you?

Timing of Posts is EVERYTHING

Feel invisible

Even when among my friends

I say clever things

But no one responds to it

Darn that Face Book anyway.

YOUR TURN!! Enjoy!

We interrupt this poetry challenge to announce my AWARD!!

2011-04-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hey, thought I would pat myself on the back a little - I've been awarded the "Beautiful Mommy Writer Award" for my blog. (I wonder if she will come up with a beautiful grandmommy writer award too)?

It was awarded to me by Deirdra Eden Coppel, author and illustrator. If you like learning about authors - she interviews them on her blog at a record pace. You can get to her blog by clicking directly on the award over on the LEFT hand column of my blog page. Thanks, Deirdra

I hope you have become a follower of my blog - you can click on the "Follow" link, also on the LEFT hand column of my blog page, below the award.

If you came in search of today's poetry form and instructions, it's the post just below this one. It will end April 30th and then I'll see what else is happening. But I want to catch up on my own happenings to share as well and will intersperse that within anything else going on. That's why you're reading THIS now, in the middle of the poetry challenge. Have a GREAT week!!

Day 11 ~ Let's Write a Limerick!

2011-04-11T05:04:00.002-07:00

Day 11 - Limerick

A Limerick is a rhymed humorous or nonsense poem of five lines which originated in Limerick, Ireland.

The Limerick has a set rhyming scheme of: a-a-b-b-a (meaning lines ending in “a” must rhyme with each other and lines ending in “b” must rhyme with each other) and with a syllable pattern of: 9-9-6-6-9. (See details per line below).

Line 1 – “a” – 9 syllables

Line 2 – “a” – 9 syllables

Line 3 – “b” – 6 syllables

Line 4 – “b” – 6 syllables

Line 5 – “a” – 9 syllables

This is the most commonly heard first line of a limerick starts with: "There once was a man from ___________."

It’s rather “sing-songy” so just play around with it and then check to be sure the correct lines end in rhymes and that you have the correct number of syllables. It’s tricky, but very fun!!

Example:

The Man From Aruba

There once was a man from Aruba,
Whose favorite hobby was scuba.
Every day he would wish,
He could spear a big fish.
But settled instead for canned tuna.

Copyright © 2005 Jim Dupy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, here’s mine for today:

The Poetry Fest

Stephanie had a poetry fest

Encouraging friends to do their best

“Write a poem each day,

I will show you the way.”

“At the end of the month we will rest!

Day 10 ~ Let's Write a Spring Senses Poem

2011-04-10T05:00:00.012-07:00

Day 10 ~ Spring Senses Poem

This is a simple little “finish the line” format that involves the five senses. With the crazy weather most of us have been having, you might have to dig deep for what you THINK Spring is like. You can use a single word (or two) or create a sentence as long as you wish. It’s basically a “free verse” pattern, but feel free to make rhyming endings if that’s what comes to you. Have fun!!

Spring Senses Poem

Spring looks like _____________________.

Spring sounds like ____________________.

Spring feels like ______________________.

Spring smells like _____________________.

Spring tastes like _____________________.

Here’s what I came up with:

Well, even my “one word” answers often ended up as two words. Sigh ~

Spring looks like sunshine.

Spring sounds like birds singing.

Spring feels like a cool breeze.

Spring smells like mint leaves.

Spring tastes like strawberries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring looks like the excited anticipation in my grandchild’s eyes.

Spring sounds like lawn mowers, sprinklers, birds chirping and children laughing.

Spring feels like a soft bunny, the wind blowing across your face and a gentle hug.

Spring smells like orange blossoms, a baby fresh out of a bath and the earth after a soft rain.

Spring tastes like Jello Jigglers, strawberries and cotton candy.

Stephanie Abney

Day 9 ~ Let's Write a Cinquain Poem (Pattern 2)

2011-04-09T05:00:00.007-07:00

Cinquain Poem ~ there’s more than one style of cinquain poem – so we’ll call this “Pattern Two.”

Cinq is French for FIVE ~ this poem has five lines that follow a specific pattern.

This short five-lined poem doesn’t have an actual title; rather, the FIRST line (one word) becomes the title.

It does not rhyme and in this version you count the number of words per line and each line has specific requirements:

1^st line ~ one word – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ two words that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ three words that express action

4^th line ~ four words that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ one word synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Here's my efforts on this style poem:

Service

Helping others

Let’s work together

Bearing one another’s burdens

Love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heaven

Eternal Reward

Must get there

Loved ones are waiting

Home

Your turn!! Enjoy!

Day 8 ~ Let's Write a Cinquain Poem (Pattern 1)

2011-04-08T05:02:00.007-07:00

Cinquain Poem ~ there’s more than one style of cinquain poem – so we’ll call this “Pattern One.”

Cinq is French for FIVE ~ this poem has five lines that follow a specific pattern.

This is a short five-lined poem that doesn’t have an actual title; rather, the FIRST line (one word with 2 syllables or two 1-syllable words) becomes the title. Each line starts with a capital letter but has no ending punctuation. It does not rhyme and in this version you count the number of SYLLABLES per line and each line has specific requirements. The first line has 2 syllables; each line increases by 2 syllables until the last line, which returns to 2 syllables:

1^st line ~ two syllables – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ four syllables that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ six syllables that express action

4^th line ~ eight syllables that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ two syllables synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Be sure to COUNT OUT the syllables for each line. I love this style poetry and wanted to share a couple of poems I wrote years ago:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 7 ~ Let's Write an "If I Were..." Poem

2011-04-07T05:00:00.001-07:00

Day 7 ~ Let's go from "I Am" to "If I Were"

This is another "fill-in-the blanks" style of poetry that is quite fun. It's not as long as the "I Am" poem of Day 6 (nor as mentally taxing). Enjoy!!

These are simple and fun. Just use your imagination and fill in the blanks:

If I were a __________________,

I’d _____________________ and

I’d ________________________.

I’d be ______________________.

OK, I'm fresh out of ideas right now, so this is STRICTLY to be an example, but the possibilities are endless. So, for what it's worth, here is my lame effort and I'm NOT going to sign my name to it - I'm hoping I'll come up with something better later on in the day. I KNOW you will. :)

If I were a new little kitten,

I’d drink my mother’s milk and

I’d chase my tail in circles and

I’d purr in your lap while I slept.

I’d be content.

Your turn!!

Day 6 ~ Let's Write an "I Am" Poem

2011-04-06T05:00:00.025-07:00

How to write an "I Am" poem ~

This "formula" form poem was one of my favorites to use as a teacher because it ended up giving me some interesting insight about my students. Some were very serious and tender, others were silly. For example ~ one boy wrote for the "I Am" line (which gets repeated over and over): "I am an honest young man who loves the Lord." (Yep, right there in school, then he went on to fill in the other lines with the type of person he tried to be ... because he was a young man who loved the Lord). However, another student wrote "I am a happy boy who loves pizza." The rest of the poem was hysterical. You can go anywhere, depending on WHO you say you ARE. Here's the form - YOU fill in the blanks BUT you must follow the instructions for each line!!

IF this feels TOO personal - make up a character or if you are writing a book, use one of your characters for this poem ~ the easiest way is to copy and paste the format onto a document page and then read the instructions and replace them with YOUR words:

Below is the line-by-line set-up for this version of the "I Am..." poem:

I Am…

1st Stanza

I am (two special characteristics you have)
I wonder (something you are actually curious about)
I hear (an imaginary sound)
I see (an imaginary sight)
I want (an actual desire)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 2

I pretend (something you really pretend to do)
I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
I touch (something you imagine you touch)
I worry (a worry that is real to you)
I cry (something that makes you very sad)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 3

I understand (something you know is true)
I say (something you believe in)
I dream (a dream you actually have)
I try (something you make an effort to do)
I hope (something you really hope for)
I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

OK, I'm such a paradox personality anyway - so I used two random traits but they both play powerful parts in my daily life so, at the risk of being more vulerable than I care to be, here's my poem:

I Am…

I am compassionate and distracted.
I wonder if people realize the sincerity of my motives.
I hear opportunities passing.
I see endless possibilities
I want to fulfill my life’s mission.

I am compassionate and distracted.
I pretend I’m not noticing everything all at once.
I feel like I am always “on the verge” of … something.
I touch the part of me that’s missing.
I worry I might leave this life with some of my “music left inside me.”
I cry when I think about those who may have misunderstood me.
I am compassionate and distracted.

I understand the Lord is aware of my intentions and talents.
I say my writings will make a difference.
I dream of helping others with my words.
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.
I hope they will do the same for me.
I am compassionate and distracted.

© Stephanie Abney 2011

Day 5 ~ Let's Write an Onomatopoeia Poem

2011-04-05T05:00:00.008-07:00

A WHAT kind of poem? Onomatopoeia!!

An onomatopoeia poem (and NO, I did NOT make up this type of poem - it IS REAL) and it uses words that imitate the sounds they represent.

BUT - I think you'll like THIS PART:

They can be any length, any number of syllables.

They don't have to rhyme - but they can if you want them to. You have a lot more freedom EXCEPT for using some words that SOUND like the noise they describe. Have fun!!

Here are some typical onomatopoeia words:

crash, boom, bang, kerplunk, screech, buzz, crackle, plop, murmur, fizz

Get the idea? You can do a Google search for more words if you need to.

Lots of children's nursery rhymes are onomatopoeia poems, such as "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Here's a sample Onomatopoeia poem:

The Rusty Spigot

The rusty spigot
sputters,
utters
a splutter,
spatters a smattering of drops,
gashes wider;
slash
splatters
scatters
spurts
finally stops sputtering
and plash!
gushes rushes splashes
clear water dashes.

OK, I have NO clue what to write ~ I ended up rhyming mine but not needed. I can't WAIT to see what you come up with.

Here's my meager effort for today:

Clatter, crash, bang!
I waken from my sleep.

Sigh, groan, moan
I hope that Jim's still home.

I tiptoe down the hall,
And see my dishwashing hubby's had a fall.

Good Luck!!

Day 4 ~ Let's write Haiku!!

2011-04-04T12:06:00.001-07:00

Day 4 - Haiku

Haiku is a popular form of Japanese poetry.
It usually centers around a nature theme, but you can make one up about anything.
Haiku poems don’t rhyme; they follow a pattern.

The pattern for haiku is as follows:

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

You need to pay attention to the number of SYLLABLES, not words.

Here’s an example from a lesson plan I got online once – no author credit given, sorry:

Clouds float slowly by
Fluffy, lumpy, cotton balls
Silver, gray, and white

Here’s mine for today:

A soft, gentle breeze
Tickles leaves in my front yard
And I know He’s there.
~ © 2011 Stephanie Abney

OK, YOUR TURN!!

Day 3 ~ Let's write an Acrostic Poem for April

2011-04-03T06:53:00.001-07:00

Write an acrostic poem about the month of April. Begin each line with a word or phrase that starts with the letter on that line.

A _________________________________
P _________________________________
R _________________________________
I _________________________________
L _________________________________

Here’s my efforts:

Anew
Perfect
Resurrection
Immortal
Life

A son of God
Perfect in every way
Reaches out to
Individuals because he
Loves us so

YOUR TURN!! Happy Sabbath!

Day 2 ~ Let's write a Triplet

2011-04-02T06:00:00.023-07:00

How to write a Triplet Poem ~

Triplets are 3 lined poems that rhyme:

BUT ~ HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART ~
EVERY LINE HAS THE SAME NUMBER OF SYLLABLES!

Fun times ~ it helps to think of a topic first, any topic (nature is usually the easiest to get an idea about).

Here’s an example (count out the syllables and you’ll see each line has the same number) by Sally Clark, found in “The Highlights of Homeschooling: How to Write 30 Forms of Poetry about Horses”

Through the waving grass we glide,
through the morning mist we ride,
galloping the prairie wide.
                         © 2007 by Sally Clark

Here’s my efforts:

We’ve been together forty years,
through laughter, joys, and all the tears,
now, only you, can calm my fears.
                                 © 2011 by Stephanie Abney


I pray my words today are sweet,
in case there’s some I have to eat,
it makes friends easier to keep!
                                      © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

Now, it's YOUR turn :) HAVE FUN!!!

April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!! 30 Poems in 30 Days

2011-04-01T12:34:00.008-07:00

So, APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!! And there are 30 days in April and I invite you to try writing a poem a day -- (or just a thought, a blog, whatever) - but there are SO MANY KINDS OF POETRY out there, that not only could you give it a try, you could actually write a DIFFERENT style of poem each day. I did this with my creative writing students last year and it was a blast! It was amazing to see what they came up with. (I'm doing it on our closed writers group online but I thought if I also did it here, others might want to join in).

I thought it might be fun to post the poem I come up each day here on my blog - you are welcome to do the same in the comments (or fire up your own blog)! Everyone should remember common courtesy - if someone writes something/anything - THEY ALSO OWN THE COPYRIGHT TO IT THE MOMENT THEY WRITE IT - so don't go using something you read here that someone else has written unless you give them proper recognition (and better yet, seek their permission to use it). Always include the name of the author of any any story, poem, blog post or anything that you share. Thanks. [Drives me crazy when I read something wonderful that is flying through everyone's email and no one bothered to include the author's name]. :)

Ok, so, if you want to join me - I think I'll post a different style with an example of it each day. Then, I'll make up my own poem and post it.

Feel free to share your creations. You might really surprise yourself!!

Here is a link that you can use on your own for ideas and inspiration:
poets.org - info on National Poetry Month & more

So, this will be fun!!! WHO'S IN????

DAY 1 ~ Let’s write a couplet:

A couplet is a two-lined verse. Both lines rhyme and usually have a rhythm to them.
Try expressing your complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words should rhyme. It can be spiritual or silly – couplets are great to write for children or with children.

It is possible to string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for our first day – just try one 2-line couplet.

Here’s an example from "Nature's Shows," found in Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose by Charles Ghigna

Nature puts on little shows
Every time it rains or snows.
                            © 1994 by Charles Ghigna

Anyway, here are my two offerings, for what their worth (one is simple; the other is silly).

~~~~~~~ I was thinking about the Lord's tender mercies and came up with this:

I know the Lord is mindful of me,
And it makes me happy as can be.
                             © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

~~~~~~~ then, in a moment of frustration, I thought a little on "getting one's nose out of joint" and came up with this:

Writing this little assignment
Puts my nose out of alignment.
                               © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

Did you think of a couplet? Just look around and think on an object, or an emotion and give it a shot!!

Enjoy!!

Do you like free books?

2011-03-29T09:59:00.001-07:00

My good friend and prolific writer of YA novels is celebrating her soon-to-be-released book, My Unfair Godmother, a sequel to My Fair Godmother. It is coming out in April and she is giving away books every day, but you have to read all about it at HER blog: Janette Rallison's blog ~ so head on over there and follow the rules and you just might find yourself with some free books!! (Oh, and tell her Stephanie sent you)!! Enjoy! She's one of my favorite authors. Her books are DELIGHTFUL!! (and FUNNY)!

Book Review - The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery

2011-02-20T08:40:00.003-07:00

The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery
by Roger Stark, Silver Star Publishing, 192 pages, $19.95

This is a fabulous book!! No matter what habits or addictions steal your time and/or your happiness, you can find the tools in this book to be extremely useful. I'll post my more detailed review for my regular Book Review blog once I get permission from MormonTimes.com ~ in the meantime, you can follow the link and read it there. Then I would love it if you came back here and left a comment and then followed the last link to Deseret News where you can leave comments and leave one there as well. Thanks so much!!

Roger Stark's own journey of recovery gave him the desire to become an addiction counselor. Now he shows others the way to healing through one-on-one counseling, at recovery retreats and in his new book, "The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery." Read the Complete Book Review at MormonTimes.com

Please try to come back for this link in order to leave comments that the editors at Deseret News would see: Deseret News.com book review/comment link/The Waterfall Concept

Check out the first 5 chapters of a fabulous new book!!

2010-12-21T10:00:00.001-07:00

Laurie has generously posted the first five chapters of Oh, Say Can You See? at the link below. Even though this wonderful book is part of a series, you can enjoy it as a "stand-alone" historical novel as well.

This will give you a taste before you buy it!
Read the first 5 chapters here
Watch the book trailer here:

Oh Say Can You See? BLOG TOUR DETOUR!!

2010-12-17T06:00:00.001-07:00

Today I was scheduled to post a review of L.C. Lewis' new book, Oh Say Can You See? (a stand alone historical novel, as well as the 4th in her series Free Men and Dreamers). However, life sometimes has other plans. I'll spare you details (everyone is fine, just got an unexpected monkey wrench thrown at me) but I won't be posting that review today - Laurie Lewis graciously suggested I post it later so check back BUT in the meantime, you should just buy the book anyway - in time for Christmas - because it's fabulous!

You may or may not know that I am actually starting another blog dedicated to book reviews and author interviews.Stephanie's Book Reviews & Author Interviews ~ and that's where I'll be posting future book reviews - I may continue to post some here until people get used to going to the other one. I will definitely post my review of Oh Say Can You See? as soon as I can here as some people are being directed to this blog as part of the tour. Thanks for your patience. :)

You can also expect a review on The Waterfall Concept soon - am waiting to find out about "First Rights" to another place that will be publishing my review before I can proceed. So, guess most ventures start out with a few surprises, but stay tuned, I have lots to share with you ... soon. Become a follower!! Thanks and I'll "see" ya' later.

"The Sharp Edge of the Knife" - author contest

2010-11-13T06:49:00.003-07:00

Hey, everyone ~ thought you might like to know that one of my author friends, Nichole Giles, a.k.a. D.N. Giles, is having a contest on her blog: http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com/ ~ Just go and read about her new book, "The Sharp Edge of a Knife" - based on the true story of a Good Samaritan who gets kidnapped, follow the instructions and you will get entered in her contest. Good Luck!

You can read the first chapter online for free - once you do, you'll want to read the rest. I was fascinated to read the interview she gave and realize that it was her grandfather who was kidnapped at knife-point - but I'll let you go to her blog and see for yourself. Be sure to read the rules on her blog on how you can enter her contest. I love author contests - I've gotten several free books and other cool prizes that way. Have fun!

A Higher Way

2010-11-05T22:18:00.005-07:00

According to Wikipedia (such as it is, but this is a pretty good definition), “‘Social issues’ are matters which directly or indirectly affect a person or many members of a society and are considered to be problems, controversies related to moral values, or both.” The list of hot topics in today’s society runs rampant: health care, abortion, human rights, immigration, the homeless, unemployment, bankruptcy, loss of homes, welfare, business and trade scandals, terrorism, pornography, drugs, sexual preferences, child abuse, and addictions, just to name some of them.

Look up the word “social” in the dictionary and the first definition says, “pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations.” Next, search for “issue” and you will find over thirty definitions but the one that most closely fits the bill for this topic seems to be, “a point, matter, or dispute, the decision of which is of special or public importance.” The funny thing is most “social issues” are not friendly and too many people act as if only their view of the matter is the one that is important.

It may be surprising to learn the “social issue” that is of importance to me. I yearn for tolerance, empathy and understanding. I can’t think of a single person whose mind was changed by listening to the mud-slinging political ads, watching debates, or reading op-ed pieces in the newspaper, online, on FaceBook or their friends’ blogs. No one I know changed their vote as a result of the constant barrage of recorded phone messages or any other method people used to try to get their point across during the recent elections. Why can’t we all just get along?

We will never totally agree with each other because we all bring different life experiences, perspectives, upbringings, and religious or other persuasions to the table. But do we really have to agree in order to live harmoniously with one another? Surely there is another way. Clearly, force and/or belittlement are not working. Why not try understanding each other?

I think it is a glorious thing that we are all different. How boring it would be if we really did all think alike. None of us look alike, but should we be treated differently because of that? Hopefully, we have come far enough for people to say, “No.” How about if we have different abilities, interests, skills, intelligence, opportunities, education and socio-economic levels? What if we see different ways of accomplishing the same goals? Is one way inherently better than another? Not in my opinion. Why aren’t we embracing and celebrating our differences? How else will we ever learn about different cultures, religions, ethnic foods and traditions and new ways of doing things if we do not allow people to practice them and to share it with us?

I really like this recent quote by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, among many other titles: “Election results in the U.S. show a lot of losers and a lot of winners. However, what we really need is win-win thinking, empathic listening for understanding and seeking mutual respect and benefits, which will lead to synergy. Synergy means ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.’ Synergy produces 3rd Alternatives, ‘not your way or my way but a new or higher way.’"

A higher way, one, that respects each other regardless of our politics, our religion or lack of it, our education, our experiences and our cherished opinions. Now, more than ever, shouldn’t we be seeking first to understand and then to make ourselves understood? Shouldn’t we pool our collective thoughts and expertise and come up with solutions that work for every citizen? I think it’s time we put “united” back into the United States of America and worked together for our common good.

What a difference a YEAR makes!!

2010-10-10T11:54:00.007-07:00

YIKES!!

It's been almost a year since loquacious, always-has-something-to-say Stephanie Abney posted anything on her blog, well, MY blog - that sounded weird. Well, it's been a weird year so no biggie.

Things I never wrote about this year (in a nutshell - a "Stephanie-sized" nutshell):

~ I finished off a wonderful, stressful, lack of sleep, and frequently ill year of teaching 4th grade at ALA (American Leadership Academy) - last day was June 2nd. (LOVED, LOVED, LOVED my students and working directly with Theresa Sneed, the other 4th grade teacher and all of the staff at ALA).

~ During Spring Break (in March) this year I went to Guadalajara, Mexico for a week to visit Kaci and Adam and the grandkids because Adam is a student at the medical school there (just finishing up his 1st year - SO PROUD of him)!!

~ We went to a fun Family Reunion in California near San Diego around the 1st of July - had a blast - Matt's family, Kaci's family and Mandy's family made it - rest of our family couldn't come due to conflicting reunions on other sides of the family and such.

~ Adam flew home to go to school after HIS family reunion, which was on the heels of OUR family reunion, also in CA and Kaci and the kids stayed with us for the rest of the summer through most of September ~ SO GREAT TO HAVE HER AND THE GRANDCHILDREN HERE. We miss them! (Adam flew back to AZ on Sept. 23rd, his sister got married Friday, Sept. 24th, and the following day - they all drove back to Mexico).

~ Went to a 3 day writer's retreat in July at Christopher Creek, AZ (PERFECT).

~ I thought I figured out my health issues - after some research, it LOOKED like I might have Celiac Disease (I missed 21 days of school during the 2009-2010 school year). I seemed to have all of the symptoms so I took it upon myself to start eating "gluten-free" and things were much improved. When I got an appointment with a GI doc, and got blood tests and scoped "coming and going" (endoscopy and colonoscopy), it turns out I do NOT have Celiac. Go figure. Doc says I obviously do better on gluten-free (he said I have carbohydrate issues/sensitivities) and maybe a hint of Chron's disease but to just eat gluten-free and check back in 5 years. Hmm. Okay. I REALLY love this doc so I followed that, still got sick, just not as often and not as severe, which led me to further research and I landed on the SCD eating plan (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) and I'm just starting out on that one - will have updates as they occur. Hope this is the answer. Looks good.

~ I changed grade levels and moved up to Middle School and when the new school year started (still at ALA) I was teaching 2 classes of 8th grade English, 2 Creative Writing classes, 1 Drama class, and 1 Journalism class ~ very soon the demand for Drama was so high that we changed one of the Creative Writing classes to Drama so then I had TWO drama classes. All I can say is, "Oh, wow." Fun times, for sure!!!

BUT THEN:
~ I was considering going part time after the 1st quarter ended in order to get a better handle on my health when I discovered the SCD plan shortly before the end of the 1st quarter. I knew I needed to really focus on it and my health in general, plus I still need to take a few classes to complete my certification, etc and it came to me that I should just take a "leave of absence" and get everything taken care of and return NEXT school year, healthy and ready to go!! And ... that is what I did. (With the blessing and understanding of ALA school director, Paul Sinclair). PLUS, by the time I come back - the new school buildings should be all finished!!! :)

~ My students were so sweet and cute with all the notes they plastered all over my whiteboard and that they gave to me at the end of the 1st quarter last week. I will miss them and teaching terribly, but I know for a fact that this was the correct decision for me.

So, that's my "nutshell" version of the past year. Now that I'm not teaching, I plan to keep up with my blog MUCH better and it should prove interesting with all the dietary things I'm trying - NO wheat, NO sugar, NO corn, NO rice, NO potatoes (that's the worst), NO to a bunch of stuff (very little dairy and quite specific about it MUST be homemade 24 hour yogurt, most hard cheeses are okay and YAY ~ butter is on the list). I'm actually surprised at how good some of the recipes look; there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meats, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, etc. You just have to start out very bland with just a few things and slowly add the allowable items back in and watch for reactions. Most people can handle all of the "legal" foods but NO to all the NO's in this paragraph. So, we shall see.

OKAY, I'm actually done! Glad to be back posting - love to all my amazing family members and friends. Talk to you later!! :)

BOOK REVIEW: An Angel on Main Street

2009-11-27T12:31:00.009-07:00

If you add only one Christmas book to your collection this year, you need to add An Angel on Main Street by Kathi Oram Peterson. If you know anything about me, you know I have a bazillion books, poems, stories and movies about Christmas. I love a good Christmas story and this one really fits the bill. It is such a pleasurable and satisfying read.

I was instantly drawn into the story with Kathi's delightful first-person narrative told from the viewpoint of schoolboy, Micah Connors. He and his widowed mother and his little sister moved to Bolton, Idaho to get a fresh start. Micah promised to behave and as the “head of the house” since his father died in the Korean War, he desperately wants to help out and please his mother. However, a series of circumstantial events has him constantly in the path of the Sheriff, Garth Anderson.

Micah is suspicious of the Sheriff’s interest in his family. He is also preoccupied trying to uncover the secret of the mysterious wooden structure that suddenly appeared in the center of town. Micah thinks it looks like a stable and his little sister, Annie, who is very ill, thinks it holds the key to a miracle that could make her well again. She is sure angels are building it, but Micah gave up on angels and help from his Heavenly Father long ago. Each day Annie grows worse and each day the town awakens to a new addition; animals, shepherds and more. A few days before Christmas Micah has convinced himself if he can discover the baby Jesus before He is placed in the manger and bring Him to Annie to hold, she will not die. It’s up to him. Little does he know the many hands that are waiting to assist him in his quest. Yes, there must be an angel on Main Street.

Congratulations to Kathi Oram Peterson for crafting such a delightful story. I couldn’t put it down. You can view a trailer of her book on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrKWOhKY9k

You can purchase this wonderful Christmas story at: Seagull Book - do a search by title

It’s time to turn on the Christmas music, break out the hot cocoa and settle down with a good book. I suggest An Angel on Main Street! Enjoy!!

TODAY IS THANKSGIVING!!

2009-11-26T10:35:00.001-07:00

I thought I’d share some thoughts (random though they may be) and hopefully some of what I say will add to your celebration.

On October 3, 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day "of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father." Here is an excerpt from the text of Lincoln's proclamation … after listing some of the blessings the nation had received, Pres. Lincoln said:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

What prompted President Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving Day as a permanent national holiday? In the 1800’s only a few states celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Sarah Hale, a strong-willed widow, A WRITER, no less, believed that Thanksgiving was a very important holiday. She thought the whole country should celebrate it on the same day. Sarah felt such a holiday would help unify our nation. She began writing letters to the President of the United States. In each letter she would plead her case and ask the president to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Sarah wrote to President Taylor. He said no. Next, she wrote to President Fillmore. He also said no. Then she wrote to President Pierce and after him, she wrote to President Buchannan. Like those before him, he also told Sarah no. Finally, after 17 years and thousands of letters, Sarah wrote to President Lincoln. He agreed with her and on October 3, 1863, President Lincoln declared that the fourth Thursday of November would be Thanksgiving Day and thus a national holiday of gratitude was born.

On Tuesday, my class led our school’s morning ceremony. They did a great job and the entire class recited an adorable Thanksgiving poem in unison. It’s one that my daughter, Shannon, now 37, memorized in the first grade and I have loved it ever since. For your pleasure, I share it with you now:

Thanksgiving Poem

There lay upon the table
A turkey big and round
But when it was time to cook it,
It was nowhere to be found.

They all looked in the kitchen
And in the pantry well.
They asked Kate if she'd seen it
And John and Anna Bell.

Even tiny Mary,
They asked her if she knew,
Where the missing turkey was.
She said, "Of course I do.

Poor turkey wasn't feeling well
Because he lost his head.
So I put my nightie on him
And tucked him in my bed."

---Anonymous

I hope you all have loved ones to share this special day with. We will be gathered together with many extended family members for a wonderful lunch, prepared by all who attend. Then in the evening some of our family members are bringing and serving Thanksgiving dinner to the families that reside at the Ronald McDonald House near Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

May you have a blessed day!

Precious Little Brian Hunter Carlson has arrived!!!

2009-11-22T02:20:00.008-07:00

Taylor & Payton cannot get enough of their new little brother!! So sweet.

Brian (named after his uncle B.J.) weighed 9 lbs. 2.6 oz and was 22 inches long. He is so wonderful. Other news is that Adam has been accepted into Medical School and so they will be moving in January. (Happy for him – sad to say good-bye to their family for even a short time).

Life is so crazy busy that I haven’t written on this blog since September? HOW did that happen? School is great (but I’m constantly involved in it … just ask my family). I’m grateful to have such a supportive and sweet man-servant, I mean, husband (LOL). He frequently has dinner on the table when I get home because I have been putting in such long hours. By the way, JIM is the one who called himself a "man-servant." What would I do without him? He's such a keeper!! Love him more every day.

Well, just wanted to post about Brian. Got to run. Hope everyone is well and happy. Love and Blessings to all!!!! :)

Jessica Drew photographed our sweet little Brian when he was just 13 days old and you can see his pictures at: http://jessicadrewphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/newborn-pics-so-cute.html ~ she is a remarkable photographer.

Today is "Constitution Day"

2009-09-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

On September 17, 1787, thirty-nine of the some of the bravest men the world has seen signed the U.S. Constitution and forever changed the course of history. I will be eternally grateful for their courage, foresight and their spiritual wisdom.

After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Alexander Hamilton said, "For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests."

There is no doubt the Lord had a hand in the establishment of the Constitution in order to create a country and a government that would be the rich soil for the restoration of His gospel.

These great men, and their wives and their children, paid a tremendous price to give us the liberties that we have enjoyed for so many years. It behooves us each to study the Constitution and live accordingly. May we be worthy of our blessings.

God Bless America!!!

Why Do I Do What I Do When I Know What I Know??

2009-09-03T21:07:00.002-07:00

Yesterday our class went on a marvelous field trip to the Halle Heart Center Children's Museum in Tempe, AZ. It was truly excellent. For two hours we went from station to station and learned all kinds of things (most I already knew, of course... but I learned a few new things myself). The students learned all kinds of new things. For instance, did you know that a Blue Whale's heart is the size of a VW Bug and that it weighs up to 2,000 pounds?!?

Then there was the visit to the "supermarket" where shopping carts held pretend food boxes, etc. and the kids had to read the labels to choose a good meal... and then the "fast food" stop where we sat at tables (WITHOUT anything to eat) and the guide showed us these disgusting little vials of fat for each of the fast food items. Yummy... ick!

And so went the day. I couldn't help but think I need to do better. Calling myself "fluffy" may get a chuckle or two, but it doesn't add to my lifespan or my energy.

Even so, I was thinking the whole time how good a Hershey's bar would taste about then... go figure.

Shannon's little one has arrived!!

2009-08-20T22:49:00.004-07:00

It seems like it's been forever since I posted anything on my blog ~ school has kept me so busy, but little babies wait for no one... This is Sophia Emily Shifflet, (our oldest daughter's 5th child) born just three days (+ a few hours) ago. She is our 15th grandchild and she is PERFECT!!! The doctor's worried she would come early or that there might be complications, etc. But she made it to 38 1/2 weeks (at a healthy 8 lbs. 10 oz; 20 in. long) and she is beautiful and alert.

This picture was taken when she was less than 48 hours old.There is something about newborns that is utterly fascinating. They seem to peer right into your heart. And then they look right past you as if they SEE someone beyond you and my guess is that they do!! I'm sure it is because they are so fresh from their Heavenly Father. If they could speak to us in words, can you even imagine what they might have to say?

One of my favorite songs is a sweet little ballad by Barbra Streisand called, "Jenny Rebecca." I don't know if anyone else is familiar with it (she sang it over 40 years ago) but the lyrics are so tender. I can just picture a pretty little girl doing all the things the song speaks of... just for fun, I thought I would share it with you here. I'm sorry that I don't know who wrote it (I looked online but couldn't find it ~ feel free to enlighten me):

Jenny Rebecca, four days old
How do you like the world so far?
Jenny Rebecca, four days old
What a lucky, lucky, lucky
Lucky girl you are
For you have swings to be swung on
Trees to be climbed up
Days to be young on
Toys you can wind up
Grass to be lying on
Sun up above
Pillows for crying on
When you're in love
Ponies for riding
Wind in your hair
Slides to be sliding on
Leaves in the air
Dogs to be caring for
Love to be giving
Dreams to be daring for
Long as you're living
Yes, you have
Dreams to be daring for
Long as you're living
Jenny Rebecca, four days old
What a lucky, lucky, lucky
Lucky girl you are...

My precious little Sophia Emily, how do you like the world so far?

“Home” is knowing your way around

2009-07-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

I am away from “home” as I write this. I am at my sister’s house in Southern Utah surrounded by red rock and looking over a magnificient view of the valley. I’m very comfortable in my sister’s home. I know where everything is and how she likes things done. I came to help her out for about a week because she just had surgery. I spent 14 hours at the hospital yesterday; first in the waiting area and later in Camille’s hospital room.

Being in the hospital brought back many memories of all the days and even weeks I spent at Phoenix Children’s Hospital with BJ during the years of his illness. We never left him alone there for more than the 30 minutes it might take me to shower or go get something to eat. If I needed a longer break, someone would come and spell me. I even slept in his room in a chair that was supposed to turn into a comfortable bed (it wasn’t). I became very familiar with the hospital during those times. I knew the best floor to find a shower room available, the back stairs down to the cafeteria, where the treats were that I was free to go and get for my son, which floor had what kinds of patients and I was well known among the nurses and staff. I often had people bring me veggies that I would steam in the microwave and managed to create delicious and aromatic meals. We had a stack of movies and games and spent hours together, when BJ was up to it. Other times I would read. BJ’s engaging personality had a stream of visitors and staff members in his room most of the time. Being there for extended periods strangely evolved into a feeling of “family.” It even became our “home away from home.” I knew my way around the hospital only too well.

Other places over the years have been our “home away from home.” When our children were young we used to go camping at a family reunion for nearly a week each summer. The tents were set up, cooking and eating places created and sleeping bags were unrolled. I even went so far as to create an enclosed stall out of PVC pipes and shower curtains for our porta-potty. We had it down to a routine. We knew how it worked and nestled into our temporary “home.”

A delightful “home” was created in a small cabin on a cruise ship when Jim and I discovered the Mexican Rivera for eight days. Our belongings were unpacked, meal schedules memorized and it wasn’t long before we had a routine going. For eight glorious days we knew our way around that ship; it was ‘home.”

Visiting family, traveling, even being diplaced for unexpected emergencies, it is human nature to nest, to figure out how things work wherever we are and to settle in. This is why I titled my blog, “Home is knowing your way around.” Once we are close enough to a situation or a location to know our way around, we become more at ease and start to “feel at home.” There is much truth in the familiar sayings, “Home is where the heart is,” or “Home is where you hang your hat.” I think any place where we feel welcomed, comfortable and can learn our way around begins to feel like “home.”

This brings me to my final thought: I hope and pray that when the time comes that I really go home, to that Father who created me, that somehow I will have done enough. My motives are pure, but there is so much that I never seem to get to … I only hope that whatever I have managed to accomplish, it will be sufficient to have the Savior, in His mercy, take me in His open arms and say, “Welcome Home.” And I pray also, that I will know my way around well enough to know that I have finally come home.

The Gift of Time

2009-06-25T09:05:00.007-07:00

Today is my only sister’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAMILLE!! It is also my grandson’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIAS!! They are decades apart but it has made me think about how birthdays come and birthdays go. What have we done with all the days in between our own birthdays?

Sunday is the birthday of one of my dear friends (Margaret) but they are going out of town this weekend. So today, one of Margaret’s daughters has set up a schedule of birthday visits unbeknownst to her. Brittany privately emailed all of her mom’s friends who live in the area and asked them to sign up for 30 minute blocks throughout the entire day to stop by and visit Margaret to celebrate her birthday. I’m curious to find out how Brittany made plans to keep her mom home as Margaret works outside of the home. (I’m guessing she made some sort of prearrangement with her mom’s boss) and the friends start coming first thing in the morning so Margaret will be up and ready for the day but she’s never going to make it to work. :)

Margaret and I are both busy moms and grandmas. We seldom find time to just visit anymore. Usually, a quick exchange at church and an occasional phone call have to suffice. However, when one or the other of us is really needed, we are there. When BJ had leukemia, Margaret made sure to stop by as often as she could and when he passed away, she was there helping non-stop, giving comfort, cleaning, even taking cherished pictures the day of the funeral. When her 2-year-old grandson died unexpectedly, we went right over to her house to be with them and offer comfort. We have also been to temple weddings of each others’ children, been over to hear mission calls read and attended Eagle Courts of Honor. We are the kind of friends who know we love each other even when we never seem to be able to get together during a normal week or even month (or two or three).

Today, I am going to have 30 minutes of my friend’s undivided attention. We can catch up on each other’s lives, share memories, tell funny grandchildren stories, laugh, hug, cry… whatever. I have decided that what Brittany has given her mother is the gift of time. Could there possibly be a better gift? And one that can be shared with so many?

I recall reading a book by Linda Eyre when I was a young mom and one year her husband gave her “Wednesdays for a year” for her birthday. He was able to arrange his schedule to be home on Wednesdays and he took full charge of the children and the house all day Wednesday. She was free to write, soak in the tub, leave the house and go visiting, to the movies, to the library, to the temple, whatever her heart desired. It was a remarkable, restorative gift.

I’m thinking Heavenly Father has also given us the gift of time. When we left his presence in the pre-existence, we were given an allotted amount of time to fulfill our earthly mission. We don’t always know exactly what that mission is (as I am sure we have many “missions” and they grow and change as our life and our service does the same) and we certainly don’t know how much time He has given us, but it is a splendid gift. Sadly, I have too many regrets on how I have squandered my time on unimportant things, usually justifying it as needed “downtime.” And we do all need some downtime, but after having recently taken Stephen R. Covey’s course on “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” I’ve been reflecting on how I use my time more than usual. I see the need for some course corrections, to be sure. I also try not to be too hard on myself as that can be counterproductive. However, the simplest change here and there, over time, can achieve the grandest results. We are taught “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little, giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!”

My hope for myself and all those reading this is that we can make even a few productive changes that will allow us to make better use of and thus have far better results with that most precious gift, the gift of time.

I Want to Dance with a Boy!!

2009-06-12T04:04:00.011-07:00

I've been meaning to write this up for some time... I finally did and I think you will enjoy it:

Our precious and precocious granddaughter, Taylor (Kaci’s daughter), is a constant source of many funny and delightful experiences and comments. At the tender age of 3 (she turned 4 in April) she attended her first “Ball”… it was the “Colonial Ball” held at my school in February of this year. She even wore her “princess dress.”

On the way to the dance, Taylor made it very clear to us that it was her wish to “dance with a boy.” We told her she could dance with grandpa but no, she wanted to “dance with a boy.” Her mind was made up.

Taylor’s eyes lit up with excitement as we entered the school’s multipurpose room that had been transformed for the night. She was impatient about getting her dance so I found a very fine young man, about 14 years old (we are a K-12 campus) and asked him if he would dance with my granddaughter. He was so sweet. He smiled, squatted down to her level, spoke to her for a moment, took her hand and escorted her to the dance floor. Holding both of her hands, they swayed back and forth in some fashion of a two step and then he turned her around a couple of times. Before the song was over, she walked away and came over to where Jim and I were sitting, “Grandma, I need a smaller boy.”

I found one of my students, a very handsome 7-year-old named William. I introduced him to Taylor, informing him that this was my granddaughter and she wanted to dance. He said, “Ok,” and they were off to the dance floor. Taylor smiled from ear to ear as she danced with her “prince.”

She made many friends that night and had a marvelous time. When the Hokey Pokey began, she watched from the sidelines with us. It looked like too much fun to just stand there so she simply joined the others, squeezed into an available spot and began to copy the actions of the other dancers.

Taylor may be young, but she is fearless, determined, bright and she intends to get what she’s after. She knew exactly what she wanted before she ever entered the dance. When what I offered her was not what she wanted, she clearly made it known what she needed, “a smaller boy.” She’s no wall-flower and I pray her attitude never changes.

There is much we can all learn from Taylor: Know what you want and have a clear mission statement about it: “I want to dance with a boy.” Don’t quit until you get what you want, even if it means making adjustments (“a smaller boy”). Don’t stand on the sidelines of life, walk right over to where the action is … and dance!

Having Our Say at an EARLY AGE

2009-06-09T06:14:00.001-07:00

Too adorable... enjoy!