Saturday, March 10, 2018

Celebrating "Flakes of Light"




      Celebrating today with Ruth Ayres and others who share. 

         I just finished reading posts for Poetry Friday, and need to share a part of one post with all of you. This excerpt from a shared poem connects to our celebrations, a new-to-me way of collecting beauty from our daily lives.


If a man in China can keep ten thousand dollars' worth
of caterpillars in a metal box underneath his bed
for medicine, then I want to collect flakes of light
for those winter months where we go a whole week

without seeing a slice of sun.  The light I want to collect
is free.  Can't be sold as a cure for muscle ache
or to ward off evil eye.  I write this in August.  It should be
illegal to talk about snow in Western New York now.

from The Light I Collect by Aimee Nezhukumatathil 





         My 'flakes of light' brighten my world.

Spending time

— with Imogene, and having her read to me. She's just beginning and is having a wonderful time looking at all the books she's loved before, but now, can read them herself!

— with Ingrid, sewing pillows for Imogene and herself. She's learning all about the sewing machine, how to fill a bobbin, thread the machine, push on the pedal just enough. She has been hand-sewing for a few years, now is making the tiniest stitches.

 reading. There are so many wonderful books, new and old. I just re-read To Kill A Mockingbird. It is still one that both warms and breaks your heart.

 noticing! Remember that I have a garden that grows "outside" my own fence, the one where I madly fight the bindweed?  Also, I continue to share that we need rain or snow, are so, so dry. It's a season of "brown". But a day or so ago I looked out at this garden, and some of the bushes have grown green sprouts, a beautiful green topping!

 fixing! My front door latch stopped working. I swabbed a little WD-40 into it, and it can now open again!

— writing! For a friend's birthday celebration, I joined her February challenge in a closed FB group and wrote a poem a day. From the warm-up to the wind-down, that meant 43 poems! It is a habit to write every day, but not always a poem. I'm pleased that I did it!

       I'm wishing you your own discoveries of "flakes of light" this week!  

photo credit: Alexey Kljatov (ChaoticMind75) Snowflake macro: ice dust via photopin (license)

16 comments:

  1. What beautiful light with Imogene and Ingrid! Rereading favorites- I’ve been doing that, too. It started with Wrinkle in Time (going to the movie with teacher- friends today) and has continued with Pictures of Hollis Woods and then Love that Dog. Next Hate that Cat and Walk Two Moons.
    But one that really stood out- fixing! I know how that feels. It makes you feel so strong, just fixing a simple household problem by yourself.

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    1. I've had A Wrinkle In Time sitting, waiting, hoping soon! I do want to re-read before seeing the movie. I hope you like it, Diane! Yes, that fixing makes me proud. I can do some things without calling someone to help! Thanks, hope you have a lovely day!

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  2. What a great connection from finding a beautiful poem and connecting it to your flakes of light. All your favorites are highlighted in a celebratory way, Linda. Enjoy all the flakes that come your way and stay warm. It is so cold here but the sun is shining so I celebrate.

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    1. It's a little cooler today, but still near 60. We have clouds swirling, but no rain as they thought "might" happen. Yes, still I have flakes of light to count on. Thanks, Carol!

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  3. Flakes of light - wonderful image! Thanks for sharing your lovely flakes with us each week. Kudos to you for writing a poem for 43 days! That's quite an accomplishment. I would love to send some rain your way. We're having sun for the next three days and temps in the 60s on Sunday and Monday before our rain returns.

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    1. I know about your rain, wishing we could share for sure! Hope your visit with Teddy has been fabulous, though I imagine you're a bit tired about now. Thanks, Ramona.

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  4. We all need flakes of light in our world. Your world is full of light when you get to spend time with those precious granddaughters. My world lights up when I can see my granddaughters.

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    1. I know that it does, Elsie, I wish you were closer as I wish about Carter. Happy times! Thanks!

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  5. I am glad we have this Saturday meeting place at Ruth's. Sharing celebrations is a party.

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    1. It is a party, you're right, so great to connect each week, Terje. Thanks!

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  6. I love your images of flakes of light-it is a lovely way to look at celebrations. And congratulations for writing so many poems! What an amazing accomplishment.

    I am always amazed at how my insights have changed when I reread something-it usually makes me love a book even more.

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    1. Yes, I agree. Re-reading and contemplating a book at different times in one's life means something very different, too. I've read a number of people who have different views of A Wrinkle In Time recently. I still need to read it, but wonder if it is a magical book that holds that magic only in the first reading? I guess I'll see! Thanks, Trina!

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  7. What a wonderful collection of light flakes. It reminds me of the glittery light at the end of the movie A Wrinkle in Time. Light is surely a blessing that cheers the heart.

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    1. Oh, I'm really looking forward to seeing A Wrinkle In Time. Yes, it is a blessing! Thanks, Crystal!

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  8. What a lovely post. I wish you a good week and look forward to next Poetry Friday here with you.

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  9. What a beautiful post and concept. We need those "flakes" to provide hope and solace in the dark times.

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