Thursday, August 1, 2019

Poetry Friday - Swapping Surprises

                This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Heidi Mordhorst at her blog, My Juicy Little Universe. She's sharing a new poetry form, a 'definito', some examples she wrote and a few others, too. Be sure to check the post out, to discover what you can write next!

         On Wednesday, I shared Laura Purdie Salas' new poetry book, Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle. If you don't know it, take a look, then go find a copy next month! It's a must-have for autumn.
                 Summer swapping, all thanks to Tabatha Yeatts, fills my mailbox with more than ads, more than catalogs, more than things that often land in my recycle bin. Delightful surprises arrive in a "package", rarely found in that box. This time I want to thank Carol Varsalona for the goodies sent from eastern New York to Colorado.


Carol sent things for –



             savoring the thoughtful collection, created from my own Captiva Island photos, packaged in a beautiful envelope. . .




















          writing, while loving the driftwood and shell from Carol's own ocean jaunts. . .




         reading the poem that, with the picture, capture a special memory, my grandchildren looking out at the sunset standing in the surf

            using in my favorite past-time of reading, smiling at the thoughtful gift that will touch me every day

for Carol 

Thank you for gifts in my hand.
Pictures bring back sifting sand.
Heart to heart, mail sent through air–
a package full of loving care.

27 comments:

  1. I recognise the picture... and the filter. So you-two! A lovely gift. (Methinks I'd better not take a leaf from Carol's book and send flora/fauna/shells in a poetry swap package. Though I do love the idea!)

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    1. Often all we have to go on are the blogs & social media, so repeating can happen! Thanks, Kat, Carol's gift was a lovely surprise.

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  2. Such a nice package to receive! It's like a hug via mail. Perfect Poetry Friday post.

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  3. Lovely! It is such a thoughtful collection. I have enjoyed seeing all the swaps and taking part for the first time. I agree with Linda--it is like a hug in the mail.

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  4. Yes, I love getting this kind of mail, makes the days very bright! Thanks, Linda and Kay!

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  5. Oh you crafty people! Makes the poem-swap so much more than a poem, doesn't it! And since we already know each other, it's not stalkery at all, right? : ) I love the sunglasses bookmark and little feet in the surf.

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  6. "A package full of loving care" says it all. I love how Carol used the image of yours to create a poem for you.

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  7. Thanks much for loving my gifts from Carol, Heidi, Margaret, Vicki, Mary Lee, & Liz. The swap makes summer even more special and I am grateful to my 'swapees' & to Tabatha who keeps us all organized & going!

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  8. Linda, I had so much fun creating a swap for you and carefully packaging it for its long-distance travel. Since we share the same love for the ocean, sand-between-our-toes' life, and grandchildren love, we make soulful swapees. May our paths cross in a face-to-face context someday soon. Thanks to all our PF friends who visited your site and commented. Swapping hugs are being sent to you.

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    1. Linda, your poem at the end makes for a loving memory coming back to me. Thank you for brightening my long day.

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    2. Thanks again Carol for all the sweet surprises & for those hugs!

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    3. I am back from my mini-trip to the State Ed Conference and visits to family. It is so much fun to enjoy creating our swaps.

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  9. What a scrumptious post filled with all of these Summer Poem Swap sandy textures of loving care, enjoy! Thanks also for the link and rich review of Laura's new book, "Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle…" So many interesting facts between the pages, like how a hummingbird doubles in size before it flies off to it's winter home–fascinating!

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    1. Glad that you read about Laura's book, Michelle. It is a special book. And yes, my swap surprises are wonderful. Thank you!

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  10. Oh my goodness--what an amazing gift from Carol, and I love your thank you poem. These swaps are the kind of thing I wish I was creative enough for. But I'm not. And then when I tried one, my poem for Irene got torn up en route. :>( Glad I can enjoy these swaps vicariously, though! (And thanks for mentioning SNACK, SNOOZE again. So much appreciation for sharing!)

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    1. I imagine you would be wonderful in the swapping, Laura, but also know you're very busy. It is fun for sure! It was my pleasure to give another shout-out for Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle! Thanks!

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  11. I am forced to save up my poem gifts until AFTER Aug. 9. I couldn't foresee - or didn't want to - how time, distance, energy and emotion would be impacted by the sale of this house, the renovation of two other homes (one our summer place and the other our son's). Add to that a few other life changes. I am looking forward to some peace and quiet and maybe renovating myself - along with writing again.
    REGARDLESS - this swap from Carol is so, so special! Every bit has a thoughtful touch of you! What a sweet exchange.

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    1. You're in my thoughts, Donna. I've been in such a place of turmoil & among all of it, how hard to say goodbye to a beloved home, & for you, place. My move was not easy, but good in other ways, especially being much closer to Sarah & family. I'm glad that you are doing the swap, will love it when you do share. I remember and still have the puzzle you sent me! Thanks, and enjoy your Sunday as you can.

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  12. So special, Linda. LOVE Carol's personal touch! Even the non-poem items, the driftwood and shell, are packaged like poems. And the last two lines of your thank you poem sum up beautifully.

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  13. Carol's poem and other gifts are treasures indeed. I love the watercolor image and poem with your grandchildren. Thank you for sharing your "package full of loving care" with us, Linda!

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    1. You're welcome, Catherine. It's lots of fun to receive these gifts.

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  14. Thanks to all our Poetry Friday friends for enjoying the swap to Linda and from Linda at my post. Linda, your poem is so lovely that I am sharing in the Embraceable Summer Gallery collection.

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