The Last Poem: Autobiographia

Today is the last day once again that I celebrate National Poetry Month on my blog. I have shared new poems, old poems, and a few favorites once agai…

This House: Memories of Autie Lila's on Michigan Avenue

When I returned to Orofino, Idaho last week for the funeral of my aunt I spent time walking inside and outside her house. Looking out the kitchen w…

Verse for A Certain Dog

This poem could have been written for all our canine friends, past and present. Here is Annie "singing" to Shelby. Verse For a Certain Dog  b…

A Place Called Home

A Place Called Home I’m from A logging truck hauling along the rutted road sun peaking over the eastern mountain. I’m from baby starlings squawking for …

Tulips

I love Mark Halperin's poem about tulips. Tulips May our failed hopes rise like tulips Out of the cold ground, And, when we look around, There our sat…

The Peace of Wild Things

Yes Mr. Berry, there is peace with the wild things. The Peace of Wild Things  When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the le…

Judith Viorst's Happiness

We examine, experience, lose, question, discuss, dismiss, search for, and relish happiness. Judith Viorst reconsidered it with new eyes.  Happiness (R…

Snake River

After traveling along the Snake River today I was inspired by this poem. Snake River By Jeanne Huff Just one look Take one look - There are wonders her…

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Remembering Auntie Lila... Nothing Gold Can Stay by  Robert Frost Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; …

When We Come Together As Family

The poem below reminded me of how true this is when family hasn't been together for awhile. The line I love is "it pulls around us like a d…

Grace

We always have so much to be thankful for. Here is Grace. Grace by Rafael Jesus Gonzalez Thanks & blessings be to the Sun & the Earth for this br…

Fresh View: Extreme Tree Makeover

My husband decided he was tired of the pine cones and pine needles from a few big pines behind our house.  They also blocked the view. One by one he h…

Woman Who Loves Gardening: An Original Poem

A few years ago I was at a workshop with a writer. This poem was the result of an exercise she did. I am truly the woman who loves gardening. Woman Wh…
I love Ted Kooser. Memory by Ted Kooser Spinning up dust and cornshucks as it crossed the chalky, exhausted fields, it sucked up into its heart hot wor…

The Women in My Family: To Be of Use

For many days I have reflected on the inspiration and strength I have gained from the women in my family. Work is and was a given in their lives. Mar…

Remembering the Queens of Canning

For all of us that have observed the process of canning, helped with canning, or done canning ourselves we know it is not for the weak or impatient!…

Remembering Auntie Lila

I wrote this post in October 2010. Last night my Auntie Lila went to be with the Lord. I shared this with her at her ninetieth birthday celebration a…

Around Us: Celebrating National Poetry Month

It is always smart to notice what we need around us. Around Us    by  Marvin Bell We need some pines to assuage the darkness when it blankets the mind, w…

Fresh Thinking: Why We Write

Even though I have shared this poem before, I looked at it with fresh eyes this evening. It led to a new way of thinking about writing, some fresh th…

The Art of Disappearing

The Art of Disappearing When they say Don't I know you? say no. When they invite you to the party remember what parties are like before answering. Some…