It safe to say I have been on an unintentional mini-break since the beginning of June. Between a move downstairs and the state of our world, I didn’t get things written or shared.
The move was a happy accident. When our neighbor saw he was selling his condo in late April, we jumped on the opportunity- more light, better deck and did I mention ground level? Our sale and purchase closed in June. Someone said that moves closer to the old place are more difficult. I agree. So easy to procrastinate.
One of the best things in my world has been the surprises in my mailbox for the Summer Poetry Swap organized by Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference. (You must read the poem Tabatha is sharing about mixing metaphors. The best!
First arrival…from Linda Mitchell (who has a fabulous post today working with clunkers with her online poetry group).
Linda calls it a “Junk Journal” and it’s anything but that. She has repurposed a book with recycled book bits for prompts.
Plus Linda included a quote by my poetry mentor, Naomi Shihab Nye:
A good poem is love and care for elemental details. Chosen words and then simple arrangement on the page…a way of ending that leaves a lit spark in the reader’s mind.
Thank you, Linda, that quote is being place where I can see it each day.
My second swap was hand delivered to me by the new owner of our old place. In a condo complex, mail can get mixed up. Laura Shovan sent a much needed blessing that she wrote for her brother years ago.
all need blessings from hummingbirds these days.
The pen is an original polymer clay which feels divine when writing. I love the 3-D ness of it, there are little bumps. It’s a go-to for writing on these summer days.
Essentially during these lock down days, having treasures arrive in the mailbox helps with the self imposed isolation. What makes you happy in these wild and crazy upside down days?Laura
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
Lovely treasures you’ve received Jone, they both journey one away, enjoy!
What a lovely post. The hummingbird poem reminds me how blessed we are by hummingbirds just outside our kitchen window. And now I know what a junk journal is (I haven’t been around much lately). When you mentioned that Naomi Shihab Nye was your poetry mentor, I recalled our lovely evening together when she spoke at Western Washington for the Arbuthnot Lecture.
Isn’t poetry swapping so much fun? Honestly, the junk journal has been pandemic therapy for me. It’s so soothing to be up to my elbows in glue and bits of weeded book snippets. I do love that pretty pen and poem from Laura. Wowsa! I hope you can enjoy some rest after your move. I admit to falling into the malaise of the times quite a bit more than I should. Creating art helps me out of it.
So glad that poetry found its way into your summer with the swap. Enjoy your new home! (I once moved two blocks down the street and it was tough!)
We are all eyeing Linda’s summer swap poems & books. I nominate her to be the next Poetry Friday creator to undertake opening an Etsy shop of her art (After Robyn at Artsy Letters & also, Michelle Kogan Fine Art.) In the meantime, congrats on being first-floor, on Laura’s reminding us about the beautify of uninvited guests, & on that surreal mesmerizing petunia photo at the top of your post. I’ve never seen one prettier. Happy unpacking! xo
What wonderful poetry gifts. I’m getting a bit jealous about the books from Linda. I may have to just make one for myself.
I’m sharing a Poetry Swap today too! Here’s my post: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/
Thanks for hosting!
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I’m sharing a Poetry Swap today too! Here’s my link: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/
Thanks for hosting today!
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
These are lovely. I received a book from Linda as well, though I had to do some sleuthing to figure out who it came from. Did my letter/poem ever reach you? It was mailed on the 6th.
Yes, it arrived. Just sent you an email.
Bwahhahahahah….that would be me…forgetting to sign my name. Poet absentmindedness is my signature!
I’m so glad these gifts found you when you needed them, Jone. The book Linda put together is beautiful. I’m amazed that the Poetry Friday bloggers have so many creative skills in addition to writing poems!