PBE4UGO #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post.
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on the A to Z 2017 tab at the top and it will take you to a Padlet of links.   If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you on the Padlet. Spread the love of our alphabet around!

I saw this license a few years ago and thought it hilarious!  It's on a van.  I'm guessing a van full of kids.  Cracked me up!  Getting kids ready for anything - I remember getting all my snow gear on for playing outside - and in our family of four kids we didn't have snowpants - We wore layer upon layer of clothing to play outside.  The layers helped to not get hurt when you were ice skating or sledding, as we were prone to do with two helpful brothers.

At any rate, just when mom or dad were thinking "yay, they are ALL ready and we can shove them out the door and have quiet time!" someone would say, "I have to go to the bathroom".  Remember the movie "The Christmas Story"?  That WAS our life.

The easier thing was getting us in the car then though.  No seatbelts, no carseats, no boosters...just four kids loose in the back!  So getting out to go to the bathroom was not as big a problem - however, as soon as one kid says it, we all had to go suddenly.  And though the problem wasn't one of complicated seating arrangements in cars, there was the bigger problem of VERY FEW PUBLIC BATHROOMS.  There were few Rest Stops, no fast food restaurants, no bathrooms accessible to the public really.   

We didn't WANT to go sometimes.  But if we were making a pit stop for one, it was all or none!  But really, usually the mere mention of the word "bathroom" was enough to make you decide maybe you should go.

So PBE4UGO...Pee Before You Go brings up so many smiley memories!

PBE4UGO

Our family of 2 boys, 2 girls
Piled quickly in the car,
Dad said that we would take a trip,
The ride would be quite far.

Climbing in the back seat
My sister had her doll,
One brother had an Army man,
The other a baseball.

Under my arm I always had
Some mystery book to read;
Dad started up the Chevrolet,
Mom wielded map to lead.

We started as a merry load,
That fidgeted and wiggled
Across a bumpy, bouncy road
We jostled and we giggled.

But pretty soon the joyful jounce
Got us four feeling antsy
We asked Dad for a bathroom break
No need for something fancy.

Finally with waving arms
One screamed out like a crow
"I told you all," Mom shook her head,

"To pbe4ugo!" 

"There isn't any bathroom here..."

"Oh, find a place to stop!"

"Umm...Never mind, I'm okay now;
Did some one bring the mop?"

 by Donna JT Smith, 4/19/17

Q is tomorrow...this one is a bit of a fudge.  I have only found one Q plate and I used it last year.  But this one DOES have 2 Q's in it, so I think it counts.  And I get to decide.

On Friday, it is Poetry Friday AND is will be my day to supply the 21st line in the Progressive Poem.  Buffy Silverman added her line yesterday.  And today's 19th line will be posted sometime today at Patricia Weaver's blog, Writer on a Horse

OXPOWER #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you. 

 


Watching an oxen pulling contest is like watching baseball.  If you like it, you really like it.  There's nothing really fast going on, but the skill and the teamwork are amazing.  

The team masters are firm but kind to their animals.  There is no abuse.  You can't abuse a team member.  An abused animal will not work for you.  Don't mistake the goading and loud voices for abuse.  The oxen respond to authority, and at no time do they get overworked or overburdened.  They have trained and been well-conditioned to do this.  The team master will quit the session if he feels an animal is at their limit.  They know what their team is capable of, and they certainly don't want their team hurt or soured for this work.

I enjoy a good oxen pull where the team is really together, pulling well together and the team master is able to keep them just calm enough as they hook on, but still excited and ready to pull as soon as they are given the command.  I actually like watching this more than baseball (sorry, Dad).


Once upon a time there were two oxen, Mt. Katahdin and Granger.  And they were born and raised in Maine.  And they grew.  And grew. You can check it out here.
I did not know about these two huge oxen until doing a bit of research on oxen for this plate. We have oxen pulls at the fairs here, and when I was in elementary school I knew a kid who lived on a farm that used oxen, and he still pulls with a team now...or did a few years ago when I last saw the pulls.  It often "runs in families" (as they mention in the video).

Mt. Katahdin and Granger

Coal-black mountains
Traveled by train
From small town Maine
To big time fame
Five tons of rippling muscle
Dark as night
Smooth as satin
Glistening might
Immaculately polished
Click-clacking hooves
Gleaming horns
Raising the roofs
Wherever they went
One man’s dream
To grow his team
Harness a tower
Of ox power

by Donna JT Smith, 4/17/17

Tomorrow P... I love this plate.  Hope I can do it justice!  I saw it a long time ago and loved it, then finally found it again this past year and got to get my picture!  I don't even need to wonder what it is about.  The plate says it all.  See you then!

 

NEEDER #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you. 

Today's letter is N.  Since last May I've been searching for new vanity plates, and this is the one I found to feature for this year.

Do you suppose this is a needy person, or maybe a kneader of bread?  I did not meet them, so I don't know.  I get to make this stuff up.  Whatever I want!

Needer

Earth needs the sun,
Wind needs the sky,
Sky needs the birds,
And others that fly;
Or maybe that’s just
The other way round,
And birds are the ones
Who need the sky town.
The sun needs the earth
To figure its worth,
And the sky needs that wind
To know where it’s been.
We are all needers;
More important than that,
Other needers need you
To help them right back.
But we all need to need
And be needed by one
And that’s why the Earth
Needs to hang round the sun.
So go ahead, need,
But just don’t forget
Someone also needs you
To have their needs met.
By Donna JT Smith, 4/17/17

This was an early morning writing.  Had tried thinking about this earlier and started writing some words.  Words. Words.  And then the thought came.  It is strange about writing.  Sometimes it comes through so clearly when you least expect it.  And sometimes you can't think until you start writing drivel.  Some may still consider this drivel, but it rhymes at least. Ha!  So read it and weep!  Or read it and sleep! 
At least N for Needer is DONE!
Tomorrow is O, and O Dear, I am not done... I think I'll try it now while I'm on a roll.
Let's see:

O is for orange
I'm not fond of the color
So I've thrown my crayon
Way down in the cellar...

Too bad tomorrow isn't O is for ORNGE - I'd be done.

Just decided to add this...looking at the picture my husband took on Saturday -
N is also for NICE bike, ma'am...

I could not help it.  This has nothing to do with anything EXCEPT my need to get out in the sun and see if I could remember ANYTHING about riding a motorcycle.  I took it out for a spin on Saturday when the weather was in the 60's!  Snow is mostly melted and gone now, forsythias are trying their best to be yellow, but there's still gravel left on the roads from plowing and sanding, so I had to be careful as I enjoyed the ride.  I only went a couple of miles to see how we (my bike and I) would do.  We did just fine!

For those who don't know it, I got my motorcycle license last summer.  I have a 400cc Bergman scooter that I thought would help me learn, and a 250cc Virago that did help me learn.  Then I immediately went to the Honda Shadow 750 when I got my license at age 66.  It was never something I planned to do.  I wanted to be a passenger again after losing weight - like in the old days.  But I didn't like being a passenger on the Harley Sportster my husband got.  So with coercion from my son and husband, I decided to at least take the class.  And there you have it.  Short story.  I could go into the longer version that tells about taking the required two day course with all the 18-30 year old men.  But you can imagine.  Yes, I'll let you do that.

Third Sunday in April - Easter

Wouldn't I have loved to have a vanity plate that said Easter, but here's my Sunday Best for Easter:

Waiting for God...

I love the mystery of His second coming.

Matthew 24: 36, 44
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

And I love the mystery of His timing in our lives.  I have more than once been taken aback by the "coincidences" in my life that have occurred because of some timing issues.

Waiting for God

Unfathomable

Infinite and unbroken

God's perfect timeline

 by Donna JT Smith, 4/15/2017

I guess I will not know until I'm supposed to know... anything.  Isn't that just the way it always is?

Happy Easter to all those who believe in Christ as our Savior.  And to those who don't, I hope that you might someday understand what an amazing day this is, just as I did 31 Easters ago.  Wow.  31? THAT doesn't seem right... I'm not even that old yet. (I have my own timeline I'm using.)

MK IT SO #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top or here (AtoZ 2017) and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you. 

Make It So

Did you ever wish
You could swim deep with a fish?
When you were a kid
You know you did.
Splish!
Maybe have a go
By saying “Make it so!”
At walking on a cloud
Waving to the crowd
below
Could you
Race faster than a train
Or be a splash of rain;
Trek on a shimmering lake,
Eat a whole birthday cake?
"Make it so!"
Did you wish for wings
Or horns and other things?
Crave a kingdom in the sea
Shrink as tiny as a flea?
"Make it so!"
Did you ever take a trip
In your cardboard rocket ship?
Turn your bike into a steed
And rescue those in need?
"Make it so!"
Try to read a person's thoughts?
See a fairy, maybe lots?
"Make it so!" 

Train a grasshopper to walk,
Then teach it how to talk?
Talk to a rabbit,
or a seagull,
or a mouse,
or an eagle?
Make it so!

You’d best have done it in your youth
For now knowing the whole truth
You’ve lost the gift of playing
And that power in the saying
“Make it so!”

by Donna JT Smith, 4/15/2017

So most of this stuff makes up my childhood.  I left out the things that didn't rhyme.  There were lots of those.  Things like making the big rock into a ship, pine needles into the ocean, my blankets into mountains, the livingroom floor into the deep sea and the furniture into islands.  I'm sure my mom was pleased to see us jumping from one island to another on rainy days.  We didn't sit and watch tv.  There was nothing on in the first place, at least not in the 50's in Maine anyway.  You had to turn your imagination on full force.  And we did.

LKY PUP #AtoZChallenge

Today is Poetry Friday...oh, my, goodness!  I totally and unbelievably forgot!  I have had daughter, grandson and grand daughter here for a visit this week.  They left last night on their long ride back home to get daddy hugs and kisses! 
Glad I thought "time to check in on the Progressive Poem"!  I came across today's added 14th line of the poem at Jan's Bookseed Studio, and her reference to Poetry Friday!  Days run together when you are having retirement fun!
When you are finished here, head on over to the rest of the poem offerings at Dori at Dori Reads.
 
Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you. 

Lonely pup

Copper coated

Back hunched 

Head down

Tail tucked

Ears pressed

Eyes worried

She grimaces

Watching

Sees the hand

Looks into eyes

Hears a gentle voice

Tail wags hesitantly

Leary pup

Copper coated

Back curved

Head lifting

As a glimmer shows in her eyes

Anticipating ears loosen

Her tail begins to engage

Moving her body toward the hand

Her dry nose investigates

Both hearts beat faster

She accepts the gentle ear tousle

and her body excitedly follows her

fully engaged tail

into a joyful wag

Ears lifted

Head bobs

Nose glistens and nudges

Copper coated

Lucky pup,

Lucky Penny,

Let's go home!

by Donna JT Smith, 4/14/17

Tomorrow a plate of M and a side of poem.  See you then!

KILNJOY #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.

Joy of Clay Vessels

Pot created
Of muddy clay
Tossed and
Turned;
Every inch
Rounded and
Yielding to fingertips,

Kittled, then kindled
In fiery oven
Loess becomes
Natural

Jar, bowl or
Other vessel
Yearning for filling.

by Donna JT Smith, 4/13/2017

I got to talk with the people who had this plate - hadn't heard of it before.  It is a dance.  Kizomba.  Here's the link.

JEWELZ #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.  

It is the tenth day of the A to Z Challenge, and the letter featured today is J.  Here's my plate of J and a side of poem:

Summer Jewels

Shimmering pearls of the garden
Glimmering gemstones of field
Dripping with heavenly dewdrops
Glittering jewels revealed
Daisies and violets, azaleas,
Asters and daffodils,
Multi-faceted bouquets
With pansies and jolly jonquils.
Precious, oh, precious the crystals
Emerald leaves bearing gold
Beautiful citrines of summer
Treasures for us to behold.

Donna JT Smith, 4/20/2017

IMALDNE #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.  


Today is I, and or is that "today am I"?

Either way, I had a hard time finding I this past year.  I saw one that said "Ivy" and I really, really wanted it, but the traffic was such that  my husband wouldn't let me jump out of the car.

So I am using a plate that I found last year, but didn't use for a poem yet.  I had a few leftovers and this is one of them:

All Done

"I'm all done,"

I heard him say,

and then he put his bike away;

"I'll do it on another day

When I don't always swerve

and sway!"

"I'm all done,"

she said to me;

the picture's done and so is she;

I'll post it here where it will be

the easiest for 

all to see.

"I'm all done!"

The kettle spoke,

and with it's whistle gave a poke

as from it's spout what looked like smoke

came shooting out as

steamy cloak.

"I'm all done,"

the sunset sighed;

it couldn't stay aloft - it tried,

but fullest moon won't be denied;

it wants its turn to

turn the tides.

"I'm all done,"

the writer noted;

we've laughed, we've cried, we've all emoted,

all edits done and text de-bloated;

this well spent pen has 

been demoted.

by Donna JT Smith, 4/10/2017

Tomorrow is a J day!  See you then!

HEYYOO and HUZZAH #AtoZChallenge

Welcome to the 8th letter of the A to Z Challenge for 2017.
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the H badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.  

I'm using both of the Maine vanity plates I found this year for today's poem.

Today's special is a Plate of H with a poem on the side:

Things of Spring

Hey, you! Sprig of Grass!

Upcoming lawn,

Not lush enough

to walk upon...

Hey, you! Drop of Rain!

Maker of flood,

Just wet enough

for making mud...

Hey, you! Daffodil!

Miniature sun,

Peeking at sky

like cold is done...

Hey, you! Small Tadpoles!

Soon to be frogs,

Waiting for legs

to climb on logs...

Hey, you! Things of Spring!

Harbingers bright,

You've ushered out

dark winter's might!

Huzzah!  Gather 'round!

It's almost here;

As springtime wakes

We give a cheer!

by Donna JT Smith, 4/3/2017

Time to check out other AtoZ participants' posts!  See you tomorrow for "I"... where I have to dig into the cabinet and steal a Plate for I that I didn't use last year.  I'll load it up and put a side of poem with it.

Second Sunday in April

It's Sunday a day of rest for me.  So you know that this post was scheduled in advance.  I am posting today an extra letter vanity plate.

Does a Body Good

Good enough
Good to go
Good neighbor
Good to know

Good morning
Good night
Good shoes
Good eyesight

Good with kids
Good and strong
Real good voice
Real good song

Good dancer
Good driver
Good home
Good striver

Good man
Good fellow
Good dog
G'-bye, hello

Good grief
Good boots
Good weather
Good suits.

Good with a hammer
Good for a laugh
Good handshake
A good better half

Good as gold
A good wife
Good's can be
Lives the good life

Good to be home
Good soaking rain
Good for what ails you
Wicked good Maine


by Donna JT Smith, 4/8/2017

I don't particularly like this poem, but it is done and accomplished for my poetry challenege...

See you tomorrow for a Plate of H and a poem on the side.

GO JAMA #AtoZChallenge

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the G badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.

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My letter G on a Maine Vanity Plate and a side of poem is below.  But first I want to show you two other plates I could have used.  I may use GQQD LF on Sunday as my extra poem day.

I tried making these two work, but just couldn't manage it.  The third one had been calling me ever since I spied it.  

This just seemed to Christmassy....
but I almost did it without a Christmas theme...
He could return for Easter...
Oh, now I'm thinking...
The Grinch that stole Easter!
This could have been good, too.

or

then there was this one...
but it just wasn't spunky enough for a Saturday.
Maybe I could do a Sunday one with this...

 But, if you knew Jama,

wouldn't GO JAMA be the one 

you'd have to pick, too?

Visiting Jama 

This Jama's most gracious

When hunger's rapacious;

If you're craving a book

Or things baked or cooked,

It's a sweet place to be

For crumpets or tea;

Pull up a soft chair

Beside a stuffed bear;

Dip spoon into sunny,

Delectable honey;

Put cream in a bowl

With blueberries whole;

Or try the raspberries

And pies made with cherries.

Then read and you're smitten

With words, so well written

That you can't decide

which is better inside:

Those words spun like candy

Or the food so jimdandy!

So with boarding house reach

You take some of each

Though you're not a vacuum

Still each crumb you consume

Until you attain

Empty plate and full brain.

You, go, Jama, go!

I am full head to toe!

by Donna JT Smith, 2017

Now, please, go visit Jama's Alphabet Soup, a delectable blog, and take a slice or bowl of whatever is being served up today!  It's sure to be tasty!

FAWN #AtoZ Challenge

Welcome, Poetry Friday!  Welcome, poets!  So much is going on all at once it seems. 

This is Day 7 of the Progressive Poem and time for Irene Latham at Live Your Poem  to add her 2 cents worth...though I think it's probably more like 2 dollars or more really... This poem ought to be worth over $50 when it's done, don't you think?  She is also hosting Poetry Friday there today, so make sure you stop by and see all the great links and the next line in the Progressive Poem!  I'll be adding to it on April 21.  This is going to be interesting.

Here are the lines so far:

I’m fidget, friction, ragged edges—
I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle,
stories of castles, of fires that crackle,
with dragonwords that smoke and sizzle.

But edges sometimes need sandpaper,
like swords need stone and clouds need vapour…

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Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.  
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.    
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the E badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.

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FAWN (A Rhyming Acrostic)

Fragile, yet sturdy,

Agile and quick;

Wandering warily,

Nimble ears flick.

by Donna JT Smith, April, 2017

Tomorrow's offering is a plate of G and a poem.  Hope you can come back for another serving.

First Thursday

If you got here and are looking for the letter E for the A to Z Challenge go HERE!

This post is for the Spiritual Journey First Thursday, a once a month post hosted by a group, writing to a word or idea supplied by their hostess.  Each gives their own spiritual take on the topic.

Today's topic is: Easter, new life, spring...

I have chosen to write an acrostic for Easter.  It was on an Easter Sunday morning that I received Christ as my Saviour.  I am:

Ever grateful for eternal life
Available that awesome
Singular moment a sin burdened Saviour
Traded places to make
Escape possible from a deserved
Retribution.

Spring is the time for resurrection from the dead; it's the time for new hope to "spring".   Rising from the earth, the new green, through the tangled mass of gray, brown, dead seems impossible, yet it happens every year, every spring, in our northern climate.
It is a time to realize how new life comes from the seemingly dead, new growth from that which had stopped growing.
We are still not seeing the green in Maine.  The snow is still on the ground, but there are spots of brown growing.  The green is next.  The cycle is apparent again.  It is a nice hope to depend on.  I have faith that spring will return again. 
Faith and hope are two wonderful things that ensure my joy and have changed my outlook on daily life.

Hope you can visit or join in.  Our hostess today is Violet Nesdoly.

EVL TWN #AtoZChallenge

The Progressive Poem has progressed to the sixth line today.  This line today will be courtesy of Kat at Kat's Whiskers.  So check out her link and see when the line goes live today!
I'm still reading, thinking and waiting for April 21 to add to the poem...I wonder where it will take us by then...

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This is Day 5 of the A to Z Challenge! 

Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.  
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.    
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the E badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.

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A Plate of E

Evil Twin

I’m always doing what I should
I do what’s right, I’m always good
I smile a lot and never yell
A secret told me I won’t tell
I feed the birds, recycle trash
The clothes I wear would never clash
I make my bed, I sweep the floors
I wash the dishes, do my chores;
But watch out for my evil twin
She looks like me, except her grin
Is not so kind, does not allure
Her laugh can make you insecure
She has a streak that’s really mean
The grimmest creature ever seen
I know she looks just like I do
But we don’t have the same hairdo.
She has two braids and I have one.
She has two bows and I have none.
My evil twin and I don’t share
Our temperaments, our toys or hair;
If I am here, she's not around
If she is here, I can't be found
But in one way we're both the same -
The two of us co-own my name.

by Donna JT Smith, 4/2017

DAM #AtoZChallenge

Yesterday was the fourth day of the Progressive Poem, and Michelle H. Barnes at Today's Little Ditty supplied the fourth line, you see below.  You can visit her blog to read about the process in the line's creation.  Sometime later today, visit Diane Mayr at Random Noodling to see what our next line is!  
Here's the poem is so far:

I'm fidget, friction, ragged edges--

I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle

stories of castles, of fires that crackle 
with dragonwords that smoke and sizzle.
 

The schedule of poets in April is on the side navigation if you want to check where it is heading this month.  I'm day 21 to add a line...that's a looong way off!  Lots can happen before it arrives here!

There are a lot of letters in the A to Z Challenge between now and then, too!

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Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.  
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.    
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the D badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!

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Here's the Vanity Plate from somewhere in Maine:

The Dam

Down by the dam

they'd swim;

On hot summer days

Kids dove on a whim

And though

I could bob

in the deepest of seas

I wouldn't go in

past my knob knees;

for the eels 

were below

in the dark 

don't you know;

I'd stay high and dry

Dig in my heels

Kick at the dirt

with my toe

while others would leap

in cool waters deep

 As I wondered 

just how it would feel

Still I'd rather have boat

to row

and to float

and not wonder

what's tickling

my toe.

by Donna JT Smith, 4/3/2017

Tomorrow is a plate of E and a side poem... this is a great plate.  I do wonder about the story behind it.  I'm sure there is a story!

COOKN4U #AtoZChallenge

Yesterday was the third day of the Progressive Poem, and Doraine Bennett, at Dori Reads supplied the third line.  Let's visit Michelle at Today's Little Ditty to see what's in store next! Here's the poem is so far:

I'm fidget, friction, ragged edges--

I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle

stories of castles, of fires that crackle

The schedule of poets in April is on the side navigation if you want to check where it is heading this month.  I'm day 21 to add a line...that's a looong way off!  Lots can happen in before it arrives here!

There are a lot of letters in the A to Z Challenge between now and then, too!

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Notes about this challenge:
The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except on Sundays.  
I am, for the second year, posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write a poem based on the the license plate. On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - an extra one I've found that intrigues me.    
To find more A to Z Challenge blog posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post, or the  C badge above. Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Read.  Comment. Spread the love of our alphabet around!
If you are commenting here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!
If you want to see where I've visited, click on A to Z Challenge in the tab at the top and it will take you to a padlet of links.  If you want to see yours there, visit me.  If you are doing the A to Z Challenge, I'll visit you and link you.

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Today is the third day of the alphabet, and dedicated to the letter C.  Or as Sesame Street used to say "Brought to you by the letter C!"

So here is a plate of C today, and a side of poem for Poetry Month.

Song of the Cook

Bacon and eggs,

Sausage and ham,

Breakfast of champions;

Pan fried Spam.

Steak with mushrooms,

Broccoli, greens;

Spaghetti with meat sauce,

Chili with beans.

Lobster and clams,

chicken and chops,

mutton and liver,

fresh from the shops

I B cookn 4 U,

N M Hap-E 2 do it

But give me a crock pot

Cuz I'd rather stew it.

Donna JT Smith, 4/2017

See last year's Letter C Vanity Plates from Maine, with the poem for CHAPS.
See you tomorrow for "D delightful" next Vanity Plate!

BRAVES #AtoZChallenge

Yesterday was the second day of the Progressive Poem, and Tabatha Yeatt's supplied the next line.  Doraine Bennett, at Dori Reads, is composing the next line for today, so check her site often to see when it "goes live"!
Here's the poem is so far:

I'm fidget, friction, ragged edges--

I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle

Where to next, Dori??  I'm day 21 to add a line...that's a looong way off!  Lots can happen in 20 lines before me! 

There are a lot of letters in the A to Z Challenge between now and then, too!

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It is the Day 2 of the A to Z Challenge!  And this year I am again posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write an acrostic, a haiku, or some other type of poem that I don't even know yet.  But each will be based on the letters, the word or the words on a license plate.

The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except Sunday.  On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - one I've found that intrigues me.  It may be a duplicate letter or one that starts with a number instead of a letter, but still has a message for us.

There are themes galore being done.  If you are interested in reading more A to Z posts, click on any A to Z Challenge link I've made in this post!  Read through the comment links on that page and see what interests you.  Take a peek.  Comment!  Spread the love of our alphabet around!

If you are commenting here and are in the A to Z Challenge, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  You can do that even if you aren't in the A to Z Challenge.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!

Here's the plate for today B is for BRAVES:

He Braves

He's no coward;
With hands on hips
He shuns the dread
That could eclipse
Another not as brave.

He braves the foes,
Remaining tall;
He won't retreat;
He cannot fall;
They will not see him cave.

No flames to throw,
No x-ray eyes,
No webs that stick,
Nor cape that flies,
Yet all the weak he'll save.

Embraces storms,
Stands up to force,  
Braves the conflict,
And stays the course;
To fear he is no slave.

Donna JT Smith, 4/2017

Tomorrow a Plate of C!  C U then.

Last year's Maine vanity plate link.  Ha!  I just read this post from 2016, and it kind of goes with this year's only it was a totally different plate.  Interesting!

Sunday 1

This is not a day for posting to the AtoZ Challenge, but I am going to write a poem for each day this month, so...
here's a spare A vanity plate - my own car's plate...

secure though winds blow

 assured despite cresting waves

anchored in safety

Have a restful, thoughtful, graceful Sunday.  See you back on Monday for the letter B!

ABUNDNC #AtoZChallenge

Welcome, April! Welcome Poetry Month!

Waking to Maine's April Fool's Day... just a little joke for spring....

Surprise... one more time...

Hooray! It is the start of the A to Z Challenge!  And this year I am again posting vanity plates in Maine.  Because it is April, National Poetry Month, I'm going to write an acrostic, a haiku, or some other type of poem that I don't even know yet.  But each will be based on the letters, the word or the words on a license plate.

The A to Z Challenge is to write to the letters of the alphabet in order, one a day each day in April, except Sunday.  On Sunday I will post a bonus plate - one I've found that intrigues me.  It may be a duplicate letter or one that starts with a number instead of a letter, but still has a message for us.

There are themes galore being done.  If you are interested in reading more A to Z posts, go to Blogging from A to Z to read through the links and see what other posts interest you.  Take a peek.  Spread the love of our alphabet around!  If you want to see which AtoZers I've visited each day, check out the AtoZ tab below the blog title or go here AtoZ Challenge on Padlet

Please leave a comment here!  Maybe you have a vanity plate and would like to tell me your story!  When you comment here, please include your post's link so that I can return the visit easily.  You can do that even if you aren't in the AtoZ.  I'd like to visit your site, if you don't mind!

Here is the FIRST LICENSE PLATE OF THE CHALLENGE: A is for...

...I am going to assume this is "Abundance" - no spaces, one word.  And this is the poem for this lucky person's plate.  I never got to meet this person, so I don't know why they chose this word to put on their vanity plate, so I get to make anything up I want.

Abundance

Sufficient, it is, enough, even more;

a gift one might deem as riches "galore";

tho' abundance exceeds just deserts, I am sure,

it may simply mirror the life that's in store.

Donna JT Smith, 4/2017

Here's a link to last year's AtoZ Challenge post with more A vanity plates and a poem: A Vanity 2016.
See you tomorrow, though it will not be an AtoZ post.  We take Sunday's off.  But I will have a filler post and poem!  Monday will be the letter B.

Don't forget to check out the Progressive Poem that starts today with Heidi Mordhorst at my juicy little universe!  The schedule is on the right navigation.  I will be up later in the month - the 21st - to add a line.  This year is focusing on making sure it is a kid's poem, so it is sure to be fun to read and keep track of its progress this month.  Heidi already has her line - the very first line of the poem - posted:  

I'm fidget, friction, ragged edges --

We are on our way!