A retired teacher and mother of three adult children, I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida with my soulmate, Robert. Leisure activities include discussing current events with Robert, watching movies, and playing Scrbble. Robert usually wins!
I also enjoy going to the beach and taking road trips with my daughters. One of our favorite pastimes is observing the wonderful wildlife that surrounds us.
I keep busy writing poetry, and I would be delighted if you visited my website!
To read a variety of informative and helpful content, check out Aspiring blog. I have followed Ritish Sharma’s writing there for several years, and I always learn something new. Ritish Sharma and Depak Joshi post articles about current issues. It is evident that they care about making the world a better place. I am so honored to call Ritish my friend, and I deeply appreciate this lovely review.
Aspiring Blog accepts writing from guest authors. Read their engaging stories or submit your own!
I have enjoyed reading the first two books in the Unsung Heroes series by Ritish Sharma and his coauthor, Depak Joshi. I hope they will publish another book in this series sometime soon, and I will be sure to read it! The series tells the stories or ordinary people from all over the world who have performed extraordinary services to help their fellow human beings. Available on Amazon. Learn more about this wonderful series on Aspiring Blog.
Ruins of Great Western Iron Smelting Furnace, Tennessee, 1855-1856. The furnace burned charcoal, and temperatures in the furnace reached 3,000 degrees F. Photo used by permission of the photographer.
Let There Be Light
Where there is sunshine,
let there be solar farms…
Let there be light!
Solar farm in Germany. Photo by Marcus Spiske from Unsplash
Where there is wind,
let there be turbines…
Let there be energy!
Wind Turbines. Photo by Jason Blackeye from Unsplash
Where there is flowing water,
let there be hydroelectric plants…
Let there be power!
Vintage Hydroelectric Plant, West Virginia. Photo courtesy of the photographer.
Where there are ocean waves,
let there be wave-power generation…
Let there be electricity!
Gulf of Mexico, Florida Beach. Photo by Eve Ellen Maher
When people travel,
let them drive electric cars…
Let there be zero emissions!
Charging station in the Netherlands. Photo by Fer Troulik from Unsplash
Where there is imagination,
let there be innovation…
Let there be clean energy!
Photo by Alessandro Bianchi from Unsplash
Wherever children have dreams,
let their dreams be fulfilled…
Let there be clean energy for all!
Photo by Nathan Dumlao from Unsplash
A Clean-Energy Future
Although we might like an instant, one-size-fits-all source of clean energy, it may not exist. It seems that we need to work with mother nature to develop solutions using local resources. It also seems that reducing the use of fossil fuels will be a gradual process. We will continue using some fossil fuels for quite some time.
Mine cave-ins, black lung, oils slicks, acid rain, micro-plastic waste in our food supply and our bodies, toxic petrochemicals in insecticides and household cleaning products, landfills filled with non-biodegradable plastics, water pollution, smog, and climate change are a few of the problems associated with fossil fuels. Fossil fuels threaten our environment and pose risks to our health.
Clean-energy solutions have problems too. Dams can disrupt ecosystems and cause extinction of species; solar panels require rare minerals to manufacture them and have a limited lifespan; some wind turbine designs are hazardous to birds.
Heat pumps, geothermal heating systems, and river turbines are examples of clean- energy systems that may be useful in certain locations. Older river turbines were hazardous to fish, but newer designs don’t harm them.
Electric cars, one important clean energy measure, currently have a top range of 300-500 miles. There are insufficient numbers of charging stations at the present time. Batteries have been manufactured with toxic ingredients that present disposal problems. Scientists are currently developing batteries with cheaper, non-toxic chemicals and greater range between charges. A too-rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles would overburden energy grids.
Atomic power plants, which use nuclear fission, are subject to melt-downs and radiation leaks. Fission has great destructive potential. Nuclear fusion holds promise for the future as a safer alternative, if it can ever be made practical.
There are no simple fixes. Solving our problems requires dedication and commitment. It requires cooperation among many professions and among all nations.
Atomic Power Plant, Belgium. Photo by Frederic Paulussen from Unsplash
*My thanks to Robert Snyder for consulting on this article. There are many YouTube videos about developments in clean-energy technologies.
Feel the bubbling love pounding voraciously in every word carved graciously here. From the rhythm of ‘Transitions,’ under the first section ‘Perspectives,’ the strength of the words will leave the reader to acknowledge the happenings of his or her life.
Questions work magic!
_ Abracadabra
&
Courage, friend,as onward we go!
If you keep bailing as I row…
_ This Little Boat
It’s the desire of the poet’s heart which painted these delicate beats into luxurious waves of words. The section, ‘Love’ is enchanting and desperately one would love to have such a love in his or her life.
Your inner strength sustains my fainting heart.
&
Whenthreats of war surround on every side…
vile pestilence, pollution, and unrest,
ambition fades, possessions matter less,
butlove endures, a desert rose.
_ A Desert Rose
Introducing her ‘Family’ in the third section, she has shown the warmth which relationships carry. Beautifully unfolding her learnings and feelings from her grandparents, parents, and objects of attachment. In the ‘Blue and White Mugs,’ in the fourth section, ‘Nostalgia,’ she has carried with her and has passed the preserved mug on to her daughter.
Harvey, my dad, was too stubborn to die!
Fifteen-year-old Harvey dodged tragedy.
The cactus-tailed cat was the reason why
they joined the Church…Harvey’s whole family!
_ Cactus-Tailed Cat
Scrolling down to the photo of ‘Mother Nature,’ one could read a nature-lover speaking of the little adventures with concern for preserving the beauty of the land.
We can talk with the animals…
Come, walk the world with me!
_ Walk with Me
Enthralled by the richness of the organization and thoughts, I would say there are many titles which I found a connection with and many which I would come back to.
‘An uplifting journey with the beautiful photographs, Cheryl has given life not only to her poetry, but the readers. The book is a boost which will fill you with energy.’
_ Kritika
Earthly Days is now available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble.
I am honored to have been mentioned in the acknowledgements, and I know Cheryl will do wonders with her books. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read the book and review it.
Hugs and love we share every day in words written with the heart which reach the heart of the person, probably smiling while reading them. What else do we want? This life is small when we calculate the number of days we want to live, subtracting the ones already done. I don’t think one would not wake up now.
All the best, Cheryl.
Kritika
Thank You, Kritika
My sincere gratitude to Kritika, yoga professional, poet, blogger, photographer, painter, and digital artist. Poems by Kritika have been published in numerous online forums and anthologies. Kritika is a very creative person and is willing to explore many creative avenues. She is dedicated to excellence, hard-working, and determined to find her own way in life. These are all qualities and achievements I admire tremendously, and I wish her success in all her endeavors. No one deserves it more!
Kritika will always have a special place in my heart because she reached out to me at the beginning of the pandemic. She had “discovered ” my website, and she encouraged me to begin blogging. Blogging became my escape from the isolation of living under quarantine in a new community where I didn’t know anyone.
In Earthly Days, I have have acknowledged Kritika for her kindness, and I have recognized all of my fellow bloggers for enriching my life during that difficult time and continuing to enhance my life in the present.
Check out Kritika’s blog, The Bird in Her Sky, for insightful poems and other posts written in her unique and delightful style. I think you will enjoy her YouTube video,
I am not sure whether Kritika knew when she sent me this lovely digital painting that the Black-Eyed-Susan has been one of my favorite wildflowers since childhood. Kritika’s painting is a treasured gift with wonderful associations for me. Photo used by permission.
Writing on life that we live every day and night is easy, but it’s difficult when you take life as an adventure and illustrate the same with the elements of nature, and this difficult task is effortlessly done by Cheryl Batavia, who weaves her insights into nature with her extensive teaching background, crafting poems like warp and weft.
Nature has its own ways and Cheryl commemorates better in her own unique style. Her inspiration lies in the realm of Mother Nature and wildlife.
I became acquainted with Cheryl by reading her heartfelt blog posts. Cheryl, a proud mother of three adult children, exudes warmth, affection, and positivity, and strives to share her knowledge and life experiences. Additionally, she enjoys expressing her perspectives on current events.
Cheryl, residing in Florida, is a retired teacher who had also dabbled in the world of commercial art. In addition to her pursuits in writing and blogging, her primary focus lies in environmental conservation and protecting wildlife.
Her diverse passions shine through in the depth of her poetry and writings. If you haven’t had the pleasure of discovering her yet, I request you to check out and follow her delightful blog, “Gulf Coast Poet,” available on WordPress. (gulfcoastpoet.com)
She has already authored a total of five poetry books, with three dedicated to wild animals. Her latest work, Earthly Days, has just been received. I’m incredibly excited to delve into the pages of this book, where she eloquently explores every facet of life.
While Cheryl dedicates a chapter specifically to Mother Nature, you’ll also discover traces of nature in four other chapters: Perspectives, Love, Family, and Nostalgia. This magic becomes evident from the opening poem itself, where she discusses transitions:
…as soil welcomes seeds,
so may my mind
be receptive to new ideas…
Likewise, she calls upon Mother Nature to vividly express her perspectives with “barefoot in leaf piles” and “cactus-tailed cat” in other poems.
“Flimflam World” presents a thought-provoking perspective, much like”I Am the Moment,” where she reflects, “I am the pang of regret for a kind word left unspoken” or when she concludes “Tis a short voyage from cradle to tomb” in her matter-of-fact poem, “Message in a Bottle.”
And love knows no bounds, as evidenced by her descriptions of “stolen kiss in summer rain” and “love lights the twilight.” Her emotions become apparent when she pens her thoughts about her “Mother.” Additionally,”The $5 Challenge” proves to be an incredibly captivating piece of literature.
Her nostalgia comes alive in the poems “Candy Box” and “Blue & White Mugs.” These pieces are profoundly moving and contemplative, requiring a complete read to truly capture their essence.
The last section on “Mother Nature” is something that no nature lover should miss. Her desire for coexistence through “Swimming with Manatees,” an appeal to “Save Mother Earth,” and a clarion call to “Walk with Me” are the focal points that may readily capture the readers’ attention.
In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, I also hold “A Desert Rose,” “Great Discoveries of Love,” “Oblivion can Wait,” and “Just the Two of Us” as some of my favorite poems.
Cheryl employs both rhyming and free verses based on the specific needs of the poems. The goal is to convey emotions, not merely words. Her thoughtfully selected images amplify the allure of her sentiments.
I highly recommend this literary piece to each and every one of you, as it is not only for nature lovers, but also for all other lovers.
_Kaushal Kishore
My sincere gratitude to Kaushal Kishore for this review of Earthly Days. I have been a longtime admirer of Kaushal’s work, and I encourage you to visit his blog at
(KK@kaushalkishorewrites )
Kaushal’s writing is informative and witty. He posts on historical and cultural topics and many other subjects, finding perfect illustrations to accompany his posts. I especially like photos of roses from his garden.
Kaushal’s beautiful poetry is always thought-provoking and often heart-touching. He tells stories about ordinary people as well as the great and famous, always empathetic and a champion of human courage, effort, and good deeds.
Earthly Days Update
EarthlyDays is a collection of poems written on my blog over the last three-and-a half years, though many have been revised. There are beautiful color photos. This book is in the spirit of Life in Inspiring Places. Excerpts from that book can be found on my website. Watch for more reviews and updates.
A “news junkie” I am not…well, not quite. I do follow the news on a regular basis because I believe democracy depends on informed citizens.
Recently, I watched a documentary about US President, Lyndon B. Johnson. I was unfamiliar with the unflattering stories that had circulated about his political career. As I watched, I remembered learning about the “Great Society” and the “War on Poverty” initiatives that marked his presidency.
As a sixteen-year-old girl with no TV and no newspaper at home, I just knew that Johnson’s “Great Society”sounded great to me! I probably learned about the “War on Poverty” from reading Life Magazine in the school library. The poem I wrote may have been inspired by a photo in that magazine…I can’t quite remember.
The Egg & Antipoverty
A child sits on broken, creaking stairs
eating an egg,
a child who needs more new life
than an egg.
Today, I am alarmed as I watch news about book-banning and political censorship of curriculums, even at the college level, in my state of Florida and in several other states. Teachers are leaving the profession because of restrictions imposed on them, and there is a growing teacher shortage in Florida.
A knowledge of history and science is essential in a democracy, in spite of the desires of some politicians to sweep inconvenient facts and ideas under a rug. Yes, today’s students need more new life than an egg! Curriculum should be age-appropriate, but access to, and free discussion of, information and ideas is crucial to developing independent thought. Education is the birthright of all students in a democracy! “Knowledge is Power.”
As of today, Robert and I are both seventy-four. In another month he will be seventy-five. I tease him about this every year!
Yesterday was a sentimental journey, driving through the countryside to Arcadia to have lunch at Mary Margaret’s Tea & Biscuit, a restaurant where we had lunch shortly after we met ten years ago. Robert gave me a lovely orchid plant for my birthday, and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day!
When I went on break recently, I intended to rest and upgrade my technology skills. I decided to type up the three manuscripts that had been gathering dust for months in case I had an opportunity to publish a book. If not, the manuscripts would be ready to pass on to my children. I became familiar with the new version of Word along the way.
Then, a publisher who liked my book, Life in Inspiring Places, offered to publish and promote my new book, Earthly Days. Dedicated to Robert, it is at the publisher and will be coming out soon. It will be presented at the Miami Book Fair in November! Updates will follow.
Vacant wooded lot next to our house before Hurricane Ian. Live oaks and native cabbage palms grew there. Purple Ruellia, probably planted by a homeowner twenty years ago, grew naturalized along the edge of the woods.
September 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian, the worst hurricane ever recorded in Florida, threw the trees from the wooded lot next door onto our yard and house.
Early October, 2022. Fallen trees were cut back to the property line. This is the horrific scene by moonlight…a battered, leafless oak tree and a tangle of fallen trees and broken branches.
December, 2022. Oak trees all over our region, stripped of their leaves by Hurricane Ian, were blooming and sprouting new leaves two months ahead of their usual schedule. The fallen trees were still alive and sprouting hundreds of new branches. Sun-loving wild shrubs were growing on the formerly shady wooded lot.
July, 2023. Nature has blanketed the fallen trees and broken branches in green vines. Beautiful Saint Augustine grass that was barely surviving in the shade of the trees has appeared in our side yard. Purple Ruellia flowers are reappearing along the edge of the former woods.
Nature has a long timeline. If no one builds a house on the lot, it will again be filled with oak trees. It might take 50 years! The largest and most beautiful oak tree that used to be there was probably much older than that!
July, 2023. Broken trees are cloaked in green leaves. Our house has a new roof. Exterior wall cracks have been repaired and walls are freshly painted. Interior hairline cracks still need repair and touch-up paint. It is difficult to find someone to do any work. Contractors continue to be very busy, even with some out-of-state companies still working here!
Our roads have traffic signals again, but, almost a year after Ian, there are many missing street signs. It is easy to get lost! We are still in suspense about how much our homeowner’s insurance may increase due to Hurricane Ian.
Mostly, we are grateful to be living in a comfortable, air-conditioned house as summer heat sets new records here and worldwide. Many people are not so lucky.
Now, is the time to address global warming! If I weren’t convinced of that already, the worsening storms, wildfires, heat waves, and floods occurring around the world this year would convince me!
Published by Ingrid Wilson Experiments in Fiction Publishing
In the Shadow of Rainbows
by
Selma Martin
In the Shadow of Rainbows is a delightful and profoundly thoughtful collection of poems. Selma Martin’s inner light radiates from every sparkling page.
Selma Martin’s lively, colorful word choices enrich her writing. From scientific references to literary allusions, from interntional slang to quaint, archaic expressions, words flow harmoniously in her poems.
Throughout the book, you will find exquisite imagery. Inspiration comes from nature: ocean, sky, sunlight, moonlight, stars, flora, fauna, and of course, shadows and rainbows.
Butterflies appear in many poems. In “Instinct,” a pregnant butterfly becomes a beautiful metaphor for motherhood.
In “Poetry,” the poet writes about nature:
I came out to write a nature poem,
but of poetry writing, I learned this
in attempting to write, I must fuse with it,
for in nature, the poet exists
Selma Martin’s humanity illuminates everything she writes. In a poem about a father’s hopes for his sons, “Compass,” there is a beautiful line, “as for all son’s, there exists hope.”
“Golden Durability” speaks to us about material values vs. spiritual values, pointing out that an heirloom is a legacy of love.
“Little Vessel” is an eloquent, sensitive reflection on the death of a missing child. it expresses a wide range of emotions and ends with heart-touching empathy.
The poet’s words inspire readers to be their best selves and to live a life of purpose and love for others. “Extra” reminds us that we have a personal responsibility for our lives:
On this day given to you by the giver
put the squanderer to rest
call forth the sower of hope
and from within, bring out your best.
“When Death Comes” reveals the author’s personal perspective on how life should be lived:
When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy
knowing that the world I leave
is better for the love I gave.
In the Shadow of Rainbows is surely one of Selma Martin’s most loving gifts to the world! ❤
Congratulations to Selma on the success of her book, In the Shadow of Rainbows, number one best-seller on Amazon in multiple categories!
Congratulations to Ingrid Wilson and EIF, Experiments in Fiction Publishing!
If you have not yet read Selma’s inspiring new book, a beautiful and moving experience awaits you!
Gulf Coast Poet 