We often see the male cardinal visiting the homemade feeder at the side of the house. He seems to have developed an addiction to black oil sunflower seeds. I haven’t seen the female for a while. She may be sitting on a new nest. I hear a lot of singing these days!
Comcast is making good progress on installing the new internet cable system throughout our area. Maybe internet service will improve soon!
My projects are progressing well, and I’ll share more on that when the time comes, but all the hard work and the headaches are taking a toll. Ongoing physical therapy is quite painful and leaves me exhausted. I am not seeing benefits yet. The headaches continue. Computer time is contributing to the stiff muscles in my neck, back, and shoulders which seem to be causing the headaches. My physical therapist has found some abnormalities in my posture. I am leaning to the left (literally), and she thinks I may have a curvature in my spine. I think she will recommend some imaging to my neurologist. Since migraine remedies didn’t work, it is probable that the headaches are not migraines. Computer time is also taking a toll on my eyes.
It seems I have no other choice than to decrease computer time, so I am going to take a break. I will miss all of my blogging friends very much, but I hope to be back soon, stronger and with good news. Happy spring everyone! 🩷
Yesterday, I heard a loud commotion outside the window. I arrived just in time to see, silhouetted against the sunny sky, screaming birds pursuing slightly larger birds as they rose high in the sky. Then I noticed the mangled nest!
Sadly, I had witnessed a similar scenario before. A dozen years ago, I saw two angry mockingbirds repeatedly attacking a much larger osprey who was carrying their chick to its nest on a pole high above the parking lot. It was a hopeless situation for the mockingbirds, but they continued to attack.
Though I didn’t get a clear view of the birds yesterday, I am pretty sure the nest raider was a blue jay, known for preying on cardinal chicks.
Soon all was quiet. I saw the male cardinal pausing at the edge of the woods, silent now, and looking back toward the ruined nest as if to say goodbye. Cardinal family, you are in my thoughts. I share your sorrow, and I will always remember being privileged to witness your loving family life for an all-too-brief period.
I was too distraught to write about these devastating events yesterday, but this morning, it occurred to me that, even among humans, this is nature’s way. Many human children are victims of accidents, cruel diseases, famines, and wars not of their making. Many children die too soon. Today, I grieve for all the lost children, both animal and human.
This poem was written for Robert for Valentine’s Day and published in New Lyricist magazine, Issue 01, EIF Publishing, Ingrid Wilson.
Photo by Patrice Bouchard from Unslpash
News from the Palm Palace
The Palm Palace is a busy place this week. The Queen’s weeks of keeping the eggs warm are over; the eggs hatched on Sunday. The King has appeared, feeding insects to the tiny hatchlings. More news to come about the Cardinal Royal family.
Photo of male cardinal by Patrice Boucher from Unsplash
Photo of female cardinal by Joshua Cotten from Unsplash
Cardinals at the Palm Palace
Three small eggs,
pale blue flecked with brown
in a nest
made with love,
so exquisitely woven,
softly lined with grass.
Like a queen
in your palm palace,
self-assured
on your throne,
faithful cardinal mother
keeping your eggs warm.
We watched you
weaving your fine nest,
discovered
your blue eggs.
Pretty Mama, we share your
anticipation!
Very soon
your handsome husband
will help you
feed hatchlings…
King and Queen in your green realm,
reigning together.
We will watch
as hatchlings become
fledgelings, sprout
new feathers…
wobbly, but growing stronger,
flapping tiny wings.
Sometime soon,
comes the day they fly.
Under the
watchful eyes
of their parents, they’ll practice.
Soon, they’ll fly away!
We will watch
flapping tiny wings,
self-assured.
Someday soon,
King and Queen in your green realm…
Soon, they’ll fly away!
The cardinals’ nest, the “Palm Palace” is located among the fronds in the back of the tree on the left. We have a clear view of the nest from the window.
Northern cardinals live in North America. They are the predominate bird in our neighborhood. A pair of cardinals have a nest in our little palm tree that is clearly visible from our window. The mother bird is sitting on three eggs.
From my research, I learned that they raise two families a year. I think this is the second nest. We have not seen the father yet. He is probably at the first nest feeding the hatchlings while his wife is sitting on eggs in the second nest. When the eggs hatch, he should be here to help feed the hatchlings their diet of insects.
Robert and I made a feeder, hung it on a shepherd’s crook, and filled it with black oil sunflower seeds, supposedly the favorite treat of cardinals. We also put out water on a stand. So far, there is no evidence that the birds are using it. Thank you, Joanna of naturetails, for your advice on providing both food and water.
I meant to post this before Easter, but WordPress problems have slowed me down. Anyway, I hope everyone had a happy Easter and a lovely weekend! I am getting the computer problems worked out, but I still may not be able to “like” for a while. I appreciate your patience.
My late husband, Drew, and I adopted Katey and Joe from Russia in October, 1995. We lived in Miami Beach, and Drew, AKA “Papa,” was a very devoted father until his death in January, 2003. Katey now lives near Dallas, Texas with her older sister Ellen, a cat, a dog, and two other roommates. The new Barney, the Purple Dinosaur, joined the household in 2o19.
working together to make Earth a better place to live!
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Balroop Singh is a former teacher, mother, and grandmother, writer, and poet. I found eleven of her books on Amazon! Fusion: Poems of Life is the latest one. I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book of lovely poetry, and I enthusiastically recommend it! A huge thank you to Balroop for the very kind review of my book, Earthly Days, below. It was a wonderful surprise!
I have missed you. First, my 2013 computer died. I bought a new computer and got data transferred from the old computer. Two days later, our internet went off and stayed off for 10 days! No grocery deliveries, no TV, no computer, no house phone…When the internet came back on, I had 695 Emails. We are in the middle of many medical appointments, both for Robert and for me. I am also involved in a project that has been delayed by having no internet. I don’t think I will be up to speed for some time, but I will do my best!
Thank you to all of my WordPress friends for the wonderful posts you have shared this year. Reading what you have written and enjoying what you have created has enhanced my life. Thank you for reading and commenting on my work this year. Your support means so much to me!
A special thank-you to those who wrote interviews and reviews of Earthly Days and those who bought my books. I am grateful for the WordPress community, a place where we encourage and support each other.
May peace and harmony come to our troubled world. May brotherhood replace anger and conflict. Where there is destruction, may people work together to rebuild. May we find the will to heal and restore the Earth, our home.
I wish all of my WordPress friends love, health, happiness, and success in 2024. May all of your dreams come true!
Brazilian Pepper Tree, formerly known as Florida Holly. Photo by Ann Murray, University of Florida.
Christmas in Virginia
Poinsettias indoors.
Cardinals at the feeder.
Red holly berries.
Red bow on evergreen wreath.
Christmas time in Virginia!
Christmas in Florida
Poinsettias outdoors.
Red poison ivy, palm trees.
Red Bow on faux wreath.
“Florida Holly” berries.
Christmas time in Florida!
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels.
A Little Chat with Santa
Q. I know you grew up in Virginia, Cheryl. Do you feel that Christmas is too hot in South Florida where you now live?
A. No, South Florida weather is lovely at Christmas, Santa.
Q. Why do you have a fake wreath on your door?
A. Real wreaths dry out and turn brown within a couple of days here. Fake ones last forever!
Q. Florida Holly Trees are so pretty! Why don’t you plant some in your yard?
A. Brazilian Pepper Tree, sometimes called “Florida Holly,” is an invasive alien species related to poison ivy. It is irritating to some people.
Q. Oh! Why do you even have such a plant in Florida?
A. Florida has outlawed Brazilian Pepper Trees, but birds eat the berries and spread seeds everywhere! Despite our best efforts, I think that tree is here to stay.
Q. Why don’t you have a bird feeder? Don’t you like birds anymore?
A. I love birds! But Florida birds can find their own food all year long.
Q. Don’t you ever wish for a white Christmas? Snow is so beautiful!
A. No! I enjoyed snow when I was younger, but it got old scraping the windshield. I am glad we don’t have snow here. I wear flip flops and shorts every day. No need to bring me any mittens, Santa!
Q. Don’t you ever miss Virginia?
A. Sometimes…although I have lived in Florida for thirty years.
Q. Thank you for taking time to chat with us today, Cheryl. Merry Christmas!
A. My pleasure, Santa. Merry Christmas to you! I am sorry we don’t have a chimney, but I will leave you a key in the poinsettia pot by the door.
Adapted from the traditional children’s song, “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”
Photos by Ellen, Katey and friends.
With a neigh, neigh here…
and an oink, oink there…
Here a mew, there a mew…
Everywhere a mew, mew!
Katey and Ellen visited a ranch. E-I-E-I-OOO!
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, my daughters from Texas and I visited Zoo Tampa and had a wonderful time. On Wednesday, they visited the ranch of some of their friends in nearby Arcadia. I stayed home to rest and prepare for Thanksgiving dinner the next day.
I love the photos Katey and Ellen shared from that trip. Katey and Ellen love horses and volunteer at a ranch in Texas that uses horse riding therapy for disabled children. The pig in the pictures is a rescued wild pig. Cats and kittens on the ranch are very affectionate. One in particular seemed to want to go back to Texas with Katey. They also fed peanuts to a friendly squirrel!
After a quiet Thanksgiving and a dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and ice cream, we rested up for a boat tour and dinner overlooking the bay in Punta Gorda on Friday. Robert was supposed to go with us, but the weather was a little cool and windy. On Saturday, we took a water taxi to an island restaurant, then had decadent deserts in Boca Grande. The girls went for a swim at the beach near the lighthouse.
Katey Batavia, Ellen Maher, Cheryl Batavia on the water taxi.
I have been under the weather, so we didn’t take the road trip we had planned, just some day trips nearby. Allergies and a sinus infection, followed by 24/7 migraine headaches for several months have slowed me down. I recently had an MRI, which ruled out the most serious possible causes of the migraines. A neurologist’s visit is scheduled for March to follow up. Meanwhile, a prescription for migraines from my family doctor should ease my pain. Hopefully, next year, my daughters and I will take our usual road trip.
Cheryl and daughter Katey at the Miami Book Fair five years ago
I found these photos today and thought people might enjoy them.
Downtown Miami, night-time view from our hotel room. The two glowing buildings in the center are the beautiful concert hall and opera house. We attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for these two lovely buildings when we lived in Miami Beach. I later attended some concerts there.
The law firm where my late husband practiced law was located in the Intercontinental building on the left. The sculpture in front of that building is a monument to the Challenger Crew who died in a space mission accident. The tile we bought in support of the monument is still there.
Katey on the white marble slide near Bayside where she used to play as a child. She would slide over and over again until her face was flushed, and we made her take a rest. It looks as if a lot of children have loved it since then!
Katey met a new friend, “Clifford, the Big Red Dog,” at the Miami Book Fair. Katey and her brother had named our dog “Clifford” after him when they were very young.
Cheryl and Katey Batavia at the Miami Book Fair. The Hanging Out with Wild Animals books were on exhibit there.
House in Miami Beach where our family lived for seven years when our children were young.
The Miami Book Fair is one of the oldest and largest in the US. My book, Earthly Days, will be exhibited there by my publisher, Main Spring Books. If you get a chance to attend, say hello for me to my advisor, Chris (Christopher Hernandez) at the Main Spring Books booth.
Bayside is across the street from the book fair. It is a great place to eat with views of the water or walk along the waterfront to do a little shopping.
You may also soon see posts on social media about Earthly Days.
Thank you to my fellow bloggers for their ongoing support. I do not yet have very many reviews on Amazon. If anyone would like to post a review on Amazon, that would be extremely helpful to me. I will repost any reviews to my blog.
Thank you to those who have already submitted an Amazon review. If you have submitted a review and don’t see it online after a couple of days, please let me know. I have one report about someone not being able to post their review on Amazon.
Today I want to entertain you with an interview I conducted with our sweet friend, Cheryl Batavia. Cheryl needs no introduction. We all know and love her. But for the few who still haven’t heard of Cheryl, let me introduce you.
The Interview:
What is your intended audience for Earthly Days?
The poems in Earthly Days are written about the experiences of daily life. Many of the poems are autobiographical, but readers will find much that is familiar and relatable to their own lives. Earthly Days also includes personal perspectives about life and poems about environmental issues that I hope readers will find thought-provoking. In short, Earthly Days is written for a general audience.
What do you hope your readers will take away from this book?
I want readers to enjoy reliving their cherished memories and be inspired to reflect on their lives, relationships, and the environment. I hope that they will have a renewed sense of optimism and be open to new ideas and experiences. Most of all, I want readers to have a good time reading and come away with smiles that linger long after they have finished reading Earthly Days.
What was your motivation for writing Earthly Days?
I have been fortunate to have a fulfilling life with an ample measure of opportunities and challenges. My books are my legacy. As I reflect on the experiences of my life, I search for meaning. Whatever meaning I find, I share in my poems.
Earthly Days is organized by themes into five chapters: Perspectives, Love, Family, Nostalgia, and Mother Nature. What background information would you like to provide about these chapters?
“Perspectives” includes personal philosophy, observations, opinions, and ideas. “Love” is made up of poems dedicated to my soul mate, Robert, but also a couple of poems about men from my earlier life. “Family” and “Nostalgia” are mostly autobiographical stories. Some are poignant, and some may make you laugh. Although “Mother Nature” has her dedicated chapter, she finds her way into poems throughout Earthly Days!
Life on Earth is finite. Our Earthly days are the time we have to enjoy, to learn, to love and be loved, and to accomplish our life’s work. Whatever our beliefs concerning an afterlife, we should make the most of our days on Earth!
Tell us about your writing style and routine when writing.
Earthly Days includes poems about critical environmental issues. Some poems deal with profound ideas about the meaning of life or our relationships with others. Nostalgic poems may tell lighthearted stories and share humorous memories. All of the poems are written in a simple, often conversational style.
Whatever the subject, however serious the issue, the tone of Earthly Days is positive, and the poems end on a hopeful note. It is okay to feel sadness or become discouraged, but ultimately, we must find peace and seek solutions!
I am not a very prolific writer. I write when I have something to say. When I try to write poems on demand, I am not usually happy with the results. I write what comes to me in a dream, won’t let me go to sleep, or is on my mind when I wake. Sometimes I write about current events or old memories that suddenly come to mind.
First drafts are written in my favorite black pencils topped with erasers. The drafts are set aside for a few hours or overnight, then edited, revised, and typed on my computer. Finally, I select photos and add them to poems. You will find many beautiful color photos in Earthly Days.
Dear Cheryl, Thanks so much for sharing this lovely look into the human behind the pencil. And I hope that our readers are enticed just enough to head over to Amazon to purchase your much-awaited book of poetry. What a lovely gift to oneself this good book is!
Dear Readers, I guarantee that you’ll love it as much as I do and will want to purchase it for those people you already know will love Earthly Days as well. I promise you–this poetry collection of nostalgia is an invitation to consciously recall your own treasures. The poems will awaken you to the beautiful world we journey together.
Earthly Days, poems by Cheryl Batavia, is ultimately a love letter to life, a testament written with the youthful exuberance of a life lived in gratitude. I concur that nothing is as beautiful as arriving at retirement and looking back at life with such a grateful heart.
“May your days on Earth be blissful.”~Cheryl Batavia
Earthly Days is dedicated to Robert Snyder. Photo by Cheryl Batavia.
Cheryl Batavia lives on the Gulf coast of Florida with her soulmate, Robert Snyder. A retired teacher, she is the mother of three adult children. Leisure activities include following the news and discussing current events with Robert, watching movies, and playing Scrabble…Robert usually wins!
Cheryl likes going to the beach and taking road trips with her daughters. One of Robert and Cheryl’s favorite pastimes is watching the wildlife that surrounds their home: bobcats, squirrels, armadillos, tortoises, raccoons, dragonflies, butterflies, cardinals, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, and many other wonderful animals.
The Lightening Bug! What a charming blog title! Both whimsical and inspiring, it is the name of the blog of a brilliant young doctor, Sheereen Fatima. I have followed her on her blog through the grueling, sleep-deprived years on her way to becoming a practicing physician. Shereen shared the beautiful moment of her first experience delivering a baby, and of publishing her first book, Stars and Stethescopes.
Dr. Sheereen Fatima shares a moment with a patient.
Then Sheereen became an oncology resident. What challenging work! It takes a very special person to deal with such serious illness. Sheereen is that special person! She wrote an essay in a competition at her hospital with the theme of “Doctor-Patient Relationship” entitled “Power of Empathy.” Read her prize-winning essay on her blog. It is truly inspiring!
Sheereen says,”I have always believed that empathy and compassion are the core of patient care. However it was an encounter with one patient…” Sheereen has that invaluable “personal touch” that any patient would be hoping for when treated by their doctor.
Sheereen wrote a glowing tribute to each of her colleagues. When presented to them it was enthusiastically received. You can read this warm and lovely poem, “The Oncology Family” on her blog.
Sheereen publishes professional papers and books. Her first case study was published in an international medical journal. “CHEK 2 Gene in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: a cordial check on DNA damage repair pathways.”
Despite Sheereen’s impressive accomplishments and promising medical career, she maintains her delightful sense of humor and her humanity. Best wishes, Sheereen, as you treat your patients and make the world a better place! Wishing you a long life of health, success, and happiness!
Happy Holidays! It is the holiday season. I will be taking time out for Thanksgiving and a vacation with my daughters. When I return, I will share some of the festivities with a post. In December, we will be celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas!
Earthly Days is a beautiful collection of poems that resonates with the soul. The verses capture the essence of life, love, and family with a warmth that makes you smile and reflect. The nostalgia in some poems takes you down memory lane, while the love of nature and concern for the environment inspires contemplation. The author’s words linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.
Cindy, a life fitness coach and author blogger, is one of the most enthusiastic, dynamic, and big-hearted people I know. Her wildly popular blog, Unique Times with Cindy, features delightfully eclectic content.
From fitness session videos, to entertaining stories about her family life, to vivid, meaningful poems, Cindy’s blog captivates. If you like photos of wildlife, cats, dogs, babies, and excursions to interesting locations, you will love Cindy’s blog!
Cindy, one of the busiest people I know, faces the challenges of life with determination and a wry sense of humor. Her wise and whimsical poems appear in several anthologies and online magazines.
Cindy just recently became a grandmother to two gorgeous little girls, and earlier this year, she published a remarkable best-selling book that is the culmination of thirty years of helping people. Recreate & Celebrate guides the reader step-by-step in setting goals for a healthy, fulfilling life and in planning strategies to achieve those goals. Each chapter includes a haiku by Cindy, a nice touch!
Earthly Days in paperback and in the Kindle edition is now immediately available on Amazon, shipping in 1-2 days. It is also available on Barnes & Noble.
The paperback, because of the many color photos, had to be priced at $18.99. The Kindle edition, because it has no printing costs, is priced at $2.99. I priced the Kindle edition as low as possible to make it easy for all my fellow bloggers to enjoy the book. I would be ecstatically happy and eternally grateful for any reviews you submit, and I will share them on my blog as I have shared the review above.
Below is the Preface and Acknowledgements page from Earthly Days. I have recognized my WordPress friends for all you mean to me. Every poem in Earthly Days is better because of the experience, knowledge, and inspiration gained from my fellow bloggers. I am deeply grateful. Thank you so much for your support.
Thank you to those who have generously written such outstanding reviews and interviews. Your work is being used as a resource by my publisher in marketing Earthly Days. Your assistance in helping to launch Earthly Days is invaluable, and will be remembered always!
War crimes are defined by an international law called the Geneva Conventions, ratified by all member nations of the United Nations. War crimes have been reported to have been committed by Russia against Ukraine and by both sides in the War between Hamas Militants and Israel. This is a partial list of war crimes.
Attacking civilian targets, assaulting and killing civilians
Destroying buildings used for purposes of religion, education, art, science, and charitable organizations. Also, historic monuments and hospitals
Intentional starvation of civilians or impeding delivery of relief supplies to civilians
Kidnapping and hostage-taking of civilians, use of civilians as human shields
Rape, forced prostitution, and sexual slavery
Torture
Threats have been made by Russia to use nuclear weapons. Other forbidden weapons include poison gas and biological warfare.
References
United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
Topics: Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes, and Ethnic Cleasning
United Nations Commission of Inquiry
This commission is investigating evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in Israel and occupied Palestinian territories since 7 October 2023.
Israel is being investigated for witholding food, water, electricity, and fuel in Gaza.
Hamas is under investigation for gunning down unarmed civilians, taking civilian hostages, and using civilians as human shields.
Animals in many places are responding to climate change by changing their behaviors. Warming seawater has resulted in a decrease in the number of krill, a tiny shrimp that is the primary food of humpback whales.
One group of whales have adapted by finding a new food source, salmon fry from a hatchery in British Columbia whose mission is to replenish the dwindling salmon population. One whale changed his diet from krill to salmon fry. He feasted when the salmon fry were released from their net enclosures.
Humans then started transporting the fry a mile away to release them. The whale followed the boat and adapted by learning to fish in the shallow water. Then he recruited a team of his buddies to fish in teams as dolphins do. I guess the hatchery will have to produce a much larger crop of salmon fry to feed the hungry humpback whales and still have enough salmon for human fishermen!
A group of forest chimpanzees migrated to the savannah of Senegal. The climate was hotter, there were fewer trees, and sources of food were far apart. The chimps responded to the heat by growing less body hair. They established larger territories. Because there were fewer trees, chimps spent more time walking upright than their forest relatives, who usually travel by swinging through the treetops.
Because there was less fruit to serve as a source of water, they had to find fresh water sources. To purify mucky water, they learned to dig holes in sandy riverbanks. When the water filtered through the sand, the holes were filled with clean water for the chimps to drink.
As a source of protein, the savannah chimps use twigs to fish for termites, spending much more time in this activity than forest chimps do. In the middle of the day, when weather is hot, these chimps seek shelter in caves, as early humans once did.
As the climate warms, the savannah will become many degrees hotter. Water sources will dry up. Life will become even more difficult for the savannah chimps. Will they be able to survive?
Marine Iguanas, famously studied by Charles Darwin, live in the Galapagos Islands, a harsh environment. To survive hot weather, they shrink their bodies. In cooler periods, they regrow to their usual size. Too long in cold water, iguanas face hypothermia, which can be fatal. Can marine Iguanas survive global warming?
For more information, watch the PBS video on YouTube, “Earth is Changing (and Animals are Adapting in Surprising Ways.)” Evolution Earth
Selma Martin’s best-selling poetry collection, published by EIF, is delightful! Selma’s meaningful poems, with their vivid imagery and colorful word choices, will capture your imagination and your heart! Selma is a very empathetic and loving person, and her poems express her concern for others and her deep connection with nature.
I loved reading this book! It is a book that I will revisit in those times when I want to reconnect with myself and the world around me. Highly recommended!
Check out Selma’s engaging and varied content on her blog.
My thanks to da-AL for inviting me as her guest on “Happiness Between Tails.” I hope you enjoy her informative and engaging post and my new poem, “Carbon Farming & Climate Change.” Check out the fascinating video about how carbon farming can restore worn-out soil, produce healthy food, reduce carbon dioxide in the air and water pollution from run-off, and combat global warming.
This poem was written in response to Ingrid’s EIF Poetry Challenge #8, and was awarded third place. My sincere thanks to Ingrid for posting the challenge on Experiments in Fiction and to Jaya Avendel of Nin Chronicles, who judged the challenge.
This is one of the poems that appears in Earthly Days.
The softcover edition, because of the many color photos is priced at $18.99.
The electronic version, which will also contain all the color photos, but without the printing costs, will be priced at $2.99 when it becomes available.
Celebrating the lives of our grandparents, whose positive influence has continued throughout our lives and in the lives of everyone who loved them. Photo by Jamie Street from Unsplash
Saying Goodbye to Our Grandparents
(Thirty Years Ago)
High on a hill, in a historic graveyard
overlooking a quaint Pennsylvania town,
we went to say our final goodbyes
to our grandmother.
After the crowd had dispersed,
my brother, sister, and I lingered.
We each threw a handful of earth
into the open grave.
There was something satisfying about doing that.
My grandmother had always loved growing things
in that Pennsylvania earth; she had placed a headstone
years before, planning to join my grandfather here.
Vintage Phonograph. Grandma was a “flapper” with bobbed hair and rolled-down hose, and she loved to dance! I don’t know how my grandparents met, but it might well have been at a dance. Maybe they listened to music on a phonograph like this. Photo by Sudhith Xavier from Unsplash.
Grandpa, born about 1898, worked in steel mills all around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a young man. He bought an early car and travelled to Chicago to learn how to maintain it. There were no repair shops then. In a time when most people didn’t go to school beyond the eighth grade, Grandpa had graduated from high school. He loved to read and continued to educate himself throughout his life.
My grandmother, about ten years younger than Grandpa, was only able to attend school through second grade because she had to take care of her younger sisters while her single mother worked. At twelve years of age, she went to work as a hotel maid to help support her family. In her teens, she worked as a lifeguard. During her brief time in school, she had learned to read, and, like Grandpa, she continued to educate herself as long as she lived.
Earthly Days, is a collection of poems chosen from my blog posts over the last three-and-half years. My deep appreciation goes out to those who have posted reviews thus far. Watch for future reviews from your fellow bloggers. Check out their websites for outstanding content. If you missed their reviews of Earthly Days, you can find them at the URLs below.
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.”
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!
Work songs are traditional songs found in many cultures that coordinate the efforts of people working together. They also provide relief from monotony and form bonds among workers.
I first became aware of work songs as a nine-year old piano student learning to play “The Volga Boatmen.” As a young adult working in a clothing factory and in a printing company, I heard other workers singing along with Loretta Lynne and Elvis Presley as they did their routine work.
Here are some examples of work songs:
Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
Nathan Evans
Pick a Bale of Cotton
Lead Belly
The Song of the Volga Boatmen
(in English and Russian, with beautiful paintings)
For a cautiously optimistic view of saving our planet, go to YouTube and type “Chasing Carbon Zero/PBS/NOVA/Full Documentary.” in the search bar. This worked for me. (When I tried posting the URL, there was a message that the video was unavailable.)
Arctic terns at Ten Thousand Islands, one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. The green shrub on the left is a mangrove, and the green in the distance is a very large mangrove island. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Birds Fishing in the Mangrove Forest
Rocky
mangrove island,
safe perch for arctic terns.
Inches above the waves, they find
refuge.
Osprey, also called a fish hawk, feeding its chicks. Photo by Richard Lee on Unsplash.
Mangroves
create islands,
green in a sea of blue.
Ospreys soar majestically in
blue skies.
Anhinga, also called a snake bird for its long neck. Photo by Mac Weaver from Unsplash.
Streamlined,
anhinga dives
to fish underwater,
spreads water-soaked wings to dry in
sunshine.
Great egret flying and two snowy egrets wading in the water. Photo by William Foley from Unsplash.
Snow white
egrets stand motionless,
fishing in the shallows,
alert, their long, sharp beaks poised to
spearfish!
Pelican in Everglades National Park near Ten Thousand Islands. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Sunset,
pelican flies
at Ten Thousand Islands.
Seeking a little bedtime snack,
he dives!
Pelican flying near Ten Thousand Islands at Everglades National Park. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Please Note: This post was written from my own experiences in Florida. I learned about environmental topics from news and documentaries, and I did some basic research while writing poems about Florida animals. I am not a scientist, just a retired elementary school teacher who cares about the environment.
It’s a big world! Please feel free to provide additional information from your experiences and perspective in the comments. Thank you. 🙂
Gulf Coast Poet 