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A Leaf Can Be… Korean!

I opened a box from Millbrook/Lerner a couple of weeks ago and was delighted to learn that A Leaf Can Be… has been published in Korean, in Korea! I just love the way the text looks! Whee–it’s beautiful! Hardcover and…audio? published by Neungyule Education, Inc. It’s so amazing to think of my words–well, my ideas–reaching

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Dog on the Job, a Zeno Poetryaction [Poetry Friday]

Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Earlier this week, I shared a note of thanks for my beagle, Jack. Today, I’m re-sharing a zeno poetryaction he inspired a couple of years ago.   Ah, Jackie…For more poetry fun, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted this week by the smart and

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Tracks [15 Words or Less Poems]

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m glad you’re here. Randy and I went downtown (Minneapolis) a week or two to attend a concert by Cantus, a choral group. The did covers of some pop songs plus the entire

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Capt. Jack

Thankful for My Dog

Capt. Jack Sparrow has accidents. He barks when we don’t want him to. He doesn’t bark when we would like him to. He snaps at people in his sleep. We joke about giving him away, but who would take a dog like this? And how could we give him away? We love him despite all

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license plate

Thankful for My Car

I am not a car person. I don’t get excited about cars. I don’t really notice cars. In fact, I climbed into a car of a similar color and shape (to me, anyway) as my Kia Soul in the Weight Watchers parking lot a few weeks ago. My husband says a Jeep Patriot is NOTHING

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Thankful for Librarians

Last week, I visited Plainview Library (southern MN), and I had a wonderful time meeting Meg Curtiss, a children’s librarian who so naturally connects with kids. She’s doing awesome things for both the public library and (as a volunteer) the local school library. We celebrated the messiness of creativity and writing, and I was so

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Three's a Crowd

Ducks on a Log [15 Words or Less Poems]

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m glad you’re here. While Randy and I were walking Jack last week, we walked right by these mallards at the lake. Jack was happily oblivious, as he was busy sniffing animal poo

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cantus

Thankful for…Music

I have always loved songs–mostly lyrics (no surprise there). I grew up copying lyrics into notebooks and ended up writing poetry. I love listening to music, and I’m grateful to my husband, Randy, who is always expanding my extremely narrow musical horizons. Last weekend, we went to see a Twin Cities vocal group called Cantus

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storm

Thankful for…Storms

I don’t miss a whole lot about Florida besides family and the beach. But I do miss thunderstorms! There is nothing like a cracking good thunder and dark sky and pounding rain to make me feel cozy and safe as I read or write. And then the flash of lightning to remind me of the

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house sold

Thankful for…Home

This has been a super stressful time, and we have finally accepted an offer on our house and had an offer accepted on another home. Of course, like selling a book, it’s something to celebrate but also something I never quite trust will go through until I’m holding that book in my hot little hands.

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Revenge of the White Dragon [Poetry Friday]

Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I realize this poem is not seasonally appropriate, but this week I’ve been reading about 2015’s disastrous Mt. Everest avalanche, and it made me think of this acrostic I wrote years ago. Revenge of the White Dragon (An Acrostic) A dragon wakes, his winter sleep

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Umbrella 15wol

Umbrella, Inside [15 Words or Less Poems]

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m glad you’re here. Randy and I were killing time during a showing recently. We sat outside at a Freddy’s, and as I drank my Diet Coke and lost at Scrabble, I also

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Plant (mostly dead)

Thankful for… Imperfection

I have a black thumb. My plants die as fast as I can pot them. Here’s one on my deck right now. But when I look out my kitchen window as I sit writing at the table, I mostly just see the happy flash of red. Whatever has died behind it–well, I don’t focus on

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Thankful for… Laughter

I was talking to my parents on the phone, and even while discussing another doctor’s appointment (they have so many every week), my dad and I found things to laugh about. When they were calling him from the waiting room, he couldn’t find the door people were disappearing into, which was tucked around the corner.

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Thankful for… Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary

I’ve had a lot going on in life lately, and my online community has been so supportive, which I greatly appreciate! But I feel whiny, and I want to concentrate for a bit on something each day that makes me smile. I want to make sure I appreciate all that I have. Today, I’m appreciating

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