Announcements, Book Announcements, Celebrations, poetry

ANNOUNCEMENT! “Perihelion” by Roberta Batorsky is Published Today!!

We are pleased to announce that “Perihelion” by Roberta Batorsky is now ready for your bookshelf. Her debut poetry book, “Perihelion” is a poetry collection which has been carefully crafted, critiqued, and polished for the best of reading.

About “Perihelion”

This book uses powerful, colorful imagery and often humor, applied to everyday life situations, to delve deep into the realms of love, loss, childhood, memory, aging, relationships, partnership and friendship. The writer’s command of language, including colorful and strong vocabulary, will appeal to poetry readers of all stripes in its accuracy, insight and universality. Her critical insight and unsparing explorations of feelings will bring readers into her circle with recognition of the beauty of her words and the similarities with their own experiences. Her love for nature and ability to describe people’s lived experiences, mental problems, societal upheaval, relationship struggles, love for family, and deep love for, and familiarity with, literature will inspire all who pick up her book. Her style is a giving and loving one which will be meaningful to all readers.

Note the cover design by Kelli Jackson of KRynae Design Co. She really captured the meaning of the poem by the same name.

What others have to say:

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Perihelion, the debut collection of poetry by Roberta Batorsky. Roberta’s poetry has taken the literary community by storm, her words will make you want to sit up and think, stir emotions, as she pulls you into her world. Her poetry reflects her interest in people, through lived experiences and the world of science. Each one is full of humour, pathos, and empathy. She is incredibly articulate and precise, reflecting her intellectual ability as an educator.

This collection has over one hundred poems; each one is a masterpiece in its own right, beautifully crafted to perfection. Each poem gives you an insight into her life and the lives of others, incredibly observant and full of wit, as you are transported to her world.

This book will appeal to readers of all ages and genders because it is relatable, to enchant, move and delight. Stand out poems include “American Standard or The Loo’s Lament,” “Social Dancing on Neptoon,” “Lost Lives Matter,” “Unstrung, for Richard,” “I Remember It,” “If I die first,” “Picking Apples in Stilettos,” “Bismillah,” “Autumn Finds Me,” “My Dis Connect,” “Drinking with Mom,” “Man to Man,” “The Walkers in the Rain,” and “Gasp.” This poignant book of poetry is an entertaining read, will make you laugh out loud, smile in places and shed a tear, extremely relatable and utterly brilliant, it will be a welcome addition to your bookshelf, a classic in the making.

Sarfraz Ahmed, Poet and Writer (UK)

Roberta Batorsky’s “Perihelion” carries rich layers of meaning in the context of poetic creativity. Like planets drawing close to the sun, the poet’s voice circles the most intense experiences of human life: mental health struggles (“Unit 4,” “New Year to Be Born”), grief (“Irreplaceable, for Mariana”, “Tremolo”), and love (“You Are All I Need”). These are moments of most excellent exposure, where both illumination and pain work together. It suggests that poetry itself becomes a perihelion. In this space, the poet dares to move nearest to the burning core of experience, and in doing so, offers illumination to the readers. In “Perihelion”, readers encounter humour, grief, survival, and renewal in equal measure. It is a collection that burns close, like its namesake, leaving the reader illuminated.

Munmun Samanta, Author of “Yellow Chrysanthemum”

Get Your Copy Here

Roberta Batorsky is a Biology teacher and freelance science writer. Her poetry reflects her interest in people, their lived experiences and science. She writes with empathy, knowledge and humor and has been published in Heron Clan, Fine Lines, NJ Bards, Delaware Valley Poets and other collections. This is her first book. She lives in NJ with her husband and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-September 15, 2025

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Are we on the edge of fall?

It seems there’s a message in the air.

Winds have calmed and sun has dozed.

Crispness fills the air.

Hello and welcome to TTOT for you and for me!

I hope you all have had a thankful week. I know mine has been full of mini and monumental moments. Today, I am a bit blog happy with so much goings on.

Saturday, we went to my first in-person NC Poetry Society meeting. I have attended online, but this was pretty cool. It was made possible by their holding it in Cary, just a little way down the road. Here’s a picture that Mari Fitz-Wynn took of us. I am in the middle, and my friend Chanah Wizenberg is on the right.

Yesterday afternoon, I set up my very first book fair table. Sweetheart was able to be with me and as we dined the lunch at the venue, we called it a “date.” It’s been a busy time for both of us, and we grab those moments with gratitude. We tried our very first smashburger and while it was good, I think I like mine juicier, but it was not too bad.

We both enjoyed the fair. As one who likes to observe my surroundings, I had a great seat which I was able to select as an early bird. If you know Hans and I, you know we like to arrive on time, if not way early. We had fun setting up tables and decorating ours. Purple is my favorite color, so we did it all up in purples.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

It’s been so lovely outside that I was able to swim at the Y for one of the sessions.

It was a little brry, but the pool was heated and the little cool gave us incentive to move! I will call that a win!

I learned how to make little zines to hand out at the book fair. People who took them, really loved them. Thanks to Poet Loralee Clark (oh yes, I did put a link there) who created a video to demonstrate how to make them. They are so much fun that I may have a new project to add to my long list. I thought it was the sweetest thing that she took the time to create this video and it was just perfect. Thank you, Loralee!

The Unhoused-Yearning for Home project is coming to a close for submissions. We have had several submissions and hope to get more. We are greatly in need of cover art.

In response to a Pampered Chef party, several friends stepped up and donated to the Women’s Center of Wake County by ordering. I’ll be stopping into the center soon to take them the proceeds. I am grateful for people who stepped up to help these women. Also, I put up my birthday wish on Facebook and someone donated to it, as well. That also goes to the Women’s Center. A percentage of proceeds from Unhoused will also go to the center. I am overjoyed with the responses.

As of today, tax season part two will end in just over a month. Technically, October 25 since the extensions happened in this state, but I am calling it October 15. It just sounds better.

Well, that’s a lot a good stuff up there, doncha think? What’s your TTOT? Drop a line or two to share.

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Announcements, Celebrations, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-April 7, 2025

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April Showers bring May Flowers, and this woman is one very thankful person for gratitude #1 RAIN!!! Over the past month, I have been buying up plants to get ready for the outdoor pots. I even bought some shade friendly flower seeds, since my porch is not super sunny. I gave all of my plants a good working over and they are all waiting in line for their transition. I am grateful #2 for all the plants. When I see pretty flowers, it just cheers up my day.

#3 is BIRD MANIA!! I LOVE this! The little chirpers are just having the time of their lives! They visit the porch often, probably looking for building materials or nesting places. I was in a zoom interview with a writer a while ago and we were serenaded by the birds. IT was lovely.

#4 is that daughter is having a great time with her bowling league sponsored by Special Olympics. Her average has improved pretty quickly. It’s cool that she has co-workers in the league. #5 She has taken off well with her barista responsibilities. She loves telling visitors about the history of the company for which she works. An ambassador, I suppose we could say.

#6 Tax season is longer this year due to hurricane extensions. I am very grateful that the office is providing suppers for the accounting team and hubby gets a nice, hot meal at work. It’s odd at home as I am used to cooking supper, but we ladies have been eating light since it’s good for us.

#7 If you follow this blog, then you can see there are many thankfuls in my business world. There are several books published or in the process of being published. I love the fact that one of the authors, namely Kaelen Felix, placed as a finalist for her children’s book Wings and Whispers, Tales of Friendship, Volume 1.

#8 National Poetry Month has kept me hopping and I am grateful for the energy to keep up. #9 Times in my life when I have had the pleasure of getting to know two beautiful people who have both crossed over to the other side. And that there is a place for peace through prayers and support for those closest to these fine people. Even as distance affects these relationships, the social media connection has kept us communicating.

#10 You! I am grateful for this blog family who always has hope in all things. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

And that’s a wrap!

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