Good Works, kindness

It’s World Kindness Day

Let’s talk!

What act(s) of kindness have you experienced? Tell your story or write a poem.

Please share in comments or drop a link to your post.

My experience was one of many when a hurricane caused us to start over. Donations from work and church helped with this experience. This required several acts of kindness. It was scary to feel homeless and people with hearts came through without our asking.

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 22, 2025

Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

The leaves are falling a little at a time. Before long they will fill the walkways. And I will still be thankful, oh so very thankful for all the joys that have nipped my awareness in the butt! What a week that was!!!

Over the weekend I felt a great need to go into the world vs staying in the comfort of my own abode. Daughter and I ventured to the North Carolina Museum of Art for a paper and art event. There were a variety of schools represented along with organizations who encourage art in publishing. There were several zines being created, freebies, and just a whole lotta good, spirited energy. Afterwards we went to a sweet cafe and had breakfast for lunch, one of our favorite mother-daughter things to do. We ran some errands before giving in to a rest at home. What great fun we had! I did not work on any projects. I just had fun and relaxed. It was a lovely day with my favorite gal.

Since it is still tax season, that explains where sweetheart was. He was happy for us to go out in the lovely weather and enjoy some special time.

Sunday, we had the book launch for Social Possibilities. It was a fun event, so relaxing to be amongst wonderful people who are also poets. Win Win!!

Today, I was able to go for a tour of the Women’s Center of Wake County and take them the check from the fundraiser. They gave me a tour and I learned a lot about how they help the women in our county. What an amazing staff, with such devotion and smiles everywhere. You couldn’t help but feel the positive spirit in the building. I also learned about their needs and how the community can help. It’s a list and one that is important to pay attention to. Of course, I am thankful I am not homeless and to be honest, there were times in my life it was looking possible.

It’s a God thing. I am convinced. We are put here for a reason. Well, a funny thing happened. Awhile back I met another publisher in Raleigh. She and I met and talked shop and met again and talked some more. Small world, big world, call it what you want…we discovered that she is from an area where one of my poetry friends lives and just so happens that she was going there for a conference. So, I just got off the phone with my friend out there after they met for lunch. Turns out that the Raleigh person went to school with my friend’s husband. Isn’t that something!

When we allow ourselves outside of the comfort zone, it’s amazing what you can find.

And today, I bought a bouquet of flowers. All is well. How are you?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef
TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful-September 15, 2025

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef