meetup

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What is poetry to you? Does it bring joy to your life? Is it a release from stress? Is it a way to send a message about social justice? Is it a way to express love? Is it a tool to balance your brain? Does it make the rest of life make sense?

As you can see here, poetry affects us in multiple ways. It is not all roses and French colognes. It is messy. It smells acrid. It rustles up souls. It raises awareness. It shows appreciation. It releases bad dreams. It even conjures up dreams. It creates restless dreams, calling the poet up at 4 a.m. because they are visited with poetry. The list goes on.

How about joining us at Poet’s Connection and sharing the beauty of poetry?

On September 26 at 10 a.m. until noon Eastern Time Zone, poets will be coming together for a special event. Poet’s Connection has been meeting monthly and went online because of the pandemic. We gather each month to share what we have written, to learn new forms, to interact with other poets, to support each other. And we bring in guests. Last month we had a workshop with Justine Quammie. This month we are being visited by three poets who will share their works.

We will come together at 10 a.m. Eastern Time and readings will begin at 10:15. We gives us time to get into the room and share. After the last reading, we will also have time for sharing.

As Poet’s Connection is a virtual event, this allows for others to be involved. Who knows when there will be the possibility of in person meetings? Online meetings will continue, regardless of when in person meetings start back. This is because there is an apparent need for online meetings, especially for those of us who cannot get to in-person meetings, as well as offering a more international approach.

Who, you may be asking, is going to present as the special guests on September 26, 2020? Well, here is the scoop.

Maxima Kahn is a writer of poetry, essays and fiction. Her debut collection of poems, Fierce Aria, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2020. Her work has been featured in numerous literary journals and on popular blogs and she has twice been nominated for Best of the Net. She has received scholarships and fellowships to the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley and the Vermont Studio Center.

Her popular workshops and one-on-one mentoring in poetry, creative writing and The Artist’s Way have helped hundreds of people to unleash their creative gifts, realize their aspirations and create lives of passion, purpose and deep play. Having taught formerly at the University of California, Davis Extension, she now teaches and blogs at BrilliantPlayground.com. You can get intimate, insider access to her creative projects and process at Patreon.com/MaximaKahn.

She is also an improvisational violinist, an award-winning composer and a dancer.

Kahn will be reading from her latest book of poetry, Fierce Aria.

*****

Larry Richardson is a 13 year veteran of the military. Richardson started writing poetry in high school and have of this January self published my first poetry book. Richardson shared, “I love poetry and will use it to inspire people and bring them closer to God.” He writes under the penname of LaVon Robinson in honor of his mother, Mary Robinson. His poetry book, The Song of Lala, available by direct contact.

Richardson will be reading from his poetry book, Songs of Layla the poet.

*****

Marcella Remund is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and a South Dakota transplant, where she teaches English at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She is the author of a chapbook of poems, The Sea is My Ugly Twin (2018 Finishing Line Press) and a full-length collection The Book of Crooked Prayer (2020 Finishing Line Press). She and her husband live in a multi-generational, multi-species household in Vermillion.

Remund will be reading from her newest book, The Book of Crooked Prayer.

*****

This poetry meeting will be via Meetup. A link will be posted for those who RSVP. If you are not on Meetup, but wish a link, please contact me on this platform and I will respond. @ljtomey

Link for Poet’s Connection Meetup

poetry, TTOT, writing

Ten Things of Thankful – August 14 2020

August 14, 2020August 17, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

It’s the end of a great week and time for TTOT. Let’s get to it!

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Scavenger Hunt Zoom Style! Our apartment community has a CARES program. This is run by a couple who plan social events. In these pandemic times, they have to be creative. Last week they had an ice cream truck come by and offered free sundaes to the first so many people. We started out, but it poured rain, so I ended up making smoothies for our own treats. It all worked out. So, last night we had a scavenger hunt. We were the only ones who showed for the Zoom event, well, an the facilitator. So, we competed in our household. We worked up a sweat rushing around looking for things to show on the screen. We pretty much tied and we are getting a Panera gift card for participating. My favorite find was the last item on the list. She asked us to show something that was the most precious to each of us. It was easy. We put our arms around each other.
So I think I mentioned at least 3 thankfuls in #1 so there’s that.
Ditto.
I am nearing the end of a special project and look forward to the last piece. It was a good project, but just ready to get to the next one.
The Sealey Challenge. I have been reading a poetry book each day for this project. It is findable on Twitter #thesealeychallenge It has been inspiring to read other’s words. At some point, I will review what I have read. If they are on Goodreads, for now, I am at least giving points. When I have more time, I will write a more detailed review.
Poet’s Connection event coming up on August 22. It is getting down to the last week to sign up for the event. Hint Hint Justine Quammie is presenting on August 22 at 10 a.m. for the Poet’s Connection meeting. It’s a workshop and it’s going to be awesome. I participated in one of Quammie’s workshops and she does a fantastic job. If you are interested, please let me know. I can send a link if you message me with your email. The attendance looks light and it would be great to have more attend. There is no charge. My thankful is that we can have this workshop with such an awesome presenter.
Testimonies from others about how this pandemic has brought out the helpers. I have heard of people getting financial and physical help in these challenging times and I love to hear the stories.
Poetree – is a book I stumbled upon when I was looking at the online library options. I was showing my daughter how to get books online and how to get the Kindle app on your phone to read the books. So, now, she is reading books on her phone.

9. We All Pitched In was published this week. Have a look.

10, YOU! Now you have an opportunity to participate in TTOT. What say you?

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – March 6 2020

March 6, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

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It’s MARCH!! WHAAAAAT?!! Marching forth it’s TTOT time and this here link you see in blue is where you go to add your two cents worth or 10 cents…whichever you wish!

So many things in life to be thankful for and I am going to jump right in!

Prayer: A friend was in a serious auto accident and survived. From the looks of the vehicle, I don’t know how. Praying that the other person comes through and I am grateful for the power of prayer.
Poet’s Connection – As one who does not easily make it to evening events, I decided to create a meetup for poets on one Saturday per month. The turn out was excellent. This was via Living Poetry and it was a definite repeater, so we will do it again in March.

Voting – I am grateful for the ability to vote and try not to make this a freedom to take for granted. I voted and I am glad that it’s done until November.
Knee Health – Laverne, my metallic knee has been giving me troubles, but she is not infected. I had to have some juices drawn to check it out, That was an ouchie for a couple of day, but it could have been worse. Not having an infection is a big deal. So, now the plan is physical therapy and I am grateful I can do that. I already had PT scheduled for my gait so now I can do both.

Soap-I have a lot of soap as I have always been a big hand washer. So, there’s that fact that I bought a big ole mess of it awhile ago.

Observations-People who wear gloves and wash their hands before handling my food or body. I pay attention at doctor’s offices and restaurants. And it’s a good idea. Glad to report good results.
Libraries – I am doing some extensive research on a topic and grateful for the library and how they can get books from the interlibrary system.
Time with Friends – I had at least three times this week when I got together with friends for various purposes and it was so nice to take the time to be involved with each of them. I am kind of an introvert and it’s a challenge for me to get together with others, but my close friends are totally different. I am also so grateful for my internet chat relationship with my long distance friend. We try to chat at least once a week. I look forward to those.

Daughter is sorting out my pantry as we speak! YAY!!! It’s a mess and I am grateful she likes to do this sort of thing.
and last by not least YOU! and you know what? You can join the table of grateful supper participants.
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Senior Health, Uncategorized

Getting Fit: The Senior Exercise Edition

October 19, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

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As the pool is closing for the season, it’s time to ramp up the exercise routine for the fall. What’s worked for me is tabata and strength training. It’s a nice mix which I sometimes combine, but often do separately.

With an older body, not making excuses here, there are some quirks that need attention. First, I have physical challenges, including arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia, among some other thing. When planning my routines, I have to concentrate on ways to help me manage these without feeling the need to give up. Not a quitter, it’s in my gene pool, I am determined to accomplish goals. This brings me to a list of pointers to help with planning for my workout. Disclaimer: These are things that help me and I take no responsibility for your experience with them.

1. Be reasonable by making challenges within your ability while still pushing yourself

2. Remember this is for you and you are not competing with anybody else.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

4. If you are trying to lose weight be cautious about eating your exercise burning calories – there’s a balance in there and you will find it with practice – also good to note is that if you eat food that is high calorie, you are not likely to burn it off with reasonable exercise. Ask your doctor for a guide how much to consume in balance with exercise.

5. Use an app to help. I use MyFitnessPal, but I have a routine so it’s hard to veer away. I like that you can log your exercise along with eating, but mostly, I focus on the eating.

6. Consult your doctor before starting exercise. Mine is one of the best cheerleaders who looks at my weight. She also tells me nice things like how she wish she had more patients like me. I can’t help, though, but feel bad for the other patients.

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7. Find music and/or videos to help you with exercise. I downloaded Spotify and use their Tabata music, complete with timers and even exercise suggestions. There are some great videos on YouTube including Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Walking and pretty much exercise for any age groups.

8. Senior Centers and other community centers have exercise programs. Where I live there is a city booklet where you can find programs at reasonable pricing and there are even ways to get fee adjustments for those who cannot afford the whole program pricing. There may be community pools open year round.

9. Socializing while exercising is a great way to get your move on and catch up with friends. Joining walking groups or enlisting friends to join in walking are great ways to get your move on. Meetup often has groups with this focus.

10. Don’t overdo it. I cannot stress this enough that you have to listen to your body. Exercise should not bring pain, true pain. Aching may happen, but pain is not good and is a sign to STOP. I have had times when I started exercising and had to stop in five minutes. When you have bad pain days, you have them and it’s time to do something else to take care of you. Maybe a warm soak or hot tea or something in the relaxation realm. Relaxation should be a natural part of your daily routine. What goes on in the mind goes on in the body.

Now, you may have read this list and thought it’s just like any other list you have read. If you got this far, which I hope you did, there is one last and most important thing: YOU GOT THIS!!