WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You

October 18, 2013November 3, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week Word Press has challenged us to come up with photos that focus on the hue (color) that represents us. I love color. I’m happiest when my world is full of color. When I moved into the house that is my current home, all of the walls in the house were white. With the exception of the tiny bathroom, we painted every one of those walls a bright color, and it’s been a joy to live in those rooms for the past 13 years.

I would like to say that I love every single color in the world, but — well — there is one exception: orange. Now if we’re talking about the succulent fruit, I definitely want my oranges to be “orange.” But in every other instance, orange seems to grate on my soul. I feel bad about it. I feel that I’m being unfair to orange, but there it is — might as well be honest.

All of my life my favorite color has been blue — with yellow running a very close second. That’s not surprising, since blue and yellow have been scientifically proven to have the most positive effects on the human psyche (barring some weird abnormality) of all the colors of the spectrum. And their effects are even more positive when both colors are used together. As an author, I learned a long time ago that when planning book covers, including the colors of blue and yellow will automatically add significant appeal to the cover and cause a positive reaction in the viewer.

What has surprised me somewhat over the past three years, however, is that I have grown to have a strong affinity and affection for the color green. For some reason, unknown to me, green has sort of eased its way more deeply into my soul and taken up residence very near the top of my color palate. When I am in stores and I need to choose a product that offers a choice of color in the material or the packaging, I find myself reaching for green about 90% of the time these days. And last April, when I took part in the NaPoWriMo challenge, I found myself creating a poem about the color green. Go figure.

So for this week’s photo challenge, I am sharing four pictures of the color that, to my surprise, best represents me this year: GREEN.

First in line is one of the great loves of my life: Big Blue, my gorgeous Blue Spruce tree, that I planted when he was merely 5 feet tall. He’s green, of course, but each spring, when the brand new buds begin to burst forth, that special brilliant green that signals new life sends me running for my camera.

Second, is a picture of my Christmas wreath from this past Christmas. I was definitely into green; hence the brilliant green Poinsettia that decorates the green wreath.

Third on my list is a book cover. I authored a new creative writing curriculum this year, and for the cover, I chose — yep, you guessed it — a GREEN typewriter. I fell in love with this green typewriter shortly before I completed the book, and there was just no question in my mind about using it as the artwork for the cover.

~

And last, but hopefully not least, is the poem I wrote last April, in honor of the color that spoke to me so strongly back then and still does so today.

I wonder if there’s any significance in the fact that green is made up of a mixture of blue and yellow ….

To join in the fun, hop over to this site:
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/hue-photo-challenge/

CHICKEN

October 15, 2013October 15, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

I want to be a wild thing,
But I don’t think I know how.
I want to be a wild thing,
But maybe just not right now.

I want to be a wild thing,
And my reputation blow;
I want to be a wild thing,
But I’m such a timid soul.

I want to be a wild thing,
To throw caution to the wind;
I want to be a wild thing,
Want to shock all of my friends.

I want to be a wild thing,
In wild living take my part,
But I can’t fly like wild things
‘Cause I’m chicken in my heart.

I want to be a wild thing,
But this longing’s bound so tight
The wildest thing I’ll do is
Claim this poem’s copyright.

~~~

Friday Fictioneers — 10/4/13 — Three For One

October 5, 2013November 3, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well it does feel good to get back in the saddle with Friday Fictioneers. I have been a little swamped with other work the past couple months and have missed out on the fun. But this week I am going to have even more fun than usual because not only have I written a story in response to the challenge, but I have also invited the students in my current creative writing class to participate along with me.

Unfortunately, most of those students have not had the time to submit something for this week’s prompt (I keep them too busy writing for the class), but two students have joined me. The first submission is a 100-word story from Jo Boester, who is a new blogger here on WordPress. (You will find her blog at this link: http://jboester.wordpress.com/).

The second submission is a 100-word poem from Erin Campbell. Now, Erin actually submitted this poem for another challenge we took part in, but when I looked at the picture for this week and saw the connection with the ocean, I took it upon myself to encourage her to let her poem apply to FF’s as well. She writes of tide and time from a unique perspective, and I think it’s a fitting response to the challenge.

I’m very proud of both of these writers and look forward to seeing them pursue their writing goals and publish more of their work in the near future.

Last of all, you will find my story. I was just in the mood for romance this week, and although seagulls seem to be the main focus of the photo, my mind and heart were captured by the beach itself and the romantic interlude it inspired. Hope you enjoy what we have to offer.

Here’s the photo prompt, which comes to us from E. A. Wicklund at http://momusnews.wordpress.com/

THE LONELY SEAGULL
by Jo Boester

As I walked on the beach early one morning, I spied a seagull ahead of me, sluggishly wading in the water. The closer I came to him the more I could sense his loneliness. When I drew closer, I saw another seagull circling overhead.

The seagull in flight was slowly closing the gap between them, and as he swooped down, they both spread their wings wide in greeting. Some observers might have thought this was an act of aggression, but I believe it was a way of avoiding being alone for another long day. I wondered: “Do the birds, as well as man, desire companionship?”

~
© 2013 Jo Boester

***

OPREA
by Erin Campbell

A rock is my island.
The rock is my throne,
where I sat and watched
as the world turned to dust.
A thousand years of progress
swirls around me like
a cloak around my shoulders.
It caresses my cheek and settles in
my eyes and hair like a crown
as the wind bellows at its loss.
Tides rise and wash the ages onto
sallow shores, leaving broken shell
memories behind in their wake.
I am the only one to keep them close.
The island grows as I grow.
Loved and feared by nothing.
A ruler of ashes, I command ghosts.

~
© 2013 Erin Campbell

***

THE KISS
by Sandra Conner

They sauntered along the isolated beach, shoes in hand, just as the sun slipped into the ocean.

Stopping at an outcropping of rocks, Jonah leaned against the rockface, pulling Valentina against him. Her eyes sought his, instantly identifying the fire that turned them to wine. “I thought I’d never get you to myself,” he growled softly as her arms encircled his back.

He tightened his hold, burrowing his right hand in her hair, pulling her closer. Nibbling and teasing her lips, he finally possessed them with a hunger she’d come to crave. She felt the melting begin and eagerly surrendered.

Join the fun. Get the details over at Rochelle’s place:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/4-october2013/

Thankful Hearts: A Gift From Our Heritage

October 1, 2013November 6, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

A LESSON IN THANKSGIVING

Pilgrims reached the blessed shore,
But bitter winters were in store.
Death and anguish played their part.
Still, ’twas with a thankful heart
That they gathered to expound
Upon the God whose gifts abound.

We, who in their footsteps trod,
Though they lie beneath the sod,
Now do take the lesson learned
From their lives, and, in our turn,
We prepare to thank and praise;
To that same God our anthems raise.

And just as they faced troubled days,
Through hardships grievous made their ways,
So, now, such grievous times we face,
That ne’er before have taken place.
Yet from their lesson we take heart
And lift our songs with grateful hearts.

We will not bow to troubled thoughts,
Nor in the throes of fear be caught,
We have too rich a heritage.
So with forefathers we engage
To praise and sing and laugh and play
And celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

~~~

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sea # 3

August 31, 2013August 31, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

When I think of the sea, I think of how it seems to call me, and how I could literally sit for hours and hours on end watching it and feeling one with it.

INVITATION

The sea
Beguiles me so:
Its hue, its scent, its song,
Its movements that caress my soul.
I go.

~
© 2013 Sandra Conner

Take part in the fun. Get the directions HERE.

Along The River

August 23, 2013April 1, 2014 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

When I chose the photo for my submission to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge — Focus — I couldn’t resist looking through several other photos of a second river that I enjoyed during the same trip last fall. As I thought about that river, I also thought about the poem I wrote last April that shared some of my thoughts and feelings connected with it. So I went back and read the poem again, and I enjoyed it even more than when I wrote it. It goes without saying that I love this poem, mostly because it so honestly describes my response to the beauty and power of God’s creation and its ability to influence us. So — I decided I’d just re-post it and share it with my readers again. After all, many of you were not a part of my blogging family way back in April. Any of you who aren’t into poetry reruns can feel free to skip this post with my blessing.

ALONG THE RIVER

The sun is playing hide and seek with clouds
Along the river.
The clouds are gray, but friendly, soft, and free
Along the river.

I move unhampered by the flirting breeze
Along the river,
Breathing deeply of the moistened earth
Along the river.

Quiet now invades my mind and soul
Along the river.
I’m letting go of tumbling, troubled thoughts
Along the river.

My past recedes; my future quiet rests
Along the river,
And water speaks to waters deep within,
Along the river.

I sit and contemplate historic days
Along the river:
The generations served by this same stream
Along the river.

And sense that I belong to something great
Along the river:
A part of something bigger than myself
Along the river.

And far beyond my power to understand,
Along the river,
An elemental knowing I am known —
And I am loved —
By the Creator of the river.

~~~

WordPress Daily Prompt: Green-eyed Monster

August 3, 2013November 3, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

I wasn’t in the mood to write a letter, but I did feel a little poetic, so here’s my response to the “green-eyed monster” challenge:

GREEN WITH ENVY

She has everything I want:
Beauty, money, love, and fame.
And, honestly, she’s such a dunce;
Can’t learn a simple game.

So why should she have all the fun
Of life’s most cherished joys and gifts
While I get stuck with life’s old scraps?
Through left-overs I sift.

If I were her, and she were me,
Life would be good; yes, right as rain,
For I would have what I deserve,
And she’d feel envy’s pain.

~
Join the fun. Get rules here:
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/daily-prompt-green/

100-Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week 92

June 3, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

YELLOW

Yellow sun, yellow moon,
Yellow ribbon on yellow balloon;

Yellow crayons for coloring,
Yellow bird that chirps and sings.

Yellow squash ripe on the vine,
Yellow daffodils — all mine.

Yellow hair, with cheeks so pink,
Yellow lemonade to drink;

Yellow duckies, yellow chicks,
Yellow grapefruit freshly picked;

Yellow butter drips and drops
From tender, yellow corn-on-cob.

Yellow curtains, crisp and bright,
Yellow anti-bug porch light;

But yellow has its ugly side:
Yellow fever; could have died;

Yellow-bellied, yellow streak,
Yellow-livered, backbone weak.

And sometimes yellow can’t be seen:
It hides in blue and turns to green.

~~~

I have to admit I sort of cheated, because I originally wrote this poem a few weeks ago as part of the National Poetry Writing Month challenge. But it just seemed to fit this prompt from Julia so perfectly that I thought it would be a shame not to use it. And with 97 words, what more could I ask for?

Join the fun by going to Julia‘s site for the details.

NaPoWriMo – 2013 – Day 30 — ‘Adieu, Dear April’

April 30, 2013April 30, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

For the final day of the National Poetry Writing Month challenge, I have departed from my pattern. Every other day that I wrote, I have followed the prompt faithfully. But today — especially since Maureen has made it clear that the prompts are merely optional suggestions — I have decided to ignore the prompt and write what I feel. It seems a fitting close to this challenging and inspiring week.

More than 2000 poets from around the world have taken part in this adventure, and I thank Maureen Thorson for working so hard and so faithfully to provide us this opportunity. I look forward eagerly to April of 2014.

ADIEU, DEAR APRIL

Dear April, I bid you adieu.
It has been great fun.
To play so with meter and rhyme,
Though no prize I’ve won.

Still, you’re the most challenging month;
You’ve stirred up my muse.
And most of the poems I’ve composed
I can put to use.

I’ve gone to great lengths to match prompts,
Called up gifts by command;
Stretched self to plumb depths still unreached
To create on demand.

So, April and NaPoWriMo,
I appreciate you.
And fondly, till next poets’ month,
I bid you adieu!

NaPoWriMo – 2013 – Day 29 – ‘To Love’

April 30, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

A poem using at least five foreign words: That was the prompt for day 29 of the National Poetry Writing challenge. (I’m running a day behind again, and will have to do day 30 today as well, since May is staring us in the face.)

Now, since the first foreign language I actually studied was Latin, I felt it was only right to start with that. Then in my college years, I switched to French, so I felt obligated to throw in a little of that as well. And … since I am an English teacher, it seemed quite appropriate that I use a verb conjugation as my format. Hope it gives you a smile today:

TO LOVE

Amo: I love;
Amas: You love;
Amat: He loves;
And love, it makes the world go round, n’ecst-ce pas?

Amamus: We love;
Amatis: You love;
Amant: They love;
Mai oui, there’s love enough to bless us all!

There’s still time to join the fun for the last day of April: http://www.napowrimo.net/

NaPoWriMo – 2013 – Day 28 – ‘Yellow’

April 28, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Day 28, and our prompt is to write a poem based on a color. I’ve actually done that, since I wrote two poems the day we were supposed to write one that began and ended with the same word. I wrote about the color green that day. However, I didn’t think it was fair to use it again for this prompt, so I have written about a different color today. Here’s my totally light-hearted look at

YELLOW

Yellow sun, yellow moon,
Yellow ribbon on yellow balloon;

Yellow crayons for coloring,
Yellow bird that chirps and sings.

Yellow duckies, yellow chicks,
Yellow grapefruit freshly picked;

Yellow squash ripe on the vine,
Yellow daffodils — all mine.

Yellow hair, with cheeks so pink,
Yellow lemonade to drink;

Yellow butter drips and drops
From tender yellow corn-on-cob;

Yellow cheese – aroma strong,
Yellow beer to go along.

Yellow curtains, crisp and bright,
Yellow anti-bug porch light;

But yellow has its ugly side:
Yellow fever; could have died;

Yellow-bellied, yellow streak,
Yellow-livered, backbone weak.

And sometimes yellow can’t be seen:
It hides in blue and turns to green.

Join the fun for the last three days of the month: http://www.napowrimo.net/

My Own Personal Cardinal

April 27, 2013April 27, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This picture isn’t super clear, but this little guy just never holds still. Often he’s on my front porch, sitting on the banister, but if I even try to slip out the door to get a picture, he’s gone before I get the door open. However, the other day, I was sitting on my porch with my camera ready, and he stopped a while in the yard. Even then, he did not hold completely still. This is the bird that inspired my poem “A Cardinal Sits With Me,” which I posted in February.

I wanted his picture, not only because he’s one of the most beautiful cardinals I’ve seen (my photo doesn’t do him justice), but also because I think he and his wife have built a nest in my huge blue spruce tree. The tree is so thick I can’t see for sure if the nest is there, but they go in and out of the branches and act like they are living there, so I’m pretty sure they are. A few years ago I had a mockingbird build a nest in that tree, and she returned a couple more years as well. But I haven’t seen any mockingbirds this spring yet.

This cardinal also reminds me of the novel A Redbird Christmas, by Fannie Flagg. I enjoy that book so much that I read it once a year — although not always at Christmas time. It is a lovely story and a happy read — just in case a few of you are interested.

NaPoWriMo – Day 18, Poem # 2 — ‘Liquid Color’

April 18, 2013April 24, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This is the 18th day of National Poetry Writing Month, and the prompt today is to write a poem that begins and ends with exactly the same word. If you want to join in the fun there’s still plenty of time. Visit this site:
http://www.napowrimo.net/

I was inspired on this challenge to use free verse, which I rarely use. Moreover, I was inspired to write two separate poems for this particular prompt. This is my second poem. The first appears in its own post previous to this one.

LIQUID COLOR

Green is a liquid color.
It flows over my soul in a gentle way.
It runs through my feelings like a child at play.
It springs up in me like an April day.
The most liquid of colors is green.

NaPoWriMo – Day 18, Poem # 1 – ‘Ecouter’

April 18, 2013November 3, 2014 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

I was inspired on this challenge to use free verse, which I rarely use. Moreover, I was inspired to write two separate poems for this particular prompt. This is my first offering. The second will be in its own post.

ECOUTER

Silence.

Nothing stirs the air.

Nothing breathes.

No vibration oscillates.

No frequency receives or carries movement.

No sensation touches auditory nerves.

There is no deafness;

There simply is no hearing,

Because there is no sound.

There is only

Silence.

NaPoWriMo – Day 13 – Along The River

April 14, 2013April 14, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

The prompt for Day 13 was to take a walk and incorporate the elements of that walk into a poem.

ALONG THE RIVER

The sun is playing hide and seek with clouds
Along the river.
The clouds are gray, but friendly, soft, and free
Along the river.

I move unhampered by the flirting breeze
Along the river,
Breathing deeply of the moistened earth
Along the river.

Quiet now invades my mind and soul
Along the river.
I’m letting go of tumbling, troubled thoughts
Along the river.

My past recedes; my future quiet rests
Along the river,
And water speaks to waters deep within,
Along the river.

I sit and contemplate historic days
Along the river:
The generations served by this same stream
Along the river.

And sense that I belong to something great
Along the river:
A part of something bigger than myself
Along the river.

And far beyond my power to understand,
Along the river,
An elemental knowing I am known —
And I am loved —
By the Creator of the river.

~~~

Here’s the link to join the fun: http://www.napowrimo.net/

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