I’m already dreaming of a summer of reading and all the books on my TBR list – – and I will begin with a collection of poetry. Sally Donnelly, a long-time writing buddy from Two Writing Teachers whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting on more than one occasion in person at the National Council of Teachers of English Convention, is hosting a Summer Reading Club. You can check out her invitation to participate and her directions to her Padlet here, introducing her selections Dictionary for a Better World by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, and 44 Poems on Being with Each Other, an anthology curated by Padraig O’Tuama. I have had the opportunity of deeply engaging in Dictionary for a Better World a few years ago, so on Wednesday of last week while I was in Atlanta on a personal day to see the musical Six, I treated myself to the guilty pleasure of leisurely browsing a bookstore, where I picked up a copy of 44 Poems on Being With Each Other.
Yesterday, Wildflower Watercolor Week started, and I’m taking a class online to learn more about watercolor techniques. After March bloggers at Slice of Life shared their love of Emily Lex watercolor books when Leigh Anne Eck asked what everyone would bring to a party where technology was not allowed, it brought back memories of strolling through Woodstock, Vermont and seeing one of those themed watercolor books after NCTE was held in Boston a couple of years ago. Slicers resurrected that memory with their love of watercolor books. I picked up an off-brand at Hobby Lobby and shared a couple of my paintings with Glenda Funk, who then found a watercolor class on Facebook and encouraged me to sign up. So I did, and I look forward to learning new techniques from a real person, not a step-by-step book. On weekends throughout March, (and today) as we travel here and there, I’ll be painting and sharing Haiku Watercolors – the semi-good, the bad, and the ugly.
Here’s one of my daughters’ favorites, along with a haiku that mentions one of my favorite poetry collections I’ve read lately: Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan.
Cactus Coddiwomple
I read about you ~
Instructions for Traveling
West ~ Take me with you!
Common Threads 
The tone of this Slice is overflowing joy and excitement! Poetry books purchased. Art class registration done. Trying it. And then sharing all about it here! Such an uplifting slice to read today!! So glad we are Slicer friends and thanks for the Shout Out for my virtual summer poetry book club! I’m getting excited!
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Me too, Sally! Can’t wait! I have already started the book. Even his introduction is poetic.
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Your post reminds me to get the books for Sally’s club, and get me excited for the summer! Even after retirement, summers make everything seem possible! Your combo of reading, writing and watercolor makes for a rich creative life.
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Thank you, Fran! I can’t wait to get busy reading more of these amazing poems in this book.
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Kim,
I can’t wait to see your blue Flax painting from Day 1 of the Water pilot class. I didn’t realize the endorsement for Emily Lax came from Leigh Anne’s party. My mind simply wasn’t in that space until we talked. No matter what happens w/ my painting, I’m gonna keep working on this new hobby. Wish me luck today. And I can’t wait to explore Powell’s City of Books with you! It’s gonna be so much fun. Leave room in your suitcase for a big stash! You’re gonna love traveling West!
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I think someone mentioned watercolors as part of the party where people were putting non-technology baskets together. I wish I could remember the person who talked about the Lex books. I can’t wait to have the time to do the paintings. My evenings get jam packed in the spring – but I’m holding out hope for tomorrow because I agree with everything you have found – – that painting is a great way to relieve stress and slow the pace. I will definitely have some room in my suitcase for the bookstore. Can’t wait to head west.
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I’m thinking about that summer challenge. Dictionary for a Better World is a favorite, and I’ve done some writing along with it but not all the way through it. 44 Poems is new to me. The theme in both is so compelling for the times we find ourselves in.
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Diane, I am excited and already loving the 44 poems book. I’m glad you are joining in the reading challenge for the summer with Sally.
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Kim, your creative endeavors impress me and make me wonder what in the world I do with my time (which always seems to disappear)! I love that you are creating watercolor paintings and accompanying haiku, and I look forward to seeing more of your artwork and poetry.
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Lori, this week is one of those weeks that is slammed with all kinds of busy, but I do hope to paint one night this week. Thanks for the encouragement, and I too feel the clock spinning faster this week.
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So, now I will be signing up for Sally’s book club! I already own Dictionary for a Better World, but now I have a reason to add another book to my poetry collection. Thanks, Kim!
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Yes, I agree – – there is always a good reason to add another book to the collection when we are reading with friends.
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Wow! Great watercolor art, Kim! I love the tip on the page, “Enjoy the process-making art can be therapeutic.” Now you’ve got me wanting to take a watercolor class. 🙂
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Debbie Lynn, thank you so much! Those tips on the page have been so inspiring – – I get a lot out of the painting process.
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So many fun activities, and good suggestions, and writing/art examples. Thanks!
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Thanks so much for reading!
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This slice is the happiest and most optimistic slice about summer/retirement ever! I am also going to check out this book club. Your art work keeps getting better and better by the way!
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Thank you, Anita! I’m having a ball – – making a mess, but having a ball!
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Thank you for the heads-up about the summer book club – what an fabulous set-up via Padlet. I hope you’ll keep posting your art!
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Kim,
Loving your series of watercolors and haiku.
Thanks for teaching me a new great word: coddiwomple! How fun!
I read Sally’s slice recently about her book club and placed Padraig O’Tuama on hold. Picking it up tomorrow.
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Kim, thanks for all the details and link about the summer book club. I am going to participate. I’m proud of you for watercolor painting and sharing the “semi-good, the bad, and the ugly.” (You are too humble. I’m excited to watch your progress.)
“Cactus Coddiwomple” is a magical title! Love the “Take me with you!”
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