Sharing Our Story & Slice of Life: Sweet Words

I was absolutely positive that they had a new person penning the quotes. I used to love opening a Dove chocolate and reading the quote on the foil wrapper. When I was teaching, I kept my favorite foil quotes on a bulletin board near my desk. When I retired, I put them into a little photo binder.

However, for quite a few years, each time I purchased Dove chocolate and eagerly unwrapped the foil wrapper, the words failed to resonate or touch me or delight me like they used to. And so I quit buying Dove Dark Chocolates since they weren't delivering words that lifted me, only words that disappointed me. The chocolate was still good, but I yearned for the soul satisfying words that left me filled with chocolate and sweet words. 

I remained disconsolate until a couple of weeks ago. I was in Target after Halloween and picked up some florescent M&Ms and a package of Dove Dark Chocolates shaped like pumpkins at rock-bottom, after-Halloween, sale prices!

Here's the first quote from my package of pumpkin Dove Dark Chocolates.

 "It's time for bright leaves, bonfires, and blankets." 

Almost perfect, but I would have to add books to the litany: "It's time for bright leaves, bonfires, blankets, and books." I loved it! Maybe it's because I adore fall that I continued to find quotes I loved on the foil wrappers of my daily Dove Dark Chocolate.

• Never be too old for jumping in leaves.
• Chocolate is a fall color.
• Prefer piles of chocolate or piles of leaves?
• This isn't a foil. It's a costume.
• Relax for a "spell."
  
• For now, falling leaves. Soon, falling snow.

It's true that I may be re-addicted to Dove Dark Chocolates . . .  all because of after-Halloween, rock-bottom sale prices (and I suspect, a new quote writer). Way to go, Dove!

Spiritual Journey Thursday, Poetry Friday & Sharing Our Stories: Gratitude

Denise Krebs at Dare to Care 

is gathering our gratitude posts 

for Spiritual Journey Thursday. 

 

 Mary Lee Hahn at A(nother) Year of Reading 

is gathering all things poetic for Poetry Friday

.

Fall is a favorite time of year for me and November is one of the best months of the season. I proudly call myself a fall fanatic. You can see my 2020 collection of favorite fall photos here. November's slower pace (before the rush of December) gives me pause to reflect on my many blessings. The rains have settled in (and we celebrate rare moments of sunshine), the cozy season has arrived (sweaters, blankets, good books, hot chocolate), and fall colors continue to enliven our gray palette (for a bit longer). 

 

The first two poems are an attempt to try my hand at a new-to-me form, the hay(na)ku, a form introduced to me by Denise Krebs. Here's Denise's explanation of the form:

"Traditionally, Hay(na)ku have:

• 3 lines
• A total of 6 words – 1 in the first, 2 in the second, and 3 in the third
• No syllable, rhythm, or meter constraints.
• You can also write reverse hay(na)kus." 

Red 

and green

prelude for December

My daughter and her husband have a Pie Night each year in November (at least they used to before the pandemic). They bake many pies and invite other families over to eat pie and visit. I love this pic I snapped two years ago of siblings who couldn't wait to return to the world of words after their pie.

Enchanted 

words bewitch

to fantastic worlds

 

My final poem is a "free-from-form" poem.

No syllable counts or words of gratitude, 

just leaving you with a touch of whimsy! 

NOVEMBER'S BOUNTY

The table is heaped

and every chair is filled.

Come, my friends, to share our abundance.

BYOR 

(Bring your own rake)!

Enjoy this John Rutter composition of a virtual choir from Georgetown University Music Ministry singing one of my favorite hymns, For the Beauty of the Earth. 

Ever grateful for "..friends on earth, and friends above.." (especially friends online) who enrich my life each day. Happy November!

I love to join my friends at Sharing Our Stories on Thursdays!