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- Written by: Tracey Kiff-Judson
- Category: Blog
I am excited to join in the Poetry Friday fun! This week’s roundup is hosted by Irene Latham. Please visit Irene’s website https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/ for her roundup of moon poems.
For additional information on Poetry Friday, please see Renee LaTulippe’s post.
Strawberry Moon
Rosy-cheeked
Strawberry Moon,
what cosmic cataclysm
wrought your craters
and left you
seeded and
stunned?
© 2023 Tracey Kiff-Judson
On Saturday, June 3, Connecticut was supposed to see the 2023 Strawberry Moon, but sadly, it was overcast when I when I peeked out at the nighttime sky. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name “Strawberry Moon” was used by Native American Algonquian tribes to refer to the full moon in June, which is strawberry season in the northeastern US. The Almanac also says that the name does not refer to the color of the moon, but sometimes, when you catch the June full moon just after sunset, it shines like a sun-warmed strawberry.
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Our last two dogs, Sugar and Bean, were nothing alike in their outward appearance. Sugar was a gorgeous, yellow lab mix who was obedient, loyal, and a fetcher among fetchers. Bean, judging from her appearance and behavior, may be a cross between a cheetah and a giraffe – unlikely combo, I know. She is naughty and fast, and her neck measures nearly half of her body length.
Although they differ in many ways, Sugar and Bean share one unusual characteristic: both pups smile. If you have never seen a dog sporting a “passive grin,” as the vet calls it, it can be alarming. I think it is an unusual trait, but we have been blessed with two smilers. Sugar is no longer with us, but if you meet Bean, be prepared for a wag of her tail and a flash of her pearly whites.
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While going for a bike ride through the woods of CT yesterday, the air was heavy with the smoke from forest fires in Canada.
“ What? Canada? Isn’t Canada cool, wet, and immune from forest fires of that magnitude ?” you ask.
Apparently not, at least not any more. [See this website from the Canadian government for details on current fire conditions in Canada.]
To complicate matters, as forests are destroyed, those trees are no longer available to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, potentially speeding climate change. [See this article reporting on Boston University research.]
What can the average Josephine do to help slow climate change? This site lists several actions to help reduce our energy consumption, such as:
- Whenever feasible, use mass transit, ride a bike, or drive an electric vehicle for transportation (though there is debate over whether electric vehicles offer the benefit hoped).
- Switch to renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind) whenever possible.
- Ensure that our homes are well-insulated.
- When replacing appliances, select those with high energy efficiency ratings.
- Support local businesses that use sustainable business practices.
- I would add that citizens can speak out and ask their local governments to adopt sustainability initiatives. In CT, an organization, called
Sustainable CT, tracks each town’s voluntary efforts toward becoming a more sustainable community. Other states and cities have similar organizations.
What can the average Josephine do to help slow climate change?
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- Written by: Tracey Kiff-Judson
- Category: Blog
When you mention a Highlights retreat, everyone stops to listen. In Boyd’s Mill, PA, a magical place hides in the woods. If you visit, you will discover: acres of trees parted by hiking trails, a bubbling brook, cozy cabins, barns, libraries, locally sourced meals, fellow artists, peace.
In April, 2023, I traveled to this place. Note to travelers: beware of the speed trap in NY, 5.8 miles prior to Boyd’s Mills. Harrumph. I attended a children’s poetry retreat instructed by Irene Latham and Charles Waters. Charles and Irene set the tone for supportive, thoughtful discussions on writing, poetry, and children’s literature.
Being rather shy, I anticipated sitting at a lunch table by myself, listening more than speaking, and quickly retreating to my cabin at night, but this place, these people would have none of that.
My days were filled with lively instruction and discussions, renowned guest speakers, hot meals with a new of group people that felt like old friends, a campfire with banjo playing, thank you, Dean, and nights of sound sleep with extra quilts on my bed.
After the learning, laughter, and admittedly a few tears, I left brimming with purpose. Cautiously driving 29 MPH through Tusten, NY, I made my way home believing that people who write poetry for children are the kindest people in the world, and that Highlights brings out the best in people.