Revvv...Click...Spit...Sputter
Knocking...Knocking...nothing left
Engine end of life
Ugh! Yes, unfortunately, we had to begin the new year with an unexpected new car expense. As yucky as that is, I'm grateful my husband was close to home and not stranded in the middle of nowhere when things went south. We live in the country, and hubby is famous for not carrying his phone. I'm also grateful that we were in the financial position to be able to buy a replacement. Last but not least, I'm grateful for the sunshine that arrived in mailbox this week in the form of postcards from Poetry Friday friends. Linda and Irene, thank you for the lovely words and pictures you shared. They were a huge bright spot in my week!
Now I need to ask for your help. I'm writing an article about Poetry Fridays and our little community for Children's Book Insider. I've been around for a few years, but I don't really know who originally spearheaded it and how it got started. Would any of you be willing to share some Poetry Friday history with me? Also, I would love to hear any little personal anecdotes from your time in the community (connections, friendships, growth, opportunity). If you would like to contribute, please email me at kimberlyhutmacher at gmail dot com. I'm looking forward to chatting with you and celebrating our poetry family.
One last thing! Submissions for this year's poetry video contest at STEAM Powered Poetry are opening soon. If you know of anyone you think might be interested, please feel free to pass along the contest info. Thank you!
Those postcards are a lovely way to brighten up the dark days of winter. I wish I had in common with you only the receipt of postcards, but sadly I can relate all too well to your poem and the need to buy a new vehicle. Also, I can't wait to read your article when it's out--I value this community tremendously, but am a relative newcomer.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you're having vehicle issues, too :( Thank you for stopping by and welcome to Poetry Friday. I look forward to getting to know you and your poetry! :)
DeleteLove the postcards. And glad you can see the bright spot in your car woes - enjoy the new one! As for Poetry Friday, you might find Renee's post helpful if you haven't seen it already: https://www.nowaterriver.com/what-is-poetry-friday/
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that link, Sally!
DeleteThese postcards are such a gift. I will email you an anecdote about how I came to this community. We are all friends who support each other no matter what. For example, you write about car trouble and we all say, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I've been there before."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret! I'm looking forward to reading and including what you send.
DeleteSorry to hear about your car, Kimberly. Though it isn't quite the expense, I had to replace my washer & dryer the week before Christmas! What a time with guests! I love the postcard exchange. Your 'gifts' are wonderful! I'm excited about your article, too, will be fun to read what you discovered!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. It seems several in our little community have had some unexpected expenses lately. I'm hoping the rest of 2020 is less expensive for all of us :)
DeleteWonderful poetry postcards! And I'm glad your car problems had such a happy solution!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth!
DeleteOof. Unexpected expenses. Like you, I'm glad we were able to weather ours--a new furnace just as winter was kicking in. I didn't think to turn it into a poem, though. The alliteration in yours tells the story well!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joann. So sorry to hear about your furnace expense. Let's hope the rest of 2020 is less expensive for all of us :)
DeleteKimberly, life is a series of ups and downs. It is often the case that the unfortunate things in life come when least expecting them to do so. I had a huge kitchen sink backup before my New Year's Eve dinner party. We were fortunate enough to find a plumber who works on weekend. Your last sentence of the poem says it all. I am glad that you were able to solve the issue. Unfortunately, that entails additional cost. I love the poetry cards that you received and thank you for the lovely New Year's greeting postcard you sent me. It was my first one.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Carol. I'm glad you were able to find a plumber working weekends. Bless that plumber. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the postcard :)
DeleteThose postcards do bring such joy--and so did yours when I received it. I love your grateful attitude in the face of challenges. I'm feeling much better about the dead dishwasher and dying range. Good luck with your article. I'm a fairly recent participant as well, but it seems like I've seen Renee LaTulippe's at No Water Rivern with some of the beginnings or at least explanations.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. I found the link to Renee's post. I'm sorry to hear about your dead dishwasher and dying range. Let's hope the rest of year is less expensive for both of us :)
DeleteSorry to hear about your car, I'm glad all has worked out okay! Thanks for sharing these wonderful postcards, I have Irene's figure 8s and your New Year's fireworks sitting on my desk keeping me company–thanks for the card. Linda's is delightful, a word filled critter, story poem, and lovely polkadots too–great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle, and yes, those lovely postcards are making a cold and dreary January so much brighter :)
DeleteHappy new car to you, Kimberly--that's a punchy little poem you turned out of the drama! I'll be very curious to read your article on Poetry Friday when it's done. If you need some anecdotes, let me know--so many opportunities and friendships have grown out of my participation here!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle, and yes, I would love to include your anecdotes. Thank you for offering. I will be in touch soon!
DeleteWe are at the point with both of our cars that we wonder why we are pouring money into the gas tank. Oh well. I've been loving my postcards that are arriving, too. I'm finishing mine up this week. Here's to a smoother week for all!
ReplyDeleteYes! A smoother week for all! :)
DeleteI feel you, Kimberly. We are starting the new year with a lot of unexpected medical/dental bills for me, and I'm trying to focus on the positives: insurance; the ability to pay the bills, even if it means giving up some luxuries; and the fact that I usually live my life pain-free. I love that a poem can let us focus in on any event, good or bad. Nothing wrong with examining/sharing the hard things. And then putting it in words also often gives me perspective on how big or small my own problems are. Here's to no more big car bills in 2020!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Laura! Praying your medical/dental procedures go well and also for your peace and comfort.
DeleteSounds like the bitter is being tempered by the sweet that poetry brings into our lives. I love hearing about the poetry exchanges-- someday I will participate in one...
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time participating, Carol, and I highly recommend it.
DeleteThanks for sharing all, Kimberly. I'm typing this while waiting on car service myself, though just regular service and new tires (knocks on wood, looks for a shaker of salt...). I'm an optimist at heart; new Michelins for my old Honda which has 238,000 miles on it! I'll email later re. your PF-thoughts invitation. :0)
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