The Apples in My Orchard

Hello, Poetry Friends!

While much of the country has been captured by extreme heat, we have been getting an overabundance of rain. In the last forty-eight hours, our neighbor’s rain gauge has recorded 6.5 inches.

I’m ready for some sun!

My week has been busy. Monday, I was on the road for much of the day. In the morning, we returned our granddog, Stewart, to his rightful owner, our youngest son, Ben, and his fiancée, Julia. This was a three-hour round trip. Then, after being home for lunch, I took off to Wausau to volunteer at some beloved gardens. This was another two-hour round trip.

Tuesday, I worked on the piles in our garage, from the storage unit we are trying to empty. I worked on a book chapter that afternoon. I’ve been procrastinating on this project, and I’ll be sorry if I don’t get moving on it.

Wednesday is our breakfast out day. Our middle son, Matt, who is 25, joined us since he’s at the cabin now working on some projects of his own.

Thursday, it poured all day. I wanted to get some writing done, but didn’t. I worked on some blog writing for Medium and poetry editing, but not chapter writing. I thought it was Friday all day. So, today feels like a bonus!

I’ve been taking photos in the yard when there are a few minutes of dry weather. I found a monarch caterpillar on some milkweed in our yard, and then I found another. Both tiny larvae, and after so much rain, I had to go check on them. I found one but not the other.

The rain has made things verdant and green. My gardens all look great, and I haven’t had to water.

Last night, I painted a watercolor of a dragonfly. It’ll be part of the summer swap.

This morning I worked on a picture book draft. This is my first foray into exploring this type of writing. We’ll see.

I wrote a poem and submitted it to The Toy, but again received a rejection. Their theme was hobbies. Our youngest son made some very complex pieces of origami between the 3rd and 6th grades. It was his hobby I chose to write about. I haven’t had much luck with submissions. I’ll keep trying. It’s all you can do, right?!

Origami

Taking a piece of paper 
I fold it this way and that
Following the directions
To make sure each fold lays flat 

Matching the edges 
Creasing with care
Creating peaks and valleys 
Changing the shape with flair

After lots of concentration
And hours of practice every day 
Soon, I’ll have a paper masterpiece
To share and put on display

Origami is my hobby
An ancient Japanese art,
I hope I’ve done it justice
For I cannot take it apart

 © Carol Labuzzetta, 2025

This week’s round up is being held by Tanita S. Davis at her blog, fiction instead of lies. Thanks for hosting, Tanita! Please visit her blog for more poetry goodness.