I posted some updates on my poetry on Wednesday. I’ve been busy writing some other poems for Summer Swaps, and anything else that inspires me. Beyond that, I’m halfway through writing my chapter for a textbook on teaching with awe. It’s due in August, so I need to be diligent on finishing.
Summer has finally arrived in the Northwoods, and my gardens are blooming. There are yellow and rush heliopsis, coneflowers, salvia, daylilies, and more around the house. Out front in my new native pollinator bed, the blue vervain and rattlesnake master plants are over seven feet tall. I am planning a YouTube video on how to plant a native pollinator garden. A community education presentation is needed before December to earn my certification as a Pollinator Steward. Although I’ve done many in person presentations, I’ve never done a virtual one, so it will be fun to try (after the book chapter is done).
Beyond all that, I’ve painted three times this week. I really like two of the three paintings. One was overworked, and that is posted in my article from Wednesday. I find the watercolors are forgiving for the most part and help me to relax.
My husband and I went to another art show last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, and had a wonderful time. Art Fair on the Square is the show he will try to get into. It’s highly competitive and considered one of the best art shows in the country. But his segmented and turned wood bowls are exquisite, and I’m sure he’ll be given a chance to be in it at some point.
We really enjoyed being in our State’s capitol city too. It was a weekend of fun, great food, and art. It warmed my heart when he told several of the vendors that we have a family of artists (because it’s true)!
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to Moe Phillips, Jone Rush MacCulloch, and Rose Cappelli, all of whom I received summer swamps from – we have a very creative community in the Poetry Friday group. Each of their poems were personal and accompanied by fantastic art and/or creations to enclose their words. I think I’ll wait until the swaps are over to share more as I haven’t gotten permission from anyone to share yet.
I am reading two books, currently. One is the Illustrated Emily Dickinson Nature Sketchbook with illustrations by Tara Lilly.
There are poems from Dickinson with accompanying illustrations as well as blank pages to add your own thoughts or verse. I haven’t written in it yet.
But since Dickinson took a great deal of inspiration from nature, and so do I, I wrote a poem this week about a bird that crashed into our bank of picture windows that face the lake.
Stunned Sparrow
At half past four,
There was a smack
On the window was left a
White feathered plaque
I hurried outside
To see if you died
But there you stood
With your eyes open wide.
Stunned I suppose
From a bump on the head
When you recover
You’ll fly home to your bed.
© Carol Labuzzetta, 2025.
The other book I’m reading is a non-fiction book by Douglas Tallamy, The Nature of Oaks. It’s funny, informative, and I find his style of writing very close to mine. The title link will take you to Amazon. I do not have an affiliate link at this time, but I am thinking of it.
I hope you all are well and enjoying summer! If the world has got you down, take a walk in a park or forest near you. Soak in nature and soothe your soul!
Poetry Friday is hosted this week by BookSeedStudio’s Jan Godown Annino,
https://bookseedstudio.wordpress.com/2025/07/17/resilience/
Thanks for hosting, Jan!
The Apples in My Orchard 
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