Taking Time to Edit: Poems and More

It’s that time of year, mid-summer, and that means it’s time to edit my gardens, my jewelry, and my writing.

So, I’ve been doing some of each.

My gardens

My native plant garden is blooming and looks great this year! Here are some photos:

Other gardens are flourishing as well – our wetland area has new cardinal flower plants, a transplanted hibiscus seems to like its new home on the east side of our home. The south side is an abundance of color right now with the false sunflowers, speedwell, anise hyssop, coneflowers, and soon-to-open black-eyed Susans shining in the sun.

All photos © Carol Labuzzetta, 2026

I like to take advantage of the garden nursery sales at this time of year and went to my favorite Mennonite nursery last Saturday. I came home with sedum, blue fescue, ferns, and a New England aster (which I potted and put on our deck because the deer seem to eat these).

If you want to read more about my Native Garden, I will post a link to a recent Medium article at the end.

My Jewelry

This week, I also decided to close my Etsy shop. I’ve had it for 18 years. It’s time. This year has been difficult to get sales, and I think all the AI Marketing has a lot to do with that. I’m hoping to have it done by September 1st. I’m looking at this as a positive move forward, allowing me time to pursue other hobbies like photography, crocheting, and of course, writing. My husband bought me a brand new Fugi x100 VI for an anniversary gift, and I want to learn how to use it to its fullest. This will take time.

I’m not saying I won’t make more jewelry. I will. I have two boutiques that take pieces on consignment from me. One is in the nearest town to us in Wisconsin and the other is in Iowa. It’s really how I feel about Etsy right now, rather than making jewelry. But I do think the decision to shut down the shop is the right one.

Thus, I am running sales from now until it closes. I put a link to my Etsy shop, Carol’s Jewelry Orchard, on my WordPress menu at the top. It will take you to my shop. The current sale is for 50% off earrings, bracelets, and jewelry sets – some of which are made with gemstones or sterling or both and are incredible deals. I’d be pleased if you checked it out.

This action is definitely an editing of my jewelry inventory and supplies.

My Writing

I spent the last two days heavily invested in the editing process of my poetry. I looked at word choice, rhyme, meter, and message.

We had gone to Minnetonka to help our youngest son and his fiancée do a few jobs in their “new” mid-century modern house. I was able to sit without the self-induced pressure of laundry, dishes, or other hobbies to be with my writing. It was productive and a great exercise for me in how I need to approach editing. The process left me feeling upbeat about both the new and old poetry I’ve written. I think I need to carve out some time to do this regularly.

This brings me to sharing some poetry today. This is a new piece that I have not edited yet.

We live on a road where 
Wild raspberries grow

Hidden from sight 
Except for those in the know

Ready for picking,
I take a dish out

And pluck them from their stem
While walking about.

We live on a road where 
Wild raspberries grow

I’ve picked and plundered 
Even getting down low

On our road 
Where wild raspberries grow.

© Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, 2026

Our Poetry Friday host this week is the talented Tanita Davis. Please visit her page for links to more awesome poetry!

Thank you for hosting, Tanita!