Yellow or Red, It's All the Same

I have a confession to make. I've been spending time with yellow butterflies. Don't get me wrong. I love my red cardinals. They are my #1 sign from above. Yet many people draw upon varying symbols as forms of comfort from their loved ones after death, and they are not always cardinals. These symbols might be blue jays, eagles, doves, ladybugs or butterflies. What do they all have in common? They are beautiful creatures. They are visible affirmations that loved ones are OK. They offer hope to grieving souls.

The reason I've been spending time with butterflies is because I'm editing a wonderful, spiritual book in which they are symbolic. The project I first told you about here has finally come to fruition. Cathy Taylor's Believe It's Possible is a line of merchandise celebrating the Lord. The book is the heartwarming story of Cathy's journey starting back in high school up until now. It speaks of faith, friendship and forgiveness as well as the many struggles she endured along the way. She has products available in the form of jewelry, t-shirts, artwork, and with lots more in the making. On the Believe It's Possible website, you can learn more as well as watch videos of her dear friend Myra's testimony before she passed away and God's glorious night.

This project is extra special to me because Cathy and I have so many similarities and have endured many of the same challenges. She has given me the courage to speak out about some of mine, too. I know it's no accident we were placed together for this; whenever I am on the phone with her about various things pertaining to the book, I spot a yellow butterfly.

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Along with this huge project, I've been busy with the kids. Pete's last semester is upon us and come December he will have obtained his MBA. Wasn't it just yesterday I told you about it? He has also been extremely busy at work, so I've been flying solo much of the time.

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I also have several announcements on recent awards and publications.

First and foremost is my inclusion in Writer's Digest for the second time. In the November/December issue, my nonet When Testosterone Starts Kicking In was published in Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides column.

Second, I won runner's up in a non-contest contest The Missouri Review puts on and had my Barbie sonnet, No One's Perfect, published on their blog!

I have a story about how Pete and I first met published in a book of love stories, Falling in Love with You.

My creative art piece won recognition for New World Creative Union's (NWCU) Wednesday Wake-Up Call mystery challenge. This is an extra special honor because drawing and painting have never really been my thing, but because of the challenge I branched out. I'm very proud of this piece.

Along the same lines, I was invited to be the NWCU's first guest on the premiere of their radio show, The Creative Nexus. I really enjoyed the discussion with Roger and Natasha. In fact, I felt so comfortable that I even opened up about some things in my life.

I also have several poems that have been published. Click here to find a list and where to read them.

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Oh, and when I'm not doing all this? I'm sitting out in the sun trying to get some of my blonde back (just kidding). Read this and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Meeting Robert Lee Brewer

I wander into the bookstore
alone, but not lonely
anxious, but not nervous;
energy has driven me miles

yet the ambiance is the same here or there
as Saturday hustles and bustles--
cash registers cling, music drifts
aromatic coffee becomes a magnet

and I am reading the headlines
waiting for a grande mocha
until I ask, "Where's the poetry reading?"
a crooked finger points, I follow its lead

to Robert Lee Brewer

no trick, nor joke-- a treat
four hours, a poetry buffet
prompted, I get up and read, too
...for the first time.

@laurie kolp


Poetry inspiration: Shared at Real Toads, Poetic Bloomings (lonely, headlines, energy, wander, music, joke)

April is National Poetry Month

Do you like a challenge?  April is National Poetry Month and in honor of this historic literary form, you can participate in a poem-a-day challenge.  Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides hosts this wonderful writing opportunity every year.  This is the third year and my third time to participate.  Each day, Robert gives a prompt to write a poem about and then you can either post it on his blog or not.  But keep checking back to the blog because at the end of the month, Robert will tell you how to submit some of your best poems to be considered for a chapbook (a collection of poems).  I would love to read your poems if you choose to participate.  You can post them on my poetry blog Conversations with Laurie.  Hope to see you there.