traveling up and down the blind highway

One year ago today, I wrote a poem about life giving water. We need nurturing whether with water or acceptance. My poem is below.
May 19th 2024
Life giving water
It pours on trees, bushes and grass.
Filling ponds and rivers with healing.
Squirrels and deer lap up it’s strength.
I hope for a portion of the gift.
This life giving water..

This poem was sent to Lynda in our poetry postcard exchange last May. With the weather yesterday, it seems appropriate for the blog. We are working on six sections of the book, selecting poems for each section. Lynda just sent me the people and places section. I am selecting my poems today. The harder work for a book is what to choose and what to keep for another project. Lynda produced an outline and I suggested some minor changes. We each selected three of the section to be responsible for. From over 336 poems I will select 20 to 24 poems for each section. That will be 120 to 130 total poems, Lynda will do the same. We go through each selection to check for spelling, punctuation and font. Then we send the section to each other.
Currently we are sending our poems to on line and printed magazines to have published. We are hoping to have at least 30 to 60 poems published this year. This is a way we can connect with publishers and make interest in our work. When the book is completed, we will have a group of people to contact about the work.
I will keep you posted on our progress. I will end with a teaser from our book.
6
Handsome an acrostic poem

“Howdy Handsome.”
A wagging tail greeting.
“Nice dog.”
“Don’t know why he likes you.”
“Strangers are greeted with growls.”
“Only you he likes.”
“Maybe it’s my quiet voice.”
“Easy when you are holding a biscuit.”

carolaspot@aol.com
copyright 5-1

Disclaimer: Some of the facts were different on different sites. I tried to present them as factual as possible.
Carol
After the passing of Pope Francis, a story of His Holiness and a chocolate Labrador has been circulated. The Pope was said to have found the stray under a bridge . After looking into his soul filled eyes, Pope Frances adopted the dog. Though Vatican regulations forbid animals in the Papal residence, Pope Frances was not the first Pope to demonstrate his love of animals.
The open courtyard of the papal gardens have been the home of many exotic gifts to the pope. In the middle ages, such gifts were sent to cement favors from the current pope.
In modern times Pope Leo XIII had an elephant that was kept in the garden. The Pope kept Hana for two years on the Vatican grounds. This was collaborated by the recent of excavation near the Vatican library revealing the remains of Hana’s bones.
Pope Pious the XII is reported to have rescued an injured finch in the gardens. The finch had an broken wing. The Pope nursed the bird back to health and continued to keep the bird in his residence. Pope Pious was given several canaries. During the Popes meals, the birds were allowed to roam freely. Gretel was an inseparable companion. The Pope would be seen having a conversation with the bird on his finger.
Pope John the XXIII had a French bulldog named Winston. The pontiff named the dog for Former prime minster Winston Churchill.
Pope Paul the VI would take scraps on his walks to feed stray animals that he would encounter in the Vatican gardens. He forbid gardeners from killing insects. He had the cat at the beginning of his papacy. named Margaret.
Pope John Paul II wrote in 1990 a doctrine that reminded that all living creatures came into being by the breath of God. He wrote that all animals have a soul. He advocated for animal and their dignity. He told an interviewer about a dream he had. The dream was himself following a mother cat with 6 kittens. He followed the family as they tried to find food and shelter in a snow storm. The first was a doorman at a high rise, then a Jesuit Catholic church and an Anglican church. The cat family was shooed away as the Pope watched helplessly. Finally, the Feline family came to a poor woman’s small home. She welcomed the cats into the warmth of her small dwelling.
Pope Benedict was known as a cat lover. He had a cat named Chico at his home in Germany. On his walks, he would fill his pockets with scrapes to give to the stray cats. Often, they would follow him for some distance. When he retired, He would go into the gardens to find cats to feed. Pope Benedict disagreed that animals had souls.
Pope Frances believed that animals we befriended would be raised into glory forever. One small boy told his parents that his dog was so kind and loving that he had to go to heaven. Humans take a lifetime to learn the same lesson.
Pope Leo XIV predecessor Leo XIII, was an advocate for the rights of the workers. We will wait to see if he advocates the rights of all of God’s creatures.
Carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 5-12-25

For the next two weeks, Holland Michigan will celebrate Tulip time on the West lakeshore of Michigan. It is estimated that between three and five hundred thousand visitors come to experience the Dutch heritage, see the tulip farms and buy Holland’s arts and crafts. This festival is in it’s ninety fifth consecutive years of operation.
First Proposed by Len Rogers, a school biology teacher in nineteen twenty seven to promote the cities history using tulips as a symbol and plantings in the downtown area. The first year, the city planted one hundred thousand bulbs imported from the Netherlands. It has grown over the years to include, a carnival, a tour of tall ships, tours of gardens and an artisan area. Many of the events are free or a nominal fee. The citizens dress in the 16th century costumes. The Dutch used their expertise to cultivate tulips, daffodils and crocuses. The number and variety of tulips alone number 85. From the early midgets to the giant black swan flowers, the tulips can produce a showy display for the whole spring season.
Holland is 40 miles away by car. I have visited the festival on several occasions.
We visited the wooden shoe factory to purchased a pair of birch clogs. The foot ware is traditionally. used in wet soggy fields.
The tulip farms demonstrate sorting and grading the bulbs for sale. Care is taken to not cut or harm the individual bulbs.
In a four mile area of downtown Holland, all the festival activities take place. Dutch foods and crafts such as embroidery and quilting are shown. Dutch dancers entertain and give dance lessons in a traditional form of clogging. Clogging is performed with wooden shoes to make a percussion sound to add to the music. made by the accordion and the barrel organ.
In the evening the festival has a musical show and entertainers at the Holland Civic Center in Downtown Holland.
This year the Tulip time started on on Saturday and runs through the second weekend of May. Whether you love to see flowers, enjoy Dutch cooking or tour Dutch Island park to see a historical windmill and gardens, Holland Michigan has something for every one.
**** Poem
Windmill An acrostic Poem
Western lakeshore hosts tulip time.
Individuals can enjoy Dutch heritage.
Nautical activities are found near the city’s docks.
Downtown bustles with costumed Hollanders.
Many demonstrations of Dutch crafts can be purchased.
Initiated in 1929.
Lead by a high school biology teacher.
Len Rogers, idea promoted Holland’s identity.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 5/5/25

After the death of Pope Frances, I realized I have memories of seven popes. I was too young to recall Pope Pious XII. I do have a memory of Pope John XXIII . There were stories in the Catholic Treasure Chest comic book. Short, Stocky, always smiling, he reminded me of my grandfathers rather than the head of the church. One story told about the pope feeling sorry for the Swiss guards who carried him in the raised throne in the crowds. He petitioned the Vatican to pay the guards extra because of his weight.
Pope Paul VI served as Pope from 1963 to 1978. He was the first pope to visit six continents. He was a scholar and wrote many encyclicals on a variety of subjects. He was pope when I was a teen and young adult. Many young Catholics rejected the doctrine of the use of any contraception. Like many woman, I used some form of birth control to avoid pregnancy.
Pope Paul was the last pope to have a coronation.
In 1978, Pope John Paul the 1st was in the papacy for only 33 days before suffering a fatal heart attack. He opted to use a motor vehicle referred to as the pope mobile rather than be carried in a raised throne.
Pope John Paul II was elected pope in the fall of 1978. At 58, he was one of the youngest popes in recent times. He served as pope for 26 years. I remember him for traveling, he visited 103 countries. There is a story told about John Paul when he was bishop of Krakow . He would escape his duties to ski. He was known as the daredevil of Tetra Mountains. One story related the bishop skied across the boarder and was detained. He was released after he was recognized. He was the first Polish pope.
Benedict XVI was pope from 2005 until he abdicated in 2013 due to illness. He died in 2022 at age 95. He was member of the ruling body of the church. He was part of the second Vatican counsel in the 1960’s.
Pope Frances was elected to the Papacy in 2013 and served for 12 years. He was a pastoral pope. He was the most comfortable serving the marginalized and migrant populations. He was the first pope to be from South America. He lived a simple life choosing not to live in the palace.His stone says the single word Frances in latin.
He changed the clothing of the papacy, making the robes and extras such as the staff, miter not used. Pope Frances often wore only a pileolus . He was seen giving rides in the pope mobile. Before an audience, he was told the 90 year old mother of an interpreter was ill. He started to give her the anointing of the sick. The son worried about the pope’s schedule and reminded him that people were waiting. The pope replied, “They can wait.”
Even his burial place was nontraditional. He is being buried outside Vatican City in the Basilica of Mary Major. It was reported he often prayed before the icon of of Mary before He would travel. Pope Frances toured the basilica to select his tomb site. He found a nook serving as a storage area for extra candelabras. This will do for my burial.”
136 cardinals will meet to select the new pope in a conclave that must meet starting in the first week of May. Italians say a fat pope is followed by a thin pope. A tall pope is followed by a short pope. The Sistine Chapel is being readied. A metal floor will protect the marble and prevent listening devices from being used. The cardinals will be sequestered until they elect the next pope. It is in God’s hands.

The first official Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. This year, 193 countries participate in earth friendly activities around the globe. Usually, there is a theme each year. In 2025, the emphasis is reassessing the success of past projects. Earth Day has lead to the passage of the Clean Air Act, The clean water Act and the protection of endangered Species Act and the establishing of the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, an independent governmental group that is tasked to oversee environmental concerns. Like many federal agencies, the EPA has seen a hold in approved program funds for reassessment.
In my state of Michigan, there are studies of wildlife, fish and study for water clean up from chemical spills. They are yet to be completed. A pillar of the EPA is to make our country number 1 in AI use. In six years it has been responsible for 20 percent of energy production. The current production of energy from wind, solar, gas and petroleum sources will not be enough to meet demand. Nuclear solutions with small nuclear small nuclear modules to be placed underground and use passive sources to cool the reactors. There are currently no working reactors in the US. They are currently waiting for approval before implementing them in this country. So far, only 2 SNM are operational with over 100 others in the construction phase. They have been studied for 9 years by the Department of Energy. Is this the solution? With only two working nuclear modules, it may be years into the future. A current option may be global cooperation to decrease our energy footprint on our world.
AI***. poem
Five Pillars
Clean air, clean water for all
Artificial Intelligence is
making our country great by
less regulations
May not be good for all.
A different solution may be to decrease each individuals
use of natural resources. shop for containers that can be easily recycled. Compost branch and grass clippings to to produce a mixture rich in nutrients. Plant native plants that encourage diversity while increasing the insect and bird populations, recycle paper and magazines. Lets all work to be part of the clean up.
***. Poem
Remember the ad, with a native American?
He was looking over a large pile of trash.
Showing a closeup of his face, a single tear trickled down his cheek.
As a child, I wanted to help.
Now as an adult I have the power to make a difference.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 4/22/25

This past Saturday was the pink moon. It was named as the time when flora start to bud and leaf. Other names for this moon are bud moon, pastel moon and awakening moon.
This year Passover started on the evening of the12th. It is celebrated for one week and a day. My mother in law’s church called the celebration , “the night to be observed.” This was on The Thursday before Easter.
Christians are starting their Holy week starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday.
The spring Hindu festival of Holi started on March 14TH and can go on for 40 days. The Muslim holy days of Ramadan are a month long observation ending on March 31. This makes a person wonder if the cosmos is aligned this month.
Returning to the pink moon, I have my own story about a full moon and religion. When I was a young child, I loved to pick violets and dandelions to make a bouquet . I would take the small offering and place it at the feet of Mary outside the church. I was brought up on stories of Mary’s appearances in Lourdes and Fatima. One night of a full moon, I prayed to see Mary. I was alarmed to see the moon appearing to come closer and larger in appearance. I covered my head and prayed to stop the moon from coming any closer. When I peeked from under the covers, the moon was back where it belonged.
As an adult, I can rationalized that I mixed my love of Mary with Glenda, The Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz movie. But that night, I was in terror of what I prayed for. Now, I wonder what if I had said yes. May your prayers, hopes and dreams come true. Blessings

Carol Farnsworth

**** poem
glowing moon
child’s prayer
Imagination
panic
retract wish
back to normal
but I still wonder
what if…
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 4/14/25

Today’s weather is calling for snow flurries and continued cold temperatures. Not promising for Spring Break week. My brother Craig and my husband John both will be celebrating birthdays in the coming week. What does this have to do with World Health Day? Everything! With cuts across the board in health care programs, rising food prices and prescription drugs, They may be in poorer health in the coming year. John and I can still afford our health care even if the co-pay increases. What about the millions of Americans that have little or no providers or can not afford medical care?
We use to have programs that help low income families. Medicaid and medicare are being limited or dropped. Programs initiated thirty to fifty years ago, are on the cutting board to appease the conservative agenda. I would bet that none of the proposed cuts affect this group of politicians. But the more disturbing policy concerns the overreaching of the executive branch to write executive orders and enforce them as if they are laws.
Where are the other two branches of government? Where are the checks and balances. How is democracy being tested? Meanwhile, people like your neighbor, the clerk in the grocery store, the family that is sitting beside you in church, even your family members will be affected. We must make a choice, to not take action or to rise up to uphold people in our community, state and our country.
If we don’t act, when the changes finally affect us, there may be no one to challenge the orders.
Our grandfathers and fathers rose to protect democracy, our grandmothers and mothers, taught us to treat others as we would want to be treated. Are we so apathetic to not care to make waves. I, for one, would start a tidal wave of concern. Together we can be a force for ourselves and our country.
Take your temp and choose your path.

poem
I pledge allegiance to to democracy
the building block on which we stand.
Many faces, different voices but one people
one nation, in love and peace
caring for the vulnerable we will rise
to protect all.
carolaspot@aol.com copyrighted 4/7/25

Every spring, John has to decide when to stop feeding the deer in favor of the birds and squirrels. He fears that too much offered food will make them dependent on humans. I suspect the feeding habits of the animals have more to do with whether they will get a handout in our backyard.
The number of deer vying for bird seed has grown from a doe with her twins to seven or more deer at one time. When a group is that large, disputes erupt with shoving and head butting of the smaller deer. One morning , a younger deer stamped it’s front hooves . John took this as frustration at the lack of feed to go around. Later, I read that stamping front hooves is one way deer communicate with each other.
Wanting to feed the pregnant squirrels, John built a mesh square cover . It was eight inches above the ground. The food container will sit under this mesh to protect the seeds from the deer.
Last night was the first night using the tray. I hope that hungry deer don’t become aggressive, destroying the mesh covering. This morning a young deer, had her head on the ground to lick up seeds with her tongue.
This is the opening salvo in the game of creatures in our yard.This is before the chipmunks, mice and turkeys join the contest. They and John will go back and forth with no clear outcome. I’ll pop some corn and watch the show. There a bias towards the manner the animals feed. Squirrels and birds select one seed at a time. Deer, chipmunks and turkeys will eat until the food is gone. We will see who outwits whom.
***. poem
Cycle
Warmer weather, longer days
start the spring cycle.
nature vies for limited food. Before the buds form, rabbits chew on last year’s growth. Many are eating for two. Spring can be a feast or famine.
carolaspot@aol.com
copyrighted 3/31/25

I found this special day to celebrate the achievements of friends, family and coworkers in my life. I am referring to the clerk that remembers to double bag my groceries each time I use her checkout. The young person that runs to get to the library door before me so he can open and hold the door for me. There is the family member that takes the time to read and comment on my blog. The older woman, who sits in front of us in the first pew, that walks over to smile and offers her hand in peace during service. The driver that stops far back from the crosswalk to signals he sees us.
For every person that ignores or scowls, there are nine others who smile. They make my day. Exchanging “hellos” is healing for the soul.
In this list, I will add my virtual groups of friends. Those in Behind our Eyes , Writers with Disabilities, Braille Chat group, Braille Forum and Newsreel.
The online magazines The Avocet, Breath and Shadow, The Plum Tree Tavern and Spirit fire Review for publishing my poetry and short stories. The editors have become friends. Your work and dedication to those of us who deal with blindness and other issues is appreciated. Your encouragement has helped many achieve their writing goals. You are the reason for my writing achievements. You know who you are. Thank you.
Carol Farnsworth
* Poem
Invisible
I sit by myself
Who is watching?
I smile and hope another receives it.
I am here, to offer my hand to touch.
a hand reaches for mine.
connection
I achieve my goal.
We are not alone.
carolaspot@aol.com copyrighted 3/24/25

Visiting a butterfly exhibit in a local garden area, I was struck how the butterfly and a poem are similar. Both are dull before they take flight. Lifting us higher in the turn of a wing or phrase. They change our understanding while sharing an experience with others. With poetry and butterflies, we are lifted in ming and spirit. Take a moment today to appreciate the gift of nature. If you are moved, write down your observations. This could be a start of a journal to find ideas for poems. Can’t see? Use your imagination and your other senses to create a moment caught in time. Enjoy the coming month to expand and take time to hear, smell, taste and feel . Write them down before they disappear…
like a butterfly.
poem

Buckeye Convention
Sun streams in flooding ferns with light.
Thousands of blue insects move in zigzag flight.
Whisper movement passes by.
To the apple slices tied and hung.
One mottled brown flyer rests nearby.
Pausing to sip a sugar brew.
Startled by another, change to blue in flight.
It lifts skyward, joining others.
Sapphire jewels amid the plantings.
Against the window panes, invisible to the eye, they hide.
Reappear near my side.
With six inch wing spans hide in foliage when they land.
carolaspot@aol.com copyrighted 3/20/25