Being a dog of certain *ahem* breeds (Rat Terrier with a smidge of Chihuahua) I have been known to struggle with anxiety.
A. Lot.
(Apparently mom struggles, too, and she has zero Chihuahua in her - go figure!)
Being a resourceful pooch I deal with my anxiety in a variety of ways...
resting with my favorite stuffy...
munching carrots...
and getting a helping hand when meeting other dogs in the 'wild'...
But recently I tried something new to deal with my anxiety...coloring!
Specifically coloring pages from The Anxiety Relief Coloring Book for Adults: Mindful Coloring to Decrease Stress and Anxiety by Kara Holmes
(Kara really should include "Dogs" in the title...just sayin'.)
Just look at my handypaw-work!
Seriously...I can do ANYthing!
The author was thinking when she made this book...
"I’ve designed my coloring book with 67
unique patterns that have been proven to provide a calming effect to
those struggling with anxiety. Some pages also include powerful
affirmations to ward off negative thoughts and help the reader improve
their outlook on life." ~Kara Holmes
I love May because mom watches the Eurovision Song Contest.
And as you know, I love cheese.
The Eurovision Song Contest is CHEESY in the best possible* a good way.
*it's not edible
2022 ESC brings together performers from 40 European-ish** countries to compete for the best song of the year.
**I know I'm a pup of limited geographical knowledge, but I'm not sure when Australia relocated to Europe...
Previous ESC winners include Celine Dion, ABBA, and last year's winner, Måneskin.
As mom and dad watch, I lay on my pillow soaking up the sights and sounds of ESC.
One band that caught my attention is Subwoolfer from Norway.
Because, wolf.
Duh.
I'm happy to report that, as of this writing, Subwoolfer is a finalist!
(The finals are Saturday 14 May 2022...it is going to be a loooong night for a champion sleeper dog like me, but totally worth it to see the stage presentation/dancing/costumes.)
While the Subwoolfer's song Give That Wolf a Banana is catchy, they have it all wrong.
(I dare you to listen to it once and not sing "yum-yum-yum" on repeat in your head!)
Yes, save Grandma, but feed the wolf CHEESE!
It's much more effective.
My poem is based on this song and will not make sense unless you've watched/heard the song.
Then again, it may not make sense even if you have.
As we coast to the end of National Poetry Month, how about a little BOOST?
The multi talented Michelle Schaub over at PoetryBoost.com has a whole website dedicated to sharing poetry toBOOST literacy!
In Michelle's words...
"Poetry is literacy's superfood. Just as certain fruits and veggies are packed with antioxidants, poetry is loaded with rich content, brain-stimulating vocabulary, and nourishing literary devices. Poetry's concise format makes it a perfect choice for:
educators who are short on time but challenged with providing rigorous content
reluctant readers who fatigue when faced with pages of text
advanced readers ready to dig into deeper analysis
English language learners who need exposure to rich vocabulary and sophisticated sentence structure in small bites
In short, poetry is a great choice to boost literacy in all learners."
I am proud and honored that Michelle featuredmeSmidgey this week!
Smidgey's yearning for the limelight and my recent move coincided perfectly for Smidgey to share my Jaunty Letter J poem from my 10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways.
These videos are a delight to make. (So much so that I literally LOL during the process.)
And after I finish I am proud...for a minute.
But then I worry.
Does my voicereally sound like that?
Am I weird to put this into the world?
Is my poetry good enough to be among *real* poets?
Maybe I should leave it in a draft folder and call it a day...
But then I look at Smidgey's tiny furry face.
And I know someone in the world needs to see the joy she brings.
Needs to hear her *ahem* voice.
Needs a few minutes of silly dog respite from their worries.
Which brings us to the here and now.
To the POINT of this post... a short and sweet video. (It will prove mypoint.)
(short + sweet = Smidgey)
Smidgey's Identity Crisis Poetry Series,
Episode 2: Smidgey-who? Smidgey-ku!
Thank you for each and every comment on my blog.
I read them to Smidgey and she gobbles up your kind words like a cheese-filled treat. 🧀
Winners have been chosen!
I am waiting to hear back from two lucky email subscribers who have each won a beautiful hardback copy of my 10.10 Poetry Anthology. (for April 1st and today's drawings)
There will be three more chances to win during National Poetry Month.
Yay for a 5 Friday month!
Not a subscriber? Sign up(upper right hand corner ⦬) and be eligible for next week'shardback10.10 Poetry Anthology giveaway.
Janice is interviewing David Elliot at Salt City Verse! She also happens to be the host of this week'sPoetry Fridayround up!
And for a complete listing of the NPM awesomeness happening in the kidlitosphere, go to Jama’s Alphabet Soup.
Jama is everything that is good in the world.
Do you want to be a part of my next poetry anthology, Two Truths and a Fib?
To celebrate NPM, Smidgey has put herself in the limelight...
...by starring in a Poetry VideoEVERY Friday in April!
That's FIVESmidgey Poetry Videos in ONE month!
How fun is that?
(very fun!)
In the interests of full transparency, (and in line with me practicing giving myself grace* since we just moved) I must note that two of the videos were made and shared back in 2020.
(*my OLW for 2022)
But, don't worry they have aged very well.
(I literally LOL'd reviewing them...2 minutes well spent.)
The rest are brand new.
So without further adieu...
Smidgey's Identity Crisis Poetry Series,
Episode 1: #me-ow?
Another bit of awesomeness is that I am giving away a beautiful hardback copy of my 10.10 Poetry Anthology to one lucky wee words for wee ones email subscriber!
If you are not a subscriber, what are you waiting for??
Sign up NOW! (upper right hand corner ⦬) Smidgey loves a captive audience! 😉
Check out the slick navy blue hardcover! Wouldn't that look great in YOUR dog's paws?
AND check out the awesomeness that the Poetry Friday community has to offer at my juicy little universe. Heidi is celebrating NPM by writing in response to the book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis.
And given the current state of the world, she chose a book that has heart for EVERY reader.
Even dogs.
Smidgey got her paws on WE BELONG(e-reader version) by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera.
And as always, Smidgey had some thoughts.
While Smidgey has her dogged opinion about WE BELONG, MY opinion is that the text is rhythmic, rhyming and should be required for young (and young at heart!) readers.
And the illustrations are as uplifting and powerful as the words.
(And so much more colorful than Smidgey realizes...poor dog.)