In Tandem Laurie & Shanyn

You can track toads. They do not hop like frogs. They walk, in a stately toad like manner. They also climb in same said toad like manner.

Poets can be very much the same. We can be tracked through our words, the trails we leave.  When two poets write together the tandem tracks leave a marvelous sight behind. Something new. Something unique. Something special.

With Real Toads is such a community where our paths cross in wonderful poetic ways.  I was paired with the wonderfully talented Laurie Kolp for this challenge by Kerry.  We worked on our tandem poem, a tribute to this community. Then we added a poem each.

Enjoy friends!

Garden of toads, and visiting frogs.

We hop poem to poem – tasting, savoring.

Enchanted prompts,

The seasons flavoring

Poets gather, seeding words in a wild garden.

A riot of colors, words and sounds – joy!

Encouraging each other with

Supportive comments employed

Nothing lifts the spirit more than this.

An eclectic and wild garden poetic.

And from Laurie...

Regift me, lift me

higher than I want to be,

a mythical toad

flying in a clouded sea;

while you

crown me, drown me

in an effervescent sky

with words unspoken,

this poem I write.

and from me, Shanyn...

Spring rushes for no man.

Neither do my toads.

They slumber deeply

under flowers roots.

Don't disturb them!

Muses wait for no poets.

They madden us

with poems over flowing

or with dusty drought.

Don't waste them!

Poems, once spoken, live.

Once written are eternal.

Toads signal health.

Poems signal soul.

Cherish them both.

Interview Series

Interview with Shanyn Silinski

Hello fellow Toads, it’s Hannah here and today we’re going on an adventure to the Smilin Coyote Ranch in sunny south eastern Manitoba, Canada to visit with Shanyn (aka Mystic Mom) her beautiful family and amazing animals!!!

 
Hannah: Hi, Shanyn, thank you SO much for inviting us to your home, do you mind if we walk down to the barn and chat for a while? I LOVE animals!! 

Shanyn: Thanks for coming Hannah, excuse the dogs, the four of them are VERY friendly!  You’ll love the barn, and we can walk on the ridge to visit the cows and horses.  We have highland cows and riding horses.  Abby, Anna, Feathers and Sarah are our dogs, Buddy over there just comes to visit from who knows where!

Feathers, intent on a squirrel because the cows, cats and swallows were not available.

Working Dog and What Luck

Aurora and Lazarus

Hannah: Oh, they're wonderful, I love their names! Tell us about your family if you would be so kind, Shanyn? Do you have any children? Does he/she enjoy living on a farm? What are his/her hobbies?

Shanyn: We are blessed to have our son Luke, who is going to be 7 soon, and he loves farming, riding horses, doing jiu jitsu, reading and playing games with his Dad.
Winter Farm Fun:

More winter Farm Fun Photos

More Farm Fun and GREAT laughing photos

Hannah: He is so handsome, what a cute lil' man! Did you grow up on a farm, Shanyn? I love your name, it’s interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. Do you have a story behind it? Are there any special memories you’d like to share with us about your childhood? 

Shanyn: I grew up on a ranch in Alberta, which is a bit different from a farm because we didn’t grow crops except for hay.  When I was young I changed the spelling of my name to a way I liked better.  I remember always   having animals to play with, horses to ride and other strange pets like salamanders!  My best friends were almost always animals and books – probably why I have so many of both as a grown up.

Hannah: How cool that you changed the spelling of your name, Shanyn, and such a fun sounding childhood! Do you hold a memory of the first time someone told you, “good job,” who was it and what had you accomplished, how did you feel? 

Shanyn: That is an interesting question Hannah, I remember a lot of times being told I could do better or to try harder.  I’m an encourager by nature, so I remember encouraging more than I remember encouragement! I do remember feeling good when people admitted that they underestimated me and that I had impressed them, or surprised them.  I like doing that.

Hannah: I've noticed that you're great at encouraging, thank you!! What’re your most favorite things to do, Shanyn? Do you have any hobbies? I notice you take gorgeous pictures; would you like to tell us about this? 

Shanyn: I am a voracious reader, I always have a few books on the go, so reading is maybe more of an obsession than a hobby?  I love scrapbooking and gardening.  And yes, I do so love photography!  I’ve been taking pictures since I was very young, even won some awards, and love seeing different ways I can take a photo.  Some days I will take 100 photos, so picking a favorite can be tricky.  My favorite of today is this one though.

Hannah: That is such a wonderful capture, Shanyn.  I’ve really been enjoying your pictures and poetry, Shanyn! How would you describe your writing? Do you have a particular poem that you feel best represents you as a writer? Do you have any others that you feel speak specifically from your heart? 


Shanyn: My writing is very much from the heart.  My poems come to me almost fully formed, just waiting for me to type them or write them out.  If you want to know me, you can find out lots by reading my poetry.  I have been writing since I was very young.  Most recently the poems that have become personal favorites are:

There be wolves

It is good and right to fear the predator,
those who are made of tasty meat.
Stay on the path and out of the wood.
Keep your head down, eyes narrow’d.

Shuffle, shuffle, stay hunched over
Ready like rabbits to dive into cover.
It is good and right to fear the wolves,
and lions and bears and shadows and night.

Stay close to the houses, don’t wander off.
You could be gone like the smoke, poof.
Keep your arms pulled in really tight
Stay tense and afraid, ready for flight!

Foolish little sheep, staring at the woods,
not knowing the dangers are closer to home.
Your keepers are scavengers, they prowl.
Blaming the darkness on us who howl.

Watching them would be wise, you know,
they have no loyalty, no code to show.
Silly little sheep, staying on the paths
not seeing the monsters shadowing behind.

Wearing mansuits, singing woman songs,
looking ever so much like here they belong.
Your tender meat to your own kind too,
they know you are sheep as well as I do.

Ghosting along through your dreams and tales
the wolves and their shadows cast darkly, long.
Fear the woodcutter, witch, merchant and king.
Our howls make you tremble, what a thing!

When their soothing voices are more deadly still,
and their soft hands sharply diving for the kill.
There be wolves, it is true, and you know it so
don’t be afraid of the dark woods at night.

There are greater innocence eaters than we
they surround you every day, you hardly see.
Telling lies and tales to keep you close by
“Stay out of the woods” be wise, wonder why.

Faerie tales are warnings, from the wildness
for the tame ones, like them, like you and you.
Listen closely, for the daemons you fear the most
are those who live, breath, eat and touch closest.

Dance in the moonlight, fear the darkness not
unless of course you are their sheep and get caught.

2011 Copyright Shanyn Silinski


Written @ Kerry's Wednesday Challenge
A slight tongue in cheek response from a wolfish poet to this challenge.  Remember, the predators are always stalking but you sweet tender sheep are always looking at the wolf when the slaughter man comes.  Watch carefully little sheep, keep your Shepherd close, and trust those dogs. Don’t listen to the stories that lead you astray.

Links to some favorites:


Once Upon a Time-(my ideas on fairy tales)


Talk This Way- (how people think of how I think and talk) 

Chasing Windmills- (what if Quixote wasn’t mad?  What if I’m not? ) 

How Many Stand Silent- (a poem I wrote speaking out against animal abuse and it became a poem that spoke to all survivors of abuse) 

Get Out of the Boat- (a poem of faith) 


Hannah: Shanyn, those are all stunning, thank you. I notice that you seem to have a beautiful faith and a strong connection with nature. Would you tell us how this influences your writing and what other possible elements influence your writing? 

Shanyn: God’s creation influences many things in my life, most things probably.  My faith is my foundation, I would be nothing without it.  I have a blog dedicated to my faith journey 
Strawberry Roan.

Being in nature, seeing the wonder of an amazing animal or flower, the magic of a sunset or fog after a rain just inspires me. Sometimes I have more poems flowing than I have the ability to put down.  I think I miss so many because they come to me when I can’t capture them.  
Other influences are the things I care about: family, friends, faith, animals, advocating for those who suffer from abuse, and of course other writers inspire me.

Hannah: I can tell what a strength in faith you have through your words and I can so identify with the feeling of not being able to get down on paper all the poems that flow. So, I noticed on your blog, Sunflower Poetry, that you have a few different blog sites, would you tell us the names and purposes of these blogs, please, Shanyn? Also, do you have any books published?

Shanyn: I do have a few blogs, Sunflower Poetry is for poetry, Mystic-Mom is for some poetry, lots of photos and our ranch life.  Strawberry Roan is my faith blog.  Chore Time is my animal advocate blog and my abuse survivor blog is Scarred-Seeker.  

I did write a book of poetry, and am working on my second (any volunteers to help narrow down the poems to include?). The first was called Rainbows of my Heart.  It is available through me, and it was done a few years ago.  My new book is going to be called Broken Wings & Second Chances.

Hannah: Oh I love the name of your new book, you have beautiful blogs and what great causes you stand for. Do you have any short term/long term goals for your writing or in general that you would like to share with your fellow Toads today, Shanyn?

Shanyn: One big goal is to get my second book of poetry done, and on shelves and in Kindles!  That is a big goal. I’m about ½ to 1/3 of the way through writing my first novel and have some ideas for a collection of short stories.  My life goals are to live life fully, embracing each day and writing, photographing and laughing my way to the end.  I’ve done a lot of things in my life, and while some I wouldn’t want to repeat, they have all made me who I am today.  And I like me.  I love my family and they are such a blessing to me!

Hannah: Wow, Shanyn, your ambition, drive and positive spirit are more than half the battle. The best of wishes on your endeavors! So now this, ha ha!! Now I’m going to ask you a bunch of random questions for fun!! My favorite color is green!! What is your favorite color, gem-stone, animal, flower and sport? What is your favorite season, Shanyn and why?


Shanyn: I love random!
I love the color purple. My favorite gem is an opal.  Love all animals (well 99.9% cannot really love some like horseflies, skeeters and nasty biting fish).  My favorite flower is a black iris or a pansy, or a sunflower. Really love my sunflowers, they mean a lot to me.  My favorite sport – jiu jitsu, rodeo and monster jam!  Favorite season is early spring and late fall.  My favorite thing in the whole world though is being Mama to my son and best friend to my husband!

Hannah: So this has really been such a fulfilling glimpse into your life Shanyn!! We really have enjoyed getting to know you better!! I have one more question for you; I think you’ll like it! If you were to write a message and put it in…hmm, let’s say a bottle to cork tightly and wistfully send out to sea what would be the important message that you would hope to arrive on a distant shore for someone to find and read?


Shanyn: How intriguing – a message in a bottle.  I think my message would be to always live each day fully.  Don’t plan on getting to the end of your life in ‘show room’ condition, get there laughing and worn out from the great ride of LIFE! Don’t lose faith in God because of the actions of people.  Remember faith, hope and love – the greatest is love.

Hannah: I love this, "laughing and worn out from the great ride of LIFE!" and you've picked a gem in your closing line, one of my absolute favorites! Thank you, so much again, Shanyn, it has been such a pleasure to spend this time with you. I shall treasure it always!! 


Fellow Real Toads be sure to hop about the lily padded links for Shanyn poetry and blogs to explore a bit! 


Have a wonderful day, warm-smiles to everyone!


All of the poetry and photographs are the work of Shanyn Silinski and are copy right protected. Please do not distribute her work without permission. Thank you.

~Gathering Words~
Shanyn's Personal Challenge Poem


Hi there real toads!! It's me Hannah, I was here two weeks ago with my Personal Challenge and I have chosen someone very near and dear to us to play in the poetical pond next. I've really been drawn to her style and the strong elements of faith and nature in her writing, it is our fellow toad, Shanyn of Sunflower Poetry!

My Challenge to Shayn is this:

There's so MANY words in our worlds today and sometimes finding the right ones to amuse the muse can be tricky. Here's an idea I thought of while I was at the grocery store the other day: We all have our daily routines and our day often will bring us into the public realm of people-hood and our lives are touched by strangers in passing. My challenge to you, Shanyn, is to go out into your world today with your wooden-lidded picnic basket and gather words from strangers in passing for fodder for this poem you'll write.


Her response is so authentic and such a beautiful glimpse into a day with Shanyn!! This is what she said of the challenge, "It was a day of a million questions with my little guy and all our farm work. There were lots of words in the air!"  I love that, I can just hear his little voice asking away!! 

Here it is! 

J

Gathering Words

My basket is lined with sticky tape.

My hands grip a handle slick with sweat.

Gathering words is dangerous, you know.

Some are poisonous, some are full of thorns.

Some are disguised as one and mean another.

Some are sweetly singing, lingering in my ears.

I’ve gathered as many Mama’s and Love You’s

As I have welcomed gifts from little boy hands.

I’ve gathered Smokin’ Hot Wife and Love You Dear’s.

Gathered in the instructions for the pump and tools.

Gathered words for recipes and for making do for now.

Gathered the words for praising and praying in the Word.

My basket caught words of worry and of fear today.

They found themselves empty in searching for the name

Of a lost dog who is making our yard and family his own.

My basket overflowed with leaf colors and shades of sunset.

We gathered words for Wii games and names for new kittens.

Gathered words for herbs and crops, hopes for the harvest.

Gathered and left silent the ‘grown up words’ by spelling them.

Words, to a poet, are fruit from wild and crazy trees!

It is getting onto night.  The basket is still full.

I need to empty it now.

Prayers to be said.

Hearts to be filled.

Good night.

Good night.

All rights reserved by Shanyn  Silinski Copy Right © 2012

Isn't this just a wonderful gathering of words!? This poem is so full of life and a day well lived! Thank you, for rising to the challenge, Shanyn!


Shanyn offers us these other two poems also that are word-gathering pieces!


The first is a game of gathering words while with friends:


Red Poem with Friends

This one is a virtual scrabble game, you create from the board pictured plus other fun:


Scrabble Poem

Be sure to hop around while you're there, toads, you'll find lots of  treasures!!


Thank you everyone and smiles to you all!!

The Sunday Challenge ~ Featuring Shanyn Silinski

Hello, Toads and welcome to this weekend's photo challenge, featuring Shanyn Silinski.  Shanyn has been a faithful follower of Real Toads for a while now, and I have long been a great admirer of the photography displayed on her blogs, Sunflower Shan and Mystic Mom.

Portrait of the Artist

Shanyn has been taking photos since she was a child with her first manual Pentax camera. She has lived and worked across the Canadian prairies and lives in SE Manitoba on a small ranch with her husband and son. Shanyn has published one book of poetry, Rainbows of my Heart, and is working on her second, along with a novel in progress. She blogs, spends time doing photography and other creative endeavors like scrapbooking. She has been an advocate speaking out against abuse of all kinds including human, animal and environmental. Her faith and her family keep her grounded.

© Shanyn Silinski

Windows
                   by Shanyn Silinski


She burnt up right there in the field.
Tires down to the steel belts.
Glass melted into brittle waves.
Seat springs finally as bare
as they’d felt on our behinds.
Cranks burnt off, windows
finally rolled all the way down.
Remains of wire and posts,
my new fencing pliers too!
Damn that truck for burning.
Almost got the tractor stuck
saving the fields from going up.
Wasn’t worth much before,
no, its not worth towing out.
Be a good spider web hanger,
empty window frames,
or maybe a cow scratcher
That old Ford paid her dues
even in burning she added
something to the farm.
My little boy loves to visit
he yells and hoots about
the truck that burnt up
and the windows still
frame the prairie sky.


Shanyn has graciously agreed to share her images with us on Real Toads today.  If you upload an image to your own blog, please acknowledge the name of the artist.

© Shanyn Silinski

My sweet husband got me a D90 for Christmas and finally, after too many years, I have a camera I won’t over shoot the capabilities of and it feels GREAT! I love macro photography as well as anything that is different.

© Shanyn Silinski

I love finding angles, light and perspective, often with the same subject, to get one amazing shot. It doesn’t matter if I’m setting up the tripod in a blizzard or madly chasing northern lights, I love having a chance to capture God’s wonderful creation. A slow day is less than ten photos, a great day is 200!

© Shanyn Silinski

When I have a camera in my hands I have a second pair of eyes, ones that can record what I see but also more importantly, they can record the mood, the light, and help me remember what my thoughts were when I was taking the photos.



The Sunday Challenge is posted on Saturday at noon CST to allow extra time for the creative process, so please do not link up old work which kind of fits the image. Members will only respond to poetry written specifically for this prompt: this is in the spirit of our Real Toads project to create opportunities for poets to be newly inspired.

I would like to add my apologies for the last minute postponement of Shanyn's feature, but you know of my internet woes.  My heartfelt thanks to Ella for stepping in at the 11th hour and providing us with a most inspiring Mini-Challenge last Sunday ~Kerry~