tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post8067499212305340301..comments2024-02-17T08:14:14.308-06:00Comments on imaginary garden with real toads: A Toad Chat with Kim & KerrySherry Blue Skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926508656571639801noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-74934937382698650812018-11-22T11:49:01.313-06:002018-11-22T11:49:01.313-06:00I was surprised to stumble upon this chat today an...I was surprised to stumble upon this chat today and am glad I didnt miss it. I was travelling when it appeared and it slipped past me. Thank you both for a wonderful conversation. I enjoyed it so much. Kerry, I am so glad your hard year is behind you and hope the coming one overflows with good things. Sherry Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926508656571639801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-61378649849231892012018-11-17T01:05:16.958-06:002018-11-17T01:05:16.958-06:00To me there is no greater gift than a teacher. I h...To me there is no greater gift than a teacher. I have been blessed to know a couple who opened my imagination and led me to ink. Thank you Kim and Kerry for letting us sit in on your conversation. Both of you are so gifted and I feel blessed to be a toad in this garden of wonder.Susie Clevengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-58788104452839233922018-11-16T22:28:49.646-06:002018-11-16T22:28:49.646-06:00Well spoken ~Well spoken ~grapelinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929030339206629628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-16787828057692065762018-11-16T09:23:44.368-06:002018-11-16T09:23:44.368-06:00Many thanks to all for the lovely comments. It fee...Many thanks to all for the lovely comments. It feels so good to be me right now, with so many beautiful friends and fellow poets surrounding me. The whole idea of Real Toads has been to support and inspire one another, and I feel that so strongly here.Kerry O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00720862912375945249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-47661776590993248452018-11-15T14:32:37.288-06:002018-11-15T14:32:37.288-06:00Now I know where Miranda and Caliban came from!Now I know where Miranda and Caliban came from!Fireblossomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07040525704916368792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-56519441639945709932018-11-15T12:47:41.091-06:002018-11-15T12:47:41.091-06:00This was one of the sweetest, most inspiring thing...This was one of the sweetest, most inspiring things I've read in awhile. I love how the passion for poetry is expressed by you both.<br /><br />Kim, it's funny how we sometimes walk away from things only to revisit them again in a different form. I think when something is as much a part of one's soul, as writing is to yours, while we may have some fallow times, they only serve to shore up our energy so we can return to what we love with an even greater passion than we had before.<br /><br />Kerry, oh yes, I know how the right book at the right time can save a life. Salvation by story is a real thing. The best stories have helped me work through some tricky times. I for one am thrilled that your last poem hasn't been written. Your Instagram posts are quite enchanting.<br /><br />Thank you again ladies for sharing a bit of yourselves with us. Rommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18343895193475984183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-3156336723291949942018-11-15T11:41:56.476-06:002018-11-15T11:41:56.476-06:00Dearest Kerry and Kim,
I read your exchanged, so...Dearest Kerry and Kim, <br /><br />I read your exchanged, soaked in the wonderful words, while sipping a cup of French Vanilla coffee (which I'm extremely proud to announce, I can almost taste *take that, chemo*). I absolutely love this post. I can't stop smiling at how much your reasons for writing (and for loving what you do and how you do it) echoes my own. It's such a delight to see our reasons feeding the ink of writers I like and respect. <br /><br />Kim, I love that you continue to find a way to teach what you love in a different way. I miss teaching so much... And I think that once my health find some balance, I am definitely going to follow on your steps. I don't think I would do too well with children, but... my community has a huge number of adults (especially elderly) that would probably want to play with words (if someone makes it fun enough for them). Fingers crossed, right? <br /><br />Kerry, if I grinned any wider, my face would probably burst. I love circles, especially when they work so well: I started writing poetry (and sharing it with others) after you showed me just how fulfilling it could be. The idea of you doing so, in a different way on Instagram, after seeing me doing it, is... soul-feeding. So, thank you for sharing that. On days when I feel like I can't get out of bed, I will remember this... and write myself into motion. <br /><br />Thank you both, Kim and Kerry. This might be one of the most inspiring writing posts I've read in ages. And, at the moment, I really, really, really needed that. Magaly Guerrerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18295455026184103230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-43273177353589329742018-11-15T10:37:01.674-06:002018-11-15T10:37:01.674-06:00Loved reading this, Ladies. As we call you, but n...Loved reading this, Ladies. As we call you, but not to your faces, in our rural South, "School Marms". You two are my major role models for poetry writing and appreciation. In school poetry was a part of grammar so we learned rhyme and meter and some forms. Then we branched out to the major poets. Those were the old days, I haven't kept up until here and the now silent "One Single Impression." Most of my college paper writing efforts were "A's" and I still enjoy writing. BUT YOU TWO and others here are my main teachers. I love the mechanics of writing to Fussy Forms, mostly taught by Marian. <br />To help getting caught up have studied from Ted Kooser's book, "The Poetry Home Repair Manual; Practical Advice for Beginning Poets." Kooser claims Poet Laureate of the United States and a Pulitzer Prize. Quite impressive to me, if it is in your, and others reading here, libraries I would like your evaluations of the book. I identify with him also as I grew up 80 miles from where he is now and much closer to the environment of his prose book, "Local Wonders."<br />One part here, concerning use of pictures that Kim wrote of, my blog was originally not poetry at all but had many pictures. Not wanting to start another blog (mine here was the sixth of fourteen or more that I have had) I am now using it for mostly poems, many with pictures. I like to write so as to having the poem be able to stand alone. I have readers, family and friends and others, more, times perhaps three, than join in here. I also put about half my blog entries, this and one other, on my Facebook page. I try to take Kooser's advice, "Write for your readers."<br />Keep up your good work and thanks for publishing your mutual interview.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982249173214655060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-70856079443440986912018-11-15T10:08:27.985-06:002018-11-15T10:08:27.985-06:00This is so wonderful! I read your conversation ear...This is so wonderful! I read your conversation early yesterday and have come back a couple times to savor it. This is what our Imaginary Garden community is all about. Thank you so much for sharing of yourselves, Kerry and Kim.Marianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04030161532713347225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-78206038163590818522018-11-15T02:52:07.532-06:002018-11-15T02:52:07.532-06:00Thank you so much Viv, Pat, Sanaa, Annell, Björn a...Thank you so much Viv, Pat, Sanaa, Annell, Björn and Anmol for your wonderful responses to our chat – and special thanks to Kerry for asking me to be her chat partner. Being part of a poets community is so supportive and inspirational as we are truly international and have diverse interests and skills. It’s not quite nine o’clock in the morning and I am already imagining what you are all doing in your different corners of the world, which gives me food for thought and ideas for poems.Kim M. Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668459794787447606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-79711443095289005702018-11-14T21:15:53.438-06:002018-11-14T21:15:53.438-06:00Sanaa, thank you so much for your affectionate wor...Sanaa, thank you so much for your affectionate words. I am so grateful for your kind-heart. <br />Thanks for stopping by to read, Annell. It's good to know you still enjoy my bits and pieces of writing. Bjorn, Happy 50th birthday! That is indeed a milestone.. Thank you for being such a huge supporter of my writing for so many years.<br />Anmol, teaching is a huge privilege. I do wish I could have reached more people with the awe and power of written and spoken word, but I have done my best over 30 years. Kerry O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00720862912375945249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-71798942376901420452018-11-14T15:53:03.106-06:002018-11-14T15:53:03.106-06:00A delightful conversation — it is so interesting t...A delightful conversation — it is so interesting to know about your lives, inspirations, and interests — it is plain wonderful how your both are nurturing and promoting the craft and art of poetry and literature in your communities and educational institutions. I sincerely wish I had teachers like you, who would have known and understood how poetry can indeed save lives.<br />Thank you, Kim and Kerry, for this thoughtful and invigorating discussion, and for sharing your creativity and your warmth online. <3Anmol (HA)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02427056865589377093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-43468330380857021022018-11-14T14:39:41.585-06:002018-11-14T14:39:41.585-06:00What a wonderful discussion, and how you are both ...What a wonderful discussion, and how you are both teacher (maybe building up next generation of poets)... One of the features I remember most Kerry is the time you took your students to the pond... it was amazing to read and write inspired by them. The poetry scene online is amazing, and if someone had told me that I would be part of this the day I celebrated my 50th birthday I would have thought that person a lunatic... <br /><br />Thank you both for what you do to make the online world better, and how nice it would be if we could all meet one day.brudberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12563403553536472377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-85223197717160676512018-11-14T14:20:47.053-06:002018-11-14T14:20:47.053-06:00I loved the chat!! Both wonderful writers. I fal...I loved the chat!! Both wonderful writers. I fall in love each time I read their writing. Thank you so much!!!annell4https://www.blogger.com/profile/07629830133868270690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-10021036773491930942018-11-14T11:15:50.641-06:002018-11-14T11:15:50.641-06:00I had been looking forward eagerly to this one!💞 ...I had been looking forward eagerly to this one!💞 Thank you Kerry and Kim for sharing and giving us a glimpse into your lives so generously .. like you even I didn't want the conversation to end 😊<br /><br />Kerry: I have long been in love with your poetic style and writing and was delighted when I found out you joined instagram💞 Your passion for writing inspires me and urges me to evolve and to write better.. like you I too sometimes fear that the art of poetry is falling out of fashion especially with the youth.. *and especially here rapidly declining in my part of the world!* People my age simply fail to see the charm behind expressing yourself in poetry and hardly if ever prefer to read and comprehend. Heck sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era 😊 but I live with hope in my heart that time will change.💞<br /><br />Kim: I absolutely love your poems especially ones which revolve around nature as I find it difficult to depict its beauty in writing... there is always the task of finding the right words, imagery and rhythm with me .. but you.. gosh you do it just beautifully!! I hope to observe and learn more from you in the days to come 😊<br /><br />To both: It is amazing to learn how another poet's mind works when it comes to writing💞 I could truly relate to your experiences shared here😊 for me sometimes when I m sitting down or am busy with chores the words just kind of pop into my mind usually its the beginning or closing lines which I quickly pen down in my journal. And then there are other days when words just don't come .. mainly because i am tired or stressed out. But i am grateful that it happens seldom 😊 and hope that in the future when I come to be married and have kids of my own to continue writing poetry! And I will .. psst.. between you and me I would LOVE one of my kids to take my poetic genes and share my passion for poetry yayy!💞<br /><br /><br />Thank you once again Kerry and Kim for this wonderful and enlightening conversation😊 Love and hugs!💞☕Sanaa Rizvihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06681404650477409830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-77630048225060384502018-11-14T08:57:04.800-06:002018-11-14T08:57:04.800-06:00Thanks, Vivian.. I will certainly deliver the bilt...Thanks, Vivian.. I will certainly deliver the biltong (It is my one peculiar addiction). Being a teacher, especially at this time of the year, when final examinations are at full throttle, is very time-consuming - the upside? I have my summer holidays to look forward to.. lots of time to write. <br />Dear Pat, thank you for your kind words. The classroom is not what it used to be, the challenges of Generation Z are heretofore unseen.. but somehow, I keep the ship afloat.Kerry O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00720862912375945249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-41787837313518695492018-11-14T08:27:11.567-06:002018-11-14T08:27:11.567-06:00What a wonderful chat ladies!
It's interesti...What a wonderful chat ladies! <br /><br />It's interesting how two lives can intersect in ways, thousands of miles apart - and I found it really fascinating how being teachers, and working within the constraints of the educational system pushes you both to not only create, for yourselves, but also to find ways to keep language alive, Kerry through your classroom efforts and Kim, in all of your activities with youngsters and parents etc. Brava for the dedication and additional time spent. <br /><br />And it's wonderful that you both also offer so much back to the community here and elsewhere and are still finding ways of sparking your own writing passions. <br /><br />Thank you both for sharing so much :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542041444980449672.post-26933318915266480812018-11-14T03:55:38.590-06:002018-11-14T03:55:38.590-06:00This was fun reading. I'm having coffee at wor...This was fun reading. I'm having coffee at work..and have a short gap between patients. It's always intriguing to learn more about my fellow poets.<br />Kim, living so close to nature must be so calming and, Kerry- I can feel your summer sun from here! It great that you're both teachers- it shows through in the discipline of always 'showing up for work'- both of you churn content out all the time.<br />Kerry, you instagram posts with that neat writing is a wonder to see....probably because it shows a meticulous hand, and mind.<br />Kim, you never run out of new metaphors for even the simplest things. I admire you both and enjoyed this immensely.<br />Kerry...please bring some biltong with you if you're passing through London!Vivian Zemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09588008375525403964noreply@blogger.com