Photo taken by Christy McMakin
https://christymcmakin.com/

SUNDOWN SENSATION SERIES

A PUBLICATION OF PATTY’S WORLDS PUBLISHING (WHERE BLOGGING IS PUBLISHING TOO)

FALL TEASER, GOODIES FROM OUR SPONSORS AND A CALL TO ACTION!

WODEN’S DAY, (WEDNESDAY) AUGUST 21, 2024

Greetings:

Good evening, everyone. Can you believe it’s sundown again already! Time is flying, days are getting shorter by two minutes each day, and before we know it fall will be here. This week in Northeast Tennessee, we’ve been having a fall teaser. The temps have been in the 50s each night, and the days have been a mix of golden sun and cool breezes I wish would stay forever.

As I sit at my desk, underneath the open bedroom window, the sounds of the city and nature, merging, trying to maintain a balance together flowing by. Sadly, the city comes closer to the winning mark each day, for man’s need for gizmos gadgets, and gas guzzling cars thrives.

What can we do? You ask. Well, let me start by introducing one of our sponsors. Charles Portolano of The Avocet works tirelessly to raise awareness of saving mother earth each day. He publishes a quarterly journal of nature poetry and a weekly email magazine as well.

Here he is with more.

Last chance to get those Fall submissions in before the August 23rd deadline.

Hello from The Avocet – last chance to get those Fall submissions in before the August 23rd deadline.

Guidelines for the Fall printed issue of The Avocet

Submission Period ends August 23rd.

Please when submitting submissions do not stack your info, please have it:  name – town, state – email address, in a line, just like it appears in both publications.  Please do not do extra work for us. Thank you.

 Fall-themed issue

  Please read the guidelines below before submitting. 

We want to save you time, money and not waste paper.

So, we ask you submit your work on-line in ONE Word Attachment, please no pdf files.

or you can send in the body of an email,

 to

cportolano@hotmail.com

We welcome previously published poems. 

     Think of the Season when you send us your work. We want Fall-themed poems for the Fall issue, but, of course, there are those Saving Mother Earth poems that transcend the seasons, they are always welcome at any time of the year. We love poems with animals in them, even better, poems with humans interacting with animals out and about in Nature. Send poems written about the beginning of a new season and the end of a Season. In each issue, we try to present a cubistic view of a season, to display Nature in all her splendor…  We use your poems to tell the story of each season… from beginning to its end.

    It is such a great honor to be the Editors/Publishers of The Avocet. We love being poets. We love knowing if we get an idea, a phrase, or, even a word, it might bring about a poem, from out of nowhere, there onto the paper, such great fun. 

    We believe the main purpose and focus of our being editors is to promote the best Nature poetry possible in each issue. We believe Poetry is everywhere, in everyone. We believe if everyone wrote poetry, we would have a better, kinder, more caring, planet Earth to live on. We believe we as poets belong to a community who has a fiduciary duty to spread the word of poetry. 

    We are looking for poetry that moves the reader through the beauty, the peace, and the fury of Nature in all its glory. We love poems that have people interacting with nature. We love poems that have animals in their element. We love poems that have a message! We believe the purpose of poetry is to provoke thought!

Here are our guidelines, please follow:

 
Please put your last name/Fall in the subject line of your email submissions.

We welcome previously published poems. 

But no simultaneous submissions. 

We will not read submissions that are not addressed to us – Charles and Vivi.

Only one batch of poems submitted per reading period. 

Please no religious references. 

Send no more than four poems, all in one attachment. 

No more than 39 lines per poem. (spaces between stanzas count as lines) 

Do not use fancy font, which only confuses the scanner.  

All poems must be left margin formatted. 

Use single spaced lines.

Do not use all Caps in the title. 

Please, please type your name/town and state/email address underneath each poem, thank you. 

Please, we want a short bio so we can get to know you, the poets, of the Avocet community better! We don’t care to hear where you have been published before. Please tell us of your love of Nature. 

We welcome previously published poems; if a poem is good enough to get published once before; it probably deserves to be read again! Of course, please do not send poems that have already appeared in the Avocet. 

Autumn (Fall): Powerful Symbols and Symbolism

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.... This is how the poet John Keats spoke about autumn. What is it about autumn that makes one want to wax poetic? Simply put, autumn is the time when farmers gather their crops and gardens start to fade. It’s marked by the autumnal equinox, a day when daylight equals nighttime, and both find balance.

As we approach winter, autumn is often seen as the beginning of the end. This gives it a sense of impending gloom, a sadness in the air, and a reminder that all things will eventually come to an end. Here’s what autumn represents as well as the symbols that are used to signify autumn.

Symbolism of Autumn

Being the season when the weather starts to cool, animals stock for hibernation, and people start to bundle up, autumn has a range of meanings and symbolism. Some of these symbolic meanings of autumn include maturity, change, preservation, abundance, wealth, reconnection, balance, and sickness.

• Maturity: During autumn, crops and plants come to maturity. This is the time farmers harvest their already mature produce. When talking about humans, the term autumn of life represents “a time of full maturity, especially the late stages of full maturity or, sometimes, the early stages of decline“.
• Change: Autumn can be a time of unwanted change. It reminds us that winter is around the corner and that we must prepare to embrace the oncoming change. In some works of literature, such as Robin Wasserman’s “Girls on Fire”, autumn is depicted as being haunted by death. This melancholic representation does not serve to threaten us but rather to teach us that change is good and inevitable.
• Preservation: During autumn, animals stock up on food that they will be using while in hibernation throughout winter. In the same way, humans also store their harvests and retreat indoors due to the changing weather.
• Abundance and Wealth: Autumn is a time of abundant harvests. Crops planted in spring are ready and stores are full. Similarly, it is during this time that animals have an abundance of food in their hibernation dens.
• Reconnection: Summer, the season preceding autumn, is when people and animals alike go in search of adventure. In autumn, however, they go back to their roots, reconnect with their families and loved ones and together they work to harvest and store enough for winter.
• Balance: During this season, hours of the day and hours of the night are equal. You could, therefore, say that the days of autumn are balanced, representing balance, harmony, and a sense of moderation.
• Sickness: This autumnal representation derives from the nature of plants and weather during the autumn season. The fall season is characterized by strong, cold winds which bring with them sickness. It is also a time when plants wither and the once vibrant colors of spring and summer turn to hues of red, brown, and yellow.

Symbols of Autumn

Autumn is represented by several symbols, most of which are associated with harvests, abundance, fertility, and the natural landscape. Here are some of the most significant.

1. Germanic Symbol of Autumn

This is an ancient Germanic symbol that was often used in clog almanacs. The symbol’s representation of autumn is twofold. Firstly, the downward-facing cross in the middle is an indicator of life and crops going back to rest for the winter. Secondly, the characteristic m resembles the astrological sign Scorpio, which is prevalent from late October to late November, which lies in the Northern hemisphere autumn period.

2. Earth-Toned Leaves

Autumn is characterized by red, orange, and yellow leaves on trees, signaling the end of their lives. Nature is awash in these colors, which give autumn a distinct warmth and beauty.

3. Cornucopia

Cornucopias, also known as the Horn of Plenty, is an ancient Roman symbol. It features a large horn, full of farm produce, grains, and bread. It represents abundance, fertility, and sustenance.

4. Pumpkins

A vegetable representing abundance, prosperity, and good fortune, the symbolism of pumpkins align perfectly with autumn. What’s more, pumpkins are the perfect color to match the leaves during autumn, and they’re also a staple object used at Halloween – an autumnal festivity.

5. Harvesting

Harvesting crops is a symbol of autumn, because this is when crops are gathered and stored for the cold months ahead. This represents the abundance and preservation that comes with autumn.

6. Scarecrows

During autumn, when crops are ripe, scarecrows can be a common sight, set up to scare away the birds attracted to all the produce. These human-like figures represent hard work, ingenuity, guardianship, and protection.

7. Candles

Candles are often used for autumn rituals and celebrations. They symbolize hope, optimism, positivity, inspiration, and warmth.

Folklore and Festivities of Autumn

Being a season that contains both abundance and solemnity, there are many myths, legends, and festivities about autumn over the years.

Greek Mythology

According to Greek mythology, Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, returns to the underworld during the September equinox every year. During the time that Persephone is in the underworld, Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest, is so sad that she deprives the earth of crops until spring when her daughter returns to her.

Roman Mythology

The Romans honored the harvest festival in a celebration known as Cerelia. This festival dedicated to Ceres the goddess of corn was marked with offerings of pigs and first fruits of harvest, music, parades, games, sports, and a thanksgiving feast. This Roman festival follows a story similar to the Greek origin of seasons, with Persephone being known as Cerelia, Demeter being known as Ceres, and Hades being known as Pluto.

Asian Cultures

The Chinese and the Vietnamese associate the full moon of the equinox with a good harvest. This association began during the Shang Dynasty, a time when they harvested rice and wheat in plenty to the extent that they began making offerings to the moon in a festival they term as Harvest Moon Festival. To this day, the harvest moon is still celebrated. These festivities are characterized by the gathering of families and friends, the making and releasing of lanterns in the streets, and the consumption of round pastries known as moon cakes.

Japanese Buddhists

The Buddhists of Japan return to their ancestral homes every spring and fall to celebrate their ancestors in a festival called “Higan”. Higan means “From the other Shore of Sanzu River”. Crossing this mystical Buddhist river is believed to represent crossing into the afterlife. 

Thanksgiving

The British held and still hold harvest festivals on the Sunday nearest to the harvest moon in fall. This festival was later taken to America by the earliest English settlers and was adopted as the Thanksgiving holiday, which is celebrated in November. It’s a time to give thanks for the harvests and for God’s providence.

French Tradition

During the French Revolution of the 1700s, the French, in a bid to rid themselves of religious and royalist calendar influence, initiated a calendar that paid respect to the seasons of the year. This calendar which started at the midnight of the autumnal equinox and had each month named after a naturally occurring element would later be abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806.  

Welsh Tradition

The Welsh celebrated the autumnal equinox in a feast called Mabon. Mabon according to Welsh mythology, was the son of the goddess earth mother. This festival was characterized by the offering of apples and grapes, and the performance of rituals meant to bring balance to life. To this day, there are still factions who celebrate Mabon.

Jewish Festival

The Jews celebrate Sukkoth, the harvest festival, in two celebrations, namely Hag ha Succot, which means “Feast of the Tabernacle”, and Hag ha Asif, which means “Feast of Gathering”. This festival is characterized by the building of temporary huts resembling those built by Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness, hanging of grapes, apples, corn, and pomegranates in the huts, and feasting inside those huts under the evening sky.

Wrapping Up

The period of transition from the festivities and adventures of summer to the cold of winter, Autumn holds both positive and negative connotations. While it symbolizes wealth, abundance, and plenty, it also signals the end and unwanted change.

By Rose Mulu

https://symbolsage.com/autumn-symbols-and-symbolism/

Please notify us of any change of address. We will not send out another copy to a new address if you fail to tell us. Also, we mail by bulk mail, which will not be forwarded. 

We look forward to reading your Fall submissions.

Be well, enjoy your summer,

Charles, Vivi, and Valerie Portolano, editors

Thanks to Charles, Vivi, and Valerie Portolano, for their wonderful work.

Next, we’ve an offering from Abbie Johnson Taylor. Abbie’s work has been featured in both The weekly, and Quarterly Avocet Nature Magazine.

She’s also a Sponsoring Member of Patty’s Worlds Publishing.

Be sure to leave her a comment, and don’t forget to tell her where you heard of her while you’re visiting her site.

Summer’s Highs and Lows #TuesdayTidbit #Poetry #Inspiration

Summer’s Highs and Lows (Sestina)

Copyright 2024 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

My favorite season is summer.

The weather is warm, and it’s fun….

Continue reading or listening to learn what other reasons Abbie has for her love of summer.

https://abbiescorner.wordpress.com/2024/08/20/summers-highs-and-lows-tuesdaytidbit-poetry-inspiration/

News Nuggets: A Call to Action from Patty’s Worlds Publishing….

Seasonal Pieces Wanted

Now, now, don’t moan that way. You know the holidays are marching closer every day. It’s only a matter of time. In fact, for some, the holidays have already begun, or maybe they never really stopped. For those like me, who observe such things, there was a recent high holy day. It was Lunar Lammas. Jul 30, 2019 — Lammas, also known as Lughnasad, or Lughnassadh, is a pagan holiday and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats during the year. There are other similar things going on for a lot of people, so I say, let the celebrations begin.

It’s time to start nudging your muse in that direction because I’m going to be wanting your holiday pieces. So, please be thinking about that over the next few months.

In the meantime, please send me end of summer and fall pieces. I’d like to start scheduling them for the blog.

Next, an author and poet we’ve not had the pleasure of reading in some time.

Lynda McKinney Lambert joins us to share a poem recently published in The Weekly Avocet.

brown tiger cat waits

hides among twilight shadows

frightened and hungry

Lynda McKinney Lambert – Ellwood City, PA – riverwoman@zoominternet.net

I wrote this poem from a memory of finding a stray cat last summer. It took months to be able to get near him, but now, he is such a lover boy!  He is near me all day long and sleeps with me at night. I call him Mr. Little Bunny.  He is an attention seeking cat – very nosey and has to make sure anyone who visits sees him – quickly. He performs for them.

Lynda’s poem can be found in The Weekly Avocet #610. Published August 10, 2024.

You can find Lynda’s work at: https://LyndaLambert.com/

Next, author and Poet Marlene Mesot shares a poem brought to you by her senses.

Sensations of Love and Memory

(Quatrain)

By Marlene Mesot

10/20/2023

I hear subtle surf sighing,

From somewhere far away,

The coo of resident sea gulls,

Beyond a distant day.

I feel the pure vibration,

Of my kitten’s rumbling purr,

I feel a warm plump body,

Cradled in my arms of soft fur.

I smell sensational spices,

From slow cooking stew nearby,

I sense love and memories,

To treasure and keep nye.

News Nuggets: Christ Centered Poems Anthology Announcement

By Marlene Mesot

Christ Centered Poems from Christian Book Marketing (19 September 2022) features several of Marlene Mesot’s poems in addition to other Authors for Christ. The printed book has 113 pages and is available at Amazon.

Christ Centered Poems is written to bless and encourage readers as they take in the beauty of Christ Centered Poems that encourage, uplift, and stir the spirit within. Each poem shares the depth of God’s love, faithfulness, mercy, compassion and beauty. May you be richly blessed as you read the wonderful poetry within.

Christ Centered Poems Amazon

*A Note from Marlene*

Visit me at my website: www.marlsmenagerie.com

https://www.marlsmenagerie.com/

Next up, Annette Rochelle Aben a guest blogger with Angel Messages Aug 21 2024

Please make sure to leave Annette a comment to let her know you were there.

Angel Messages Aug 21 2024

Posted on August 21, 2024 | 11 Comments

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Your DAILY MESSAGE from Angels

https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2024/08/21/angel-messages-aug-21-2024/

News Nuggets: Thursday, August 22 at 7:30pm: 2024 Summer Olympics with audio description

Call description.

We will be joined for the first half of the program by Olympics audio describers Norma Jean Wick and Tony Ambrogio who provided the afternoon and evening primetime description on the NBC main Olympics coverage, and Darren Polish, who was the morning describer for the NBC coverage. Also joining us will be Jeff Heck and Ethan Ransom, who were the Peacock Gold Zone description team. In addition, we will be joined by Lori Samuels, from NBC Universal, who is the lead accessibility manager for audio description and captioning for NBC. She may also bring some of the engineers that do the technical magic to make audio description happen. What a great opportunity for you to hear them, learn about how they do what they do, and then in the second half of the show, you get to tell them how much their description brought the Olympics to life for you, how you felt listening to the description, and how much more meaningful it was for you having the description provided by NBC and these talented people.  hear about their experiences providing the description for the Olympics, and what we can anticipate for the upcoming Paralympics.

Listen on ACB Media 6

Say to your Amazon device, “ask ACB Media to play 6.”

Join in Clubhouse

To receive the Zoom call-in information for this event, please send your name, your email address and your request to receive the call-in information to: community@acb.org

We of the Audio Project hope to see/hear you there.

Now we’ve Sponsoring Member author and poet among other tremendous talents Robbie Cheadle with something to enjoy and a call to action.

Take-it-away Robbie.

Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton Writing Prompts: Sports #poetry #childhoodmemories #ostriches

robertawrites235681907UncategorizedAugust 21, 20241 Minute

Ostrich Girl (shadorma prose)

When I was ten years old, my family relocated from Cape Town back to the small town of George in the Western Cape. I attended a convent with a limited number of children. Despite our small numbers, the nuns cajoled all of us into participate in sporting activities, including swimming and athletics. Our headmistress also entered teams into local sporting competitions.

I was two years younger than the majority of my classmates, so I had to participate in athletics with a class two grades below my own. At the running trials, Sister Agatha discovered that I was the fastest runner in my school, and she put me on the team. I didn’t want to run with a class other than my own, but there was no denying Sister Agatha.

It was at my first athletics meeting that I discovered I had a most peculiar style of running. I competed in several races and won them all but afterwards the other kids teased me. “Ostrich Girl,” they called, hooting with laughter. One boy demonstrated my odd running style, stretching his neck forward as far as possible and racing across the field.

I was so embarrassed I never competed in athletics again.

Ostrich girl

Continue enjoying Robbie’s piece below.

https://roberta-writes.com/2024/08/21/roberta-writes-esther-chilton-writing-prompts-sports-poetry-childhoodmemories-ostriches/

And a bonus link from Robbie and Writing to Be Read: https://writingtoberead.com/2024/08/21/treasuring-poetry-meet-author-and-poet-elizabeth-gauffreau-and-a-book-review-poetrycommunity-bookreview-treasuringpoetry/

Closing.

Thank you so much for enjoying this newsletter with me. It was a lot of fun to put together.

Before I bid you good night, here’s an update on me and my shoulder Etc.

From the Desk of Patty L. Fletcher – My Shoulder – Services and More

Hello, everyone.

I hope you’re well.

Here, it’s a busy day.

Cordelia, my helper was here today, and we had a lot of extra things to do. Also, my friend who is terminal is back in the hospital. It’s a very long story we can use your good thoughts, energies, and prayers.

My shoulder continues causing issues. This morning, when I rubbed and pressed on a place which felt extremely tight, I felt a sharp pain run through my neck, into my shoulder and into my arm, then the arm went numb.

I slowly released my finger, held, and released my breath slowly and while fighting the urge to panic I felt the feeling returning.

I called my doctor, and they said the EX-ray showed significant damage to the shoulder, and a possible problem with the neck. I’ve an appointment with the orthopedic on the 17 of Sept and have been advised to try not to use the arm to excess.

I laugh when I hear that. It’s my guide dog arm, I’m a marketer and writer, and I’m not supposed to use the arm to excess? WTH?

I want to assure all sponsoring members I’m going to work as hard as I can to keep the blog and everything else going. My schedule might not always match what days are supposed to be what, but your work will continue being advertised as promised.

I am grateful to you for your patience as I am working through this difficult time. The vertigo continues to come and go, and it’s thought the vertigo and nerve issue might be related.

In either case, things are moving along as quickly as is possible.

For now, just know that Patty’s Worlds Publishing continues.

Watch:  https://pattysworlds.com for all the action.

Thanks for reading and blessid be.

About Patty L. Fletcher

Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.

To see, share, and Buy her work visit: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/PattyFletcher

And: https://www.amazon.com/Patty-L.-Fletcher/e/B00Q9I7RWG

As well as: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8431191.Patricia_L_Fletcher

Walk alongside Patty and Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue on the Pathway to Freedom at: https://paypal.me/tellittotheworld?locale.x=en_US

Come back Friday for a special Sundown Sensation Series Author’s Corner Featuring Leonard Tuchyner and more.