An Ode to Pollen

Here's the thing, since it is still April and therefore still National Poetry Month I wrote a poem which I dedicate to all my fellow allergy sufferers. I sincerely apologize to Elizabeth Barrett Browning.


Ode to Pollen

Oh, pollen, oh pollen
How do I loathe thee?
I loathe thee to the depth and breadth and snot
My nose can make when feeling
Out of sorts with itchy throat
And itchy skin
And watery eyes to boot.

Oh pollen, oh pollen
How do I loathe thee?
You make me sneeze and cough
And clear my throat
And scratch my eyes incessantly.

I loathe the way you turn
My car, a most disgusting yellow
And float around on wind and air
And settle on the ground
And make me sneeze and sneeze and sneeze
And sneeze and sneeze some more.

Oh pollen, oh pollen
How do I loathe thee?
‘Tis every spring I dread your
Very presence and wish, oh wish
I were a fish
And lived down in the ocean.
Where no pollen can attack
And no degree of wind
Can carry you upon it’s back
And make me swell with hives.

Oh Pollen, Oh pollen
How do I loathe thee?
I loathe thee more than
Mayonnaise and ants upon my feet.

Calling All Reviewers

Here’s the thing, I’ve decided to ask for help. Well not help exactly just some plugs, reviews, endorsements, happy statements, a few positive sentences from all of you guys who have read Griselda Takes Flight. Apparently it’s really important to get reviews on Amazon so I am asking any of you who have read Griselda to please, pretty please post an honest review on Amazon for me. If you do, I will send you not only a Bright’s Pond map but also this month’s feature recipe from the upcoming Bright’s Pond Pie Book. It’s a delicious strawberry/rhubarb and comes with a recipe for the best crust recipe in the entire world. And everyone knows, crust can be tough to make. Sooooo, please, post a review. Give Griselda a few stars and let’s watch Griselda’s rating zoom. And then after you post your review, go have a slice of pie. Oh, and all the reviewers who post reviews in the next week or so will be entered in a drawing to win a free, autographed copy of the next Bright’s Pond novel releasing September 1—Blame It On The Mistletoe. It’s a Christmas story, which will also needs some reviews. So, yes, as Joni Mitchell said, "And the carousel goes round and round and the painted ponies go up and down," but please, review me. Ok, no more groveling. Thank you.

A Most Gracious Letter

This came today. I loved it so much I asked the writer if I could post it on my blog and she graciously agreed.

Dear Joyce,
First, I want to tell you that I do not read novels usually and especially "Christian novels" even though I am a Christian. They have always seemed too "pat" for real life and way too sweet!

I picked up Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise because of the cover!!! We used to live in a trailer of that color 45 years ago..and I liked the smooth feel of the book in my hand...so much for e-books for me or judging a book by its cover!

Anyway, I loved the story...but especially I loved the statue in Rose's yard...the concrete hand of God...it made me cry and laugh and I want one in my yard! I shared this wonderful concept of sitting in a huge concrete hand of God statue to my 9 year old granddaughter and she made me a picture that is on my fridge, of her and me sitting together in the hand of God and all of the names of both sides of her family written on it. It is BEAUTIFUL!

(And this morning as I was pondering God and His Grace, I looked over and saw my "hand of God" on the fridge and remembered an old hymn that I used to sing as a child called "Safe Am I" and it goes on to say in the hollow of His Hand)

I did not want the story to end so soon. I will now read your other books.

Thank you!

Kathy Corn