When I Think Of Barbara Swafford…
… I hear teaspoons clinking,
smell apple pie baking,
see lupines blazing on an ocean hill.
I think of a caring hand
on a feverish forehead,
chicken soup on a tray.
But mostly I think of
pine shavings
floating into drifts
at the feet of
happy angels
whittling
wondrously whimsied wood
into the wisest of wishes.
Happy Barbara Swafford Appreciation Day!
Barbara is a kind soul who teaches how to blog better.
She is so giving, I want to give too!
To YOU!!
Today!!!
No matter where in the world you are!!!!
7 commenters on this post, chosen by random comment number, will receive…
hand-written letters from me on these Mary Powell 5×7 Bermuda notecards…
and these Jill Amos Raine Bermuda notecards…
All 7 notecards are made of cotton paper.
I’ll use these envelopes…
these return address labels…
and these stamps…
AND…
in the not-too-distant future I will have a giveaway for 6 of my song Cds…
and another giveaway for these 6 poetry books…
(But THIS POST is for the 7 letters only.)
(If you don’t want a letter but still wish to comment below, be sure to say “No letter, thanks.”)
Winners announced next week!
Posted with love by Jannie, who is preparing to head into the woods very soon for 3 days, with a tent, 17 wieners, 21 donuts and 15 beers.
[And COFFEE — thank you, Katherine for that all-important reminder in your comment below!!]
See you soon!
xoxoxo
On 25 September 2010 at 8:23 am
Tony Single said,
Barbara rocks, for sure! And so do your giveaways, Jannie! And your words! And all the pictures! And… oh, everything! Yup!
On 25 September 2010 at 8:26 am
kim said,
Jannie, beautiful picture and lovely poem and a great way to pay it forward!
Happy camping!
x0
.-= kim´s last blog ..The Unbreakable Child Book Release Contest =-.
On 25 September 2010 at 8:01 pm
Chris Edgar said,
I was hoping the cards would be made of angelically carved pine shavings, but I’m still sold because of the Barbara Swafford/Bermuda theme. She blogs without a blog more successfully than most of us blog with blogs. Personally, I have been in “having a blog but not blogging” mode for the past week, but I’m baaaaack! I’m back in the saddle agaaaain!
On 26 September 2010 at 9:52 pm
Jannie said,
Hello!
back from the woods, whoo-hoo!
Davina — thanks again, I like the last part best too. Sorry I’ve not gotten over to your Barbara tribute yet, I was working down the comments on this in order they came in. Then RL pulled me away.
Linda! And I met you via Barbara, which has been a real treat for me. I learn a lot from her still too. Her mind never stops asking questions and offering answers. She is a tresure!
Dearest Patricia — another’s blog who real life has had me away from all weekend. I got a car charger for my iPhone now, tho, so I’m happy ’bout that. Was great to have it charging on the way back from the woods. Barbara Swafford Day rocked!! I met you over at her place — whoo-hooo!!
Why, Jennifer Suzanna Devore! I do declare you are making this a habit again! (But I like you here!!) In my most secret stationery box I have a bunch of one-off (well one-off to me) writing papers, quite nice actually. My faves are the ones I bought in 1994 in Mahone Bay — cotton paper with real pressed flowers. LOVE them! I should sail them off to sea. So to speak. I am assuming your FB page is on your blog — I shall be happy to suss it out. I’m more of a Russell Crowe or Richard Gere gal, but for YOU will hang out with Johnny Depp if I have to.
William, my wonderful William. Thank you for your continued visiting and support. Your poetry stories rock!!
Hi Monkey Man. I bet yoru daughter is a lot of fun too. 17 — wow! Mine’s over halfway there now, boo hoo.
Hi Brian, let me guess — you like Sugar Lady best? Kids, and the eternally oung at heart seem to like that.
Dearest Titanium, I took that pic the night before I posted this. Those apples are HUGE!
Hey G-Man — Becaause I posted so early I sincerely hoped 5:55 would get me off the hook with the 8:00 Michigan “rule”
My next 55 will either be about a school bus, a 3-legged goat or a brass doorknob. Or maybe all 3!! 😉
Dearest Lance, you get your fill of pie? There are 9 new ones in the oven.(We have an enormous oven.)
But no Wisconsin apple trees at our house. NOt that I know of.
Hi dear Patti — awesome to see you here again! Awwww, thanks for your lovely words. I just got back from the woods. No blog reading for me for the last 3 days, boo hoo. Look forward to reading your posts.
Hey, Denise, awesome to see you!! I think I maybe detailed out this post a but much, I’m thinking a simpler header soon. But I did have fun on this one. Thanks again for your visit and comment. Jannie loves you!
Hey Daft Scots Woman. But seriously — I’m sure you are not daft at all. Thanks for your visit and lovely words, G-Man and the FFF55 ROCK!! Yes, trying to keep up with answering comments. But lagging behind on visiting all you wonderful peeps’ blogs.
Hey Snaggle, YOU are never ever late here, always welcome, always s highlight to have you pop in and comment! Did you know angels whittle awesome duck decoys? Yep! And lovely fruit bowls from pine.
Hootin’ Anni, Hootin’ Anni — whoo-hoo. Texas bloggers ROCK!!! I remember your 55 — you had me curious, and I popped over there. AWESOME!
Dearest Talon — you’ve been on my mind. I bet you’ve been posting up a wonderful storm over there and I’ve been missing out on all your great photos and writing.
Hey Claudia! Do you like apple pie?? I do. And I LOVE love love rainy fall days, altho we had no reain for camping and that was a blessing. Sunshine and funshine for the whole 3 days.
Hey Mama Zen — I’m gonna start cranking out more lines like that!!
Carmen! I LOVE Bermuda. I’ve only been once, 1n 1996 but i tsure is unique and pretty. I love the white roofs, even in the rain! Shoot, did I miss your give-away while I was in the woods??
Dearest Suzen, I am sorry you feel left out. I had an e-mail, and should’ve checked all whom it had been cc’ed to. I’d for sure have included you. Of course, you are included in our growing community, and a wonderful beloved person in the blogosphere, with your head in the books.
Hey Eric, you are quite the hooty-hoot, I am coming to learn!! Your comment made me grin. Yep, stay tuned and you may soon have a Jannie CD on its way to YOU!!!!!
Jannie, you are rather weird, but loveable!
Jennifah Darling!! You have return-ed (yes, 3 syllables on that indeed!) I did eat off and drink from spacklware! Tin. In fact, I’m getting rid of all glass ware in our house. All tin plates, cups etc. is The Way my life is about to go Seriously!!
Dearest Tess — you are just in time for the party!! Kelly and I will pick the comment winners soon. After we catch up on sleep, that is. And I can get back to my trail tomorrow!! I met YOU at Barbara’s, as I recall. Yep, them’s actually cards that open. whoo-hooo!!
Lovely commenter name of Teresa — hi again! Ahhh, ain’t no thang this give-away! Just a few things I have lying around the house that I thought might be fun to part with.
Dearest Daisy, why thank you ma’am, I do like the apple visuals on this, but the poem pales in comparision from what is created in your brilliant mind, and posted over there in Daisy land! Seriously.
Dearest Janna, oh yeah, I had forgotten about that part, the chicken soup and caring part. Barbara is like a blog mother, if you will. So caring and welcoming. I hope you will read her blog!
Moon! You are extra-super-duper welcome for this party, and it would not be a party without you. I LOVE your visits, as I’ve said before and now say again. (And will say many times in the future!!)
Hey, Tony — and you Rock in many many ways — let me count just a few… awesome painter, sketcher, poet, friend, etc. etc. etc. And I hear you dance a mean fandango??
Kimmi! I am back from the woods intact, sane and voracious for more pastries. But those will have to wait until the morning. I am sooooo sleepy now. I washed and folded all our laundry!! I’ve never actually done that the same day I get back from camping.
Hey Chris, what can I say to you that I have not already before? You make me smile, laugh and want to do handstands. So I do handstands. And I fall and break furniuture and my nails, but I still laugh over your funny words. Always gald you’re baaaaaaack, in the saddle and otherwise.
xoxoxoxoxo
xxooxoxoxo
xooxoxxoxo
On 27 September 2010 at 1:39 pm
sheila said,
So cute, Kelly!
No letter for me…I’ve gotten one from you and loved it. Time for someone else to feel special!
On 28 September 2010 at 6:56 pm
Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
Custom, hand-pressed writing papers? How fab! Papyrus is a fave stop on my South Coast Plaza runs 😀
Happy to read your camping was Speckletastic! I like the green pieces. 😉
Yes, in a word, my Savannah of Williamsburg FB page is on my book website: http://www.historysquirrel.com … at the bottom of the loading page. Savannah Book IV coming later than sooner … just spemnt the last year-point-five writing a scandalous piece of fiction set in Orange County and San Diego: “Dynasty” meets “Arrested Development” meets “Gidget”. On the shelves by Christmas! CiaoCiao!
On 28 September 2010 at 9:56 pm
Jannie said,
Sheila, you are so sweet, and will always be more than special to me!!
Jennifer! Thanks for that link. You know how I love squirrels, right?
xoxoox
On 29 September 2010 at 1:52 am
Barbara Swafford said,
Thank you Jannie,
I sit here thinking how to respond to your poem and kind words and I’m left speechless. I look for the right words to express my gratitude, but they just don’t come. As I think how you and other blogging friends organized these tributes I feel love as I weep tears of joy. And I wonder, what did I ever do to deserve having each of you dedicate a post to little ‘ol me.
To you Jannie and to those in your community who continue to show me support, I say a humongous thank you. I will never forget your kindness.
Love and ((hugs))
xo
On 29 September 2010 at 10:20 am
Jannie said,
Now, there’s the star of this show — Miss Barbara!!! Just lovely to have you pop by for your party, whoo-hoo!!! I am the speechless one at your generous soul and giving ways. Thank YOU!! What did all of us every do to deserve YOU!?!? All I can think is life is great and filled with amazingly great things at every turn. Love and hugs to YOU too!!
xoxox
On 29 September 2010 at 12:10 pm
Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
Une mille mercis pour leading me toward Barbara Stafford, Miss Jannie!
I’ve just been perusing her site and all lessons, topics and hints held within there. Yea! At the risk of hubris, I must admit I am rather proud of my novels … my blog, however … definitely minor leagues!
Merci Encore, to both of you 😉
On 29 September 2010 at 12:46 pm
Jannie said,
Dearest JSD, your comment reminds me to have Kelly pick the 7 winners by random from all comment numbers (other than the ones I’ve left here.) I guess I’ll let teh winners know by e-mail. Yeah, I’ll have her get right on that before her homework. (P.S. Homework is not the most fun activity in the world for most kids and their parents.) Is Barbara an angel, or what?? et milles felicitations pour les romans. Je ne lis que des blogs ces jours ci. Off to your FB link now.
xoxo
On 29 September 2010 at 1:52 pm
Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
Merci a toi!
Je pense que ta fille aussi s’amuserait avec les livres. Squirrel-aventures en histoire-Americain!
J’adorai si, un jour, tu lis mes romans
On 29 September 2010 at 4:30 pm
Alice Audrey said,
I didn’t know her before, but i did go visit.
On 30 September 2010 at 12:45 am
thinsmek said,
Almost exactly my thoughts about Barbara! I have only been reading her blog for a week, but What you wrote is just about the impression I get of her. (No letter thanks)
“shes a kind soul”
On 30 September 2010 at 10:37 pm
Jannie said,
Hey, you guys, thanks. I’m going to bed, but did read your comments. Thanks.
xoxo
Good night!
xo