Porthole

A False Spring

37 degrees at 10 p.m. here in Montana. It should go below freezing tonight but it might not for an entire week. It should be a pleasant false spring.

It's still warm inside in spite of my open window.

Today is the day I focus on deadlines ... wondering which ones I've completely missed.

40 degrees at the hour formerly known as 10:11. I stayed up too late and actually saw the hour flip. I'm paying for that this morning.

I commented on the newsfeed ... a loooooooooong comment re newbies:

Good point. Also... new doesn't always mean young. Many only start writing after they retire or only share publically as they get bold. Oh, to be 20 and bold!

I started writing when I was 47 (because I felt compelled). Fortunately, I wrote a lot and slowly got better. When my life was turned upside down at age 51, writing was my refuge. Moving helped. Even being homeless helped (little to do but observe and take notes). Some of my best poems were written when I was 53.

At times I wrote volumes (which is why I try to number) but edited little. I've posted bits and pieces here that I don't remember until someone points them out to me.

When I joined WDC I was already a decent poet. Story teller? Nope. Have I improved? Says who? Yes and no. I'm better telling stories. I've tried different approaches to writing; but, every group of writers likes what it likes and fashions change and cultural and language blindness persist.

Like blogging... I must have done over 4,500 entries by now. Blogging is not in fashion at the moment.

Newbies could learn a lot by just writing a daily blog entry of 200-300 words, be it a diary, journal, essay, poem, memoir, observations. If you need prompts "Blogging Circle of Friends "  although just reading a variety of blogs will help immensely.

Making a long response longer I don't like reviewing/rating newbies because I have little idea whether that person is 15 or 50, first-language English, an MFA literary person or a truck driver, focuses on dreams or real life observations and experiences.

By the time someone has shared a bit of who they are, where they are coming from ("Invalid Item"  is good for that), how they write (story telling "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  or poetry "EXPRESS IT IN EIGHT"  or come April "Dew Drop Inn" ) then I have a clue and can more confidently critique.

Also... newbies start out as black cases. They need to know that a blue or yellow case isn't necessarily a better writer than they are and that community recognitions (those numbers) are more an indication of interaction here and less how good a person writes.

57 degrees at 4:11. I want to go out but can't until a couple chores are finished.
Finished and submitted:

STATIC

I lean  (13+) Short free verse based on "Albedo" a sculpture by Emil Alzamora. #2246498 by Kåre Enga in Montana

Now 59 degrees at 6:10. I really need to go out.

Walked down Brooks to the Rose Garden where I got greeted by a dog and back on Woodford. Nice peaceful walk. It's twilight now at 8:02. 51 degrees and cooling. Hot in my room so I opened up my window.

Wrote something sitting in the park.

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