Lori Degman's Blog, page 2

Poetry Month, Day 1 - Frugal

It's April 1st and that means it's National Poetry Month!  This year I'll be posting my daily poems here, as I've done in recent years (last year was a blip)!  

Agawam Public Library website

Today's word, FRUGAL, came from my old college friend, Cindy!  I hope she - and you - will like it!!



Mr. MacDoogalwas ever so frugal;he'd hang on to every last cent.He found a cheap bugle,by searching on Google, and played it to help pay the rent.


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50 Precious Words Contest

My friend, Vivian Kirkfield created a writing challenge that brought this blog out of a deep, deep, deep freeze!!  I can't believe it's been almost two years since I've posted here!  My goal is to start posting more frequently, leading up to my April's Poetry Month posts!  For some reason that now escapes me, I didn't post my daily poems here last year - just on Facebook.  Well, this year I'm back to posting them here - so please check back often!!

Now, back to Vivian's 50 Precious Words Contest!  Basically, she's challenging people to write a kid-friendly story in 50 words or less!  You can read all about the reason (Dr. Seuss) and rules for the contest, as well as other entries at this link.  

So, here's my 50-word story (of course it's in rhyme!):



I QUIT
My friend put forth a challenge that I thought was pretty nifty.To write a story, using words, and limit it to 50.But, now I’ve had a change of heart.  This contest is absurd!There’s just no way to wrap things up with only two more words. I quit!


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Poetry Month, Day 26 - Phlebotomist

I didn't write a poem yesterday - it was a mental health day - if I had to squeeze out a poem in the little time I had, I would have gone crazy!!  I'm using two words for today's poem, Plebotomist and Booger, so that should make up for it!  You may be wondering why I chose those two words - here's the story behind it:

I went to give blood this morning at a local blood drive and the phlebotomist tried my left arm but she hit scar tissue so the blood was coming out too slow. Then she tried my right arm and messed that one up too so I wasn't able to give blood but I got to take home two bruised and painful arms!

I wasn't as upset as I would have been because I was able to catch up with old colleagues and friends. That made me happy - until I got in the car, looked in the mirror and saw a small dried "something" hanging off my nose!! I wonder how long that was there?!

   Cafe Press

SPOILER ALERT!!!This poem has gross, stupid humor.  Don't say I didn't warn you! 
Phlebotomist
Beware of the PhlebotomistsThey don't just want your blood.
They're sort of like Lobotomists,They'll turn your brain to mud!
They'll stir it up inside a bowl and mix it with your boogers.
Them bake it into jelly rollstopped off with powdered sugar!
 

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Poetry Month, Day 24 - Skype

Tonight I had a school visit on Skype - with an international school in Xiamen, China!  It was my fourth time Skyping with classes and it's so much fun!  The other three schools were in Iowa, Texas and England!  I wrote today's poem using the word, Skype.




Skype
I've learned I can skypewith schools of all types.
No matter how distant,I'm there in an instant. 
We talk about writing -it's really exciting!
They ask lots of questions.I offer suggestions.
I'm building relationswith kids of all nations
I visit in China or North Carolina
and travel to Romewithout leaving home!  

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Poetry Month, Day 23 - Plotz

Today's word, Plotz, was given to me by an old grade school friend, Brad!  Apparently the word Phlox made him think of Plotz.  For those of you who don't know Yiddish, Plotz means to burst or explode or to be more aggravated than you can bear.  Here we go . . .


PlotzI went to Las Vegas; I played all the slots.I lost all my money - my husband will plotz!*
And when I get home, he'll do nothing but kvetch!*But I can distract him (the dirty old letch)!
My Bubbe* had warned me, "A fool and her money soon will be parted - and that isn't funny!"
She said, "You need Chutzpah* if you're gonna gamble.'Know when to fold them' should be your preamble!"
My Zaide* joined in with his usual spiel*, "Watch out for Roulette - it's a dangerous wheel!"
I'll promise them all, "In the future, I'll pass.Have I learned my lesson?  You bet your tuches!"*
~~~~~~~
*Yiddish Translations:Plotz - to burst or explodeKvetch - complain, fretBubbe - GrandmotherChutzpah - nerve, gutsZaide - Grandfather Spiel - a long involved sales pitchTuches - rear end, butt   

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Poetry Month, Day 22 - Earth Day!

Last week, I presented at George Lieb School's Literacy Night.  

  


Because the event was in April, I asked if we could do a tie-in with Authors for Earth Day - and they enthusiastically agreed!  As part of the A4ED program, I chose five non-profit conservation organizations and the students at Lieb School researched each and voted for their favorite.  The winning group will receive the stipend I received for presenting at the school. 

The organizations I chose are: 
~ American Cetacean Society 
~ Bat Conservation International 
~ The Humane Society of the US    
~ Rainforest Action Network 
~ Wildlife Conservation Society

The organization that received the most votes was The Wildlife Conservation Society (personally, I was pulling for the bats).



Earth Day
 Today we focus on the earth.
Its conservation brings me mirth.

There's so much that we can do;
here are just a few for you:

Drink your water from a glass.Plastic bottle?  Take a pass!

Build a compost in your yard. 
Start a garden - grow swiss chard.

Take a walk or ride a bike.
Don't throw out - reuse, recike.

Drive a hybrid - use less fuel.
Bring cloth bags to shop at Jewel*

Power up with wind or sun.
Please don't let your water run.

These few things are just a start.
Let's help the earth and do our part.


* Chicago area grocery store





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Poetry Month, Day 21 - Phlox

Today's word, Phlox, was given to me by Samuel Kent - the guy who beat me in the second round of March Madness and went on to win the whole thing!!  It's a bit nerve wracking writing a poem for a skilled poet!! 


http://www.superstock.com

Phlox
I have to write another poem? Really?  What the phlox?!
I haven't any fresh ideas - I'll never beat the clocks.

My weakened brain's in need of rest - and just a little time.
It's taking everything I have to think of one more rhyme!

So now this poem has reached its end.  I'll just write one more line.
And I'll forgive your "not great" poems, if you'll forgive me mine!




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Poetry Month, Day 20 - Perfection

My old grade school friend, Sally, gave me the word Perfection.  I'm sitting here, writing this while watching the TV show Resurrection.  Perfection - Resurrection - they rhyme!  Coincidence - I don't think so!  So, here's my Perfection poem.

http://bemorewithless.com/punch/
PerfectionThe program, Resurrection,is so far from perfection.
The plot holes are gigantic.The story line pedantic.
The dialogue's not great. The acting's second rate. The roles are all portrayed in a way that's so cliched.
So mark the words I've saidThis show's as good as dead!!

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Poetry Month, Day 19 - Reminiscing

Today's word, Reminiscing, was given to me by my old (as in long time) college friend, Dumas!  Sorry that I got sappy - for some reason, when I don't write funny, I write sappy!!  It's a problem :-)



Reminiscing
I can't help reminiscing'bout the friends whom I've been missing!
The long lost pals who've moved away.The memories of childhood play.
My friends who are no longer hereWhose voices now are hard to hear.
 Reminiscing makes me happy, even though I'm sounding sappy!

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Poetry Month, Day 18 - Please Don't Eat The Daisies

 I asked for word suggestions and my writer friend, Sarah Barthel, went overboard and gave me six words - daisy, nibbled, persecution, destruction, never and forever!!  I managed to rhyme them all, but the storyline is a bit of a stretch! 



 Please Don't Eat The Daisies!
You'll think that I'm crazy,to eat a fresh daisy.
I mixed it with milkand it went down like silk.
My daisy solutionhas caused persecution. 
 
I really just nibbledand, ok, I dribbled.
My lack of good suctionwas my own destruction.
I promise, forever,I'll eat daisies - never!



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