Friday, November 17, 2017

The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2016 (YAY!) + Five for Friday: Giving Thanks


Nick Saltmarsh

The writing's on the wall.
It looks a bit like chicken scratch, but it's there.

It says . . .

JUST BE THANKfull for WHAT YOU GOT.

I sure am!

©2017 Teresa Robeson







See? 
This is me.




And this is what I've got . . .


Happy Day! Volume 2 has arrived!

The Best of Today's Little Ditty 2016 is available 
 in paperback for $9.95 or as a Kindle ebook for $5.95.

Click HERE to purchase at Amazon.com. 


Truth be told, I'm not only thankful, I'm relieved. You may have noticed my hit-or-miss (mostly miss) Poetry Friday rounds over the last several weeks. That's because of this baby... well, plus a few college visits for my son and a series of workshops I've been involved with at the same time. (Read my poem inspired by teaching poetry to juvenile offenders here.)

But we did it! We reached the finish line! 

I say "we" because I couldn't have managed this project without the support of some incredible people. First, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Renée LaTulippe. She was invaluable throughout the process with advice, suggestions, Photoshop expertise, editing, proofreading, and reality checks when needed. Thank you, Renée!

When I asked Teresa Robeson if she'd be willing to do the cover, I knew she'd do a brilliant job. (Read my interview with Teresa here.) What I did not know at the time was that she would also provide such fun spot illustrations for inside the book! The grateful penguin at the top of this post is an example. Thank you, Teresa, for giving this book such delightful character.

Hugs of appreciation to this year's super-duper ditty committee:

          Linda Baie
          Jesse Anna Bornemann
          Matt Forrest Esenwine
          Lana Wayne Koehler
          Michelle Kogan
          Jone Rush MacCulloch
          Maria Marshall
          Diane Mayr
          Sydney O'Neill
          Margaret Simon
          Donna JT Smith
          and Tabatha Yeatts.

Because of their dedication, 350 poems were carefully reviewed and whittled down to the 75 that appear in this volume. A few excellent poems were left out for one reason or another, but I think you'll agree that the final result is impressive nonetheless.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to Jane Yolen, Linda Mitchell, and Janet Wong for their wonderful blurbs for the back cover. And last but not least, thank you to the eight incredible authors and one amazing editor who came up with such terrific challenges in 2016:

          Douglas Florian
          David L. Harrison
          Diana Murray
          Kenn Nesbitt
          Ann Rider
          Laura Shovan
          Marilyn Singer
          Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
          Jane Yolen

and to the 50 talented poets who permitted me to feature their work in this book:



Today's Little Ditty has become something so much larger than li'l ol' me. Whether or not your work is included in this volume, practicing writing together has always been, and will continue to be, a fulfilling, heart-happy part of my life. Thank you.

But you know me—I never like to celebrate alone! So let's join together for a Five for Friday party.  Now that you know what I'm thankful for, with only a week until American Thanksgiving . . .

Carla Arena

It can be something small—a sunset, the kindness of a stranger—or something larger... say, a new book! Don't think too hard, just describe one thing you're thankful for in five words (plus title if you wish) and leave it in the comments or email it to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com.  I will move your 5-word ditty to the main body of the post.  Here's mine to start us off:


SECOND HELPINGS

Please pass the ditty pie!

– Michelle Heidenrich Barnes


DITTY POETS

Thank you, Michelle Heidenrich Barnes.

– Kate O'Neil
Awww... thanks Kate! xo -MHB


CAR RIDE WITH TEEN

Briefly bonding; ticking time bomb.

– Rebekah Hoeft


THE INTERNET

Finding friends the world over!

– Diane Mayr


AFTER THE READING

Poets gather around good conversation.

– Sarah Grace Tuttle


POETRY!

all I want for Christmas

– Linda Baie


POET PIE

Love gathers around the table.

– Jama Rattigan


GRANDKIDS

The joy of lingering hugs

– Janie Lazo


SMILES ALL AROUND

My first school visit - Success!

– BJ Lee


SUPPORT SYSTEM

Related or chosen, always there!

– Maria Marshall


POEM ARRANGEMENT

A beautiful bouquet of words.

– Penny Parker Klostermann


SMOKEY BEAR

My kitty, purring beside me.

– Dianne Moritz


PERSEVERANCE

Thanku unwavering web of support!

– Michelle Kogan


POETRY FRIENDS

Words weave in and out

– Kay Jernigan McGriff


BUDDING SUCCESS

Two poems published this year!

– Karen Eastlund


HOLIDAY SEASON

cool weather and warm hearts

– Sydney O'Neill


FROM WILDFIRE ASHES

this Phoenix
fashioned
a home!

– Michele Krueger


PROMISE KEPT

Morning
dewdrops in the desert.

– Juanita Havill


THANKS TO MY SISTER

My plucky Lucky Chicken cup!

– Julie Larios


Poetry in all I see.

– Sally Murphy


Each sunrise is paintbox poetry.

– Brenda Davis Harsham


BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTERS

Alphabet's versatility =
messages for posterity

– Donna JT Smith


MY EYE SURGEON

now I see
ants
stars

– Helen Zax


MENU CHANGE

I won't miss school lunches.

– Kathryn Apel


INSPIRATION

the zest that says, Create!

– Robyn Hood Black


POETRY COMMUNITY

feeling connected despite the distance

– Bridget Magee



Although we're only midway through November, next Friday, the 24th, will be our end-of-month wrap-up celebration for Carol Hinz's DMC challenge. This week's featured poems were by Keri Collins Lewis, Cindy Breedlove, Laura Purdie Salas, and myself. Post your poem that finds beauty in something that's not usually considered beautiful on our November 2017 padlet.




Thanks to Jane Whittingham for hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Raincity Librarian.






64 comments:

  1. Hooray! Many, many congratulations! What a wonderful and collaborative effort by so many people. I'm just delighted to see this book come out into our world. Great job, leader Michelle. Take a rest.....and then I can't wait to see what's next for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I won't lie, I'm looking forward to that rest! Thanks, Linda... for your congratulations and for your heartwarming ditty included in this book!

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  2. Eeek!

    "We are in a book!"
    --Piggie and Gerald

    Thanks, Michelle (and ditty committee), for your time (so much time!) and enthusiasm for poetry and for poets. ♡


    Love your five word ditty--so clever.

    Heaven preserve me, here's mine.

    Car Ride With Teen

    Briefly bonding; ticking time bomb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! At first I thought Piggie and Gerald were leaving me a 5-word ditty titled "EEEK!" Thank you for your two wonderful poems in this collection, Rebekah! Also, good luck with that time bomb. ;) I have a feeling you'll be just fine.

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    2. ☺ Five for Friday Found Poetry. It's a new thing!

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  3. CONGRATULATIONS! A fine new anthology has been birthed. Auntie is proud!

    THE INTERNET

    Finding friends the world over!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and have a great Thanksgiving!

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    2. Thanks so much, Auntie Diane! "Nothing" and "Declaration" like their new home... they told me so. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Way to go, Michelle!!! You juggled many balls with aplomb. Can't wait to see the new collection.
    We have a Thanksgiving tree poster up, where we add paper leaves with things we are grateful for (which this year includes the usuals like family and cuddle time with Lucy and some more unusual stuff like Spotify, our daughter's doctors, and Robert Mueller).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the idea of your Thanksgiving poster, Tabatha... and your great collection of things to be thankful for! As for the anthology, thank you—for the compliment and for your wonderful poems. ("What You Can Use" leaves me verklempt every time I read it.) You'll be juggling next... and probably already are!

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  5. Fantastic! Congratulations!! Looks like a wonderful collection. <3

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diana. It is. :D And thanks, also, for all the wonderful unlikely hero poems you inspired!

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  6. Poetry Fridays fill my soul.
    So many congratulations, Michelle. You are a generous human, a bringer of light. Cheers and love. May your new book FLY! xxxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Amy. I'm grateful to include so many poems that took flight from your "Small as a Chickadee" challenge! You're an inspiration.

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  7. Hooray! Michelle, thank you so much for all your work in creating this book. I am honored to be included.

    Here's my ditty:

    AFTER THE READING

    Poets gather around good conversation.

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    Replies
    1. I'm delighted that "Water Around, Water Within" was selected for this collection, Sarah. And oh how I love your 5-word ditty, too! It sits there so comfortably just enjoying this moment in time.

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  8. I commented and it was swallowed by some ragamuffin who does not like poetry. Congratulations, my friend. Today's Little Ditty has taught me so much. And not only about poetry but about honor and friendship and coming together for a challenge. You have taught me about poetry. Thank you for including me and thanks to DA Committee. All of you should be so very proud. I know I am.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That comment-gobbling ragamuffin gets around, doesn't he! Thanks for coming back and trying again, Robyn. I'm grateful for your kind words and pleased Today's Little Ditty has touched your life. I am proud, too. Proud of this collection and proud to include your thoughtful echo poem, Robyn.

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  9. I'm so excited for the new collection, Michelle! Congratulations! I'll return later with a 5-word ditty if I can think of a good one.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for all your help on the Ditty Committee, Jesse! I hope you'll make an appearance as a poet in the next volume. :)

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  10. I am thankful that there are people in our world like you, Michelle, creative and giving. I know this second volume of Today's Little Ditty will delight just as the first one did, thanks to the community and to you!
    Here's my five word thanks!

    Poetry!
    all I want for Christmas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A perfect refrain for so many of us! That's all I want for Christmas too. :) Thank you for such sweet words, Linda, and for your three wonderful poems that grace the pages of this book!

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  11. Hooray Hooray, Congrats on Volume 2! Love the penguin and sea lion on the cover. Looks like a fabulous roster of poets and I'm looking forward to reading your new book baby, Michelle! Happy Thanksgiving!

    POET PIE

    Love gathers around the table.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jama! Teresa did such a great job with that cover, didn't she? What a perfect side dish you've given us for the Thanksgiving table. Thanks for the 5-word treat. :)

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  12. Grandkids - The joy of lingering hugs 🤗

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  13. Smiles All Around

    My first school visit - Success!

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  14. Support System

    Related or chosen, always there!

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  15. Congratulations, Michelle. I know this will be another treasure of a book! Your blog has inspired so many wonderful poems and shared much poetry love!

    Poem Arrangement

    A beautiful bouquet of words.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Penny. You do have a way with those word bouquets. :)

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  16. Hooray!!! Can't wait to have a copy of my own, congrats and many thanks Michelle, you continually inspire us all!

    PERSEVERANCE
    Thanku unwavering web of support!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle. I love having my shape poem next to yours in the Poems for our Mothers section. :) Pretty clever the way you got around that 5-word ditty limit, too. LOL.

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  17. Woo hoo! Congratulations on bringing forth the book! I can't wait to read more. Here are my five for Friday:

    Poetry Friends
    Words weave in and out

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    1. Oooh, "words weave in and out" <— I love that, Kay! Thanks for the congrats. :)

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  18. Kudos again, Michelle. And here is my five for Friday:
    Budding Success
    Two poems published this year!

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    Replies
    1. Woohoo! Two poems is awesome, Karen! I'm honored to give "Poem from a Hammock" a good home. :)

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  19. I think I will find some time to catch my breath, Sydney. I'm counting on it anyway. :) Thanks for your kind words and fun echo poem! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  20. From Wildfire Ashes

    this Phoenix
    fashioned
    a home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So happy for you, Michele! I admire your resilience... and your wing span. :)

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  21. Congratulations, Michelle. I hope your mood has been celebratory all day. Mine has been. I'm delighted and honored to have a poem in your latest volume.

    Promise Kept

    Morning
    dewdrops in the desert.

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    Replies
    1. The celebration has been grand, Juanita! I'm stunned and delighted by the outpouring of well-wishers. :)

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  22. Congratulations, Michelle, to you and to all the included poets!

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  23. Congratulations on the new anthology, Michelle - I'm proud to be in it. Here's my five-word offering:

    THANKS TO MY SISTER

    My plucky Lucky Chicken cup!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie— I'm honored to be able to include your work! I swoon over "To Sea the Sea" every time I read it. Congrats also on that Lucky Chicken cup. :)

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  24. Congratulations Michelle. Hard work brings wonderful results. here's my five words:
    Poetry in all I see.

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  25. Truly amazing, Michelle, what you can accomplish with grace and style. I like that you've even given us direction as to the comments. Somehow that fits with the whole Ditty challenge gestalt. I will cooperate. :-) And enjoy.

    Each sunrise is paintbox poetry.

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    Replies
    1. Those five words are divine, Brenda. Thank you. And thanks also, for the lovely words you threw in my direction. It's a joy to include your work in this anthology! :)

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  26. So excited about the anthology!
    Late to the party...but here goes:

    Brought to You By the Letters

    Alphabet's versatility =
    messages for posterity

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    Replies
    1. This five-word ditty is so you, Donna. You are nothing if not versatile when it comes to your poetry writing!

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  27. MY EYE SURGEON

    now I see
    ants
    stars

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    Replies
    1. YAY! That is great news, Helen! My husband just had a similarly "eye-opening" surgery earlier this year.

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  28. Just ordered my copy of the anthology. I can't wait to read the wonderful poetry!

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  29. Congrats on another compilation, Michelle. So much poetry goodness inspired by you!

    MENU CHANGE
    I won't miss school lunches.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kat! Your 5-word ditty has got me wondering if this menu change is for the better or worse? (Clever how your ditty can work both ways!) I certainly won't miss school lunches, but at my kids' schools this year, they arranged for a food truck to come once a week. Surprisingly, it's really good!

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  30. CONGRATULATIONS, Michelle, and so honored to be among the lucky contributors. Leave it to you to turn a book launch into a Thankful-Fest. Being late to the party means I got to read so many wonderful offerings!


    INSPIRATION

    the zest that says, Create!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Zest" and "Create" are such great word companions. :) You may not submit poems often to ditty challenges, Robyn, but when you do, they're pretty darn awesome! So pleased to include "Blank" in this volume.

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  31. Woot-woot, Michelle! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of another amazing anthology! Here is my offering for the thankful round up:

    POETRY COMMUNITY

    feeling connected despite the distance

    If you feel so inclined, I am blogging about our Swiss experience at weewordsforweeones.com. Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. It was my pleassssurre to embrace such a sssssenssssational poem in thissss collection, Bridget! Off to read your post now....

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