If the title brings to mind Rihanna’s song and has you singing the lyrics already, I apologize. I didn’t mean to! But when I noticed the quirky days for this coming week, this phrase popped up in my head and I had to use it as the title for this week’s post. The quirky days – Umbrella Day (of course) and another called All the News That’s Fit to Print Day. Anyways, for me, I am also working under my umbrella of new somethings as I navigate a new way of living, like – with both kids away at college this year, for one.

Which brings me to the term empty nesters. I read somewhere that empty nesters kind of sounds sad and I agree. Another alternate term offered is free birds, which does describe how both parents and the kids feel at this time!! Kids, because they are off exploring their new found freedom from their hovering parents (aka me and my DH), and parents, because now we are not bound by our kids’ schedules, and can plan our own outings and mini vacations and more anytime, anywhere, and anyhow we are able to and want to!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself

Poetic Sundays: The Shape Poem: Under My Umbrella

Given it has been raining the past few days, and is promising to be a rainy week ahead, talking about the umbrella makes sense. I therefore bring to you, once again, shape poetry, or concrete poetry. The umbrella lends itself to shape poetry very well, and in many ways too! I talked about concrete poetry a few times before, including here.

What is a Shape Poem?

A shape poem (also known as a concrete poem or calligram) is a type of poetry where the words form a shape that visually represents the poem’s theme. Instead of being arranged in standard lines, the text takes the form of an object, person, or concept described in the poem.

A Shape Poem’s Characteristics

So a shape poem’s elements are that at its most basic, it is:

• shaped! The shape of the poem represents its topic, so just looking at it even before reading the words should give an idea of what the poem is about, or referencing.

How to Write a Shape Poem

• Choose a Subject – Pick something that can be easily visualized, like a tree, heart, umbrella, or cat.
• Sketch an Outline – Lightly draw the shape you want to form on paper or imagine it while typing.
• Brainstorm Words and Ideas – List words, phrases, or sentences related to your subject.
• Write the Poem – Arrange your words inside or along the outline of your shape. You can:
  • Fit words within the shape, adjusting spacing and line breaks.
  • Outline the shape with your words.
• Erase the lines you drew if you wish; embellish per your choice; or add to the poem (or not) in any other way you choose.
• And of course, read more shape poems by others for inspiration. Some poems I especially love are Lewis Caroll’s really whimsical and creative The Mouse’s Tale, John Hollander’s beautiful Swan and Shadow, and Roger McGough’s clever and ingenuous 40 Love (below – from his book Selected Poems)

My Shape Poem Attempts: Under My Umbrella

I will type out the poems/words below later for clarity. But these are some ways you can shape your umbrella. And there might be more ways, of course!

Recently

On the Homefront

My daughter turned 19 this past week, and celebrated her birthday away from home and family for the very first time. We missed being together for sure, and while I sorely missed celebrating her in person, I also truly appreciated her friends for being there for her and taking efforts to make her birthday special for her!

We were traveling (a Texan-trip – Dallas to Houston to San Antonio to Austin – and back to Dallas for our return trip home). Our first trip to the state, and we both fell in love with San Antonio! And everyone we met was so warm and welcoming!

And I saw quite a few Little Free Libraries during my travels, and while I hoped to check out bookstores as well, our packed schedules didn’t permit it this time around. Next time, I will set time aside for bookish-side-trips! A couple of the LFL below:

On My Blog

Here are the posts since my last Sunday Scribblings (I have been missing for a while as I took some time off for traveling and a family wedding!).

• Act, Appreciate, Inspire: Just Do It and Celebrate Today’s Opportunities
• Why Handwriting Matters, its Hidden Secrets and More!
• For The Love of the Good Old Headlines…
• A Bookshelf of Happiness: How New Finds Bring Me Joy
• The Magic of Mouse Deer and Moby Dick
• Sunday Scribblings #210: What the Tin Can Do CanSo Surprise You!

Upcoming

On My Blog and Homefront

Not sure yet but I hope to have a mix of bookish and non-bookish reviews out here.

Plus, the Cybils winners will be announced on February 14th so don’t forget to check out that list on the Cybils website. As one of the round 2 judges, I am now working on finalizing the winner along with the other judges, and let me tell you that it is tough, even tougher as we get to trying to pick one of the top two or three choices! Like the proverbial “pick your favorite child!”

This Week’s Celebrations

Literary Celebrations (close-to-it also!)

• Literary birthdays this week of February include: Charles Lamb and Boris Pasternak on the 10th; Sidney Sheldon and Mo Willems on the 11th ; Jacqueline Woodson and Judy Blume on the 12th of Feb; Henry Rollins of the 13th; Frederick Douglass on the 14th; Miranda July on the 15th; Maureen Johnson on the 16th
• All the News That’s Fit to Print Day is observed on February 10.
• This second week of February is Freelance Writers Appreciation Week (9th through the 15th this year).
• International Book Giving Day is celebrated with Valentine’s Day every February 14th, so give your loved ones a book, any day this week is fine too!

Foodie Celebrations

• It is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day and World Pulses Day on Feb 10th
• While the 11th is National Peppermint Patty Day and National Latte Day.
• Then the 12th of February is National Plum Pudding Day
• Followed by National Tortellini Day, Fasnacht Day, and National Cheddar Day on the 13th
• The 14th of February is of course National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
• It is National Gumdrop Day on February 15th
• The 16th is National Almond Day

Other Celebrations

• It is Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb 9th through the 15th, so let us be more conscious about spreading kindness around. I love the tagline of the RAK website – Make Kindness the Norm.
• National Umbrella Day is on the 10th of February which also celebrates Valentismas (Valentine’s Day and Christmas – I know! Do we really need this? But then again, why not?). And it is also  International Epilepsy Day (observed on the second Monday of February annually)
• February 11th is National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, National Make a Friend Day, Be Electrific Day, and National Inventors’ Day  (in honor of Thomas Alva Edison). And also International Day of Women and Girls in Science
• Darwin Day and National Lost Penny Day are observed on February 12th.
• Followed by Dream Your Sweet Day, Galentine’s Day, Get a Different Name Day, and International Natural Day on the 13th. This date also observes National Internet Friends Day and National Apology Day as well as World Radio Day. And given it is the third Thursday in February, it is also World Anthropology Day.
• Of course, the 14th celebrates love with Valentine’s Day but it is also National Ferris Wheel Day
• The 15th of February is World Hippo Day and International Childhood Cancer Day.
• Followed by Innovation Day on the 16th

Wrapping up my Sunday Scribblings

So dear reader, you have reached the end of this Sunday Scribblings! As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about this post. And do let me know if you plan to celebrate any of these mentioned celebrations this coming week/month?

Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon