A Treasure Awaits

12/23/2024

Hello, blog friends!

I'm on the road, visiting family in Southern California. Most of my brothers, sisters, and cousins live in Imperial Valley, where we grew up. This desert area borders Mexico and Arizona and is known for its agriculture, extreme summer heat, and perfect winters. If you don't see me in the blogosphere, you know where to find me.😊Below are a couple of family photos.

Five of my 6 siblings. I'm the eldest.

Dad's homemade dune buggy and some cousins.

Because of travel, I've pre-posted my #TankaTuesday poem. Writer Melissa Lemay is the host this week, and she offers a beautiful prompt. She asks that interested poets write a Haiga - a "refined visual art of combining brush painting, haiku, and calligraphy." Since most of us are not skilled in calligraphy, she suggested we focus on a painting to write our haiku (5-7-5 syllables). Melissa describes the process and history of the Haiga on the TankaTuesday blog site.

My selected image is a painting by Nellie Franz Edwards. It is called Mother of Life. This framed print rests in my office and keeps me company during the day. With my four grown children living in the greater New York City area, I sometimes worry for them. This image calms those concerns and gives me hope.

My haiku is from my heart to yours. May your holidays be filled with laughter - and treasures. And if you are traveling, may you and yours be safe. ❤️

28 Comments

Priscilla Bettis link

12/24/2024 06:07:08

I love the haiku. The world's Treasure indeed! Have a blessed Christmas, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:01:14

Thank you so much, Priscilla. I hope you had a heartwarming Christmas. ❤️

Timothy W. Dittmer link

12/24/2024 06:08:13

Have a wonderful time with family, Gwen. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:02:58

Thank you, Tim. We had a wonderful time visiting with both sides of the family. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well. 🎄

John Howell link

12/24/2024 06:21:22

All the blessings of Christmas I wish to you and your family, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:06:06

Thanks so much, John. We had a busy but heart-filling time with family across Southern California. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well. 🎄

Daniel Antion link

12/24/2024 10:25:18

Wishing you good times and blessings for Christmas, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:06:59

Thanks so much, Dan. It was a truly blessed journey. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well. 🎄

Jan Sikes

12/24/2024 10:35:24

Just so beautiful, Gwen. Wishing you and your family a wonderfully joyous holiday season!

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:08:35

Thank you so much, Jan. We had a very busy travel schedule, but all worked out and we had a wonderful time. I hope you had joyous gatherings as well. 🎄

Liz Gauffreau link

12/24/2024 12:36:46

I love your haiga! It's perfect for the season. Thank you for sharing the childhood photos. You look like a happy bunch. Merry Christmas to you and yours and a new year filled with blessings!

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:10:39

Thank you, Liz. I'm so happy you liked the haiga and the photos. I also hope you and yours had a heartwarming Christmas. 🎄

Thomas Wikman link

12/24/2024 16:19:15

Imperial valley is certainly a hot part of the country and very close to Mexico. It seems like an interesting place. The poem is very beautiful.

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:20:15

Yes, summers are almost unbearable. And as you might suspect, water is a central concern. There are fields of windmills, but more needs to be done. I'm pleased you liked the poem, Thomas. Thank you. 😊

Annette Aben

12/24/2024 18:19:27

Just as beautiful as I envision your Holy Days shall unfold!

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:21:17

Ahhh, thank you. Sending big hugs...🤗

Yvette M Calleiro link

12/26/2024 05:51:15

Your haiga is precious, Gwen! I hope you had a wonderful visit with your family!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

12/26/2024 18:22:18

Thank you, Yvette. We had a wonderful visit. I hope you had an incredible Christmas with your family. ❤️

Colleen link

12/26/2024 12:30:29

Enjoy your holiday travels. This is a stunning haiga, Gwen. 💖

Gwen M. Pano

12/26/2024 18:23:51

Thank you very much, Colleen. It was a busy but joy-filled trip. I'm super happy you liked the haiga - my first. 😊

Melissa Lemay link

12/28/2024 15:14:43

This is beautiful! I love the subtle brilliance of the haiku that connects so well with the image.

Gwen M. Plano

12/28/2024 19:06:37

Thank you, Melissa. Your prompt is very inspiring. ❤️

Robbie Cheadle

12/28/2024 22:47:10

A gorgeous post, Gwen. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Gwen M. Plano

12/29/2024 06:42:35

Thank you, Robbie. I had a wonderful, family-full Christmas. I hope yours was joyful and heart filling. ❤️

Selma

12/29/2024 05:18:51

Oh…and the photos. All so very beautiful.
All the best in 2025 dear Gwen. Bless you xo, selma

Gwen M. Plano

12/30/2024 18:49:51

Thank you so much, Selma. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. ❤️

Jules link

1/2/2025 15:48:29

Sometimes we are lucky to live close to family... when I was growing up we did for a little while, then as folks retired we saw less of them. Then we moved to the midwest and had no family near. We got closer to some when we move to our present location. And are lucky that we have our children and grands near.

The weather though - we have three months of each season - or close to that. And we have a winter storm brewing. So we may not venture too far tomorrow.

Hoping your visits were cheery and bright. All the best in the new year. ~Jules

D. Wallace Peach link

1/14/2025 09:46:21

I circled back to catch this one, Gwen, and I'm so glad I did. A beautiful poem and reason for its presence on you desk. I imagine you're in the midst of travel and visits. Enjoy the time with family and safe travels. Hugs.

A Treasure Awaits

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