Travels and a poem

5/17/2025

Hello blog friends,

I've been traveling this past week, visiting with family and friends. I so enjoyed the sound of waves crashing on the nearby beach. Here are a couple of photos -- my daughter-in-law and I, an early morning glimpse from the timeshare, and a later morning photo.

Because of the above, my contribution to Tanka Tuesday is a little late. But, I've an additional legitimate excuse. I actually forgot my laptop on this vacation, and only realized this oversight when we arrived at our destination. I'll claim old age OR maybe the universe wanted me to relax. 😊

This week Melissa Lemay is the host. She's challenged participants to create a hainka - a poem that combines haiku with tanka and reflects on the season. The first line of the haiku repeats in the third line of the tanka. I'm not sure I was successful, but I'll claim travel weariness if it's not.

It's good to be home, and I look forward to saying my hellos on your blogsites. I hope you've had a wonderful week.

32 Comments

Jacqui Murray link

5/17/2025 08:53:12

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! Most of the important stuff can be done on a phone though blog comments and posts--not so sure.

Gwen M. Plano

5/17/2025 09:47:29

We're home now, and I have my computer -- yay! It was a great trip. I used to work at Irvine Valley College, so the area is familiar, but I was surprised by the traffic. Living in the country has definitely slowed my pace. 😊

Pamela Wight link

5/17/2025 10:08:36

I think you passed the 'poem challenge" with flying (rose-red) colors! What a great trip you had. xo

Gwen M. Plano

5/17/2025 15:59:11

Thank you, Pamela. I'm elated you liked the poem, and yes, it was a great trip. 🌞

Colleen link

5/17/2025 13:46:18

Gwen, this is stunning! I love the climbing roses. The colors are just what I needed to see. Your hainka is perfect! I'm glad you're on a break. Enjoy your time off. Sending you big hugs. ❤️

Gwen M. Plano

5/17/2025 16:00:31

Thank you, Colleen. It was a wonderful break. Sending hugs to you as well. 🤗

Selma Martin

5/18/2025 02:13:05

Enjoyed everything. Blessings. The poem is lovely

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 06:48:11

Thanks so much, Selma. 😊

Thomas Wikman link

5/18/2025 02:47:50

That's a beautiful rose poem and I love the photos. You seem to have had a nice vacation.

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 06:48:57

Thanks so much, Thomas. It was a busy but wonderful vacation. 🌞

Priscilla Bettis link

5/18/2025 05:16:10

Welcome back! How wonderful that you got to go on a vacation with your daughter.

Love the hainka, and what a beautiful picture for inspiration!

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 06:49:40

Thank you, Priscilla. It was a lovely trip. 🌞

Liz Gauffreau link

5/18/2025 08:42:18

I'm so glad you had a good trip, Gwen! I'd say forgetting your laptop at home was the best way to start a vacation.

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 10:36:39

I think you're right about the laptop, Liz. We all need to take breaks, even though I didn't plan for this one. 🌞

Teagan R Geneviene link

5/18/2025 09:45:16

Thanks for this joyous post, Gwen -- and for the photos and poem. It looks like you had a lovely time. Hugs.

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 10:37:34

Thanks so much, Teagan. It was wonderful to visit family -- and the ocean. 🌞

Balroop Singh link

5/18/2025 09:46:31

Your hainka is as beautiful as this roses on the vine, Gwen. It's good to take a vacation without the digital devices. The enjoyment doubles!

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 10:38:29

Thanks so much, Balroop. I believe you are right about the enjoyment doubling. 🤗

john howell link

5/18/2025 12:00:52

Lovely photos. Welcome back. Love the poem too.

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 14:44:52

Thank you, John. So glad you enjoyed the poem. 🌞

Timothy W. Dittmer link

5/18/2025 14:06:08

Family time is always wonderful, Gwen. Time with friends is nice too. The pictures sure display how nice your break was. Your poem is fabulous, and the image adorns it.

Gwen M. Plano

5/18/2025 14:46:23

Thank you, Tim. It was a wonderful, much needed break. 🌞

willow link

5/19/2025 00:37:24

I couldn't like the button didn't work but that's of okay because I loved this post. ...it was perfect and maybe you did need a break 💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

5/19/2025 09:19:21

Thank you, Willow. The time away - from everything - was a healing experience. 🌞

Jan Sikes

5/19/2025 08:44:16

It's rejuvenating to disconnect from the computer now and then! And, YES, the Universe was telling you to relax! I think you did a fabulous job with the prompt. I can almost smell the roses!

Gwen M. Plano

5/19/2025 09:20:31

Thanks so much, Jan. We've several rose bushes around us, and I love walking past them. 🌞

Dan Antion link

5/19/2025 12:10:03

Lovely poetry, Gwen. It sounds like you have a nice time.

Gwen M. Plano

5/19/2025 16:02:20

Thank you very much, Dan. It was a wonderful trip. 🌞

Yvette M Calleiro link

5/19/2025 16:14:22

Beautiful hainka, Gwen! I've started leaving my laptop at home on vacations. I rarely get to it, and I've realized it's important to detach.

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

D.L. Finn

5/19/2025 22:35:14

Beautiful photographs and love the poem. Nothing like a climbing rose! I didn't take my laptop with me on vacation either. It was full out relaxing. Xo

Jules link

5/20/2025 16:37:58

Welcome home!

I had a grandfather that grew roses. I didn't know him that well, only the stories.

Glad you had a stress free vacation. I'm way behind in April visits... that I may be delayed in returning responses to. I'm trying to keep up with May!

I've read that roses emit different scents at different times of the day
:)

Melissa Lemay link

5/21/2025 21:41:19

Lovely, Gwen! I especially like the way the roses become poetry.🌹

Travels and a poem

Leave a Reply.

Archives