Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday: More Adventures in Libraries (and Parks)

July 21, 2023 /
 
Margaret at Reflections on the Teche is hosting Poetry Friday this week.
 
 

Where I Get My Energy Pennies (Hint: Libraries and Parks)

 
Becca Syme talks a lot about energy pennies–what really fills you up. For each person it might look different. For your various strengths, you might depend on different sources for energy pennies. Two of my top strengths are LEARNER and INPUT. I like to take things in. I like to read. I like to research. So all of these trips to the libraries and parks are not draining. They are energy-giving.
 
For more information about energy pennies, you can listen to this podcast link. However, Becca Syme talks about energy pennies in many articles and videos. You can Google “Becca Syme” and “Energy Pennies.” I’m a member of her Patreon and she even gave Patrons “cheat sheets” for energy pennies based on their strengths. It was an at-a-glance for things to try to gain energy pennies. 
 
This week, I had a minor outpatient surgery (I’m fine, no worries) that derailed me mid-week. I knew it would, and I planned for it. But there are fewer trips this week because of it. I slept and read instead.
 

Freeman Store and Museum

I went to the Freeman Store and Museum which is not a park, but it was still pretty interesting.
 
It’s down the street from a local indie bookstore, Bards Alley, so I visited there too.
 
The Freeman Store also had a display about the 19th Amendment up, including the Silent Sentinels (more about them in my forthcoming book). 
 
 
They also have an amazing used bookstore in their basement where I scored a copy of DEMON COPPERHEAD for $3.00!
 
 

Oakton Library

I went to the Oakton Library and picked up this stack of books.
 

 
Oakton Library holds a special place in my heart because it’s the first Fairfax County Library branch I ever visited–before we even moved to the area. Johnell DeWitt invited me to talk to a small group of writers about mentor texts. Dianna Aston was the other speaker. I met several DC metro people at this event that eventually became friends. That became an important connection when we moved here.
 
 

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

 
 
This is the only park I’ve been to that cost money (but it’s well-worth the $6.00 admission fee). They also have blooming lotuses and a plethora of water lilies and dragonflies this time of year.
 
 
 
 

Patrick Henry Library

I stopped by the Patrick Henry Library on my way home and got this stack of books.
 
 
I’ve also been so amazed at how many branches have THINGS WE FEEL in their new books section.
 
 

More Libraries

In the past week, I’ve also been to doing some research outside of my local libraries.
 
I visited the Fairfax County Historical Records to do some research for my local history class. Never underestimate the power of people who know their collections. This place was a treasure trove. They also gave me the biggest compliment saying that most people aren’t as persistent as I am. 
 
(Sorry, the only pictures I took were of maps that I don’t have permission to share.)
 
 
I also visited the George Mason University library for some books. I’ve been pulled back into an old project and was looking to see what they had on the topic. I go to this library when I need a really quiet place to work. It has a SILENT 5th floor for graduate students. It’s a phenomenal place to get work done. The only downside is that the parking is pricey.
 

 
I also took a quick research trip to UVA’s Claude Moore Health Sciences Library (located inside the UVA Hospital) for some research on my next novel. Again, I’m so impressed with the librarians and the care they take with their collections and their willingness to help writers.
 
 
 

Haiku of the Week

 
tiny fairy
umbrellas emerge
storms brew
 
 
Photo Taken: July 3, 2023 Burke Lake Park
Haiku Written: July 14, 2023
 

Haiku Moments Playlist

Poetry Printables Page

Sign up for poetry postcards

 
 

What I’m Reading

by Mary Oliver
 
 
by R.F. Kuang
 
I got tired of waiting for this one at my library, so I bought this one at Busboys and Poets so I could read it while recovering from surgery. You won’t want to put this one down.
 

What I’m Noticing

I bought this tiny pot at the Freeman Store and Museum made by a local artist. It matches my Thai Celadon. I let my Thai basil bloom accidentally, so I clipped off a few of the blooms and put them in this.

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29 Comments

  • Linda Mitchell

    July 21, 2023 at 8:24 AM

    What a rich and vibrant post. Your blog is so good for me. I find so much inspiration. Thank you. I need to check out that 5th floor at GMU. Writing at home with the adult children here over the summer is not as easy as I thought it might be. I love getting to go on your journies with you via your blog.

  • Margaret Simon

    July 21, 2023 at 9:08 AM

    So many libraries around you. One disadvantage to a small town is the library. I took your advice to do the Sealy Challenge with library books and could only find 2. They are sorely lacking in poetry and maybe I need to speak to a real person about it. I hope you continue to heal. My surgery (hysterectomy) has thrown me for a loop. Recovery has been slow as molasses. But it does give me reading and writing time. But anesthesia cut down on my ability to focus for very long. Can I use your lotus photo for This Photo Wants to be a Poem? With credits, of course. Thanks.

  • Tracey Kiff-Judson

    July 21, 2023 at 10:59 AM

    Marcie, I can’t talk with you, or read something you wrote, or look at your pictures without learning something and wondering something. Thank you so much, and I hope you are feeling well!

  • Laura Purdie Salas

    July 21, 2023 at 2:02 PM

    I love your haiku, Marcie, and your sharing of all your various challenges. You’re so impressive. Energy pennies – going to look into that, since I often think of things in terms of values/costs/percentages. Is that cupcake worth my 15 Weight Watchers points? Yes. Is this project worth 25% of my time for the next 3 weeks? Maybe. Is this brief line in this poem carry (and I use money terms when I think about this) equal in impact to the longer lines before it? Etc. Going to have to check out the energy pennies. Thanks!

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      July 22, 2023 at 8:47 AM

      I love thinking about it as values/costs. I think what has been eye-opening to me is that different people have different things that fill their well. So what it looks like for me will be different than what it looks like for someone who has different strengths.

  • Rose Cappelli

    July 21, 2023 at 4:07 PM

    Thank you, Marcie! I am also intrigued by the energy pennies. Whatever is working for you it certainly gives you lots of energy. Hope you continue to heal.

  • Susan T.

    July 21, 2023 at 4:39 PM

    Like Linda M., I get inspiration from your blog, too, Marcie! I always enjoy seeing what you’re up to. The Sealy Challenge is going to be here before I know it, so I better start getting organized. I am lucky to have access to many excellent libraries nearby, so I’m going to focus my efforts there.

    Repeats to self: I am not buying books, I am not buying books, I am not….

  • Linda Baie

    July 21, 2023 at 6:07 PM

    I have a few librairies I visit but nothing like you did just this week, Marcie. I’m happy that you have such a variety for your writing projects. I love your haiku & the picture, nature’s poetry! Hope the surgery woes are soon passed!

  • Linda Baie

    July 21, 2023 at 6:09 PM

    I have a few libraries I visit but nothing like you did just this week, Marcie. I’m happy that you have such a variety for your writing projects. I love your haiku & the picture, nature’s poetry! Hope the surgery woes are soon passed!

  • Joyce Ray

    July 21, 2023 at 7:51 PM

    Marcie, like you, I must have LEARNER a a strength. I can get so lost in research and am so happy wandering around. I don’t knw how you get so much done in a week, especially recuperating! I love your post and will check into “energy pennies” which I definitely need. The teeny mushrooms do so look like fairy umbrellas. Great haiku!

  • Mary Lee

    July 22, 2023 at 9:14 AM

    YOU are an energy penny! I always get so much inspiration from your posts! I’m nearly set up for Sealey — I have a huge bag of reserves ready for photos and the fun of deciding of which one gets to go first!

  • PATRICIA J FRANZ

    July 23, 2023 at 12:08 AM

    I added it up: Pretty sure you spent A FORTUNE in Energy Pennies this week — and this was RECOVERY week??? – lol!

    I’m reading DEMON COPPERHEAD right now.
    And, is it possible to fall in love with a dragonfly? <3

  • Denise R Krebs

    July 23, 2023 at 1:57 PM

    Marcie, I loved going on this adventure with you through the libraries, parks and book shops. It was lovely to go with you. Those tiny rairy umbrellas are spectacular.