It took me 23 years to find peace with the loss of my father. All my father poems have been a part of the healing process. I don't know what I would have done without that voice. I really should track down the poems I have written for him over the years just to look at healing journey. I wrote one of my very first poems while keeping vigil at Dad's bedside. We used one of those early poems as his eulogy.

This looks like an awesome show. I had a similar experience while trying to make the equivalent of the famous Cadbury egg. My friend made it sound so easy - but never told me that I needed a candy thermometer. What a mess!!!!! The "failed" cake pictured here triggered the candy memory and thus a lot of laughs.

I have been in a dry spell too. There was a time when I could write several poems in a day. They would just come as words in my mind. It felt like taking dictation. Though the well has felt dry for a few months, a few weeks ago, I felt pulled to write a poem to honor what would have been my father's 85th birthday. I have written something for him every year since the year he died (2000). This year, I worried about coming up with something because I hadn't written in so long. Somehow, I did it. I think part of the challenge was accepting that I have found some peace with my father's passing. I miss him every day, but the profound grief, anger, and disbelief have settled. Once I acknowledged the shift, I was able to write this year's poem. I have to be keenly connected to my feelings to write. There is an intensity that drives the words, and writing is both experiential and cathartic. Sometimes, I am up for that level of feeling, while other times I just want to be with the feelings - without writing.

Wow! That's an awesome fail. Love it!

I write poems, I paint, draw, make things, crochet, read, study, emerse my self in nature, I share opinions, practice Kundalini yoga, and when I had a piano, I played music. I spend time with family, talk to friends, and watch Rancy Rainbow videos. There is so much that I love to do...oh yes, and then there is my day job (academic advisor at a college). I like my day job, but at this point in life, there are so many other things I want to do.

Congratulations, Nicole. You are making things happen. 😊

My highlight is the profound sense of gratitude I feel to just be here. Three years ago, I wasn't sure if my family and I would safely cope with the pandemic from our tiny studio apartment in Manhattan. My daughter and husband were in high risk groups and for that matter, so was I. It was mayhem in Manhattan. As I look out my window, feel the spring breezes, hear the birds, see the trees and the spectacular sky, my heart is full. This is bliss.

I am not sure that I have any tells because I have many styles. I have shared that I have integrated after years of living with disassociative identity disorder. Before I started healing, I had written a few poems, but during the rigors of therapy, I became prolific and my styles varied depending on which part of ME was out. Poetry gave me a voice, a way to put words to bottled up feelings. So many of my pieces are tough truths through which I expressed feelings of anger, fear, and heartbreak. Interspersed a pieces for children, humorous pieces (from the part of me I call Lizzie), poems for my departed father, life in NYC, and nature pieces. In short, I'm all over the place. Now that I am more integrated, I don't write as much, but I still love it.

I also love movies. I also love to binge watch programs.

I am impressed by people who gravitate to embroidery. Wow. It takes such patience and precision. My sister and daughter love it. I don't think I would be good at it. Still, the final products are stunning!!

I forget about my music (I play piano and I love to listen), I also crochet and I love baking cakes.

I love nature and I love to be in nature. To me it is pure wonder, especially after being cooped up in a <300 sq ft appartment in NYC (with a view of brick wall) for 120 days duriung the start of COVID. That experience aged me, but then once I was free, my joy was boundless. as was my gratitue. I also love watching Rady Rainbow videos. Randy's humor helped us to survive the pandemic and the horribile four years+ we endured under the would-be dictator of the United States. Randy Rainbow videos are not political, just fun and I found myself making time to watch every new video that came out. I also love to draw, paint, and watch/listen to birds. Actually, I have tons of hobbies (in addition to writing). : )

I have completed the survey and I would be willing to pay a small yearly membership. I haven't been as active as I would like because of some recent challenges with my disabled daughter. I have to work a lot to cover some of her medication (she has chronic intractable migraines). She has been doing better on the new medications, so I am feeling much less stressed. Honestly, I should be visiting The Cove more when I am stressed as it is truly balm for the soul. Many thanks for this wonderful place. I will do what I can to help. All my best, Always, ELizabeth

What color did you pick? Any pictures?

Congratulations, Rachel. Please let us know how it goes. : )

After two months of getting lost in work (day job), I have found my way back to the COVE. I really need to make daily visits, as the COVE is soul food. My day job pays the bills, and it can be demanding, but when I am old and gray and sitting in my rocker, I won't be saying, "I wish I spent more time on the day job" . Nope, and I don't want to say "I wish I spent more time in the COVE". It's up to me, but at least I can see a path forward. For that I am grateful!

My favorite poets are Edna St. Vincent Millay (Renascence - my all time, favorite poem ever), Emily Dickson, and Maya Angelou. I love their use of language, I love the invention of words and the power of observing tender and hard truths. I am still trying to figure it all out. What makes an Emily Dickinson poem, a St. Vincent Millay or Angelou poem? I love the way the work of these poets reads but they have distinct voices. I really need to take a class or something.

I also enjoy poems that have contradictory elements. It packs a punch when a poet can use this to convey an opposite. I just read a open like this on a site called AllPoetry. The poet was describing an intimate encounter and using all of the visuals, but the poet gave us clues that this would not end well and was thus particularly heartbreaking.

I love cats so much. I used to have 15. I had a big place and I found homes for all I did not keep. I left my house for NYC with six; Burt, Pumpkin, Sasha, Azalea (Mom), Julie (daughter) and Anna Banana (daughter). All my babies made it to old age. Anna Banana was my last. She died on June 5 of 2021. It's been rough because I miss her and all of my babies terribly. We can't get another just yet....my daughter is not ready, I'm not really either. Thus I love seeing photos of other people's cats. I follow a few on Instagram: My Sweetie Sparrow is a blind/deaf rescue who found a wonderful mom and then there is Tippi Rainbow, Randy's spirited persian.Tippi is force. She loves to sleep on her back and boy does she ever have opinions. These cats have helped me so much.

@Rob Edwards Wow! This is great. It's all about getting out there and sharing. I was happy to see that my best friend got a bunch of her paintings displayed at a local art supply store. I am so happy for her!. Now if I could only get myself moving LOL