5 posts published by jama during October 2025| Jama's Alphabet Soup
I consider it a rare gift to discover a new-to-me poet, one whose work immediately resonates and whets my appetite for more. Reading Freya Manfred’s poems for the first time was like taking a rejuvenating breath of fresh air, or drinking a tall glass of cool water on a warm day. She often writes about … Continue reading two poems by Freya Manfred| Jama's Alphabet Soup
Everyone looks forward to cracking open a fortune cookie after finishing a mouthwatering Chinese meal. What does the future hold (“You will meet a handsome stranger”)? What handy bit of wisdom awaits (“A closed mouth gathers no feet”)? While we all enjoy these fun and pithy messages, it’s logical to assume fortune cookies are a … Continue reading [crunchy review] Fortune Cookies for Everyone! by Mia Wenjen and Colleen Kong-Savage| Jama's Alphabet Soup
Imagine standing beneath a tall tree in a quiet snow-laden forest, your soul abloom with heightened awareness. Or perhaps you’re lying on your bed, eyes closed, envisioning a butterfly fluttering just above you, its wings stirring up the gentle air before it softly lands on your fingers, nose and eyelids. Whether immersing yourself in nature … Continue reading [mindful review+ giveaway] The Gift of the Broken Teacup by Allan Wolf and Jade Orlando| Jama's Alphabet Soup
Come November 1-2, Mexicans and other Latino communities around the world will be observing Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional fiesta to honor and remember deceased loved ones. Celebra…| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“Dust is something bad, something evil and wicked.” ~ Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials, 1995) DUST IF YOU MUST by Rose Milligan Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better To paint a picture, or write a letter, Bake a cake, or plant a seed; Ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if … Continue reading to dust or not to dust| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“October is the treasure of the year,/And all the months pay bounty to her store . . . ” ~ Paul Laurence Dunbar 1. Happy October!! Surely the prettiest fall month. Poland-based artist Asia Spettel’s cozy “cottagecore” paintings are the perfect way to celebrate the season. I couldn’t find any information online about her other … Continue reading nine cool things on a tuesday| Jama's Alphabet Soup
When we were little, we likely heard about the cow jumping over the moon and the dish running away with the spoon. We learned the moon was made of green cheese, and that when the man in the moon tumbled down too soon, he burned his mouth eating porridge. Whether in nursery rhyme or popular … Continue reading [review] Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems for Bedtime by Charles Ghigna and Jacqueline East| Jama's Alphabet Soup
In less than a week, millions of Koreans will be celebrating Chuseok, a mid-Autumn harvest festival that’s one of the biggest holidays of the year. They will travel from all over to visit their ancestral hometowns, where they’ll spend time with their families, honor their ancestors and share a big feast. Since my family didn’t … Continue reading [review] Giving Thanks with Halmoni by Kathleen Choi, Sook Nyul Choi and Il Sung Na| Jama's Alphabet Soup
art by Melanie Parke. Happy to share another insightful poem by California poet Lori Levy today. Last time she wrote about her love of eggplant, wanting to make it her special hobby. Now, what abou…| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“Then there’s nothing more to be said. Are we going to have tea? Or not?” ~ Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. Today we’re celebrating the third (and final) Downton Abb…| Jama's Alphabet Soup
2 posts published by jama during September 2025| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” ~ Japanese proverb Hooray for September and a brand new school year! As a grade school student, I loved …| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures.” ~ Henry David Thoreau 1. Happy September! We’re happy to be back in anticipation of a beautiful Fall, and what b…| Jama's Alphabet Soup
“As long as one has a garden one has a future; and as long as one has a future one is alive.” ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett Since The Secret Garden has always been one of my favorite childr…| Jama's Alphabet Soup