tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29098195551807343512024-03-12T21:59:04.854-07:00Katelyn Thomas - Freelance Writer and PhotographerSpecializing in heirloom children's portraiture in the Maryland/Delaware area. I also enjoy creating art with landscape and nature photography. When I am not working with my camera, I am either writing or traveling. I am a published poet and short story writer.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-64586855559701467152018-01-30T06:17:00.002-08:002018-01-30T06:17:53.769-08:00Recent Publications and Other News<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am still working on the new studio, so am only offering on location or studio grounds portraits at the moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've had several new pieces published recently:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>What Color Do You Want to Paint Your Lion will appear in Shot Glass Journal #24</li>
<li>The Uneasiness of Librarianship and The Stapler have
been accepted for publication in Tell-Tale Inklings #4, out this spring.</li>
<li>An untitled six word story will be published in The Gravity of the Thing's upcoming issue.</li>
<li>They Said It Is too Cold for Snow will appear in One Person's Trash.</li>
<li>Letter to the Squirrel on Stokes
Street has been accepted for Civilized Beasts Volume III, an anthology that will be available through Amazon shortly.</li>
<li><a href="https://formercactus.wordpress.com/read-issue-four/upon-causing-disappointment-katelyn-thomas/" target="_blank">Upon Causing Disappointment</a> is now up at formercactus. </li>
<li>The Rush is publishing Bus Stop in their upcoming issue. </li>
<li><a href="https://101words.org/the-visitors/" target="_blank">The Visitors</a> is up at 101 Words.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I have been slowing down on submissions of late. Last year, I challenged myself to submit until I was rejected 100 times and I did. It takes quite a bit of time to submit to magazines you think will be a good fit, as you need to read at least some of the accepted pieces and do a thorough read of the mag's submission policies before making a decision on whether to submit there. I have a number of submissions still pending response, so I am not rushing to get any new work out there. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I do have five poems to revise and a few flash pieces I'm working on. Perhaps I will give myself a challenge this year, too. Another 100 rejections? Along the way, you do pick up quite a few acceptances, so why not?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I still have my most promising two picture book manuscripts out there waiting. If they are rejected, they'll go right back out to a new publisher, as they get very encouraging feedback with their biannual rejections. (Picture book publishers often take up to a year to respond.)</div>
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Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-19528459889596568722017-12-13T02:25:00.002-08:002017-12-13T02:25:48.252-08:00A Few Acceptances to Wrap Up the YearI've been taking two workshops at once - Foremothers - Imitating Women Poets from Poetry Barn, which always has outstanding workshops, and a Flash Fiction mini workshop from Meg Pokrass, who is a fantastic flash and novella in flash author I admire.<br />
<br />
With all the writing, I haven't done as much submitting, but I have done some.<br />
<br />
I've had three more poems accepted by the literary magazine for WVU, where I'm working on my three year MFA certificate.<br />
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I have also had poems accepted by Tuck, Golden Walkman and Social Justice Poetry. I've never recorded myself reading my own poem before, so I was a bit anxious about Golden Walkman, but, after seven tries filled with the joyous voices of canaries or the meowing of a cat, I finally managed.<br />
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In other news, the new studio space now has a floor. Next will be new windows. I am still working on location for the most part, as the renovations are taking much longer than expected.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-33884724742583629142017-11-28T14:19:00.000-08:002017-12-13T02:15:18.293-08:00A Few More Publications I'm happy to report that I've had a few more acceptances. I have been recuperating from knee surgery so it is nice to have something cheerful to brighten the days! Being stuck in a chair for two weeks sure gave me a ton of editing and revision time. I was able to use that time to work on some poems I wrote in a recent workshop.<br />
<br />
I finished revising From the Nest, submitted it to Noble / Gas Quarterly, which is a magazine I love, and got an acceptance. It was definitely the highlight of last week.<br />
<br />
This week's highlight is having 22 staples removed from my knee and graduating to walking with a cane.<br />
<br />
Back to poetry and writing - additional November acceptances:<br />
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A lovely new journal that I enjoy, Ariel Chart, has accepted a piece of flash fiction entitled <a href="http://arielchart.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/death-is-not-stranger-here.html" target="_blank">Death Is Not a Stranger Here</a>.<br />
<br />
Ginosko Literary Journal has accepted my poem Stranger Spots a Young Boy.<br />
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<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-26174568085822354272017-11-12T03:27:00.001-08:002017-11-12T03:27:20.621-08:00Recent and Upcoming PublicationsI've been submitting work recently and have had a few pieces published or accepted for future publication. I thought I'd update it in one post so it doesn't clog up the blog.<br />
<br />
Califragile - This is a literary journal filled with beautiful poetry. I was very honored to have a piece accepted here! <a href="https://califragile.org/2017/10/29/not-even-the-birds-can-be-trusted-by-katelyn-thomas/" target="_blank">Not Even the Birds Can Be Trusted</a><br />
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One Sentence Poems - When I want to enjoy short poems, I turn to this site. This poem, about my dear little Scottie, found the perfect home with One Sentence Poems. <a href="http://www.onesentencepoems.com/osp/katelyn-thomas-sophie/" target="_blank">Sophie</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.origamipoems.com/" target="_blank">Origami Poems</a> - These mini chapbooks are so lovely and simple. I found this site while I was obsessed with folding 1000 cranes for peace. (We folded 2000 and they are beautiful!) Origami Poems has accepted six of my poems to create a mini chapbook.<br />
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<a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=current" target="_blank">Halfway Down the Stairs</a> - Feeling stale? Looking for a challenge? Halfway Down the Stairs has themed issues. The current theme of "spilt milk" inspired me to write a poem, which was accepted for publication in the December issue. Look for Que Sera, Kitchen next month.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bonesjournal.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bones Journal</a> - I have been experimenting with modern Haiku. Bones is a journal I devour and then go back and re-read a few more times as I await the next issue. I was incredibly pleased to have a piece accepted here. It will appear in an upcoming issue.<br />
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Failed Haiku - Another journal I really enjoy reading. You can find my Senryu in <a href="http://www.haikuhut.com/FailedHaikuIssue22.pdf" target="_blank">issue 22</a>.<br />
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Manawaker Studio - This was a fun change of pace. I wrote a piece of flash fiction that was accepted for a podcast. <a href="http://www.manawaker.com/podcast/ffp-0233-the-world-ended-one-morning-when-i-was-almost-thirteen/" target="_blank">The World Ended One Morning When I Was Almost Thirteen</a><br />
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I have a few more pieces scheduled to appear in upcoming journals. I will try to do another update soon.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eY85FWLrANo/WggwC4RKQsI/AAAAAAAABI0/ROsg0fHp3PgyJmzGMBx9LlTrjGRZ25Y2gCLcBGAs/s1600/spider%2Blace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eY85FWLrANo/WggwC4RKQsI/AAAAAAAABI0/ROsg0fHp3PgyJmzGMBx9LlTrjGRZ25Y2gCLcBGAs/s320/spider%2Blace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few notes on submitting to journals for aspiring poets and writers:<br />
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<br />
<ol>
<li>Read the journal. Seriously. Before you submit, find at least a few sample pieces and read them. I don't know how many times I've thought a publication seemed perfect for a piece when I read the submission notes, only to read the actual published work and realize it is not right at all. </li>
<li>Polish your work. I once had a piece rejected because a team of readers couldn't get past the hyphen that should have been a dash. I got a very nice rejection outlining what they loved, which was everything but the hyphen, and a request for more work without punctuation errors. A typo can kill a poem.</li>
<li>Submit your stuff. Submit more. Rinse and repeat. I decided to do the collect 100 rejections challenge this year. I haven't gotten to 100 rejections yet, but I have received a number of acceptances from journals I admire. If you don't submit and you aren't willing to face rejection, you won't be published.</li>
<li>Keep writing. Don't sit and refresh your email. Write new stuff. Write better stuff. Write. Write. Write. </li>
<li>Be open to improvement - Take a workshop. Take a class. Listen to editor feedback.</li>
<li>Read more journals. Read chapbooks. The more you read, the better you'll become.</li>
<li>Keep track of stuff. I use Submittable and Duotrope to stay organized. If you aren't submitting a ton of stuff, you can use a simple spreadsheet. I also use a folder system. Published work goes into the folder on my computer labeled Published Work. Poetry goes into Drafts and Finished Poetry folders. </li>
</ol>
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It sounds so simple, doesn't it? That's because it really is. Submitting your best work to journals that are the best fit leads to publication. </div>
Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-75496426516935392432017-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:002017-10-28T00:00:14.954-07:00Braver TogetherOliver closed his eyes and wished for November. It didn't work. The spookiest time of the year was here. He ran over to his closet and pulled open the door.<br />
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A green monster cowered in the shadows.<br />
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"Aw, Sam, I'm so sorry," said Oliver. " I just was so worried about how scary Halloween is that I forgot to knock."<br />
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"Th..that's ok," said Sam. "I'm sc...scared, too."<br />
<br />
"Maybe we can go trick or treating together," said Oliver. "No one will know you are really a monster. I'll wear my chicken costume."<br />
<br />
"N...no candy corn," said Sam.<br />
<br />
"Deal," said Oliver.<br />
<br />
#######<br />
The above children's short story is an entry in the Halloweensie Writing Contest.<br />
<br />
Join the fun:<br />
<br />
https://susannahill.com/2017/10/16/bic-folks-announcing-the-7th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-guidelines/Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-79853319276695710492017-10-27T05:04:00.001-07:002017-10-27T05:04:57.660-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 27 - Closet Dreams<div style="text-align: left;">
Today's prompt was something to do with flowers and memories:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Closet Dreams</div>
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Lavender scent unwinds from unfurled buds<br />
to send me back to the day I slipped into<br />
my grandma's closet to don skyscraper red<br />
heels and the fox stole with accusing marble eyes.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-3121036009337153232017-10-21T15:43:00.000-07:002017-10-22T12:47:51.852-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 21<div style="text-align: center;">
When I Miss Baltimore</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I bite into blandness -<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">close my eyes to savor<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the homecoming that is<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">elbow macaroni with<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">staid American cheese<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">crusted with panko from<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">the can because even <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">crumbled crackers are<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">too sophisticated for</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">mac and cheese made </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">from childhood memories.<o:p></o:p></span>Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-43800847668053789962017-10-18T05:42:00.000-07:002017-10-18T05:42:21.006-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 18 - And Still, the RainThere were several prompts for today that I thought I'd use, but somehow they triggered a completely different poem. How did everyone went on eating become and still, the rain?<br />
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Three house sparrows<br />
umbrella leaves<br />
one cricket rides<br />
a maple bark raft<br />
and still, the rain.<br />
<br />
the unheard song of the moon<br />
revolving around the earth<br />
revolving around the sun<br />
ripples across grass peering<br />
up through puddles that<br />
have turned the lawn to sea<br />
and still, the rain.<br />
<br />
yellow mums prostrate themselves<br />
to whisper prayers to the stars<br />
the last of the corn sways to the<br />
rhythm of the drops tambourining<br />
praises on the barn's tin roof.<br />
wheat stalks can barely<br />
stretch to the sky to give<br />
their hallelujahs<br />
and still, the rain.<br />
<br />
I'm not in love with this one. Too many things going on in one poem, I think. But that's what a rough draft is.<br />
<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-32041187061961673572017-10-15T05:13:00.001-07:002017-10-15T05:13:04.768-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 15 - So, I can't even say today's prompt without feeling queasy. I am going to skip it and write about something else because an ode to stomach viruses is not something I want to add to the world...<br />
<br />
Dear cat,<br />
<br />
I have<br />
tried to<br />
domesticate you with<br />
feather toys and jingle balls<br />
but the heart of the wild lives in<br />
your eyes and you slink the walls<br />
in search of prey slaughter anything<br />
that walks on eight legs - plot<br />
your escape from the safety of<br />
your prison at every window<br />
pray for the moment when<br />
I forget to pull the door<br />
behind me.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-58906261483983475592017-10-13T05:39:00.003-07:002017-10-13T05:39:51.282-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 13 - Sculpting a Poem<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sculpting a Poem</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I pare off <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">spare phrases that <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">run like seas of pearls<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">swirled in circles of <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">pure beauty <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">each cut slices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">away extraneous gems<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">until the poem's heart<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">is exposed to beat<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">naked before the world<o:p></o:p></span>Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-81904798304580161542017-10-11T15:17:00.001-07:002017-10-11T15:17:45.401-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 11Today, one of the suggestions was playing with magnetic poetry tiles. I found some and had a bit of fun moving them around. I almost gave up on making a poem, though, until I put loon found flight together. From there, I got this:<br />
<br />
loon finds flight<br />
as fish sing the sun<br />
into the morning sky<br />
with rainbow scalesKatelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-38091829047116610762017-10-10T04:55:00.001-07:002017-10-10T05:54:11.856-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 10 - Powerlesstoo busy to enjoy<br />
breezes stroking my cheek<br />
as they slip in the window<br />
beside the desk<br />
caress becomes a slap<br />
<br />
grab A Lesson Before Dying<br />
weigh down errant scraps holding<br />
fragments of my mind before<br />
they cyclone off the edge<br />
<br />
through the window<br />
trees sway like lovers<br />
an oak asks the d.j. for<br />
Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah<br />
branch follows the beat<br />
spins into power lines<br />
<br />
in darkness, I finally find time<br />
to admire the lightshow<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-59162196285667070362017-10-08T17:32:00.004-07:002017-10-08T17:32:54.140-07:00OctPoWriMo 8 - Ortho ExplorationMaybe it is because my knees are really reminding me why I need to go through with the impending surgery, but all the words I hear today remind me of my knee caps grinding away at each other. So, I guess it was no surprise that the word prompt resulted in this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ortho Exploration</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
x-ray uncovers bone kissed bone</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
does this hurt he asks and</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wonder if he moonlights </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
as a comedian because </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
he's been poking knees long enough</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
to know exactly where to jab </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
his index finger so that the constant</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
buzz of little bees becomes </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
happy chainsaws harvesting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
chunks of pain from the inside out</div>
Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-4292795292738940132017-10-07T05:37:00.001-07:002017-10-07T05:38:58.029-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 7 - Pear Shaped Confession<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">I plant the tree</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">the
way one does</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">pour hopes and dreams </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">into the hole </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">along with water </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">stake it
straight </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">fear the locusts rising</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext" , serif; font-size: 17.0pt;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">fret as sudden
squalls </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">bend her almost in two</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">the years whirl by </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">mulching </span></span><span style="font-size: 17pt;">pruning</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">occasional caress </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">when no one</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">is around to see me</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">hugging a tree</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">finally she blooms </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">I choose which </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">small fruits will be given </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">the chance to grow full-size</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">fret again </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">stink
bugs </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">squirrels </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">hurricane winds</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">the summer </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">whirls by </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">it is time</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">tree, I did not know </span></span><span style="font-size: 17pt;">you would be a lesson</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;">hope for beauty</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: 22.6667px;">receive frankenfruit</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">misshapen </span></span><span style="font-size: 17pt;">lumpy </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">mottled sick faced green</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17pt;">almost leave them </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17pt;">on the tree </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17pt;">to rot</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">but I cannot </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">waste
five years</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">so I pick the fruits</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">hide them away </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">to ripen</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext" , serif; font-size: 17.0pt;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">a month later </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">I cut
into them </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">with reluctance </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17.0pt;">find </span></span><span style="font-size: 17pt;">perfect flesh inside</span></div>
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Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-72970405634633437322017-10-06T06:01:00.001-07:002017-10-06T06:01:30.839-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 6 - Loving Las VegasWell, I was a downer today...but this is where the thought of shadows walking with me went.<br />
<br />
Loving Las Vegas<br />
<br />
Sorrow's shadow casts long -<br />
dims the colors of autumn joy<br />
as the world spins in time<br />
to the grieving of the hearts<br />
beating out their loss.<br />
But still, light spills in the shadow.<br />
Another spring will come.<br />
<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-1152798751157314902017-10-05T15:40:00.001-07:002017-10-05T15:40:35.712-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 5 - I Know Less than Ever as I AgeI was supposed to compose<br />
a sonnet to my young self -<br />
tell her all the things I know<br />
now that I am older,<br />
but I have discovered I know<br />
less instead of more<br />
the longer I breathe in air and<br />
push it back out of my lungs<br />
for the trees to clean and send<br />
back to me for another round<br />
of breathing while trying<br />
to figure out how to right<br />
an unrightable world.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-56250048391995320632017-10-04T06:04:00.001-07:002017-10-04T06:04:17.865-07:00OctPoWriMo Day 4 - RowboatI slip from the bed before the sun kisses the water,<br />
pull on jeans cut off to hide torn out knees<br />
shirt square from too many dances with the dryer<br />
Keds with no memory of being in box white.<br />
I snatch bread from the bag and fold it around peanut butter<br />
untoasted because I see sun fingers stretching<br />
and I am almost out of time to grab the duct taped rod<br />
and Anne of Green Gables (third time this summer)<br />
before I stake my claim to the blue rowboat that is beginning<br />
to crave the bottom of the Bay and only skims the water<br />
because we are more stubborn than it this summer.<br />
I fall into the rhythm - row, bail, row, bail, but I stop<br />
armpit high from the shore because stubborn isn't stupid<br />
and toss the line without caring where it lands.<br />
It is the view and the lullaby of the water against the<br />
dying boat I crave, but the rod validates my claim<br />
to a spot where siblings and cousins do not swarm<br />
because no one will swim out to the boat -<br />
have you seen what lurks beneath?<br />
<br />
<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-77581989965209682712017-10-03T05:29:00.000-07:002017-10-03T08:06:45.631-07:00Cherita - OctPoWriMo Day 3Today's challenge was to try a new form, the Cherita. I've never heard of it before and will have to do some research to see if I was successful! I chose the word prompt "From the shadows." (Cheritas don't have titles, but if they did, I would call this Coyote Dreams.)<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
He waits, belly grounded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She doesn’t forget - head count,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
final lockdown, as sun says goodnight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She knows he waits in the dark of shadows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for the night she comes after God hangs the moon -</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
won’t serve her hens up on a careless platter.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNdG22ooPh0/WdOC--yyuOI/AAAAAAAABH4/T8lu08Od6KkiW6FAXog2yEmhVs2UhklZACLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNdG22ooPh0/WdOC--yyuOI/AAAAAAAABH4/T8lu08Od6KkiW6FAXog2yEmhVs2UhklZACLcBGAs/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny on the lookout for danger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-14584271253593395562017-10-02T15:26:00.002-07:002017-10-02T15:26:27.423-07:00Why Do I Write? OctPoWriMo Day 2Why do I write poetry? Because the words and phrases pile up until I don't have room for stuff like the grocery list if I don't.<br />
<br />
My mind carousels unchecked<br />
until I reach for my pencil<br />
to free words trapped on one long ride.<br />
The first spill from the carnival in my brain,<br />
jumbled, tumbled, muttered, mumbled.<br />
As they pile onto the paper, I pluck this word, that,<br />
and shuttle them into lines of possibility. As the lines<br />
wind into stanzas, the carousel stills and<br />
the last few words are pulled from its almost empty<br />
brightness to finish a rough draft.<br />
<br />
#OctPoWriMoKatelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-58908859213554324082017-10-01T10:18:00.001-07:002017-10-01T10:18:43.200-07:00America in My Veins - OctPoWriMo Challenge 1<div>
This month is something I've been looking forward to - OctPoWriMo! Today, I went with the prompt from the organizer for my poem, which is to think about who I came from. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
America in My Veins</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I follow the strands from my soul</div>
<div>
to the places that birthed me -</div>
<div>
discover Scottish blood in an Irish hut.</div>
<div>
Look for all Italian on the other side -</div>
<div>
find instead that the People flowed </div>
<div>
through half of my grandmother,</div>
<div>
spilled down into me.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Disclaimer...all poems posted this month are very rough drafts - I typically go through 4-5 edits and weeks of debate before I consider a poem ready to publish. This is for fun, stretching muscles, getting out of ruts and creating a body of rough drafts I may harvest lines from here and there.)</div>
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#OctPoWriMoKatelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-31527648129460500412017-08-20T15:23:00.001-07:002017-08-20T15:23:05.312-07:00August 2017 Eclipse Since my studio is currently all packed in preparation for a move to a new location in September, I've been a bit at loose ends photography wise and have been writing a lot of poetry. Here's today's poem:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eclipse</div>
<br />
The shadow of the moon<br />
steps to the table -<br />
Takes a nibble of the sun’s corona.<br />
<br />
Enjoys the taste -<br />
takes a bigger bite and then<br />
consumes the heart.<br />
<br />
Night falls without sunset.<br />
One minute, two,<br />
before Helios remakes itself.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-22533072845129404462017-05-28T05:27:00.001-07:002017-08-07T16:48:35.331-07:00What Is Spring? Science Beginning Reader BookI am working on a series of beginning readers using some of the nature and animal photos I take. My first book, What Is Spring? is available now in Amazon's Kindle Store.<br />
<br />
This book is designed with just a few words on each page and is ideal for children who have just started to read to enjoy with a parent's help. I am working on several beginning readers that are the next level up and have several simple sentences on each page, as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Spring-Easy-Non-fiction-Readers-ebook/dp/B071R1787R/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1495973373&sr=8-1&keywords=what+is+spring&linkCode=li3&tag=kntehow-20&linkId=5d797377f01e56de4d7e017fa9be534f" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B071R1787R&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=kntehow-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=kntehow-20&l=li3&o=1&a=B071R1787R" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you have Kindle Unlimited, the book is free. Otherwise, <a href="http://amzn.to/2rbPn2y" target="_blank">What Is Spring</a> is available for purchase through the Kindle store. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For parents who are homeschooling, here is a fun activity you can do after reading the book:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Nature Walk</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You Will Need:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>What Is Spring?</li>
<li>Small notebook and crayons or colored pencils</li>
<li>Magnifying glass</li>
<li>Binoculars</li>
</ul>
<div>
To Do This Activity:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Take a quiet walk through a park or around your neighborhood and look for some of the things you read about in the book.</li>
<li>Listen for sounds that will help you find birds, snakes and other critters. For example, I found the snake pictured in the book because he slithered across some dry leaves.</li>
<li>Look for flashes of color and movement. Sometimes, you won't see a bird until it flies to another branch.</li>
<li>Use the binoculars to look at things that are far away.</li>
<li>Use the magnifying glass to examine things that are up close.</li>
<li>Help your child record observations in the notebook. He or she may want to draw some of the most exciting things you see.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-80898915810490054612016-02-15T06:39:00.001-08:002016-02-15T06:39:10.830-08:00Charla and Mike - Chesapeake City Wedding PhotographyChesapeake City is such a great location for a Cecil County wedding. Gorgeous architecture, an amazing bridge and lovely waterfront spots combine to create an amazing spot for couple portraits. This sweet bride and groom are especially fond of the bridge, so we grabbed the last few minutes of daylight to create this special wedding portrait.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9dw8bGiUpg/VsHiyPmE1LI/AAAAAAAABEc/OwIxBrwcuec/s1600/candckissdonesigned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9dw8bGiUpg/VsHiyPmE1LI/AAAAAAAABEc/OwIxBrwcuec/s400/candckissdonesigned.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-23639788193201530062015-06-30T08:20:00.000-07:002015-06-30T08:20:12.166-07:00Maryland Faerie Photography - Children's Magical Fairy PortraitsChildren's faerie portraits are so fun and entertaining for the little fairies that come in for their sessions. In fact, they are so much fun that they rarely want to leave when their sessions are over! We've had a few special fairies in the studio this spring and are looking forward to another magical Enchanted Forest weekend in our Havre de Grace, Maryland location July 3rd, 18th and 19th!<br />
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Here are a few of my favorites from some recent sessions:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cM0hVtTFJDo/VZKx0ylyZGI/AAAAAAAABDM/qUSB5g60iSU/s1600/22wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cM0hVtTFJDo/VZKx0ylyZGI/AAAAAAAABDM/qUSB5g60iSU/s320/22wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children under the age of 3 rarely are willing to wear wings and headpieces. This tiny fairy princess did wear a floral crown for a few minutes.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCA5iCEOIWc/VZKx5QVsJiI/AAAAAAAABDY/TqErzM2KQ_E/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCA5iCEOIWc/VZKx5QVsJiI/AAAAAAAABDY/TqErzM2KQ_E/s320/4.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When a little girl truly believes in pixie dust and Tinkerbell, there is extra magic in her portraits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNKpwhHkUg/VZKx5FykWmI/AAAAAAAABDU/GAJC6YJSuYU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNKpwhHkUg/VZKx5FykWmI/AAAAAAAABDU/GAJC6YJSuYU/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The orb is always a favorite.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlvNIuDRApU/VZKze7kr3tI/AAAAAAAABDo/dQyCFzRyyZg/s1600/fairy%2Bday%2B2015%2Bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlvNIuDRApU/VZKze7kr3tI/AAAAAAAABDo/dQyCFzRyyZg/s320/fairy%2Bday%2B2015%2Bad.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Enchanted Forest Fairy sessions are booking now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909819555180734351.post-81665872007565712442015-05-25T06:31:00.001-07:002015-05-25T06:31:03.736-07:00Princess Portraits - Children's Photographer - Harford County, Maryland We've added something fun to our Limited Edition children's photography sessions in the studio in Havre de Grace - Princess Portraits. If your little girl is a fan of princesses, castles and magic, she'll love dressing up in one of our costumes, putting on a crown or a tiara and having her portrait created in one of our themed sets. <br />
<br />
Here are a few favorites from the last set of princess sessions:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qERU3YdSKeI/VWMiBlcNobI/AAAAAAAABCU/tD3YTEt0ioE/s1600/1wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Princess castle portrait" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qERU3YdSKeI/VWMiBlcNobI/AAAAAAAABCU/tD3YTEt0ioE/s320/1wm.jpg" title="Harford County, Maryland Children's Photography Studio " width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYl2IHKf33M/VWMiCe8b0OI/AAAAAAAABCk/LETK-uPGvk4/s1600/5wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYl2IHKf33M/VWMiCe8b0OI/AAAAAAAABCk/LETK-uPGvk4/s320/5wm.jpg" title="Maryland Children's Photographer - Cinderella Portrait" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p39ormvkxrk/VWMiBpyy8MI/AAAAAAAABCY/pbFDIdcXtOI/s1600/8wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="children's portrait photographer" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p39ormvkxrk/VWMiBpyy8MI/AAAAAAAABCY/pbFDIdcXtOI/s320/8wm.jpg" title="Princess Portraits in Harford County, Maryland" width="256" /></a></div>
I offer Limited Edition princess portraits several times a year. If you don't want to wait for Princess Days, I always am happy to book an hour portrait session just for your child with all of the props, sets and costumes! Call, <a href="mailto:katelynthomasphotography@gmail.com" target="_blank">email</a>, or message me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KatelynThomasPhotography" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to book your child's magical princess experience.Katelyn Thomas http://www.blogger.com/profile/08956220675485893733noreply@blogger.com5