I Think I Need to Get Markers and Start Doodling Grannie Annie Style, Just Like We Used to Do as a Kid

Yesterday's EthicalELA #verselove prompt was to write about nature, but to focus on someone who taught you a lesson about nature...the examples given were of famous ecologists, environmentalists, writers, and scientists. I knew, of course, I was going to run upstairs to get my Honka-Doodle, and then write about my Grannie Annie's influence on me.

To know my grandmother was to love her, as she was loving, eccentric, colorful, artistic, funny, creative, and innovative. As kids, we'd spend hours taking two markers and drawing these loops that we'd color in, where she'd later writer a poem to escort them. She always wanted to know what we saw, were thinking, and wondering. Then she'd craft poems from the doodles. 

This one was hers, but I have bags full of the others. They have always been an inspiration. 

When I think of my grandmother, I also think of 19 years of her influence: her home in Hamilton, her camp on Lebanon Reservoir, her humor of storytelling, and the memories she'd share. She was also a lover of the world around her, and Loch Lebanon was her Eden. That was heaven on Earth, and thematically throughout my life, it's been a heaven for me, too....the perfect little lake, with wildlife, great skies, beautiful trees, nice hiking trails, and swimming....all that swimming. 

Then there were the frogs. Casey says it was, Bottle of Bud. Bottle of Bud, and that it was always Milwaukee's Best. I forgot all about that beer and she is right. My early memories were for the beast of Milwaukee, and I don't think Budweiser came until the later years. I often focus things towards my grandma, but my grandfather was equally as influential on our memories. It really was a blissful way to grow up - fortunate, indeed.

So, I knew that would be the 29th poem...hard to believe I only have one more day to this challenge - perhaps the greatest part of this Spring! It's keeping me sane.