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Happy Birthday, Winter Solstice Baby "John" - Andrea Dietrich's Blog

About Andrea Dietrich

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Andrea Dietrich grew up in Iowa and now resides in Utah with a spouse and two cats. She has two grown children and six grandchildren. Having graduated BYU with a Spanish major/ESL minor, she has spent most of her adult life teaching. It wasn't until 2000 that she began writing in earnest and discovering her "niche" as a writer of lyrical poetry. The internet opened up a new world for her, and she has spent two decades now participating in poetry clubs, acting as a judge of poetry contests for various magazines, for the website Shadow Poetry, and for Poetry Soup.

Ms. Dietrich has won numerous awards, as well as the title Poet of the Year 2008, from the Yahoo group, Poetry For Thought. In addition, she has won prizes from the magazines Lucidity, Bell's Letters, Art with Words, Poets at Work and SP Quill, the magazine for which she wrote grammar and poetry articles as well as movie reviews and for which she acted as poetry editor for the head editor Marie Summers for six years. Many of her poems appeared in Shadows Ink, a yearly published series of chapbooks of award winning poetry as well as in numerous other anthologies. Her short stories appeared in many issues of SP Quill and much of her poetry was published in eight chapbooks (no longer sold online).

Since coming to Poetry Soup, Ms. Dietrich has been both contest sponsor and winner of numerous contests. In 2010, her poem "Cinder Girl" was first place winner of Soup's International contest (these contests are no longer held). A song was created from her lyrics "Honeymoon Serenade" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDWxc4cpHDc) and two movies have been made featuring the poetry of Andrea Dietrich: "A Tale of Fire and Ice" (a 4 min. Z-Film Fest Project, 2014) and the full length movie "Six Days of Sistine" in which 20 poems of Ms. Dietrichs serve as the thoughts of two characters played by Jamie Campbell Bower and Elarica Johnson (directed by Richard J. Perry, 2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7710360/

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Happy Birthday, Winter Solstice Baby "John"

Blog Posted:12/21/2020 9:06:00 AM

I feel stupid if I got this wrong, but I am pretty sure it's John Watt's birthday today. He really likes having this day as his birthday, and I don't blame him. What a cool time of the year to claim as one's birthday! John is one of the classiest guys here at Soup. He is not only a poet who gives meaningful and thoughtful comments to the poets of this site, but he is also a wonderful writer who has steadily increased in his talent and is always practicing to get better and better. John is a true gentleman of PoetrySoup. I am happy to count him as my friend! Happy Birthday, John.

WINTER SOLSTICE STARTS DECEMBER 21? Winter Solstice & Eclipse | Birthday greeting cards, Birthday greetings, Winter solstice

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Quoth
Theraven

Date: 12/24/2020 5:45:00 PM

John, Belated Happy Birthday wishes and hope for a very Merry Christmas too. I agree with everything Andrea wrote for the man of the Winter Solstice. Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love to all. -Richard

John Watt
Date: 12/25/2020 12:00:00 AM

Thank you for all the kind words and birthday/Christmas wishes. I wish all the same for you in return ~ John

Ann
Gilmour

Date: 12/22/2020 11:51:00 PM

A very Happy belated Birthday dear John, my moon loving friend. I hope you saw the Jupitor & Saturn conjunction~ though sadly I didn't there was too much cloud ~ but what a birthday treat for you my friend. Wow what a day to be born.... love and hugs from Ann xx

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:40:00 PM

Thank you, sky sibling! I have always enjoyed sharing my birthday with the winter solstice and longest night of the year and the sky was phenomenal that night. I appreciate you stopping by to wish me well, Ann. Hope your 2021 is a blessing. Hugs ~ John

Laura
Leiser

Date: 12/22/2020 6:05:00 PM

Happy Belated Birthday, John! How special that you get a well deserved acknowledgment from Andrea for your special day! I hope you saw the magnificent “star” last night with the planets aligning! God bless you, talented poetry “ brother”! :)

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:38:00 PM

Thank you, my friend. It was early 2016 you invited me to join Soup, yet it wasn't until 2020 that the wheels got out of the mud and starting rolling. I am so grateful to you for encouraging me to land here, it has really softened the blow of the pandemic and lockdown. Thanks for the kind birthday wishes, sister!

Constance
La France

Date: 12/22/2020 3:41:00 AM

Andrea, thanks for the blog. I agree with all you have written and a big Happy Birthday John _Constance

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:36:00 PM

I appreciate the kind words and birthday wishes, Constance. And yes, thank you Andrea!

Tania
Kitchin

Date: 12/22/2020 3:08:00 AM

Happy Birthday John, I hope you have a great one!

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:36:00 PM

It was a very lovely day, thank you for the birthday wishes, Tania ~ John

Beata
Agustin

Date: 12/21/2020 8:06:00 PM

Dear Bro. John, God be praised and thanked for granting you another year to experience His goodness, graciousness, and greatness in your life. A joyous, blessed birthday to you. Thanks likewise to Mam Andrea for this blog. God bless you.

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:35:00 PM

Thank you, Sis! God is good, indeed. Another year is a blessing from the Father. Thank you for your kind words ~ John

Mark
Koplin

Date: 12/21/2020 4:58:00 PM

Happy Birthday John!!

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:34:00 PM

Thanks, Mark. I like your new avatar on the lake! ~ John

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 12/21/2020 2:47:00 PM

Happy birthday and many returns of the day, John!:-) Have a ball, my friend! Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Andrea!

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:34:00 PM

Thank you for coming by to wish me well, Edward! Hope you have a lovely Christmas and a enjoyable and healthy 2021 ~ John

Eve
Roper

Date: 12/21/2020 1:07:00 PM

Happy Birthday again, John, enjoy your day with lots of love and cheer. Hugs Eve

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:33:00 PM

Thank you for stopping by to celebrate with me, Eve. God bless you this Christmas! Hugs ~ John

Vijay
Pandit

Date: 12/21/2020 12:34:00 PM

Happy Birthday John! Enjoy your special day.

John Watt
Date: 12/23/2020 3:32:00 PM

Thank you for the birthday wishes, Vijay. May 2021 be full of blessings for you ~ John

Brandy
Nicole

Date: 12/21/2020 11:28:00 AM

Andrea, you are so sweet and this blog makes my heart smile. John, I hope you have a Wonderful Birthday. Thank you for being here, for being you. Your kindness is appreciated. Your poetry is tender and heartfelt- so beautiful and uplifting. I am happy that I have met you here through words. Many Blessings to you. :) Hugs, Brandy

John Watt
Date: 12/21/2020 12:23:00 PM

Thank you for dropping by with your well wishes and sweet words, my friend. You were the first to welcome me a year ago when I started back in earnest at Soup and your warmth had a lot to do with helping me want to stay. Forever gratitude for your kindness. Christmas blessings to you, Brandy! Hugs ~ John

John
Watt

Date: 12/21/2020 10:59:00 AM

Andrea, to borrow one of your words, wowowow! I'm tickled fuchsia, and blushing to be so thoughtfully remembered by you and our Soup friends! Thank you all for making this such a great place to be in community; you all have made 2020 much more endurable. Christmas hugs to all ~ John

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/21/2020 1:18:00 PM

Glad you are tickled fuchsia, John. Through the years I have done a few birthday blogs for treasured friends. I am so glad you are one of them for me!

John Watt
Date: 12/21/2020 12:21:00 PM

Yes, Jupiter and Saturn aligning as the 'age of Aquarius' begins. I will be singing that song by the 5th Dimension as I gaze at the starry night!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/21/2020 11:30:00 AM

The Christmas star will also be shining in celebration of your birthday tonight, John. I hope you are able to see it where you are. Thank you for you heartwarming birthday remembrance, John. You are a very special person. Warmest birthday wishes.. ~Sue

Susan
Ashley

Date: 12/21/2020 10:56:00 AM

My dear friend, John, happy birthday to you! As you know, this day is very special to me, for you share this birthday with my beloved Mom, who I miss truly. It’s wonderful to celebrate this day with you, John. You are so kind, generous and such a gifted poet and commentator who manages to be inspiring, intellectual, artistic and charming all at the same time. Your shining presence is truly appreciated. May you enjoy your day to the fullest and may all your birthday wishes come true, my PS-PB <3 ~Susan

John Watt
Date: 12/21/2020 11:00:00 AM

Aww, thank you Susan. Your words go straight to my heart and I cherish them. Keep writing and inspiring my PS-PS. And happy birthday to your beloved Mom, RIP. Hugs ~ John

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/21/2020 10:57:00 AM

Thank you, Andrea, for posting this lovely blog to celebrate John’s birthday :))

Tom
Cunningham

Date: 12/21/2020 10:40:00 AM

He is a fine poet and a true gentleman Andrea and I hope he has a lovely birthday. Tom

John Watt
Date: 12/21/2020 11:03:00 AM

Tom, you are the role model of a true gentleman, so I treasure your remark. Thank you for the well wishes, hope you have a merry Christmas, my friend ~ John

Jan
Allison

Date: 12/21/2020 10:27:00 AM

Thanks for the blog and what a lovely tribute to John. Happy birthday John I hope you have a wonderful birthday:-) hugs jan xx

John Watt
Date: 12/21/2020 11:01:00 AM

Thank you, dear Jan. You have been one of the cherished friendships of the past year and always so generous with your comments. Hugs to you, poetry friend! ~ John

My Past Blog Posts


Please EDIT before I judge my contest: ONE LINE ONLY Date Posted: 2/25/2024 2:51:00 PM
Congrats, Sijo Winners Date Posted: 2/4/2024 11:28:00 AM
In Need of Clarification on putting info underneath poems Date Posted: 2/4/2024 9:09:00 AM
Note to Those who entered my Sijo Contest - blog slightly revised Date Posted: 2/3/2024 12:52:00 PM
About Sijo Date Posted: 1/14/2024 1:44:00 PM
Finally judging/ my Grinchy Rules/ A Gremlin in my Soup Date Posted: 12/22/2023 12:13:00 PM
Example of Ninette For Those Who Want To Try One for my Contest Date Posted: 11/7/2023 1:20:00 PM
Just Noticed Something Since we came back online Date Posted: 10/26/2023 1:25:00 PM
Going back to 50th high school Reunion Date Posted: 9/13/2023 11:57:00 PM
Please Recheck your entries for my July Etheree Contest/My Daughter Date Posted: 7/23/2023 4:48:00 PM
Why I am putting off judging my contest till next weekend Date Posted: 7/16/2023 2:00:00 PM
Joyce Johnson from 2022 at age 104 Date Posted: 6/28/2023 12:08:00 PM
Tributes to Harry Date Posted: 6/25/2023 2:00:00 PM
In Memorial: Beloved Soup poets Who Have Passed Away Date Posted: 5/28/2023 11:03:00 AM
Where is Nette Onclaud (as well as others who have wandered away)?? Date Posted: 5/25/2023 12:46:00 PM
Thanks, All who Supported my Tankacrostic Contest Date Posted: 4/8/2023 4:16:00 PM
Limerick Contest Judged at last Date Posted: 3/13/2023 3:55:00 PM
Poetry Phoenix - will others return? Date Posted: 3/13/2023 2:35:00 PM
A Blog on our dear Joyce Johnson Date Posted: 12/27/2022 9:41:00 AM
Chantelle is Well: Blog for Chantelle on Her Behalf Date Posted: 11/22/2022 10:06:00 AM
Blog for Our Friend Chantelle Date Posted: 11/20/2022 12:41:00 PM
Tributes to Connie Finalized Date Posted: 10/30/2022 4:37:00 PM
News on Connie's Memorial Service for Anyone Interested Date Posted: 10/11/2022 3:52:00 PM
Remember September is Judged; New Tribute Contest to be Posted Date Posted: 9/23/2022 8:53:00 PM
I am Shocked and Greatly Saddened: My Dear Friend Connie M. Passed Away Date Posted: 9/13/2022 1:12:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
4/25/2024	In His Image	Etheree	god,
4/23/2024	LIFE	Acrostic	life,
4/23/2024	John's Visit: Ephemera theme	Free verse	boyfriend,
4/22/2024	Wishing for Dawn	Rhyme	rights,war,
4/21/2024	Zinnia	Sonnet	flower,
4/19/2024	Reverse Graffiti	Other	light,
4/19/2024	Confluence	Shape	peace,
4/19/2024	After the Floods	Sonnet	rain,
4/17/2024	Yearn	Sonnet	passion,
4/16/2024	That Was Then; This is Now	Etheree	identity,
4/15/2024	Forgotten Field of Forever	Free verse	childhood,war,
4/15/2024	High Fidelity	Free verse	inspiration,
4/13/2024	Reverse Graffiti	Other	light,moon,
4/12/2024	For Spring I Sing	Sonnet	seasons,
4/11/2024	Write	List	write,
4/10/2024	Bird Footles -2	Footle	bird,
4/9/2024	Beach Fun for My Feet	Verse	beach,
4/8/2024	Footles for the Birds	Footle	bird,
4/8/2024	One New Year’s Eve	Senryu	new year,
4/6/2024	If Giraffes	Limerick	animal,
4/6/2024	What Happens to Our Socks	Rhyme	humorous,
4/4/2024	Babel	Rhyme	society,
4/3/2024	Sweet Rose	Ode	rose,
3/31/2024	Vanish	Rhyme	people,
3/30/2024	Daniel Defoe	Clerihew	writing,
3/26/2024	A Canary and Cat Tale	Limerick	cat,
3/26/2024	A Hunger Unfed	Prose	people,
3/25/2024	I’ll Always Be Loving You	Lyric	love,
3/25/2024	Dispatch for Bus Drivers : Search That Bus	Rhyme	school,
3/23/2024	Sun	Personification	sun,
3/23/2024	Our Family Legend Dale	Acrostic	brother,
3/22/2024	An Interview with the Color Blue	Narrative	blue,
3/21/2024	Queen Sea	Rispetto	water,
3/20/2024	Lanterne Laterns for the Season	Lanterne	spring,
3/19/2024	Of Writing on Black and White	Rhyme	color,
3/19/2024	I Wish I Had	Etheree	relationship,
3/18/2024	Utterly	List	life,
3/17/2024	Woven Worlds	Other	nature,
3/16/2024	Appreciation	Acrostic	people,
3/13/2024	La Di Da	Rhyme	pride,
3/11/2024	Tattered	Sonnet	heartbreak,
3/10/2024	William Wordsworth	Clerihew	poets,
3/9/2024	A World Without War	Acrostic	war,
3/9/2024	Once Upon a Time	Free verse	life,
3/8/2024	Guess Who	Rhyme	celebrity,
3/8/2024	Daffodil	Personification	flower,
3/7/2024	Spring Sonata	Free verse	spring,
3/6/2024	I Am the One	Sonnet	time,
3/3/2024	The Gigglemug - Dodo	Dodoitsu	giggle,
3/3/2024	Soft	List	remember,
3/2/2024	Beauty	Rhyme	love,
3/1/2024	If Mama Ain't Happy	Rhyme	mother,
3/1/2024	Michael Cain	Clerihew	today,
2/29/2024	Misused	Lyric	lost love,
2/28/2024	Bunnies	Rhyme	animal,
2/27/2024	Spontaneity	Rhyme	fun,
2/27/2024	Sheep Valentine	Couplet	love,
2/26/2024	To those who entered my One Line of Alliteration: The Name Game contest	Monoku	poets,
2/25/2024	Redamancy	Sedoka	kiss,
2/25/2024	Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater - the rest of the story	Rhyme	anti bullying,
2/24/2024	Magic Minichu	Rhyme	magic,
2/23/2024	It Started with a Blank Canvas	Etheree	beach,
2/22/2024	Building Tension	Sonnet	romance,
2/21/2024	She	Rhyme	mythology,tree,
2/20/2024	Rambling	Sonnet	travel,
2/20/2024	On Contests	Tanka	writing,
2/19/2024	Robert Frost	Clerihew	poets,
2/19/2024	I Am	Couplet	love,
2/17/2024	In Spring	Etheree	spring,
2/16/2024	Beatles McCartney, Lennon, Harrison and Starr	Verse	teen love,
2/14/2024	Gotta Go, Gotta Go Right Now	Rhyme	humorous,
2/14/2024	Edgar Allen Poe	Clerihew	literature,
2/13/2024	Life’s Wonderful	Kyrielle	life,
2/12/2024	Pearl of the Orient	Quatern	international,
2/11/2024	Part-time ESL Teacher - PS	Blank verse	jobs,
2/11/2024	Male Slang Footle Names - final part	Footle	boy,
2/10/2024	One Spring Long Ago	Personification	love hurts,
2/10/2024	Heloise - First Draft	Triolet	love hurts,
2/5/2024	Quiescent	Sonnet	peace,
2/4/2024	Rid of You	Lyric	moving on,
2/2/2024	Discombobulation and Beyond	Rhyme	dark,
2/2/2024	Charlotte Bronte	Clerihew	writing,
2/1/2024	Undone	Quatern	lost love,
1/30/2024	A January Hiku	Haiku	day,
1/30/2024	Spice of Life	Blitz	food,fun,
1/29/2024	Male Footle Slang Names: Part 7	Footle	humorous,
1/28/2024	You Rogue	Quatern	love hurts,
1/27/2024	Moon Vacations in 2050	Free verse	moon,
1/25/2024	Agatha Christie	Clerihew	woman,
1/24/2024	A Poem on My Pets	Rhyme	pets,
1/21/2024	A Modern Valentine: Define The Relationship, Please	Limerick	valentines day,
1/21/2024	Bike Ride	Footle	youth,
1/21/2024	Tea Can Be the Spice of Life	Prose Poetry	drink,
1/19/2024	Perpetual	Sonnet	philosophy,
1/19/2024	On Seeing the Moon	Fibonacci	moon,
1/18/2024	Rummaging To Find My Favorite Thing	Prose	youth,
1/18/2024	Like a Sunbeam	Limerick	love,
1/17/2024	Before the Day Turned Into Night	Quatorzain	nature,
1/17/2024	A Compromising Position	Rhyme	philosophy,
1/15/2024	Awaken and of Sweet Joy Partake	Quintain (Sicilian)	joy,

My Photos

ps_2009 vacation.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
The Stone	Elegy	death,love,
A Winter Night	Lyric	imagination,nature,
Violin	Personification	death,love,rose,
Just Wait and See	Free verse	nature,science,space,
My White Lace Tablecloth	Narrative	family,forgiveness,friend
A Limerick Christmas Three (3) .	Limerick	funny,seasons,thank you,c
Always Mothers Day	Rhyme	funny,mother,thank you,me
A Pirate Jay	Light Verse	animals,
Divine Splendor	Blank verse	introspection,nature,scie
Brother - Billy	Narrative	brother,childhood,family,
Umbrella	Personification	confusion,devotion,life,l
You Played Me	Personification	confusion,imagination,mus
Concept of Time	Free verse	nature
Jingle	Free verse	funny,life,music
An Ever-Changing Universe	Narrative	mysterylight,light,univer
Transcendence	Tanka	fantasy,imagination,natur
Spaces .... the Earth Moved .....	Imagism	love
December Sun .	Rhyme	naturewinter,sun,winter,
A Whisper On the Wind	Personification	nature,
Footsteps	Free verse	fatherme,me,
If Ever	Free verse	love,
Dreams Like Light-Waves	Prose Poetry	imaginationautumn,
A Fantsy World	Haiku
September Song (Triple Tanka)	Tanka	nature
Where the Sycamore Grew	Narrative	autumn,family,house,life,
Perfect Nature	Haiku	nature
Wild Love	Narrative	garden,love,rose,sweet,
Positive Perspective	Tanka	inspirational
My Pilot Light	Verse	inspirational,introspecti
Love's Echos	Free verse	lovevoice,love,me,voice,
For Wifey	Rhyme	loveme,love,me,i love you
Alabaster Night	Free verse	nature,planet,sea,
Causalities of War	Elegy	death,war,
" Ike and Jane "- Sequence 2	Light Verse	funny,love,wifeme,me,time
Pretty Orchids	Free verse	caregiving,happiness,hope
Even a Sparrow Soars	Free verse	animals
My Piano Knows	Verse	devotion,happiness,holida
Dancing With the Stars	Free verse	nature,scienceblue,
The Unrequited Mantra	Free verse	devotion,hope,lost love,l
Fig Tree, New Year's Day	Narrative	naturewinter,winter,new y
Poets At-Large	Free verse	life,
To Know You	Free verse	devotion,husband
Moved To Tears By Josh Groban	Verse	music,on writing and word
Sequence-Sonnet	Lanterne	life,love,on writing and
Reflections	Free verse	happiness,life,lovesun,
Somber Is the Color of the Day	Free verse	day,light,me,winter,words
A Winter Rose - a Sonnet	Sonnet	rose,winter,
The Word Weaver	Free verse	introspection,lifeme,
Each Day a Gift	Free verse	inspirational,introspecti
Contrary Kisses	Free verse	inspirational,introspecti
She Waits...	Free verse	art,hopelonging,
Blue Heaven	Haiku	nature
A Death In the Sun	Free verse	hope,seasons
My Reason For Living	Free verse	husband
Terra Firma	Haiku	nature,science,time
How Could I Have Known	Free verse	husband,love,mystery
True Poetry In Motion?	Free verse	inspirationalmay,
Frozen In Time	Free verse	seasonssnow,snow,
Forgotten Treasure	Light Verse	adventure,art,beauty,enco
Putting On Makeup	Rhyme	introspection,sad,
Desire	Light Verse	butterfly,flower,life,los
Love? Bah!	Rhyme	lost love,lovelove,
Whiteness	Acrostic	tribute,
The Ghost of My Lonely	Kyrielle	dream,me,mystery,
Real Life Shoe Fable	Clerihew	husband
December 21, 2012	Limerick	business,funny,holiday,ph
Black and Blue	Rhyme	abuse,funny,husband,me,
The Return	Free verse	childhood,
Foreboding	Haiku	mystery,nature
Purple Flowers of My Adolescence	Free verse	allegory,angst,urban,
Love Like a Mighty Oak	Haiku	love,nature,tree,me,me,
The Farewell Performance	Free verse	lifefilm,
A Song At Sunrise	Couplet	faithsong,song,
Cloud - Recited	Free verse	me,nature,
Darkness	Rhyme	love,
Beat Out the Rhythm	Rhyme	funny
A Lovers World and Dreamers Dream	Rhyme	fantasy,love,heart,dream,
Andrea Dietrich	Rhyme	friendship,inspirational,
Fickle-Foolish-Footles - Man's Best Friend	Footle	animal,dog,funny,
What Do the Stars Tell a Lover's Heart	Free verse	adventure,fantasy,happine
Picnics and Sand	Quatrain	beach,humorous,
The Green Checkered Face	Free verse	food,happinessheart,heart
Your Single Glance	Rhyme	romance,
Fireflies	Haibun	love,nature,me,light,ligh
Play It	Free verse	inspirational,love,music,
Sun and Moon	Dramatic Verse	beauty,devotion,heart,
My Farewell	Prose Poetry	lost,love,nostalgia,pain,
O'Er the Battlements I Do Roam	Dramatic Verse	war,home,home,
Twilight's Fading Light	Free verse	life,nature
Love Embraced	Tanka	love,autumn,
Marble In Columns On Green	Couplet	brother,daughter,father,h
Teacher's Pet	Rhyme	people,
An Old Man's Crumbles	Light Verse	life,old,work,memory,life
The Loss of the Rose	Free verse	goodbye,rose,
Touching Me	Free verse	love,passion,
I Will Be Strong	Free verse	angst,husband,lossme,
A Pink Rose	Tanka	childhood,happiness,rose,
Melting Into You	Free verse	how i feel,romance,
Nature and I	Free verse	creation,earth,nature,
The Beauty of Yore	Free verse	nostalgia