Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Why I am putting off judging my contest till next weekend

Why I am putting off judging my contest till next weekend - Andrea Dietrich's Blog

About Andrea Dietrich

(Show Details...)

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/

Home
Past Blogs
Poems
Photos
Fav Poems
Fav Poets

Why I am putting off judging my contest till next weekend

Blog Posted:7/16/2023 2:00:00 PM

Hey, my friends reading this. Forgive me for not being hastier. This has turned into one of the worst summers of my family's life. Lots of crazy problems, but I want to ask prayers for my daughter Angela. A few weeks ago, after having already had two bad things happen to her, she got the unfortunate news that she has breast cancer. i had mine at age 60, so I was really shocked to kmow my daughter got it at age 46. Unlike me, they suspect it might also be in her lymphe nodes. If this is true, she will require chemo first instead of surgery. I turned chemo down but I did not have cancer in my lymphe nodes, so I feel really sad and scared for Angela. Nobody knows how stressful it is to hear this kind of news unless it happened to you or a loved one. I'll be busy this week with work, my son visiting from Oregon and going to tests at hospital with my daughter.. Wish us luck. I pray she will be able to avoid chemo as I did.

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

Ink
Empress

Date: 12/2/2023 11:31:00 AM

I just figured out how to read blogs by poets and i saw this and I just wanted to check if your daughter is ok now? I remember when my twin sister had precancer and also my aunt had breast cancer I was literally crying all the time. You are truly a strong soul and mother, im sending my prayers to you and your family, and i wish and hope for the best dear andrea.

Ink Empress
Date: 12/3/2023 8:14:00 PM

Oh gosh dear andrea, im so sorry to know all this, how terrible is that. Ive never heard of this medicine, i wish your daughter will get better soon too. You are so strong. Reading this made me realize what a strong soul you really are. Ill keep you both in my thoughts and send you light always.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/3/2023 1:04:00 PM

Thanks for your comment here. My daughter is half done with the total number of months for treatments. I can only pray she does not get side effects down the road. They talked me into a bone strengthener after cancer. Later I found out it was not necessary. This drug called Prolia has absolutely ruined my life I took myself off it but 7 years later it caused nothing but aggravation on my nervous system . cancer was a cake walk compared to what Prolia did to me.

Susan
Woodrow

Date: 7/27/2023 5:09:00 PM

Oh goodness Andrea! I just saw this and it’s devastating news. I recall how we were talking about chemotherapy when you had your diagnosis… i told you then about my physician friend who got it in her left breast with spread to her nodes and she refused chemotherapy for surgery and radiation coz they are more localized than chemotherapy which is systemic. She was diagnosed in her fifties and still cancer free in her seventies now then I watched my best friend waste away for five years on chemo that never stopped but kept her miserable each time she had a new session of it! She never returned to normalcy and had 5 long years of it.. quality of life matters and chemo takes it away

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/3/2023 12:59:00 PM

Yes I fear for my daughter. Of what might be the long term ramifications of the chemo. She is half done with them. Two more months and then the radiation. Doctors are awful scaring people into chemo with their lies . He told her 100 percent she would get worse without chemo. No one is keeping tabs on the souls fighting with natural means.

Kim
Rodrigues

Date: 7/24/2023 5:23:00 AM

Angela is in my prayers.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/25/2023 7:18:00 AM

Thanks, Kim. She will be ok. I just feel sad for all she has to go through

Sandra
Haight

Date: 7/23/2023 10:29:00 AM

Dear Andrea, I am so sorry to read the update about your dear daughter, Angela. I am hoping and praying for good news results about the Pet Scan on Tuesday. Hugs, Sandra

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/23/2023 4:55:00 PM

We have high hopes on that one, Or I will be devastated for her!

Jan
Allison

Date: 7/22/2023 10:07:00 AM

aww Andrea I'm so sorry to read the latest update, please focus on the family and forget about the soup contest, thinking of you all. Hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2023 10:20:00 AM

It's ok. the worst is over (knowing basically what she's got and what the plan is) She is still worried, however, about the Pet Scan on Tuesday. I am going to be back to life as normal . My daughter does not live super close by, but I will be seeing her a lot more often than in the past!

Susan
Ashley

Date: 7/22/2023 7:31:00 AM

Dear Andrea, I am so sorry to read this update about Angela. I can't imagine how heartsick you must be over this. What a comfort your presence must be to Angela during this harrowing time. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your daughter. May God's grace see you both through to a place of hope, healing and renewed health. Warmest wishes and hugs my friend.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2023 10:18:00 AM

Thanks, Susan. I will just be doing my normal routines now. Because of my job, I probably won't be able to attend the chemo treatments with her unless she has ones scheduled Mondays and Fridays. My husband has therapies coming up too and I have to take him to those often on Mondays or Fridays

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 7/21/2023 5:02:00 PM

UPDATE. My daughter has cancer in her lymphe nodes. So she will be doing chemo with radiation later on. The entire process will probably take 7 months and I am so sick to death that she has to undergo chem, feel sick and lose her hair. I know people think holistic approach is crazy, but I think chemo has bad effects down the road, so I feel very conflicted about the whole mess. Thanks for your prayers. Now we are just hoping next week's PET scan will not pick up cancer anywhere else in her body. That would raise her level of cancer from stage 2 to something else and she would feel so hopeless. Bless all my friends for caring.

Susan Woodrow
Date: 7/27/2023 5:13:00 PM

Chemo then radiation???? Wow that is like the most toxic protocol! No surgery? Did she get a second opinion?

Michael Tor
Date: 7/22/2023 11:10:00 PM

Andrea if your daughter can spend the time, have her read Seven Steps to Health by Max Sidorov, KN. Still praying for her and I do not believe her doctor as far as patients coming back to him after Holistic treatment. May be a few but The Gerson Diet is incredibly successful at curing most cancers. Also just recently there was a Medical expert on Brighteon.com that stated they are having great success with the consumption of Apricot seeds for stopping cancer. Please check out and inform your daughter... I will keep praying for her...

Michael Tor
Date: 7/22/2023 10:58:00 PM

Dear Andrea I just want to share that in my humble opinion Holistic is the way to go. The chemo they use today has many new drugs put in it that based on my research are terrible drugs. Max Gerson a famous German Dr was extremely successful with his Mostly vegan diet for his patients, and organic coffee enemas. His success rate for most cancers was outstanding much better results than chemo. Healing the Gerson Way is the book his Daughter wrote based on Max's career in healing.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/22/2023 10:16:00 AM

The doctors try to scare their patients. My daughter's oncologist told her that every single patient who refused his chemo for holistic approach came to him with cancer even worse. I believe this to be exaggeration because I've heard many stories to the contrary. But it's my daughter's decision, and there are no great places around here that offer decent approaches. Even if she found such a clinic, insurance would not pay for it.

Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 7/22/2023 5:24:00 AM

so sorry to hear this news, dear andrea..i don't think a holistic approach is crazy, not at all

Paula
Goldsmith

Date: 7/21/2023 1:58:00 PM

Family comes first. You/family are on my prayer list. God is powerful. Have a very blessed weekend/week ahead...............

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/21/2023 5:03:00 PM

Thanks, Paula.

Alexis
Y.

Date: 7/21/2023 7:10:00 AM

Hi Andrea, I have not been on the soup for a little while. It saddens me to come here today and read this heartbreaking news. My thoughts and prayers are for your daughter, you and entire family as you all deal with devastating news. Your friend Alexis.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/21/2023 9:48:00 AM

Thanks Alexis. I am meeting in two hours with her at the oncologist where I suppose she will get answers on the biopsies.

Speaks
Volumes

Date: 7/21/2023 12:22:00 AM

Dear Andrea your daughter is the same age as mine. I know first hand what terrible heartbreak it is to get such news. Angela will be in my prayers until we get the good news that she is cancer free once more. Stay strong dear lady. she will need to see your smiles. ... SV

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/21/2023 9:49:00 AM

Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness.

Sam
Kauffman

Date: 7/20/2023 11:38:00 AM

Oh, Andrea! Please know I send you continued prayers! May God's abiding wings of healing overshadow all of you in this time of uncertainty and pain. Blessings to you dear friend!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/20/2023 12:30:00 PM

Thanks so much, sweetie.

Charles
Messina

Date: 7/20/2023 3:28:00 AM

Oh, Andrea. I am so very sorry. I will pray for your daughter and your family. Have faith, dear friend.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/20/2023 10:25:00 AM

Thanks, Charles. So sweet of you

Sara
Kendrick

Date: 7/20/2023 12:46:00 AM

I am saddened to learn this, Andrea. I can't imagine the emotions you must be experiencing right now with this news. I know you must be extremely excited though with your son home to visit which much be like a breath of fresh air in the valley of upheaval. The treatment of all types of cancer has improved over the years so the survival rate is much better now. I hope all goes well with her test's results. Sara

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/20/2023 6:47:00 PM

Thanks ,sweet friend. Somehow I missed responding to you the other day. We are still in the dark but tomorrow I will be with her at the oncologist's. Hope we get more answers then,

Susan
Ashley

Date: 7/19/2023 8:10:00 PM

Dear Andrea, I am keeping both you and your daughter, Angela, in my thoughts and prayers. I know the agony and heartache of having a seriously ill daughter. Indeed it is scary and stressful for you, your daughter and for your family. I’m sure it’s a comfort for your daughter to have you there with her as she goes through the ordeal of testing and waiting for results. Please take care of yourself during this trying time. Warmest wishes for the best possible outcome for Angela and hugs to you my friend.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/20/2023 10:43:00 AM

thanks, she does really want me to go to all her appts with her because she knows I went through this too. She says she now understands how scary it was for me and feels bad that she did not do more for me. It's so weird to have someone important in your life end up having the same situation as yourself and then they realize how scared you were. And you know what they are going through but can think of nothing much to do except try to be as positive as possible. I put her immediately on the Essiac tea I use. It's actually shrunken tumors and is used by many like me to prevent cancer from occurring again. I bought a lot of that tea for her!

Lisa
Ricci

Date: 7/19/2023 5:12:00 AM

Hello Andrea. Good Morning. I'm sorry for being late in seeing such a serious message and note. Breast Cancer and Cancer itself is near and dear to my heart. May your daughter have a wonderful medical team by her side and may God and his angels be by her side as well. With thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, Blessings Always. Keep the faith and all your strength. May you and your daughter surround yourselves with beauty peace love and more. PS - without saying I am sorry for your scare and continued health as well Andrea.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/19/2023 6:28:00 AM

Thanks , Lisa, and thanks for thinking of me too. I have very weird side effects from the bone strengthener they gave me after cancer. They left me with something very hard to live with, and this is why I have a hard time trusting them.

Bj
Legros Kelley

Date: 7/19/2023 12:48:00 AM

I am so very sorry Andrea, I will definitely be praying for her, and you as her mama. Hugs to you sweet dear, there is nothing more important than your family.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/19/2023 6:26:00 AM

Thanks, BJ. We all had a lovely time together last night

Tom
Woody

Date: 7/18/2023 3:07:00 PM

So sorry Andrea. PS is unimportant

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:11:00 PM

Thanks, Tom

Di11y
Da11y

Date: 7/18/2023 1:45:00 PM

Very sorry to hear this Andrea - sending best wishes for good outcomes and strength during this difficult time x

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:12:00 PM

Thanks, Dilly Dally. The MRI machine broke, so my daughter is still in the dark!

Robert L.
Hinshaw

Date: 7/18/2023 1:19:00 PM

Andrea, I am saddened to learn of your daughters situation and I will certainly include you both in my prayers. I too received bad news earlier this year.. My daughter Leslie,had anal cancer, but thank God with chemo, radiation, good docs and many prayers on her behalf she has so far conquered it and thankfully it did not spread.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:12:00 PM

Very good to hear, Robert. Thanks for the prayers.

Craig
Cornish

Date: 7/18/2023 12:44:00 PM

Such humbling perspective Andrea - health and happiness have no peer and love no equal - God bless...

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:13:00 PM

That's for sure true, Craig.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/18/2023 3:07:00 PM

Hello Cwaigy. Yes very sad

Constance
La France

Date: 7/18/2023 8:41:00 AM

Andrea, this is such sad news, as a mother you must be so terrified for your child, I will be saying prayers for her and for you and your family, the contest can wait. Take care of your family first. Love you Andrea, your friend, Dear Heart aka Constance

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:55:00 AM

thanks so much, Dear Heart. It's so scary for my daughter. She was hyperventilating before her mammogram, and this was before we even knew it might be in her lymph nodes. She is such an emotional person. I just wish I knew how to help her with her stress.

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 7/18/2023 7:38:00 AM

Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this sad, shocking news, my friend. Sending prayers to you and your daughter, Angela. I'll keep her in my thoughts. Best of luck to you both! *Hugs*

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 10:54:00 AM

Thanks so much, Edward

Anitha
Jayasankar

Date: 7/18/2023 2:50:00 AM

Ria, my thoughts and prayers always with you and dear Angela.. Stay strong my friend... Am sure Angela will make it through and all will be fine. Let's pray that no chemo be done... Big hugs... ~ Ani

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 7:10:00 AM

Thanks, dear Ani.

Suzette
Richards

Date: 7/18/2023 1:16:00 AM

One suffers more in your children. My daughter of 40, was diagnosed with a rare condition (EDS) with not a favourable prognosis. I keep to myself as most people might not understand the rollercoaster of emotions one endures. I can understand your distress, Andrea. Praying for your daughter and family.

Suzette Richards
Date: 7/18/2023 10:17:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 7:11:00 AM

thanks, and I am so sorry about your daughter. I pray she will be ok, Suzette. It's hard to see them suffer.

Jan
Allison

Date: 7/17/2023 11:51:00 PM

Aww andrea, thinking of you both my friend. She is so so lucky to have your support and YOU need our support here on soup. as you know I had no support from my parents with my hubby's cancer but then I discovered writing and it's got me through. Hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/18/2023 7:11:00 AM

Thanks, Jan, my friend forever!!

Bill
Baker

Date: 7/17/2023 3:16:00 PM

Sara and I will be praying for Angela and your family as you all face this situation, Andrea. Thanks for letting us know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Bill & Sara

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:31:00 PM

Thanks,Bill. There are so many caring souls here

Richard D
Seal

Date: 7/17/2023 3:13:00 PM

Best of luck to your daughter. I know how stressful this can be, just stay positive. Take care, Richard

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:31:00 PM

Thanks. We will know more in a few days.

Arlo
Parker

Date: 7/17/2023 2:00:00 PM

Prayers lifted for your family in this time of fear and doubt. The Lord knows about this and is at your side (and Angela's) every step of the way. Bless.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:30:00 PM

Thanks for the prayer, Arlo.

Robert
Lindley

Date: 7/17/2023 1:56:00 PM

My friend, I am very sorry that you are facing such a terrible disease with your beloved daughter. Same kind of cancer that took my beloved wife, Riza. Prayers said for your daughter and your entire family. God bless....

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:30:00 PM

I remember. It has taken many lives. So sorry for your horrible loss, Robert.

Mark
Toney

Date: 7/17/2023 10:08:00 AM

Andrea, my wife and I are so sorry that you all are going through this. We will keep Angela, you, and the rest of your dear family in our thoughts and prayers.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:29:00 PM

Thanks so much, Mark

Subimal
Sinha-Roy

Date: 7/17/2023 7:52:00 AM

It is shocking to everyone, especially to the mother. She will surely recover fully with the blessings of God.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thanks, Subimal. So kind of you

Unseeking
Seeker

Date: 7/17/2023 7:19:00 AM

This is sad news, Andrea. Medical science has made huge advancements and I hope that Angela holds her courage strong to go through the treatment and make a full recovery. Be positive. God bless, I will keep her in my prayers.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thanks. I have little trust in chemotherapy. But it is what it is and I must hope for the best.

Mike
Gentile

Date: 7/17/2023 4:36:00 AM

I am so sorry to read this and defining sending thoughts and prayers for your and your daughter Andrea!! Positive thinking, she will be fine!!!!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:26:00 PM

I wish I I were a better positive thinker. But life has beat me down so often I am just jaded. Thanks, Mike.

Darlene
De Beaulieu

Date: 7/17/2023 4:32:00 AM

Hello Andrea, This is shocking news. I will keep you in my prayers. Andrea. I will pray for Angela. Thank you for telling us. Keep us posted. Hugs. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 8/9/2023 11:34:00 AM

Hello Andrea, Okay that is fine with me. Hugs .xx/Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 8/8/2023 3:26:00 PM

Hello Andrea, How is your daughter doing now? Let me know. Thank you. Hugs. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 7/18/2023 4:31:00 AM

Hello Andrea, okay Andrea. I hope it will be good news. You are in my prayers. Hugs. /Darlene\

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:25:00 PM

Thanks, Darlene. I will post if there is good news, meaning no chemo.

Vijay
Pandit

Date: 7/17/2023 4:30:00 AM

Sending my thoughts and prayers your way, Andrea--for you and your daughter. Wishing you the best outcome.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:24:00 PM

Thanks for your prayers, Vijay

Paulette
Calasibetta

Date: 7/17/2023 4:09:00 AM

Andrea, sending healing prayers for your daughter Angela. God Bless her. Paulette

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:23:00 PM

Thank you, Paulette

Michael
Tor

Date: 7/17/2023 2:59:00 AM

Andrea I am so sorry to hear such sad news. I will definitely pray for Angela that she overcomes. I recommend if I may a book Healing the Gerson Way...

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:22:00 PM

Thanks. Sadly I think my daughter is too afraid to go against her doctor. Also there are no alternative clinics around here and I don't think insurance supports them anyway. It is a crying shame how fixated the medical system is on chemo and nothing else.

Joanna
Daniel

Date: 7/17/2023 2:39:00 AM

Praying for your daughter and that God may strengthen you and all in the family..

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:19:00 PM

Thanks, sweet lady.

Mandy
Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 7/16/2023 11:33:00 PM

My heart goes out to you Andrea, I understand the shock as my sister was diagnosed 2 years ago, and she is recovered now. I pray this outcome will be so for your daughter. xx

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/17/2023 10:19:00 PM

Thanks, dear. So glad your sister is ok now.

Beata
Agustin

Date: 7/16/2023 8:24:00 PM

I'm with you in prayer, believing that God is the greatest Healer. God bless you.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:24:00 PM

Thank you. Beata

Kim
Merryman

Date: 7/16/2023 7:27:00 PM

Praying for you and your daughter, Andrea! I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. Blessings, Kim M

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:29:00 PM

Thanks, Kim.

Andy
Chunn

Date: 7/16/2023 6:43:00 PM

So sorry to hear this Andrea. Our prayers are with your daughter and your whole family in this time of trial.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thanks so much, Andy.

Eve
Roper

Date: 7/16/2023 6:29:00 PM

My prayers, my friend

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thanks, Eve.

J.
Summers

Date: 7/16/2023 6:21:00 PM

So sorry to hear this, my thoughts and prayers for you both. John

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thank you

Lin
Lane

Date: 7/16/2023 4:54:00 PM

My prayers and thoughts are with you and Angela. You're dealing with a mother's nightmare, Andrea. Take care of yourself during this ordeal and let us know how things are going when you can. Judging your contest is not your priority at the moment. Hugs.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thanks, Lin. My daughter is such a good person. I was really shocked by the news.

Tania
Kitchin

Date: 7/16/2023 4:06:00 PM

Andrea, so sorry to hear, keeping you in my thoughts and sending get well wishes for a full recovery for your daughter Angela.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 4:46:00 PM

Thanks, Tania. I know she will make it through ok but I really worry about chemo because cancer automatically cuts one's lifespan, and i am pretty sure chemo worsens it. I will be so sad if she has to have chemo

Beryl
Edmonds

Date: 7/16/2023 3:29:00 PM

So sorry to hear this Andrea and I will definitely be praying for Angela, you and family. Belle

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 4:45:00 PM

Thanks, Belle.

Sandra
Haight

Date: 7/16/2023 3:23:00 PM

Oh, Andrea, I am saddened to hear this bad news. I know how worried you must be. Our younger daughter had a very bad heart attack last summer at age 58, requiring 3 stents. Please know that I will be praying for Angela and that she receives the very best treatment for a cure, and you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers too. Virtual hugs coming your way. Sandra

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 10:32:00 PM

It's terrible when things run in the family

Sandra Haight
Date: 7/16/2023 5:40:00 PM

Thank you for asking, Andrea. She is doing much better, but she needs to be very careful in maintaining a good diet, exercising, taking meds, etc. Coronary Artery disease runs in the family on my hubby's side. :(

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/16/2023 4:44:00 PM

thanks so much, Sandra. How is your daughter doing now?

My Past Blog Posts


Judging my haiku contest finally/ what I am noticing Date Posted: 5/26/2025 3:35:00 PM
Foodie Pleiades Contest Finalized Date Posted: 4/28/2025 12:15:00 PM
My Contest Finally Judged Date Posted: 3/22/2025 3:59:00 PM
That's Life! GREAT JOB, Contestants Date Posted: 3/2/2025 1:21:00 PM
Congrats to Winners of my Second Chance Pleiades Challenge Date Posted: 1/1/2025 8:28:00 PM
Happy Birthday to a New Year Baby Date Posted: 12/31/2024 12:33:00 PM
About my Current Contest Date Posted: 12/23/2024 11:41:00 PM
Alouette Me - Finally judged - Congrats to ALL my Winners Date Posted: 12/2/2024 4:41:00 PM
Regarding my Pleiades Contest - Please Read if you are a Contestant Date Posted: 11/1/2024 4:14:00 PM
WORD CRIMES - Short, fun music video on common grammar mistakes Date Posted: 10/14/2024 12:04:00 PM
Thanks & Congrats to Published Poets: A Special thanks to Emile Pinet Date Posted: 10/7/2024 4:03:00 PM
MISSING SOUPERS Date Posted: 9/15/2024 10:17:00 AM
Been Away/ Hope to get contest placements up by weekend Date Posted: 8/29/2024 1:15:00 PM
Is anyone else having problems entering any contests? Date Posted: 8/5/2024 12:28:00 AM
Is it true...? Date Posted: 8/1/2024 1:03:00 PM
Tankacrostic examples for those having difficulties understanding how it goes Date Posted: 7/10/2024 1:37:00 PM
As I Wait for my Contest Results to Post Date Posted: 6/30/2024 4:43:00 PM
Is anyone having these problems? Date Posted: 6/20/2024 1:11:00 PM
Contestants - Poofread your Andaree Date Posted: 4/29/2024 12:14:00 AM
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

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
5/30/2025	At the Point of No Return	Rhyme	inspirational,integrity,
5/29/2025	woeful	Senryu	angst,
5/29/2025	As We Metamorphose	Rhyme	spiritual,
5/28/2025	Deep in Greenwood Cemetery	Sonnet	anniversary,death,
5/28/2025	Of Crayon Box Dreams	Sonnet	fantasy,
5/27/2025	a sweet hiku	Haiku	romantic love,
5/27/2025	Of Memories Buried	Rhyme	memory,
5/26/2025	Lad Humpty Dumpty	Rhyme	humorous,
5/26/2025	White	Free verse	color,
5/25/2025	Breathless He Left Me	Acrostic	romantic love,
5/25/2025	grapes	Haiku	fruit,
5/24/2025	Along with the Thunder	Rhyme	abuse,
5/23/2025	budding pear hiku	Haiku	tree,
5/21/2025	Walk in the Light	Rhyme	evil,light,
5/20/2025	Abandon Shadows: Embrace Sun	Rhyme	life,
5/19/2025	My Hairied History	Other	growth,hair,
5/18/2025	All This Summer Day	Quatrain	romantic love,
5/18/2025	Yummy Food Makes Me Smile	Couplet	food,
5/17/2025	Unintended Innuendo	Rhyme	cheer up,
5/16/2025	Jean-Jacques Rousseau	Clerihew	philosophy,
5/15/2025	Claude Monet	Clerihew	art,
5/14/2025	Flashbacks	Verse	lost love,
5/14/2025	An Ode To My Three Strong Traits	Ode	psychological,
5/13/2025	Memorial Day	Sonnet	war,
5/12/2025	supplanted	Haiku	spring,
5/12/2025	a sunflower hiku	Haiku	flower,
5/12/2025	Four Seasons of Love	Rhyme	lost love,
5/11/2025	a spring monoku	Monoku	spring,
5/11/2025	the forest	Free verse	nature,
5/9/2025	To Fly	Verse	flying,
5/9/2025	Emotional Shrapnel	Free verse	abuse,
5/8/2025	honey bee hiku	Haiku	flower,
5/7/2025	a summer hiku	Haiku	summer,
5/7/2025	Road Trip	Verse	travel,
5/6/2025	On Ecclesiastes 9:10	Rhyme	bible,
5/5/2025	The Three Primary Colors	Quintain (English)	color,
5/4/2025	Behind the Clown’s Big Smile	Rhyme	angst,
5/3/2025	peak hiku	Haiku	nature,
5/2/2025	Casualty of Your Cruelty	Etheree	hurt,
5/2/2025	An Interview with the Color Purple	Narrative	color,
5/1/2025	PET	Acrostic	pets,
5/1/2025	Our Spirits Sing	Rhyme	music,
4/29/2025	Leaf	Verse	death,flying,
4/29/2025	Deprived	Etheree	lost love,
4/28/2025	Dear Sweet Lucy Loo	Sonnet	dog,
4/27/2025	Runner	Narrative	race,
4/27/2025	spring hiku	Haiku	flower,
4/26/2025	a hiku for spring	Haiku	april,spring,
4/24/2025	A hiku	Haiku	flower,
4/23/2025	When Summer Comes Along	Rhyme	summer,
4/22/2025	meadow haiku	Haiku	green,
4/22/2025	Popcorn: My go - to Snack	Epulaeryu	food,
4/22/2025	Plagued by Memories	Etheree	health,
4/21/2025	God's Radiant Light	Rhyme	god,
4/21/2025	Johann Sebastian Bach	Clerihew	music,
4/20/2025	An Easter Poem	Rhyme	easter,
4/19/2025	Your Life Review	Rhyme	life,
4/18/2025	Oh, Mother	Rhyme	mother daughter,
4/17/2025	Once Visited by Death	Rhyme	dream,pain,
4/17/2025	a hiku	Haiku	world,
4/16/2025	My Chocolate Easter Tradition	Rhyme	easter,
4/16/2025	Mozart Clerihew	Clerihew	music,
4/15/2025	Arrival of a Goddess	Free verse	morning,
4/14/2025	graveyard hiku	Haiku	moon,
4/14/2025	In Playground of Imagination	Rhyme	imagination,
4/13/2025	Surrendering to the Cold Embrace of Death	Etheree	death,
4/13/2025	A Red Hots Footle Tale	Footle	candy,
4/12/2025	Oh Gentle Gust	Etheree	wind,
4/11/2025	The Now Continuum	Sonnet	life,
4/10/2025	All You Beautiful Poets	Quintain (Sicilian)	poets,
4/9/2025	You Are - My Double Etheree	Etheree	metaphor,
4/9/2025	Good Friends	Monoku	friendship,
4/8/2025	The Owl	Haibun	angst,
4/8/2025	National Poetry Month	Rhyme	fear,house,
4/8/2025	lost in the gloaming hiku	Haiku	night,
4/6/2025	Milk Shake Footles	Footle	fruit,
4/4/2025	Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious	Rhyme	joy,
4/4/2025	Oh, Afterglow, Sweet Afterglow	Kyrielle	nostalgia,
4/3/2025	What Makes You Feel	Monoku	friendship,
4/2/2025	a spring hiku	Haiku	spring,
4/2/2025	Happy Birthday, Shakespeare	Monorhyme	writing,
4/1/2025	Pear’s Beautiful Blossoming Day	Rhyme	april,
3/31/2025	Reflections Of The Past,Visions Of The Future Poetry Contest	Dramatic Monologue	life,
3/31/2025	a spring haiku	Haiku	spring,
3/30/2025	Light	Suzette Prime	home,
3/29/2025	The Cheating Man	Sonnet	men,
3/27/2025	The Beautiful, Answered Prayer	Rhyme	prayer,
3/26/2025	The Dancers From Hell	Quatrain	death,
3/26/2025	Thinking About Bread -Manna -1971	Ekphrasis	music,
3/25/2025	Where's the Respect for Your Elders?	Rhyme	grandson,humor,
3/24/2025	My Beautiful Bright Light	Etheree	love,
3/24/2025	Two-line Quote	Couplet	poetry,writing,
3/23/2025	Escape of the Leprechaun	Limerick	ireland,
3/22/2025	Swimming In Grief	Etheree	grief,
3/21/2025	He Awaits His Fate	Rhyme	love,
3/21/2025	A Tipping Balance	Rhyme	fun,
3/20/2025	Old Pickle	Rhyme	old,
3/19/2025	Mulberry trees and Butterflies	Free verse	nature,
3/18/2025	Blue Cheese and Old Pickles	Rhyme	food,fun,
3/17/2025	Lost Forlornly in Space	Quatrain	science fiction,

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,
Real Life Shoe Fable	Clerihew	husband
Black and Blue	Rhyme	abuse,funny,husband,me,
Foreboding	Haiku	mystery,nature
A Song At Sunrise	Couplet	faithsong,song,
Beat Out the Rhythm	Rhyme	funny
What Do the Stars Tell a Lover's Heart	Free verse	adventure,fantasy,happine
The Green Checkered Face	Free verse	food,happinessheart,heart
Play It	Free verse	inspirational,love,music,
The Ghost of My Lonely	Kyrielle	dream,me,mystery,
Whiteness	Acrostic	tribute,
The Return	Free verse	childhood,
December 21, 2012	Limerick	business,funny,holiday,ph
The Farewell Performance	Free verse	lifefilm,
Darkness	Rhyme	love,
Purple Flowers of My Adolescence	Free verse	allegory,angst,urban,
Love Like a Mighty Oak	Haiku	love,nature,tree,me,me,
A Lovers World and Dreamers Dream	Rhyme	fantasy,love,heart,dream,
Andrea Dietrich	Rhyme	friendship,inspirational,
Cloud - Recited	Free verse	me,nature,
Picnics and Sand	Quatrain	beach,humorous,
Fireflies	Haibun	love,nature,me,light,ligh
Sun and Moon	Dramatic Verse	beauty,devotion,heart,
Nature and I	Free verse	creation,earth,nature,
Fickle-Foolish-Footles - Man's Best Friend	Footle	animal,dog,funny,
O'Er the Battlements I Do Roam	Dramatic Verse	war,home,home,
Teacher's Pet	Rhyme	people,
The Spilling Over of Me	Free verse	emotions,father,
Melting Into You	Free verse	how i feel,romance,
Your Single Glance	Rhyme	romance,
The Loss of the Rose	Free verse	goodbye,rose,
A Pink Rose	Tanka	childhood,happiness,rose,
Amethyst	Free verse	color,nature,romance,
Love Embraced	Tanka	love,autumn,
Evergreen	Free verse	friendship,
Maggie	Free verse	beauty,love,me,smile,
Cocaine Is Her Name	Free verse	addiction,
My Farewell	Prose Poetry	lost,love,nostalgia,pain,
Stealing From a Goddess	Free verse	mythology,passion,power,