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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/

MISSING SOUPERS

Blog Posted by Andrea Dietrich: 9/15/2024 10:17:00 AM

I often get caught up in my life, my husband's many doctor appointments, teaching, and other things I must attend to, so I forget about my friends here at Soup. One crossed my mind today - Robert Lindley. He has made it known to us in past blogs that he has alzheimer's. Also, if I remember correctly, he lost his wife and another relative about two years ago, so he had lots of unfortunate happenings. Does anyone know if he is on Facebook or anywhere else? 

I am thinking of other dear friends who I have not seen posting poems in about a year or so. Anitha, from India, used to post a lot, but I know she has been very busy in her life this year. Rob Carmack, John Watt, and others, I feel bad that I have not seen anything written by them in several months. 

Maybe it's just me, but PoetrySoup seems a bit dead lately, and I am just wondering what is going on. Please, if you know the whereabouts of Lindley, or if you can think of other poets who we have not heard from in a long while, let us know! (and if any poets have passed away and it's not been mentioned, I hope you might leave remarks on my blog).

Have a nice day, Everyone. Incidentally, my husband just had a back surgery but the critical one he needed for pain was denied him by Worker's Comp, so I'm always busy carting hubbie around to therapies, etc. Forgive me if you are someone whose poetry I have missed out on lately.



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Date: 10/5/2024 1:50:00 AM
Dear sweet Andrea, I was not on here for so long due to personal reasons not one but many. Am sorry I haven't posted poems here for some time now. Am sorry for your husband's doctors' appointments. Sometimes life keeps us busy. Thank you for remembering my name. I shall soon Soupmail you... Hugs. ~ Ani
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Date: 9/29/2024 9:57:00 AM
Hello Andrea, Yes, what happened to Judy Ball. I have not seen any poetry from her. Shirley is having problems with her leg. I soup mailed her today. She has problems with her leg. I feel bad for Robert Lindley. I hope he gets the help he needs. Let me know what happens to Judy Ball. Thank you. /Darlene Hugs.
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Date: 9/27/2024 11:06:00 PM
Andrea, I liked your comment "I think if I take all my 15 years here in totality, it's not all THAT bad. I guess I become nostalgic for "old things". "If you're not happy without it, you'll never be happy with it." -John Candy
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Date: 9/25/2024 7:41:00 PM
I miss me.
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/26/2024 7:45:00 AM
(sniff) yeah
Date: 9/23/2024 1:24:00 PM
Hi Andrea, it has been long time since i was here, either posting or reading. I have just posted a few poems I wrote a while ago but never got around to doing anything with them. I do miss all of the old timers that were here many years ago and there was always a good vibe...I guess I just need to post more and comment more and spend a bit more time here... take care my friend...David UK..
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Mandy Tams The Golden Girl
Date: 9/24/2024 10:49:00 PM
Hello David, long time since we heard from you. How are you doing ls friend.will check your poems out.
Date: 9/22/2024 5:50:00 AM
Andrea first of all I am sorry the medical coverage plan denied your husband the corrective surgery he needed. I know that not only he is in pain but you have to also deal with his suffering. I pray and hope it gets resolved. I have not posted in months and I miss everyone that I care for on the Soup. I have been so busy with my home replaced the roof myself and a friend, and massive remodeling projects, also a Business venture with my brother. My medical issues I am coping with and feeling better. I was so sad to hear of Robert having a medical issue. He went through so much, loosing his wife, and brother. Also the loss of Connie, and Milton, and Harry, it really makes you sad. These are our friends...
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Michael Tor
Date: 9/22/2024 8:14:00 PM
I miss everyone too many to mention including yourself. I manage my Neuropathy and I am doing much better. I hope your doing better. I know so many people with health problems I should not complaint. There are those that have it much worst then us. Hoping for the better for all of us. See ya soon...
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Michael Tor
Date: 9/22/2024 8:08:00 PM
In response. My health problems I believe were caused by a WiFi tower they put several hundred yards from my house. I have shielded my home to counteract the radiation. Off The Grid With Doug and Stacy a well known Youtube channel that focuses on Off the grid living did a whole hour on radiation, how cell phones, computers, cell towers are killing us. Best selling book The Invisible Rainbow, explains what they do not want you to know. Robert Kennedy sued the FTC on this matter and won, recently. Andrea I am feeling better my goal is to move away from this tower into a country setting.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/22/2024 1:05:00 PM
Thanks for your kind words. You are someone whose feelings match up so much with mine. I know you had some terrible health issues. Are they much improved now? I wish mine were. So glad to hear from you.
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Michael Tor
Date: 9/22/2024 6:02:00 AM
...they are Dear to us. I do not know if Jenna is posting, and John Watt one of my favorites. It is sad when poets leave. Another one is Demetrios. I always hope they come back. I wrote a poem, 'Where have all the Poets gone?" I know how you feel Andrea, I feel the same way. I know I will be back but it will be a while. We are a family here and like in a family, we miss the Poets we build relationships with. Savor each comment because you never know if you will hear from that Poet ever again. I hope your spirit picks up Andrea. You have given your life to the Soup more than anyone I know and I am sure you miss all those Dear Poets that are either busy doing other things,, are ill, or have even possibly died. I am now worried about Jack Ellison. Thank you for your caring heart, and I hope You feel better inside and always have hope for better tomorrows. God bless you Andrea...and for your caring heart...
Date: 9/20/2024 10:12:00 PM
Glad to hear your hubby is on the mend Andrea, i too know all about hopital and doctor apponitments. it is a sad sum up of my llife that nobody misses me on here.. Just joking, you can't remember everyone. i came off a log time ago, I noticed there were so many new poets that the 100 poems went off the screen so quick, i didn]y get chance to see who had written anything.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/22/2024 1:06:00 PM
Thanks, Mandy. You are a good person.
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Mandy Tams The Golden Girl
Date: 9/22/2024 2:12:00 AM
Oh dear, Andrea, I am so sorry he is denied what is needed. We are fortunate in our NHS but even that is going downhill. I pray he will get some relief soon. Yes, I miss Harry loads but I have lost a few good friends recently and it's hard but as they say, whoever they are, Life goes on. Keep up with your writing you are an inspiration to loads and loads of people, you don't need fame for that. xx
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/21/2024 4:32:00 PM
yes, it's so hard to remember everybody, Mandy, and I should have mentioned you as someone that we don't see much of anymore. you were such a good friend to Harry. I bet you miss him a lot. By the way, Joe is not on the mend. The surgery he needed for PAIN has been denied him so far, and he is miserable.
Date: 9/20/2024 9:47:00 AM
Akkina, Becca, Charmaine, Brenda C. Past posters with stellar track records. The new crop of poets is stimulating and worthy contributors to our Site. An 8 year veteran and have noticed a distinct reduction of bullying. Boring work is just that. Not all pieces are gonna be Frostian gems. We're amateurs. Enjoy our bounty of folks giving it their all. Great Blog, AD.
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/22/2024 5:34:00 AM
Charmaine and Akkina visit occasionally and post. Becca on rare occasion stops to comment
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/20/2024 4:02:00 PM
Frostian gems. That was cute.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/20/2024 4:01:00 PM
I agree, Arlo. Thanks for your comment
Date: 9/18/2024 6:39:00 AM
There's been changes in the soup over the past months. I'm not referring to some of the new blood who write good poetry and take an active role in keeping the soup a place I choose to be. Mentioning just a few names of those who are no longer here because they choose not to be doesn't prevent the site from feeling flat. It sometimes feels like it's limping in misery. There's no new attitude and spirit of good will when the same players insist on creating a problem where there was none. I posted something yesterday that explains my thoughts on how the soup is served. Sometimes boiling with nastiness, sometimes cold, sometimes a couple of flies want to spoil the broth. Let's not allow that. Andrea, Susan and Jan are right.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 1:10:00 PM
Lin, I posted something to you that ended up at Jan's comment! Sorry about that
Date: 9/18/2024 6:17:00 AM
I have to agree with you and Susan , soup is definitely flat / dead and many active members are no longer around or seldom post. The persistent trolling over many years continues as does the making and removing of nasty comments. Also admin do not respond to issues on soup - i have contacted them regarding 3 matters since July - all of which break soups rules, but none of these issues have been dealt with. I am busy writing/editing my next book but have little appetite for soup it is pretty rancid at times:-( hugs jan x
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Chris Green
Date: 10/8/2024 1:26:00 PM
I too was bullied here, and it was by someone who seemed to be friends with most on here, so I just slipped away instead of causing problems. I do pop back in every once in a while, like today. It is nice to see some of the old gang when I do. : )
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 10:13:00 PM
Also Sorry you have been bullied. I think by now you are really well loved, Jan. People like those who are fun and funny. Also you are lucky that you enjoy a bit of fame on your Isle of Man. Here in Utah I am a complete nobody.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 9:52:00 PM
Jan. I remember how close you two were. He was a friend of mine too but then he just vanished without a clue. I kind of felt betrayed. Did you ever hear what became of him??
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Jan Allison
Date: 9/18/2024 5:40:00 PM
I've been bullied and belittled over my poetry since about a month after i joined Andrea, Darren Watson was such a support to me especially in my early days - wish he was still here, i miss him so much and the fun we used to have lol:-) hugs jan xx
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 1:10:00 PM
oops I had typed that under Lin Lane's comment. Don't know why that first box of mine showed up under your comment.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 1:09:00 PM
I think if I take all my 15 years here in totality, it's not all THAT bad. I guess I become nostalgic for "old things" that I miss here and people I was so fond of. But it's funny, I remember all through my years here, someone or other was always saying things felt dead. haha. I think it's just a thing that people say time and time again!
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 1:04:00 PM
I agree with you on TeamSoup. They are not bad with helping me usually, but I recently asked help for another poet unable to get back on Soup and I got no reply.
Date: 9/17/2024 4:58:00 PM
I don't think PS is flat or dead at all. There's been a paradigm shift and it's been infused with new blood, new forms and styles, a new attitude and spirit of goodwill and positivity at least on the part of most. The vast majority of poets here will continue building into the future a site that leaves past conflicts and controversies behind, as those who continue on with such negativity become increasingly marginalized, as was predicted in my series of senryus, Winds of Change. Time to embrace benevolent zephyr breezes and spread the love. As far as Robert, wishing him well, though if it's Alzheimer's he's likely to go steadily downhill. I miss Akkina, Becca and Charmaine though they're active on FB
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/19/2024 6:49:00 AM
Becca's poems are gone and have been for several years. Did I miss something?
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/19/2024 6:40:00 AM
It's strange that Becca left. Her poems are still there. And it's too bad Becca left us. Frank was Hispanic guy. He has taken his poems down. Yes, I wonder what happened with John Hamilton. I sort of recall Flemming. Paloma was someone i did not really know. Of them all, Hamilton was the most active, at least with me. i hope he has not passed away. I feel like I should know what happened to him ,like maybe someone told us about him a long time ago.
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/19/2024 5:36:00 AM
Not sure who Frank is. John Hamilton hasn't been around of late either. Paloma was a good one. Oh, and John Fleming, quite possibly the best poet on PS
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 9:54:00 PM
Do you remember Frank ?? I am going to check and see if his poems are still here. Becca's too
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/18/2024 1:17:00 PM
Yes, there are some I miss too, as stated above
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 1:03:00 PM
I think everyone will have a different interpretation of whether a place seems dead to them or not. What I say has no reflection on the "new blood" here. They are great. I just miss a lot of the oldies who have gone off to other places. And I do not notice quite the passion I used to see in former days. Yes, it's most unfortunate about Robert. I dread that awful disease coming to my family as it did to my stepdad.
Date: 9/17/2024 2:57:00 AM
Thank you, Andrea, for posting this blog. I have not posted much recently as I have been busy with other matters. I do read though and I have noticed poets missing and their comments and contributions. Such is life as new poets appear but I do miss those who have been kind enough to comment on my work.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/17/2024 6:29:00 AM
Thanks for commenting about it, Barry.
Date: 9/16/2024 5:03:00 AM
Hope your husband heals quickly, I had my. Spinal op last November, it gave me my life back. Its a shame when poets disappear and we never know if they're still with us. I haven't heard from Jack Ellison for weeks now, tried emailing and soupmail but have heard nothing, another poet that comes to mind is Laurie Lindsay, another humourous poet.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/17/2024 7:37:00 AM
That's a good idea Andrea, I've already told my daughter to put something on here if anything happens to me.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/16/2024 11:17:00 PM
Oh my. I hope those two poets are ok. I think we should give our passwords to a trusted person in the event we lose our health or are lives so that our friends will know about it! How great you got your life back. I am praying Joe gets the second surgery he needs to get rid of bad back pain
Date: 9/15/2024 11:05:00 PM
Wish your husband a complete and safe recovery, Andrea. Yes, some soupers have receded, new ones have emerged, such is the way of life, leaving a trace of regret entwined with spark of hope, trusting in the workings of God.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/16/2024 11:18:00 PM
So true, Unseeking Seeker
Date: 9/15/2024 8:31:00 PM
Thank you, Andrea, for putting out this post. We miss our poetry friends and want to make sure they are well. Hope your husband heals quickly.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 11:03:00 PM
Thanks, Kim. I hope people might mention poets here that are lost for good. Sometimes it is ages before we are aware of such things.
Date: 9/15/2024 5:04:00 PM
Dear Andrea, your thoughts touch my heart so deeply. I understand the responsibility of a caregiver. I'm keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers. You're strong and dedicated. You've got this ! ! I've been thinking about Robert and many others that are not posting anymore. Praying all is well. Many blessings to everyone. Hugs, Brandy
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/18/2024 1:18:00 PM
You're always so kind Brandy
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 11:01:00 PM
Thanks, Brandy. I appreciate your empathy.
Date: 9/15/2024 3:27:00 PM
Hi Andrea, I pray your husband gets to feeling better. I've been wondering about Robert Lindley too, and surely miss his presence on the Soup. He's a very talented poet. Have a lovely September Sunday evening.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 4:20:00 PM
Regina. I sure hope my hubbie is able to do simple things he used to do. Our yard always looks atrocious and I'm disabled too but not in a way people can see. Thanks for your prayers for him and Robert. Yes, Robert is so talented. You have a lovely September too.
Date: 9/15/2024 12:23:00 PM
Robert has not been well for a while.. I have spoken to his niece a while ago...
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 4:18:00 PM
Thanks, S.O. Could you ask her if he understands things well enough if we were to send him a message? And if so, what is a good way to contact him?
Date: 9/15/2024 10:25:00 AM
Dear Andrea, yes, Robert lost both his beloved wife and brother within a short time or each other. I know these loses affected him deeply. I can only hope he’s ok and posting poetry elsewhere. I agree that some of the air has gone out Poetry Soup’s wheels, and things have been a bit flat lately :(
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 4:20:00 PM
thanks again, Susan.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/15/2024 2:28:00 PM
And my thoughts and prayers go out to your husband, and to you, Andrea, for his full and speedy recovery.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/15/2024 10:44:00 AM
Yes sadly I remember that.. maybe he will return someday.. hopefully
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/15/2024 10:33:00 AM
flat, yes that is a better word than "dead" you read my mind! Robert left off last year promising a part two to his last poem. That's why I fear he may not be with us anymore. Thanks for your caring, Susan.

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