Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I love reading about Alaska and the differences in your lifestyle, your gardens to mine here in Townsville. We also plant vege seedlings in May, but that's because humidity has dropped to 60%or under. ğ??? nice one Kim.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 01-May-2024

Hi Valda!

Would planting in May be like sowing a winter crop for you? Our growing season is short, approx 3 months or so. June, July, and August, by the 1st week or so of September we generally have it all harvested. Thank you for a wonderful review!

Kim

Comment from Michael Ludwinder

Excellent

I thought your poem beautifully shared the anticipation of the gardening season. I love that you also provided advice passed down through generations. The repetition of "wait" emphasizes the importance of patience in gardening. The imagery of the Birch leaf and the size of a squirrel's ear was very creative. I like how you have a clear reference for knowing when it's time to start planting.

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 01-May-2024

Thank you so much, Michael, I enjoyed reading your review.
Kim

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

These sonnets are usually written in iambic pentameter which is missing you your sonnet here. I did enjoy the sentiments here, a fine attempt at a shadow sonnet, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024

Hi Dolly,

The Shadow Sonnet was created by Amera M. Andersen, may be written in any sonnet style. The Shadow takes place at the beginning and ending of each line as the words are identical or homophonic. Since all poetry was originally meant to be sung or recited out loud, homophonic words are acceptable, these are words that sound alike such as "see and sea". (Rules: 14 lines, 9 or 10 syllables per line. The poem should have a volta or pivit; iambic pentameter is not necessary.)

Thank you for taking the time to read and review.

Kim

Comment from patcelaw

Excellent

This is very nice advice for the gardener in Alaska and probably good advice for people who live other places as well. I wish you the very best. Your presentation is beautiful and your thoughts are very interesting.

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024

Thank you, Patricia. I am happy that you enjoyed this one!
Kim

Comment from Douglas Goff

Excellent

Okay, I really needed the clarification of your notes to guide me into understanding.

Great read. Visiting Alaska is on my bucket list. I want to do a glacier cruise. We shall see.
D

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024

Hi Douglas!

I have a lot of Alaskan references in my portfolio. Feel free to send me questions. I've lived in Fairbanks for over 50 years.

I hope you get your glacier cruise!

Kim

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

I love it! Are the "Sourdoughs" Native Alaskans? I like looking at nature for the signs of when it's safe to plant. Me, however, rather follow my impatient heart and already put the veggies in the ground and it's been raining nonstop since!

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Apr-2024

Hi Helen! I went and found a fun article excerpt on a Sourdough for you. Basically, a Sourdough is a well weathered and seasoned Alaskan, it goes back to the Gold Rush days. And we call someone new to Alaska a cheechako.

Being called a "sourdough" remains an honorific in Alaska. "The character-building experience of surviving Northern winters was a mark of pride among sourdoughs," writes Susannah Dowds in Alaska Sourdough: Bread, Beards and Yeast. The feat remained challenging through even the 1970s in some remote regions, due to the lack of grocery stores, running water, and electricity. Earning the title "sourdough" today reflects the state?s extraordinarily transient nature: An estimated 50,000 people move to and from Alaska each year, while the total population is around 700,000. Over time it has become shorthand for an experienced Northerner, someone with tenacity, grit, and know-how who has survived untold battles with fickle Jack Frost.

Good luck with the garden! I hope it stops raining.

Kim

reply by lyenochka on 29-Apr-2024

You are an honorable bunch!
Hawaiians have a term for a long-timer, too -- kamaiana.
But it's much easier for people to move there and stay except for the high cost of living...