I will be away from social media for most of the winter. Meanwhile…
Wishing you Peace, Joy, Love & Hope—Gifts of The Christ Child—at Christmas and always.
~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Christmas Eve Pondering
The last cookie baked, the final gift wrapped.
Christmas Eve is upon us…
It’s time to relax.
Christmas music is gently reminding us why
Lord Jesus, the Christ Child…
Came down from on high.
He came as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Lived among us on earth…
God’s gifts to bestow.
Loving God, loving others — Christ bought with his life
He epitomized love…
Not anger or strife.
God’s love is a precious gift we’re to share
Not with just those we know…
But with folks everywhere.
A Poem by Bette A. Stevens
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 (KJV) Bible
Christmas music in a 3 hours long playlist (tracklist below). Traditional Christmas songs & carols featuring piano, violin & orchestra – arranged and recorded by Peder B. Helland. Christmas songs in the mix: “O Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “In The Bleak Midwinter” & “Fairest Lord Jesus.”
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, the state of New Hampshire to the west, the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine’s long rocky Atlantic Coast is known for its frigid waters and an ample fishery—most famed for the Maine lobster. Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline.
Nicknamed The Pine Tree State), Maine was initially a province of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In fact, it was decades after the American Revolution before Maine gained official statehood. The Eastern white pine tree helped fuel the region’s economy in an era when shipbuilding and lumbering reigned supreme. The economic value of those pines actually provided a spark for the American Revolution. Massachusetts didn’t want to lose any of those pine profits it gained after the war, while Mainers struggled for political and economic independence. Maine officially celebrated its Bicentennial on March 15, 2020. Due to the 2020 Pandemic, The Pine Tree State will continue to celebrate its bicentennial through 2021!
“A nature-filled land that enlivens the senses and soothes the soul—to me, Maine is poetry.”
–Bette A. Stevens
The Power of Poetry
How Readers & Writers of All Ages Benefit from Poetry
Improves Verbal Skills & Memory
Enhances Cognitive Function
Develops Empathy & Insight
Encourages Creativity
Why Haiku…
Inspired by the beauty and bounty of my home state, I write poetry in many forms; but I chose haiku for My Maine to offer readers a collection of story poems and photo snapshots of the unique land I know and love.
I invite you to join me as I celebrate #Maine2020 by submitting one of your favorite photos taken in “The Pine Tree State” and writing a haiku too! I’ll be publishing submissions here on my blog throughout 2020. Simply email me at bettestevens@tds.netSUBJECT: “Maine Bicentennial Haiku.”
Silvery branches Unveil the old, old folktale A spellbound story
Pine cones and tassels Mirrored in moonlight upon White weighted branches
Chickadees dozing Nestling, captive to pine boughs Till dawn sets them free
Shovels and snow plows Storm’s rook ravings unraveled Till the next arrives
Soups, stews and chowders Stories told round the table Favored winter fare
Silently—Snowfalls Reign over field and forest Supremely sovereign
Winter white gemstones Glistening across meadows Perfect snowshoe day
About the Author
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of eight. Stevens lives in central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat). Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture. As of July 2019, Stevens has self-published five books and has a second poetry collection on the drawing board. Find out more about the author and her books at https://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens
“Happy reading and writing… May the bounty and beauty of each new season inspire you!”
Honored to be featured along with poetry by Harmony and Annette on Sally’s blog today… Special thanks to Sally for featuring Liz Gauffreau’s wonderful review of MY MAINE… Thanks for stopping by to check them out at Sallys! ~ Bette A. Stevens
Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair with a selection of books from personally recommended authors on my bookshelf I believe will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and for you.
Poetry is an art form and has been enjoyed by readers for thousands of years. Today I am sharing some of the collections on the bookshelf that I am sure you will enjoy too.
The first is A Tanka Picture Book by Annette Rochelle Aben.
About the collection
Life is alive with poetry; all the sights, sounds and smells. Blend it all together in your mind and you will begin to sing songs in your heart. You deserve a reason to smile, to feel good while pondering the magic of your world. You are closer than you think.
Open, A Tanka Picture Book! Consider the story each picture shares through its visual. Enjoy how each is enhanced with…
Take all of your worries and all of your fears Cast them upon Jesus who’s waiting, He cares He came down from glory to save you and me His brothers and sisters who yearn to be free
He proved with his life that His calling is true We trust that He cares about all we go through His love it surpasses, His blessings abound His faithfulness throughout creation resounds
In Scriptures we find Him, His words and His deeds Imploring each brother and sister, He pleads Surrender your worries and all of your fears I’m here to walk with you in laughter, in tears
We’ll dance through the triumphs and trials together Good plans will prevail, no matter the weather God’s love is as sure as the sun, stars and moon Eternity’s waiting, there’s plenty of room
~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Sunbeams composing Springtime melodies, humming Tapping to the tunes
April is a perfect month to get outdoors and get inspired. As a former teacher (grades four through eight), I know that kids of all ages love writing poetry and they enjoy illustrating their poems too. It’s simple and it’s so much fun to tell a story in the three short lines of Haiku. You’ll find a link to some great poetry writing tips at the end of this post. Of course, you’re not limited to writing one haiku poem—you can write as many stanzas as you wish. Give it a try!
Grab the kids, take out your pens, head into the great outdoors and get inspired!
~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator
Check out more of Bette’s haiku poems inside MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons here. The collection includes the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with 49 of her photographs and illustrations. Travel through Maine’s four seasons and discover state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State with the author.
: an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also: a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference.
Discover more about how to write haiku and other poetry
MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons reflects the Maine I know and love. ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author The haiku above written February 2022. Photo taken from back field (farmstead peeking through) on a perfect snowshoe day as winter’s landscape begins to transform itself into spring.
Below is a sampling from Winter Tales.
Winter Tales 🌲
(Selections from—MY MAINE, Haiku Through the Seasonsby Bette A. Stevens)
Sheets of diamonds Glisten on frozen meadows Perfect snowshoe day
Icicles weeping Tears of joy from the rooftops Winter jubilee
Dawning feels warmer Daylight slowly grows longer North tilts toward the sun
Afternoon shadows Scrambling through frozen forests Sing—Joy to the world
Black and white portraits Etched below an azure sky Disappear at dusk
Thanks so much for taking time to enjoy a bit of late winter in MY MAINE, Haiku Through the Seasons.
Did You Know? 🌲
Maine’s official nickname is “The Pine Tree State.”
My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through the state’s four distinct seasons. The collection of 150 haiku poems includes 49 of the author’s photographs as well as facts and symbols from The Pine Tree State. MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons is available in print and eBook formats. Take a peek inside and grab a copy at AMAZON.com.~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Bette in her garden with one of the monarch butterflies that emerged from its chrysalis at the farmstead in central Maine.
Monarch butterflies offer an amazing view into the intricate nature of the wild. Their scientific name—Danaus Plexippus— Greek for “Sleepy Transformation,” gets part of the story right, but not the epic whole. Monarch butterflies embark on an amazing migratory phenomenon as they have the ability to hibernate and metamorphose. International conservation efforts to protect and restore monarch habitat are ongoing. These efforts may help improve the near-endangered/endangered status of the species; but we, as ordinary citizens, can easily help the monarch butterfly recovery right in our own backyards and gardens.
Resources for kids, families, educators and gardeners Download Bette’s FREE PDF“Fun & Learning with Monarch Butterflies” where you’ll find: ★ Monarch Butterfly Facts
★ Coloring Pages
★ Gardening
★ Video: How to Make an Origami Butterfly
★ Butterfly Teacher Guide and so much more…
★ How you can help protect our monarchs DOWNLOAD Bette’s FREE PDFhttps://4writersandreaders.com/fun-learning-with-monarchs-2/
AMAZING MATILDA, A Monarch’s Tale (Award-winning Picture Book) by Bette A. Stevens—Purchase AMAZING MATILDA paperback and download eBook for #FREE
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 2:11 (KJV) Bible
Christmas Eve Pondering
A Poem by Bette A. Stevens
The last cookie baked, the final gift wrapped.
Christmas Eve is upon us…
It’s time to relax.
Christmas music is gently reminding us why
Lord Jesus, the Christ Child…
Came down from on high.
He came as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Lived among us on earth…
God’s gifts to bestow.
Loving God, loving others —Christ bought with his life
He epitomized love…
Not anger or strife.
God’s love is a precious gift we’re to share
Not with just those we know…
But with folks everywhere.
Wishing you Joy, Peace, Love & Hope—Gifts of The Christ Child—at Christmas and always…~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Christmas music in a 3 hours long playlist (tracklist below). Traditional Christmas songs & carols featuring piano, violin & orchestra – arranged and recorded by Peder B. Helland. Christmas songs in the mix: “O Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “In The Bleak Midwinter” & “Fairest Lord Jesus.”
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Peace (World Peace Day) is celebrated on September 21 each year to recognize the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. I believe that the power to promote world peace lies within each of us. Together, we can transform the world!~Bette A. Stevens
“It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. 2021 marks the 73rd anniversary of that landmark document.” — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
No matter the season, a daytrip from our farmstead in central Maine provides a getaway that is both relaxing and invigorating. A scenic drive over forested hills, across verdant valleys and along pristine lakes makes Maine a place like no other. Whether heading to the coast or inland, there is always something fresh and new on the horizon. The photo inspiring the haiku Lighthouses stand tall was taken by me aboard Schooner Olad out of Camden Harbor in late June. I invite you to read more MY MAINE haiku and to plan a trip of your own. To me, Maine is poetry. North, south, east or west, The Pine Tree State is a land that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul—a special place to bask in the unspoiled beauty of inland and coastal cities, towns and villages all year long! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
“To me, Maine is poetry…a place that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul.”
Bette with daughter Lori aboard the Schooner Olad out of Camden Harbor.
Curtis Island Light (upper right in photo) is located at the entrance to Camden Harbor, at the southeastern end of Curtis Island. It is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation and is now owned by the Town of Camden. The lighthouse is a 25-foot tall, white, cylindrical brick tower with a light beam range of six nautical miles. There are 65 lighthouses along Maine’s coast, inlets, and islands.
Summer Songs
(excerpts from MY MAINE, Haiku through the Seasons by Bette A. Stevens)
Loons at lakeshore wail
Campers bewitched by the sound
Sacred summer songs
Waves play taps on shore
Tall pines salute by moonlight
Waking stars stand guard
Refined grains of sand
Calming the footfalls until
Shattered shells splash in
Lighthouses stand tall
Regaling stories of ghosts
From a bygone age
Highlands and ocean
Bound by granite cliffs sing of
Ageless adventures
Take a peek inside MY MAINE (Poetry & Photography Collection/150 haiku poems, 49 original photos + symbols and interesting facts about Maine) and all of Bette’s books at https://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens
Welcome to 4writersandreaders
I’m a writer inspired by nature and human nature. You’ll find great books, authors, writing tips and more right here. I advocate for kids & families, childhood literacy and the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat.Happy reading & writing!~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
![A Tanka Picture Book by [Annette Rochelle Aben]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ggl-Ntu4L._SX260_.jpg)
“To me, Maine is poetry…a place that enlivens the spirit and soothes the soul.”
Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 12/21/2022