From my grandmother’s flower garden to you

 

Click the photo to learn more about my poems.

It’s almost Mothers Day!  I thought you’d enjoy seeing one of my suggested presentations for a Mothers Day card, using a poem from my original collection of poems for a mother, mother-in-law, stepmother, foster mother, and daughter.

When my grandmother’s house was razed, I was able to save my grandmother’s tulips, and brought them to Colorado where I’ve been babying them for years. This year, they gave a grand display, inspiring me to use them in my poem book. 

        I’m  wishing you and all the special mothers in your life a Happy Mothers Day!

       While we’re on the topic, it reminds me of my own mother, who passed away several weeks ago. She gave me some peonies. They look very promising this spring, and should bloom in a couple of weeks.

       Have you ever rescued flowers that hold sentimental meaning to you? I’d love to hear your story.

Mother’s Day gift ideas

Example of how to insert a Mother's Day poem into a photo. They look great on coffee mugs, mouse pads, shopping bags

With less than two weeks before Mother’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share some of my Mother’s Day gift ideas.  As you know, I love words and the sweet expressions they can share.   Here are ways you can use your own poems, or poems from my new eBook release, Mothers Day Do-it-yourself Poem Kit.

A simple way to share a sentiment is to print it on a heavier stock paper, trim the edges with one of those fancy memory book scissors, and tie to a bunch of spring flowers or jar of candy.  Regarding paper stock, standard typing paper is 20-pound.  I use as high as 80-pound paper in my HP 6110 all-in-one Officejet, and it works great. 

Photos can elevate your gift to one of year-round pleasure. Use your mother’s favorite photo of her own flowers, or find a photo of her favorite flowers.   If you use Photoshop, you can scan it and layer your poem on the photo. If you don’t have such special software, just take the poem printed on heavy stock paper and fancy-cut edges and paste it on the print of the photo, and scan that. (If you don’t have a scanner, Kinko’s or Copy Max can scan it for you and give you a disk.)  Then the fun begins.

My Mother's Day eBook is just $1.99 at amazon.com and includes poems for mother, mother-in-law, stepmother, foster mother, second mother, aunt and daughter

Print that photo on a coffee mug, so she can remember your thoughtful gift with her morning coffee or tea. Mugs are great for printing photos of pets, too.  Poems and photos look great on a mouse pad so she can think of you when she’s at her computer.  If you mother uses earth-friendly grocery shopping bags, those can be personalized, as well, at such stores as Walgreen’s, K-Mart, Wal-mart.  If you’re in a hurry, you can order these on-line, as well. 

Express your love for Mom on a golf or t-shirt

Another idea is a personalized shirt or T-shirt, and your mother can wear your love for her!  Amazon, L L Bean, Golfsmith and many other stores carry these personalized items, and you can Google for more by searching “personalized golf shirt” and “personalized tennis or t-shirts.”

Wishing you and your family many good gifts and memories!

Mother’s Day Do-it-yourself Poem Kit Now Available

After years of dreaming about it, the book is finally a reality, available for immediate download as an e-book.

I’m excited about my new release, not historical fiction this time, but poetry. 

You have been so supportive of my poetry these past two years, and I thank you for that. 

Each year when Mother’s Day nears, I have thought about making my poems available in a do-it-yourself format, along with an assortment of poems that express love for all the mothers in our lives.  I love my mother dearly, and her passing just weeks ago will make this year’s Mother’s Day difficult.  The love I feel for her, though, remains strong, and she has inspired me to finally make this poetry book a reality.  It’s available  in Kindle format and standard eBook format.

I’ve included poems for mother, mother-in-law, stepmother, second mother (which could also apply to adopted mother and foster mother), aunt and daughter. 

Especially fun is the do-it-yourself poem. It has a core poem that you can expand with couplets that fit your memories of your childhood and adulthood, shared memories of special activities like athletics, watching reality TV shows together (my mother adored “Dancing with the Stars”), cooking together, making Easter eggs, attending church and praying together, exercising together and yes, even cleaning house together.  For good measure, I added another one, because I so believe in it, “Everyday Love and Kindness.” 

Because I love including my family in anything/everything I do, I used an old, favorite family photo for the cover, one of me and my book-cover-designing daughter, Jalena.

My poetry kit book is currently available in e-book format for instant delivery.  It’s my first e-book, so I’m swimming in new waters, but excited about it.  It’s priced at just $1.99 at Kindle and $4.99 at Lulu.  

Thank you allowing me to share my joy at finally making this poetry book a reality.  –Janet

Birthday poem for mother-in-law

I posted a Mother’s Day poem in May and have been overwhelmed with the response – thousands of people have downloaded my poem for their Mother’s Day greeting cards.

In answer to requests for a birthday poem for beloved mothers-in-law, I made some small adjustments to my Mother’s Day poem. It’s now a birthday poem and I’m pleased to share it with you.

I adore my mother-in-law, Dot, so it was a pleasure to sit back and reflect on the many wonderful memories we’ve shared. With the spirit and energy of beagles, she and I have tracked garage sales, mall sales and auctions. We’ve savored our bargains, compared recipes, cooked together, danced together, laughed and cried together. Dot even helped me plan one of my book signings in Florida, and I was able to meet her wonderful Woman’s Club friends.

Please feel free to put my poem to the paper of your choice for a birthday card for her.

In return, if you get a chance to read either of my novels, I would be honored. You can find them on amazon.com, at your local library and on eBay.  –Janet

With Love to My Mother-in-Law

by Janet Lane

A visit by phone to share the news

An e-mail you send to inform and amuse

A leisurely visit with coffee or tea

A richly amusing shopping spree

We share so much, I’m ever so thankful

To find a soul sister so warm, so delightful

My marriage brought a huge dividend

Wonderful you, who became my friend

On this special date I would never miss

My chance to send this joyful wish

A bounty of love is sent your way

With a hearty wish for a Happy Birthday!

Mother’s Day Poem for Mother-in-law

Is your mother-in-law a gem? My poem may be perfect for you, and for for her.

I posted a Mother’s Day poem yesterday, and I’ve received requests for a mother-in-law Mother’s Day poem.  I adore my mother-in-law, Dot, so it was a pleasure to sit back and reflect on the many wonderful memories we’ve shared since I first met her. With the spirit and energy of beagles, she and I have tracked garage sales, mall sales and auctions. We’ve savored our bargains, compared recipes, cooked together, danced together, laughed and cried together.  Dot even helped me plan one of my book signings in Florida, and I was able to meet her wonderful Woman’s Club friends.

If you’re like me and are fortunate enough to have a beloved mother-in-law, please feel free to put my poem to the paper of your choice for a Mother’s Day card this year.

To Dot and to all moms – Happy Mother’s Day!

I have fabulous memories like this one, when my mother-in-law, Dot, helped me plan a book signing in Florida.

With Love to My Mother-in-Law
by Janet Lane

A visit by phone to share the news
An e-mail you send to inform and amuse
A leisurely visit with coffee or tea
A richly amusing shopping spree
We share so much, I’m ever so thankful
To find a soul sister so warm, so delightful
My marriage brought a huge dividend
Wonderful you, who became my friend
So on this day made for mothers’ bliss
I send my thanks, a hug and a kiss
For all the joys you’ve sent my way
I wish you a happy Mother’s Day!

Did you like this poem?  Will you use it on a card to your mother-in-law?  What do you love about her?  Feel free to share by clicking on the “o comments” or “comments” line below.

My Mother’s Day Poem

She can be your mother, your grandmother, your aunt, your adopted mother, or an older sister.  She’s so many things to us – nurturer, lecturer, coach, lifesaver, homework helper.  As Mother’s Day approaches, we may recall specific tantrums we threw, arrows of anger we shot, directly or indirectly, at her.  We may recall the strange detours we took in the past and how she tried to help us in spite of our resistance.  The older we get the wiser she seems.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I wrote this poem for my mother, Mary, and my mother-in-law, Dot, and for all moms who love their children and give the world its greatest gift … the future.

To Mary and Dot - Happy Mother's Day

A symbol of love is the rose
They say
Its petals so lovely and fragrant
Kissed by the dew, a dozen
Or few
Their colors resplendent and vibrant
I hold in my pocket of dreams
And days
Mementos of childhood cheer
Your gestures of love that strengthened
My heart
And carried me through the years
So on this occasion of
Family love
I offer this poem, like a blossom
In thanks for the band-aids and smiles
And hugs
All mother’s gifts, golden and wholesome.
…. Janet Lane

Happy Mother’s Day!