"Inspiring Interlude" published in YCN Nov. '21

 Inspiring Interlude
by Janet Sobczyk, 2021

 An overnight stay just a half hour away
 close to home but felt good to roam
 a small town with a main street to walk down
 blue and white signs marked its historic times
 an artistic metal fence with sculpted events
 modern buildings mixed with old ones well fixed
 new library and fire house, trucks waiting stationary
 a bar and grill where Husker fans were thrilled.

 After we dined on prime rib and pie it was time
 to enjoy the reason we came, a grand dame
 standing proud on a corner lot, the perfect spot
 to oversee the town’s affairs and be
 a respite for tourists and family to stay a bit.

 Her 4th generation lavished rejuvenation
 saving the best, restoring the rest
 providing gentle care to guests who come unaware
 it’s like sleeping in a museum, keeping
 safe under a quilt dreaming of when she was built
 and how, long ago, they endured freezing cold
 and beastly heat, sheltered by her walls.

 The magnitude of their fortitude makes me feel small
 with our reliance on electricity and technology
 our need for phones, instead they honed
 skills long gone, secrets to survival beyond
 our comprehension, not understanding their apprehension
 about making it through the winter, baking
 the scent of meals and woodstove smoke into her bones.

 New smells helped us wake, tried not to be late
 for a delicious breakfast, listening to others’ ambitious
 plans for the day, when we just wanted to stay
 conversing about the past, gratitude to hosts dispersing.

 

 While cars were packed, on the balcony I sat
 mesmerized by birds, without a word
 contemplating their oasis, so many places
 ‘round a small pond with feeders for eaters
 tiny and shy, sparrows quick to fly
 at the smallest sound, not earthbound
 flit to a fence, appreciating providence.

 Later as we drove on by I thought, so should I. 

With gratitude to Gordon and Linda Mueller, owners of the Oft B and B in Bennington, NE.

Note: my photos weren't published in YCN, but I wanted to share them here.

"Little Janet" published in YCN Oct. '21

"Little Janet"

by Janet Sobczyk, 2021

 I came to live in Omaha on my own when I was 20 and soon found a job at a retail jewelry store. The older co-workers made me feel like I had joined a work-family instead of just a group of co-workers. They helped me feel safer in this “big city.” 

 Working retail often means long hours every weekend with a day off during the week. I managed quick trips to Norfolk to visit my parents about once per month. The first holiday that I couldn’t make it home, one of the sales staff invited me to join her family. She was a single mom raising two sons and the meal would be at her parents’ house. Just the four of them. Perfect! I’m a bit introverted, so small groups help me feel less awkward.

 Her parents were welcoming and funny, and served delicious comfort food. Her sons soon dubbed me “Little Janet.” She explained that they knew another Janet who babysat for them and was larger than me, and they began calling her “Big Janet.” I hoped not to her face!

 At the time I was very slim but have always struggled with a distorted view of my size. With two older, slim sisters I saw myself as the chubby one, even if photos of the three of us revealed I wasn’t. So it was a relief to be dubbed the little one.

 Fast forward through almost 40 years, different jobs, and raising five kids of my own. My tendency to enjoy comfort food had added many pounds. The memory of the nickname, “Little Janet” mocked me, and I wondered if I would always be overweight and tired like my dear Grandma Rose.

 I had hope from the example of my mother, though, who had gone through the same struggle, and in her grandma years lost the extra weight. I wanted the same for myself as a new grandma. I didn’t want to be too tired to enjoy precious time with my grand-daughter.

 That was my motivation last February to begin a journey with a weight loss clinic that my doctor approved. Now I feel much lighter and happier. The journey isn’t over but I enjoy shopping for clothes in a smaller size and not cringing when I look in the mirror.

 Recently I was called a new name that made me smile. A crew of workers was removing our storm-damaged roof and debris lay on the ground. My little dog needed out so I carried her, tip-toeing out the front door and across the grass to avoid nails and shingles. As I set her down on the sidewalk to begin our walk I heard one of the crew call to a worker on the ground. In Spanish he told his pal to clear the path for the “abuelita.” Two things struck me about that sentence: the respect/ concern in his voice, and that he called me a “little grandma.” It made my day!

Janet with new grand-daughter Eleanor, Sept. 2022

A Quiet Walk published in YCN Aug. '21

 A Quiet Walk 

by Janet Sobczyk, 2021

 Step outdoors into an early small-town summer morn
 Old concrete sidewalk merges to brick street
 Patchy yards grow next to well-manicured lawns
 Renovated Victorians stand stately among ranch homes
 Whimsical outdoor art dots the lush landscaping.

 Squirrels plant walnuts and rabbits enjoy garden greens
 Robins snatch worms and bees examine zinnias
 A bicyclist speeds by, slowing at the red sign to look both ways and glide past
 A gray-haired gent putters around yard as wife reads on the porch 
 No breeze disturbs the moment, birdsong fills the air.

 Rounding the block my temporary “home” comes into view 
 Up four steps, upon welcoming porch 
 The smell of bacon wafts through screened door 
 Made not by me, but for me… a rare role-reversal 
 Hospitality and quiet, the perfect combo for renewal. 

Dedicated to Karen and Mark Baker who make the Bakers B&B in Blair, NE, a wonderful retreat.

"Summer Reading" poem published in YCN

 

The table on my deck is a perfect reading spot
sun filters softly through familiar trees
birds twitter, chirp, coo
I settle in and sigh
allow the words to transport my mind. 

A temperate breeze drops a thin vine onto open book
helps the potted plant take a peek
at what’s holding my intent gaze on this page
startled I gently finger the tender young growth, move it aside
then pause to enjoy the sweet mint fragrance clinging onto fingertips. 

The familiar scent takes me back to Grandma’s house
to the mint patch along the side of her paint-peeling old house
it stretched out, growing along the gravel driveway
I’d inhale the scent, then pick through rocks to find white ones
use ‘em like chalk on the concrete walk.

The image elicits a smile
and a twinge of pain at childhood days long gone
then the vine returns
quivers with the slightest movement of air
creeps onto my page again… comforting.

"School Year Flashbacks" published in June YCN

                                   

It’s done 
the relief is real 
summer beckons… but 
before leaving the school year behind 
flashbacks scroll across my mind, a photo gallery: 

Glowing smiles of grads as they remove masks to pose 

Proud families gathered and hugs all around 

Prom held outside, beneath a cloudy sky, twinkle lights and magic holding back rain 

Green shirts on St. Pat’s with snacks and Zoom bingo 

Pink and red valentines, the giggles and blushes of young crushes 

A snowball throwing contest, lined up, arms ready, powdery ammo flies far

Trimming classroom trees with handmade décor, wearing gaudy sweaters 

A turkey feast done differently, classrooms apart, but still delicious 

Halloween costumes with Covid masks 

Walking in autumn air, circling the parking lot for much-needed mask breaks

Labor Day weekend, the first respite for exhausted (already!) teachers and students 

Practicing new rules, cleaning, taking temps, learning how far apart 6 feet should be 

First day jitters amplified by pandemic fears 

It’s done 
this challenging school year is over at last 
looking back, so proud of everyone 
reaching across miles to remote learners, sharing smiles 
facing fears, changing plans, tackling new technology 
being there for each other through sadness and joy 
doing more than we knew we could and looking back… 
it was all for the good! 

This poem is dedicated to the students, teachers, and staff of Madonna School in Omaha, who made it through the whole 2020-21 school year in-person with a remote learning option. The photo above was taken by Janet at the Madonna School prom, of her daughter with date.

Click here to view this month's issue of Your Country Neighbor.

Penny poem published in May 2021 YCN

The Lucky Penny

“Find a penny

 pick it up 

 all day long 

 you’ll have good luck!” 

Back when penny candy 

was a thing 

it was simply grand 

made him sing 

a copper in hand! 

Grasped in chubby fist 

he’d rush to the store 

peer inside, make a wish 

and hope there’s more 

peppermint twists. 

Those days are long gone 

now spot a penny 

laying on the lawn 

it ain’t worth any 

folks just walk on. 

He’s old but a boy at heart 

when he spies one 

still plays his part 

it’s great fun 

almost an art. 

“A penny saved 

is a penny earned” 

this maxim he’ll rave 

this lesson he’s learned 

‘cause hard times he’s braved. 

He served in a war 

then lived on the street

the poorest of poor 

but fate brought a treat 

he’s poor no more. 

His childish ways 

all that penny collecting 

saved the day 

again made him sing 

boy, did it pay! 

As if it was planned 

spied a 1944 steel wheat penny 

held in his hand 

didn’t look worth any

but sold for $100 grand!

This fictional poem was inspired by National Lucky Penny Day, which is May 23rd. The value of the penny is not fictional.

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

Click here to see the May issue of Your Country Neighbor.

An April showers poem published in YCN

Fair Weather Friend

by Janet Sobczyk, 2021 

At daybreak she yawns,

stretches, checks the weather

rain dissuades her

no use going out today.

Others awake, arise

make breakfast

encourage her to go out

it won't be so bad.

She shivers at the open door

feels the wind

backs away

not today.

Stays by the window

gazing at the storm

listening, waiting

resolved to stay inside.

Patter of raindrops slows

wind dies down

she's still reluctant

not wanting to get wet.

Owner scoops her up

declares she must

opens the door

plops her on soggy ground.

She looks up disgruntled

tiptoes away

does business quickly

scampers back.

Tolerates the toweling

grabs squeaky toy

runs in circles

relieved it's time to play!

Millie choosing to stay inside.

Click here to see the April 2021 issue of Your Country Neighbor