The Monthly Harvest - June 2025
A month-end roundup of what I've created, read, and experienced this month
June zipped by so quickly, I can hardly believe it. To be halfway through 2025 already seems unreal. As we enter summer, I have enjoyed thunderstorms and watching baby tomatoes grow on the vine. My little flower garden is taking shape too.
“He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.” -Psalm 147:8 (NIV)
Backyard News
June is always a welcome month in our family, as my husband and I are both teachers. We both completed our 21st year, and our son graduated from 8th grade. My relationship with the tiny elementary/middle school in our town is officially over. High school is just ahead for our youngest!
Topping off the month was my long-awaited writers’ conference, which is always a highlight of my year. Visiting with friends old and new and learning more about writing and publishing were the perfect way to end June.
“Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.”
-From a Girl Scout song inspired by a poem by Joseph Parry
Our summer will be less busy than usual, so I hope to catch up with friends and get the house sorted out in addition to spending more time writing. We will end the summer with a missions trip to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Media Greenhouse
June’s busyness meant I didn’t read as much as I’d like. I finished Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver and will be reading The Great Gatsby for July book club. Fun fact: I have never read Gatsby because I have never taught juniors and was never assigned the book in high school or college. I’m eager to read it because of my love for all things Gilded Age.
If you’ve never read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, I highly recommend it. I am working through the book again this summer. It’s an emotional journey to read and do the exercises but in the best way. It challenges me, helping me think more clearly about my creative life.
NOTE: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links to books and authors referenced. Sales benefit local bookshops and pay The Writer’s Garden a small commission.
Cultivated Creations
As reported last month, the writers’ conference I attend has writing contests in a variety of genres. I entered poems in both the Light Verse and Serious Poetry categories. One placed as honorable mention, while the other received second place.
Entering writing into contests and pitching to publications is good practice for showing our work and putting ourselves out there. You can read more about this in Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. It’s an encouraging shot in the arm for anyone feeling nervous about letting others see their writing.
I was gifted two typewriters since last month’s Monthly Harvest. One is a Sears electric model, while the other is a gorgeous Smith Corona with dark green keys. Sitting in front of them with my fingers on the keys takes me back to Typing I and Typing II, the classes I took in high school to learn touch typing.
My aim is to use watercolor paper to type poetry, quotes, and Bible verses. Then I’ll paint on the typewritten messages to create a unique kind of art. I was inspired by a similar idea I saw online.
I hope to establish a nice balance of writing, art, and catching up at home this summer. Hoping to share some of that in the coming weeks. Thank you so much for reading!
Top Post of the Month:
Tips and Tricks for Writing on the Road
Summer is for wandering in my family. Most years, we visit friends and family down south. We’ve also taken several RV trips across the U.S. and Canada. Being on the road sometimes takes up most of our time off before I head back into the classroom.
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
What did you do, read/watch/listen to, and create this month?
What are your hopes and goals for the coming month?
