Definitions are arbitrary and open to interpretation. What one person calls poetry may be prose or ordinary writing to another. Ruth Nott lays no claim to expertise in poetry. What she writes comes from the heart or a lively imagination, written quickly or with lengthy thought and intense examination. " It just comes. It is what it is." As the title of this book indicates, most of what Ruth has written during the past year has been in response to weekly or daily poetry prompts provided by the good folks and readers of Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides Blog on the web at www.writersdigest.com. Her poems of 2013 are presented here as the year progressed, showing the date and the prompt; however, very few were written on the date of the prompt, some being written months later when the mood struck her to sit down and write again. Those poems which have no prompt indicated are unprompted except by a nudge from her muse. Ruth states "As I age, time speeds by and thoughts slow to a crawl. Bear with me and I hope you enjoy the poems of 2013."

The poems in "Idle Thoughts" are presented with special thanks to the Poem of the Day Yahoo group where George Smith helps get our creative juices flowing each April and November by sharing daily poetry prompts from Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides blog ( http: //blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides) . Without his help, I would write very little and spend all my time quilting or playing games on my Kindle. As I have mentioned in other notes, I am not a driven poet, but a driven quilter and part time poet Included here are personal reflections, thoughts on writing, the world around us, and a giggle or two to make you smile. The inspirational/spiritual poems written this year are included in the book "All There Is" published in November 2012.

Have you ever felt uncertain, alone, without courage, and shaken in your beliefs? Have you found comfort in the advice of friends, or in the inspirational or spiritual words of a poem? Words from a friend or a favorite book can help, can give us back our courage and faith, can help us to understand and to hurt less, can show us that we are not the first, nor the last, to experience such feelings. This book brings Ruth's own faith, commitment and hopeful attitude to others. All There Is will enlighten, uplift, and encourage its readers. The author comments: "Most of my previous books of poetry have a section containing spiritual and inspirational poetry in additon to sections containing humorous and other secular poetry. I have often been asked where to find those spiritual and inspirational poems all in one place. This is it folks, "All There Is" of my faith based poetry collected from my previous books and many new lines of verse as well. Enjoy, and God bless you for asking

Contained within the pages of Here on My Knees you will find poems of faith and inspiration in Section 1, A Growing Faith, and in Section 2, This Man Called Jesus. In Section 3, Penny Poetry, are poems based on family, love, everyday happenings with a few humorous verses included to lighten your spirits. Ruth's poetry is often rhyming and lyrical and always heartfelt. Ruth's poems reflect her faith and realization that God is worthy of praise and faithful to hear our prayers. Also in evidence is her sensitivity to everyday events, her love of family, and the knowledge that happiness and laughter contribute greatly to everyone's well-being. A little something for everyone can be found within the pages of Here on My Knees. You may be moved or amused, but certainly will be entertained with Ruth's seventh book of poetry. She has also published two anthologies along with other members of her family.

Contained within the pages of After the Rain you will find poems of faith and inspiration, poems based on self-analysis, family, love, and humorous verses included to lighten your spirits. Ruth's poetry is often rhyming, lyrical, or free and easy as she uses a varied application of form. From Part 1, Sonlight, poems such as The Hiding Place which begins: There is no earthly hiding place where thy love cannot shine. We cannot sneak away and hide for all the world is thine. reflect her faith and realization that God is everywhere and all knowing. From Part 2, Meridian, her haiku show the writer's sensitivity to everyday events: Cotton candy clouds Bluegrass and harmony Serendipity From Part 3, Eventide, this untitled poem, and others, show the writer's vulnerability to the uncertainty of love. Never trust in "happily ever after." Sometimes it is only an illusion, swiftly disappearing behind the magician's cape as your dreams dissolve before your unbelieving eyes. From Part 4, The Witching Hour, more humorous introspection in Ruth's poem The Last Cookie: The last cookie on the tray is calling out my name And if I pick it up, I've only myself to blame. They say the tape measure tells the tale, and the shock of a picture never fails; but, how can I turn away? How can I ever diet? How can I lost the weight when cookies won't keep quiet? A little something for everyone can be found within the pages of After the Rain. You may be moved or amused but certainly entertained with Ruth's sixth book of poetry. She has also published two anthologies along with other members of her family.