A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt: Landon and Penny’s Final Episode

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

poetry friday buttonThanks to my friend Buffy at Buffy’s Blog for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today. If you’d like to know more about Poetry Friday, click HERE for an explanation by Renee LaTulippe.

Ants may rule the hill, but they don’t rule here! Art by Landon

Hello loyal followers and friends. Did you notice the words “Final Episode” in the title of the post? I imagine some of you thought I meant final episode of 2017. But I actually meant final as in last. So putting together this post is bittersweet. You know the feeling you get when you make a tough decision? A decision that you think is for the best, but it’s still hard to make? I have that feeling to a big degree right now. In fact, I’m a little teary as I write this. Final sounds so…well…final.

I made this decision for a couple of reasons.

First, I feel that this series has had a great run so I decided…why not stop before it gets tired. Or before I get tired. 😀 Or before Landon gets tired. 😀 Or before our followers get tired. 😀 May as well stop while we all still love it, right?

Second, I devote a lot of time to the series. Besides the collaboration that Landon and I do one Friday of each month, I have guest collaborators the other Fridays. That means finding guests, scheduling the guests, and putting the posts together. I could certainly use more time for my writing and this will give me quite a bit more time. And Landon (believe it or not!!!) will be in high school next fall. We all know that means Busy with a capital B.

I made the decision and we’re moving forward. So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And if you miss the poetry and art collaborations, you can always “replay” any episode by clicking HERE. Between our collaborations and guest collaborations, there are 112 episodes for your reading and viewing pleasure!

And if Landon and I miss collaborating there could always be a sequel or special episode 😀

And for anyone who just happened to stop by for their first time today, let me tell you a little about A Great Nephew and A Great Aunt. My great nephew, Landon (now an eighth-grader) and I (his great aunt) collaborate. I write a poem which he illustrates. We started this collaboration in the fall of 2014 and had so much fun with it that I decided to invite others along. Landon and I collaborate one Friday of each month. The other Fridays I have guests sharing poetry and art in beautiful collaborations. I have created a page on my website to view all the episodes of A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt. Click HERE to visit the page and enjoy past episodes.

And now

. . . drum roll . . .

The Final Episode of A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt

Penny’s Poem

Before you take a look at Landon’s art, I wanted to make a few comments about it. Landon wanted to do something special for our last episode. He wanted to draw AND animate his illustration! He spent hours (and I mean hours!) getting the art just right for 3-D animation. It’s so wonderful and amazing that I don’t even have words. As usual he added his special creative touch by having Santa tip his hat to reveal a surprise. Not only that … he also included the special object that he’s hidden in his drawings throughout our series. After all, his art wouldn’t be the same without his trusty pencil…right?

Let’s have another

. . . drum roll . . .

Landon’s Art

So there you have it! The final episode of A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt. Thank you so much for following our series.  I’ve looked forward to hearing from our follower-friends every Friday. It wouldn’t have been the same without your interaction in the comments. ❤

Have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!

55 thoughts on “A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt: Landon and Penny’s Final Episode”

  1. Oh Penny I’m going to miss these posts, they are truly my favorite, but I understand your decision. Of course more time to write means more great books to look forward to. Best to you and Landon in the new year!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Well, I’m glad I didn’t miss this grand finale! Congratulations to you and Landon for doing something rather special and unusual all these years, and for sharing it with all of us, even allowing us to participate! Your final collaboration is extra entertaining, and I wish you more of that writing time you crave, and a glorious end to 8th grade for Landon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Heidi. I just loved that you and your 2nd graders shared your coral reef project. It was amazing. I imagine it inspired other teachers to follow suit with similar projects! Thanks for following the series 😀

      Like

  4. What a fun times you’ve had with this blog! It will be sad to see it stop, but there’ll be more fun to come as you get to write more on your own now! I wish you both the best and congratulate you both on a wonderful collaboration.
    Merry Christmas! I’m up and waiting for my oatmeal to finish cooking and for our snowstorm to start!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Congratulations to you and Landon on a successful run! Smart of you to stop while you were still having fun. Your poem needs a soundtrack! Short of that, Landon’s animation is flat-out amazing! HUZZAH to the both of you!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Wow! That poem is lovely, and Brandon’s art blew me away. I have no idea how to create anything like that. 112 episodes is amazing. Congratulations, Penny and Brandon! And hooray for ending when YOU feel the time is right. Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Cute poem and love Landon’s Santa! Great job. Happy writing to you in 2018! I’ll be reading your new book to my kindergartners soon after we cover the major fairy tales.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I am so honored to have participated in your fabulous blog. I know each of you will use gifts in other ways. What a wonderful journey you have taken us on. We are forever grateful for the joy of the collaboration of text and art.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Sherri. I loved having you and your niece and nephews! Having guests was one of my favorite things about this series. We all shared in our love of poetry and art … especially “kid” art. Thanks for being a loyal follower 😀

      Like

  11. I will miss reading your wonderful collaborations with Landon, Penny, as well as the guests posts. Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen!! Many hugs and many thanks!! ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Wow! You and Landon pulled off quite the spectacular finale to this series! I have enjoyed it, but certainly understand your decision. Best wishes to Landon as he starts high school. I hope maybe once in a while we will still get to see his artwork. I look forward to seeing what writing comes from your extra time!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I understand exactly how you feel. I was doing a blog round up each week for about 3 years. It’s hard to make these decisions because you know your readers are counting on you. But you need to do what’s best for you and for Landon. Landon is well on his way to being a fine artist, illustrator, animator, whatever he chooses. I am blown away by his animated Santa. Your poem is perfect in meter and rhyme, something I struggle with. Such a fun poem for kids. I will miss this series and thank you for letting me be a small part of it with my nephew.

    Like

    1. Yes…very hard decision but I do think it’s the best decision for now. Landon definitely could have art in his future if he chooses. He’s sooo talented! Thanks for your comments on my poem. I was revising as late as last night. Isn’t that the way we writers are about our words? Thanks to you and Jack for being a part 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Thank you for all the beautiful posts through the years, and I hope the two of you will find other ways to collaborate in the future!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Bravo! What a wonderful series! Your poem is a delight and the animation is the perfect send-off. Congratulations to both of you! I can’t wait to see what your extra writing time leads to!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. One hundred and twelve fabulous memories, Penny, and so many have been from Landon’s art which I love, especially that pencil! Iimagine someday I’ll see Landon’s art somewhere and be able to say, I knew when. . . And you are the mistress of wonderful rhyme, Penny. I love your new Christmas poem, that “Santa scoot” is hilarious to imagine! Merry Christmas and thank you for the Friday entertainment. Best wishes to more projects in your new found time!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes! One hundred and twelve! And I feel lucky to have them preserved here so that I can revisit and enjoy! Thanks to you and Ingrid for your special contribution ❤
      I kind of like the idea of the "Santa Scoot" too. He would fit right in down here in Texas!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I still have Ingrid’s picture and we “visit” it now & then, Penny, a fond memory. Like Landon, they grow up so quickly! You’re right about that Texas dancing!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. We will all miss this wonderful series of posts, Penny, but best to do what feels right at this point in time. And your readers will certainly be the beneficiaries of more writing time for you! Thank you for all of those episodes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Patty. I’ll miss it too, but maybe I’ll be able to send more books out into the world. Here’s hoping! Thanks for following the series and for doing the special collaboration with the first graders for Pick a Pine Tree.

      Like

  21. Penny, I loved your poem and Landon’s artwork. It is always hard to say good-bye to our passions. I wish you both a very happy holiday and here’s to new beginning in 2018!

    Like

  23. We LOVED the last poem and art work for the series! Mom and I are sad to see it go, but glad we were along for the ride. I will think of Landon every time I steal a pencil and try to eat it. Great job, P and L. xoxo

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Bravo Penny and Landon! It has been a great run. Thank you for brightening our Fridays with your talented, creative collaborations!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. What a bittersweet post indeed! But, it’s good to let things go when you know it’s time, so you can devote your energy to exciting new projects, and remember this one happily! Thank you for sharing so many great drawings and poems with us for so long, I’ve enjoyed them all so much, and wish Landon so much success and happiness and all good things!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Oh, my goodness. Bittersweet is an absolute truth here. I’m so glad that I got to see this post and many others and to have participated in this great collaboration. Landon, you are one talented and lucky young person. I’m so glad to have gotten to know you a little through your Great Aunt. Penny, you are one special lady showing us all how poetry for kids is done right. I’m giving you a standing ovation…..and will watch the animation in the morning as I have sleeping people and pets all around me. shhhhhhh. Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Linda. I’m so glad you participated. I enjoyed your collaboration with Ian, Aleah, and Cora. What a talented bunch you are! Guest collaborations brought me so much joy! It made the series extra special. Thanks for following the posts! That means a lot 😀

      Like

Comments are closed.