Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Within Reach has Arrived


Much to my surprise, the first box of books arrive yesterday. I was sent a notice that they were coming by UPS and I could track them by code, but I didn't get a chance to see where they were on the road from Cincinnati to Hamlin. In an eyeblink, the box landed on my porch, in my mudroom, into kitchen, and last night opening the book was a thrill-- so lovely.

It's really real-- Within Reach-- here in my hands.

Now the ongoing task of setting up readings, which I'm looking forward to doing. Traveling to see many poets and friends who are a big part of this. So if you see me with a big grin
and spring in my step, you'll know why. I just received a double dose of happiness.

Thank you, Cherry Grove Collections!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

If All of Rochester Read the Same Book. . ." celebrates Ann Patchett and her award winning novel Bel Canto.

"If All of Rochester Read the Same Book. . ." sponsored by Writers & Books, Rochester, NY.

Writers & Books is Rochester’s nationally renowned non-profit literary center located at 740 University Avenue, in the heart of Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts. In 2001, Writers & Books initiated the “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book...” program.

The goal of “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book…” is to encourage people to connect to others in our community through reading and discussion, and through the shared experience of literature. Each year Writers & Books selects one book for our community to explore together, leading to an extended residency by the author.

This year's selected author is Ann Patchett, showcasing her award winning novel, Bel Canto.

St. John Fisher's Art Minor Program joins Writers & Books in sponsoring Ann Patchett's visit to the Rochester.

Ann Patchett will be reading at St. John Fisher College on March 25, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. in Basil 135. It's free and open to the public. Book signing will follow the reading. If you have any questions, please call 385-8412.

For a full listing of the "If All of Rochester Read the Same Book. . ." please check the calendar located on the Writers & Books Web site.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Entering a very busy time of year-- the pace will be gallop until the end of the semester. I'm feeling cranky because I have another terrible cold. This cold has stressed my breathing and voice capacity, so it's going to be tricky teaching this upcoming week. I'm not looking forward to it. I just hope I'm able to do it.

Looking forward to this week: Sonja Livingston with be reading from her award-winning memoir Ghostbread on March 18th, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., at St. John Fisher College in the Golisano Gateway Midlevel. There will be refreshments and book signing too.

I love, love, love this memoir. If you haven't read it, you must put it on your to read list-- I have given it to friends and family. It's quite a story of growing up. The form is inviting, short vignettes appointed as chapters that travel the Rochester, N.Y. and surrounding landscape.
Sonja's writing allows her readers to see her family situation from a point of view that encourages understanding rather than "Can you believe this happened to me." Her storytelling is poignant, revealing the good and not so good situations growing up in a family of seven, with a mother who was trying to make a life for herself and her children. It wasn't easy to say the least. So if you're in the Rochester area, I hope you will come to her reading at St. John Fisher.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Jim Mott Exhibit, The Itinerant Artist Project, A 10 Year Retrospective, March8th-April 8th 2010, St. John Fisher College, Lavery Library

St. John Fisher College’s Visual and Performing Arts Minor is pleased to announce artist Jim Mott will exhibit his paintings from The Itinerant Artist Project, A 10 Year Retrospective, from March 8th -April 8th 2010 in Lavery Library, Lower Level. Exhibit opens on Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m- 9 p.m., with presentation at 7:30 p.m.

The Itinerant Artist Project: over 15,000 miles of painting and exchanging art for hospitality across the USA. Touring for a total of 6 months since 2000, Mott has stayed at 45 homes in 23 states and painted over 250 small landscape studies. Integrating painting, art outreach and performance, this ongoing project has been the subject of several articles and exhibits over the past 10 years.

Mott’s appearance at St. John Fisher is sponsored by The Visual and Performing Arts Minor and supported by a generous grant from Herbert and Joan Vanden Brul. This event free and open to the public.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

more muttering

Daylight now. I still have stone eyes. Not sure what I'm seeing. Is it real or not? Who cares.
So and so and so. I get the drift. It looks like another beautiful day, headstrong blue skies. Twitching light. Spring is coming. Will go for a long walk today. I need some time to stretch out.
Puddles everywhere. The snow is melting fast. Our rooster crows and crows and crows.
The cats never bother the chickens. A opossum raided our rabbit pens and killed one doe and three litters of kits. I'm so sad about this.

Mutterings

Woke up with a start. Words greasy on my lips. I was muttering: Kar. Tune. Phooey. Phony.
Is this all you got? The question of this early hour on a day that will be spent working, working, working. Someone sent me a novena. Someone told me that the last line in my poem has to go. Someone hasn't called in a very long time. Too busy. Someone I love is very sick. Went out yesterday, in the bright sun, and bought presents for people I love. It took me a long time. I was weighing everything with will she like this or this? Last night at a birthday dinner, in a backward thank you, my dear friend demeaned my gifts, by questioning why I gave them to her. "What happened? Did you spend all your winnings on me?" My heart deflated to the size of a kidney bean. Came home. Went to bed.

Thinking back on it, I guess I need that novena. I wonder what she really wanted to say to me. She won't call. She never does. Our friendship ended years ago. I just never believed it. Guess I should just accept that this is the way it is. fin.