River
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
© 1970; Joni Mitchell
This is what I've been singing lately, in the car, in the kitchen, in the back field . . .
The subjunctive, "I wish" O, what is the wish that eludes most of us, the one that catches us off guard. I've been thinking, dangerous enterprise, something that guarantees brooding. Sometimes, I just want to put my hand out and stop the constant swirl of living. I want it to be quiet, really quiet, so I can hear wind, or the cat's purr, without feeling the pressure (most often self- imposed) to get on to the next thing.
I feel like I've lost 35 lbs, which I may have, by completing my semester's grades.
Yesterday was my son Nick's birthday. He is the Solstice baby, born on the shortest day, longest night-- now our world turns toward more light, day by day. With this thought comes four gorgeous seed catalogs in the mail. One completely dedicated to tomatoes!
We've been sneaking peeks at all the offerings. We have big gardens and last year was terrible
because of the colder temperatures and rain. We had Seattle weather and I think Seattle had ours. Give it back, please! But this doesn't seem to stop us or our playing in the dirt.
Next few days dedicated to the celebration of light and Christmas. We have a skinny tree this year and it's lovely-- it doesn't take over the room. I'm so relieved. I think I've been feeling crowded, and I didn't want to deal with elbow to branch during our family gatherings.
Looking forward to the next two weeks . . .
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Picking up the dropped stitch
I was stunned to see the date of my last post. Since November 22, I've graded more than 90 critical papers, and I must say many of them were quite brilliant. Satisfying to read and think about, and know that they care about the topic as much as I do. That in itself is a real gift. The last week of semester was this week. I'm going to miss my classes. This week is marathon grading! Then God Rest our Weary Souls~ always love that feeling of exhaustion but my heart is glad.
On Thursday 12/10, I received a lovely letter from Fourth Genre, regarding an essay I sent them in August. They want me to consider doing a rewrite and resubmitting it. Hopefully, I'll be able to accomplish the revision over the holidays. This was a wonderful surprise because I immediately thought: Oh, too bad, form rejection. But it wasn't that at all. It was very specific in its directions/suggestions. So this is another gift, getting feedback from an editor.
I have some ideas floating in my head, but haven't had time to write lately. Soon. the writing time is coming, soon.
Mary Biddinger posted a challenge of 3 poems by the end of the year. Oh, I hope I can do it. Whenever we have those write a poem-every-day-of-the-month challenges, I always come up a bit short. Still, new poems are new poems are new poems.
There's a new bar on St Paul Street called Scotland Yards, just around the corner from the Water Street Music Hall. Has great food (sandwiches, oven pizzas, burgers, salads) and drink, and a cozy atmosphere. It could be the next Cheers. So if you're looking for a place where you can talk and eat and enjoy the people you're out with-- this is the spot. We've been there twice. First time with all of my oldest and dearest friends-- so much fun, and Peter and I returned on a Thursday night after class. That was perfect too. So, if you're near Rochester, think about this place, especially if you go to a concert at Water Street.
On Thursday 12/10, I received a lovely letter from Fourth Genre, regarding an essay I sent them in August. They want me to consider doing a rewrite and resubmitting it. Hopefully, I'll be able to accomplish the revision over the holidays. This was a wonderful surprise because I immediately thought: Oh, too bad, form rejection. But it wasn't that at all. It was very specific in its directions/suggestions. So this is another gift, getting feedback from an editor.
I have some ideas floating in my head, but haven't had time to write lately. Soon. the writing time is coming, soon.
Mary Biddinger posted a challenge of 3 poems by the end of the year. Oh, I hope I can do it. Whenever we have those write a poem-every-day-of-the-month challenges, I always come up a bit short. Still, new poems are new poems are new poems.
There's a new bar on St Paul Street called Scotland Yards, just around the corner from the Water Street Music Hall. Has great food (sandwiches, oven pizzas, burgers, salads) and drink, and a cozy atmosphere. It could be the next Cheers. So if you're looking for a place where you can talk and eat and enjoy the people you're out with-- this is the spot. We've been there twice. First time with all of my oldest and dearest friends-- so much fun, and Peter and I returned on a Thursday night after class. That was perfect too. So, if you're near Rochester, think about this place, especially if you go to a concert at Water Street.
Welcome to the Neighborhood Opens Tonight!
Please spread the word that Welcome to the Neighborhood by Hank Kimmel will be running during the holiday season. It's a premiere comedy and my daughter Meghan Rose Tonery plays several roles. This is Meghan's second run on the JCC stage.Last year at this time, she played Corie in Barefoot in the Park. Brian Coughlin directs this play, and the rest of the artist company: Jeff Lurie, Gina Menz-Kunz, Philip Ortolani, and S. Michael Smith also play multiple characters; Jeff Siuda plays Andrew Hill. The JCC stage is a very comfortable venue-- not a bad seat in the house!
Welcome to the Neighborhood Opens Tonight!!
Celebrate the JOYS and "OYS" of modern life.
When a downsized copy editor decides to follow his dream of becoming a writer, he doesn't have to look far for inspiration. Daily commutes ...office politics...holiday crowds...modern dating...airport security...maniacal soccer moms...and the neighborhood pharmacy are all ripe for picking on.
Grab your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends and have fun at the ultimate Neighborhood Watch!
A World Premiere!
Performance Schedule:
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Saturday, December 12 at 8 PM
Thursday, December 17 at 8 PM
Saturday, December 19 at 8 PM
Sunday, December 20 at 2 PM
Saturday, December 26 at 8 PM
Sunday, December 27 at 2 PM
New Years Eve: Thursday, December 31 at 6 PM and 9 PM
Saturday, January 2 at 8 PM
For tickets and information visit…
Reserved Seating Tickets are $24. $22 for JCC members and $16 for full time students.
(585) 461-2000 ext 235
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