End of the Semester: Sand bagged

Photo by K. Iuppa

Yesterday, last day of classes at St. John Fisher College, a gorgeous sunny day, a day you'd be tempted  to go for a long ride to somewhere else.  But I was at school in Basil Hall, listening to the hum of classrooms and buzz of offices on my corridor.  My office too buzzing with final student meetings; and then more meetings, which were  purpose driven. I work with a group of colleagues who know what they want and want what they know to be heard and understood and implemented. I like working with this committee because of the strides taken in each meeting. They are forward or onward  thinkers. Of course, all of us are a bit glazed eyed right now. I have been reading and grading for three weeks straight. This upcoming week is the falling action of the semester's narrative.  How will  these courses end up?  Quickly, I suppose.  Graduation is just two weeks away.

So,with that in mind, I know I have to stay focused and get this work done.  No distractions, but I confess I
want to do other things, like play in the dirt.  Our large gardens are tilled and ready.  Peter has begun planting.  Seeds are started.  Some of our friends are going to be growing their gardens on our land this summer. We turned over large plots for them.  Our earth is just fabulous this year.   It will be fun having them
here on a day to day basis.  I think more people are going to look for these opportunities.  To have a community garden  or farm on  other people's farms.  The gas prices are going to make everything costly, so people are starting to think about putting by their own produce.  Believe me, it's very different eating fresh tomato sauce in  winter.  Once they have a taste of this, they'll never go back.  And, we're organic--  truly organic, so we know  how  our veggies are grown.  Another big difference.

A lot of fruit and trucking farms suffered in the early warm spell, then switch back to cold.  This did not affect our trees this year. Our trees didn't have early blossoms.  We must have been in a pocket of cooler
weather. Whereas, some of the farms East of us and Southeast were hit hard.  This is disappointing, because it means there will be a shortage of apples, cherries, and so on.


It's a gloomy day today, a perfect day for getting things done.  Need to start working on my list.
Maybe, I will be able to carve out some writing time too.  We'll see. Had a good night's sleep last night, so I'm ready.  Bring those papers on!





 .

National Poetry Month

A Sunday in April, I wonder
Does sensibility and poetry
every met?

It is a cruel month, this month, unlike Aprils before. Slogging through the mire of work because the semester is nearly done. This week is the last week of classes, then final exams and graduation-- all before Mother's Day.

The calendar has been chock full of readings. Last week I went to 4 readings/lectures and the Just Poets meeting on Saturday. Enjoyed hearing the rounds of favorite poems and our winter quincouplet project.

Beginning to turn over the gardens and plan out our season's planting. There's so much to do in the next two weeks.

April Come She Will--Simon & Garfunkel

Poetry Reading at SUNY Potsdam 4/4/2012

Traveling to SUNY Potsdam for a poetry reading 4/4/2012 and Workshop on 4/5/2012.

Here's the Publicity:

News from SUNY Potsdam

For more information contact: Alexandra Jacobs, 315-267-2918, relations@potsdam.edu

Blueline Magazine to Host Event with Nationally Acclaimed Poet

M.J. Iuppa Showcases her Works at SUNY Potsdam on April 4

POTSDAM, NY (03/08/2012)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam's Blueline Magazine, a literary magazine dedicated to the spirit of the Adirondacks, will host an event on Wednesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room. This event will feature a nationally acclaimed poet and longstanding contributor to the magazine, M. J. Iuppa.

Iuppa will launch the College's celebrations for Poetry Month by reading from her newest work, "Within Reach," published by Cherry Grove Collections in 2010. She has published more than 300 poems in magazines across the country and is the recipient of several awards for teaching and creative writing.

"Within Reach" has been praised for its artistry and power.

As Blueline book reviewer Nancy Berbrich said, "This is nature poetry, poetry of artistic struggle, poignant and profound -- the metamorphosis of a poet."

The editors of Blueline Magazine are delighted to host such an accomplished, respected and talented New York poet.

In addition, the editors are also pleased to feature Maggie Tucker '12, who will open the event by reading from her poetry. She is a senior creative writing major at SUNY Potsdam.

This event is free, and the public is invited to attend. Copies of "Within Reach" will be available for purchase at this event.

About the author:

M.J. Iuppa is the writer-in-residence and director of the arts minor program at St. John Fisher College, where she teaches creative writing and poetry. She also currently serves as the poetry adviser for the New York State Foundation for the Arts. In 1996, she was the recipient of the Writing In Rochester Award and in 2000 she received the Part-Time Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence at St. John Fisher College. More than 300 of her poems have appeared in small press, university and national publications. Iuppa's works include: "Sometimes Simply," "Temptations, Greatest Hits 1986-2001" and "As the Crow Flies." Her first full-length poetry collection is "Night Traveler," and "Within Reach" is her most recent full-length collection. Iuppa earned her Master of Arts degree in creative writing from SUNY Brockport in 2000, and her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University in 2006.

Blueline Magazine is published annually by the Department of English and Communication at SUNY Potsdam. To find out more information about SUNY Potsdam's Blueline Magazine, visitwww2.potsdam.edu/blueline.

SUNY Potsdam's Department of English & Communication challenges students to complete a core of courses that explore the varied ways that people speak, write and read, with concentrations available in literature, writing, professional writing and communication. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Engl.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Blueline-Magazine-to-Host-Event-with-Nationally-Acclaimed-Poet/3739370