Journalism Joy

Doing the job of newspaper reporter, I have had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life.

One person who has touched my heart is Bernard Smith. Bernard is a talented musician.

He sings richly, plays several instruments, and is in more than one band.

What is even more wonderful than the gift of music he shares is that Bernard has found an avenue of expression.

Bernard Smith is autistic.

To obtain a copy of his CD, please write Donna Smith at dms5358@sbcglobal.net

The choice of songs and the way they are sung will bring you joy.

Mary Lou Taylor:Artist In Residence

Mary Lou Taylor is a classmate of mine and a wonderful poet. Recently, she was recognized by Montalvo Arts Center when asked to be an artist in residence.

"Artist in residence programs allow visiting artists to stay and work 'for art's sake.' They offer conditions that are conducive to creativity..." (Wikipedia)

Mary Lou Taylor was invited to live in a studio on the inspiring grounds at Montalvo for ten days to do her work. She was fed with both delicious meals and inspiring conversation from other artists with different specialities. It did rain, so her walks outdoors were limited, but she accomplished most of what she set out to do, including finishing her manuscript. The one requirement for the Montalvo Arts Center for her residency was to execute an exit interview, and she comments that "My stay was a five-star experience."

She brought 3 boxes with her, including the book: 100 Essential Modern Poems.

For more information about Mary Lou Taylor, see www.maryloutaylor.wordpress.com

To learn about Montalvo Arts Center, see montalvoarts.org

Anthologies: A Way to Get Public Affirmation

Several weeks ago I wrote about an anthology for which I had offered an entry. While the author usually gets paid with a free copy of the book, it affords some other benefits.

First, you get the satisfaction of seeing something of yours in print. And as Margaret Abruzzi, writer and contributor to the anthology, "Clothes Lines," shares, " We have given readings at local bookstores, and it has been a wonderful experience for me."

Margaret Abruzzi's selection refers to her childhood during World War II. It captures that time through the eyes of a youngster.

In this anthology, works covering the theme of clothing were solicited-hence, the clever title. The editors are Celia H. Miles and Nancy Dillingham. 75 western North Carolina writers are included in this volume. It is the second anthology opportunity offered by these two editors.

To order a copy, see www.catawbapublishing.com

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, who is often referred to as the "National Poet of Scotland," was born on this day in 1759.

He was also a lyricist and his poem and song, "Auld Lang Syne," is usually sung on New Year's Eve.

John Steinbeck used a line of Burns' poem, " To A Mouse," in the title of his book "Of Mice and Men," in 1937.

Bob Dylan chose Burns' song, "A Red, Red Rose," as the lyric that affected him the most.

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie
That’s sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

The source of this information is Wikipedia.

Class Act

A word to the wise. I was asked to write for an anthology about women a couple of years ago and my piece was rejected because my research sources became quickly outdated, due to being online sites.

However, I did refer the anthology compilers and editors to other potential contributors. I had forgotten all about my disappointment with the aforementioned project, to which I had dedicated much toil and time, and was pleasantly surprised when the book was published. A contributor whom I had recommended and had been accepted, wrote to me and said that in the beginning pages of the anthology, I was thanked by name for referring contributors.

So, I am looking forward to reading "Contemporary American Women: Our Defining Passages."

I suggest you do the same. The class act editors are Carol Smallwood and Cynthia Vincent-Brackett.

Mesh

This is something I intended to post back when it was published in December 2009.

I had the privilege of interviewing my friend and associate, Martha Engber. The link of the article in the Santa Clara Weekly is http://scw.tearn.com/2009/12/santa-claran-launches-literary-novel.html

I met Martha some time ago at a meeting of the South Bay Chapter of the California Writers Club. I am best known as a poet there.
Who knew that years later I would be writing a story about Martha Engber for the newspaper, while I was wearing my journalist hat.

In my work as a reporter, I meet people from all walks of life. In fact, I was recently asked to speak at a retirement hotel by one of my former interviewees. My topic is what it is like to be a writer.

It is always an inspiration to see how different facets of one's life overlap. My next blog post will continue with another unforeseen outcome and connection. Stay tuned... : )

Just for fun

Puns For Educated Minds

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .

3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

7. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

8. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

9. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall.. The police are looking into it.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway.. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'

13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

14. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

15. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

16. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

17. A backward poet writes inverse.

18. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.

19. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

20. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.