My magical gals

Arlene Ang is a wonderful poet and lovely person who also happens to be quite talented at manipulating photos. She recently created these magical portraits of Emma and Kate:





Check out her blog for other adorable kid pics as well as links to many of her poems published online.

Steve McQueen and The Underrated Poetry of Taxidermy

Recently, Sarah offered a Pop Quiz on her blog.
Which celebrity did the results say I am? –
Steve McQueen, who said, "I don't believe in that phony hero stuff."

If you're a poet, or just looking to have some fun, check out the Poem Title Generator on Michaela Gabriel's blog. Here's a poem (rough draft) I wrote based on the title the PTG (reluctantly) spit out for me:

The Taxidermist’s Guide to Alpine Fauna, Part I

See how the ibex stands above us on the boulders,
how the muscles of its flank flex against the steep slope?
(Not even the rocks are real.)

Listen for the (pre-recorded) call of the heron, the spoonbill, the scooper
down at the water’s edge, where the blue (plexiglass) lake
never wrinkles with the wind.

Marmots are inquisitive sunbathers
waiting for the trail to clear, for crumbs to fall.
(Tell the kids it’s okay to touch; these won’t bite.)

The chamois is my pride – note the tension in legs
wound tight as springs, the nose tilted against the breeze.
See the big (glass eyes) brimming with tears, the mouthful of grass.

And over here in this corner of my world is the forest in winter,
complete with snow fleas at your feet and no fear of frostbite.
Lifelike, aren’t they? (Better than the real thing, if you ask me.)

Strong Verse

My poem A Night in Zion is currently the featured poem at Strong Verse.

A Poem

Greetings from the Blogosphere

Hey, kids!

It's coming along swimmingly
after all these years of diligent study
before, during, and after
reflections on fresh pineapple.
I rather like to think I'm improving.
Reasons? There are two.
Absence makes the heart grow drunker,
and dreaming of what I could knit
I should say something, I think.

(Now can I have a puppy?)


- created using lines from the following blogs (in order of appearance) that I read regularly:

Dave Clapper
Bagatell
Patry Francis
Michaela Gabriel
Myfanwy Collins
Arlene Ang
Grumperina
Amanda Auchter
Knit and Tonic
Nathan McClain
Yarn Harlot

Textures

What's New?

Why, Issue Four of NOÖ Journal, that's what. Check it out. There are some wonderful stories and poems. Don't forget to leave comments and let the writers know you liked their work!

Groovy Couture

I've had the worst cold this past week - terrible cough and so weak I couldn't even stand up and cross the room. It's finally fading and I thought I'd catch you up on my latest knitting adventure. I'm designing an entire wardrobe of clothes for my daughters' Groovy Girls (and mine now, since Dennis bought me a very cute one to cheer me up while I was sick. Yes, he IS the best!).

This particular ensemble is a one-of-a-kind creation since I pulled the yarn from my stash and used every last bit. The ball band was long gone, so I have no idea what this stuff was, but I do know it was some sort of novelty yarn one of the girls picked out last year when I first started knitting.


I made it in two pieces - a lace skirt with elastic waistband and a simple tube top with i-cord tie. I have some basic white yarn with a touch of silver sparkly thread that I think will make a nice capelet to go with this, and then Angelique will be ready for the ball!

Publications

The new issue of Flashquake is live, guest edited by yours truly. It was a pleasure and a privilege reading the submissions for this one. Check out all the wonderful essays, stories, and poems. There's even an Editorial with more about my experience as guest editor.

Tilt also has a new issue up, including my poem You Will Attend.

Over at Mad Hatters' Review, I'm pleased to announce that my poem Conjoined was the grand prize winner in this issue's Dangerous Alice contest.

And this just in - the new site for edifice WRECKED is finally up and running. Check it out and you can read my poem Family History, Part I while you're there.