Welcome to the lucky charms of the month. Very special indeed!
I hope that you and yours have been in good health and thriving since my last blog post. Spring has sprung, and has raised the spirits of many a reader and writer. Step outside and make a little sunshine.
Last month I informed you that my manuscript was in the hands of my editor for the main edit. She has worked her magic, and it came back into my hands to further refine and adjust. Now the little gem is back in her hands for the final proofread, formatting, and final touches before printing begins. I'm very excited about this collection of poetry. It's a bit out of the norm for me, so it gives me tingles and goosebumps! Let me share with you the image of the front cover. It's still a work in progress but this will give you an idea. For those new to following me, the theme of this collection is traditional Japanese poetry.
So beautiful!!!
When the book process gets to this point things can happen rather quickly, so it shouldn't be too long before I reveal everything to you. So keep an eye out!
Many are thinking of the Irish today. So where does poetry fit in you may ask?
As stated by Poets.org "Ireland is a country known for its rich tradition of verse, from its traditional Bardic poetry and folk songs to poetic forms like the aisling that are still used today. Rife with history and song, Irish poetry has a legacy that includes such poets as Eavan Boland, Seamus Heaney, Louis MacNeice, Paul Muldoon, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, and more.
An annual celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, which occurs every March 17, is a time for celebrating Irish history and culture, and reading about great poets and poetry from the Emerald Isle."
Let us read a poem by one of Irelands poets Seamus Heaney - 1939-2013
"Anything can happen. You know how Jupiter
Will mostly wait for clouds to gather head
Before he hurls the lightning? Well, just now
He galloped his thunder cart and his horses
Across a clear blue sky. It shook the earth
And the clogged underearth, the River Styx,
The winding streams, the Atlantic shore itself.
Anything can happen, the tallest towers
Be overturned, those in high places daunted,
Those overlooked regarded. Stropped-beak Fortune
Swoops, making the air gasp, tearing the crest off one,
Setting it down bleeding on the next.
Ground gives. The heaven’s weight
Lifts up off Atlas like a kettle-lid.
Capstones shift, nothing resettles right.
Telluric ash and fire-spores boil away."
“Anything Can Happen” from District and Circle by Seamus Heaney. Copyright © 2006 by Seamus Heaney.
Lovely indeed.
Earlier this month I participated in Wenatchee's First Friday Art Walk. As usual it was a fun gathering of artists of all kinds. I was at the Ye Olde Bookshoppe on Palouse Street, for sales and signing. Thank you to everyone who supported me! This event is always so much fun. I'd like to give special thanks to Payton. She bestowed upon me several gifts that night. A very special one was a coffee cup she drew a picture on of me. It looks just like me! She got my blue eyes, rosey cheeks, red lips, and black top spot on. Thank you Payton!
Payton's portrait of me.
Of course, you know I need to share a couple of pictures of my youngest granddaughter because she is changing so fast!
Harlow Rain, with her special hat that was handmade for her and shipped from Paris.
And we have TEETH! A whole bunch of them all at once.
I hope you find time each day to read a little poetry, it's good for your soul. Next month is National Poetry Month, where the focus will be on daily poetry reading and sharing it with others. I will elaborate on that soon.
Until next time, smile, stay positive, and spread your love and joy to others.
