MFA Thesis

This is my book entitled Still It Storms.  It is a collection of poetry that is poetry in form, but memoir in content (make sense?).  Anyway, I'm pretty excited about it.  It sells for $10.00.  My plan is to connect PayPal to this site and connect this site to FaceBook. Wish me luck!  If you are interested in hearing some pretty talented people read from their books, come to the University of Baltimore this Friday, May 10 at 6:00.  There will be two readings with reception and book signing during intermission and at the end.  I'm reading in the second half, so if you only want to see my group, you don't have to show up until 7:30.

Blogging

This might be my final blog.  It certainly isn't something I have to keep doing now that I've met the requirements for the e-publishing course.  Like Tabitha, if I do continue, I won't do three a week.  This class has certainly been an experience.  I have to admit I learned a lot.

Now I have some 25 pages of revisions to do for my memoir class... sigh.  The end is in sight!

Candle Holder

During the Christmas of 2006, my boyfriend got me a candle holder.  It's a heavy lead crystal.  The bottom picture is the more accurate of the two.  The top picture has a yellow votive candle in it that makes it the amber color.  I'm a fan of candles and the light displays that they make.  However, I'm not a huge fan of scented candles.  They are mostly too cloying for me.  This particular candle holder puts off the prettiest reflection of any I have.

Cooper's Hawk

This is a Cooper's Hawk that frequents the front of my house.  These pictures were taken from my living room through the screen in the window.  He is a magnificent creature.  Once, when I was standing on the porch talking to a friend, a small bird flew out of the bird feeder between us.  Darn if the hawk didn't swoop down from somewhere and snatch that little bird right out of the air in front of me.  It was startling, a one-of-a-kind event.

Guest Poet

I teach the creative writing program at Catonsville High School (which I am sure I've mentioned before this).  We have a guest poet program where local poets come to my classes and read; they also answer questions; sometimes they do activities with my students.  Today's guest was Michael Fallon, a professor at UMBC.  It was a pleasure to hear him read from his latest manuscript.

Pure Wine Cafe

If you haven't tried Pure Wine Cafe on Main Street in Ellicott City, you should give it a try.  Four of us went there Saturday evening after dining at Portalli's.  The hot mulled cider was great, as was a dessert wine from Portugal.  If you prefer something refreshing, the white peach sangria that is made on the premises is also delicious; it was recommended to us by the waitress at Portalli's.

Snowmageddon

The snow of 2010 was not to be believed.  It was ridiculous, three feet after three feet.  This year, according to the Farmer's Almanac, the winter will be more mild:

Annual Weather Summary: November 2010 to October 2011

Winter will be colder and drier than normal, on average, with below-normal snowfall in New England and above-normal snowfall elsewhere. The coldest periods will be in mid-December, January, and mid-February. The snowiest periods will be in early January and mid- and late February.

As a school teacher, I'm not sure I'm pleased.  Random snow days are so delightful.