It is officially Autumn. I woke in the middle of a night and stumbled to the hall closet to get out an extra blanket. There is something energizing about this change. The hot summer was brutal. The broken glass, the broken air conditioner, the poison oak. It was a series of unfortunate events. The change in weather seems to be offering a change in being. Last time I wrote, I was confused and not sure what I was doing. I think a lot of that has worked itself out. It seems bustling and peaceful at the house. The living room is golden and there is always the faint smell of campfire drifting in through the back door.
Our cat, Shakti Boombox, had kittens and it’s been the same sort of settling in together for the animals as it has been for us. Talia moved out and Drea went to Tennessee for a while. My sister, Kait moved in and we have had lots of guests and travelers.
Megan planted more greens. Swiss chard and kale. She harvested the Sweet Annie and the amaranth. There are several plants I don’t know the name of but the yard is green and lush with leaves.
Life seems to be dishing out extra helpings of kismet lately. Keith, the co-founder of Food Not Bombs, is staying with us for a bit because his van broke down in Oklahoma City. I’ve really enjoyed sitting with Keith and listening to stories about the FNB movement and the Slow Food movement and laughing instead of crying about the absurdities and atrocities of our government. I seem to be writing a lot of political poems lately and with the election so near and work being so busy, it’s been good to sort through all these things with someone with tons of experience and knowledge.
Poetry has been real good to me lately. I went to a Women Writers Conference in Kentucky and met some incredible women, including one of my influences, Patricia Smith. She gave a fantastic workshop and really mentored me in ways that I really needed. The business side of poetry is always a challenge for me. I never know what I should be asking for or how to ask for it. I think it is a common thing for women artists and I am learning how to be more assertive.
Speaking of women artists, the talented Penny Hill has left for a fall tour with Blue Valley Farmer. She will mostly be in the Midwest. Check out dates here.
Her shed is all finished and kicking. Its always fun to hear her out there working out new songs. Everyday, she is practicing with the band so it’s like getting our own private concert.
I think we have definitely established that we are a women artist’s collective. We all engage in some kind of art. Music, playwriting, zine writing and poetry. As well as fabric and healing arts. I think our vision is to be a safe and nurturing space for women to create and to inspire each other. At least, that’s what we seem to be doing.
