a word of caution from greg pincus

April 22, 2010November 15, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

#16 in the Poetry Potluck Series, celebrating National Poetry Month 2010.

photo by Sakuraku Kitsa.

It always happens.

You invite a perfectly respectable group of people to a Potluck, and at least one of them brings a questionable dish. Nothing politically incorrect, you understand, like a side of beef for vegans, or pork chops without applesauce — just something a tad deceptive, maybe even a little frightening.

Friends, nothing is safe.

Good thing we have uber-cool social networking maven, Gregory K. Pincus, looking out for us.

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a little wine, a little cheese, a little jobim

April 21, 2010 ~ jama

photo by jessedharris.

The previously announced string quartet polished off all of Pat’s buns, Sara’s biscuits, Jeannine’s Hermit Cookies, and Elaine’s Almond Gateau. They also inhaled five of Julie’s tortas and a raft of Susan’s Chanterelle and Goat Cheese puffs. Is it any wonder they’re now horizontal and in no condition to perform for you?

Luckily, the jazz musicians are here! Not just any jazzies, mind you, but my all-time favorite Brazilian composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim (a.k.a. Tom Jobim). I never tire of listening to "Wave." This video was taken at the 1986 Montreal Jazz Festival. Sip a little wine, have some cheese, relax and enjoy!

jeannine atkins and her friends, laura and rose

April 21, 2010November 1, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

#15 in the Poetry Potluck Series, celebrating National Poetry Month 2010.

Why, yes. That would be Jeannine Atkins up there waving to us from atop that airplane. Of all our Potluck guests, Jeannine knows best how to make a dramatic entrance. And she’s not fashionably late or anything, which is quite surprising considering she had to travel back in time to bring us the two amazing women who appear in her poem: Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane.

Today, Jeannine is sharing an excerpt from her recently released verse biography, Borrowed Names. You may remember my singing its praises on its official pub day. Since then, it has earned yet another *starred review*, this time from Horn Book! We’re absolutely thrilled for this author/poet/professor who dares to defy publishing odds against poetry and historical fiction. Just as Rose Wilder Lane once flew over San Francisco Bay strapped to the wing of an airplane, these days Jeannine Atkins is flying high on well-deserved praise.

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sweets for the sweet: liz garton scanlon

April 20, 2010November 16, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

#14 in the Poetry Potluck Series, celebrating National Poetry Month 2010.

Namaste.

Please have some jasmine green tea with honey!

When I was searching for a photo to capture the essence of Liz Garton Scanlon, this one by Genevieve Howard caught my eye. There’s a feeling of peace, calm, and radiance. Here’s the comment Genevieve included on her flickr page:

the honey is a moment condensed from hours in a late spring field full of clovers. the tea plants grew for months on a hillside and jasmine bloomed while the sun set.

such sunshine, so much time, concentrated in this cup of tea.

may you be blessed with a sense of having plenty of time,
may you be blessed with hot drinks and sweetness.

Is it not perfect? I often picture Liz outdoors in the fresh air, hiking through fields, up and down hills, navigating river beds, soaking up the sun. She grows rich with beautiful moments, then condenses them to a few carefully chosen words, words seasoned with time, glowing with wisdom.

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apples from the teacher: mary lee hahn!

April 19, 2010November 12, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

#12 in the Poetry Potluck Series, celebrating National Poetry Month 2010.

*Apple and chocolate-covered espresso bean smiley face by Mary Lee Hahn.*

Class, did you bring an apple for the teacher today?

What, your dog ate it?

Have no fear: Mary Lee Hahn is here! It’s way cool to have an apple from the teacher today, especially from this teacher. Every time I read another one of Mary Lee’s blog posts, I wish I could be in her class. She always seems to be cooking up such fun and interesting projects for her students. Mmmmmmm! Do I smell cinnamon?