Where Did April Go?

Where did April go? What happened to my creative life this month? 

I needed to read. Sometimes I just have to take a reading break. 

What did I read?

Patty Smith,  Just Kids. Patty's recollection of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe in the late 60's / early 70's. She writes like the poet she is. I came away thinking two things. 1) I would be horrified if my daughter ever lived like this, and 2) I'm glad her parents let Patty live like this. Her story of genuine love for Robert is touching and inspiring.

John Steinbeck, Cannery Row. One of my favorite authors. Every paragraph is so beautifully constructed. Even his description of an octopus eating is worth reading at least 4 times.

David Sedaris, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I love David Sedaris and could read his essays each night before I go to sleep. They make me laugh and make him so endearing.

Nic Sheff, Tweak. Nic's plight with drug addiction. This one is seriously disturbing, but interesting and seems honest.

Poetry by Allen Ginsberg and Mary Oliver. Allen makes me go "hmmm." Mary is just plain good stuff.

A whole month of escape on voyeuristic journeys into the lives of artists, poets, 

writers, and madmen in general. 

All while cooking dinner, cleaning toilets, going to work, 

folding at least 100 white tube socks,

and watching all these flowers grow in my garden. 

I think my creative juices are almost back.

I'm In the Basement... Learning to Print

Yet again, I have discovered that something that looks easy is really not that easy.

Aprons and dishtowels.

I loved carving these blocks. My hands are sore, but the concentration required is so good for my brain.

Cheers to anyone old enough to catch the B-52's reference in today's post title.