Art & Photography ~ Writing & Books… All settled within a heart that loves creativity, trees, animals, hills, and the changing seasons.
May 14, 2012
Today I'm celebrating the release of Jessica Bell's new poetry collection, Fabric ... Wait!Please don't close the tab at the the mention of poetry! Trust me, just read a little note from the author herself before deciding to disappear ...
Jessica says:
My poetry will not baffle you with phrasing that scholars award for academic genius and that can only be understood by those who wrote it. My poetry is for the everyday reader. In fact, it is even for those who don’t like to read poetry at all. Because it is real, stark and simple.
The poems in Fabric are no different. They explore specific moments in different people’s lives that are significant to whom they have become, the choices they’ve made. It’s about how they perceive the world around them, and how each and every one of their thoughts and actions contributes to the fabric of society. Perhaps you will even learn something new about yourself.
So, even if you do not usually read poetry, I urge you to give this one a go. Not because I want sales (though, they are fun!), but because I want more people to understand that not all poetry is scary and complex. Not all poetry is going to take you back to high school English, and not all poetry is going make you feel “stupid”.
You can still say to people that you don’t read poetry … I really don’t mind. Because if you read Fabric, you’re not reading poetry, you’re reading about people. And that’s what reading is about, yes? Living the lives of others?
Are you still here? I hope so!
Please support the life of poetry today by spreading the news about Fabric. Hey, perhaps you might even like to purchase a copy for yourself? The e-book is only $1.99 and the paperback $5.50.
Janice says: "Let's support those who take the time to create poetry, it adds so much to our lives and opens our eyes to seeing words, and life, in new ways!"
About Jessica Bell:
If Jessica Bell could choose only one creative mentor, she’d give the role to Euterpe, the Greek muse of music and lyrics. And not because she currently lives in Greece, either. The Australian-native author, poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist has her roots firmly planted in music, and admits inspiration often stems from lyrics she’s written.
She is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and co-hosts the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek Isle of Ithaca, with Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest.
For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit:
Tonight after dinner, Farley (our dog) and I went for a drive and took more photos of our new hometown, Harbor Springs, Michigan. We are learning our way around. The camera helps to "see" what is around us. On this 45 minute ride we saw a wild turkey, two beautiful Golden Retrievers, two geese, some black squirrels, and three deer. I also decided to play around with the settings after-the-fact. I was in a colored-down kinda mood...
This farm is high up on the coastline above Lake Michigan.
What a beautiful location for a farm!
A small pond with Lake Michigan in the background.
The sign above goes with the house below.
Harbor Springs center is under road construction.
I hope it is done soon. It looks like they are getting
ready to pour cement!
All photos copyright 2012 by Janice Phelps Williams. www.janicephelps.com
So, today my son mentioned Neil Young, and that prompted me to remember music from when I was in high school (including Neil Young's music)...and then that prompted me to think of music that I've listened to at different times in my life and...well...before you know it, I was compiling a pretty long list.
The following list is in chronological order as to my life, not necessarily to when the songs were recorded. Starting with childhood and working up to the present day. These are the songs I remember listening to. They were my favorites.
Open Salon readers: I have not been able to crack the code for how to embed videos on Open Salon. Though I've followed their directions, it never "takes." So, for easy viewing, and to see the embedded videos, please visit this post at its original site (April 22, 2012) on Appalachian Morning. Thanks!
Woody Guthrie singing "Red River Valley" (I "discovered" Woody Guthrie's songs when I was in high school, but I've included this song early on because I had a toy guitar that would play this when you wound a little handle. No, Woody wasn't singing then, but later on I had several of his albums.)
1962: Video of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons singing "Big Girls Don't Cry"
This was not a favorite song, nor group, of mine, but my older sister listened to them. I remember one time I asked her if Frank Valli "knew he sounded like that?" I couldn't believe someone could be famous and have that high-pitched voice. But then, Tiny Tim had not yet started performing!
1969: "Coming into Los Angeles" by Arlo Guthrie at Woodstock Minute 2:29
I do not know why I liked this song so much, perhaps the rhythm. When my sons tell me its not about the words, but the music, I'll remember this song...
Elmore James singing "Dust My Broom" There was a grocery store within walking distance of the apartment I lived in with my parents during high school. One day I looked through the record bin and found Elmore James and Billy Holliday records. I fell in love with their words, rhythm, and soul. Thinking back now, I am struck by how a 14-year-old white girl, who did not know one single African American person, was introduced to another culture and to the terrible truth behind "Strange Fruit" simply by buying two records, on sale, at the Hills grocery store in Canfield, Ohio.
1970: A video of Judy Collins singing "Farewell to Tarwathie"
I loved this song and was amazed to hear the sound of whales. Remember, this came out way before the Internet, youtube, Earth Day, common usage of the word "environmentalism" or "animal protectionism"... it was so amazing to hear the whales!
1971: Jonathan Edwards singing "Sunshine" Didn't every teenage girl in the 1970s have a crush on Jonathan Edwards? In 2010, my husband, Mark, took me to see him when he performed at Fur Peace Ranch. He looked so different, but once he started singing, well, he was just the same!
1971: Jimi Hendrix singing "Freedom" I bought my bedspread and curtains from Pier I; I listened to Jimi Hendrix. I put my mattress on the floor. I worried my mother... Now, my eldest son is 31 and has a Jimi Hendrix blanket hanging on his wall.
Wyonanna Judd sings "She Is His Only Need" I heard this song on the radio when driving one day and fell in love with it. It speaks to me of hope even in those who one might think would never find love.
Ferron's "I Never Was to Africa" (1984) When I was in elementary school, I wanted more than anything to be a missionary in Africa like Albert Swietzer, whom I'd read about in Readers' Digest magazine. It wasn't that I wanted to convert people, I just wanted to see Africa and be "helpful."
What strikes me now after spending a few hours compiling this list is the wide variety of music that has influenced the sound space around me at very times in my life. How wonderful to have this music available to me, to us, and the freedom to listen to it. Thank you, performers and writers and composers for bringing this music to me!
Today I'm celebrating the release of Jessica Bell's new poetry collection, Fabric ... Wait! Please don't close the tab at the the mention of poetry! Trust me, just read a little note from the author herself before deciding to disappear ...
About Jessica Bell:
