'Tis the Season of Joy and Light!
...and it's also a time of reflection. This time last year I couldn't have imagined what the year would hold. Here are some of the highlights:
When I chose "bewilderment" as my 2021 One Little Word, I intended it as a deliberate shift away from cleverness toward seeking depth and mystery. I did indeed feel as if I was tunneling dark, twisty ocean caves for much of this year. Where was I? Where would I end up? Well, here I am, still finding hope in poetry and solace in nature. Some things are mysterious and not-mysterious at the very same time!
Like many, I found myself online A LOT during 2021. I really enjoyed connecting with audiences of all types: writers, poets, readers, homeschoolers! A favorite engagement was talking THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO to a group at the International School in Bangkok who were working on writing nonfiction stories. And I taught many young poets the joys of writing nonets!
These virtual visits have changed the way I (and many others!) dress: pajama pants instead of skirts... and simple, solid jewel-tone tops are my favorite—when once upon a time I was all about the accessories (scarves, necklaces, rings!).
I turned 50 this year and have already logged in "50 Firsts," like picking grapefruit, changing my cello strings all by myself, doing a 5K, becoming a Master Gardener, visiting Churchill Downs, and eating oysters Rockefeller. Yum!
In my writing life I wrote across the seasons in my 2021 ArtSpeak: FOUR SEASONS project. View the 52-poem collection here. I saw two books released and other books awarded. I set a writing challenge for myself to work on an adult project 5-15 minutes each day, and as of this newsletter, the first draft is nearly complete and clocking in at over 81,000 words! Slow and steady wins the race...
