Meet my friend, Logan Phillips, gonzo poet.
I’ve mentioned Logan on this blog before, and I’ll mention him again. Why? Because he’s a gritty, vigorous wordsmith with something to say. Logan was a big hit here in Nashville, doing an in-house performance, a show at Bongo Java in Nashville, and a private session. We’re hoping to have him visit Nashville again and do some of the poetry from his new book, Arroyo Ink.

Arroyo Ink contains, among its treasures, a trilogy of Logan’s work that I especially like: a heartbreak story of missing the last train in Mexico City; a wonderful fun poem called I Live Alone; and a piece about new love called One Night and Your Hair. Lest you think Logan is the average lumbering elephant of a poet, let me tell you that in a performance by Logan you’re likely to see giant walking creatures, Logan with a loudspeaker strapped to his back, half naked men (see photo), video that will put your eyes out.

To read more about Logan and his work, go here: http://www.dirtyverbs.com/.
His new book is an economy friendly $12, which includes all shipping. Tell ’im Caroline sent ya.

Conozca a mi amigo Logan Phillips, el poeta gonzo.
He hecho mención de Logan en este blog antes, y ahora lo hago de nuevo. ¿Por qué? Porque es un valiente esculptor de palabras y tiene algo que decir. Tuvo mucho éxito durante su visita a Nashville, hizo un performance privado y luego una presentación en el café Bongo Java. Esperamos que nos visite de nuevo para estrenar obra de su nuevo libro, Arroyo Ink.

Arroyo Ink contiene, entre sus tesoros, una trilogía de poemas que me gustan mucho: una historia de corazón roto en el metro de la Ciudad de México, un poema divertido que se hace llamar Yo Vivo Solito, y una pieza acerca de amor nuevo que se llama Una Noche y tu Cabello. Y para que no pienses que Logan es otro poeta normal, dejame decirte que en un performance de Logan se suele ver criaturas gigantes andando, Logan con una altavoz atorado a su espalda, hombres medio encuerados (ve la foto), y video que sorprenderá los ojos.

Para leer más acerca de Logan y su obra, checa su sitio: www.dirtyverbs.com
Su nuevo libro es económico, solo $12 dolaritos que incluye envío. Dile que te enteraste gracias a Caroline.

Mama's Sweet Pickles

Recipe
2 gal cukes, scrubbed
1st day--Boil 1 gal H2O with 2 cups salt & pour over cukes. Loosely cover. Aluminum foil OK.
2nd day--Drain cukes. Sprinkle 2 oz Alum over cukes & pour 1 gal boiling H2O.
3rd day--Drain cukes. Pour 1 gal clear,boiling H2O.
4th day--Boil 1 gal white vinegar with 2 oz pickling spice. Pour over cukes.
LEAVE THROUGH 14th DAY.

Drain and slice cukes. Layer sliced cukes and sugar in jars. Stop cukes 1½”from top of jar but cover that space to neck of jar with sugar. Juice should seep from cukes and eventually all sugar will dissolve. Jars do not have to be sealed. Any type of glass jar with a lid may be used.

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

"You men out there who think Ms. Picoult is a chick thing need to get with the program. Her books are an everyone thing, and the current offering — about a little girl whose bones are so brittle that they break almost at a puff of wind — is her best since My Sister's Keeper. It's a legal/medical thriller, but at bottom it's a story about the American heart of darkness: a small-town marriage under stress. Picoult writes with unassuming brilliance and never descends into soap opera.”
—Stephen King

From the time I read my first Picoult book I became a rabid fan. If she wrote it, I’ve read it. And yet I find myself dismayed that a movie has been made of My Sister’s Keeper. What makes Picoult such a fabulous writer is her exploration of the feelings of all people involved in an issue. And the issues she chooses to write about are difficult. Her writing is sheer poetry; her sense of timing is perfect—how does that translate into a movie?

I didn’t come to see [my sister] because it would make me feel better. I came because without her, it’s hard to remember who I am.

I became a firefighter because I wanted to save people. But I should have been more specific. I should have named names.

I stare at Kate through the protective glass wall. Gamma rays, leukemia, parenthood. It is the things you cannot see coming that are strong enough to kill you.

If you've seen My Sister's Keeper, please post your comments, or any comments, about Picoult. Thanks.

Flowers Make Our Day

And The Beat Goes On...

Here we are one year later...and the garden's in the ground and doing quite well.

We're enoying herbs and produce from the gardens already. And the flowers are gorgeous.
Stay tuned here for gardening tips, photos, pressure canning information, sewing tips, craft ideas, and updates from all over the world.

Love Your Mother postage stamp

"This poster is a limited edition of only 11 serigraphs to preserve paper this earth day. The paper is a bit smaller than most of my other work and there is a lot of white space to save ink. I could have not made anything at all and that would have really been more beneficial to the environment, but I thought it would feel good to spread some love to mother earth and all of the mothers out there." Jorge Arrieta

I fell in love with the art on this one, so with Jorge's permission I had the art put on a postage stamp. I'm very proud to show his work on my mailings.

Check Jorge's work out at http://www.popsiclesandgrenades.com/