My granddaughter, who is six years old, has decided she wants to play the ukulele and she wants her Mom to teach her. And she wants her lessons to be in her bedroom—with the door closed. She reminds me of some writers, me included, who, when we start a story, keep it in our pockets, in our bedrooms so to speak, with … [Read more...] about When to Open the Door
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Writing Stories, Re-Writing the Landscape
Last winter the Iowa City Public Library put on a fund-raising auction for which people could donate items or their own time. I offered to donate myself reading a story. Sunday afternoon was the day. The purchasers brought brought their own children and some friends to a place south of Iowa City called Belgum … [Read more...] about Writing Stories, Re-Writing the Landscape
A Spaghetti Picnic
Our temperatures in Iowa have moderated to the point where it now feels good to be outside. And my thoughts turn to picnics. Some months ago I wrote about food stories--and I promised a few. Just to make good on that promise I want to share a picnic story. When I was growing up on the farm we did not take vacations. … [Read more...] about A Spaghetti Picnic
“We all go to the same silence.” Marilyn Nelson
Marilyn Nelson read here at Hamline yesterday and, during an informal discussion, said that we can grow our capacity for compassion and empathy by meditating. "We all go to the same silence," she said. And we were silent in thinking about those words. … [Read more...] about “We all go to the same silence.” Marilyn Nelson
Writing and Seeing
Packing notebooks, books, manuscripts, computer for the residency at Hamline University's Low Residency Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, which starts tomorrow. Eleven days of intensive thinking, talking, writing about telling stories for young readers. But it's not all about writing. It's about … [Read more...] about Writing and Seeing
A Great Day at Harrison School
Harrison Elementary School in Cedar Rapids sits in an area much affected by the Cedar River flooding of 2008. Many families were forced out of their homes. Many homes were damaged. Many are still under repair. I have been to Harrison School in earlier times. I wasn't sure what I would find this time. Would kids be … [Read more...] about A Great Day at Harrison School
