Every year I see the notice about this way too late. And every year — until now! — I’ve been super sad to have missed out due to sheer lack of paying attention. I’m talking about Fun-A-Day, a month-long creative … Continue reading fun-a-day with me (pretty please?) …
Once upon a time, two little girls* couldn’t fall asleep on Christmas Eve… It’s impossible, you see, to sleep when you know that Santa is coming. You constantly want to sneak down the stairs. And if you think harder about … Continue reading our peculiar traditions…
You know, sometimes an extremely-silly-yet-kinda-awesome idea strikes and you just have to do something about it. And, sometimes, you can justify spending the time on a silly idea because it’s for someone amazing. That’s why I made these sparkly Twilight-inspired … Continue reading sometimes we make silly things for the people we love…
So, whenever I get a new brown paper bag I fold it up and add it to the tippytop of a rather precarious pile in the dining room. Thinking I ought to finally cut the pile down, I grabbed a … Continue reading potato stamps and bebehs…
Sometimes, I forget how amazingly lucky I am. Sometimes, it takes the prospect of a heaping pile of turkey to stop, think…and remember. Why is that, I wonder? So, as we prepare to meet and eat with our families, I’d … Continue reading thankful…
So, I’m a little late to the game, but I have to say it: I LOVED The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I’m maybe the last person in the world to read it — or at least the last person in the University of Baltimore MFA community — and I’m not ashamed to admit it. But now that I’m converted, I think you should read it, too. Why, you ask? It’s the story of the ultimate nerd. Nerds are awesome. The scene with Mr. P will make you cry (in a good way). So many … Continue reading you should read this…
So, I’ve been working on a project for more than a year now, mostly in my head. It’s a trio of book dolls based on poems I’ve written which are based on characters in the Günter Grass novel The Tin Drum. (Pretty meta for poem-y book arts, right?) Among the plans: a pull-out eel, skirt pages and, um, a sort of fabric molting situation. It’s going to take a while longer, but I thought I’d post some in-progress photos to 1) prove I’ve been up to something book-y and 2) provide myself a public record of progress that will hopefully … Continue reading why do we do the things we do?…
I have paper. I bought some new pens. Supposedly, that’s all you need. And yet… It’s 10 days until November, which means I have 10 days to figure out what on earth I’m going to write about during National Novel Writing Month, or Nanowrimo. I signed up a few weeks ago with friends, so the required system of guilt and nagging is already in place to an extent, but the big question — what will I write about? — remains a mystery. I have a few days off to figure this thing out. At this point, I’m headed more in … Continue reading a bajillion little pieces…
I’m always amazed by people who have the courage to think big thoughts. I’m extra impressed by those who think big and who also have the patience, the people skills and the determination to actually see those ideas through to dramatic completion. Steve Jobs was one of those people. On the day of his passing, I’d like to share a photo of one of Apple’s finest creations: the Mac color classic. How many nights did I spend writing papers on this computer? How many poems were constructed on this screen? I wrote my first HTML on the color classic. I … Continue reading a spirit of innovation…
I like to think I’d never be the kind of parent who would try to inflict my values on some other kid. I don’t even really want to do it with my own kid — although I haven’t been a mom long enough to truly try this theory out. Let’s just say I’m hopeful. I’ve been thinking about banned books this week, and I do know I won’t take books off my shelf out of worry of what the kiddo might see someday. That said, the hubby tested my resolve when we were — of all things! — discussing Star … Continue reading bbw #2: may the choice be with you…
Jenny O'Grady 