Once again this year I judged a regional Poetry Outloud contest. It’s sponsored by The Poetry Foundation, State art agencies, and the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s now in its sixth year of national competition. Melissa Crockett Mustain, director of The Jacoby Art Center in Alton, organized the event. I love that the students…
My father and I have given several workshops on family stories. Last year we presented a workshop called “Family Stories in Poetry, Prose, and Music” at the Hayner Library in Alton, Illinois. With my father, these three always go together. I set up a structure for the workshop on how to write family stories. Pop…
Yesterday Riehlife readers were treated to Part 1 of Ernest Dempsey’s “Life with the Written Word.” When you read part one you’ll see Ernest’ bio and the story of our four year internet friendship since 2007. –JGR ______________________ PART 2: Life with the Written Word – Ernest Dempsey’s Story from Pakistan JGR: Your home is…
Just like one’s immediate social surroundings, being part of an online community required mutuality of interest, a certain desirable decorum, and above all, the will to engage in meaningful, very often a reassuring, and dialogue – whether in form of direct person-to-person communication or comments on blog posts. It was living in a world of…
Most recently on Riehlife we’ve heard from Jenny Hazard on art as the magic of the mundane. Jenny is a Mentor and Independent Consultant Supporting Survivors Through Mid-life and Beyond. She can be found at White Wave Consulting or Nanakoosasplace. Now she weighs in on the political situation in Wisconsin. For more information check Jenny’s…
It’s that time of year. Will it flood? If so, how high? My father’s history of what it was like to farm around th floods gives us some good historical context. –Janet As I grew up I was aware of the river’s “flood stage,” but only as a matter of interest, not survival. The Riehl…
I’m proud to call Edna Patterson-Petty a friend. She’s a phenomenal woman containing more creative energy than I can keep track of. For Black History Month Edna organized a group show at Southern Illinois University. She titled the exhibit “Inclusion.” Her artist statement defines inclusion as: “artists with different view points, ideas, and delivery come…
Wendy Tremayne–one of my blogging buddies–has founded a wonderfully creative and fun community re-use program: Swap-O-Rama-Rama One will happen soon in St. Louis at the St. Louis History Museum. When: Saturday, March 5, 2011 12:00 PM Where: Missouri History Museum – 5700 Lindell Blvd St Louis MO Don’t miss out on the third annual Swap-O-Rama-Rama…
AJE – Al Jazeera–English version of the Arabic-language news network. Breaking news and features plus background material including profiles and global reactions. My friend Judy Tart says: For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been watching Al-Jazeera streaming on-line to get the latest and best coverage of the uprisings in the Middle East, and I’ve…
Jenny Hazard and I met when she participated in a dialogue about “Five Tips for Creative Independence: Don’t sell your soul to the company store.” Jenny is a trained Advocate and Counselor with 20 years experience working with Youth and Families. Most recently she’s worked with Domestic and Sexual Violence Counseling and support. Jenny says…