Sankofa can mean either the word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to “go back and take” (Sanko- go back, fa- take) or the Asante Adinkra symbol. A cloth supporting Adinkra symbols is termed an “Adinkra cloth” and has its own particular uses and meanings. As a young woman in the…
There have been times in history that are famous for artists-designers-architects-writers-dancers-musicians-theater folks coming together. These nexus in time have always hummed to me. If I were to step into a time machine, I would set the dial to the Arts and Crafts Movement (late 1800s and early 1900s), or perhaps the Paris Left Bank in…
A big round of applause to Comedian-Poet Daniel Holland for being my guest blogger while I was settling into my new digs at West End Terrace in the Central West End of St. Louis. I’ll be posting more about that process next week, but this week Riehlife features six members of Women Writing the West….
I needed to have a going away party. And, so I did. Atop one of the loveliest, furthest-sweeping views of Clear Lake, at the Riviera Heights Club House, 30 friends–artists, writers, musicians, actors–met to celebrate the day, our art connections, good food (from the Mexican Restaurant T&T at the Lake), home-made music, singing, dancing, poetry,…
Earth Day seems a fitting time to tell you about this environmental arts initiative in Lake County, Northern California, where I’ve been living for the past nine years. Karen Turcotte-Williams and John Williams started the Sculpture Walk outside Middletown, California in 2003. It’s grown from a brave effort of just a few to a glorious…
When I first met my sweetheart Daniel Holland, we started watching movies by theme and one theme was angels. “Wings of Desire” is one of my favorite movies. Ebert quite rightly compares “Northfork” to it. This movie, now four years old, is out on DVD through Paramount Classics with excellent extras: “Bare-Knuckle Film-making, The construction…
“When you see the world on tilt rather than straight on, then you see the humor in the situation.” –Daniel Holland For years Daniel Holland, my sweetheart, dreamed of an old-fashioned comedy variety review show for Lake County, here in Northern California. My slogan is, “If you can dream, you can do.” In 2004, then,…
RUTH THOMPSON LIFE STORY Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson (January 4, 1916 to May 1, 2006) was the daughter of Court I. and Grace V. (nee Higgins) Johnston. At the time of her birth they were farming in Elsah Township, Jersey County, Illinois. As Ruth grew up she had two older brothers, Loris and Lloyd, two…
SPECIAL EVENTS AT HAYNER Hayner Branch Library Events (OASIS Alton Center, Alton Square Mall) “Memories: Each Day Radiant with New Meaning” August 16, 2006 reading, talk, and workshop Janet Grace Riehl, author Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary 1 p.m. –Talk and Poetry Reading 2-4 p.m. Workshop: “Writing Memories” Memories—and our choices in how we live with…