This post is dedicated to my Mother, Ruth Thompson, a World-Class Birder. Here at my father’s atop the bluffs above the River Road the eagles get up-close-and-personal. Sometimes they fly so close above my windshield as I climb our big hill to the Big Brown House that I feel I should duck. Our area is…
Recently I encountered a man with a talent for asking questions. In addition to standard first date questions, he asked stuff in a new way that provoked new responses. I’ve re-constructed these in a Q & A format starting with the standard questions and moving on from there. Trust me, I asked my own questions,…
Ernest Dempsey and I met in 2007 when he reviewed my book “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” on TCM Reviews–Tami Brady’s review site. Since then we’ve become writing friends across the waves. On Riehlife I’ve often referred to him as “Our Man in Pakistan.” Have some fun reviewing the Riehlife archives that feature Ernest Dempsey’s wit…
Ernest Dempsey and I met in 2007 when he reviewed my book “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” on TCM Reviews–Tami Brady’s review site. Since then we’ve become writing friends across the waves. On Riehlife I’ve often referred to him as “Our Man in Pakistan.” Have some fun reviewing the Riehlife archives that feature Ernest Dempsey’s wit…
I’m wearing my flamingo Airstream trailer pajamas as I write this. They’re aqua with puff of snow, red scarves flying from the pink flamingo’s while lights outline the Airstream’s door and windows. When I was a girl, our Christmas–like everything else in our family life–was do-it-ourselves from tree to treats to gifts. We cut our…
My father Erwin Thompson–musician and raconteur– tells this true story of old-fashioned square-dance music–when it was just music. Janet __________ There was this fiddler back some years ago who was learning. He had one piece that he played quite well, but it was a struggle for him to learn. He hadn’t gotten around to learning…
From left to right: Gordon Parks and Rosa Parks PORTFOLIO GALLERY AND EDUCATION CENTER PRESENTS: Robert Hale, photographer/journalist, as part of the American Arts Experience: St. Louis WHERE: Portfolio Gallery in Grand Center 3514 Delmar Boulevard, 63103. WHEN: Exhibit runs through November 30, 2011. CONTACT: 314-533-3323 www.portfoliogallery@att.net WHAT? International photographer and journalist, Robert Hale’s “Intimate…
Khadijah Lacina is a regular guest columnist for Riehlife on Creative Parenting. This post is number three in the series. Khadijah and I met through Story Circle Network. She lives in Yemen where she facilitates a writing circle. In her series of articles on Riehlife, Khadijah shares how she stays sane by encouraging and nurturing…
Our most vital repetition is the breath and the heart beat. All art practice is based on repetition as we attain mastery. It’s practice, right? Music, dance, theater, visual art, and writing. These are called “disciplines” of course, because they require discipline. Repetition is how we get there. As musicians we practice scales. As artists…