Rain falls on the Mad Mag Studio as I daydream...

It is one of the loveliest of days here on Ocracoke Island as the raindrops fall and cascade down through the trees surrounding my studio. I found an old umbrella that would just barely open to cover me while I trekked my few steps into the studio. It didn't work so well as I was still covered with the cold winter raindrops.

The small heater purrs, the twinkle lights dance and cast shadows onto my work space and a trunk of dress up clothes wait for an occasion. My guitar is propped up against the wall, small lamps adorn wooden trunks and my old blue table is covered with work. This old wash house space is good.

Working alone in a studio is a new experience for me. Without the structure of school, I find I own my discipline, whether I use it correctly or not. I do often find myself daydreaming, which is probably good. It reminds me of my elementary school days as well.

Oh, in case you are wondering, I am on my third class at Yale University...I am just waiting for my water soaked, marked up textbook to arrive by post before I go to the next class. Robert Frost is the first poet we have studied in class. Yesterday the professor put us into small groups for discussion. Unfortunately the class I am taking was taped in the spring of 2007 so I missed out on the discussion as well as the in-class worksheet!

Is it possible that I will just discuss this poetry with myself on this rainy day in my Mad Mag Studio?

So, wherever you are, hopefully your work is good and important to you.

Thanks for reading.
Lou Ann

The entrance to my Mad Mag Studio in the rain...notice umbrella!



One of my bookshelves!



This is the old blue table I rescued...great for working and drinking coffee!!



Dress up clothes whenever I need or want them!



Poetry Passage...

As I work on my collections of poetry this winter, I have decided to publish one each Tuesday. Hopefully you will enjoy and gain something from this piece. Thanks again for reading.

Diamonds feel.

He took her hand and led the way

Across the frozen creek.

They skated alone together,

She began to spin

And he let go of her hand.

He laughed and turned his back to her.

She did not know the ice was thin

Until she fell through in darkness.

Cold seeped into the twilight

Burying her in the frozen grave

As he led another to the ice.

They skated together.

Diamonds fell.

Art Out my Window...

This photo was taken out my back door last year in January. I hear it looks very much like this currently! It makes me cold just looking at this photo. I do love the quiet and lonely sound of winter. It is different here on Ocracoke as the chilly winter air does not stop anyone as there is, of course, no snow. A little bundling up and it is a delight to share in this brisk air here. So, wherever you are...snow or not...enjoy this lovely January and my art out my window!

I am a Yale student after all!

I hope you enjoy this week's column as much as I enjoyed writing it!


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Friday thoughts...

The blizzard comes to Indiana as a mini blizzard, as I understand it. Schools are delayed, the traffic crawling along on the interstates, and folks are digging out. Even though the snowfall was just a few inches, those winds carry it into the unknown corners of barns and houses and old wooden gates.

Matthew and Jonah will shovel for me after school. Hopefully they will return the shovel to its rightful place on the porch as, on occasion ,it is found a block or two away.

As for here on Ocracoke, the wind pounds upon the summer rockers still out on the pizer looking as if ghostly beings have taken control of my favorite summer reading spot. The ferries to Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are idly sitting in the harbor waiting for the wind to abate. The cedars and yaupons bend with each howl of the wind.

It is an interesting feeling to know that here we are on this fragile piece of sand with nary a way to get to the Mainland. Isolated, but not deserted. No, life continues on as school children go off to learn their sums, postal clerks and bank tellers break for lunch, and homes are full of conversation and warm fires.

It is a good place to be on a cold windy afternoon by the sea.

Sunset on Ocracoke Island

Here are a few photos from the Sunset on Ocracoke Island. We went just at dusk to take a walk, and saw dozens of dolphins playing in the waves. A Simple Life.

Poetry Tuesday

This is from my collection of poems,

Knocking on a Glass Table

Behind each picture is time lost-

Open it up for flesh and blood and bones.

Unseal the frame for the past to spill out naked and raw

Burdened like a bride, except the new is gone.

Old and blue weave memory tales lost in wood and glass.

Seal it back up with a whisper and a sly look.

No one will know as we reset the nail.

Art out my Window

Here is a view out the cottage front window. I took this after a rain this morning. I love the winter colors here on Ocracoke. I think this looks more like a painting than a photo, probably because it is through the glass. It also is a bit crooked.

I am finally settling into the winter life at Ocracoke. We have already had lots of activites and places to go. Last night was the Twelfth Night party held at the Meeker's. Philip did such a great job writing about it that I am just going to refer you to his blog.

So, here I am writing away in my studio, catching up on work and getting back into the swing of things. I love being a gypsy and a writer. Thanks so much for sharing with me as well. Lou Ann

http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/

This week's column...I saw three ships come sailing in...

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Traveling up the Eastern seaboard was an enriching experience. Please enjoy the article and the photos that follow! Lou Ann

The Battleship North Carolina, notice I couldn't get the entire

ship in the photo!

Another view of the North Carolina.



The Town Clock in Beaufort.

Sailing ships in the harbor at Beaufort.



Coming home on the Cedar Island ferry.

Happy Birthday Carl Sandburg!

Several years ago I received a grant to follow the footprints of Carl Sandburg. I flew to Oregon, boarded a train and spent the next ten days traveling by rail.

What began as a journey to study the works of Sandburg turned into a plethera of literary giants to study.

As I traveled from place to place, how could I not study Steinbeck, Fitzgerald and Hemmingway? I still am immersed in these authors and that time period.

On winter nights I can quietly sit and read the poetry and works of these great men.

So, happy birthday to Sandburg. Here is just a small sample of his work, this one is from a collection of his Chicago poems.

NIGHT from a railroad car window

Is a great, dark, soft thing

Broken across with slashes of light.

New Year's Blessing

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Art out my window...

Driving to Charleston last week, we passed a beautiful Airstream Trailer. It was so reminiscent of my grandparents that I couldn't help but take a photo. My grandpa used to park these at the rallies all the while my grandma collected blue ribbons for her cakes and pies. Many a night I stayed over sleeping in their Airstream. I do not know where these folks are headed, but wish them a safe and wonderful journey.



A Child's Christmas in Wales

Today I am posting the full text of A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.

Thomas was born in Wales in 1914 and died in 1953. He left a body of work behind him of stories and poetry. Several years ago I began reading this every Christmas...to students, to children, to adults. I had several small paperback versions that have all but disappeared from my library shelves as I have given them all away.

I had attached the full copy of the story in print, but there are also versions on utube in which you can enjoy the strong Welsh voice of Dylan Thomas.

In the meantime, I am leaving the mountains of North Carolina to journey on to Charleston.

Enjoy a cozy read on this rainy day in the Carolinas!


A Child's Christmas in Wales