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

Click here for New Year's column!

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

Art out my window...

Philip and I are spending the Christmas season in North Carolina with his son and family. They live outside of Asheville in the mountains and it is certainly beautiful.

We spent Christmas Day with Snee's family (his wife), and so we traveled deeper into the mountains for a huge family celebration.

The scenery was lovely as we traveled. As always, I keep my camera ready.  Philip graciously stopped the car so I could take this great photo in the mountains.

This really caught my eye. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. There are many stories to be told from this one photo!

Merry Christmas to my circle of family and friends!

Merry Christmas to all...enjoy this week's column!



Click here for my Christmas column!

In the Bleak Mid-Winter

With coffee and camera in hand, I waited for the morning sunrise in the mountains outside of Asheville. It was so quiet a peaceful, a perfect Christmas Eve morning.

I couldn't help but think of the song, "In the bleak mid-Winter". Please click on the link to hear the song.

Join me tomorrow morning on Christmas to watch the sun come up wherever you are on the holiest of mornings.

Click here for text and music!