Check It Out

On her blog, Andi states that “cloudscome” is from a favorite haiku.  Andi graciously donated a handcrafted quilt for Bridget’s auction.  I enjoy reading Andi’s haiku.  For example, this one from April 11 (unfortunately I have maxed out the image capacity so you will have to visit her blog to see the fabulous forsythia photo):

evening light
lingers on the forsythia -
not finished dancing

-Andromeda Jazmon
Her photography blog inspires me (mine is desperately behind).  I recently interviewed her as part of learning about the auction donors.

When did you begin blogging? What is the focus of your blog?
I started blogging in 2005, jumping off discussion boards around adoption. I found it such a powerful way to connect and share our stories. I have been blogging about books at A Wrung Sponge http://awrungsponge.blogspot.com since 2006. I like to post poetry, especially haiku, and photographs. I’ve been participating in the “365 Project” for about three years, striving to take and post beautiful photos on a daily basis. My photo blog is http://sandycovetrail.blogspot.com.

When you aren’t blogging, what might we find you doing?
When I’m not blogging I am working in the library, teaching computer classes, playing with my kids, walking in the woods, in the garden, taking photographs, cooking, quilting, reading or sleeping.

How did you get involved with Kidlitosphere? I can’t quite remember the first kidlit blog I started reading, but it might have been Jen Robinson http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/ or Kelly Harold http://kidslitinformation.blogspot.com/ . I saw Jo(e) posting Friday Poetry at http://writingasjoe.blogspot.com/, found other bloggers doing poetry, and got totally sucked in to that. I’ve participated with poetry almost every Friday since early 2006.

What books are on your nightstand? Ijust finished Zetta Elliot’s A Wish After Midnight, and started Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann. Next up is The Boat by Nam Le and then A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal. I’m also in the middle of New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton.
Where do you find inspiration? Reading thoughtful, beautiful, compelling books with a variety of ethnicities represented across cultures makes me happy and makes me want to share my thoughts with others through blogging. Reading clever, funny, brilliant blogs makes me really glad to be part of the kidlitosphere. Friday Poetry, 15 Words or Less Poetry Challenges and the Monday Poetry Stretch inspire me to write poetry and try new forms. Gratitude to God for the grace, love and life that surround us continually inspires me to strive to be the best person I can be. All things beautiful inspire me to reflect and express joy; especially my sons and all the children I’ve known.
What was your favorite book as a child? As a teen? As an adult? Any particular genre stand out? As a child I loved Winnie the Pooh, the Little House books, Edward Eager, the Hobbit and the Narnia books, all of which were read to me over and over by my parents. As a teen I loved everything by Ray Bradbury, Madeline L’Engle, Scott O’Dell, and Robert Heinlein. As an adult I enjoy realistic fiction, historical fiction and Young Adult fantasy. My main genre are science fiction and fantasy, with some realistic fiction. I have tried to focus on writers of color in the past twenty years because I find a variety of cultures and viewpoints to be stimulating and enriching. I think my early years and education (as an English Major) to be far too Waspish.
Favorite time of the day to work?  Early morning, before anyone else is awake.

Chocolate: white, dark, or milk? Dark.

Coffee or tea or —? Coffee in the morning, tea the rest of the day – oolong, green or herbal. Iced suntea no sugar in summer.

Dance: Funky chicken or the tango? Definitely funky… as in 1970s Soul Train…

 I am looking forward to the day I get to purchase her book of poetry.  If you want to bid on the baby quilt, visit here. 

Poetry Friday is hosted by Kelly Polark at Kelly Polark  Have a great weekend.

Happy Reading.

MsMac