ok typing one handed or I can't type at all.

Adjusting to having Uly and squirming into a routine or a groove of some kind. I'm glad its summer and there are no absolute demands on my time except occupying Sophie and maybe keeping my little poetry beast tame...

I've been working hard to just be in the moment and not get crazy with demands on myself like"is Sophie having an exciting enough summer, and when will I ever have a clean house and why isn't all my poetry stuff organized yet and shouldn't I have gotten into a 1000 words a day habit by now, and why is this blog always so damned neglected..... and on and on and on.

For some reason an interview I read with Erma Bombeck has always stuck with me. I'm pretty sure she was fighting cancer at the time of the interview and when she was asked if she had any regrets she immediately answered that she wished she had not worried about the laundry and spent more time with her kids that grew astonishingly fast.

I always looked to her as a kind of writerly role model so those words hit a mark. So when I start getting crazy for no real reason other than my to do list, I remind myself of that quote and it helps me.

I do feel like summer is zipping by. I always swear i'll spend the summer daytripping and doing fun little projects and it usually becomes jaunts to the park and an occasional jaunt to a friends' pool club. We did still plant some veggies and Soph gets really excited when something is ready to pick.

breaking the ice

Its awful when you've been away for so long. Its difficult to get your writing groove back on. But ready or not, here I am again.

I do have a good reason for my absence- Ulysses Frank...my new little munchkin. He came into the world with a bit of drama. They took him at 32 weeks because I developed preeclampsia and HELLP so my liver was going nutty and the only way to fix it was to take him out of my body. Weird hunh? So April 6th he came into the world at 3 lbs 6 oz.

As of today he is 8 lbs 2 oz , and all is good.

There are so many great blogs I read that I find so inspiring and motivating and here sits my little neglected one. SO this is not the most succinct or fabulous posting but its the foot in the door post.

Hell yeah for spring!

Well so much for the once a week discipline I said I was going to have. This beast of a pregnancy is just throwing my plans to the wind. Its very frustrating but I try to console myself with the fact I can get off the sofa and get out a bit. I'm not on bed rest and I could be.

Its also a challenge to my nature to pace myself. I only get two good hours of energy a day and that doesn't get much done. I have trouble entertaining myself in down hours because I still have an energetic 41/2 year old to entertain as well. She's been remarkably understanding of my lack of energy but it has made us gripey at each other.

SPRING! will just about alleviate that bickering because she can play outside and get some ya-yas out over the course of the day. She's been picking inside stuff to do like coloring and cutting paper and various paper experiments but these activities don't burn the fuel like running around outside.

AND by spring this growing person will be a real person that I can hold in my arms and care for and not a something sucking the juice outta me.

I've been trying to guess what life is going to be like once Lump is in the picture. But its nearly impossible to even guess. I have no idea what kind oftemperament it will have, colic-y or no, sleeper or no. Just don't have a clue. It would be convenient if it were an infant like my son was...he slept and ate until he started to toddle. It was great.

Life carried on relatively easily. Sophie on the other hand consumed every waking moment (did I sleep at all?) for the first four months of her life with crying. So I've experienced the two extremes...maybe Lump could be in the middle? That would be fine.

But despite my pregnancy complaints I'm still mostly on track with poetry happenings.. Just recently have confirmed an event with Center Stage which is pretty exciting. Details still coming. The PIB site has finally had its updates and I can start undertaking some of the ideas I've been waiting to implement. So thats all good.

I just totally look forward to the return of sunshine and warm weather. Especially on a day like this as sleet falls, and its so cloudy it may as well be night.

My house is warm, I've got plenty of food and everyone I love is healthy-so life is good.

trying to stay in the saddle

I'm just typing stream of consciousness today. Trying to get into daily discipline of words written.

I'm reading Maxine Hong Kingston's "The Fifth Book of Peace". It is not written in a traditional format. It mixes memoir and fiction. It seeks to understand war and create peace. It makes me think.

I've been kinda slack with my Artist's Way work this week. I seem to go in cycles, good week, lazy week sort of thing. There have been winter weather school closings too, which make lethargy easy. Besides lethargy is good for growing a person. I mean how much physical and/or mental activity can you expend and still be knitting a little human being?

I am trying to schedule the majority of the poetry readings for 2007 now, so I don't have to worry about it so much in the spring. I'll just have to remember to do press. Shortly, I'll have to devise the schedule for the 2007 anthology and when to make a call for submissions. I also need to finish recruiting my editorial committee.

FINALLY, I'm getting the work done on the PIB website that I've been working towards. I can stop feeling thwarted and start moving forward with additions to the site. Things I've envisioned all along but just haven't gotten to materialize.

I'm getting distracted with my mental to do list. I'm going to go accomplish a few practical tasks. But at least I've posted something for this week.

ch ch ch changes

I'm baaack.
I hadn't intended to be away for so long. It just happened. I'd sign on and not think of anything good to say. But I've decided to blog at least once a week because I need the discipline.

So yeah, changes is my title. Thats because there is one gigantic change growing right now. I am unexpectedly pregnant. Yup. Universe likes to throw curve balls doesn't it. So we'll have a third little person in our midst sometime at the end of May. ANOTHER Gemini in my life. Its all good. While definitely a shock we are welcoming this person with open arms.

Don't expect a really concise post here today. I'm just putting words one after the other to get myself back in the groove.

I'm realizing a blog, or possibly future multiple blogs, can be really useful. My daydreams and goals are slo o o w l y refining themselves and I've been taking little steps towards them.

Poetry stuff has been going well. The reading series are consistent and satisfying. Check www.poetryinbaltimore.com for the current calendar. Also use it to buy a copy of "Octopus Dreams-Anthology One", before they're all gone.

Still plugging away at the purge and organization of the house. There is SO much to do but we have been making incremental progress. Things are starting to find places to live, systems are coming together. I'm bringing Sophie kicking and screaming into the clean up after yourself process. I'm trying to embrace the concept before anything comes into the house there needs to be place for it. I'm meditating on the concept of simplicity. I'm such a collector that I don't know if I'll ever be able to embrace it but I can strive towards it. Especially from a sustainable living point of view.

I've undertaken "Artist's Way" again. Its been a punchy, sporadic undertaking but I feel it works for me. I have dragged a languishing, unfinished novel from its folder and have been tinkering with it. So that is welcome.

So, here's to weekly posts and embracing change.

the new year?

I am simply in denial that school starts next week. I'm not ready. There's part of me that looks forward to the dreary days and cold weather because then I don't feel the pressure to be outside enjoying the great weather and beautiful, fantastic long sun filled days. Although I love the new beginning feeling of fall that is entrenched in my being from so many years of public school, I still don't look forward to shorter days. I miss the sense of endless days and warm nights almost immediately.

There is always this resolution in me that we're not going to sit home in summer. That we'll take all the put off day trips and we'll go to museums and traipse thru state parks and we'll finally find a place to go horse back riding.

But then the end of August sneaks up on me and we've mostly hung around our neighborhood and its too late for all the day trips.

This year we went to England! I truly accomplished one resolution and got off the North American continent for the first time. I have a better sense of what foreign travel entails and I know I want to do it again.

I also had a daydream that I was going to lounge at my friends' pool club and write a few chapters of my novel. didn't even pick up a pencil, nor did we spend that much time at their pool.

I DID get a poetry anthology organized and to the printer this summer. It's not a novel but it is something I feel good about accomplishing. It will be really satisfying if people buy and enjoy the book. Because that is why you produce a book, to share it. To have other people share the delightful tactile sensations of turning the pages.

I had lists and lists of what I wantedf to accomplish around the house. The major organizing campaign I keep threatening to wage was usurped. We thankfully got Carnm's folks to sell their house and move into a nearby condo. It was HUGE job getting them motivated and packed but it is such a joy not to drive that endless drive to Shrewsbury. We also accumulated a bunch of their stuff. SOooooo my organizing campaign got kicked high on the priority list.

I have been making some strides in day to day maintenance. I hate doing it but I like a relatively not-filthy house.

I'm also tickled with the occasional glimpses into my novel. Its just a framework right now but the characters are begining to grow flesh and plump blood thru their veins. I like that. When the weather is dark and dreary and its nighttime right away, I plan to curl up in that world and describe it to you.

I want to put more effort into the cyber worlds too. I am going to learn more about the mechanics of blogs and try to get a better habit formed. I want to interact with other bloggers more.

I defiitely want to extend the reach of www.poetryinbaltimore.com but its not going to be easy until I get a webmaster. A little more time needs to be spent resolving that issue. I have a lot of event planning and shmoozing and PR to do for Octopus Dreams as well. I want it to be a good thing.

I want to design a better garden and more attractive landscaping in front of my house. I want to spend more time in creative projects like embroidery and beading and painting and making art dolls. I want Sophie to spend more time making fun stuff too.

There are so many layers to living and I want to try to live those layers consciously. By making specific choices that enrich me and my family and friends. I don't want to pursue empty tasks that don't feed my soul. I want to be one of those people who seem so cool that you just want to get to know them. I want to share more. I want to yell less. I want the arc of my life to travel meshed within my creative work and caring for the people I love. I don't know what else makes life worthwhile.

octopusdreamsweb

octopusdreamsweb
Originally uploaded by sp8cemunky.

It's coming! Octopus Dreams-Poetry In Baltimore Anthology. Only 250 copies. Would you like to pre- purchase? Visit www.poetryinbaltimore.com or email me: julie@poetryinbaltimore.com

Hey Everybody!

I’ve been busy the last few weeks and now we have “Octopus Dreams- Poetry In Baltimore Anthology One” to show for it! I am so excited to bring this volume to you. It will be ready in late September. ONLY 250 copies printed so if you want to pre-purchase you can do so at www.poetryinbaltimore.com or email me: julie@poetryinbaltimore.com

I have a fantastic editing committee: Dan Cuddy, Leslie F. Miller, Men Maa Aim Ra, Tanefa Wallace and Eric Whitehair. I simply could not have done it without them.
I also want to thank Alan C. Reese at Abcedarian Books for taking this project on at the last second and holding my hand through all of the steps. Justin Sirois for the awesome cover design and artwork. The many artists who submitted work and of course all the poets. Who knew that putting a book together was so much hard work?

I had been daydreaming about this project for months and months. I’d talk about it, whine about it, get all wistful about it and finally with a LOT of support, I shut up and did something. Without Carm Matricciani, Meilena Hauslendale for getting me off my duff and making the Poetry In Baltimore website a reality, Charly Postma, Sophia Matricciani, Eric Ankers, Chip Irvine, Big Carm & Dorothy, Corinne Parks, Niki Matricciani, Gilbert Fisher, Virginia Fisher, Rita Stein, Karla Mancero, Brian Langston, Joe Crespo, Tom Swiss, Steve Yorkman, Mic Life, Bleek, and Daniel Stuelpnagel this project would just not have happened.

Minas and Peggy held the first poetry reading I ever attended at the old store in Fells Point and happily offered the Hampden store for hosting one of my first ever poetry readings. Minas has offered many insights and Peggy ALWAYS gets the press out.
All of the poets and audience members who have come to Enigmatoloy (no longer running) or 52 Fridays or 2nd Sundays or any of the many special events….These poets have made lasting impressions on me, they have been some of the first poets I saw doing what they do best and encouraged me to keep on …David Franks, Olu Butterfly, Ad Lib, 5th L, Linda Joy Burke, Barbara DeCesare, Alice Hellawell, JaHipster, Moira Egan, Gary Blankenburg, Rupert Wondolowski, Mark “Wireman” Coburn, Dan Cuddy, Leslie F. Miller….. I know I’m forgetting someone.

We’re planning some release events and hope to have “Octopus Dreams” available at the Book Festival. Remember-only 250 copies are being printed.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Octopus Dreams and poetry readings

Brief Random Email here…… it’s summer and I am trying to soak up every last moment of it. But! Big news is that “Octopus Dreams”, the PoetryInBaltimore.com Anthology will be available really soon! Over 70 pages of original poetry and art works. I am totally delighted with this volume and can’t wait to share it with everyone! In the meantime there will be the opportunity to pre-purchase your copy. In the next day or so, you will find a pre-purchase button on the front page at www.poetryinbaltimore.com There will only be 250 copies.
*************************************************************************************************************
52 FRIDAYS
Friday August 11th
8pm
Load Of Fun Gallery -120 W. North Avenue

Featured poet- Men Maa Aim Ra (pronounced Men Ma-aw A-ing Raw) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His name means: "One who is awakened by the light of reason and faithfully, steadfastly implements Divine Law at the crossroads." Men Maa Aim Ra's writing attempts to fill a void with a spirit and a message that are firmly supported by the strength of the universal consciousness. To this end, Men Maa Aim Ra has committed
himself to using his faculty of receptivity to translate, transform, and transmit new ideas through the medium of poetry and the spoken word.

Open mic

For more info julie@poetryinbaltimore.com or 443-418-4762
******************************************************************************************************
2nd Sundays
Minas 815 W. 36th Street (Hampden)
4-7
$3 includes light refreshments

Feature poets followed by open mic
August 13

Marcus Colasurdo

A widely published writer who is the author of eight books. Marcus has performed his work all across thecountry, including at schools, homeless shelters and prisons. He was the featured reader at the National Healthcare for the Homeless Conference in Washington,D.C. in 2003. Currently, he divides his time between bartending in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and teaching
writing in Baltimore

Auset Marian Smothers

A widely published writer/poet, Auset has won three state arts grants awards in Delaware and Maryland. She was the first African-American female columnist at the Wilmington News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware. She has taught writing and performed her work at a
wide variety of venues, including public and private schools, prisons and colleges on radio and on t.v. She is the co-creator of the Shelter Project which brings artistic opportunities to women and children in homeless shelters.

Auset has published six books and released a CD of her
work entitled “On the Loose”.


more info: Julie Fisher

julie©poetryinbaltimore.com
443-418-4762

need an intern or a secretary or something

I know myself well enough to realize I will always be a multi-tasker and I will always feel the best when busy. That said I think it would be very worthwhile for me to have a detail person following me around or at least calling me now and then to remind me important stuff.

I'm so absorbed in getting this first manuscript draft of the Poetry In Baltimore Anthology done that things are slipping through the cracks.

I don't forget to feed my daughter or anything that dramatic but I do find it difficult to keep a mental calendar or even a written calendar of what needs to be done when.

But guess what!! I get to spend 7 glorious days not worrying about any of it in Merry Old England! I'm going to finally meet my online friend of several years and his family. Its gonna be awesome!
I hope to do an astounding job of documenting my trip but I'll be happy if I remember to take pictures.

I am so glad I am finally getting to feed some of my wanderlust. I have been wanting to travel out of the US for a loooooong time. I also want to do the cross country thing but when Sophie is older. When it will be something she might remember.

I have written a handful or poems here and there. I'm getting occasional new insights and brainstroms for my novel. That makes me very happy. I was wondering if it was ever going to resuscitate. I've also begun working with an ew venue and tomorrow July 21st is a big shindig there- ALTsKape. Lots of details at www.loadoffun.net
I'll try to remember to take pictures there as well.

playing catch up

So WHAT is so difficult for me lately to get any more than two or three sentences written?!

I get distracted by the littlest thing and “waste” time doing everything but writing. It makes me sick and crazy.

I can make the excuse that I’ve been busy but I don’t want to make excuses I want to have some novel chapters or a handful of poems. Not just whine whine whine.

I have all these great conversations with myself in my head. Why can’t I just have them on paper or on blog? Is it really too much to ask of myself?

I guess there could be deep dark psychological reasons for not doing it. I know I’m a practiced, veteran procrastinator. I have made progress but my creative output seems to be the place where I have the hardest time with it. Argh!!

Ok enough moaning and groaning.

I am working on some good stuff. The anthology sponsored by poetryinbaltimore.com is underway and we’ve gotten some quality writing. I’m really excited for that moment when I have a real live volume in my hand. A real book. Maybe that feeling will help push me to finish the novel. So that then I can have a real live novel by me in my hand.

I also have a bunch of little projects to do before we go to England. A bunch of photojournalism and copying some video. I can’t lug all the stuff I want to my friend on the plane so I have to record it some other ways.

The Wild Wings Fairies & Things Festival is done so I have a handful of follow up tasks to do for that And then I can forget about it until next year. No, that’s not really in the least bit true. If I want it to evolve into a hugely successful event (of course I do because I’m a perfectionist) then I need to find some sponsorship and get feedback from the larger “fairy” community.

I have a fire engine blog to create…we’re going to finish the restoration of our 1945 Mack fire engine and then modify it. The modification and restoration will be documented on the blog. I love my fire engine! I wnet to the Antique Truck Show in Carroll Park a few weekends ago and I really enjoyed it. More so than I thought I would.

Also more work to be done to pin down a new venue for Enigmatology. I don’t think it will be much longer now.

S..L..O..W..L..Y purging our own junk and finding homes for all the stuff from Carm’s parents’ move. My original intention had been to spend all winter purging our stuff. Selling on ebay and just getting stuff to charity. But instead we worked at getting his parents’ ready to sell and move. I’m glad its done but mentally I haven’t caught up to myself yet. Now we have more stuff than we started with before they moved but most of it is good stuff.

Soph is all 4 years old now too. It snuck right up on me. She had a good birthday I think. Running around with a bunch of her friends and getting goodies from family.
Lovin! this weather lately..getting all kinds of stuff done inside and out.

so much

thinking, doing, goal setting.

Quality of life is always a priority. Juggling many tasks seems to most often be the reality.

Have been giving myself the space to not write for some time to get my physical space more efficient. Life gets in the way of that goal too. In fun ways. New York trip. Soon to go to England.
Now I'm enjoying the yearning to write=-envisioning pages and pages poolside.

Constant curiosity about what draws people to events? Is there a thread? Is the thread one I wish to pursue? I think people are drawn more to an ambiance than anytihng. Thinknig of ways to create ambiance.

Learning how good Yoga is for me. Learning what a funny beast is discipline.

Decided Octupus Dreams will be the name of the Anthology :)

JaHipster May 11

Enigmatology at the Library of Progress
( formerly PoetryInBaltimore.com Night )

Thursday May 11 8:30 pm
The Library of Progress 1401 Light Street

Featuring JaHipster

OPEN MIC -Poetry or music

Donations encouraged

More info julie@poetryinbaltimore.com
443-418-4762

finally pics of the Aries Party

Back on April 15th I had an Aries Party with my friend Rita at the Library of Progress. Here are some photos

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c302/sp8cemunky/AriesParty/

I had a great time! The band Quazar and Reunion of A Nonexistant Band were outstanding...danced a lot.

busy busy and fun

Its rawther busy here at Chateau Sp8cemunky. I'm juggling projects and spinning multiple plates but its all good. I don't have time to wallow in boredom.
And the weather this past week had been just sumptuous and sensual and gorgeous. I was wondering if I would take glorious weather for grantted if I had it all the time? It really is the different extremes of conditions that make the mild ones so sweet. And I know I would miss an occasional snow storm. It still gives me the feeling of an illicit vacation..remnants of a snow day in a school year experience undoubtedly.

I have a number of things to anticipate -both brand new experiences and some ongoing processes. The PoetryInBaltimore.com sponsored reading events have been going really well. The ones at Minas have a consistently strong audience and open mic crowd. Its delightful each time the seats fill up. I also feel good about the little extra exposure to so much talent. It's always good for your own artistry to see what other people are doing.

The thursday evenings at the Library of Progress are pleasantly unpredictable. There seems to be a core crowd of regulars developing and the open mic never fails to be entertaining. Last week a guy calling himslef the Bowlegged Gorilla played slide guitar accompanied by his own beat boxing. He played his own pieces that were really unique and a lot of fun. Another night a jam band was going along, a mismash of all the musicicans there that night and next thing know one of them is playing didgeridoo...I didn't even know until then there was a didgeridoo in the buiding.

So scheduling poets and performers for those venues takes a little time. I am also undertaking some new promotion ideas.

Then on a different topic altogether, I'm getting to do some traveling! Woo hoo. In May I'm going up to New York to be in the audience for the Baltimore poets who are going to be reading at the The Poetry Bowery-Barbara DeCesare, Chris Toll and Reggie Harris...and that night I'm going to see a band I love..Ghostland Observatory. I can't wait! Then after I save a few more pennies, in July I'm going to ENGLAND! Finally I get off the continent. yes. I'm going to visit a friend I've known for ages online. His children and mine are nearly the same ages so evreyone will have something to look forward to. Long conversations into the wee hours -here we come!

Next weekend is the ritual jaunt to the people watching mecca of the area-The Spoutwood Farm Fairy Festival. Just love that event. And then on June 3rd we have our Spoutwood Farm inspired festival at the nature center-the Wild Wings, Fairies & Things Festival. Its going to be a blast.

The following weekend will be my Words In The Woods poetry picnic in the meadow at Leakin Park...just a casual performance with poets and musicians with a picnic ambiance.

Plus the Anthology submissions are coming in steadily. excellent!

There's a long to do list sitting in my notebook but its been punctuated by fun stuff.

same old argument?

I thought I would share my response to a conversation on another board (www.5thL.com). The original poster was complaining that he didn't want to spend $25 to see I'm paraphrasing "just another poetry show with the same peformers as the last time". He's referring to the 2nd! poetry production at Center Stage on May 6th. ***************
I'd just like to say that I find the "Lyrical Soul" people and performers utterly inspiring.
So much so that after seeing their performances and feeling their commitment, it gave me the boost to go forward with projects I wanted to undertake.
I agree strongly with "a real supporter" these talented folks aren't going to be around doing the $5 venues for a lot longer. And they shouldn't have to. They've been paying their dues for years now.
I couldn't be happier that financial support has come their way and make these productions possible. To me its a very big deal that poets are performing regularly now at a "swanky" venue like Center Stage.
Do you know what it says about their professionalism, that they are able to continue producing shows like this?
I wish more people understood the big picture. Could see that events like these give poetry, and arts in general, economic clout? Do you know how important that is? When government officials and mega corporations look for where they want to spend their money, they are going to look to places and projects that will bring them a return on their investment. If Center Stage can consistently fill ALL their seats with the same set of performers, those performers, the production crew, the people behind getting the show off the ground, will reap the rewards.BUT the part thats overlooked is that the people with money will then look for other similar projects to invest in and hope to get the same success.
Where do you want to see money spent? On bigger sports stadiums? Luxury housing? More shopping malls?
No you want a fairer distribution. Artistic pioneers are a great investment. The government and the corporations only see dollars. Which means that if we want our artists to drive our economy, than we have to support them. We have to support them with our dollars first. We have to sit in the seats, and buy the discs or the artwork and show the world at large that we value their craft.
No one said it was easy or fair or just. But the bottom line is if we want to see a change in what gets valued, we have to bring that change.
If you don't want to see the same performers over and over, buy a ticket for a friend. Or buy one and give it to a neighbor. Or buy one and auction at your local church or other favorite charity. Be creative.
Or take an hour of your day to pass out flyers with your personal recommendation. Or ask if you can volunteer to help the production in some way.
If you value your performers, especially local performers of such high caliber, you will find ways to support them. Particularly if you want their success to trickle down to the community at large.
I'm off my soap box now and I hope I make sense and not make any one angry.

There is a complete whirlwind of thoughts in my little head. I'd really like to be either more efficient with my time or learn to sleep less. It would probably be easier to sleep less.
Having a munchkin ,with very few playmates, makes it difficult to plan days like an adult.

I really want to talk about how beautiful the fresh colors are, especially in a soaking rain day like today. Through my uncurtained three front windows I have a gorgeous mix of red, green and sort of yellow leaves. And all the tree trunks are nearly black because they are so wet. So there are black tracings all over, every where that branches spread.

And lately we've had a few of those essential blue skies. Where there's no cloud to be seen and the blue is so crisp it looks like you could just touch it.

The air is still chilled but the sun feels great. It just gets soaked up by your pores.

I just dig spring! I just love its feeling of possibility and birth and refreshment. The long days are the one thing I miss so completely in the colder months. I almost always get more done in the summer. Heat doesn't usually impede me. And I tend to be outdoors so much more.

So, I'm concentrating on the idea that its spring because otherwise I'll be overwhlemed by all the plans in my head.

I'm consistently wondering about the different values between online networking and face to face or local networking. If you'retrying to get the most for your time , which gives the most bang for your buck? Or is the question more like which has instant gratification and which has long term value.

I feel lately that connecting with like minded people is more important than ever. Our governemnt is makeing every effort to keep us seperated and afraid as a society. So its so imperative to value community now.

My big questions always seems to revolve around how to network to barter. To strengthen productions and events. Artistic people are generally poor in cash but rich in ideas. Why can't those ideas become an economy, a money? How can you link up with sponsors and governments and not find yourself catering to their opinions becasue of their money?

We're so mired in our day to day lives that it is difficult to look outside and try to join forces with others. There's got to be a way.

In addition to being cash poor its also difficult to carry out creative ideas and be a parent. Not impossible, but further challenging.

So if anyone reads this, I'd love to start a dialogue about ways to mesh resources.

April IS Poetry Month! check these out

Enigmatology at the Library of Progress
( formerly PoetryInBaltimore.com Night )
Thursday April 6th 8pm
The Library of Progress 1401 Light Street

Featuring
Barbara DeCesare and Joe Fanzone > Beauty and the Beast

OPEN MIC -Poetry or music

Donations encouraged

More info julie@poetryinbaltimore.com443-418-4762
***************************************************************************************************
2ND Sunday Reading Series: AD-LIB & DAVID FRANKS
Sunday, April 9 / 4:00 pm / Admission: $3.00
Ad-lib (a.k.a. Marvin Dobson) is a Baltimore poet who has performing for ten years. He has self-published two books, Liquid Thoughts of Ad-lib and I am proper English. He hosts State of the Art a monthly show at Notre Maison. He has won numerous prizes, including “Best Host” from Poetry For The People. He also tours occasionally with the "5thL".

David Franks makes poems on the page, composes poems with music & text,
has written music sung by Aleta Greene, Emy Lou Harris, Richie Havens
etc.
His poetry appears in "American Poets Say Goodbye to the Twentieth
Century" & "Exquisite Corpse Anthology" edited by Andrei Codrescu
(Black Sparrow)
His music is available on CD as "Musical Words" (Pyramid Atlantic) &
most recently on WYPR's "Signal" produced by Aaron Henkin.
His Poetries for the page & Musical Poetries have been recently re-mixed for NPR by
Birdhouse Recording, his "Sunday Morning Bells!" a Communion lullably
for hand bell choir has been performed at St. John's Church in Ellicott
City, recorded by Paul Bensel, Columbia Recordings, a visual musical
piece, "f,r,o,z,e,n,t,e,a,r,s" has just been mastered at sonascope by Joe Wall & his most current works (the ones he will present for the first time April 9th)are from a collaborative book that will be available soon with the writer & artist Betsy Boyd.. Julie Fisher, founder of PoetryinBaltimore.com, hosts. An open reading follows. *************************************************

got poems?!

PoetryInBaltimore.com Anthology Call For Submissions

Deadline JUNE 1st

Submit to julie©poetryinbaltimore.com
In the body of the email/ no attachments

*3-5 poems no longer than 5 typed pages

*MUST be a MEMBER of PoetryInBaltimore.com
( registration is free, only takes a moment and you DO NOT need to live in Baltimore)

More info contact julie©poetryinbaltimore.com

Save the Date

WILD WINGS, FAIRIES & THINGS FESTIVAL
JUNE 3
10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Carrie Murray Nature Center
1901 Ridgetop Road











admission $6 per person
more info 410-396-0808
or wildwingsfairiesnthings@gmail.com

Embrace the magic of winged creatures-
See insects, wild birds and meet real, enchanted fairies!!
Lots of fairy crafts, live music and food
Come dressed in your most fantastic fairy outfit or
Design one with the help of our fairy knowledgeable vendors.