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Grace

That is the mystery of grace: it never comes too late. ~François Mauriac

I'm trying to catch up with friend's through their blogs...I've missed both for months now. I suppose this past Winter and Fall I was in hibernation (most of the Spring too I suppose). I was beginning to think that I could not get back into the swing of writing on my own blog but in reacquainting myself with fellow bloggers/writers, I have realized that they are my best muse and inspiration.

This morning I visited Becca and though my first intent was to only mimic the Book Meme that she recently posted, I find myself inspired to really get back to writing via this wonderful interactive tool known as blogging. Thanks Becca! Who knew that you writing about what you should do would inspire me to actually do something....one might call you a saint...no wait, people already think of you that way (sincerely, this woman is amazing but so humble that she'll never truly know how amazing she is...ironic, isn't it?).

Anyway...here's the Book Meme:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.

And here's the quote:

that is what they knew
War     World War     War
That's why when they speak to the child
they say
     poor little one...

In truth, the top book on my closest stack (of three) was a knitting of knitting directions but No Way I was quoting from that. Just under the Sublime book was Begin Again - Collected Poems by Grace Paley.

I titled this blog entry Grace because of the poet's name but as I typed that last sentence, the thought occurred to me that because I was raised in Christian tradition, I cannot help but associate the word grace with the word gift. And my next thought was of how our friends (even those we've never met face-to-face) unselfishly  bestow gifts of communication, inspiration, and support....even when they're unaware.

No School!

Parkers Restaurant, Bethesda MD
(cell phone photos so forgive the resolution)

School holiday so I decided to explore some independent bookstores in Bethesda. Didn't arrive until 11.30 and had no breakfast so my first stop was lunch...took a recently purchased book Writer's Paris: A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul. I will withhold my review until I finish reading the book...but so far, so so.

One of the bigger B&Ns in the area

My first book shop stop was to be Olssons...but either it moved or closed because it was not at the address listed online. Incidentally, if you are looking for an independent bookstore in the U.S., find one on NewPages Guide. So I popped into the giant B&N for a cup of coffee and to do a little research for my November trip.

The upstairs cafe had a nice little nook with floor to ceiling windows which not only gave a lovely view but the luscious warmth of the sunny day.

Georgetown Book Shop, Bethesda MD (go figure)

This little gem was a short walk from B&N and provided more options than I could browse in the time left on my parking meter.

First stop, Poetry (bien sur!). Not a bountiful collection but the choices were difficult because the books that were available were choice. I whittle my wish list down to the following purchases:

The Burning Heart - Women Poets of Japan
Without - Donald Hall
On Writing Well - William Zinsser
If I Had Wheels OR Love (1st ed, 1991) - Vassar Miller

So with all this inspiration, it's time I write my piece for ODB!

Donald Hall

Poet Laureate, Donald Hall at the National Book Fair

One of the highlights of the National Book Fair in Washington DC, was the opportunity to listen to Donald Hall read his poems and give some introductions briefly explaining their conception. Just listening to the way an author emphasizes words or phrases, and how he/she used pauses gives new meaning to a poem. Mr. Hall's health is noticeably weakened, but the strength of his Voice and power of his words cast an unforgettable spell.

One of my favorite poems that he read was titled Between the Clock and the Bed and is included in his new book White Apples and the Taste of Stone (which I was unwilling to stand in an outrageous line to purchase yesterday so will pop into B&N later and add the poem then). In looking for this poem online (and failing) I came across something more interesting....a painting by Edward Munch (of The Scream fame) similarly titled Between Clock and the Bed. Of course, the poem is based on the painting although Hall did not mention this during the reading (or perhaps, I was too busy falling and bruising my thumb at the time....don't ask!).

After the reading, Hall signed books and programs. For me, at my request, he signed the front of my jeans jacket with a Sharpee. I instructed him to sign it "as big as you please."  It was difficult to tell from his grin if he was pleased that I asked or simply amused at my odd request but he did manage to say, "I spread the L's out for you." Hall is both brilliant and accommodating...what's not to love?!

National Book Fair

Crowds begin to gather early at the National Book Fair on the Mall in Washington DC

Yesterday morning I relished the National Book Fair on the Mall in DC. I took the Metro down and arrived almost an hour before the festivities officially were to begin but the booths were already in full swing and I began to fill my complementary blue tote with treasures of posters, bookmarks (Tom estimates I came home with about 800...I think it's closer to 500 :-), CDs and paperbacks. This was a teacher's dream come true! The Book Fair veteran's came fully prepared with rolling suitcases in various sizes...my shoulders understood the virtue in that quite quickly. The drizzly weather did not seem to deter the attendance or the enthusiasm.

Writer Gabriel Shapiro displays his novel Empty City (click on the title to learn more about the book).

The Pavilion of the States was my first stop because it was next to the Poetry Pavilion and the readings weren't scheduled to begin until 10am. This is where I loaded my tote with goodies and met Gabriel Shapiro at the Missouri exhibit. He lives in St. Louis, where I was born and raised and so we struck up a conversation about the city and it's many virtues (in the literary and architectural sense..no mention was made of either the Rams or the Cards). And he was kind enough to keep my already-growing bag under his table for a while so that I could get a few photos more easily...so check out his book (link above), I'm sure you'll find the premise interesting especially if you have any ties to a city in the midst (or need) of rebirth.

Jason Hille, National winner of the Poetry Out Loud competition

This segment of the poetry readings was one of the most enjoyable for me. Six winners of the Poetry Out Loud competition recited classic poems from memory...perhaps performed is a better word. Their renditions were captivating. You can listen to their recitations HERE.

Donald Hall, American Poet Laureate

The Poetry Pavilion filled to overflowing just before recently appointed Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, came to the stage. For more on Hall, click HERE.