A Writing Fool

I've spent the last three weeks at North Star of Texas National Writing Project Summer Institute. What an amazing experience this has been. The opportunity to share my writing and hear the stories and poetry of an other 17 women has been life affirming and emotional, truly a transforming opportunity.

Here's one of my poems, inspired by a brief lesson on the Alamo.

I am
a spiritual place
where many feet have trod
none so remembered as that day in 1836.

I am
a place of God
that has witnessed ungodly acts
and stand in testament for all to know what happened here.

I am
the dirt that took in the blood
of men from two places
who met here on that fateful day
and fought to the death.

I am
the walls that echoed the screams of fear and pain
that offered resistance for many days
until our noble efforts failed.

I am
the ceiling that bore the cannon and musket fire
until the night stars looked down on those inside
counseling them the end was near.

I am
the air, staid and still
that enfolds you now
as you remember what happened here.

I am
the Alamo.




Gayle Baar
North Star of Texas Summer Institute 2008

Crowns

Eric and I attended the Greater Lewisville Community Theater production of Crowns tonight. Teresa Ferrell Buntain, director, is a long time friend from R. L. Turner High School. The play portrays the importance of hats among African American woman of the south. The play continues next weekend too. It would be a great Mother's Day present to share this play.

I was reminded of my own mother's love for hats and how I loved to go to the hat shop with her. As they performed the old gospel hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow, which was my mother's favorite, I could see her sitting at her organ, singing this song. As for the hats--apparently I thought they were pretty cool too!

Travis

This is my dog, Travis. You may notice that Travis thinks he's human. He enjoys getting up on the bed, put his head on the pillow and cover up with the comforter. He's a cute little Pomeranian. Right now he is sporting his spring hair cut, which makes him look very "foxy."

Stars Hockey

We lost tonight. There were some pretty stupid calls or lack of calls, but still we should have been able to put the series away tonight. Let's hope they can do that on Sunday and move on to the Western Conference championship game with Detroit. It will get interesting around here if that happens since my husband was born in raised in a Detroit suburb and is a loyal Red Wing fan.

Welcome to my blog. Nothing particular in mind, just the idle ramblings of genealogy loving, book toting, librarian and grandmother.