Frigid Temperatures in Janvier

This winter chill is too much for me!!! How about you? I'd like to pen a poem about the way too cold weather........In actuality though, I need to write about the 35th birthday for the Canton Newcomers. My working title is "Farmland To Ikea".
It kind of stands out to me........I've been doing some light drafts of the piece, and have to have it completed this weekend as I am literally out of time.
I'll probably write two versions of it, and give one to the group to read next Wednesday evening. As I have a class to teach, I will not be able to present the poem, unless they will be going strong for a couple of hours. I don't expect people to wait around for me to show up though........It'll be weird to have someone else read my work first......At any rate, I am excited about the opportunity to do this!!
I sold a copy of my book, "Woman Reclining" a couple of weeks ago to Canton's Township Treasurer, and she told my husband Gerry at a meeting this week that she has enjoyed reading my book and said that I am a very talented writer!!! That will help with promoting my book in Canton Township. I'd like for everyone to own a copy of it. I really have to come up with a slogan so that everyone buys a copy!!!
At any rate, I am pleased that I am reaching a large audience, and that my readers are enjoying the book. If you haven't purchased a copy yet, please do so!
http://outskirtspress.com/womanreclining
As I am busy writing and teaching, I've been a little bit behind on my book manuscripts, but, I am coming up with additional ideas to add to it. I plan on having some best-sellers on my hands soon......Perhaps by the end of 2007.........I know, I know, I have lofty goals, but without them, it's a bit harder to trudge in that direction..................
Also, today, I went to the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens to drop off my artwork, and am looking forward to the artist's reception next Friday evening. I am truly inspired, and hope that some of you will stop by and say hi. I've invited most of my students to come to it. I haven't invited my french students yet, I'll probably do that Monday evening (which of course is my birthday), and if they want to come it would be nice.
I have yet to write a press release regarding this event, and really need to do that tomorrow!
Well, that's it for this month, and this evening. I really hope that the deep freeze will settle in somewhere else tonight, and give me a warm birthday by reaching the freezing point. At this point, I'll be lucky if the temperature doesn't not dip below zero degrees.
Happy Below Freezing Birthday To Me!!!!!!
See you in February................

Cold Weather in Janvier (January)

I plan on writing some winter poems this week.............(I really do hope to do that!). I froze my toes and everything else the other night when I went to see some of the ice sculptures in downtown Plymouth.
One of the ice masterpieces was titled "Happy Feet". Even though the event was offically over yesterday, I'd like to stroll past some of the ice pieces tomorrow or later on in the week and see if I can photograph some of those works of art. I'd like to compose some neat pieces and see what happens after that!
Plus I've got to work on the poem for the Canton Newcomer's club. I did some drafts yesterday during my breaks at the book signing........I need to compile that information this week and see where it's going............
Happy Writing!

New Musings

I know it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted an entry for my readers. I am sorry for that! I've had a lot going on in the past two weeks, and when my schedule changes, I have to figure out what my work week looks like for a couple of months at a time. It can be a challenge as I don't always know what I'll be doing daily or monthly! I was working hard writing press releases and networking to make sure that some of my classes would sell as teaching is a priority for me right now. Without my students, it's hard to keep up with my writing and research assignments! In actuality the students motivate me as much as I motivate them. Right now I will be pretty busy for the next few months with both my writing and teaching endeavors. I also will be doing other art projects and entering into some exhibits and or shows.....That's always a lot of fun when I am accepted into them!
Today I have a book signing, and I need to get my stuff packed up and ready to go here shortly. I sold a book at the Winter Ball on Friday evening which was nice. I always bring books with me. For me, it's an important marketing tool. Even if someone doesn't purchase a copy right then, they'll be more inclined to at another date........
I began a new course last week entitled, "Motivational Tips and Exercises To Keep The Ink Flowing". This is a brand new writing program that I designed specifically for Canton Township, and my enrollees are eager to learn. My courses are all being housed in the Village Theatre of Canton which makes it exciting for my students as they are surrounding by art activities. They'll be writing about the latest art exhibit there beginning this upcoming week.
Tomorrow I embark on my journey to Paris.........I only wish.............I'll be teaching French once again, and I hope that my students will be delightful and ready to learn this wonderful language.
I'll have another creative writing and poetry class beginning at HFCC and some of those students will be returning to my class after taking one with me in the fall.
I've embarked on a new project as well.............I was contacted by the Canton Newcomer's group to pen a poem for their 35th birthday celebration on Feb. 7th 2007. I hope to accomplish this feat fairly shortly. Noreen wanted to have someone of my caliber in the program as I am an award winning poet. My work will be included in the time capsule to be opened at a later date! How cool is that! I love it when I get an e-mail that says..."I am an admirer of your work"..........
Plus, she's planning on taking a class with me sometime this year!
Well, if I don't get going now, I'm going to be late for my booksigning!

My First Book Signing in 2007

For my first book signing of 2007, I had good press coverage in the two local newspapers. It is helpful that the information is listed in the front section of the newspaper too.
Today it was still a bit warmer than usual in Michigan, which I am happy to say, I definitely enjoy!
The time flies by when friends and students stop by to chat and check out my book and chapbooks. Today I sold copies of each which was nice. I never know what will sell, but, it's neat when I walk away with a few bucks in my pocket!
All of the money goes back into my writing projects and chipping away at my investment costs for these books and chapbooks. I'll have to work on new chapbooks, and creating revisions for some of the ones I published last year. I'm always looking to improve my product through revisions or a new look.
It appears that one of my projects this year will be to create a book of photographs. I keep getting compliments on my photography and that it is something that these readers would like to see out there. I figure that'll be a fourth quarter investment at this time, as I've got enough chapbooks to work on now. Plus, my duties as a college professor will be resuming shortly, and hopefully my newly designed courses in Canton Township will sell out!
It's always hard to sell new courses or programs in the Winter or Spring Semester, but, I am up for the challenge!
I've got to drop off some framed artwork Sunday for a photography exhibit in Dearborn, Michigan. I really want to get into this show as I was told about it by the curator of the show in Canton a couple of months ago. He chose my "Westland's Camel" photograph for Canton's Fine Arts Exhibition, and told me that he'd put me on his mailing list for upcoming exhibits that either featured photography or was a multi-media show. I am excited about this opportunity, and I enlarged my photo to 11 by 14 which looks fabulous. I think I'll experiment with different frames and see how I can showcase this beautiful creature. I figure too, that, even if my pieces aren't selected for this show, I have done a great job with the photos and the framing, and they'll be ready for the next exhibit I enter them into!
I figure I will write some prose about this art too, as I have yet to do so.........
He'll probably be on the cover of one of my chapbooks............Maybe even the instructional writing chapbook that I am revising right now for one of my classes....

Happy New Year 2007

We're already one day into 2007, and it's amazing that another year has passed by. Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I didn't. I figure I know what I need to do, and I make promises to myself year round. I find that this is the best course of action for me as I may actually fulfill some of them!
I've been reading through my work to compile an educational chapbook for my upcoming writing class. Perhaps I'll have a short edition compiled by next week. I will pace myself and start composing tomorrow.
In addition I've been working on my day in the life book for publication too. It's a lot of work, but, something that I feel will be fruitful and a good read for my audience which of course includes writers!
I'm happy that the weather hasn't been too chilly thus far, and it has enabled me to be outside a little bit, and admire the Christmas lights and displays. It's always interesting to see how individuals decorate the outside of their home, or lawn.
Perhaps I'll photograph some of the outdoor art tomorrow evening.......I'll probably start with my little display..........