Text Shirk

Reading Kamler's description of a writer's workshop for women 60 years and older. One woman wrote the story of taking her husband home from the hospital to prepare for his death. When Kamler worked with this writer, they talked about what was represented in the story and what was left out. Focusing on what's left out in my own dealings with kid writers is difficult. I slip into regrets as I re-analyze the same story over and over again and realize the lameness of some of my interactions. Too late, woman. Move on. I'm reading Harper's book too, about teenaged girls in a feminist avant garde reading group. Harper hopes that the girls will come to love the poetry she presents, just as she does. I've been there as well, wanting certain outcomes while trying hard to respect individual preferences. I'm disappointed when ideas are resisted or rejected, though I try not to take it too personally. I can't win because I also get concerned when people embrace the ideas too wholeheartedly. Are they coerced by teacher authority? Shirking these contradictions, I spent the day with two delightful teens. Fun and easy going. They balked at my suggestion that they integrate the Lego Man into the photo as a fake friend, but other than that, they were pleasant as can be.

more mall fun 

mallpals 

Nap or Coffee?

Travelling the Twin Cities with pal Judy the last few days, as documented by my breathtaking blogphotos. Stone Arch Bridge and Spoon Bridge, Al's for Breakfast, Alma's For Dinner, river runs in the morning and happy hours in the evening. There's a coziness to company I quite like. Conked out on the couch after the airport blues, Peter asked me if I were sad, tired or both. The combo plate of course, and a nap helped. Now, the latte.

spoonbridge photo 

marshall fields flowers 

Marshall Fields Flower Show 

Monday Mopping

Minneapolis Mud Room. Who was I to think you could be mopped clean
in 15 minutes? An hour of switching mops, rinsing and wringing, letting you dry, beginning again, start by sweeping back to mopping. You look better, but still madly muddy. Quinn swept yesterday and told me, "I didn't do a great job, but it's better than nothing." A model motto.

accidental photo 

the weekend is over

Husbandman has returned from an extended trip to the northwest territory.
We visited the Weisman today and learned about Alfred Maurer, the first
American Modern. Also ate ice cream at Sebastian Joe's. I made progress on the Bryson. A diary entry if there ever was one.

weisman