Dec 11, 2018 ~ we celebrate my late sister, Dr. Betty Jean Jones. She would’ve turned 69 today. She remains my inspiration and is proud, I’m sure, to see this milestone: After 12+ years, at last Peach Seed Monkey is a novel manuscript in search of an agent. Omygoodness. The reality hasn’t sunk in yet.… Continue reading The End is the Beginning is the…
Category: The Groove
Music Update from Haley Grey (New Band: Grey Heron)
Since starting school at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, Haley has studied history and philosophy while continuing to pursue music. After meeting fellow classmate, Hunter Johns in a jazz improvisation class, the two began writing songs together. As the songs developed, the project blossomed into the 5 piece indie jazz band, ‘Grey Heron:’ Haley Grey, Vocals… Continue reading Music Update from Haley Grey (New Band: Grey Heron)
#3 From the Archives: President Obama in the House!
We’re approach the 2018 Mid-term Elections on Nov 6. I hope you are voting for Democrats locally and nationally so we can TAKE BACK CONGRESS. I’ve been wearing my Obama t-shirt along with my Anna Pletcher for Marin District Attorney button. Many people say, “That’s refreshing to see. I sure do miss him.” to which… Continue reading #3 From the Archives: President Obama in the House!
The POTUS edits himself
Writers: wherever you are working away in your little secluded corner of the world, searching for just the right word, draft after draft, seeing President Obama’s Inaugural Address revisions will make you feel better. And remind us that it’s all about process. This photo was taken by White House photographer, Pete Souza:
April is National Poetry Month ~ and so ~ A Poem
Brownland Browsing by Anita Jones when you sit down you make a lap a place for something to happen cradle your plate at the potluck where they didn’t think enough to set up tables rock a baby to sleep bounce a toddler on your knee pat out the rhythm for juba-this-and-juba-that when you stand up… Continue reading April is National Poetry Month ~ and so ~ A Poem
President Obama in the House!
Boy how time flies. Already a month ago today that I saw President Obama at a reception at Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco. At the same reception last April 20th, I volunteered with my buddies, Doreen and Nancy, working the will-call table. This year, I bought a ticket…and stood in that line. Plenty of time… Continue reading President Obama in the House!
New Year ~ Good Food brings Good Luck
In the 1960s, living out my southern childhood amongst the gray walls of 325 Hazard Drive, it was enough to know that collard greens, black-eyed peas and rice were necessary to good luck in the New Year. I didn’t know anything about “customs” or “superstitions”, but peas and rice would bring change to jingle in… Continue reading New Year ~ Good Food brings Good Luck
A Phenomenal Woman
My sister, Dr. Betty Jean Jones: December 11, 1949 ~ January 9, 1997 When I think of Betty, I see her leading; at home, school, in the community or church, she was out front, leading. She was full of ideas and put them to good in the classroom, the theater and life~also her classroom. She… Continue reading A Phenomenal Woman
Checkmate
The movie Casablanca came out in 1942, the same year my characters Fletcher Dukes and Altovise Benson were born. I love the opening scene for Bogart where director Michael Curtiz has the camera find character, Rick Blaine, playing a solitary game of chess. At the start of my writing process for Peach Seed Monkey, before deciding… Continue reading Checkmate
More from Hazard Drive
Nothing like gettng to know your hometown by making it a character in your novel. Same is true of your childhood street. On both my recent research trips back to Albany I walked up and down the old Hazard Drive (now College Drive) mourning the houses and people that populated it in the 1960s. The… Continue reading More from Hazard Drive