Ask anybody who knew my mother well and you’ll get stories of her positive attitude, her love of people and how she was a leader; in the Gaines family she was born into, and the Jones family she married into. Oh…and they may mention how she liked giving you a loving maul with her fist… Continue reading Ms. Irene
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
Adding a NEW Feature ~ The Skinny ~
This is my way of flash-sharing stuff that crosses my path from various corners of life; random, worthy scoops from art, culture, politics, etc.
Harlem Barbershop ~ Tells Its Own Stories
June 2011 ~ ALBANY, GA Nope. Not talking about the infamous Harlem in New York City, but rather its namesake 1000 miles south in Albany, GA. It’s hot as the dickens that day, but nice and comfortable inside the barbershop on the corner of W. Highland and S. Jackson Streets in this historic district. When… Continue reading Harlem Barbershop ~ Tells Its Own Stories
Giving Back at a Young Women’s Conference
Saturday, February 6, 2012 was a beautiful day in Orange County, CA, and The Brentwood School held its first Young Women’s Conference called It’s Our Turn. This was organized and lead by young women at the high school, inspired by Maria Shriver’s annual Women’s Conference. Maria served as Honorary Chair. I had the pleasure of… Continue reading Giving Back at a Young Women’s Conference
Charlotta Janssen ~ “So Abstract she’s concrete”
~ Anita’s Journal Entry June 1, 2011 Albany, GA :Researching novel at 50th Anniversary of the Southwest Georgia SNCC Movement Tonight after a long day of speeches and panels, a bunch of us left Albany State University’s Hyper Gym for an after party in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn on the banks of… Continue reading Charlotta Janssen ~ “So Abstract she’s concrete”
Interview with author Pam Houston ~
Had fun recently interviewing award-winning author, Pam Houston, at Book Passage in Corte Madera at the start of tour for her new book, Contents May Have Shifted, a novel about the fearless, archetypal Pam’s spiritual odyssey to combine love and freedom. Author Pam’s prose and observations snap, crackle and pop. The Skinny ~ As we… Continue reading Interview with author Pam Houston ~
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!
Karen Savõca & Pete Heitzman
Here’s one of those times when my native tongue fails me, can’t find words to rightly describe the music of Karen Savõca and Pete Heitzman. I could say earthy, soulful—definitely, but much more. Need to borrow some words from a more expressive language or maybe I can make up a few. I had not heard… Continue reading Karen Savõca & Pete Heitzman
Undefeated ~ Won Oscar: Best Documentary Feature
CONGRATULATIONS to the Undefeated cast! And shame on the filmmakers for blowing the Oscar acceptance speech. In their attempt to “save the best for last” they failed to thank the players, coaches, Manassas High School and North Memphis, among others. (Merrill Streep knew better; she thanked her husband first, so as not to be drowned… Continue reading Undefeated ~ Won Oscar: Best Documentary Feature