Besides having very high aspirations as a young writer, I also had an inflated belief in my abilities. I thought I was Creator level, with a capital C. Humility, and years, have brought me to understand that being a creator is a high enough calling, without believing I have to match the incomparable beauty that has been created and shared with all.
I was given two words that I can only use synonyms for. I wrote a cinquain to meet the syllable challenge.
Uncoil Buds spin open Tender verdant hue That deepens when emerald leaves Return
Thanks to Colleen M Chesebro. You can find the challenge, and the two words at www.wordcraftpoetry.com.
It would be fun if you made a guess at the two words and left a comment!
This entry still reflects a little bit of how I feel about my creative life. I tend to hesitate as I’m planning new ventures, even though I know they will help me evolve and promote my work. I’m learning to break through, but I haven’t yet achieved the feeling of excitement and passion as I look forward to do new things.
How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
Ask Boz researched several famous Woodchucks and came up with these answers:
Wood Chuck Norris – Wood Chuck Norris wouldn’t only chuck wood, he’d kick wood’s bark. He wouldn’t feel bad for wood, either, like you would, you namby-pamby. He’d kick your bark, too, for sure, even if he had to glue some bark to you first.
Senator Woodchuck Schumer – Has put a committee together to look into the crisis in chucked wood, with special emphasis on regulating the after-chuck market.
Wood Chuck E Cheese – Wood Chucky E Cheese made every effort to cooperate with our investigation. We agreed with his lawyers that there needed to be parameters to clearly define how much wood Wood Chuck E Cheese would chuck if Wood Chuck E Cheese would chuck wood. The following are the key agreements reached:
Chuck E signed a contract stating that he “would chuck wood.” Chuck E began chucking wood, but was dismayed to realize that there was no time limit to the chucking period. Chuck E has now been chucking wood for forty-two consecutive days. His lawyers are attempting to work in an amendment or an addendum that would stipulate a time limitation on how much any given woodchuck would have to chuck wood. He has full support of the Woodchuck Union.
Wood Chuck Palahniuk – In his novel The Chuck Club, WCP writes of a main character, Charles, who has a dual personality. While Charles is afraid to chuck wood, his alter ego “Chuck” chucks wood all the time. They form a The Chuck Club, and make a First Rule: Never Tell How Much Wood You Can Chuck.
Wood Chucky does not chuck wood. He stabs it with a knife.
Wood Chuck Taylors – are shoes. How the hell can they chuck anything? What, are you stupid or something? Get out of here!
I was going through my book looking for good passages that I will use in a philosophy unit in one of my classes. This passage stood out to me:
Thoreau
We should be blessed if we lived in the present always, and took advantage of every accident that befell us, like the grass which confesses the influence of the slightest dew that falls on it; and did not spend our time in atoning for the neglect of past opportunities.
We loiter in winter while it is already spring.
Tao
Earlier, Thoreau warned not to try to turn spring into summer; here he warns not to obsess on the past. Lao Tzu said:
Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so much? Because it could be got by seeking for it, and the guilty could use it to escape the stain of guilt. This is the reason that all under heaven consider it a valuable thing.
Learn from mistakes and missed opportunities and apply this learning going forward. Practice forgiving yourself, especially if you have accepted the lessons from your mistakes.
If you are interested in buying my book, click this link.
Reading my poem “Garlic Press” for my radio interview with Victoria Onefrei. Link for the show will be coming as soon as I have it!
Garlic Press
For its mechanical ferocity Consider the garlic press: The most aggressive kitchen tool More violent than the tenderizer. Peel the transparent husk Push the shiny bulb Down into the cup Pressing its arched back Over the grid of holes Line up the plunger – Hinged silver block Created to crush – Grip the handles Squeeze Pressing the bulb into the screen Pushing past its initial resistance Until it breaks Garlic pulps through holes Splattering in shafts Splashing into the dish.
Here is my poem based off of this photo:
Despite its stillness Picture frozen water flows Green comb waterfall Thanks to Colleen M. Chesebro at https://wordcraftpoetry.com/ Photo from https://secondwindleisure.com/
Five-hundred books!
I have to say, this brings me a lot of pride and joy. I’ve said before that it was a tough decision for me to self-publish. Not just because it felt like a defeat to not get accepted by a publisher, but more importantly I realized that I would have to promote the book myself.
I guess I’m doing a pretty good job!
I was thinking today about the rejection letters that I received when I submitted Tao of Thoreau for publication. Two of them were real disappointments because they expressed interest at first: I really thought the dream would come true. Due to those near successes, I held on to the idea of being published, until I finally made the decision to give it a go.
Now, I’m thinking of each of those books as an acceptance letter. And that’s a good feeling!
I think I’ve turned a mental corner about my writing. I feel more like an accomplished author every day, and the wannabee dreamer is being put behind.
A dream came true for me yesterday! I was interviewed by Victoria Onofrei for the radio show “Victoria in Verse”.
If you know me, you know the opportunity to talk about MYSELF FOR AN HOUR was exciting. I read four poems, told a story, and talked at length about family, teaching, writing, and playing Ultimate Frisbee. Basically, I got to talk about every part of my life that I care about and invest time into.
Victoria was a wonderful interviewer! The Zoom format was so familiar and comfortable, it was honestly like talking to a good friend. She kept the interview moving by asking a variety of questions. I feel like it is going to make great listening.
The planned broadcast date is this coming Sunday, March 12th. Of course, I will share the link for those of you that are interested in listening.
Boz Bozeman 