Today I begin finalizing the text and images for the book on my mother’s art of Cape May. It has become so much more than a ‘pretty picture book’ and yet — it is still pretty, and full of pictures. As my friend Kathleen Volk Miller advised, it will read as an inside story, a book that could only have been written by the painter’s daughter. Somehow, I had been trying to erase myself, to keep myself out of the picture. But, that’s crazy. Even the picture above has me in it: it’s her studio, yes, but I was the one who found and prepared it, originally for my nascent business — but ultimately, in every way, I was unconsciously preparing it for her. And she, prepared such a love for art, beauty, family and friends in me. Now, to work. June 6th, the project moves to the able and brilliant studio of Ellen Lynch. Yes!
A little over a week ago, I received a request from Randall Brown, editor of Matter Press, for micro fiction or poems under 75 words. I sent six recently finished poems– offering images also. The next morning, I got this email: “I love these! I’d like to publish all six, with the images.” Elated, I ran down to tell Paul — and then, the anxiety started in. All six in one shot? Would I ever write another good poem? Would anyone notice them, or would they be lost? Would the paintings be “safe” on the Internet. Never mind that I’ve copyrighted the paintings, that I’ve been compiling these high resolution scans for this very purpose — to share them. So, beginning this Wednesday, April 4, and running for six Wednesdays, a poem and image from “Unfinished Daughter” will go live on Matter Press. Check it out, and let me know what you think . . . and yes, I’m thrilled that my poetry will be going live during National Poetry Week, and on the 20th anniversary of the collaboration that resulted in my first publication — THE VIEW IN WINTER. Happy Poetry Month — Enjoy!
I’m lucky. I have a wonderful husband, a father who enjoys his life at 89 and models, daily, the stoic practical joy of putting first things first. As this blog repeats, I miss my mother and I aspire to art, a high calling, sometimes impossibly high. But in our lighter moments, Mom and I reassured each other with the charge “Aim for mediocrity!”
Today, January 23, is niece Pasha Alice Wilson’s 11th birthday. Twenty years ago, I was putting the final touches on the text for publication of THE VIEW IN WINTER. Then, I felt young and invincible. Now, I feel seasoned and I see the horizon line. Recently, over dinner, I mentioned to Paul some goals I had “as I consider the end of my life.” He was taken up short by that phrase. He said he’d never heard me utter it. Well, probably not. But it’s not as if I have never thought of it. I guess we all come to a realization of our mortality at different times, for different reasons. I believe in facing life head on. I’ve always been this way. Not that I see everything clearly, I need help on that score. New glasses. another point of view. Time.
Paul and I are preparing to hang an exhibit of Cape May prints and images from THE VIEW IN WINTER at Samaritan Hospice, Virtua Mount Holly. I am not in the winter of my life, but I love winter and I am grateful to have so many beloved elders leading the way. I hope little Pasha, a delightful, serious child, feels surrounded by love today, too. And you, dear quiet reader, I hope you feel warmed by love.
