This is one of two online writing spaces I use.  The other is called "The Notebook" and can be found at http://radio-nowhere.org/nb/ and is where my poetry and occasional forays into short fiction can be found.

I've known about the book in the photograph for a long time.  I've had it for several years.  It's one of those books I've kept around to read later because it's one of those books you should read.



The first photo doesn't show quite how old this particular book is.  However, the naked lady with a torch (or running torchbearer if you prefer) symbol and recognizable to many my age and old.  It's a Modern Library book, and you can still find them by the bushel at used book stores, garage sales, flea markets and your Aunt Edna's attic or bookshelves.  If you don't have an Aunt Edna, you probably have an Aunt Hortense or something similar.  Work with me here.

Back to this particular copy.  It's from the 1930's.   I know this because Library Thing tells me so.  I also know because of what I found inside, which I'll get to in a moment.  As I mentioned earlier, I've had this book for a long time. It came from my grandparents and until yesterday had been resting on the shelf next to The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (another Modern Library copy) which also came from my Grandparents.  I've read the book by Franklin, but it's been many years.  I wish to do so again in the future, but I couldn't tell you how far or near that future maybe.  But, I digress...or ramble.  Your call.

What makes this particular book so special and precious to me is what I found inside.



Go ahead and click the picture to get a better view if you wish.  I'll wait for you to come back....

Kitty...is my Grandmother.  The book was a gift to my Granddad.  What jumped off the page to me was the date.  11/15/1937

They were married in August of 1937, so what I have here is her first birthday gift to him as his wife.  I am currently reading the book and it's sort of like having them both with me whilst I do so.  It's a doozy of a secondhand gift, y'know?

Our friend Marsha (mardeen) has a poem published today at The Book Times!

http://thebooktimes.com/2012/04/2-by-marsha-robinson/


Friend Regina (reginaclarejane) likewise had a poem published, but this was last week, at The Book Times

http://thebooktimes.com/2012/03/tilt-a-whirl-by-regina-green/


Then, my friend Matt (not from around these here LJ parts) took a request to draw a doodle of Homicidal Uncle Bacon....

http://mabrotherton.com/homicidalunclebacon/


Congratulations to our poet friends, and enjoy the silly that is Matt and his doodles...and my warped mind.

Hi there, 

Lately some of my little scribbles have been published on The Book Times.  It's a site specializing in showcasing the work of Indie authors and poets and artists and creative tips in general.  Bethany, the editor, has been calling out for submissions in an attempt to keep up with reader demand.  

http://thebooktimes.com/submissions/ 

Please consider sharing some of your work, your poems, your short fiction, your memoir pieces, your web comics, whatever....

Tell 'er Mark sent you.

Why? You already did. To do so afterwards would the height of hubris

Besides, I already knew that.

Hello there...

I wrote this poem a few years ago, but it seemed it was calling to me to polish it up and submit it.  Today it appears on The Book Times, a new online publication that is actively looking for writers to submit poetry, short fiction, opinion pieces and the like.  Click the submissions tab (after you read my splendiferous poem, of course) and consider offering Bethany some of your work.

You can find my poem "Courting" here.  And thanks so much for reading.

I have a Guest Post over at "Magic in the Backyard" today

http://kellieelmore.com/2012/03/01/life-in-quotations-with-mark-stratton/

It's part of the "Life in Quotations" series, and I've chosen this quote

"Success comes to a writer, as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed."

   — P. G. Wodehouse

to write about.  Do pop over and give it a read.  Comments there are more than welcome.

Jesus, Mary & Joseph!!! What the bloody blue blazes is the MATTER with you people? It's an oddity, not a damned holiday!!! What's to celebrate?!?!?!? It's WEDNESDAY!!!!!

Stupid, stupid, rat creatures....

For the ever wonderful, ever popular sinetimore