The perils of a glass desk

Overheard in a coffee shop: My stream of consciousness just isn't that organized."

Huh?!

Michelle

Michelle
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

Our friend Michelle was in the recent production of Willie Wanka. We had a great time; especially since one of our friends was in the production, and we heartily enjoyed watching her practice her craft.

Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

Wendell Berry is a Kentucky Saint. Thankfully, he's not afraid to speak his mind; write his conscience, and craft thoughtful essays and works of fiction and poetry.

A Timbered Choir is a collection of poems from 1979-1997, that Berry composed while on Sabbath walks on his farm and land near Port Royal, Kentucky. Highly recommended.

Deane C. Davis

Deane C. Davis
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

As an award for my high school graduation in 1981, I was given a copy of the book Justice in the Mountains: Stories and Tales by a Vermont Country Lawyer by Deane C. Davis.

Davis was a Vermont Republican Governor in the late 60's early 70's, and wrote a book of stories about Vermonters while he was a practicing attorney.

sweep sweep

sweep, dust, vacuum, cough, wipe. Trying to get back in the blogging mode; up next are a few more autographs.

Perfection?

As one who struggles with needing to have everything be perfect, I ran across something in the recent Ministry of Money newsletter (issue 154), on perfection.

Jan Sullivan (co-director) quotes an email from Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation about how Navajo rugs have imperfection woven into the rug, for that's how the Spirit goes in and out of the rug. I already knew that as any reader of Tony Hillerman would know.

However, what I didn't know was that the Eastern mind (Jesus would have been closer to that than our Western mindset), understands perfection not as eliminating imperfection, but as a way to include imperfection. Perfection includes, involves imperfection, and does not strive to eliminate it. Chaos and control (oblique reference to the upcoming Get Smart movie this summer), yin and yang, etc.

Dad Autograph

Dad Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

Moving on to a family autograph connection: this book was written by my dad and published 10 years ago.

He wrote a chronological history of Southern Baptists in New England, using original interviews, documents, and even a paper I wrote in my church history class while in seminary. It was published the year I went back to school, and is as comprehensive as a historical dissertation.

This book is a bit nostalgic for me, since I was raised there, and once was Southern Baptist, before the leadership drug the denomination in a more autocratic direction.

James Still Autograph

James Still Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

This is the last of the KY author autographs I have for the moment. James Still (1906-2001) was from Knott County, KY. River of Earth is his best known book, which I must confess I have not read.

It was published in 1940 and involves a KY family trying to survive on the land or by working in the coal mines.

Kate Sanders Autograph

Kate Sanders Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

This is one of my most treasured autographs; a book of poems from my dear friend Kate Sanders. She self-published this book in 1993, and I had misplaced it for several years. While looking for something else, I found it (what was it doing there?!).

There are 14 poems, and among my favorite are Bookcase, It was years after "Yesterday," I Dream of God and Her Dog Jake, and A Wildness.

Kate is part of the singing duo Down to Earth. Their CD launch party for A Fiercer Love is February 28, 2008 at Clifton's Pizza: 7:30-9:30 PM

Jesse Stuart Autograph

Jesse Stuart Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

This is from a book called God's Oddling that belonged to Susan's grandmother before it belongs to us. Jesse Stuart wrote this book about his father. The book's full title is: God's Oddling: The Story of Mick Stuart, My Father.

I haven't read it, and have only read one of his books: Daughter of The Legend, about the Melungeons who lived in the mountains. It's an ill-fated love story between a Tennessee mountain Melungeon (Deutsia), and her valley-dwelling lover, Dave.

Riddled with cliche's; I didn't think it was a very good book. I've never really been able to enjoy Jesse Stuart, although I agree he's an important Kentucky and regional writer.

The Melungeons are an interesting lot though. Shrouded in mystery because they often had different appearances than their neighbors, they are generally thought to have come from Louisa County, Virginia, although other theories have Turkish ancestory, Native American and other groups. Go here, for more information, including a list of web sites.

Bobbie Ann Mason Autograph #3

Bobbie Ann Mason Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

Here's my last Bobbie Ann Mason autograph from her short story collection: Love Life: Stories. The book was published in 1989, and contains 15 stories.

I have a British edition, something she noted when signing it. I said I didn't know why I had that, afraid and embarrassed to tell her that I bought it off the remainder table. Probably saw her at the old Hawley Cooke on Shelbyville Road.

Bobbie Ann Mason Autograph #2

Bobbie Ann Mason Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

This is my second Bobbie Ann Mason autograph. Her short story Weeds, is from Voices Louder than Words: A Second Collection, published in 1991.
I guess I heard Mason read at the old Hawley Cooke on Shelbyville Road around 1992. This was one of the first times I realized I could support my reading habit and send some money to homeless programs.

Other authors include: Robert Boswell, Andre Dubus, Jane Smiley, Bret Lott, and 18 other authors.

Book Author Autographs I have

Bobbie Ann Mason Autograph
Originally uploaded by Kurwin.

I got the weird idea the other day to photograph and upload author autographs I have. Here's one of my first, by Kentucky author Bobbie Ann Mason.


It was in 1982 or 1983 that Shiloh and Other Stories had been out for a short time, and she came to do a reading at Georgetown College, in the Spring semester.

I remember a friendly argument the Shakespeare professor had with our modern fiction professor; basically that nothing good was written after 1620 or so.

I was delighted when I told her that I really liked her story "Still Life With Watermelon," and she read it the next day.