last night rob and i went to prairie lights for a poetry reading by marvin bell. he was iowa's first poet laureate and, now retired from teaching, he's often at the first ave. java house on weekday mornings when i'm there working. he wears corduroys and has an apple laptop and seems to be the sort of amiable older gentleman you'd want to be your neighbor. PL's second floor was standing room only. my favorite poem of the night was "to dorothy," written for his wife, which he knows by heart. after the rea
ding we did some browsing and were excited to find that kate di camillo has a new book called the miraculous journey of edward tulane and picked up a copy. we highly recommend her tale of despereaux--it's a wonderful story about a valiant mouse who wants to be a knight. a good read for both grown-ups and kids with great illustrations. i'm especially intrigued by the edward tulane cover art--it reminds me of a magritte painting.i had some shopping to do at target yesterday, and as i was
strolling through the snacks/food section i discovered that my favorite superstore now sells wine and hard liquor. it's perfect for when you're stocking up on shampoo and cleaning supplies and you realize that what you really need is a drink. anyway, the impulse buy of the day was this fabulous purse (ebay-esque pic at right) from the new luella collection. i love that cool designers (thomas o'brien, cynthia rowley, luella bartley, etc.) are working with target so that folks with middle-incomes in middle america can enjoy beautiful things.
oscar had a bath tonight, or as he would call it, water torture. here he is looking skinny and sad.
when it's cold he gets the full salon blow-out treatment. now, fluffier and happier!
We love that dog.
ReplyDeleteYou know, don't you, that Bell was Dad's rhetoric instructor? Back in, what? '63? Dad was inspired by him then as well.
SO excited to hear of the new DiCamillo book! I may go get it tonight!
thanks, betsy--rob *knew* that your dad and M.B. had some connection like that but couldn't recall it exactly.
ReplyDeletelove marvin bell. what an ICIA treasure!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to know that you like "To Dorothy." That is one of my favorites too. Have you read his many "Dead Man" poems? Marvin is a great guy. I have gotten reconnected with him in the last about six years. He teaches a summer workshop that I helped get started here for the America Scores program (see www.americascores.org). America Scores combines poetry and soccer into an interesting program that makes quite a difference in the lives of kids in inner cities.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am jealous much. Your night out to Prairie Lights for a Marvin Bell reading - that's a great evening in Iowa City. DiCamillo's "Because of Winn-Dixie" is a favorite with the middle schoolers (the movie version too)
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