apple pie from scratch

"In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." –Carl Sagan (1934-1996) PS The Big Blog Book Give-Away is still open and so is your chance to get a free copy of Angry Conversations With God. More: here.

happy quilt: On and On

"On and On" Quilt by Denyse Schmidt. More here. Big Blog Book Give-away still going and your chance to get a free copy of Angry Conversations With God. More: here.

Not at this address

"This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address'."
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) How great is that? Reminds me too, how grateful I am for my editors. They're the best. We have a mutual admiration society. For me that helps me do my best work. But I'm also grateful for those editors who, when I was first starting out, did return my manuscripts. Because, as far as I can tell, the very worst thing for a writer, worse even than not being published--is be to be published by someone who hasn't fallen in love your text... REMEMBER: The Big Blog Book Give-away and your chance to get a free copy of Angry Conversations With God. More: here.

the subway is singing to you

(photo: Walker Evans Subway portraits) For a few years I've been noticing three notes that play out on some NYC subway lines as the train leaves the station (you hear them on some 2, 4 and 5 lines). A NYT article uncovered what they are. They are the first three notes of the song "Somewhere" from "West Side Story". "There's a place"... for us how strangely fitting for New York City a place for people from every corner of the globe a place you come to find your place, to take your place a place you fit when you don't fit anywhere else And now to find there's a love song being sung to us day and night, night and day, year in year out from the ground under our feet by subway trains underneath Broadway there's a place for us I love New York! PS: big blog book giveway going on and your chance to get a free copy of Angry Conversations With God. More: here.

BIG BLOG BOOK GIVE-AWAY: Angry Conversations with God

OK. I've never hosted a give-away. But here goes. My brilliant friend, Susan Isaacs, has a fabulous new book hitting the shelves this very day. And you can get a copy by doing two things: a) signing up for my blog (if you haven't already); and also b) answering a question (see end of post). The give-away will last through March 25th and the top 4 will get their very own copy of the book (sorry, only available in US and Canada). So spread the word to All and Sundry ... Here's what Publisher's Weekly said in a rave review about her book: "God in couples counseling? Sounds sacrilegious, but in the adept hands of comedian, writer and actress Isaacs, it’s a success. Isaacs reached bottom at age 40: no job, no boyfriend, no home. Of course, she blamed God. So off they went to counseling with the ever-patient therapist Rudy ..." Originally staged as a solo show in New York and LA, Susan's book is a cheeky spiritual memoir and a page turner--startlingly honest, profound, refreshing, unique and very, very funny. It's snarky (as she herself admits) but even at its most scandalous, it's still an affirmation of faith. By the end Susan writes... “I saw now all too clearly why I had married God: for the power and the glory. For the money.” Publishers Weekly says: "Isaacs goes on a Job-like search for explanations from God, but instead finds the problem to be her. She’s funny, biting, earthy and brilliant." And gives the book a star. Quite right, too! I loved it. You can buy the book here. Or you can win your copy: tell me what is the funniest thing you've heard a child say (could be a made up word, a phrase, etc.; could be your child, someone else's child, you as a child...). The funniest will be the winners. I'll keep reminding you of this give-away until the closing date of 25th March...

happy quilt: Snake Charmer

"Snake Charmer" Quilt by Denyse Schmidt. More here.

sticks and stones

That old children's rhyme: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." What were they thinking? Words, as anyone knows--especially children-–have tremendous power. For good or ill. And have to be wielded carefully. Like a very sharp sword. Or surgeon's scalpel. "To speak of 'mere words' is much like speaking of 'mere dynamite' "- C J Ducasse

a big bag hat, hat bag

(Isaac Mizrahi) What can you say? no, but you could sing something. Oh I don't know. Something like, for instance, what about, for example, say, I know, The Handbag Song?