Goodness: Past, Present & Future
Autumn is about to officially begin. I look forward to it—not just because it’s my favorite season, but because this has been a summer full of opportunities to remind myself that joy transcends circumstance. My season started with getting a gum graft along all of my lower teeth in June, and it ended with most of my home state of Oregon covered in hazardous smoke from raging forest fires that are finally being doused with rain. But my joy was not in my gums or the air quality, thank goodness! I was grateful when I could chew again, and I looked for a way to support Oregon’s valiant firefighters.
Gratitude and action are my solutions to such seasons. So I thought I’d share a bit of both—celebrating a few points of goodness: past, present, and future.
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Past: La Via Poetica
Two years ago, I traveled to Chile to visit the three former homes of poet Pablo Neruda. I wrote about how a poem was born on that pilgrimage. In August, I was delighted to have the essay published in Hidden Compass. Thanks again to the wonderful editors!
A few lines from activist-poet Neruda himself:
We need to sit on the rim
of the well of darkness
and fish for fallen light
with patience.
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Today, I’m happy to announce the second edition of my novel, The Honeylicker Angel—spiffy new cover and all. As Kirkus Reviews wrote, it is “the nuanced story of a woman who finally sets out to face her fears and maybe—just maybe—reach for her dreams, too.” And since so many people’s dreams were affected by the wildfires this year, I’m donating profits from the book’s sales this first month of its second edition to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
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Future
And in addition to gratitude and action, there is anticipation. Want something to look forward to? Deep Travel Workshops is thrilled to announce writing retreats to Mexico, Spain, and Morocco in the winter/spring lineup for 2018:
The Art of Tranquilo
January 2-7: Tim Cahill in Yelapa, Mexico
January 11-17: Dot Fisher-Smith in Yelapa, Mexico
Enjoy this car-free paradiso on the Bay of Banderas where you stay in open-air casitas…
In Search of Duende
March 11-17: Erin Byrne in Granada Spain
Practice flamenco, savor paella, and dive into Lorca’s theory of duende while staying in swanky caves…
The Art of Adventure
March 22-29: Larry Habegger in Fez & Moulay Idriss, Morocco
Explore both the lively byways of ancient medinas and the centered peace of a zellij fountain in the courtyard of your riad…
Want more info on any of the trips? Visit DeepTravelWorkshops.com
Want to register? Email info@DeepTravelWorkshops.com.
Good things are in store!
I’ll close with another line from Neruda: “Every day you play with the light of the universe.”
Here’s to playing with light,
Anna
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UPCOMING
Here are some events & workshops on the horizon (more info for each on the events page of my website):
Vignettes in the Vineyard: A writing workshop, 13 October 2017, 2-4 pm at Red Lily Vineyards (Jacksonville, OR) Limited spots…email me to register: ae@annaelkins.com
The Pilgrimage of Poetry at the Writer’s Forum, 21 October 2017, 10:30am-12:30pm (Redding, CA) More info here.
Eyes of the Heart: Prophetic Art Workshop at CCFC (Crescent City, CA). Register here.
Winter Blessings: Paintings by Anna Elkins at Weisinger’s Family Winery (Ashland, OR) Reception on First Friday, 3 November 2017, 5-7 pm. Enter a drawing to win a free painting! Paintings will be up through December 28.
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