Get Refined

All right, all right… fine! Here’s some damn refinement!

Real or Real-ish

December 10, 2011
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Real or Real-ish

In which I tried to explain to the kids that our little “artificial” tree is actually “real.” Existentialism 101 Me: We are putting up our tree this afternoon. Kid 1: Is it a real tree? Me: Well, yes, it is a real tree. A real tree in that it isn’t imaginary. Kid 1: No,...

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Between Here & Handmade

December 3, 2011
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Between Here & Handmade

I want things handmade. I want a life devoid of BPA-worries. I want the holidays decorated in popcorn strings and toes of knee-high socks filled with sticky penny candy and tiny oranges. I want to have the hot cocoa, but not the packaging the dried chocolate-flavored granules come in. I want to make the...

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In My California Time

November 19, 2011
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In My California Time

I heard: “Big Sur is calling to me” and here’s what happened to me. I immediately felt the grey, El Nino winter that that I spent in California, in 1999. I was working in a restaurant in Kansas City at the time a place that was renovating. All the staff was given 6 weeks...

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Vacationland: Switch off and Tune In

November 2, 2011
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Vacationland: Switch off and Tune In

I need a vacation. Let’s all insert here for a minute the list of blessings I have. Nice house Good family Everything I need and want (food, clothing, shelter) Friends Education Human Rights Time to meditate and do yoga Lots of good books, and a library card too. Many more OK, even in the...

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We Want… Beauty

September 5, 2011
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We Want… Beauty

Nightclub by Billy Collins You are so beautiful and I am a fool to be in love with you is a theme that keeps coming up in songs and poems. There seems to be no room for variation. I have never heard anyone sing I am so beautiful and you are a fool to...

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The End of Summer

August 31, 2011
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The End of Summer

August retreats. It hands us back the year. Summer isn’t truth, but it is (as Harris Telemacher recites) “What we wish were true.” So many of us Shove out this Season of perspiration, lazily Forgetting how it Slows us Beguiles us Presses us to hold still Find the windy spaces With a friend In...

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A friend, her Emmy nom, and the afterlife

August 21, 2011
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A friend, her Emmy nom, and the afterlife

I’ve discovered that my friend Colleen Bradford Krantz and her colleague, Paul Kakert (who is from my hometown!) have had their documentary film, Train to Nowhere, nominated for a regional Emmy. I’m so proud of them, but not really for the recognition from the awards people. More than that, I am proud of Colleen...

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This Orchid and I

July 25, 2011
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… we don’t know Anything about each other. Curving leaves Hidden roots One long dead Stem. How much Attention Does she need? Day 25, A River of Stones

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Anger Comes

July 20, 2011
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Anger comes Nettle Under sock cuff. Minutes and hours Chopped in Food processor like Helpless almonds. Until I find My way cool again.

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On a Hot Day

July 19, 2011
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hose crawls through the holly bush coughing hot leftovers into a blue backyard lagoon Day 19, July, A River of Stones

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Passing Through

July 13, 2011
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Passing Through

Glassy days– Across the fields Crows can’t be bothered. Hot summer car rides Roads lounging into Forever. Windscreen winks at Passing clouds.

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That Face, Listening

July 12, 2011
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Eyes fixed on mine, Nearly. Chin cupped into Palm. Furrowed brow, “Huh.” Call and response. You listen. You don’t agree. Day 12, July A River of Stones

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I Brought a Loofa

July 10, 2011
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Private talkBetween campground showers“You need soap, Karen?”“I caught it!” “I brought a loofa.”Two women sighingOver water pleasure andFriends. Day 10, A River of Stones

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Back of My Hand

July 9, 2011
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I-74Across the Mississippi–That Familiar vein throughMy life I Cross this morning east.Your still flatness hides Lonely strongCurrentsPulling me back. Day 9, A River of Stones

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Iowa Storm

July 5, 2011
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Into the northwest On a thick summer Evening come Leaden skies Like a bad dream. Day 5, The River of Stones.

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January 2012

Wonderful.

The Archive