Our friend Susie sent Maria her grandmother’s quilt, which is beautiful and hangs in Maria’s Studio Barn. I couldn’t resist taking this photo of it in the morning light. No sun, just gray skies. Used an 85 mm portrait lens. Thanks, Susie.
Ewe at Gardenworks
We live in a wonderful country, with many glorious qualities. But it is also a country that spends billions of dollars bail out banks and car companies but has largely abandoned libraries and struggling artists and writers to their own fate during a deep and enduring recession. During the Great Depression, the government recognized the need to help artists survive, but our government and political community does not.
I was slow to focus on this myself, perhaps because, like many writers, I was absorbed in my own life and work. But in recent months, I have become much more involved in this issue, in ways I don’t need to discuss here. In particular, I am eager to support the Authors League Fund. The recession has hit many older writers and dramatists particularly hard.
The Authors League Fund helps professsional writes continue their careers, and even their lives, with some dignity at a time when public support has largely vanished and publishing is in turmoil.
Many of those the Author’s League helps suffer severe health problems and have little or no health insurance. Others face eviction from their homes or are elderly people whose royalties and other income has disappeared as sales and revenues shrink, and the publishing marketplace changes. Some are struggling to finish books so they can earn some income, but are overwhelmed with anxiety and pressure.
I am fortunate to be writing books that continue to sell, although all of us have been affected to some degree, as have virtually all of the people reading this. I want to be mindful of those older writers who are less fortunate. There, but for the Grace of God.
Many people are in need these days, and all of you know people who are laid off or struggling financially. This is yet another a group that is in dire need, writers struggling to finish their work or even to get medical care. The stories I have been hearing have broken my heart.
For those of you who wish to contribute to older professional writers in great need (they are offered loans that usually are not repaid), you can send contributions to The Authors League Fund, 31 East 32nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10016. If you know of a professional writer struggling financially, please tell them about the Authors League Fund.
Thanks much.
In the afternoon, Rose likes to lie at the end of the house, where the rays of the afternoon sun come in. She watches me, always, ready to go to work.
Maria has made her first Man Bag, custom ordered for a man who wants a bag to put electronic equipment like cell phones and other stuff to go onto a plane or in a suitcase or briefcase. I like the truck grille and it is, in fact, different than the potholders, handbags and quilts. It does seem to be made for men.
I am of course highly biased, but I have a great feeling about Maria’s artristry and the way it combines function with style. I would love a bag like this. Wonder if I will have to pay for it.
I’m pushing for books bags and for “Green” bags, eco-carriers. Got it up on my site before she got it up on hers.
Going to NYC Tuesday for Emma’s book party. She and I will appear together on March 26 at the Red Fox Bookstore, Glens Falls, N.Y. at 7 p.m. She will read from her new book, “90 per cent of the game is half mental” and I will offer a sneak preview of “Rose In A Storm,” my new novel coming out in October. Also, Bedlam Farm notecards are available at Redux. We are printing notecards for Spring and Mother’s Day, chickens and eggs and flowers. I am thinking of a stone walls notecard series.
Maria is finishing her first Man Bag today and I will post a photo.
