Mary reading a new poem

  January 31, 2009 – I have had a lot of wonderful moments in the last few years, but few as special as walking into Union Village in Greenwich, N.Y., today with Izzy and Lenore and my friends Mary Kellogg, Maria Heinrich and Corrina Aldrich and seeing the huge crowd of people, some of whom drove considerable distances to join us in defying winter and gloom and officially celebrating our belief that better times have begun, and that simpler and more meaningful times are on the way.
  That was certainly true for me. I signed books non-stop for nearly three hours and positively glowed in the thought that Mary Kellogg was reading poems and signing books alongside of me, Corinna Aldrich was displaying her amazing photography, Maria was showing her rogue quilts and Izzy and Lenore were working the room like the pros that they are.
  There was a lot of love in that room, and to feel some of it directed to me was humbling, and very powerful. I do not take it for granted.
  I am embarrassed by this, and unsure of how to deal with it. I am also overwhelmed with appreciation. How many good people there are out there, and how many took the trouble to come see us. Hundreds of people came to Union Village, and it was an affirmation, really, of creativity, hope and community.
   I am, as you know, confused by the power of this blog to touch people, but even if I don’t understand it, I am conscious of it and grateful for it. To get that kind of a crowd out in the middle of the winter to see our works, connect to us and help us reaffirm the notion that life is good, better times will come, and creativity is a powerful force that will always fight to survive – well, it makes life very good to live. This has been a tough winter for many people, and it got brighter for many of us yesterday. Wish that good feeling could be put in a bottle and kept in the refrigerator.
  People lined up to love Izzy and Lenore, who returned the favor. What loving creatures.  Judy Flagg of Union Village did an amazing job of organizing the afternoon. My heart absolutely was lifted by the sight of Corinna talking about her photos, Maria explaining her quilts and her  Junkyard Dog Frieda, and Mary’s magnetic and charismatic presence, reading her poetry and talking about her books. I sold all but four of my photos, and gave the remaining ones to people who drove long distances to come see us.
   Wow. I didn’t have the chance to take too many photos, as I was busy, but I’ll put up a few more tomorrow. I’ve been to a lot of events, readings and signings but this has to rank near the top for me.
   We are a community of encouragement, and we are committed to supporting and freeing the inner voices within each of us that take photos, write books, make poems, create art. And to urging others o do the same.
  It was a powerful experience to hear one person after another say this site, and the farm help weather hard times, lift spirits, touch hearts and souls. I cannot imagine any greater gift to a writer or an artist and we all felt it and were gripped by it. This is why I am so certain things will be better, because there are so many people determined to make it so.

  Neal and Robin Lipschultz won the best dog photo contest at Union Village in our riotously successful defiance of winter and gloom festival yesterday with this shot of Lomax. They won a book and a photo. We got some great entries. Neal is pondering a new camera. Hope he gets one.