Mary Kellogg. "Whistling Woman."
Posted At: Friday, October 2, 2009 9:03 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Mary does her own lawn
Mary Kellogg is a beloved friend and something of a hero to me. I wrote in the introduction to her new book “Whistling Woman,” out in a month or so from Bedlam Farm Books and the Troy Bookmakers that Mary’s gentle ways are misleading. “Her life and her poetry are a defiant statement about courage, purpose, determination and creativity. And she lives it on her own terms, not in response to the narrow-minded expectations of a society that believes older people should melt away in the sun and await their time.”
Mary’s time is now, and so is her wonderful poetry.
My photos are in Mary’s book along with an introduction, and I can’t imagine a better place for them.
Here is one of her poems from the new book, “Hollyhock Lady,” along with some nice photos I got of some Hollyhock Ladies Mary made.
“Did you ever make a hollyhock lady?
mid summer inspires us to create
little ladies in whimsical flowing petal skirts
buds form conical hats
above purple faces
she will dance at King Arthur’s Court
in flowing robe
that kisses the ground
as she twirls
pink and rose
my hollyhock lady”
– Mary Kellogg, “Whistling Woman.”
Looking forward
Posted At: Friday, October 2, 2009 8:52 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
October 2, 2009 – Several years ago, I fell into a dark and fearful place. It was a time of great loss and confusion, and of facing up to the worst parts of myself. One of the many awful things I remember is a state in which I had stopped looking forward to things, an awful void in the center of my soul. I discovered that it is important to look forward to things, and to make sure there are things worth looking forward to.
It is important to remember them, and be grateful for them. I have made a partial list. I look forward to every second I spent with Maria. I look forward to every walk I take with the dogs. And every hour I spend with my friends.
I look forward to every photograph I take. I look forward to publishing my novel, “Rose In A Storm.” And to beginning work on the next one.
I look forward to speaking in Orlando on January 18 at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC). I look forward to teaching a story-telling workshop at the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) in March, and then again, in July.
I look forward to trips to New York City. And to Florence. And to Boston. And to the Merck Forest to camp out for a weekend. I look forward to my new home, wherever it might be. And to hikes. And riding my bike. And seeing my daughter.
That’s enough for now. It’s a lost. People with things to look forward to are fortunate, blessed. I am grateful that I remember look forward.
Barn window, Bunker Hill Road
Posted At: Friday, October 2, 2009 3:45 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
The Daily Potholder, from Maria
Posted At: Friday, October 2, 2009 3:44 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Bunker Hill Cow
Posted At: Friday, October 2, 2009 2:24 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
